Meet the team

Andrew is one of the founders of Grasslands, having decided in the late 1990's that a considerable change to his dairy system was needed to establish a long-term future in the industry. This led him to exploring the benefits of extensive grassland systems, which had already been established in New Zealand and Ireland.

Subsequently, Andrew has travelled to New Zealand and Ireland. Aided by research from Teagasc and several Irish farmers, he has refined the system across the Grasslands business. Their successful results have allowed the business to develop and grow over the past decade.

As the business has grown, changes in management style were essential. Andrew has taken an interest in the lean management concept along with the management of people, ensuring the business remains profitable and sustainable. The first phase of this commenced in 2010 at Clive Hall as part of the North-West monitor farm programme, aiming to improve efficiency. Andrew will shortly be leading the next phase of lean management implementation in 2017, trying to further improve the performance and profitability and involving the whole team on each unit.

The Grasslands business, as well as looking at improved margin and sustainability, now has the capacity to increase the number of farms under this type of management. 

Jack joined Grasslands in 2013 whilst working on his degree at The University of Warwick. Jack graduated in Law in 2018 and is now responsible for the Compliance, HR, Project and Finance functions within the business. Having visited China on a Trade Mission in 2018, Jack is keen to explore possible routes for future diversification complimentary to the current business.

Phil holds the tenancy to Clive Hall Farm, having taken over from his father in 1999. In 2007 he reviewed the returns from the farming system in place before considering his longer-term prospects in the dairy industry. This led him to entering into a 15-year Contract Farming Agreement with Grasslands.

Phil worked with Grasslands to adapt his farming system to the extensive grazing model, putting in place sleeper tracks, fencing and water troughs across the farm to allow access to the grass at the shoulders of the year.

Phil is perhaps one of our most experienced members of staff. He assists with the operations on several of the farms and coaches trainee managers entering the business. Phil has also worked closely with Andrew, and together they have been instrumental in implementing lean management practises into the day to day farming operations. 

James graduated as top student from Harper Adams University with a 1st class honours degree in Agriculture. After finishing university, he completed a calving season in New Zealand and joined Grasslands upon his return in 2013. Here, James was enrolled on the trainee management scheme. He demonstrated his ability quickly and moved to the newest farm within Grasslands, Parkfields Farm.

When James moved to Parkfields Farm in January 2014, he was tasked with managing it through from the farm development phase into the operational phase, with a new herd comprising mostly heifers. James swiftly established himself, so when an opening for the position of manager on Grasslands’ biggest farm emerged 18 months later, he was more than ready for the challenge ahead. James is now responsible for 400 spring calving cows over 750 acres in Shropshire.

James has a keen interest in rugby and plays for Bridgnorth. James is also a member of the Tesco Future Farmer Foundation which helped develop a wider range of management skills.

Scott came to work for Grasslands when they took over the management of a farm in Cheshire. As the herdsman there, Grasslands supported Scott in learning and adapting to the extensive grazing system that was implemented. He subsequently took over the management of Marlheath Farm, Cheshire.

Scott now manages 330 cows on an autumn block calving herd. Scott travelled to New Zealand with his family in 2014 to develop both his interests in the system and have a well deserved holiday.

Scott enjoys spending time in his caravan with his wife and daughter on his weekends off.

With an ever-increasing number of young stock being reared to aid the expansion of the business, the need to appoint a dedicated manager for this enterprise was identified.

Jess had been working with several managers on a relief basis for some time, after finishing her BSc Hons Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. The business firmly felt that Jess held many of the qualities needed for the role of young stock manager, which she took up in the spring of 2012.

Part of Jess’ role involves monitoring the live weight gains of all the heifers incorporating research from Teagasc, planning feed, synchronisation of bulling animals and recording of all their physical movements between units. She also manages the three young stock platforms with the help of two assistants. More recently, Jess has been responsible for the implementation of vaccination protocols and general control of disease within the herds, with specific focus on TB management and planning.

Alongside a busy working schedule, Jess also has a passion for sheep farming and is developing her own flock with partner Andy.

Alec started with Grasslands in 2013 where he worked with Phil Asbury at Clive Hall Farm. Alec quickly demonstrated his ability working with a grassland system, taking more responsibility for day to day decisions and planning to the point that he now manages Clive Hall. Alec runs 215 spring calving cows over 70ha. He has also recently completed the Entrepreneurs in Dairying Course supported through Grasslands and continues to establish himself within the business.

Andy Joined Grasslands in December 21, having herd management experience in a number of different milking systems including Spring and Autumn block calvers as well as herd manager on a 600 cow high input 3x a day system and 650 Autumn block pro cross unit.

Andy also has an extensive interest in lean management initiated from his time as herd manager of the Reaseheath College Moet herd. Andy currently manages Marton Hall Farm, where he is responsible for the 20 spring calving cows with Sainsburys.

Originally from a dairy farming family, Scott started at Cholmondeston Hall Farm as a relief milker back in 2012. He particularly enjoyed the Grasslands system and as his experience grew, Scott was taken onto the Trainee Manager Scheme.

After training with Grasslands for some time, Scott decided to gain some further experience working with a high output herd and left the business for a short while, before returning as relief labour, whilst also running his own business enterprise. At this point, Scott had developed a good knowledge for the farm and knew the farm owners well. Having gained further experience elsewhere, he was now ready to take on the next challenge. When the former farm manager, Will Gill, successfully secured himself a contract farming agreement in 2021, an obvious opening for Scott became available. Scott has now been in the role for 18 months – he is thoroughly enjoying the many challenges and personal development!

When not managing the farm, he enjoys spending time with his family, and has an interest in many types of sport… as well as an odd visit to the local Pub!