Whole Farm
J G Quicke and Partners farm 1500 acres north west of Exeter. Alluvial soil in the valley of the Creedy is deep, fertile and heavy and is used mainly for cow grazing. Red sandy loam, in the hill rising to the south, is a light arable soil. Further to the south are a range of culm measure soils, used for grass and crop production. Beyond the farm to the south, but within the Quicke estate, lies some 1200 acres of woodland on steeper culm land. 800 acres are managed, with Douglas fir, Chestnut and a range of other species, planted mainly in the 1960s-70s. Sherwood Garden hosts National Collections of Magnolias, Knaphill Azaleas and Berberis.
For over 30 years the Quickes Dairy Herd has been focussed on profitably producing milk for on-farm processing into world class cheese. In 1999 the herd strategy was changed with the sale of the high yielding, high genetic index herd and establishment of spring calving grass based system. In autumn last year a new autumn calving group was introduced, also aiming for optimum production from grazing.
Cows
We have 30 grass silage beef cows, 500 dairy cows plus youngstock who produce around 7,600 litres per cow. We feed them on a 290 acre grazing area of rotationally grazed grass in paddocks for 10-12 months a year and on self feed/forage box (grass, whole crop and maize silage). Surplus grass is conserved from the grazing area if required and plentiful water is provided via a ring main, with a 2 barrel system supplementing magnesium and vitamins. Cost of production stands at around 16p/litre. A grazing orientated cow has been bred, with an emphasis on; milk quality, good fertility and cow longevity. This is accomplished with a three way cross of New Zealand Friesan, Swedish Red and Ayrshire sires.
Crops
We have 600 acres under the plough, growing wheat, spring barley, oil seed rape, oats and maize. We sell cash crops through the co-operative Westcountry Grain. We have a range of arable stewardship crops to create habitat for the farm’s woodlarks, grey partridges and brown hares.
Slurry and Irrigation
A 5 million gallon lagoon holds just over half a year's slurry and cheese washings. We can pump out both slurry and water over about 550 acres, using an underground irrigation main and tractor and splash plate.
Re-seeding Policy
The focus is on managing the grazing to improve pasture. Reseeding is only done where essential, with 15 to 20 acres reseeded each year, to a long term grass clover mix with intermediate and late heading varieties. Several leys have been successfully over-seeded with a grass clover mix. Additional clover seed has been over-seeded, by spreading on the pastures using a bike spreader and fed to cows.
Countryside Stewardship
The farm has one of the largest Countryside Stewardship Schemes. With government help, we maintain and restore 170 acres of hedges, orchards, bankside trees and ponds, we have created arable margins for wildlife, and footpaths and educational access so people can enjoy the countryside.
