The South West Dairy Development Centre (SWDDC) provides state-of-the art facilities for research, development and demonstration with an emphasis on optimising productivity with data points across the whole system to trial agri-tech and new approaches.
The 200-cow commercial run unit integrates robotic milking with precision grazing, with in-field methane measuring through our Mirico laser, CO2 measurements through our closed path eddy covariance system and biodiversity monitoring. The centre demonstrates the highest standards of animal health and welfare through technological integration.
This capability offers a truly innovative environment for developing, testing and demonstrating new technologies and techniques to support sustainable, efficient, high health and welfare, cost-efficient milk production.
Our dairy capabilities include state-of-the-art facilities for research, development and demonstration, focusing on optimising productivity with comprehensive data collection across both housed and pasture-based systems. We integrate advanced technologies like robotic milking, precision grazing and wearable monitoring devices to ensure detailed measurement of production parameters and behaviour.
In collabortion with:
Steanbow farms is a A family run farm in the heart of Somerset, UK. Caring for livestock and land since 1972. The Christensen family has been farming Steanbow Farms in Pilton, Somerset, since 1972 when Finn took on a three-generation tenancy. Two of Finn’s sons, Neil and Mike, returned to work the farm in 1990 and together the three bought the farm in 1992 ; building the farm up to everything it stands for today.
Farm Network
Our innovation farm network is a network made-up of commercial farms, serving as real-world testbeds for agri-tech trials, research and development. This collaborative environment breaks down barriers to adoption and accelerates the development and commercialisation of new agri-tech products. It establishes new benchmarks in agricultural excellence, providing the right environment for agri-tech developers to innovate and collaborate with farmers.
