Updates from Penlan Farm
Last updated 26th March 2010

Part of the ongoing habitat enhancement work at the Penlan Estate, involves measures to increase the populations of a range of mammal, bird, invertebrate and plant species. We have, as part of this programme, started to erect nest boxes for various bird species. The workshop carpenters have made a start, creating both internal and external nest boxes for barn owls.

These lovely owls can be seen at Penlan, so a series of boxes have just been sited around the farm. It’s thought that barn owls prefer to roost for part of the year in one location, and then move to a different one to nest. Four external boxes are up, and a similar number will be put in some of the traditional buildings around the Estate, along with sites inside the new barns recently erected.

Using modern farm kit to erect the boxes, for a bird more usually associated with traditional farming methods, the barn owl. A range of smaller nest boxes were also put up, including several in the surroundings of the office complex of Burns Pet Nutrition. Some of these small bird boxes were left open fronted, others had a ‘hole plate’ entrance fixed. We eagerly await the arrival of any ‘new tenants’!

Conservation Updates - January 2010
The final Conservation Project of the ’09 year was the planting over approx. 7,000 hedging plants. This involved the preparation of almost 1.5 miles of new hedge-banks (trimming back grass) before a mix of blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, guelder rose, dog rose and holly were planted by local hedging craftsman, Trevor Davies. Using the experience gained over a lifetime of countryside work, Trevor and his assistant were able to complete the job in just 4.5 days.
These new hedges will provide valuable new habitats for a wide range of species, along with shelter to the adjoining fields. The shelter aspect is much needed on some of the upper fields, and it’s possible that the growth patterns on these banks will be slowed, because of their exposed location. Plans are in hand to place some fence posts in the hedges, creating perches for bird species, until the shrubs are sturdy enough to provide suitable points. The sides of the banks were sown with wildflower seed last season, with mixed results. Some species will return this spring hopefully, so that these hedges should quickly add to the habitats already at Penlan.

Brown Hares
There was lots of excitement just before Xmas, when several of the farm staff, including the Farm Manager Richard Gough, reported sighting an animal which has small populations in Wales, but is certainly classed as a rarity, this side of Offas’ Dyke.

Note the distance between the two sets of hare tracks in the first two pictures. This hare was at top speed, as the two sets are 2.75ms apart!!! Hopefully the fox (I’m guessing), that put this hare to flight, was well behind.

Brown Hares are usually associated with the eastern counties of England, so the confirmation of them at Penlan is very important. The change of the farming system to include a significant arable acreage is undoubtedly an important factor, and everything possible is going to be done to increase numbers. A quick visit and recce in the recent snowy spell, showed tracks in several stubble fields. The regular security patrols ( at the poultry units) should also mean that the poaching threat is minimised.

September 2009
Well Its Sunday 13th September 11pm and I am just about to start my eighth week as farm manager, the time has just flown by but haven’t had a chance to think about it as we’ve been so busy. In the last eight weeks we have knocked in over two hundred fence posts put up eight and a half kilometres of fencing wire taken delivery of a thousand free range hens and currently we are three days into our wheat harvest. The summer has finally arrived this last week and despite being about two months late we are making the most of the sunshine. This week (weather permitting) should see us harvest all 170 acres of wheat and bale the wheat straw for using in our nesting boxes.
Working late this week gave me the chance to see a beautiful sunset from the top of Penlan Isaf overlooking Kidwelly and out to sea one of the perks of this job. Another perk is being surrounded by wildlife today we were joined on the harvest by a buzzard scouting around and swooping ten feet away looking for field mice no doubt. There is also lots of insect activity this time of year and the wild flower margins planted earlier this year are working well with bees, butterflies and lots of ladybirds attracted by the flowers.

Farmer Richard Blog

Penlan Farm is actually an amalgam of the major part of two farms, Penlan Isaf [lower] and Penlan Uchaf [upper]. Around 330 acres of former dairy farmland has been acquired by John and Tegwen Burns and is now being developed to include sustainable rotational farming methods, high standards of animal welfare, wildlife conservation and to ensure reasonable access by the public.

The ultimate objective is to produce the raw materials which can be utilised to produce a new generation of pet food using locally produced ingredients.

The product will be manufactured from raw materials produced mainly on the farm i.e. free range eggs, vegetables and spring water with bough-in brown rice. The finished product would be moved to our main site for distribution.

Wheat and oats to feed the chickens will also be grown on the farm.

The land will be farmed with minimal external inputs. The farm produce will be manufactured into a high value end product. Animal welfare standards will be paramount. (Most free-range and certified organic farms fall short of what most people would expect from free range, organic farming.) Burns is a corporate donor to the farm animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming.

Chicken Flock

The core of the farm will be the flock of free range chickens. Unlike many modern free-range and organic chicken farms, which house chickens in very large numbers in a giant shed, the Burns flock will be kept non-intensively in small groups. This is less stressful for the birds but more labour intensive. The plan is to keep 3000 chickens in groups of 150 or fewer. This will involve the construction of 20 sheds which will be distributed over some 20-30 acres. The chicken sheds were designed by John Burns and are being built on site to a high standard of insulation.

A pilot scheme with 2 sheds housing 300 chickens has been in progress since March of this year. The remainder of the chickens are due between July and October.

Grain Production

The grain to feed the chickens is being grown on the farm. One hundred and forty acres of winter and spring wheat have been sown and should be ready for harvesting by September –October.

Vegetables

Some 10 acres each of carrots and swedes are being grown for use in our new moist food. There are also smaller areas of kale and potatoes.

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Penlan Isaf Farm

Chicken Flock

Grain Production

Vegetables