Further to our report earlier in the week about Briddlesford Lodge Farm‘s involvement with Open Farm Sunday, this report from Suzanne and Alan Whitewood. Ed
On Sunday, only one Island farm opted to participate in the national Open Farm Sunday. Briddlesford Lodge Farm is a family run business, which has been in the hands of the Griffin family since 1923.
Then, Charles Griffin had a herd of just 15 milking cows. Today, there are 150 pedigree Guernsey cows, all descended from the original animals.
80 visitors
About eighty visitors booked a conducted tour of the farm and some of its 220 acres, which includes 100 acres of woodland.
Paul Griffin is in charge of the general running of the farm and his sister Louise runs the farm shop. Their parents Richard and Judi still have a large input, work wise. Their fourth generation nephew Christy Flux already has a role. On Sunday he was the on-duty cowman, in charge of milking the herd.
Visitors were divided into four groups for the tour and we were in the knowledgeable hands of Judi. One year Judi held the post of High Sheriff and is about to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with Richard.
Informative talk
We were shown two large silage heaps, which consist of grass and maize grown on the site. A special variety of maize is grown, with smaller bitter cobs, for the cattle to enjoy when field food is not available. Last year very little of the maize was produced, due to the bad weather last summer, and this affected the milk production.
Guernsey cows produce rich and creamy milk and all 150 milking cows calve each year. When the calves are born they are 50/50 sex-wise on average. Some 2-3% of births produce twins. When twins are one male and one female the latter is almost always sterile. Female calves are destined to produce milk while the males are destined to provide veal.
Violet, a four month old calf has been entered for this month’s County Show and will be paraded by Judi’s grand-daughter, Tilly.
Cattle welfare
Cattle welfare is a high priority for the Griffin family. Mastitis can be a problem but is reduced by giving the cows plenty of time out in the fields. Providing a cow track to the milking parlour has reduced the amount of mud on the cow’s udders.
In turn the track has enabled wild flower pastures to grow each side of the track which prevents mud flowing into the stream thus making for clearer water.
Milking schedules
Milking is fully automated and takes place twice a day- at 5am and 3pm. Briddlesford’s Guernsey cows are some of the highest yielding in the country at an average of 20 litres a day per cow. Once the milking cows start producing milk, they will continue to do so for an average of ten years.
To reach this total of milk each cow drinks 100 litres of water. There are only three Guernsey herds on the Island.
Refreshments at the cafe
At the end of the tour visitors enjoyed a glass of milk in the Bluebell Café another of the Briddlesford Lodge ventures which is run by Paul’s wife Chris.
In order to retain their herd the Griffin family decided in the 1990s to open a farm shop to sell their own milk rather than be held to ransom by the supermarkets.
Surplus milk produced at Briddlesford Lodge is sent for cheese making. Where possible local produce is sold in the shop and café.
