Farming
Farming Philosophy
Farming is no different to any other business and the economics to deliver are daunting, particularly when not only affected by the vagaries of the English weather but also international and global market influences. Copas Farms Estate has decided that, despite many outside pressures, we wish to carry on farming into the future such as generations of Copas’s have done in the past.
Copas Farms Estate’s arable farming policy has changed considerably over the past few years. We are growing a world commodity so we look to grow combinable crops of cereals and oilseeds in large quantities as economically and efficiently as possible on the majority of good land which concurs with our aims to produce high quality crops in a sustainable, traceable and environmentally responsible manner. Less productive land is put either into environment stewardship to help increase the biodiversity of the farm or permanent pasture for hay and livestock grazing
Arable Farming
For over two decades now Copas Farms Estate has been using a minimum cultivation system which does not involve ploughing. As a result we have increased the organic matter of the soil by locking up carbon and increasing the microbiology of the soil which has enhanced yields over time. Today over 50% of the crops are direct drilled using regenerative agricultural methods.
Whilst the geographical area of the estate extends into Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, we currently farm 2065 acres using modern machinery and equipment which includes just three tractors, one sprayer and one combine with on-board computers giving the facility to steer by GPS to reduce overlaps and over application of inputs. All grain is processed and stored on our farm estate and is hauled to the mills and docks in our own articulated lorry.
Fruit Fields Pick Your Own
Copas Farms Estate operates two Pick Your Own farms which collectively extend to 110 acres. The first farm, Lower Mount Farm in Cookham, opened back in the early 1970’s and this was joined by Calves Lane Farm in Iver in 1978. A wide range of fruit and vegetables are grown, the season starting with asparagus in May and finishing with plums and sweetcorn in September. Summer fruits, including strawberries, raspberries and cherries remain great favourites with customers.
Copas Farms Estate grows seasonal fruits and vegetables which are primarily selected for their flavour. They are grown using modern planting and cultivation techniques and only the minimum amount of fertilisers and insecticides are used to control pests.
Cattle
Together with our cousins at The Copas Partnership, we use some of our grazing in Cookham for the rearing of beef cattle. This also involves using our Common Rights which gives us access to 814 acres of common land cattle grazing within the ancient boundary of Cookham.
Currently, we have a herd of 55 Aberdeen Angus cattle and it is planned that each year we will fatten around 50 cattle. The cattle will be fattened outside on grass, but during the winter months their feed will be substituted with silage and hay from the commons.
Farm Services
As much as possible Copas Farms Estate operates as a self-contained unit. This includes a fully equipped workshop for most vehicle and machinery repairs and a dedicated construction team to maintain existing premises and to build new buildings to invest in the infrastructure of the Estate for the future. The Estate Office provides a full back-up administrative service which includes most legal and accounting requirements.
Conservation and Stewardship
A continuing policy of conservation and maintenance is implemented by Copas Farms Estate to preserve and enhance the natural environment.
Encouraging wildlife has always been an important consideration and during the course of our farming activities we are conscious of the needs of wildlife and, wherever possible, we look to improve the landscape to provide sanctuaries and havens. This includes maintaining and planting new trees and hedgerows and digging ponds.