New owners of Meadow Court Farm welcomed by Guernsey Dairy

Wednesday 25 May 2022

The new owners of one of the island’s largest dairy farms have said they are committed to rearing Guernsey cattle and to the future of local farming.

Meadow Court Farm, which covers more than 700 vergees of land, was purchased in December by the Mallard Family, who own and manage two other farms and a vineyard in France.

The farm, which has a herd of 155 cows, was established by Ray Watts in the early 1970s and stayed in the family until the recent sale.

Pictured left to right: Andrew Eastabrook, Charlotte Bolding, Tony Vile and Graeme White.

The new owners have appointed Andrew Eastabrook as Farm Manager and have retained long-serving staff members Tony Vile and Graeme White, who have worked for the farm for over 35 years and eight years respectively.

Mr Watts' son, James Watts, provided an “intensive handover period” to the Mallard family before leaving the island in February.

Mr Mallard said the transition had gone reasonably smoothly and has encouraged his family to become immersed in local farming life. As well as providing milk to the dairy, they are focussing on improving the herd’s genetics and say they will continue to farm in a sensitive and sustainable way.

“Tony and Graeme know the farm inside out, and their experience, together with the ongoing presence of Ray Watts, will help us move forward and maintain the local dairy traditions and the important role of protecting the island’s countryside,” said Mr Mallard.

Pictured: Andrew Eastabrook, the newly-appointed Farm Manager, has managed a herd of Guernseys for the last five years in Gloucestershire.

Mr Eastabrook brings with him lots of experience of the iconic Guernsey breed. His love for farming was nurtured at a young age after spending most of his school holidays helping on local dairy, beef, pig, sheep and arable farms in Surrey.

He graduated from Newcastle University with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with honours in animal science and was then employed as a dairy management trainee in Buckinghamshire looking after a 500-strong herd of Holstein-Friesians.

He then managed the Brymor herd of Guernseys in North Yorkshire. His most recent post was at Hartpury University & College in Gloucestershire, where he spent the last five years setting up and managing a commercial herd of Guernseys. During this time, he undertook genomic testing of the entire herd - a first in the UK - and other enterprises. 

Mr Mallard said: “We are now in times when fewer farms are being passed down from generation to generation, opening the door for new farmers coming from varied backgrounds.

Pictured: The Mallard family will continue to provide milk to the dairy from their herd of 155 cows. 

“Agricultural colleges now prepare young farmers as business managers. It is good to have young people coming into the agricultural profession from different walks of life and not necessarily from an agricultural family.

“Having developed an early passion for farming, Andrew has become highly knowledgeable and experienced in agricultural practice, but also with a business viewpoint.”

Mr Eastabrook said protecting the island’s green fields and hedgerows and enhancing the natural environment was a key part of land management.

“Protecting and nurturing its traditional farming heritage and the iconic Guernsey cattle breed are all central to what we do,” he said.

“We plan to spend a lot of time on land management, which will include tree planting, hedge gapping and continuing with environmental strips and cover crops to help the enrichment of the environment.”

Pictured: Guernsey Dairy Managing Director, Andrew Tabel, welcomed the Mallard family. 

Mr Mallard added: “It is so rewarding to see young people coming into the agricultural business.

“Farmers of the future are the principal actors of agricultural land management, the essential profession to cope with climate change.”

Guernsey Dairy’s Managing Director, Andrew Tabel, said: “The Mallards have a wealth of farming experience and their contribution, along with Andrew Eastabrook’s technical expertise, is a welcome addition to the local farming community complementing what is already a highly respected industry”.