I have known Chris Carpenter for several years as I met him originally in Sussex when he was milking and managing a herd of Guernseys and “Dutch” bred Holsteins for Clive Stickland at Billingshurst and making a very good job of the herd. We lost touch when he moved to another herd, but about three years ago he rang to say that he was on the shortlist for a “Council” tenanted farm and if successful would like to milk Guernseys, that didn’t work out on that occasion but he did not give up on his dream.
Finally this week he and Louise have taken the tenancy of a Devon Council farm in Denbury, near Newton Abbott, the farm is 127 acres and has an old but workable 7 a side Herringbone and two cubicle sheds and a straw yard. The silage pit while large is empty as surprisingly the previous tenant was not obligated to take a first cut, but Chris has located 20 acres of forage Maize and hopes to be able to take some grass silage as bales. He is hoping for a short winter as the ground is free draining and he should have grass for February grazing.
He has been able to get a full Channel Island contract with Milk Link with the milk going to Langage Farm who specialise in Cream products, particularly Clotted Cream where the Guernsey milk will add colour to the product.
They have bought the Summerhill herd from Robert and Sarah Cole (80 cows and in calf heifers) and the first load of cows arrived on Monday the 4th of July with the second load to follow on Tuesday. I am always amazed at just how “biddable” the Guernsey cows are and they went through the “new” parlour without any major hassle and were soon happily grazing on the lush Devon pastures.
Chris and Louise are actively seeking another 40 cows but they are proving hard to find and I hope that they are successful in their “dream” venture.
