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After joining the team 14 years ago, Nick soon took up the role of herd manager and was responsible for developing a new dairy unit situated within Dartmoor National Park.   

“I am lucky to work with a forward thinking and reliable team. My time at the farm has seen my role grow to manage a team which I see as an opportunity to bring new people into the industry or into new areas of agriculture,” says Nick. 

He has encouraged young people onto the team, regardless of experience or gender. He looks at the task done, not who carries it out.  

Achieving excellent yields, milk quality and animal welfare, he has a key focus on herd health which he believes ultimately contributes to a profitable and successful business, allowing expansion and progression.   

He is also interested in developing new projects to increase herd numbers and is adopting regenerative practices with mixed swards, soil health and reduced cultivations. Nick has led a team to design and build cost-effective milking and housing infrastructure for the farm, alongside his normal duties.   

A simple but practical system is what Nick likes in day-to-day work. This allows the whole team to carry out tasks easily and to improve parts of the system when needed.  

He is a member of several discussion groups to share knowledge and enjoys engaging with the public during farm visits. 

“Over the years, I have spent a lot of time learning new skills and training so at this point in my work I look at expanding my knowledge into new farming practices which will benefit the farm,” he adds. 

Fact box

• Nick has shown loyalty, working on the farm for 14 years.
• He encourages diversity in team and helps people get into agriculture
• A perfectionist, he sees new farm projects as a chance to improve
• He is always looking forward to benefit the farming system