Supporting Sustainable Calf Rearing at Pipplepen Farm with the JFC Evolution S4

At JFC Agri, we're proud to support passionate farmers like Brad and Phylli of Pipplepen Farm, Dorset, who are using our Evolution S4 Automatic Calf Feeder to transform their calf-rearing system and their story is one that truly reflects the power of smart automation in agriculture.

A New Direction in Farming

Brad and Phylli journey into calf rearing began during lockdown, when they reared a dozen Friesian bull calves as an experiment. It didn’t take long for them to realise this was the path they wanted to pursue. With Phiylli's parents having previously milked 400 cows on the farm, the couple saw an opportunity to repurpose an existing shed and scale their operations.

Turning a Shed into a Smart Feeding Facility

The team at Pipplepen Farm converted part of the shed, laying concrete and setting up four dedicated pens. From the beginning, automation was essential. With full-time jobs, a young family, and living off-site, they needed a reliable feeding system that wouldn’t tie them to fixed times every day.

That’s where our JFC Evolution S4 came in.

Why the Evolution S4 Was the Right Fit

The S4 offered the flexibility and scalability they needed. Initially installed with just two feeding stations, the system could grow as their setup expanded. Key features like dual mixing bowls provided even more long-term adaptability, allowing Brad and Philly to rear different groups of calves (store and beef) on tailored feeding plans.

They also benefited from:

• App-based monitoring to track calf feeding in real time

• Early alerts for potential health issues, like pneumonia

• Efficient weaning schedules that reduced stress and improved calf contentment

Healthier Calves, Happier Farmers

What really stands out in their story is how the feeder has improved calf welfare. The S4’s natural feeding approach allows calves to feed on demand, reducing stress, preventing bullying, and ensuring consistent nutrition.

Brad and Phylli estimate they save at least an hour a day on mixing, feeding, and cleaning, which they now use to monitor the health and development of their 85 calves. More importantly, the system allows them to detect health concerns up to 8 hours before physical symptoms appear, giving them a vital head start in treatment and care.

Expert Support, Every Step of the Way

When Brad and Phylli first enquired online, they were contacted by our team within a week. Their shed was still a blank canvas, but with guidance on layout and stall placement, they were able to design an optimal setup for both current and future needs.

Throughout the process and even beyond installation, our team, including Andrew, remained hands-on and responsive. Whether it was advice on programming weaning settings or walking through minor fixes on a Sunday night, we ensured they had the confidence and knowledge to manage the system themselves.

Designed for Efficiency and Peace of Mind

In Brad and Phylli words, "It just makes life a lot simpler." The Evolution S4 has helped them:

• Improve labour efficiency

• Reduce calf stress

• Lower the risk of illness and mortality

• Improve early detection and treatment

• Scale operations without scaling workload

Their operation runs more smoothly, their calves are healthier and more content, and they’ve achieved this with a leaner labour input, exactly what we aim to deliver with every JFC Automatic feeder.

Ready to Start Your Own Calf-Rearing Journey?

At JFC, we're committed to helping farmers like Brad and Phylli create efficient, welfare-focused systems that future-proof their farming operations.

Thinking of upgrading your calf-rearing setup?
Take Brad and Phylli’s advice: “Go for it. Buy one.”