Mark Sampson: How the JFC Evolution Calf Feeder Transformed a South Devon Farm

From Chaos to Consistency: How the JFC Evolution Calf Feeder Transformed a South Devon Farm

When South Devon farmer and contractor Mark Sampson decided to reintroduce calves to his mixed farm, he didn’t expect to rekindle his passion for hands-on animal care or to find himself feeding over 150 calves by hand.

But that's exactly what happened. And like so many modern farmers, Mark quickly ran into the same old challenge: time.

“Our big thing that we were suffering with was lack of time,” says Mark. “You could hear the calves bawling… now, you don’t hear a thing.”

Running 300 acres of arable land alongside a busy contracting business, Mark needed a solution that would take the stress out of calf rearing without compromising on care.

That’s when he discovered the JFC Evolution Automatic Calf Feeder.

A Better Way to Feed

Mark began researching automatic milk feeders online and quickly came across JFC through YouTube videos and farmer reviews. Our Evolution Feeder stood out for its intelligent design, ease of use, and consistent performance.

“The machine keeps 300ml of milk ready at all times, at the right temperature, mixed to the right consistency,” he explains. “It’s doing a better job than we could do by hand.”

The transition from manual feeding to automation was quick and seamless. Working with our trusted partners at Dairy Farm Services, Mark had the feeder installed and calves ready to use it by lunchtime the same day.

“Paul was brilliant. Nothing was a problem,” Mark says. “Since then, I’ve only had to make two calls in six months and both were solved over the phone. Even once on a Sunday night.”

Smarter Feeding, Healthier Calves

One of the Evolution Feeder’s key strengths is its intuitive traffic light system, which alerts farmers the moment a calf’s feeding pattern changes. With the touch of a button on the machine or via the app, Mark can check each animal’s intake and act fast if needed.

“It gives us reassurance that everything is OK. If we get a red flag, we look at the volume that calf’s taken and check in on them. It’s so simple.”

For a farm rearing calves of various ages and sizes, managing individual intakes used to be a real challenge. Bigger calves would drink more, while smaller ones often missed out, leading to slower growth and added stress.

Now, the Evolution Feeder dispenses individualised feeding in 8-hour cycles, ensuring each calf gets what it needs, when it needs it.

“Everything’s more relaxed. The calves aren’t excited or crying when we arrive, they’re not waiting for humans to feed them. It's quieter, calmer, and stress-free.”

Results That Speak for Themselves

With a fully automated system in place, Mark has not only saved time, but also improved calf performance. His weaning process is now carefully ramped over 7 days, peaking at nearly 10 litres per day, held for 50 days, and then gradually tapered off, resulting in stronger, more consistent animals.

“I don’t see any issues at all. The finished product is more consistent, and we’ve definitely made the right choice.”

Built for Farmers, Backed by JFC

At JFC, we understand that no two farms are alike, but every farmer deserves efficient, reliable solutions that save time, reduce stress, and improve animal welfare. Mark’s story is just one of many, and it reinforces our mission: to design products that work with farmers, not just for them.

If you're ready to take control of your time, improve calf performance, and simplify your daily routine, the JFC Evolution Automatic Calf Feeder is ready for you.