Sandra Vallis
Highdown Farm,
Bradninch, Exeter.
Devon. EX5 4LJ.
tel:01392 881028
Mobile:07739 765510
Holiday cottages on an organic dairy farm between Cullompton and Bradninch in Devon
Highdown Farm
Highdown Farm forms part of the ancient Manor of Bradninch, Prince
Charles' Duchy of Cornwall Estate. We farm about 176 ha which is made
up of arable, grassland and woodland. The whole farm is organic or in
conversion to organic, and is registered with the Soil
Association. The farm is in the Organic Entry Level Shemce and
much of it is also in countryside stewardship.
We grow a variety of crops such as wheat and triticale. They are fed to the cows and youngstock. The straw from the cereals is used for bedding for the animals when they come in from the fields in the winter. We also make grass silage in June for winter feed. During the summer,the cows graze the fields of grass and clover.
The farm has 10 ha of woodland, much of it was planted in 1993 under the Farm Woodlands Grant scheme, this is to make use of the steep ground, enhance the scenery and encourage wildlife and fauna. We have also planted an orchard containing varieties of old-fashioned fruit trees which
are becoming rare in this part of the country.
Highdown is a predominantly dairy farm with about 180 Friesian and Ayrshire dairy cows. The cows calve mainly in the Spring & Autumn. The heifers are kept as replacements
for the dairy herd and some of the bull calves are kept to rear
for beef, the remainder we sell.
Our dairy herd began producing organic milk in July 1999. The milk is sold to the Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative (OMSCO). It will mainly be bottled as whole milk for
Sainsburys, made into cream or
yoghurt for Yeo Valley or made into cheese.
Ewes and rams graze the orchard and the steep land. If
you visit in the springtime, you are likely to see some lambs
frolicking about in the fields. In the orchard you will also find
some laying hens of different breeds, you may also be lucky enough to
see some fluffy chicks. Delicious organic eggs when available are
supplied in the holiday cottages.
We own three ponies. They are very friendly and love fuss and
attention and enjoy being ridden by the children that come to stay with
us. We also have two Pygmy goats called Cola &
Rosie. They also love being fussed over and fed!
This is just a very brief summary of what happens at Highdown.
Farming very much revolves around the seasons and there will be a
variety of things happening on the farm, depending on the time of year
you will be staying with us.
