LKL Services to Agriculture

Consistency and reliability help profitability

Having budgeted for a low milk price and cut costs accordingly, Hants producer Simon Martin is grow future profits.

Yet one worry he doesn't have for his 480 cows, is staff. For the past 20 years, Simon has been able to rely on LKL herdsmen, on his 300 cow spring calving herd and also on his 180 cow autumn calving herd at Fareham.

"LKL hasn't let me down once in 20 years - they are professional and give good service" says Simon. "We had had problems with herdsman in the past and went to LKL purely on the basis we could change staff easily, but we also ended up with a higher quality person."

"I want staff who want total responsibility. I want the best staff as we are prepared to give them the best chance."

Simon's aim is to be as low cost as possible in milk production, but in recent years he has recognised the need to adapt to changing circumstances. "The plan was to have 300 sprin calvings producing less than 6,000kg. However, it can make more economic sense to push them a bit harder and get extra litres".

"For the autumn calving herd we block calve and cows graze from the end of February to the end of November, we feed through the winter and aim to get 7,500-8,000kg."

He feels they are better at getting more from grazed grass and has worked more closely with the farm vet to boost fertility through better dry cow management. "We've also changed genetics and are no longer using high PIN US sires, but instead going for grazing type bulls."

In the south-east of England, Simon thinks no-one wants to milk cows just for money. "They need a good deal - good facilities, regular time off, and smart housing. If you don't supply this you won't get good staff. With LKL, we've got peace of mind and security that the job is going to be done."