A West Wales dairy farmer, Emyr Bowen, has made it to the finals of this year’s British Farming Awards, competing for the prestigious Dairy Farmer of the Year title. Bowen, who manages Lan Farm near Carmarthen, is one of four finalists recognised for their contributions to dairy farming and sustainability.
The Bowen family has a long history at Lan Farm, which will celebrate 100 years of its pedigree Holstein herd in 2024. Emyr and his father, Robert, run the farm full-time, with the support of part-time staff and contractors. This teamwork allows them to dedicate more time to managing their herd and focusing on animal welfare.
The farm’s herd of Holsteins produces an impressive rolling average of 11,000 litres of milk annually, with a butterfat content of 4.5% and protein at 3.2%. To ensure animal health and maximise production, the cows are housed in sand bed cubicles during the night and grazed in the fields during the day throughout the summer months.
In addition to traditional methods, Emyr Bowen has made several forward-thinking changes to improve both the farm’s efficiency and its environmental impact. The cows are fed a mixture of grass silage, straw, minerals, and yeast, with additional feeding based on their yield. This diet shift has increased milk production by 500 litres, bringing the total yield from 1,500 to 2,000 litres.
At the start of 2024, Bowen made a significant transition by moving the herd onto a soya-free diet. This change has improved the quality of milk fats, proteins, and the fertility of the cows. Bowen notes that the switch has not only been beneficial for animal health but has also positioned the farm to meet future industry standards and environmental goals, particularly in helping the industry work towards net-zero carbon emissions.
“We’ve completely eliminated soya from our herd’s diet, and our beef unit is now 100% grass-fed,” said Bowen. This move not only supports the environment but also reduces feed costs, making the farm more sustainable and cost-effective.
With increasing environmental regulations, particularly in Welsh Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ), Lan Farm has adapted by expanding its slurry storage capacity. This has had the dual benefit of improving soil health and reducing reliance on commercial fertilisers, further cutting costs.
Looking ahead, Bowen plans to continue making environmentally friendly improvements to the farm, with hopes of securing government grants once future agricultural policies are clarified. His commitment to sustainable farming has placed him in a strong position for potential retail contracts as consumer and company demands shift towards greener practices.
The British Farming Awards ceremony will take place on October 17 at The VOX in Birmingham, where Bowen will find out if he takes home the title of Dairy Farmer of the Year.
