JACK Yeoman had reared calves by hand for more than 20 years but, since August, a computerised feeder has cut the daily two-hour chore of looking after up to 20 calves to just 15 minutes.

Mr Yeoman and his son, Peter, installed a Volac U20 system on their 220-acre dairy and arable farm at Cowtons Field Farm, East Cowton, to replace their twice-daily bucket system.

The farm has always been progressive. Ten years ago, they were one of the first with Meuse-Rhine-Issel (MRI) cattle and now keep 120 head, including dairy cows, herd replacements and beef animals, which are fattened to 650-700kg using home-grown cereals.

"We don't go along with what everyone else does, but prefer to do what we think is right for our farm situation," said Mr Yeoman. "The computerised feeding system is something we thought would be right for us, and that has proved the case."

Peter saw the system on the Hadrian Farm Services' stand at last year's Great Yorkshire Show and placed an order a couple of days later.

The Yeomans realised it would reduce the time and physical effort in rearing calves. It also allows group housing, instead of individual pens.

The U20 model can handle up to 30 calves, and the U40 will manage up to 50.

The Yeomans' herd calves all year round, and calves are now introduced to the mixed group at three or four days old.

For the first three days, the machine allows each animal to receive its daily allocation of up to 3.5 litres of Volac's Blossom calf milk replacer, split into portions of a maximum of 1.5 litres, throughout the day.

The amount increases to 4.5 litres for the next four days; to five litres between days seven to 14, and to 5.5 litres until day 48, before gradually weaning off to zero over the following week.

During the 56 days when calves are fed on the machine, they consume a total of 278 litres of milk, equivalent to 27.8kg of replacer.

With milk worth about 18p a litre and the replacer costing just 13.5p, the 4.5p/litre difference adds up to a saving of £11.25 per calf in rearing costs, and £780 for a farm rearing 70 calves a year.

Computerised feeding individually monitors each calf and the Yeomans have found the animals do not fight for food, despite calves of just four days old being housed alongside six-week-old animals.

The group system also allows young calves to take their lead from older animals. It encourages them to start eating solid feed much earlier, and in greater quantities, than when individually penned. The faster rumen development results in greater overall growth and much higher liveweight gains.

The system has provided flexibility for Jack. He no longer has to feed the calves when his son starts milking at 6.30 each morning and 5pm in the afternoon. Instead, he chooses when to visit the calves and, by pressing a button, can check individual feed intakes.

"Nothing about calf rearing is black and white and it all comes down to good stockmanship," he said. "Naturally, we were dubious at first about whether the system would live up to the claims made for it and justify its cost. However, it has proved to be very simple to use, reliable and cost-effective.

"We bought the U20 for our own convenience and, although some might view it as an extravagance, by improving calf performance and allowing us to spend more time doing what is important, it has proved an excellent investment. We are delighted."