A coastal farm in South Wales has diversified into producing sustainable bedding and forage for animals.
The long-standing family farm has launched the Gower Granary brand to market its premium chopped and double dedusted straw and haylage, which are suitable for a range of animals, and are available in recyclable packaging.
Gower Granary emerged as a new name in the animal world just three years ago, when it built a new packhouse on the farm in Gower. Today its small team sells its premium range via independent country stores and wholesalers across both Wales and England. The double dedusting and milling process ensures that the chopped straw bedding is dust free, which is good for both horses and humans who can be susceptible to respiratory issues. The chopped straw is a sustainable byproduct from growing cereals, and once used and discarded, it rots down into a carbon friendly compost for the land. It can be used by horses, poultry, cattle and many other animals.
High profile converts to Gower Granary’s chopped bedding straw include Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, in Pembrokeshire, which uses it to bed a whole range of animals, from sheep to guinea pigs, and Aberystwyth University, in Ceredigion, which uses it in its equine centre.
Gower Granary received start-up support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and its aim is to encourage animal owners to buy Gower Granary’s range to help support local farming, and the other local businesses which trade with the farm.
Farmer and Gower Granary MD Chris Harry Thomas said:
“We are delighted with the response we have had so far from people wanting to buy local, high quality bedding for their animals, rather than choose inferior and imported products. We hope to continue garnering local and regional support and plan to expand our range in the future. Right now we need the economy to be strong so that people have money in their pockets and keep choosing to support us, rather than switch to cheaper, inferior competitors.”
Gower Granary’s products are now stocked by more than 30 independent outlets, from pet shops to equine specialists, as well as multiple retailers like Wynnstay, CCF and Mole Valley, and they are also available to buy direct in bulk.
The Red Tractor approved farm grows herb-rich varieties of grass to make into hay and haylage on a five-year rotation, which leaves nutrients in the soil, and it also has a wildlife-friendly herd of Welsh Black cattle on the farm’s cliff land to increase biodiversity.
Several years ago the family started growing vegetables to sell locally, but said that they couldn’t make it pay. Mr Harry Thomas said:
“Five years ago we began working to diversify the farm, to reduce carbon emissions and sell to local markets, but every year this aspiration gets harder and harder.”
