A Llandyssil dairy producer is branching out by entering the organic milk market for the first time, after completing a programme of upgrades at the farm.

The owners of the 240 acre Gate Farm in Llandyssil, Mike and Glenn Lloyd, say they have moved away from conventional dairy farming in order to meet the growing demand for organic milk.

The father and son team have converted the farm to organic production through an intensive programme of grassland reseeding and growing of organic crops which will feed their 170 milking cows.

Funding for the programme has been provided by a £300 million lending fund committed by HSBC to support agricultural businesses in the UK, as part of its wider support package to help British Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(SMEs). It has also helped to provide further infrastructure upgrades, providing a new water supply system, electric fencing and cow tracks. By making the 18-month transition into organic dairy farming, Mike and Glenn have secured a supplier contract with Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative (OMSCo).

Glenn Lloyd, co-owner of Gate Farm, said he was delighted to realise his ambition for the farm after wanting to make the move into organic for some time.

"My grandfather founded the farm in 1945 and I’m delighted to be continuing his legacy while taking the farm in a fresh direction which reflects customer demand.

"We’ve wanted to make the move into organic dairy farming for a number of years and our relationship manager at HSBC, Angela Crowe, really understood our vision."

Euryn Jones, HSBC’s Regional Agriculture Director for the South West and Wales region, commented: "Mike and Glenn have boldly identified an exciting opportunity to tap into a growing market and HSBC has been able to offer support for the business during a period of major change. They have made an excellent start in converting the farm to organic production and securing a contract to supply organic milk. I have been very impressed with their progressive and commercial approach to farm business management and we look forward to continuing to support them in their new venture."