The Olds family has been farming at Cornhill Farm in West Cornwall since 1912. Today, Len and his son Pete represent the third and fourth generations managing the farm. Historically focused on cropping, the farm expanded into free-range egg production and contracting services when Pete returned from college in 2002. After years of supplying Waitrose, they decided in January 2020 to shift their focus to local markets, achieving 100% local egg sales.
Cropping
Len explains their farming system: “We farm 250 acres at home and rent an additional 250 acres to grow crops for milling feed for our four flocks using our in-house Mill n Mix. Our contracting business complements our fieldwork and poultry operations by maximizing machinery use, reducing reliance on contractors, spreading repair costs, and facilitating tasks like moving mobile sheds and re-drilling pastures after flock depopulation.
"We employ a double cropping system to reduce weed and pest burdens and have focused on enhancing organic matter by spreading over 1,500 tonnes of compost annually, along with chicken manure. We also produce hay, haylage, and straw, supplying Pete’s local equestrian clients. The resulting dung piles are returned to the farm to further enrich the soil, improving its structure and boosting grain yields, enabling us to be self-sufficient in feed. With climate change, soil health has become a top priority, and we are exploring ways to mitigate soil compaction.”
Hardy Hens
The free-range enterprise includes 14,000 hens, primarily Bovan Browns from Joyce & Hill, chosen for their suitability to the farm’s exposed location near Godrevy Bay and the moors toward Zennor and St Ives. While they have tried other breeds like Shavers, Bovan Browns remain the preferred choice despite sourcing challenges.
The farm plants dense cover crops near the sheds to encourage hens to roam, acting as natural lawnmowers. They operate a multi-age site, achieving 315 eggs per hen at 72 weeks, up from the previous average of 295. The farm’s hen houses, some designed and built on-site, run up to 90 weeks. Depopulation schedules align with school terms to meet peak tourist demand. Since 2021, 100% of their hens are re-homed locally, with any surplus taken by Fresh Start 4 Hens for distribution across the UK.
Mobile Homes
The hens roost in four insulated mobile hen houses, three of which were designed and built at Cornhill. Raised sections allow for feeding, drinking, and nesting, while floor-level areas provide scratching and dust-bathing spaces. The mobile houses, each accommodating 3,000 to 3,700 hens, are moved between two sites per field, with fresh cover crops planted on the resting site. This mobile system, though labor-intensive, creates opportunities for apprentices and young workers.
Conservation
In addition to intensive farming, Cornhill Farm dedicates areas to conservation, including wild bird mix corners, a wildlife pond, and biennially trimmed hedges. As part of Cornwall Council’s Exemplar Farms in the Forest 4 Cornwall Scheme, they will plant more trees this winter, creating a new small woodland and preserving open pasture for skylarks. Cover crops attract beneficial insects and birds, reducing crop pests naturally. The farm balances modern agriculture with environmental stewardship, allowing wildlife to thrive alongside food production.
Award-Winning Excellence
Cornhill Farm’s eggs are popular for their freshness, with 95% leaving the farm within 48 hours of being laid. This commitment to quality has earned them the Taste of The West Gold award for South West England since 2021 and finalist status in the Farmers Weekly Poultry Farmer of the Year 2021. They also won the Rural Business Awards South West 2012/2022.
Local Markets and Education
Transitioning from Waitrose to local markets was initially daunting but proved crucial for the farm’s success. Pete’s social media presence, known as @‘Farmer Pete,’ has become a key part of their marketing strategy, raising their profile and educating the public about farming life.
UKEPA Accreditation
As an independent egg producer, we pack and market our eggs locally and undergo regular audits from Laid in Britain. This cost-effective accreditation scheme, managed by the United Kingdom Egg Producers Association, has maintained a flawless track record in salmonella control since official testing began 20 years ago, largely due to the implementation of competitive exclusion. Eggs under the Laid in Britain scheme have a superior record of being free from salmonella compared to other assurance schemes. FSA approval of this scheme ensures that Environmental Health and Egg Marketing Inspectorates endorse our eggs, allowing cafes, shops, and restaurants to purchase them with confidence.
Recently, when we had a surplus of eggs, we considered sending them to St Ewe for packing, but the cost of meeting Lion Code standards was prohibitive. Therefore, we chose to remain with Laid in Britain, which is much more cost-effective for us.
Cornhill Farm exemplifies a blend of traditional farming values and modern practices, achieving excellence in both production and conservation. The Olds family’s dedication ensures that their farm not only survives but thrives, benefiting the local community and environment.
