Mark de Wynter Smith says his quest to develop a sustainable suckler enterprise is starting to become a reality six years after being appointed manager to Astrop Farms, taking in virtually 6,000 acres and based at Simonsbath, near Minehead. This traditional stock rearing unit, all of which is in the LFA/SDA lying between 1,200’ and 1,550’, presented a challenge. Two thirds of the property comprises mollinia and the area records an annual rainfall approaching 90".

"We drew up a strategy to maximize output and subsequent market returns by producing the highest quality stock to meet demand from a low input, low cost regime," he explains. Cow numbers have doubled to 700 homebred sucklers run alongside a complementary flock of 3,400 Blackface ewes. Eventually more than half the suckler herd will produce high value Charolais cross calves, while Astrop is successfully developing a new market in the region for Scotch Mule shearling ewe replacements.

As far as choice of terminal sire was concerned, Mark was confident to calve as may cows as possible to the Charolais. "Charolais crosses are in demand. No other Continental cross will touch Charolais crosses in terms of quality conformation combined with weight for age and it’s weight that pays at the end of the day.

"Suckled calf buyers are seeking six month old calves that are as heavy as possible and that have the genetic potential to finish quickly and efficiently and we’re proving we can deliver the goods with calves averaging a DLG of 1.3kg solely off milk and grass."

The entire annual crop of Charolais cross calves is sold through Exmoor Suckled Calf Rearers’ Association annual sales at Cutcombe in November. At last year’s event, 100, six month old Charolais cross steers without first BSP payment claim taken and sold for an average 164p/kg, while 100 same age Charolais cross heifers leveled at 94p/kg.

Pictured right: A cow and calf pair at Astrop Farms

And Mark is confident that level of demand will continue in future post CAP Reform when steers will no longer be ‘stored’ for second BSP payment. Instead finishers will be seeking cattle to finish to target weight as quickly as possible. "Early maturing cattle that demonstrate feed efficiency will be in demand, and that means Charolais crosses," he says.

When it came to choice of suckled cows, their future was less straight forward. "We decided we had to replace a herd of Galloway and Blue Grey cows simply because their calves lacked scale," Mark explains. And the new damline had to meet a number of criteria. "We needed an easy care cow that would utilize poor forage; she had to come indoors in late November in good condition and over winter solely on quality silage and minerals prior to calving from April onwards. She had to not only look after herself but also rear a consistent high performance calf to match finishers requirements.

"Rather than buy in replacements from numerous sources and risk introducing disease problems, we decided to develop a closed herd suited to this farm’s climate and vegetation. In 1999, we introduced our own breeding programme comprising Aberdeen Angus, Galloway and Beef Shorthorn genetics. In 2004, we’ll be putting the Charolais to 450 composite cows comprising a three way Angus cross Galloway cross Beef Shorthorn." The two smaller herds comprise three quarter bred Beef Shorthorn cross and pure Galloway cows for breeding composite replacements.

So far, Mark says he’s delighted with the results. "The composites are achieving a mature body weight approaching between 500kg and 550kg, they have minimal maintenance requirements, they’ve a good temperament and few health problems, and 97% are calving without any assistance."

FMD curbed the herd’s progress. However Mark says he’s now back on target towards achieving volumes of Charolais cross calves to market. "Charolais cross calves have been reared solely off milk and grass and sold immediately after weaning, however in 2003, we decided for the first time to add value by introducing restricted creep 30 days prior to sale to supplement dwindling grass and milk supply.