Project manager reveals secrets

TAKING ON the role of project manager has saved Richard Tomlinson time and money, but only because he is a stickler for detail.

This means he has kept on top of organising the building work and thinks other producers should be aware of how complicated this can be. “I”ve had to co-ordinate welders, sheeters and electricians to get the job finished and my staff have been working crazy hours.”

However, Mr Tomlinson would rather have a job done properly to a timescale at extra cost, than save money and take longer. “In the long run, time costs money and taking my staff”s time away from the cows could lead to mastitis or cows not in calf,” he explains.

An added pressure has been the decision to expand in just one year.

New housing, parlour and slurry lagoon, plus more than two miles of cow tracks and grazing infrastructure have been put in this year. Only silage clamps will be enlarged next year.

Mr Tomlinson”s original five-year plan involved increasing in stages. Budgets worked out going from 350 to 450 cows on a 20-year payback.

“But once we decided to expand, it was a case of get the facilities in place as soon as possible and produce the milk. It takes a long time to pay for it.”

His ultimate aim is to turn the farm into a milking platform by sending heifers away to be reared.