Tom and Julie Davies are third-generation farmers at Upper Court Farm, near Hay-on-Wye in beautiful Herefordshire. They’re also owners and directors of U C Feeds Limited, where they grow, process and supply a range of fully traceable animal feeds to local beef & sheep farmers as well as farm stores.
“We farm the main holding here of around 500 acres and rent a further 800. Roughly 1,000 acres is arable and 300 acres down to grassland where we fatten up to 650 cattle a year. In 2017 we properly diversified into making animal feed and recently we’ve taken on running a butcher’s shop in our local town to sell our beef. Being able to sell our beef (and soon to be our own pork and lamb) which are finished on our animal feed completes our story, we’ve always said UC Feeds is field to feed, with the butcher’s shop now we’re also farm to fork!”
“We grow all the grains and pulses used in our rations; wheat, barley, oats and beans and blend them with straights and minerals on farm, bagging in 20kg and tote bags for customers to collect or bulk deliver in our 2 blower lorries. UC Feeds came about by neighbouring farmers and staff asking to buy the feed we were using on farm to finish our own cattle. In 2017 we decided to invest in the business and create UC Feeds and split it from the farm. Over the 10 years of operating, we have become UFAS accredited and have added more to the range we offer and are now selling 10,000 tonnes a year”.
“With BPS payments stopping and farmers being encouraged to diversify, we looked into a few options and developing the feed business was a logical step for us.”
Some of Tom & Julie's herd.
“We joined AF in 2018 on the recommendation of a neighbouring farmer. Initially we only used it for the farming business, buying basic inputs like fuels, fertiliser and machinery. But we soon realised that AF offers a wealth of products and that we could use the AF purchasing power for UC Feeds rather than just relying on our own purchasing power here on the Welsh Border.”
“It is very time consuming sourcing straights with the best possible price, speaking to 3-4 different suppliers to discuss contracts for each product, over time we have been assured that AF can rarely be beaten on price and in the last 2 years we have put 80% of our straight purchasing through them.
“The AF team look after us.”
“We use AF mainly because of price competitiveness, but also the team; we appreciate a single contact at the end of the phone. We have a great rapport with the team and we get good industry knowledge and insights when we’re chatting with them. AF is very reliable and even when we’re under pressure, they’ll always turn something around for us.
“We have built up a good understanding of AF and what they can offer us and use them on the farm as well as for the feed business. We do use AF for other inputs too, including machinery, fertiliser, fuel and electricity on the farm. AF hasn’t let us down yet, so long may it continue!”
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