An Introduction to the University Farms
An Introduction to the University Farms
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An Introduction to the University Farms |
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The University of Newcastle upon Tyne farms two farms. Cockle Park and Nafferton. These farms are used in teaching and demonstrating for students. They also provide research facilities for the Faculty of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. In addition, they are expected to make a financial ontribution to the Faculty and the Department of Agriculture, but like any farm they are subject to the economic pressures of the day. Both farms are used extensively to complement lectures and practicals. All agricultural students are take to visit the farm in induction week (when stage 1 students arrive a week prior to the start of teaching to allow them to become more familiar with their new environment, and to complete their registration). Thereafter, students will visit the farms as appropriate to dove tail with their modules, however, farms visits are by not limited exclusively to the University farms and we are greatly endebted to the good will of the local (and not so local) farmers who welcome our students to their farms. |
COCKLE PARK FARM |
[1].Cockle Park is a 262 ha mixed farm situated about 20 miles north of Newcastle upon tyne and is owned by the University. Included in this is a 32 ha block of land adjacent to the farm which was pruchased in 1997. The research facilities are maintained by the University and the farm, buildings and land are let to the Faculty of Agriculture and Biological Sciences as a tenant farming unit. Farming is based on dairy, beef, sheep and arable enterprises and a 20% levy on any surplus is used to create a fund available for research. The Pig unit has been developed independently as a research unit of the Department of Agriculture. |
[2].The farming system at Cockle Park is based on milk, beef, cereals and sheep. Current land use is as follows | ||
| Enterprise | ||
| TOTAL | ||
[3].The overall grassland area of 119 ha is supplemented with approcimately 50 ha of grass parks giving an overall stocking level of 2.21 LSU per ha. |
NAFFERTON FARM |
[1].Nafferton Farm is a 284 ha farm situated 12 miles west of Newcastle upon Tyne on the north side of the Tyne Valley. The soil is well drained loam and the rainfall for the area is around 630 mm per annum. The farm is rented from the Allende Estate on a full repairing lease. The current rent equivalent, comprising rent, building repairs and depreciation is £170 per ha (£69 per acre). |
[2].The farming system at Nafferton Farm is based on milk, beef, cereals and oilseed production. Current land use is as follows | ||
| Enterprise | ||
| TOTAL | ||
| TOTAL RENTED GRASS | ||
[3].The main livestock enterprises are a 150 cow Friesian dairy herd with followers and a 100 head silage-fed beef unit, finishing home-bred calves. the overall stocking density (LSU.ha grassland) was 2.44 in 1999. |
| Access further information on the farms here: University Of Newcastle Farms |