From the ground up: Sustainable dairy farming in Wales

Hywel Dafis, a third-generation dairy farmer from Talgarreg, Wales, manages an 800-acre farm with 420 cows on a split-block calving system. 

His farming philosophy combines traditional practices with climate smart solutions to tackle modern challenges like sustainability, profitability, and environmental pressures. 

Optimising soil health for grass growth 

 Hywel’s farm is situated on loamy clay soils over shale, which are shallow but workable. He soil tests every four years to monitor pH and nutrient levels, focusing on phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) management. 

 Harley Brown-Keech, Germinal’s Area Sales Manager for Midlands and North Wales, emphasises that maintaining soil health is foundational for sustainable farming. 

By ensuring optimal soil conditions, Hywel maximises grass growth in Wales’ high-rainfall climate while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. 

Reducing nitrogen inputs for sustainability 

Over the last 15 years, Hywel has significantly reduced chemical nitrogen applications – from 50 units every four weeks to just 12-15 units per round. 

Harley underscores that this reduction benefits both farm profitability and the environment. Lower nitrogen rates allow clovers to thrive without competition from ryegrass, enhancing forage quality midseason. 

Hywel is also experimenting with reduced nitrogen rates on multi-species swards while maintaining yield, showing that forage production can be generated sustainably. 

Multi-species swards: A game-changer 

In response to cow health challenges and the need to lower nitrogen inputs, Hywel introduced multi-species swards comprising perennial ryegrass, red and white clover, chicory, and plantain. 

These diverse swards improve soil aeration with deeper roots while enhancing photosynthesis through larger leaves. 

Harley highlights that Germinal’s Aber High Sugar Grasses (Aber HSG) complement these swards by boosting forage quality for grazing and silage. Together, these innovations support higher milk yields and improved animal welfare. 

Hywel notes that his cows adapted seamlessly to the new forage mix. The variety in their diet not only benefits grazing efficiency but also contributes to biodiversity by attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.  

Silage production for winter feed 

Hywel cuts silage three to four times a year at five-week intervals to ensure high-quality winter feed for his dairy cows. 

He uses Germinal’s Aber HSG varieties during reseeding to maintain optimal forage quality for winter milk production. 

Harley explains that these grasses are designed to thrive in local conditions, producing forage that supports both grazing animals and silage needs. 

By focusing on forage quality, Hywel reduces dependency on purchased feeds while maintaining milk yields during the colder months. 

Navigating environmental pressures 

Both Hywel and Harley acknowledge the growing pressures of regulations, TB challenges, and market demands for lower costs.  

Harley points out that Germinal’s research-backed products help farmers like Hywel adapt to external pressures such as climate change and legislation. 

Germinal is supporting Hywel with advice and innovative products that enable him to balance performance plus sustainability. 

He sees diversity in swards as a win-win solution: using diverse mixtures designed to optimise forage production while supporting soil health and reducing emissions, helping farmers meet sustainability goals without compromising productivity. 

Looking ahead 

Although just three years into his multi-species journey, Hywel is optimistic about the potential. He believes increasing plant diversity above ground leads to greater biodiversity below ground – a benefit for soil health and productivity. 

The Aber High Sugar Grasses and multi-species used by Hywel are available in Germinal’s brand-new Climate Smart forage ranges. Designed for performance plus sustainability, you can explore these mixtures now.