Farmers Weekly Awards 2021: Dairy Farmer of the Year

Mark Larwood, Oak House Farm, Norwich, Norfolk

Mark Larwood is the 2021 Farmers Weekly Dairy Farmer of the year. Mark is proof that excellent cow health and fertility can generate exceptional financial performance.

His attention to detail in all aspects of his family’s dairy business is impressive. But perhaps what’s more inspiring is the fact his humble nature means he is constantly seeking ways to improve.

The herd of 250 cows at Oak House Farm is milked twice daily, averaging 10,450 litres at 4.4% butterfat and 3.32% protein, with good milk hygiene. High-yielding cows are housed year-round, but low yielders are grazed during the summer months.

Investment and breeding

Cash generated through profits is being injected back into the business to drive efficiencies and improve cow welfare and health.

The latest investment has been a state-of-the-art dry cow shed which provides 11sq m of space a cow and deep straw beds.

Next on the list is new calf accommodation and clamps to reduce forage waste and improve milk from forage.

One of Mark’s biggest strengths is his breeding management. He uses the AHDB herd genetic report to identify any weaknesses with the herd, and he meticulously scrutinises bull choices against a strict list of health and production criteria.

This, alongside the fact he runs a closed herd, is paying dividends with 97% of heifers reaching second lactation, and the herd’s average profitable lifetime index (PLI) comfortably sitting within the top 5% at £259.

First calvers are bred exclusively to genomic sires for the first two services. After this, easy-calving Angus semen is used. Meanwhile, most cows are mated to beef at first service.

To improve efficiencies and avoid serving cows during the hot summer months, Mark calves most of the herd in the autumn. Heifers calve at two years of age in a tight, six-week block from August to September.

He is achieving an exceptional 12-month rolling pregnancy rate of 32% across the whole herd. This is helped by using Heatime collars with fewer than 15% of cows treated with ov-synch protocols.

Marketing

Milk is supplied to Arla UK 360 for Aldi, and Mark places increasing importance on working with the processor and retailer to engage with consumers by taking part in producer-led initiatives and welcomes nursery children and schoolchildren to his farm.

Furthermore, he works hard to meet all pillars of the Arla UK 360 farm standards programme. He has for a long while been compliant with  Arla’s Every calf has a value standard, with beef calves sold direct off-farm to a private buyer.

His enthusiasm and willingness to adapt to change means the business is constantly evolving to meet the challenges of dairy farming in the east of England.

More recently, this has meant growing lucerne on his light, sandy loam soils to help bolster forage stocks.

To pinpoint further areas for improvement, he benchmarks the business through multiple discussion groups including Arla’s R500 group, and Milking It, an East Anglian discussion group.

He says this has been vital to keep ideas and conversation flowing during the lockdown. He has also encouraged staff to take part in online webinars and courses to keep team spirits high and ensure renewed enthusiasm for the job at hand.

This, together with regular training and annual reviews, is resulting in good staff retention rates with the team.

Our other finalists were:

• George Lester, Manor Farming Company, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
• Janette and Richard Thornton, Heathtolt Farm, Horsham, West Sussex 

Read about the other finalists