Heaves Farm is on the southern fringes of the Lake District in the old County of Westmorland. Its 270 acres of prime quality grassland is divided between the rolling pastures of the famous Levens Hall Estate and the flat land of the Lyth Valley, including salt-marsh along the banks of the River Gilpin which is part of the Morecambe Bay SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental management and conservation is a key part of modern agriculture and at Heaves this responsibility is taken very seriously. Heaves Farm is part of DEFRA’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme, carefully managing the land to maximise grass production and nutrition as well as looking after hedgerows, stone walls and local wildlife. The farm boasts a system to collect rainwater from the large area of roofs which is reused in the farm buildings and has recently had its own bore-hole well drilled 186m down into the limestone below the farm, providing natural spring water for the animals to drink.

 

As well as rosé veal calves, the farm is home to 150 pedigree Holstein Friesian dairy cows and 150 North Country Mule sheep delivering early spring lambs.

Heaves Farm is run by the Mason family - Roger, Carole and their son Gary. The Mason family have farmed in the Levens area for over 100 years. Gary is the 5th generation to farm on the Levens Hall Estate. Eldest son Neil lives and works in London and daughter Lisa is a Physiotherapist at the local hospital.

 

The family are all involved in the local rural community. Roger is a member of the local Parish Council and a regular competitor at the N.F.U. golf days. Gary has been an active member of Kent Estuary Young Farmers Club since he was 13, taking part in events and competitions at District, County and National Level. In previous years, Gary has taken part in a charity sky dive and has cycled over the 4 highest road passes in the Lake District to raise money for the local mountain rescue.

 

All of the Masons are involved with the Westmorland County Agricultural Society, hosting the educational schools visits at Heaves Farm and providing support and stewardship at the Annual County Show.

The source of the majority of the rosé veal calves is the 150 pedigree Holstein Friesian dairy cows that live at Heaves Farm. The herd originates from the Levens herd, bred at neighbouring farm Lawrence House since the 1950’s.

 

The herd produces over 1.3 million litres of milk each year which is supplied to Dale Farm dairies in nearby Kendal to be made into yoghurts, cheeses and desserts.

 

The cows are milked twice a day in a modern milking parlour linked to a computerised system that accurately records how much milk is given. It is capable of milking up to 80 cows per hour as well as monitoring health and calculating the correct amount of balanced feed concentrate to be fed each day. Keeping the cows fit, healthy and happy is essential and all the animals on the farm are routinely checked every fortnight by the local vet.

 

The milking parlour is part of a purpose built dairy unit which includes housing for 220 dairy cows and young heifers. They can roam as they please and as well as being able to wander outside and eat the fresh grass (when the weather permits) each has access to their own indoor roomy stall complete with padded mattress. Additional food is provided in a mixed diet of home grown maize, whole-crop and grass silage which they can graze on at their leisure!

At the 2008 Westmorland County Show, Heaves Farm was proudly awarded first place in the Westmorland County Agricultural Society’s ‘Best Managed Farm’ competition in recognition of the quality of its stock, crops and grassland.