IBERS University Farms

Aberystwyth University manages more than 1000 ha (2,400acres) of land in the immediate area surrounding Aberystwyth. The land rises from sea level to 330 m above sea level, and includes both conventional and organic land. The farms are operated on a commercial basis but their main function is to support learning and research. The farms operate a diverse range of enterprises, on five main sites.

Lodge Dairy
A 500 cow dairy herd consisting of predominantly spring calving cows bred to maximise the utilisation of grazed grass. In addition the herd runs a group of 100 Autumn calving cows which provide animals for winter feeding experimental work. The cows are currently milked through a 20:20 herringbone with a new 24:48 parlour due to be installed shortly.
 
Lodge Sheep
A 1000 mountain ewe flock, consisting of Tregaron type Welsh mountain ewes and Beulah speckled face ewes. The flock produces mule ewe lambs and fat lambs for Waitrose.

Ty Gwyn dairy
A 140 cow organic dairy herd consisting of Pedigree Jersey and cross bred cows bred to maximise the utilisation of grazed grass. From February onwards the cows will be milked through a 16:32 herringbone parlour. The Ty Gwyn dairy has been selected as an Organic Centre Wales focus farm.

Frondeg Dairy
The 150 spring calving cows which provide researchers with the opportunity to undertake whole herd research.

Morfa Sheep
The morfa Mawr sheep flock consists of 1300 mule ewe flock which lambs in early February and produces fat lambs for Waitrose. Combined with the Lodge sheep flock it provides a model of the unique UK stratified sheep industry.

Research Sheep
The research flocks are a unique resource to Aberystwyth University and IBERS and consist of a mix of pedigree Texel, Blue Faced Leicester, Suffolk and Beulah speckled faced ewes. The flocks are all performance recorded and have been used for numerous research projects including work with QTL’s and the Inverdale gene.

Arable Enterprise
The arable enterprise was originally established to satisfy the cropping requirements of the Tir Gofal environmental scheme, however in recent times the enterprise has been expanded in order to provide home grown cereals for livestock. In addition the farm now grows Potatoes and malting Barley for a local cottage brewery.

Pig enterprise
Recently established the pig enterprise finishes around 200 porkers per year, all of which are marketed through the University farms farm produce enterprise.

Ger-y-Lli farm produce
Aberystwyth University farms produce is marketed directly through the farm under the brand name Ger-y-Lli. The farms supply Beef, Pork, Lamb and Potatoes to the University restaurants as well as to University staff. Lamb produced on University farms and marketed under the Ger-y-Lli banner and recently won the taste of Wales Award for food quality.

Environment
The farms are managed under the management prescriptions of the agri environment scheme Tir Gofal. This offers students interested in the environment and countryside management to experience first hand the implications of such schemes to farming systems, and also offers students a chance to get involved in capital works such as hedge laying, footpath management and fencing.

Research
University farms are committed to offering students and research staff facilities for animal, crop, and environmentally orientated research. The farms are continually developing new enterprises in order to offer students and research staff the broadest range of activities of any University.

Modern farming techniques
University farms have close working relationships with a number of reputable machinery manufacturers. The farms have adopted field navigation equipment as well as minimal cultivation and sowing techniques.

Students and the farms
Students are always welcome to participate in farm activities both during term time and during vacation.