TELEDALE FARMS
1735 Concession 4, Brock Township, Sunderland
Owners: Ted and Wilma Smith, son Graham
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- The Smiths moved from a dairy operation in Whitchurch-Stouffville to a 130 acre farm in Durham Region in 1958. Today they farm 350 acres total in Brock Township.
- Managing a dairy herd of 220-230 head of cattle overall, they milk 85-90 pure bred Holstein cows and send approximately 2,500 litres of milk a day to market. They grow corn, hay and barley on 300 acres to feed their animals.
- Their large tarp covered free stall barn features thermostatically controlled curtains to regulate temperature and humidity levels. Cattle lay on paper waste bedding.
- Liquid manure is captured in an earthen lagoon which was built in 1993 on a blue clay foundation - "if properly installed, the least expensive yet most efficient storage system", Ted explains.
- Teledale is one of the few dairy operations in Durham that have utilized no till practices, which have stabilized soil structure thereby reducing losses due to wind and water erosion, minimized fuel usage and costs, and decreased time spent in the field.
- The Smiths rely heavily on custom farm labour to minimize their investment in farm machinery and equipment.