Diversification and change: Phil and Julie Trump

Farm buildings at Higher Rixdale Farm, near Newton Abbot, Devon

Barns used for over-wintering of livestock at Till House Farm

Phil Trump amongst a group of Friesian steers

Part of a legume-rich pasture to be made into silage

Crossbred cow with Charolais-cross calf at foot

Phil and Julie Trump operate a farm-based bed and breakfast and farm stay cottage business at Higher Rixdale Farm, near Newton Abbot, Devon. this farm is 105 acres in size and is located in an area of upland heath, a threatened land area ecosystem. Attached to their house are 2 B and B rooms and in the same group of buildings there are 2 self-contained cottages which can house up to 14 people. The Trumps have been on this farm for just on 2 years as part of a diversification strategy which was put into place when their other landholding (15 miles away) was subject to development. Till House Farm is located near Rockbeare, a village adjacent to the zone around the relatively new Exeter Airport, and has been the subject of planning changes for the last 5 years. The family were dairy farmers at Till House, milking over 200 cows on a seasonal basis for the fresh milk market. The development of that part of the farm included in the new zoning has been placed on hold due to the difficult financial situation in the UK. The dairy would have needed significant investment in infrastructure to continue at or above the then current level of production, so dairying was discontinued.

Livestock at Higher Rixdale include a 30 cow Red Ruby Devon suckler herd, calving in March and April, and February-lambing sheep. The Devon cattle are a significant component in the managed conservation of the high-value upland heath areas, and are required to be grazed through winter on specific pasture areas to help manage weeds and manipulate the growth of desirable species. Soils are based on peat and sand through to areas of flint but it is well drained.

Phil's dairying background did not prepare him for sheep handling and management and commented that "sheep in England have 2 ambitions: to get out and to die. If they can do both at the same time then they are well pleased". However with the help of a dog, the mustering and moving tasks are more easily completed.

Till House Farm is 250 acres of mixed clay soils. Crops such as oats, barley and wheat are grown for on farm consumption as grain or silage (whole-crop) and oilseed rape is grown for sale. Maize is also part of the rotation of crops, but its high inputs for high return is not required as often under the beef fattening system that has replaced the dairying. Grains are stored on farm and then rolled or crimped for feeding to mostly Friesian steers and bullocks. Animals are grazed in paddocks from late April-early May until late in November. Management of the straw under the animals' feet in the winter months has become a key issue in this Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). The amount of nitrate applied to fields, the storage prior to spreading and the method of spreading are big items for any farmer in this country. Phil has a series of ponds for storage after separation of solids from liquids and a weeping wall system to further filter the nutrient-rich slurry. Application to pastures must be at a rate that will not allow any excess nitrate to enter ground or surface water systems.

Steer calves are purchased at any age (minimum 12 weeks) from a number of adjacent farms, including an immediate neighbour who is an organic dairy farmer. Cattle here have 'passports' like a chequebook, which must accompany them when they transfer from one owner to another. It is a little like a hard copy system of the NLIS scheme in NSW. Penalties apply for unaccompanied or unsigned animals. The calves are grown out over a period up to 20 months on pasture feed and supplementary grain. Animals are processed at nearby St Mirren at up to 420 kg carcass weight. Prices per beast of over £1000 can be achieved, although the cost of production is high by Australian standards. Phil applies strict temperament policies and will not retain breeding females unless they are quiet. The close proximity to a large group of 400kg animals (56 steers) while holding a feed bag is an exciting aspect to inspecting the livestock.

The suckler cow herd at Till House Farm is a mixed group of Friesian cross cows with some Devons, and these are mated to a Charolais bull. Some Devon heifers from Rixdale join with this group and these are artificially inseminated to selected Devon bulls. Calves from this herd enter the feeding program and some heifers are retained as replacements. The retention of a suckler herd is a point questioned by members of the management team as some see it as feeding twice the numbers for the same kg of sale beef (prefer to buy in feeders) while others are welded on to the continuaton of breeding calves. The occurence of Bovine Tuberculosis at Till House has meant that the farm is in a period of restriction, as animals can not be sent to a farm of higher status (no positive tests) but can still be sent for slaughter or traded between farms of similar status. Females can move from Rixdale (no positives) to Till House but not back again until 2 clear whole-herd blood tests have been taken. There is to be at least 60 days between these tests.

I had a wonderful stay at Higher Rixdale Farm, including a 1 mile walk (each way) to the pub along a hedged single country lane with a couple of dead badgers along the way to add that local flavour. Great hosts and a comfortable stay. I really have to wholeheartedly thank Phil Trump for his kind offer for me to spend most of Sunday with him at Till House Farm. It was an unexpected pleasure to share his time, thoughts and lunch. Unforgettable.