Bakers of Haselbury Plucknett is a family run dairy farm near Crewkerne in Somerset. We currently keep 1750 Holstein Friesians on 1700 acres of land.
The Baker family started farming in 1932 with the purchase of one house cow; by the 1950s they were milking 70 cows. After moving farms in 1966 we started making cheddar cheese and managing two 100 cow dairy herds. In 1992 the herds were combined and moved to our present location of Rushywood Farm. In the late 90s we started growing maize and an extensive grazing system was adopted. In 2001 our first diet feeder was introduced and by 2002 our extensive grazing system was then being phased out. The herd continued to expand and with the introduction of sand beds in 2004 and an 80 point rotary parlour in 2005 expanded yet further. 2006 saw us take tenancy of another local farm to increase our land base to 1500 acres.
We have continued to expand to present size of 1750 Holstein Friesians. We also carry out the majority of field work and cropping and raise most of our heifers. The focus of the business is on high herd health and welfare and creating a family business that continues to be successful for a further 80 years and beyond.
The Baker family started farming in 1932 with the purchase of one house cow; by the 1950s they were milking 70 cows. After moving farms in 1966 we started making cheddar cheese and managing two 100 cow dairy herds. In 1992 the herds were combined and moved to our present location of Rushywood Farm. In the late 90s we started growing maize and an extensive grazing system was adopted. In 2001 our first diet feeder was introduced and by 2002 our extensive grazing system was then being phased out. The herd continued to expand and with the introduction of sand beds in 2004 and an 80 point rotary parlour in 2005 expanded yet further. 2006 saw us take tenancy of another local farm to increase our land base to 1500 acres.
We have continued to expand to present size of 1750 Holstein Friesians. We also carry out the majority of field work and cropping and raise most of our heifers. The focus of the business is on high herd health and welfare and creating a family business that continues to be successful for a further 80 years and beyond.