The North’s Number One Farming Guide Issue 16 | Summer 2009

SUMMER SHOWTIME plus

Previews of the North of Endland’s finest catwalk kings
IAE Leading livestock handling of harrogate
Young farmers strut their stuff at
manufacturers
Great Yorkshire Show

Think Red
Think Reliability
www.farmers-mart.co.uk
 contents
Yorkshire Show..........................4 Askham Bryan College ..... 48-49
News ............................. 5-8, 31
Diary Dates ..............................9
Brockhills ......................... 50-53
DH Wadsworth & Sons ..... 54-55
Welcome
Showtime .........................10-11 Massey Ferguson ...................56 Summer is now upon us and what
Driffield Show....................12,13 Russells Farm Machinery . ......57 wonderful weather we have been
Ryedale Show.........................14 Philip Watkins . ................ 58-59 having. It’s now show time and we
Steven Dresser........................15 Northfield ........................ 60-62 will be at the Great Yorkshire Show
and Driffield Show once again. We
Solway Recycling ...................16 IAE ........................................63
would love you to come and see us.
Clarkson ................................17 Scrutons ................................64
Fairburn ........................... 18-20 Young Farmers .......................65 The Great Yorkshire Show
Kelly ......................................21 Richardsons...................... 66-67 is running a Young Farmers
Model competition and judging
Robertson ........................ 22-23 Machinery . ................ 68-69, 89
will take place at the fashion
Wharfedale Mart .............. 24-25 Yorkshire Steel Buildings ........70
show on Tuesday 14 July. I
Bluefin ...................................26 Thirsk Auction Mart . ..............71 am thrilled that my handsome
Lambert . ...............................27 Douglas ............................72-74 nephew, Christian, who works on
Brockholes Mart . ............. 28-29 Hope .....................................75 FarmersMart has got through as
Lowther Park Farms.......... 30-31 Todd..................................76-77 well. See page 4 for some “hot
Managing Director/ Bramley ........................... 32-33 Hepworth . ........................78-79 hunks” in their designer gear!
Editor Great Star ..............................33 Johnsons.................................79 At Driffield Show we will be running
Simone Gallon Hall ................................. 34-35 David Shaw....................... 80-81 our very own Fencing Contractors
Tel: 01274 610 101 Harold Woolgar.......................35 Hyslop ............................. 82-83 competition using handheld tools
simone@farmers-mart.co.uk Whole Crop Marketing ...... 36-37 Galloway .......................... 84-85 only, and what a great sight to
CONSULTANT Editor Argrain ..................................37 Simmental .............................85 behold it will be after four hours
Chris Berry Wilkinson . ....................... 38-39 Savills ....................................86 of building. Please come and see
Tel: 0113 2643 645 Hindmarsh ....................... 40-41 Cundalls ................................87 it on Wednesday 22 July - see
chris@farmers-mart.co.uk pages 12 and 13 for more details.
Mason ............................. 42-43 Competitions . ........................88
Market Garden.................. 44-45 Contractors ............................90 I am also delighted to welcome
Sales Manager/
Howarth .......................... 46-47 Tim Gibson as our new writer on
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Farmersmart, giving us a regular
Ben Walton
quarterly update on the dairy
Tel: 01274 610 101
industry. The Dairy Farmers of
ben@farmers-mart.co.uk
Britain collapse has left some in
ADVERTISING Accounts the industry wondering what they
ManagerS should do in the future. If anyone
Grahame Kraft is worried or in need someone to
Tel: 01757 229 630 talk to please don’t hesitate to get
grahame.kraft@btinternet.com in touch with us as we will try to
help any way we can. Check out
Nicola Robson page 31 for an industry update.
Tel: 01274 610 101
nicola@farmers-mart.co.uk On a most positive note we have
p35 p42-3 been out and about to many of
Feature Editors the machine dealers’ open days
Chris Berry, Jennifer Mackenzie and what a great success they
Phil Read, Rob Wilkinson were with lots of people attending
ADMIN/SALES - see pages 50 to 63 and you
Christian Gallon might see a picture of yourself!
Tel: 01274 610 101 Congratulations to IAE on
christian@farmers-mart.co.uk celebrating 40 years trading in the
industry and I wish them continued
Design
success. On that note may I wish
James Ockelford
you all a great summer and I
The FarmersMart hope to see you at the shows.
40 Stockhill Road, Greengates Kind Regards,
Bradford, BD10 9AX Simone
Tel: 01274 610 101 simone@farmers-mart.co.uk
Fax: 01274 621 730 p81
www.farmers-mart.co.uk

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Red Marketing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part
of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
any retrieval system or transmitted in any form
by means electronic, photographic, recording or
otherwise, without prior permission of the publishers.
Views expressed in The FarmersMart are not
necessarily those of Little Red Marketing Ltd.
Each edition of FarmersMart contains essential information about the agricultural industry. As a subscriber you’ll
get regular updates, a chance to voice your views - and much needed encouragement. Just fill in this form and
send with a cheque for £12 (payable to Little Red Marketing Ltd.) to: The FarmersMart, Office 1, 40 Stockhill Rd,
Greengates, Bradford, BD10 9AX. Or call Ben Walton on 01274 610 101, email: ben@farmers-mart.co.uk
Name ......................................................................................... Tel No. .............................................
Address ..................................................................................................................................................
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FarmersMart Summer 2009 

 YORKSHIRE SHOW

Young Model Farmers prepare to

strut their stuff
Bradford’s finalist in the 2009
Model Young Farmers competition is
preparing to take to the catwalk at
this year’s Great Yorkshire Show – and
had a sneak preview of the designer
outfits he’ll be wearing in the Skipton
Building Society Fashion Pavilion.
Christian Gallon, aged 21, works for
the FarmersMart magazine and and
was nominated by our editor, his
aunt, Simone Gallon.
He joined his fellow finalists at the
Showground today (Tuesday, 30
June) for some advice and training
on being a catwalk model from
Bernadette Gledhill of Louise Morton
& Co, Huddersfield, who co-ordinates
the fashion shows for the Great
Yorkshire Show.
Afterwards the group moved on to
Ripley Castle for a photo shoot, where
outfits included Paul Smith suits
kindly supplied by Lynx of Harrogate
and retro Vivienne Westwood clothing
from the personal collection of TV
celebrity florist, Carl Wilde.
“The training was really good fun,”
said Christian. “We were shown
how to walk down the catwalk and
learned the two routines we’re doing
during the Fashion Shows.
“I really enjoyed it and am looking
forward to the real thing, but I think
I’ll be nervous stepping out in front of
a crowd for the first time.”
Ms Gledhill added: “Even professional
models can find it daunting when they
first take to the runway and walk out
in front of an audience, so I’m really
impressed with these guys for being
willing to give it a go.
“I’m helping as much as I can so they
know what to expect and I’m sure that
when the time comes they’ll all step
Christian Gallon
out confidently and show everyone
what they can do.”
Guy Hudson, who owns Lynx of
Harrogate, said: “We’re delighted to
be associated with the Great Yorkshire
Show and wholly support the event.
It’s a great commercial showcase for
the region.”
The Model Young Farmer contest will
be held on the first day of the Great
Yorkshire Show, which this year takes
place from Tuesday 14 – Thursday 16
July.
Other highlights of the daily fashion
shows will include prom dresses from
Dawn Stretton of Leeds and the launch
of Mary Benson’s autumn/winter
collection. The talented 19-year-old
from Leeds is currently on placement
with designer Alexander McQueen.
There will also be collections from
Hatch, of the Huddersfield Textile
Centre of Excellence and fashion
students from colleges around the
region.
As well as stunning catwalk shows in
the Skipton Building Society Fashion
Pavilion, other attractions at the
north’s largest agricultural show will
include international showjumping,
Mark Simpson All seven finalists
thousands of animals and plenty of
fun for all the family.
The other six finalists hoping to take
the title of Model Young Farmer 2009
are:
•M
 ark Simpson, aged 29, of
Ossett, Wakefield, West Yorkshire,
nominated himself for the
competition and has aspirations
to become a model. He currently
helps to run his stepfather’s farm.
• JimmyAtkinson, aged 25,
of Harperley Hall, Crook, Co
Durham was nominated by his
proud mum. He works with
cattle and fat lambs as well as
being involved in forestry.
• Stuart Fort, aged 24, of Glusburn,
Keighley, West Yorkshire, works
on his parents’ dairy farm and
was nominated by his girlfriend.
• Robert Battye, aged 19, of
Snowden Hill, Oxspring, Sheffield,
South Yorkshire, was nominated
by staff at the Young Farmers’
county office. He is currently
taking a welding and fabrication
apprenticeship but also helps
out at his family’s beef farm.
• Thomas Foley, aged 20,
of Rathmell, near Settle,
North Yorkshire, works on
a beef farm and undertakes
agricultural contracting. He was
nominated by his fiancée.
•S
 tephen Knowles, aged 30,
of Langthorpe, Boroughbridge,
North Yorkshire, is the current
county chairman of Yorkshire
Young Farmers and is taking
part in the competition in a bid
to promote the organisation.
All seven shortlisted contenders will
strut their stuff on the catwalk during
Tuesday’s fashion shows. The winner
will be announced after the 2.30pm
show and will receive £300 from
Skipton Building Society and a crate
of Black Sheep beer. Each of the
other finalists will receive £50.
FarmersMart have 2 stands at the
show this year. We are giving
away prizes plus special offers
on subscriptions. Come and
see us on stand numbers 657
and near the cattle ring 267

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 FarmersMart Summer 2009

 NEWS

NEW DIRECTOR ADDS

GALLIC FLAIR TO GRIPPLE’S
AGRICULTURAL DIVISION
With five years’ experience as sales
manager of Gripple’s agricultural
division in central and Eastern
Europe, 39-year-old Frenchman,
Eric Laroche has been promoted
to sales director of the company’s
entire agricultural division.
Eric was born in Joigny in
Burgundy and has lived in the UK
since 1992, prior to
which he had gained
a Masters degree in
industrial marketing in
France.
He is now responsible

‘Spend&Save’
for promoting the
newly launched
Gripple T-Clip, which is
designed to terminate

Reward Card
fencing in seconds
rather than minutes,
and the Gripple Torq
Tensioning Tool. He very closely with our innovations

is launched
As part of its commitment to
bringing extra value to their
Members and customers,
Farmway is pleased to
announce that it has launched a
‘Spend&Save’ Reward Card.
Farmway stocks a wide range of
competitively-priced Agricultural,
Pet, Equine, Smallholder,
Clothing, Footwear, Gardening
and other Rural Products across
its nine country stores throughout
the North-East.
“Spend&Save” customers will
receive exclusive promotions
and special offers, advance
notification of product launches
and invitations to Farmway
Country Store events. Farmway
members will also exclusively
receive enhanced benefits from
their Farmway purchases.
is also involved in identifying and ideas team to ensure that every
additional uses of the Gripple product is suited to its purpose. At
Plus wire joiner and tensioner, Gripple, our philosophy is ‘think
millions of which are already sold the unthinkable, do the impossible
across the world to secure fencing, and you will succeed’.”
Peter Hull, Farmway Chief trellising and vines.
Executive Officer, commented,, Eric, who lives in Nottingham with For information visit
“We would like to assure you his family, said: “There seems www.gripple.com
that Farmway is committed to almost no end to the potential uses
developing the range of products of the Gripple Plus! We are working
provided to our customers and
members and to developing our
service levels in both the farm-
delivered and country store sides
of our business. As part of this
we intend to continually develop
our service in terms of expanded
product range, additional staff
training to increase the guidance
on offer in our stores, competitive
pricing and unbeatable customer
service levels.”
Please see www.farmway.co.uk/
corporate for details of how
to apply for your Spend&Save
Reward Card now.

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6 Ton Trailer, ideal for stableyard £750
Browns 56 Bale Grab £850
Russell 75 Electric Bale Elevator £350
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Good prices paid.

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FarmersMart Summer 2009 

 NEWS
WAREING BUILDINGS
CELEBRATES 100
YEARS IN FARMING
A LANCASHIRE family firm which
has been working with farmers
for generations is celebrating its
centenary.
J Wareing & Son (Wrea Green) Ltd
has grown from humble beginnings in
1909 to become one of the leading
suppliers of custom-built steel frame
buildings to the agricultural and
commercial sectors. joined the family firm at the age of
The iconic label ‘Wareing Wrea Green’
is a familiar sight on farm buildings
throughout the UK and is synonymous
with the Lancashire village where the
company was originally founded.
Today, the fourth generation family
firm has a multi-million pound
turnover and employs a team of 70
members of staff at its new purpose
built 10-acre production site.
Clients include the Duchy of
Lancaster, Myerscough College, the
University of Cumbria (Newton Rigg
 FarmersMart Summer 2009
campus) and United Utilities (Farms);
the firm also has a strong customer
base among farmers in Lancashire,
Cumbria, Yorkshire and throughout
the UK.
Brothers Peter and Andrew Wareing
who manage the firm with their
respective children, have been
working with farmers ever since they
15.
Peter explained: “As a family business,
we’ve worked with generations of
farming families and have established
many long and happy friendships.
“Our history is very much the history
of farming – over the years we have
had the flexibility to adapt to the
needs of a changing industry.
Andrew commented: “In the early
days, we were supplying farmers with
buildings for a variety of agricultural
purposes but only in the local area.”
“At the time it wasn’t feasible for
our teams to travel long distances to
erect buildings. But in 1964 we were
asked to supply steel frame buildings
in kit format so farmers could arrange
the build themselves; today we
send steel frame kits to destinations
throughout the UK and even as far as
the Falkland Islands!”
The firm offers an extensive range of
services, from providing steel frame
buildings in kit form, to a full design
and build ‘turnkey’ package for a wide
range of applications including farm
buildings, business premises, leisure
facilities, schools and all are fully
Health & Safety compliant.
They provide bespoke joinery
services including timber stables.
They also will undertake re-cladding
services and disposal of semi or fully-
compressed Asbestos.
Peter added: “Flexibility has been
the key to our success as we are
STILL THE BEST
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Tel/Fax: 01772 434484 www.yardscrapersuk.co.uk
The Wareing Team
capable of manufacturing any type or
size of building to suit each individual
customer’s requirement from portal
frames to extensions and lean-tos.”
George Dixon, of Low Newton at
Newton-in-Cartmell, Cumbria, who
purchased the first kit building from
Wareing Buildings, said: “It’s over
40 years since I purchased a kit
form building from J Wareing & Sons
which is still in use today. I would
like to take this opportunity to express
my satisfaction and wish Wareing
Buildings continued success in their
centenary year.’’
During its 100 years, the firm has
employed a loyal team of highly
skilled staff many of whom have been
with the firm for 25 years and several
over 50 years.
For more information visit
www.wareingbuildings.co.uk
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A New Chaplain for
THE Yorkshire
Agricultural Society
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society
has appointed a new Chaplain,
as the Rev Toddy Hoare has
stepped down, having moved to
Oxfordshire. Toddy’s connection
with the Society began 25 years
ago - as a horse steward at the
Great Yorkshire Show and his
reputation as a supporter of rural
life, an accomplished sculptor
as well as a parish priest ,is well
known.
The role has been taken by The
Revd Canon Leslie Morley, a familiar
face to many through his years of
pastoral work across Yorkshire.
His love of the countryside and
empathy with farmers and the rural
community mean he was a natural
choice as Chaplain.
Nigel Pulling, Chief Executive
said: “We’ve known Leslie for a
number of years, not least through
his involvement with Farm Crisis
Network and the Yorkshire Rural
Support Network. He manages to
combine a great sense of humour
with a genuine concern for farmers,
and a practical hands-on approach
to making things happen! I know he
will be an excellent support for staff
and an excellent ambassador for
the Society in its work supporting
hArdwOOd SAwmill ESTAbliShEd in 1984
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All offers considered
NEWS
INLINE WITH THE
AUCTION MARTS
As their mart software supplier, and has provided an EID solution to
Newline ASP is delighted to wish livestock marts that allows farmers to
Brockholes Arms Auction Mart every get on with farming without having to
success with their business. See become involved in purchasing any
pages 28-29. EID equipment other than tags. For
details contact your local mart.
Newline ASP deals with auction
firms in both hemispheres and has
provided auction software since Visit www.auctionmarts.com
1983. As a second generation family it’s free to use and is the
Revd Canon Leslie firm committed to the livestock most comprehensive livestock
Morley at the Great market business we provide services sales listing website. We’re
Yorkshire Showground for 80% of UK markets, an even constantly adding new features
higher figure in New Zealand & 29 to www.auctionmarts.com
the rural community.” sites in Ireland. Newline has been so keep watching.
involved in E.I.D since the mid 90’s
Amongst Canon Morley’s many roles
within the rural community, for the
last decade he has been the Rural
Officer for the Diocese of Ripon and
Leeds, which involves advising the
Bishops and the Diocese on matters
of concern to the farming and rural
communities and supporting rural
clergy and congregations. He is
also the Deputy Chairman of the
Yorkshire Rural Support Network,
Chaplain to the Yorkshire branch of
Farm Crisis Network and a member
of the Church on Show committee
for the Great Yorkshire. His home is
in Low Pittington, County Durham.
Speaking about his appointment he
said: “I was delighted to be asked
to take on the role and had no DAVID HENDERSON
hesitation in saying “yes”. I’m very
much looking forward to the Great AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS
Yorkshire Show, and I extend a SALES, SERVICE & PARTS
warm welcome to Morning Prayers,
each day at the President’s Lawn UNIT 12 ACOMB IND EST, HEXHAM,
Band Stand at 7.30am. I’m very NORTHUMBERLAND, NE46 4SA
conscious that this is a year round
post, and so will be a frequent
visitor to the Society’s offices to
be available to the staff. I am also
getting involved in activities around
the region on the Society’s behalf.”
Tel: 01228 791 777 TELEPHONE: 01434 601966
Fax: 01228 791 373 MOBILE: 07778 161839 (24HR)
EMAIL: valtra@davidhenderson.net
www.tgnorman.co.uk
FarmersMart Summer 2009 
 news
New DVD lifts the lid on Millington Limousins
‘Striving for Perfection’ available now
John Weatherill winning at Driffield Show 2008 - it’s on the DVD
There are few cattle men who
are going about the job of
promoting their herd and breed as
professionally as John Weatherill
of Millington Grange Estate.
John has, for the past decade and
more, built up one of the country’s
leading herds across his three
farms of The Grange, Cold Skin
Farm and High College Farm in the
Millington area of the East Riding
 FarmersMart Summer 2009
of Yorkshire.
And he now tells his story of what
they have achieved and what their
expectations are for the future as
the Millington Limousins’ name
spreads right across the world. It
is all encapsulated in a brand new
DVD titled ‘Striving for Perfection’
which is John’s motto.
‘Unless you work hard you will
never attain it,’ says John. ‘Here
at Millington we are committed the day. There are commendations
to producing the best animal any from notable figures in the industry
farmer or any consumer would ever such as Iain Kerr who heads up
want.’ the Limousin Society and David
Thomlinson, the breed’s principal
The Millington herd runs to around
auctioneer at Borderway Mart.
200 Limousins, including around
There is also footage of a notable
100 breeding cattle and 10 stock
win at last year’s Driffield Show,
bulls. They also have a commercial
and a visitation from a Hong Kong
herd of around 300 which are
delegation on behalf of reintroducing
used for embryo work, as well as
British beef into their country.
smaller herds of Black Limousin
and Aberdeen Angus.
John and his show team, which If you would like a copy of
includes Mark Phillips have the DVD just send a cheque
won major awards at the Great for £2, to cover postage
Yorkshire, Royal, Royal Welsh and and packing, to:
Royal Highland Shows, including
John Weatherill
Interbreed champion at both the
MILLINGTON LIMOUSINS
Royal Welsh and Royal Highland
Cold Skin Farm, Millington
with home-bred Millington
York YO42 1UD
Tangerine.
(Please remember to
On the DVD John explains their
include you name, address
breeding philosophy, their feeding
and post code details)
and their exploits abroad. The
programme also includes their Tel: 01759 368121
highly successful day at Carlisle last Email: mge@farmersweekly.net
year when two of his stock achieved www.millingtonlimousins.co.uk
the best two prices in the ring on

JULY
Tuesday 7 - Friday 10
ROYAL SHOW
Sunday 12
HOWDEN SHOW
Tuesday 14 - Thursday 16
GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW
Saturday 18
CUMBERLAND
COUNTY SHOW
Sunday 19
MALTON SHOW
ARTHINGTON SHOW
Wednesday 22
DRIFFIELD SHOW
Friday 24 - Saturday 25
BORDER UNION SHOW
Kelso
New appointment, familiar face
Bell Ingram, the rural-based
chartered surveyors practice,
which was established in Perth in
1899 has further strengthened its
Yorkshire base with both a move
of office and a new appointment in
recent months.
Derek Tyson is a familiar face to
many in the North Yorkshire area,
having been with Northallerton
Auction Mart and Northallerton
Estate Agency for nearly 20 years.
He has joined Bell Ingram at what he
believes is a very important time.
‘They have a very strong rural land
agency practice in Scotland and
have expanded into England with
three offices over the past decade.
The Thirsk office where I am based
DIARY DATES
Friday 24 - Sunday 26
ROYAL LANCASHIRE
Sunday 2
SYKEHOUSE SHOW SEPTEMBER
SHOW Wednesday 5 Tuesday 1
Saturday 25 CARTMEL SHOW KILNSEY SHOW
PENRITH SHOW Wednesday 5 - Thursday 6 Thursday 10
Sunday 26 BAKEWELL SHOW WESTMORLAND
WEETON SHOW COUNTY SHOW
Friday 7 - Sunday 9
HUBY & SUTTON SHOW LOWTHER CARRIAGE Friday 11
Tuesday 28 DRIVING TRIALS KELSO RAM SALES
RYEDALE SHOW Lowther Estate, Penrith Saturday 12
Wednesday 29 Saturday 8 PENISTONE SHOW
BORROWBY SHOW HALIFAX SHOW Saturday 12 - Sunday 13
Sunday 9 STANHOPE SHOW
BINGLEY SHOW Saturday 19
AUGUST Wednesday 12 STOKESLEY SHOW
Saturday 1 DANBY SHOW Monday 21
EMLEY SHOW Wednesday 26 NIDDERDALE SHOW
COCKERMOUTH SHOW EGTON SHOW
SEAMER SHOW
OSMOTHERLEY SHOW Saturday 29
MALHAMDALE SHOW
OCTOBER
POWBURN SHOW Saturday 24 - Sunday 25
GARSTANG SHOW BILSDALE SHOW|
WEARDALE SHOW COUNTRYSIDE LIVE!
DUMFRIES SHOW Harrogate
WENSLEYDALE SHOW
Saturday 1
Tockwith Monday 31
Agricultural Show KESWICK SHOW
Tockwith Agricultural SHOW
Showground GLENDALE SHOW
is now situated within the new Thirsk Derek has already sold his first block being involved as a satellite office
Rural Centre at the Auction Mart of land since joining Bell Ingram of a larger company, and looking
and it is an ideal location. One of and gives his current feeling on the forward to the challenges that lie
the problems that market towns are farmland marketplace. ahead.
facing is the onset of parking charges
‘The first block of land I have sold ‘’The advantages are that we receive
which are going to stifle business
was Grade 3 arable strongish land great support from our head office
in centres such as Northallerton,
which didn’t have roadside access and I can now offer a one-to-one
Bedale and Stokesley. That’s why
and wasn’t near a built-up area. It ran familiar service from what is a
our location here is strategically so
to 30 acres and sold for £202,000, wonderful location.’
important.
just short of £7,000 per acre, which
Derek comes from Cumbria originally
Traditionally the work Bell Ingram shows no weakening in the market
and is a farmer’s son from between
has undertaken in England has whatsoever. I’ve already several
Keswick and Cockermouth. His
been contract work for utilities, irons in the fire over more land and
first job was at Cockermouth Mart
such as negotiations concerning property to come on the market.
before moving on to Longtown Mart,
new pipelines, but we now intend Now really is a good time because
and then to Northallerton Mart in
to expand on greater work with relatively speaking agriculture is on
October 1989. He is married to
both the general public and farmer the up at present. It is seen by a
Judith and they have two daughters
clients. number of people as the right time
– Hayley and Rebecca.
to cash in.’
I will be offering all of the same
services I have always done at And he’s keeping his eye on the
BELL INGRAM - Derek Tyson
Northallerton from rural land livestock front too:
Thirsk Rural Business Centre
management, compensation claims,
‘The market prices for lambs has Blakey Lane, Thirsk
estate management, valuations for
dropped recently, but they are still North Yorkshire YO7 3AB
divorce, capital gains, inheritance
in advance of what they were at
tax and preparing farm business Tel: 01845 522095
this time last year. They’re still £10
tenancies. I’ll be doing less livestock Fax: 01845 522130
a head better than they were. It’s
auctioneering but I am now also Mob: 07789 373092
the same story with the cattle too.
relief auctioneer for Mitchells at Email: derek.tyson@
Fat cattle prices have eased off a
Cockermouth once a month and bellingram.co.uk
bit, but they are still better than 12
available for any local farm who
months ago.’ www.bellingram.co.uk
needs an auctioneer.’
He is already feeling the benefits of
FarmersMart Summer 2009 
 showtime

WENSLEYDALE GEARS KILNSEY SHOW

UP FOR ANOTHER SHOW
The Wensleydale Show at Leyburn
promises to be another great day
out for all the family, building on
last year’s successful event.
“Our visitor numbers were up
again last year helped by a large
entry of sheep and cattle proving
that we are a real agricultural
show.” says show chairman Gerald
Hodgson. As well as the farm
livestock sections there are many
other items of interest including
ponies, heavy horses and carriage
driving, music from Leyburn
Band, hounds and beagles and
dry stone walling.
and machinery contrasting with
homecrafts, handicrafts, flowers
and vegetables. For the young
members of the family there is a
funfair and bouncy castle and a
The Dales’ foremost agricultural
show with dry stone walling,
and way beyond.
Opens at 9.00am and goes on till
produce, handicrafts, horticulture,
7.00pm with plenty of food, drink
equestrian events, sheep and cattle,
and bargains at over 100 trade
sheep dog trials, fell races and
stalls.
finishing the day with the excitement
of harness racing. Please note that no dogs other than
guide dogs or competitive sheep
Held every year on the Tuesday
dogs are allowed on any part of the
after August Bank Holiday against
show field .
the magnificent backdrop of Kilnsey
Crag, the show has been a showcase
for the Dales farming community For further information cntact
for over a hundred years. It is one Mrs Kathy Lambert (Secretary)
of the larger agricultural shows in Tel:01756 753259
the North of England and it attracts info@kilnseyshow.co.uk
visitors from throughout the Dales

There will be activity throughout
the day in the main ring including
spectacular displays by the
Cheshire Dog Display Team,
parades of vintage vehicles,
judging of the carriage driving
classes, sheep championship and
parade of cattle and, for fun at the
end of the day, an “on the day” pet
dog show.
For the mechanically minded
there are vintage cars, tractors
HALIFAX SHOW
wide selection of trade stands will
complete the colourful scene.
The Wensleydale Show takes
place at Bellerby Road, Leyburn
on August Bank Holiday Saturday,
29 August 2009. Adult entry is
£6, 5-16 year olds £3, under 5s
free and car parking free.
For more details visit
www.wensleydaleshow.org.uk
or call 01969 623750

The Halifax Show is one of the most Hospitality Packages, Authentic

prestigious, best attended and well
respected shows in West Yorkshire.
Come along and support what is
guaranteed to be a fantastic Show
with a great atmosphere - where
some of the best Cattle in the
Country will be on show.
Fantastic Livestock Classes, Superb
Prize Money , New Showground
Design , New Main Arena , Corporate
Approved Farmer’s Market. West
Yorkshire’s leading agricultural event
will be held on Saturday 8 August
2009 on Savile Park Moor, Savile
Park, Halifax.
The Halifax Show 2009
8th August 2009
Savile Park Moor Halifax

Saturday 29th August 2009

The Showfield, Bellerby Road, Leyburn
KILNSEYTuesdaySHOW & SPORTS
1st September 2009
A great family day out, with entertainment for everyone.
Adults £6 Children £3 Under 5’s Free
Free car parking
The Cheshire Dog Display Team,
Cattle and Sheep Classes, Children’s Funfair, Carriage Driving,
Leyburn Band, Pony Classes, Walling and Quoits competitions The biggest and best one-day agricultural show in the country
Displays of Handicrafts, Homecrafts and Horticulture. Show Classes, Displays, Demonstrations, Competitions, Trade Stands, Food Stalls ...... and much,
Around 100 Trade and Craft stands. much more for all the family, including Harness Racing and the famous Crag Races
01969 623750 9.00am - 7pm Ample FREE Parking
www.wensleydaleshow.org.uk Adults £8 - Children £1 - Under 5s Free www.kilnseyshow.co.uk
Contact Kathy Lambert on 01756 753259 info@kilnseyshow.co.uk

10 FarmersMart Summer 2009

 showtime

2009 Young Farmers Stock

Judging Competition
Almost 60 Young Farmers from
clubs throughout Cumbria met Stock judging winners
at Park House Farm, Heversham
to compete in the Westmorland
County Agricultural Society’s 13th
annual Stock Judging event.
The competition included judging
prime lambs, dairy and beef cattle
and a veterinary questionnaire with all
competitors assessing the livestock
against a master judge’s placings
before giving traditional reasons.
Competition was particularly keen
amongst the Young Farmers, with
just a few marks separating the top
placings in each section.
President Dorrie Galbraith
commented “It is fantastic to see
so many youngsters taking part in
traditional stockjudging competitions,
and with such high standards we
can be sure of competent farmers in
rather Stocksperson, since there and to Jonathan Mason for loaning
the future.”
were also many young ladies taking the dairy cattle by Chairman Judith For more information visit
In recognising the increasing number part), along with the best club team Buckley and also to the judges, www.westmorlandshow.co.uk
of stockswomen taking part, Mrs (2 seniors and 2 juniors). Cheques stewards and helpers for their or call on 015395 67804
Galbraith presented a new trophy were also given to each complete continued support.
for the female gaining highest points team.
throughout the evening. A delighted
The evening was made extra special
Lizzie Bland from Penrith YFC was
for Dorrie, when her grandson,
the first recipient of this new award.
Craig Galbraith was named Senior JAMES STEWART
The prizes were presented by Mrs Stockman.
(Agricultural Sales)
Galbraith for the best individual
Thanks were conveyed to the
Senior and Junior Stockman (or
Capstick family for hosting the event 20 Slyne Road, Bolton-le-Sands, Carnforth , Lancashire. LA5 8BQ
Tel. / Fax 01524 822192 Mobile Tel. 07946 819467

2009 Results
Suppliers of a full range of galvo. gates & wire fencing.
sheep races, lamb weighers, roll over crates, dagging yokes,
calf pens , sheep hurdles & dog runs.
Cow cubicles & mats, cattle crushes, races & calf dehorner crates.
Senior Stockman : Craig Galbraith, Grayrigg YFC Plastic & galvo. water troughs, bowls & footbaths.

Junior Stockman : Sam Wilkinson, Kent Estuary YFC Cattle & Sheep feed troughs, hayracks, feed rings, barriers, creeps etc.

Team Prize : Kent Estuary YFC See us at the Westmorland County Show

We believe this is the biggest one day

Agricultural Show in West Yorkshire
Halifax Agricultural Society Ltd
Presents the 63rd show on 8th August 2009

The Halifax Show

Pre-day tickets available from outlets
throughout Calderdale
Adult Pre-day £6.00 (£7 on the day)
Child & OAP Pre-day £3.00 (£4 on the day)
Family Ticket £18.00 (2 adults and 2 children)

For further information regarding entries

please contact Mrs Leanne Skelton
leanne@avcbbmail.co.uk
Nunnery Farm, Wainstalls, Halifax, HX2 7TR
Tel: 01422 885519 Mob: 07779281122

Visit our website www.halifaxshow.co.uk

FarmersMart Summer 2009 11

 driffield show
New competitions &
staying traditional
Chris Berry talks with David Tite about
this year’s Driffield Show
This year’s 134th Driffield Show
on Wednesday 22 July looks set to
top all records – greater livestock
entries, even more agricultural and
rural trade stands, new classes for
first time entrants and a fantastic
fencing competition. David Tite,
Driffield Agricultural Society
director, is looking forward to
another great show.
‘Last year’s BlueTongue restrictions
caused us a few problems and we
were limited on livestock entries. If
everyone who had originally signed
up had been able to come last year
it would have been a record, but
we’ve just saved that for this year
instead!’
David also pays tribute to Richard
Jackson, who took on the role of
livestock secretary last year:
‘Richard did such a sterling job that
we’re very pleased to say we have
secured his services for a number of
12 FarmersMart Summer 2009
years into the future. He has worked
very hard to ensure that our classes
develop in the right way, and this
year we are starting a new project.
It’s a beginners’ interbreed cattle and
sheep championship and it’s meant
for first time entrants. There are lots
of people out there, smallholders
with maybe one beast or another,
and people who have either never a young growers challenge with 13 and sister magazine Fencing &
shown before or not had a first schools growing their own produce Landscaping News.
place just yet. What we would say of everything from cucumbers to
‘We’re constantly looking at new
is come along to the show and take courgettes, beans and peas.’
ideas and we are looking forward
part because you are going to be
The Enterprise Village, which houses to this becoming a major attraction
the future of agricultural shows. The
new businesses and rural ideas, this year and in the years to come.
only entry qualification is that you
has recently secured the funding to Sponsorship is important to the
must not have gained a first place
enable it to continue for a further 3 show and events such as this which
at any agricultural show before 22
years. have a rural theme are always to be
July. It’s chance for everyone who
may have had little or no experience welcomed.’
David is also looking forward to
of showing up until this point –and a the new fencing competition which Other events include the renowned
chance to win, instead of having to makes its Driffield Show debut. activities area which this year will
compete against the big names.’ The Yorkshire & North of England see dogs, a polo demonstration,
‘Sticking with our grass roots is very Fence Contracting Competition is sheepdog demonstration with
important to us and we also have being sponsored by Farmers Mart ducks and geese being rounded up.

Parachute jumps into the main ring
will take place courtesy of the Royal
Artillery and Signals complete with
coloured smoke. There will be a rural
crafts demonstration also featuring
coracle-making, straw-dollies,
ropemaking, beekeeping and bench
making amongst many others.
The Driffield Agricultural Society
is widely acknowledged as being
one of the most forward-thinking
societies in the UK. It hosts one
the largest one-day agricultural
show in the country and with over
25,000 attending it matches the
Great Yorkshire Show’s first-day
attendance.
Robert D. Webster Ltd.
New Holland T8000 Series
New Holland T6000+ Series
0% FINANCE AVAILABLE ON VARIOUS MODELS
PLEASE PhONE FOR DEtAILS
Robert D. Webster Ltd
Kilham, Driffield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel . 01262 420226
Owstwick, Nr Roos, Hull . . . . . . . . . Tel . 01964 670251
Howden, Goole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel . 01430 430624
‘I have worked for the Society since I
was 13 years old. I ran the team that
put the show together on the ground
for a number of years and now I have
been in this role of society director
since 2006. We have big plans here
and we’re always moving forward.’
DRIFFIELD AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY
Kelleythorpe, Driffield
East Riding of Yorkshire
YO25 9DN
Tel: 01377 257494
Email: office@driffieldshow.co.uk
www.driffieldshow.co.uk
New Holland T5000 Series
New Holland T7500 Series
driffield show
ARD NEWS …
The all-new Polaris range for
2009 is proving one of ARD
Yorkshire’s best sellers at the
moment. Russell Dykes reports
that the Sportsman model is
doing particularly well.
‘The Sportsman 500 is now one
of the most popular ATVs on
the market and the current 5%
discount offer to NFU members
is certainly worth taking up. It
can mean a difference across all
Polaris models of something like
£270 - £400 on the price.’
‘In September we will also have
ARD Yorkshire are also new Discoveries available on
experiencing a growth in Land hire too, and we are also putting
Rover servicing and repairs and together bespoke services for
are currently offering up to 40% picking up shooting parties.’
discount on 4x4 servicing.
There’s plenty going on at ARD
‘There is a shortage of second Yorkshire!
hand Land Rovers at present so
we are also offering a check, on- For more information contact
line, to immediately price up what ARD YORKSHIRE LTD
your car is worth.’ Howdenshire Way
For the more ‘green-conscious’ Knedlington Road
ARD have a courtesy Land Rover Howden, Goole DN14 7HZ
G4 pushbike available too, for Tel: 01430 431134
those who live locally whilst their Email: info@ard4x4.com
car is being serviced. Web: www.ard4x4.com
FarmersMart Summer 2009 13
 ryedale show

Ryedale Show 2009

Gill Brown of Stape picks up the

Simmental Trophy at Ryedale Show 2006

The 143rd Ryedale Show will
once again take place in one of the
county’s most beautiful settings at
Welburn Hall, near Kirkbymoorside
on Tuesday 28 July.
Ryedale Show attracts upwards of
15,000 visitors and provides an
amphitheatre-like setting for its
agricultural and equestrian classes,
with the trade stands from well-
known Farmers Mart names such
as Russells, Yorkshire Generators,
Cundalls and Moorland ATV on the
top tier of land.
It was established in 1855 and is
the major show in the North York
Moors area, attracting cattle and
sheep competitors from all over
Yorkshire.
Prize money of ovear £20,000 is up
for grabs as well as some tremendous
trophies. This truly is one of the UK’s
great rural shows and fully deserves
everyone’s support.
Ryedale Show, Welburn Park
Kirkbymoorside
Tel: 01653 697820
Email: info@ryedaleshow.org.uk
www.ryedaleshow.org.uk

14 FarmersMart Summer 2009


Getting your electrical systems right
With the recent fortunes of most
in the farming industry having
become more profitable there has
been a move towards reinvestment
on farms and in particular farm
buildings.
Many farmers who have for years
wanted to either expand their
operations or at the very least
maintained them in the manner
they would like are now in a more
comfortable position to do so – but
one of the areas that can sometimes
get forgotten about is ensuring
that your electrical systems and
installations are both adequate to
today’s needs and checked over
thoroughly.
This might not seem as grand or as
exciting as putting up that new shed
or building, but in the long term it
could be much more pertinent.
Equally, if you are putting up a new
build then electricity supplies and
circuits are a vital consideration,
especially in the likes of crop stores
and pig housing where temperature
control is uppermost in farmers’
minds.
Steven Dresser runs one of the
very few electrical contracting
companies that specialises in the
agricultural sector. His father, Ian,
started the business back in the
mid-60s and today Steven employs
16 electricians, who encompass
everything from domestic electrical
installation and maintenance, to
rewiring, alarms and all forms of
security including CCTV.
‘Whilst the domestic work is still
a big part of what we do there are
not many electrical companies that
can deal with the really big jobs on
farms these days. We maintain and
input electrical systems all around
Yorkshire and are also able to deal
with times when big breakdowns
occur. Recently due to thunder
storms we received a call at 10
Steven dresser
pm and attended a pig farm where from a ACNV controlled building. believes his company is the one best
a building had lost all its power, We are agents for the market- placed to be able to handle that, as
subsequently causing the fans to leading Ziehl fans covering the north well as all other electrical needs on
stop. Because of the number of of England and into Scotland, and the farm.
people we have available and the we are also approved suppliers and
fact that we are on call 24/7 we installers for Farmex Dicam.
STEVEN J. DRESSER
were able to get out to the farm
Regular testing of electrical equipment Electrical Contractors Ltd,
and by 1am we had the building’s
within the agricultural sector is now The Works
electrical supply and ventilation up
an absolute requirement and often Chapel Street, Thirsk
and running again. We went straight
an insurance stipulation, PAT testing North Yorkshire YO7 1LU
from that farm to a local dairy herd
is also a large part of our buisness as
to wire-in a stand-by generator after Tel: 01845 574691
Health and safety becomes an ever
the farmers’ unit failed, 100 dairy office@stevenjdresser.co.uk
growing part of any business ,Steven
cattle were stood waiting to be
milked! We work longer hours than
most and that’s because we realise
the value of pigs, cattle and grain,
and the damage a loss of electricity
can cause to any farm.’
One of Steven’s busiest times is
coming up shortly – harvest.
‘At harvest we are non-stop,
especially if the weather goes against
the farmer. If it’s wet everything
has to work that bit harder and
susequently fails more frequently.
The most popular of breakdowns
is electric motor failure,we keep a
full stock of both single and three
phase motors to try and combat this
problem.
The company majors on both
installation and maintenance work
and is very busy currently with new
dryer installations, where they are
experts in wiring grain dryers, many
new and refurbishment projects on
piggeries plus controlled stores for
potatoes and grain storage.
‘We are well placed to pick up that
work and we also offer not just
everyday electrical installation but
installation of fans – particularly
appropriate for pig buildings. Fan
ventilation is taking over from
ACNV (Natural ventilation) and we
currently have a number of pig farms
converting, farmers have realised
that the end product from a fan
ventilated building is better than that
FarmersMart Summer 2009 15
 solway recycling

ECOGRID COW TRAK

IMPRESSES AT SAC CRICHTON
WALKING the dairy herd four times
a day between fields and parlour
in our increasingly wet and mild
climate was made easier using
Ecogrid cow tracks at SAC Crichton
Farm, Dumfries reports manager
Hugh McClymont.
Last autumn Hugh opted to lay cow
friendly walk ways to the fields using
Ecogrid, a soil stabiliser already
used for car parking and buggy
tracks at golf courses. Manufactured
from recycled waste plastic Ecogrid
Cow Trak
was supplied by Solway Recycling
Ltd of Dumfries, who are launching
their latest innovation at the Royal walked through badly churned up “With Scottish herds of up to a 1000 Bin and Liner System. This plastic
Highland Show. ground. cows moving considerable distances is then recycled into a growing
Speedily and simply laid on top of four or six times a day at milking range of durable products including
These environmentally friendly
the ground this plastic grid requires times Ecogrid cow tracks have a key calf and sheep pens, lamb creep
walkways require little maintenance,
no prior site preparation, is extremely role to play in improving herd health feeders, Stokboard, Ecogrid and
have minimal visual impact and
durable with a 20 tonne axle load and reducing costs,” commented garden furniture.
reduce both soil erosion and
carrying capacity. Jim Muir of Solway Recycling.
poaching.
SAC’s Hugh McClymont found Founded 15 years ago the farm For further details of
Not only livestock, but also vehicles
herd health improved thus cutting based Dumfries firm offers a Ecogrid cow tracks contact,
move more easily around a farm
costs as the incidence of lameness Complete Circle Approach by Solway Recycling Ltd,
on an Ecogrid cow track without
and other problems such as mastitis collecting agricultural plastic waste tel; 01387 730666
churning up fields, lanes and
was reduced when cows no longer using their award winning Solway
gateways.

16 FarmersMart Summer 2009


Thwing & the shaving of a chin!
Chris Berry talks with Philip Clarkson in the Yorkshire Wolds
There are many villages in Yorkshire
which have lost their rural identity
over the past three decades, but
Thwing in the Yorkshire Wolds is
most definitely not one of them.
Nestled in the northern end of the
Wolds, and not too far from the coast,
Thwing is very much a community
that has kept itself firmly to itself.
Philip Clarkson is in his 21st year as
Parish Council chairman which he
has served for 25 years. He runs a
predominantly arable enterprise at
Little Farm where he and his family
moved to in 1967 from Willerby,
near Hull.
‘When they were going to build the
Humber Bridge they were also going
to build a motorway to Beverley
which would have gone through our
farm, so we moved up here. I was 17
when we moved.’
He’s never regretted it one bit.
‘It’s so nice and peaceful out here.
We’ve kept the village nearly the
same as it has always been, although
we have lost both our shop and post
office. It’s still very quiet here, and it’s
a non-development area. We’ve only
had 4 or 5 houses built in the last 40
years. We still have a church, pub, a
little village hall and village mere. We
have restored the mere, at the east
end, and have a brick monument
marking the point where a meteorite
fell in 1793. That’s probably our main
claim to fame.’
Philip’s farm runs to around 200 acres
and is mainly Grade 2 land. He farmed
with his father, Francis, who passed
away in 1984. His mother Florence
Vera now lives in a retirement home in
nearby Burton Fleming. He has three
sisters – Joy, Linda and Elizabeth.
Annette, another of Philip’s sisters,
passed away in 2006.
DAviD WooDCoCk
Agricultural Contractors
Burton Fleming, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 3PS
We are pleased to be associated with Clarkson Family
and wish them continued success for the future.
Tel: 01262 470 246
Fax: 01262 470 502
Mob: 07889 081804
E-mail: david.woodcock@btinternet.com
Philip Clarkson
‘I’ve never married. Never met anyone
suitable. When I was younger I went
to Driffield Young Farmers, and used
to go into Scarborough for nights out.
I’m in easy walking distance of the
pub, the Falling Stone.’
As well as his parish council activities
and fondness for a pint Philip is also
involved with the thriving Wold
Newton Farmers Discussion Group
and is the Summer coach trip
organiser.
Last year he came out of beef cattle,
and it led to a new Antipodean
adventure for him, which in turn led
to the growing of a beard, which in
turn led to raising money for charity.
‘I always used to keep 50 beef cattle
bought as stores in the Autumn,
feed them up during Winter and sell
fat during Summer, but last year we
were told we had a problem with TB
so the ministry came and took half of
the cattle away. However, the tests
all proved negative after they had
slaughtered them. So I came out of
cattle completely.
Philip enjoys his £500 shave!
My mate Bill Thompson who farms
at Wold Newton said he was going
to Australia so I went with him. We
travelled right across the country,
flying in to Perth and then driving
from Western Australia to South
Australia and Victoria. We climbed
Sydney Harbour Bridge, visited
Australia’s largest open cast gold
mine 400 miles east of Perth, visited
Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra
and had a great time.
It was hot and sunny and an altogether
better climate, but I don’t think I’d
like to live there. The farms are much
bigger than here but they are lower
yielding. One farmer told me he was
getting only three-quarters of a tonne
per acre for his wheat, although I
understand there are some that get
3 tonnes an acre.
When I came back from the heat of
40 degrees a day in Australia I was
met with snow. I also hadn’t had a
shave for three days and someone
suggested I should carry on for a
month and then shave my beard off
clarkson
for charity. We raised over £500 for
RABI when I had it shaved off at the
pub.’
Philip is no stranger to giving either.
He has donated 54 pints of blood
over many years.
He’s also involved with a regular
meeting each week when the old
‘market crew’ go for lunch together in
Driffield. He talks of going back into
cattle this year, but only when the
price is right.
‘I’ll probably go back in this Winter.
I’ve been to Ruswarp but they’re a bit
dear at the moment.’
Philip also has a small flock of 40
ewes and is pictured here with some
of the smaller lambs from this year’s
triplets.
INFORMATION
Philip Clarkson,
Little Farm, Thwing
Nr DRIFFIELD
Tel: 01262 470231
FarmersMart Summer 2009 17
 fairburn

Creating a younger NFU

in York East
Chris Berry talks with new chairman, Jonathan Fairburn of Rievaulx
There has long been a view,
amongst the more cynical in the
farming community, that those who
go further than the local branch
chairmanship of the NFU are in
it for what they can get out of it
personally, to climb the ladder.
Thankfully the cynics are fewer
these days and the concentration on
achieving a better lot for each farmer
has always been the maxim.
Jonathan Fairburn who farms at
Griff Farm, near Rievaulx, is the
new York East County Chairman,
following on from the astute and
highly professional and calculating
chairmanship of John Gatenby.
Whilst Jonathan is keen to carry on
the good work of those who have
gone before him, he has come with
a plan - and one that he feels will
stand the union in good stead for Jonathan & Tracy Fairburn of Rievaulx

many years to come. we can’t let that carry on.’

ATV SPECIALISTS
D H WADSWORTH & SONS
28 Derwent road York Road
Industrial Estate, Malton,
North Yorkshire, YO17 6YB
Fax: 01653 698500
Tel: 01653 692244
www.wadsworthquads.co.uk
Repairs, Servicing & Small Machinery
We are pleased to provide
Jonathan Fairburn with all his ATV needs
‘I will judge my success on whether
there are 4 people younger than me
involved with the county committee
by my last meeting. The first meeting
I took as chairman there were two.’
204 Barnsley Road, It might not seem much of a target to
Flockton, Wakefield,
West Yorkshire, WF4 4AB get just two more but it is longevity
Fax: 01924 840319
that Jonathan is after. Getting
T:01924 840319 four people younger than him, at
meetings regularly, is no easy task
given the pressures on time that
most farmers face whether young or
not so.
‘There have still been many meetings
where I have been the youngest and
In order to achieve his goal Jonathan
isn’t just leaving things to chance.
He recently arranged a farm walk,
at Low Marishes, between Malton
and Pickering and invited nine
other chairmen of branches from
around the York East area to meet
his personal challenge by bringing
farmers under the age of 35.
‘There are now far more
decisions that have to be made
and bureaucracy that has to be
undertaken that 27-28 year olds
are having to be involved with.
Part of that is down to IT skills
and computer literacy and my gut

Steel Framed Buildings

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Friars Hill Farm, Sinnington, York, YO62 6SL Tel 01845 537555
18 FarmersMart Summer 2009
 fairburn

travelling in farming style

feeling is that younger farmers are
now making decisions around 5-6
years earlier than they were doing
15-20 years ago. I started getting
involved with the NFU in my early-
mid 30s.’
Jonathan is married to Tracy and
the farm runs to 327 acres, which
includes 220 acres of arable land,
and the rest as grass. He has 500
breeding sheep, predominantly
Texel X with what he terms a
splattering of Mules, Charollais and
Suffolk. He also fattens pigs on a
bed and breakfast basis.
He was born just up the road, at
Harriet Air, just a mile and a half
away. He’s not moved very far,
but moving away from the family
farm, where he farmed with his
brother and father up until 15 years
ago, did mean a change in his
farming skills.
continues page 20

H.M.J. & C.M. Howells,

Veterinary Surgeons

Our team of dedicated and experienced farm vets

is delighted to provide veterinary care to
The Fairburn Family
We Are pleased to be associated with
No call out charges to farms up to 30 miles from Easingwold. Jonathan Fairburn & Family
and wish them continued success for the future
Free Delivery Service Marr & Macgregor Feeds Ltd . Rosendale House
19/23 Prospect Street . Bridlington . East Yorkshire . YO15 2AE
Tel: 01262 602408 . Fax: 01262 609458
Telephone: 01347 823678 www.marrandmacgregor.co.uk info@marrandmacgregor.com

Business and Personal Tax Trust Accounts and Returns

Audit and Accounting Estate Accounts
Special Agricultural Services Inheritance Tax Planning

For further information contact:

TRINITY HOUSE HANOVER HOUSE OAK HOUSE
THURSTON ROAD 13 VICTORIA ROAD MARKET PLACE
NORTHALLERTON DARLINGTON BEDALE
NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY DURHAM NORTH YORKSHIRE
DL6 2NA DL1 5SF DL8 1AQ
Tel: 01609 778789 Tel: 01325 489921 Tel: 01677 422188

Email: info@kennetheasby.co.uk Website: www.kennetheasby.co.uk

FarmersMart Summer 2009 19

 fairburn
‘Frederick, my brother, had always
looked after the livestock side of
things, with me tending to look after
the arable side. We helped each
other out of course, but when I came
here it was a bit of a crash course
for me on the livestock side. I had
to get my head around livestock.
I came here with 120 breeding
ewes and we’ve now increased the
numbers to our limit. We lambed
about 30 Suffolks in January this
year, with the rest starting at the
beginning of March and finishing
at the beginning of April. We used
to lamb 150 in January and we
might go back to that. The reason
we stopped was that we fatten pigs
and we needed the shed space for
them. We can now lamb about 50-
60 in another building we haven’t
been using.’
Jonathan hasn’t gone down the
cattle route because his neighbours
were fairly keen on pigs for
fattening. On the arable side he
grows around 60 acres of winter
barley for malting, roughly 60 acres
of spring barley, also for malting,
30 acres of oil seed rape, with 50-
60 acres of winter wheat.
In his 15 years at Griff he has
faced up to nearly everything that
could have been thrown at farming
and family life. BSE, FMD, Blue
ear, Bluetongue, difficult trading
periods, rock bottom prices, a bad
back injury.
‘It’s been challenging. When I came
here there was no talk of BSE. IACS
forms had just been invented. Winter
Barley was at 110-115, wheat was
at 120-130, oil seed rape 300.
Things were flying, but within two
years everything crashed. Yes, it’s
a better time at the moment and
we are getting more money for our
products, but we’re also having to
pay a lot of money on input costs.’
Jonathan and Tracy were married 5
years ago, and have been together
for 9 years. Between them they
have three children, Dean and
Sara (16 & 13) from Tracy’s earlier
relationship, and 6 year old Thomas
from their own.
Tracy is from Kirkbymoorside and
is an ex-dance teacher. She spent
8 years in Chester, both at college
and in a number of jobs and tells
of having taught the Duke of
Westminster’s children.
Jonathan’s other involvements have
been in the young farmers movement
and in cricket.
‘I was with Helmsley YFC, and was
then involved with Ryedale District,
becoming Activities Chairman
for Yorkshire. David Airey, who is
the current West Riding County
NFU chairman was around at the

Jonathan & Tracy

Richard Bell
Agricultural Contractor
Ploughing, Drilling, Combining Grass Cutting,
Raking & Teadding, Round Baling & Wrapping,
Quads, Tractor & Driver, Forklift & Driver Whole
Farm Contracts, Share Farming or A Tailor-
Made Package Made To Suit.
Machinery Bought & Sold
Contact Richard on 07866 299313
Richard would like to congratulate Jonathan Fairburn and wish him
continued success for the future.
same time.’ again. The scan I had taken showed
that the same thing could happen
The cricket could have gone much
again and that the next time it could
further though as Jonathan had
all end up far more seriously. That
trials with Durham CCC.
was enough for me.’
‘I played for Stokesley, Hovingham
and Rievaulx, but when I went
If you would like to know more
to feed the pigs one morning my
about joining the NFU YORK
cricket career was over. A disc had
EAST COUNTY membership
dropped on to my spinal cord and
why not contact Jonathan
I literally crawled back in to the
on 07801 145049 or email:
house. My consultant, who was
j.fairburn@farmline.com
South African and looked after the
South Africa cricket team told me
I shouldn’t bother playing cricket

ROBSON TRACTORS R.W. STRICKLAND

We are pleased to supply Jonathan Fairburn and family
with their farm machinery requirements and wish them every
success in the future.
Thirsk: 01845 501602 / Malton: 01653 668501
www.robsontractors.co.uk
Agricultural Contractor
• Silage Baling, Wrapping, Stacking Round or Square.
• Hay and Haylage Making – Round or Square.
• Most Agricultural Operations Undertaken.
Glad to be associated with Johnathan and wish him success
Westfield Lodge, Hutton Le Hole, York. YO62 6UG
Tel: 01751417261
Mobile: 07831164469

20 FarmersMart Summer 2009


Five sons = farm
+ tearoom + farm shop
Chris Berry talks with Andrew Kelly in Little Fryup
Andrew and Jill Kelly are a busy
couple – in every sense of the word!
Not only do they run a farm and a
tearoom, they also have plans to
open up a farm shop. Not only that
either – they also have five, yes five
young sons ranging from 2 to 11
years old. Andrew acknowledges
it could create quite an interesting
time if they all grow up wanting to
be farmers!
The Kellys came to Stonebeck Gate
Farm, Little Fryup in the North York
Moors in 1996. Andrew comes
from Ireland originally, whilst Jill is
a Yorkshire girl, from Thorne, near
Doncaster.
‘I studied in Edinburgh and
Cirencester, which is where I met Jill.
Then I was a farm manager in County
Whicklow for 5 years. In Ireland my
youngest brother took on the family
farm. Jill and I had always wanted to
farm under our own right and when
the tenancy for this farm came up
we didn’t think we would get it but
we did. It had been renowned for
being one of the best farms in the
area, so we had quite a standard to
maintain.’
They arrived in the Moors before
BSE, FMD and all other manner of
farming catastrophe had occurred.
‘It’s been a real rollercoaster but
we’re surviving. The farm is part
of the Dawnay Estate and we are
working well with Lord Downe who
is the 12th viscount. We have built
up the farm from nothing. There was
no stock here when we came and
we have spent a fair bit of money, in
We wish Andrew & Jill continued success for the future
Your local main dealer for:
Zetor tractors
Honda ATV and accessories
Pottinger grass machinery
Teagle equipment
Full workshop facilities plus mobile service and repairs all types of machinery.
Call Sharon Agar 01723 870 966
Geo. Agar Agricultural Engineers, Ravenscar, Scarborough, N. Yorks YO13 0LZ
conjunction with the estate, in doing
the house up. The farm had been
well farmed extensively before we
came.’
Andrew’s original stocking levels are
not what they were though.
‘When we took on here I kept a lot of
cattle and sheep, but I’ve cut down
quite a bit. We didn’t have our stock
culled during Foot and Mouth year in
2001, and like many others we lost a
lot of money. As a result we decided
we would sell off some stock and
branch out into food retailing. That’s
been one serious learning curve too.
It has been up and down, and it’s
very hard work. We run the teashop
at the National Park Centre on the
outskirts of Danby, about 4 miles
away, and we try to get as much
produce from within Yorkshire as we
can. Our theme is to buy local.
With the large family we have the
tea room is necessary to keep things
moving forward. Better recent prices
on sheep and cattle would certainly
make the farm more viable today if
I farmed intensively again, but we
see our future now in extending our
food retailing side. We are currently
planning for a farm shop that we hope
to open next year. The idea will be to
market not just our own produce but
that of other estate farms. We’re also
involved in the setting up of a new
Beef Shorthorn marketing scheme
with Andrew Loftus and Andrew Hall
of Albert Hall Farms, near York, and
in conjunction with the EFFP (English
Food & Farming Partnership).’
Andrew and Jill’s farm runs to
Agricultural
Engineers
kelly
Andrew Kelly at Little Fryup
some 450 acres and their livestock school in Lealholm. Farming is still
numbers currently total 160 Scotch what I want to do, but the tea room
Blackface ewes, put to the Blue and hopefully the farm shop should
Faced Leicester; 100 Mule ewes, and ensure that we are able to look after
50 suckler cows, of which 25 are our family well in the coming years.’
pedigree Beef Shorthorns with the
Andrew’s other interests, on top of
rest being commercial. Andrew sells
farming, the tea-room, proposed farm
stock at Ruswarp, but his pedigree
shop and Beef Shorthorn marketing
cattle side came from another area
scheme, as well as his wife and five
completely.
sons, also includes being a committee
‘I bought my first Beef Shorthorns member of the Glaisdale Foxhounds,
from Gerald Turton 6 years ago and shooting with a syndicate called The
I’ve steadily built up the numbers. Foxhunters, and playing a bit of golf.
There is certainly a market for the
The only thing he has committed to
traditional native breeds at the
not doing in the future is expanding
moment and we hope to capitalise
the family even further!
on that trend.’
He’s happy in the Moors and shows
Andrew Kelly
no pangs of wanting to be back
Stonebeck Gate Farm
across the Irish Sea.
Little Fryup, Whitby
‘It’s nice to go back and visit, but North Yorkshire, YO21 2NS
we’re settled here. This truly is a Tel: 01287 660362
beautiful part of the country and
the boys all go to the little primary
MIKE TINDALL
Farmers & Contractors
Self-propelled foraging – Full or Part operation
Round baling – silage, hay or straw
Bale wrapping
Muck spreading 2 x 10 tonne K2 spreaders
Ploughing – Land Work – Combination Drilling
2500 gallon slurry tanker
Tel: 01947 897285
Mob: 07970 104859
Email: mtc-contracting@hotmail.com
FarmersMart Summer 2009 21
 robertson

Traditional breeds have the

X-Factor at Becks
Jennifer mackenzie visits the robertson of langholm
Traditional hill sheep and cattle
breeds suit the system at Becks
Farm, Langholm in the Scottish
Borders.
Jim Robertson has been a South
Country Cheviot diehard since taking
on the tenancy of the 1,760 acre farm
on the Buccleuch Estate 29 years ago
with his father.
Since re-building the pedigree flock
after the 2001 foot and mouth
epidemic’s contiguous cull, equally
easy-care Galloway cows have been
making their contribution to the
enterprise run by Jim and his partner
Sharon.
Only 200 acres of the farm is in bye
land, the rest is enclosed hill and the
purchase of a lowland farm of 120
ploughable acres at Jedburgh provides
Jim with summer grazing and crops
such as turnips and kale.
“The Cheviots suit the farm,” said
Jim. “They make money for you yet
they are easy care with no problems.
They are a nice sheep to work with,”
he added.
The hefted flock of 1,000 Cheviot
ewes produces shearling rams for sale
at the early October sale at Lockerbie.
Previously, they were used at home as
shearlings and sold the following year
as two shears.
Between 18 and 24 rams are sold
each year with the flock’s best price
of £8,000 being achieved in 2005
and 2006 when they were the
sale’s second top price. One was
by an £8,000 Elsdonburn tup and
the other was by Glengeith Xfactor,
both of which have done well for the
Becks flock.
Ram sale averages for the last four
years have been 2004, 24 - £1,145;
05, 14 - £2,196; 06 17 - £1,835; 07.
20 - £1,286; 08, 17 - £1,145.
Not afraid to invest in stock rams, Jim
paid a then record price of £14,000
The Robertsons
at Lockerbie for Xfactor in 2004 – a
worthwhile investment since he has
produced progeny which have sold to
total around £46,000.
Jim described Xfactor, which is still
at Becks and one of a dozen stock
rams, as a big sheep with true breed
characteristics.
Last year Jim paid another record
price again for a Glengeith ram when
he bought Statesman for £18,000 and
his first crop of lambs is on the ground
now. He is an exceptional, massive
ram with “that little bit extra”.
Becks breeding was not lost during
2001 as the farm’s 300 ewe hoggs
were wintered away and flock n
umbers were made up by the purchase
of 250 ewes that year and the same
the following year. Since then no more
females have been bought in.
In 2001 Jim bought the stock ram
Castle Knowledge for £7,000, a good
price at the time, but it paid off as the
ram put the flock on the map again.
All the ewes are bred pure with the
exception of 120 draft ewes which are
crossed with a home bred Texel ram.
There are 30 pedigree BecksTexels
but the rams are sold commercially
as shearlings through Longtown and
Dumfries, where Jim is a director
of Cumberland and Dumfriesshire
Farmers Mart.
The Texel cross lambs and Cheviot
wethers and ewes not selected for
breeding are all finished either on kale
or grass taken away from home and
sold at Longtown. Texels crosses are
sold from the second week of August
and last year were making up to £60
a head at around 45kg liveweight,
Cheviot hoggs are sold from February
to the first week in April and this year
they averaged £71 a head at 42 to
45kg.
Now that the flock is getting back to
its previous production, draft ewes
will be sold again.
Lambing starts with those in lamb
to the Texel in February and the
hill ewes from April 15 which are
lambed outside in fields near the farm
steading.

Agricultural Contractors
PROUD TO BE OF SERVICE AT THE BECKS
Call us to discuss your seasonal contracting needs
including all aspects of combinable crops, forage
production and livestock manures
Phone/Fax : 01461 800256
Mobile : 07850 606807
Email : info@grahamrae.co.uk
www.grahamrae.co.uk

22 FarmersMart Summer 2009


All the ewes are scanned with a
percentage of up to 128. After
scanning, twin bearing ewes are
brought onto enclosed land and fed
a ewe cob from six weeks before
lambing. Those carrying singles are
fed beet pulp.
After lambing the ewes receive no
supplementary feed and lambs are
not creep fed. The Cheviots are shown
with success at Dumfries, Moffat,
Langholm and Peebles shows.
Jim has judged Cheviots, overall
sheep championships, Texels and
Galloways at shows from Omagh in
Northern Ireland to Islay and the Great
Yorkshire.
This year he will be judging in Northern
Ireland and Kelso along with local
shows this is something he enjoys
given his past Jim’s quite competitive
himself and understands the work
that’s involved in bringing stock out.
The farm runs from 500ft above sea
level to the top of the dry, white hill at
1,150ft which has proved ideal for the
recently introduced Galloway cows.
Previously, the farm’s suckler herd
were all Limousin crosses. Since the
introduction of the Galloways which
now number 50 cows a niche market
has been found for the meat and the
current 60 continentals will be phased
out in favour of the traditional breed.
Steers are sold at 30 months old
weighing 383kg deadweight and
bringing in an average price per head
of £1,100. They are sold to David and
Moira MacGregor who run a farm
shop at Dirrops, Lockerbie, as well as
selling at farmers markets.
Also with a ready market for the
Galloway beef from restaurants and
hotels in London is Ben Wetherall, of
Dumfries who also runs an internet
based traditional meat sales business,
blackface.co.uk Galloway beef pies
made at Becks are also sold at
farmers markets. Jim is the treasurer
for the Langholm Farmers Market and
believes in cutting the food miles and
supporting local produce.
25 High Street
Annan DG12 6AD
Agricultural
Machinery
Dealers
Tel: 01461 202772
Fax: 01461 202712 Carrs Billington would like to wish
annan.sales@carrs-billington.com
robertson
Currently the cross-bred calves are
sold from February through Longtown
at 13 to 18 months old and are
making up to £960 a head.
“The Galloways are living on a lot less
than the cross-breds. They are fed Deadly in a day. Neosorexa
silage and virtually no concentrates
and the upside is also that we are
not buying in replacement cows. The Gold powered by FORTEC
Galloway beef has a unique flavour,”
said Jim.
“We have been trying to cut feed and
ensures rats eat more bait,
fertiliser costs and despite having
to keep the steers until they are 30
months old we are finding them more faster. The majority of rats
cost effective.”
The foundation Galloways were bought
in 2002. Twenty five cows and calves
will consume enough bait
were bought from Stewart Runciman,
of Bonchester Bridge.
even in the presence of
“I did have some Bluegreys but they
were getting scarce to buy and I
wanted a traditional breed to out- other foodstuffs to reach a
winter. I liked the Galloway which is
native to the area,” said Jim.
Unlike the crossbred cows, all the lethal dose in a single day.
Galloways are outwintered and fed on
big bale silage or pit silage and straw,
with the exception of the youngstock
during their first winter.
The crossbred cows are housed from
November 1 while the Galloways are
not fed until December or January.
The cows start calving from the end
of May.
While the herd is not registered, it is
intended to do so and eventually to
sell stock.
Stock bulls are Blackcraig Kazoo,
bought at the 2003 Castle Douglas sale
together with Jim’s brother Kenneth Stop rodent damage and contamination fast. Neosorexa
for 5,000gns and Lochdochart King, Gold powered by FORTEC ensures rats eat more bait,
bought privately 18months ago.
Another, Gladiator of Whitehill, was
faster. With Neosorexa Gold, the majority of rats will
bought in Carlisle for 700gns. consume enough bait to reach a lethal dose in a single
day. This delivers faster and more reliable control even in
For more information
the presence of other foodstuffs.
J ROBERTSON & SON
Becks Farm,
Langholm, DG13 0LP
We know what rats like
Sorex Limited, St Michael’s Indutrial Estate, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 8TJ
Web: www.thinkrat.com Tel: 0151 420 7151. Fax: 0151 495 1163
Neosorexa Gold contains difenacoum. Use rodenticides safely.
Jim Robertson Always read the label and product information before use.
continued success
FarmersMart Summer 2009 23
 wharfedale mart
Good times for Wharfedale ..
but watch out for electronic tagging
Chris Berry talks with Ian Smith at Otley
Confidence has come back into
the market. These are the words
of Ian Smith, Market Manager at
Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart,
who has now been in the role for
just over a year.
‘It’s been good to see. Stock numbers
have been up in all sections. Store
cattle have been very expensive this
year and the same has been true of
ewes and lambs. The cull cow trade
has also been very good. The pound
strengthening recently has brought
lambs down a bit but overall it’s
very good news. We are picking up
business all of the time and we’re very
competitive. Our commission rate is
one of the lowest in the country.’
When I visited was just after the
collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain.
There was talk around the ring of some
dairy farmers who had been with the
group now giving up completely. Ian
believes that could happen.
‘It has been a major blow, especially
to some of the smaller or out of the
BFE Brays
Chartered Accountants
We wish every success to Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart
• Competitive transparent fees
• Phone support
• Unlimited meetings
• Tax reviews
• Attention to deadlines
• To make more profit
• To pay less tax
• Someone to sort all your paperwork
• An accountant who speaks plain English
Free No Obligation Consultation
24 FarmersMart Summer 2009
way dairy farmers. Finding a market
for their milk is now even more Ian Smith
difficult and it looks like we could
expect one or two men to pack in.’
Although life at the market is good
at present, including vintage sales,
poultry and Border Fine Arts sales
Ian warns of one potential problem,
which may have a significant impact
on sheep sales. It is a subject close
to the hearts of many sheep farmers
at present and Ian realises the part
that auction marts will probably have
to pay.
‘The electronic tagging of sheep next
year is a major worry. It will be a
headache and a lot of expense for
farmers and I have heard a lot of them
say that if they have to do it they will now been auctioneering here for five Auctioneers Association.
cease farming sheep. One idea is that years and took over the running of the
Ben Atkinson still helps out at the
auction marts may become reading Auction Mart fourteen months ago.
Mart as and when needed,’ as was
centres for farmers. My own feeling I’m currently studying for a degree
the case when I visited, when he was
is that it could decimate the British in auctioneering and valuations and
selling the Fat Cattle – and clearly
sheep industry.’ I’m in my third year out of the four
enjoying it.
after which I hope to become a full
‘I first came to Wharfedale Farmers fellowship member of the Livestock Ian is from a farming family near
as a drover when I left school and I’ve
BFE Brays
Building Society Chambers
Wesley Street
Otley
West Yorkshire
LS21 1 AZ
Telephone: (01943) 462518
Facsimile: (01943) 850199
E-mail: otley@bfebrays.co.uk
Website: www.bfebrays.co.uk
 wharfedale mart

THE COVERALL COMPANY-HALIFAX

Farmers Outfitters

Proprietor-Keith Clay
Tel: 07711 512075

Stockist for - Loake Brothers • Trickers • Buckler

Hoggs • Dickies • Hunter Boot Company

Ben finds something funny In attendance at Otley, Gisburn, Skipton and

Holmefirth Marts
Pateley Bridge. ‘My dad’s farm is at hopefully shows a profit for the
Lofthouse and we farm suckler cows shareholders, which it has done this
and sheep there.’ year.’
Judging by the number of people at With well-known farming faces such
Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart as Philip Hughes, Michael Wilson,
when I visited this is certainly not a Richard Danforth and Andrew
livestock market that is struggling, Heaton all present it is also clear that
instead it is doing well. It has been Wharfedale is still an attraction too.
in existence for over 100 years and Old Hall Farm, Church Lane
its main weekly sales day is Monday Esholt, Shipley
for primestock. Fortnightly sales Wharfedale Farmers West Yorkshire BD17 7RA
of stores take place on Fridays. Auction Mart Ltd
The Mart is owned by farmers and Chevin Lodge, Leeds Road Telephone:
Otley LS21 3BD
butchers and run by a board of nine 01274 581420
farmer directors. Ian Smith Fax:
‘We know that our market here is not Mob: 07738 043771
a modern market, but it provides a Fax: 01943 461135
01274 530450
great service to the local farmers, Email: wfam@auctionmarts.com
it also provides employment and
Email: sarah@fredgreenwoodandson.co.uk

FarmersMart Summer 2009 25

 bluefin
Insurance Solutions for farmers
In today’s precarious and
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However, whatever the risks farmers
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business with comprehensive cover
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to allow you to get on with the day
26 FarmersMart Summer 2009
to day running of your business.
Working with some of the biggest
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 lambert

THE VIEWS OF
THE DALES
There can be few better looking
working environments than that
farmers in this area is 59 and there’s There’s been many notable landmarks
enjoyed by Robert Lambert of
little prospect of new blood coming in Robert’s farming life with a recent
Mile House Farm on the back road
through given the issues affecting fire in 2006 proving the most
between Coniston and Kettlewell in
rural communities,” he admitted. traumatic. Caused by a faulty electric
the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
meter, the blaze took the lives of 19
Farming For Real is another cause
With views extending the length and calves and Robert is still coming to
close to his heart and one which he’s
breadth of Upper Wharfedale, widely terms with the loss.
been involved in since its inception. It
recognised as one of the most scenic
first showcased at the Kilnsey Show in “There was snow on the ground and
parts of England, it’s easy to see why
2007 and is focused on the interests it was impossible for the fire brigade
Robert has delighted in calling this
and future wellbeing of hill farming to attend in time and I still look back
home since his parents moved there in
communities. on that night with horror. I care for all
1957 when it was a tenanted farm.
of my animals, in particular the cattle
With the popular Dales Way dissecting
It’s 500 hectares of predominantly and to hear those calves suffering was
his land it’s easy to see why Robert has
moorland with 820 Swaledale Robert Lambert agonising,” concluded Robert.
got involved: “We have hundreds of
breeding ewes and 55 dairy cattle
miles of dry stone walls and footpaths Robert Lambert is one farmer who is
accounting for the lions share of
sort to rest on his laurels. Despite in the Dales that need constant thoroughly engaged in his way of life
Robert’s time.
working seven days a week, 52 repairing and maintenance and it’s a and the views he holds and enjoys are
Robert’s family bought the farm week a year he still finds time to be tough ask for farmers to protect these music to the ears..and eyes!
outright in 1995. His brother James chairman of the Kilnsey Show and treasured routes.
runs the Throstle Nest farm just recently headed down to Downing “I headed down to Number 10 with Robert Lambert,
down the lane and it’s an area of the Street to hand in a petition on behalf the Farming For Real team to hand in Mile House Farm,
world in which the Lambert family of the Farming For Real cause. a petition aimed at keeping the hills Coniston with Kilnsey,
really have made their mark.
“This is the 40th year of my alive. We’ve found a lot of interest in North Yorkshire BD23 5HT
Robert commented: “James’ son involvement in the Show and it just our cause and the campaign is going Tel: 07900 234843
Simon runs a contracting business seems to get bigger and better with well,” he added.
and I work closely with my brother.
every passing year,” said Robert who
My mother is now in her 80s but
took over as Chairman six years ago
still plays an active role by doing
in what he describes as “a role that
my books.
doesn’t stop until you drop!”
“My father worked this land for over
This year’s event takes place on
40 years and never had a day off
September 1st and it’s expected to
sick in that time,” exclaimed Robert
attract up to 15,000 visitors with the
whose dad died from a sudden heart
harness racing being a major draw for
attack in 2000.
many of the attendees.
He officially started his farming life
“It’s the biggest one day show in the
in 1968 when, as Robert admitted
north of England and this year we’re
“Procol Harum were top of the
expanding our childrens tent area
charts with Whiter Shade of Pale.
to provide real farming education
It was the day after I left school
resources for the youngsters.
although I’d been helping out during
most of my school days.” “Attracting new generations into
farming is essential or who will look
It’s a life that the affable Robert
after the land? The average age of
enjoys but he’s far from being the

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FarmersMart Summer 2009 27

 brockholes mart

Success for mart named after pub

Chris Berry talks with Tommy Hargreaves at Brockholes Arms Auction Mart
Livestock markets are back on
the rise! With the hike in prices of
dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep
over the past year many who had
abandoned the live selling arena
have been tempted back.
It is a happy time at most auction
marts and particularly satisfying for
Tommy Hargeaves at the legendary
Brockholes Arms Auction Mart,
the only livestock market to take
its name from a pub, which is next
door!
In August they will open their new
office premises and which Tommy
is particularly pleased over the fact
that they have not had to borrow a
penny to complete. They have also
renewed the cattle ring too.
’10 years ago we moved out of the Sheila Garlick & Tommy Hargreave
old offices into Portakabins and
I am really very proud of my team
past 12 months. It proves we’re on ‘I had no sons to carry it on and recent two week period bringing
of directors and staff who have
the right track.’ so I now let my land out. I’ve been about the highest fortnightly
made sure that we have been able
a director here for 18 years and turnover ever.
to achieve what we have. There are Tommy farmed himself, at Barton,
chairman for the past 10. I have sold
now more farmers coming back to with a dairy herd of around 180 ‘It wasn’t that we had the most stock
here for the past 50 years.’
the mart and there were at least two but sold to a dairy farmer who had ever, it was more that we had great
who were selling clean today who been taken out due to FMD up at As a measure of just how well the quantity coupled with dear prices.
have been going deadweight for the Longtown. market is going Tommy tells of a Pre FMD we were more of a sheep

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28 FarmersMart Summer 2009


and calves mart, but we’ve now built
everything up in stores, dairy cattle,
clean beef and sheep. We’re neither
the biggest nor smallest but we are a
very friendly livestock mart, and we
attract good quantities of buyers.’
Those include the likes of Jimmy
Woods and George Blackledge
and on the day I visited there were
around 8 cattle buyers in attendance
and around 14 sheep buyers.
‘You never know what’s around
the corner but we’re enjoying life
here at the moment,’ says Tommy.
‘We’re hoping to extend again when
we have enough money back in
the kitty. Things like the filming of
Peter Kay’s TV series, Max & Paddy,
really helped us both financially and
in visitors and we have also picked
up due to the unfortunate closure
of Preston Auction Mart. We get
farmers coming here from as far
as Manchester, the Fylde Coast,
Clitheroe and Kirkby Stephen, so it’s
quite a big area really. Sheila Garlick
our office manager and her team do
A busy time amongst the calves
Andrew Ayrton Ltd
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Tel: 07812 562169
Building a better future
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brockholes mart
a great job.’
Garstang-based Armitstead Barnett
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cattle and both Richard Furnival
and James Fish were auctioneering
on the day I visited. Richard was
selling the cattle, whilst James did
the calves. Richard believes that
Brockholes Arms is now very much
on the up.
‘We have been involved down here
since 2001 and we are really pleased Reno Pressure Washers from
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FarmersMart Summer 2009 29
 lowther park farms

Quality free range more

important than organic
Jennifer mackenzie visits lowther park farmS
Testament to the superior taste
and eating quality of the free range
chicken produced at Lowther
Park Farms, near Penrith, is that
its customers are spread across
the UK.
While the main customer base is in
Cumbria and the north of England,
Lowther branded whole chicken,
chicken portions and chicken livers
are mailed as far afield as Cornwall
to the islands of Scotland.
The Lowther family has been farming
in this area of Cumbria for 1,000
years and today Lowther Park Farms
looks after 3,500 acres of parkland
in the Lake District National Park,
running poultry, beef and sheep.
Says poultry manager Roger Gill:
“The farming system combines
modern science and technology
with traditional farming practices
to maintain the long-term fertility of
the soil and use less of the earth’s
finite resources while producing the
highest quality, nutritious foods.
Since 2001 and until recently
the farmland has been managed
organically, however mainly the rising
cost of feed has led the Lowther
family, farm manager Richard Price
and Roger Gill to re-think the system
with the poultry enterprise reverting
to conventional production.
“It would have meant us increasing
our prices by 20 per cent but we
wanted to keep then reasonable. We
have found that free range is more
important to the consumer than
organic chicken,” said Roger.
The chickens are kept in batches of
500 and are allowed to range free
during the day time on a minimum of
two acres of grassland at the estate’s
Melkinthorpe poultry unit where at
any one time there are 5,000 birds.
They are fed a cereal based blend.
eating quality, taste and texture of
“Because the chickens are slow the meat.
growing and kept in smaller batches
there is no pressure on them and we Celebrity chef Clarissa Dickson
Wright has commented on Lowther
find there are no health or disease
chicken’s “fantastic taste and
problems,” said Roger, who has
flavour”.
been poultry manager at Lowther for
20 years. Main customers are butchers and
“The price we receive for the chicken farm shops as well as mail order
has to reflect that it costs us more with next day delivery through the
Lowther website with the main
than twice as much to produce
demand being for whole chicken.
them as a conventional bird. The
advantage for the consumer is the The Melkingthorpe unit also has

We, at Inchcolm Veterinary Services Limited,

congratulate Lowther Park Farms on their
continuing success.
We have had a long and enjoyable relationship with
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Tel - 01229 583181
30 FarmersMart Summer 2009

Roger Gill
1,000 free range laying birds,
another traditional breed the
Lowman Brown.
They are bought as point of lay
pullets through local supplier David
Stratton and production runs at
5,000 eggs a week.
A further 300 to 400 free range
turkeys are reared for Christmas.
Again a traditional bronze slow
growing breed, they are taken
through from July on a similar GM
free diet and are sold through similar
outlets as the chicken.
The estate has a herd of 300
continental cross suckler cows
and 3,000 Mule sheep which will
continue to be run organically.
Currently all cattle and lambs are
sold through the live ring at either
Penrith or Carlisle markets but the
plan is to begin direct sales and
possibly include the opening of a
farm shop to further add value.
The estate’s chicken, eggs, beef,
lamb, pork and game is also being
showcased through the Lowther
family’s latest venture spearheaded
by Charles Lowther who after
considerable expense, time, and
thought has turned the George and
Dragon at Clifton, near Penrith into
an estate pub.
LOWTHER PARK FARMS
Lowther, Penrith CA10 2HG
Tel: 01931 712407
www.lowtherparkfarms.co.uk
news
tim gibson
updates
farmersmart
on dfb
After the recent happenings with farmer is to not write cheques
Dairy Farmers of Britain many to suppliers who he owes. Main
people are reassessing their ones being feed bills and the
options and some may indeed May silage making costs. So can
decide to come out of dairy the supply chain cope without
farming altogether and who a months income? It would be
could blame them after such a assumed from the farm end that
massive blow? “they make money out of me”
attitude and can stand it, but the
On the other hand though,
grim reality is that just like farms
perhaps its time we look at
the margin has been squeezed
this as an opportunity for the
and many supply companies are
dairy farmer to have his voice
also struggling.
heard and make a difference
to the current way things work The DFB crisis may not only have
i.e. milk prices, whilst we have farmer as casualties but some of
the public’s attention. Is it also the supply chain to dairy farmers
time to look at working ‘smarter may also falter and some may
rather than harder’ for our money fall. This will affect all farmers
in future, possibly by increasing not just those who have been
herd numbers and putting into misfortunate to have supplied
place new systems to make life DFB. Just imagine if your dairy
easier. engineer went out of business;
who would you call to come to
Since the start of the rumours
your milk tank when it broke in
about DFB troubles, many suspect
an emergency?
things would come to an end in
one way or another, but even the For more info or to discuss
best dairy pundits and industry further contact Tim Gibson -
commentators did not see the email tgibson@uk.lelycentre.com
end coming as it did and when it
did. Farmers affected have lost
thousands and effectively have
been forced to bear the cost of
industry rationalisation after
being the ones who hoped, by
sticking together, could make a
difference to the industry.
Other milk buyers have said for
years that the weak co op was
the very thing forcing low prices
on the industry by selling milk
too cheap, and that excuse has
always been the one used in
producer meetings up and down
the country when excusing price
cuts. Now is the time for the rest
of the industry to prove that was
the reason and milk prices should
rise? Or will another co-op be the
target and used as the excuse for
low prices.
For the rest of the supply industry
the fallout of DFB has yet to be
felt. Mays milk cheque failed to
arrive and the easy thing for the
FarmersMart Summer 2009 31
 bramley
Working with your neighbours
Chris Berry talks with Martin Bramley in Sherburn-in-Elmet
Not so long ago everything appeared
to be going wrong for arable and
pig farmers. Grain prices were
languishing at £65/tonne, and
even less in some quarters. Pig
prices were way below the cost of
production. Add into the equation
that farmers, particularly those in
Yorkshire, had not been renowned
for working well together and you
have a gloomy picture.
How times can change! Martin
Bramley of Home Farm, between
Sherburn-in-Elmet and South Milford,
has pigs on a bed and breakfast basis
which he is now expanding on; his
crops have made far better returns
than they were doing (in line with
the rest of the grain markets); and
he has entered into a joint venture
with a neighbouring farmer which is
working well.
‘We have 650 acres of arable land
and grow winter wheat, winter barley,
spring barley and oil seed rape. We
had mixed blessings with milling
wheat such as Hereward and Mallaca
so we now grow group 2 variety
Einstein, and Oakley and Humber for
32 FarmersMart Summer 2009
Martin Bramley arable and pig farmer
feed. The barleys are for malting, but
we also grow both wheat and barley
for seed, which goes to Campbell &
Penty.’
The land varies from good limestone
where Martin says they can get the
results they want, to heavy clay
land which needs drilling in the
autumn. Land is also rented out to
a neighbouring farmer who grows
potatoes.
Over the past decade Martin has been
with various companies regarding
bed and breakfast and contract
finishing of pigs.
‘In the past six months we have now
settled down with Peter Batty (R
Wilson & Son), cousin of David who
I am involved with in a joint venture
now. Peter farms at Darrington and
has recently expanded his breeding
side. I wanted all of the pigs to come
from one source and the previous
company I had been involved with
had them coming from all over the
place. We were having to wash out
all of the time and there was always
the risk of disease. We now have
a constant throughput and don’t
have problems with shed standing
empty for long periods. They come
in at 35-40 kilos and we are taking
Sales and hire of big square balers and bale handling equipment
Where everything stacks up
Tel: 01405 862240
Fax: 01405 862328
Mob: 07831 446398
www.bigbalenorth.com
them through to bacon. It’s keeping
us busy and we have been able to
utilise existing buildings which were
once cattle sheds. At the moment we
have 1300 but we have just altered
a grain store so that we can get up
to 2000.’
The increase in pig numbers has
created another useful bi-product too.
‘We’re utilising the manure from the
pigs on our crops. Given the present
price of fertiliser it is proving not
just useful but economical. We’ve
also invested in a scraper passage
unit which means we’re getting even
better manure which is less strawy. It
means our plan in the future is cutting
down on artificial fertilisers, using less
straw and getting goodness back into
the soil.’
But where Martin has grown the
business even more over the past 5
years has been in the joint venture he
entered into with David Batty (S Batty
& Son).
Big Bale Co (North) Ltd,
Heck Hall Farm,
Great Heck, Goole,
East Yorkshire, DN14 0BL
 great star

‘Farming is changing. I am always
looking to grow the business and
the venture I entered into with David
was set up with James Severn of
Shelter Logic -
eye. The ELS scheme suits our farm as
we can protect a lot of water courses
and hedgerows. The limestone land
also suits the over-wintered stubble.

it’s the logical

Andersons Northern. We both grow Everything’s going mad really and
the same amount of crops acreage- as a farmer and businessman you’re
wise and we got together to share a having to think of so many things.

lot of machines – combine, corn drill,
Sumo, a set of rollers, tillage spreader,
quadrant baler, tractors – and labour.
The cost savings for both farms have
solution to
Prices have been so volatile of late
everything takes a lot of keeping up
with. There’s no point doing things
just because you always have.’

been tremendous, and we have also
started undertaking agricultural
contracting. We keep our identities the
same but it really is a Bramley-Batty
venture. It has enabled us to move
on to bigger machines that I wouldn’t
have been able to justify. Between us
we now have a CR980 New Holland
combine, an Amazone combination
drill and an MF187 quadrant baler
that gets us a lot of work.’
Contract spraying has also taken
off in the past couple of years and
Martin, with his two men Ian and
Howard, and working with agronomist
Matthew Palmer, has developed
another niche area of his farm
business through usage of their own
Bateman sprayer. He pays tribute to
his men and respects their support
and experience.
‘Without them I wouldn’t be able to
lead the life I live, knowing full well
that this place is going to be looked
after when I am not here. There was
a time a few years ago when it was
starting to look as though I wouldn’t
be able to do things outside of the
farm. I’m still very much hands-on
but farming is changing. There is
also more confidence in the future
of farming and people are starting
to realise there are mouths out there
that need feeding. The population
isn’t getting any smaller. It’s just a
shame we can’t get paid that little
more and can then do without subsidy
cheques.
The Entry Level Stewardship Scheme
has certainly worked well. I think
farmers have got wise to helping the
environment and we need to be seen
to be doing our best in the public’s
Three years ago Martin diversified
by launching a livery yard. It paid for
itself but an opportunity came for him
to rent it out and so he did. Lone Star
Grange now offers a full livery and DIY
livery, and there are 15 horses there.
He’s happy with the arrangement.
‘I now only have to listen to one
woman, rather than what seemed like
hundreds at the time!’’
Many readers will know Don,
Martin’s father. Don is a renowned
local historian and is the author of
a fantastic book telling his own life
story. He’s retired from the farm
these days but still looks in on what
Martin is up to.
‘Dad still comes and tells me what
he thinks I’m doing wrong, but he’s
pretty good and I think he reckons
I’m doing alright. I’ve been running
the farm for the past ten years now
and it’s amazing how the place has
changed in that time, but it really has
had to in order to keep up with the
changes in modern farming.’
Martin is married to Sallyann and
they have three young boys – James
(7), Charles (6) and William (2).
Martin’s interests include cricket,
golf and rugby. He plays cricket for
South Milford, has a 14 handicap at
Selby Golf Club and played stand off
or centre for Selby Rugby Club. Now
he’s managing the U7s at Selby.
Martin Bramley, Home Farm,
Milford Road, Sherburn-in-Elmet
Leeds LS25 6AD
Tel: 01977 682296
Mob: 07976 433462
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FarmersMart Summer 2009 33

 hall

Quality is the quest for beef and

sheep producer
The enterprise at Ainstable Hall,
Ainstable, Carlisle is run by Brian Brian Hall
and his wife Sabine, a vet and
director at Rowcliffe House Vets in
Penrith, centres around 240 pure
Limousin and cross-bred suckler
cows breeding British Blue-Limousin
crosses, as well as Beltex and Texel
ewes.
They sell up to five pedigree bulls
a year at Limousin society sales in
Carlisle. A further 30-plus breeding
bulls out of the pure Limousin cow by
the British Blue bull are sold privately
with a growing demand from both
dairy and commercial producers as
far afield as Devon and Wales.
Before 2001’s foot and mouth
epidemic the farm’s cattle were mostly
commercial with around a dozen
pure Limousin cows.The 550 acre
farm also had a flock of more than
1,000 North of England Mule ewes
which were crossed with the Beltex
but it was decided to reduce sheep
numbers, running a small pedigree
Beltex flock, and concentrate on the
cattle.
The remainder of the pure bred three averaging £1,883. “I can’t knock the Limousin as a
“When we re-stocked we decided to
cows are crossed with the Blue bull. pure bred suckler cow. They are easy
go for a quality suckler cow so we The male calves are kept as bulls and
Another 60 cows are either three calving. I think a lot of calving troubles
bought 130 pedigree Limousin cows a recent batch of 15 month old bulls
quarter Limousin or British Blue in herds is down to the management
and 30 heifers,” said Brian, the third comprising pure bred and crossbreds
Limousin crosses and are put back to and we focus on the condition of the
generation of his family to farm at sold privately for export averaged
the Blue bull. cow in the last few months before
Ainstable Hall. £1,180
calving,” said Brian.
The heifer calves have traditionally
“Until last year when we bought 28 An added value is the sale of Limousin
been sold store at a year old but now “We don’t wean the calves until
bulling heifers, the herd had been cross Blue bulls which meet a rigorous
around 30 are being kept to 18 to 20 March and that prevents the cow
closed and we intend to buy in as selection for use as breeding bulls.
months old with cross bred heifers putting on too much condition and
few animals as possible with the Since beginning to sell the crossbred
readily selling for suckler herd. Some after a month at grass after calving
exception of pure Limousin and Blue bulls for breeding several years ago,
younger calves are sold as potential she is doing well.
bulls,” he added. demand has increased with many
show calves.
buyers returning. “I have always gone for conformation,
The herd comprises 180 pure
Two bulling heifers topped their quality and width and the Blue is the
bred Limousin cows carrying the A bonus for buyers is the bulls’ hybrid
section of the trade at the 2008 perfect cross with the Limousin.”
Ainstablehall prefix, 40 of which are vigour and Brian is confident in selling
main sale of beef breeding cattle at
bred pure with some selected as herd them with a guarantee as none has Brian always buys pedigree bulls
Carlisle in May at £2,300 to John
replacements. been returned for being infertile. and selects for conformation with
Richardson, of Dufton, Appleby, with
plenty of width and shape and he is

34 FarmersMart Summer 2009


prepared to pay good money both to
improve his pedigrees and produce
quality cross bred calves.
Current Limousin herd sires carry
the Sarkley and Annadale prefixes.
An imported British Blue bull and
two others were bought from Andy
Ryder at Moffat whilst another three
were purchased from Andrew Craig
in Northern Ireland
Pedigree Limousin bulls from
Ainstable Hall have sold to a top
price of 4,000gns twice.
The system is simple as Brian and
Sabine only have the help of casual
labour.
Calving begins in May and runs
through to September. All the pure
breds are outwintered on a dry, sandy
field and they are also calved outside
which helps promote hardiness, as
are most of the cross-breds.
They are fed every two or three days
in a feed trailer on a basic diet of
silage made in one big cut.
The calves are creep fed as soon as
they will eat concentrates and older
calves are fed a barley mix, some of
which is home-grown on 40 acres,
with added protein and silage.
Any grassland which has been
poached is harrowed and re-seeded.
The pedigree Ainstable flock of
Beltex sheep was founded with nine
imported ewes bought from John
Hall, of Dalston.
Numbers were built up initially
through AI and embryo work by Dan
Fawcett, of Stainton, Penrith, and a
few bought in females and the flock
now comprises 40 breeding ewes.
“We also have 20 Texels which we
cross with the Beltex to produce a
commercial type of tup which we
sell as shearlings at either Penrith or
Carlisle
The current stock ram was bought
from Neale and Janet McQuistin’s
Airyolland flock for 3,200gns and
has produced three crops of lambs.
At the 2008 Carlisle Beltex sale
Ainstable nine shearling rams, mainly
by the Airyolland tup, averaged £977
to a top price of 2,000gns.
In the early days the Beltex sheep
were shown locally and won
numerous championships.
Any lambs which are not suitable
for breeding are finished mostly on
grass and sold through Carlisle in
November.
TN & J Hall
Ainstable Hall, Armathwaite,
Carlisle CA4 9PZ
Tel: 01768 896647
Harold woolgar
Festival of
the Plough
Sunday 20 September 2009
“Perhaps one of the best
ploughing festivals in the
country” says President
Harold Woolgar, “but perhaps
I am slightly biased as one
of the original three founding
members.”
On Sunday 20 September we
will be holding our 30th Epworth
Festival of the Plough event
(although we have had a year off
because of foot and mouth).
It is a very special event in the
hearts of many, and give us a
wonderful opportunity to meet
and greet people from all over
the country and it is indeed a
pleasure to see and hear so
many tales of yesteryear and to
relive the experiences of some of
the more senior members of the
farming community. Pictured is
young Tom Cliffe talking to young
Arnold Ellis (91), listening on is
Tom’s assistant, by comparison a
teenager, Caroline Stubbins who
is often seen ploughing behind
Tom’s two worthy shire horses.
Held in the heart of the Isle of
Axholme, just off junction 2
on the M180, the Festival of
the Plough combines a vintage
ploughing rally(with 104 vintage
tractors) and ploughing match,
with a unique blend of traditional
agricultural activities including
static machines, static vintage
cars and commercial vehicles,
livestock displays, terrier racing,
ferret racing, craft exhibitions,
trade stands, and traditional music
with a great brass band, together
with the steam threshing, steam
gallopers, steam ploughing and
of course the famous shire horses
ploughing their straight furrows.
“Each year since the outset”
says Chairman John Smith, “we
have raised monies via the Grand
Raffle, and this year to make
administration easier, entry is £5
which includes a free raffle ticket,
and of course a programme. All
the proceeds are donated to local
charities, and each year we raise
in the order of £14,000.”
Harold continued by saying “I
travel around to even the World
Ploughing event, and I really feel
that the Epworth Festival of the
Plough (by kind permission of Mr
& Mrs Simon Clark) is perhaps
one of the best sites, elevated
and giving wonderful panoramic
views, and with easy access,
there is truly something for
everyone.
The event starts at 9.45am with
the blessing of the plough which
has a slightly modified version of
one of the well known hymns and
there is a full day’s entertainment
for the whole family.
Please do not just read this
article, come along and
experience it for yourself,
or look us up on
www.festivaloftheplough.co.uk
FarmersMart Summer 2009 35
 whole crop marketing

Potato company makes its mark

in East Riding Chris Berry visits WCM in Kiplingcotes
Getting the best deal for your includes David and myself plus the within the group.’ particularly difficult with the surplus
potatoes can be tricky if you’re eight potato producers. We all have a of potatoes. There has been a lot of
The aim of the group is quite simply
farming on your own and have plenty vested interest in the success of the poorer quality stock around as well,
to reach the best possible price for
of other pressures on your time. business and it has gone extremely but we have managed to trade it in
all grades of potato and Mark feels
If you’re part of a group of potato well so far.’ such a way that the farmers have
that the pairing of he and David is a
farmers it’s even more important been able to make money – and
WCM started out on land owned by winning formula.
to have the right people marketing that’s what it’s all about.’
Andrew Soanes, of T Soanes & Son
your produce too. ‘We find the best market for any
potato growers, at Wallace Grange David Burks believes that the onset
quality of potato. David has been
East Yorkshire-based WHOLE CROP in Kiplingcotes, himself one of the of WCM has to be a good thing for
a well-respected trader for many
MARKETING (WCM) is the new farmer members of the group. the potato industry:
years, having worked for one of the
name in potato marketing. Having
‘Andrew very kindly offered us leading companies until last year. He ‘I left my previous company last June.
started in September last year they
an office there, and we have now sells the top end stuff, whilst I find Andrew and others then brought this
have been running for nearly 10
moved to another of his farms at the markets for the lesser grades.’ idea to me whereby he and his other
months and came into existence
Middleton on the Wolds. We had potato farmer colleagues wanted to
because of the people they now Mark’s background has largely been
already outgrown the first office and offer their potatoes to the rest of
serve. that of working with packhouses,
have now taken on more staff. Our the country. There had been one
including some of the industry’s
Like many new businesses before supply of potatoes is also already far packer who had dominated the area
leading names. He tells of how he
them WCM has come into the in excess of the amount grown by and they wanted to see just what
gets the best deals for the group.
market because of the experience the 8 farmer members. The group they could get for their produce. As
of the people at its helm. The pair members’ potato acreage alone ‘You can always get rid of lesser a result of how well we have done
heading up this new, yet massively accounts for nearly 6000 acres stock, but this year it has been so far we now have at least another
knowledgeable operation have
masses of years worth of experience
behind them and the names Mark
Tomlinson and David Burks have
been long associated with the potato
industry.
‘We started up last year because
there was a group of farmers,
predominantly based here in the
East Riding of Yorkshire, who wanted
us to market their potatoes and get
a better value for them, across all
conditions,’ says Mark.
And it seems to be working well
as they have sold around 80,000
tonnes of potatoes in their first year
and are already supplying outlets
such as Tesco, ASDA and a variety
of packhouses. Their strength
is not just in the two of them
though. They also have some of the
country’s leading potato farmers as
shareholder members too.
Mark Tomlinson, Andrew Soanes, David Burks
‘WCM has 10 shareholders, which

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6 George Street, Driffield, East Yorkshire YO25 6RA

E-mail: samantha@ullyott.co.uk
Telephone: 01377 272341 www.ullyott.co.uk

36 FarmersMart Summer 2009

 argrain

Argrain’s
40 growers from outside the group opinion due to the ongoing problems
members. They have come to us for of primary scab due to the wet
one reason, and that’s because we conditions north of the border and

are doing a good job.’
As far as Andrew is concerned he’s
very happy with the way in which
WCM has started, and since he
grows over 1000 acres of potatoes
most recent
we seem to be able to get a better
product here in the East Riding. So
this year we are pushing for greater
quantities of seed potato being grown
by our own producers.’

their success is very much entwined
with his.
‘David was with the company that
I previously traded my potatoes.
I believe in going with the person
I know and I have known David
most of my life. He’s a local lad and
between him and Mark I feel very
confident in their ability to market
my spuds.’
Good quality, high grade seed
potatoes is another area where WCM
is planning to make its mark. James
Thompson has recently joined as
Seed Manager from his previous
role as Technical Manager for a
leading Dutch Seed House. James
will be co-ordinating production of
best quality Yorkshire Seed from
within the business, procurement of
seed for the business and offering
for sale all available varieties for
Yorkshire growers.
‘Members of the group have
complained in the past about the
quality of seed potato traditionally
grown in Scotland. This is in our
From Potato Breeding to Production
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Quality in the seed
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Andrew Soanes agrees: ‘We have quite
a lot of virgin land on the Yorkshire
Wolds where we can take advantage of
growing seed, with plenty of potential
to expand. It’s a market I believe we
can service well.’
Whilst neither Mark nor David are
over-concerned with attracting too
many farmers too soon, as they
are concentrating on sales, word of
mouth is certainly getting around of
their success to date. This is certainly
a potato marketing company to watch
out for in the future.
WCM - Wholecrop Marketing Ltd
Wold Dyke Farm
Middleton on the Wolds
Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire
YO25 9DD
Mark Tomlinson/David Burks
Tel: 01377 217873
www.wholecropmarketing.co.uk
mt@wholecropmarketing.co.uk
investments
Argrain is an independent,
family owned, grain merchant
and animal feed business,
established in 1975 by Derek
Padgett and now managed by
his son David.
Trading in an area covering
Yorkshire and the surrounding
counties, the business has been
based at Mill Farm, Raskelf, near
Easingwold since 2001. From this
location, and its other store at
Leeming Bar near Northallerton,
which was acquired in 1997,
the company operates its
centralised grain storage and
drying operations. By gradual
expansion, the capacity of these
two sites has now reached over
30,000 tonnes. Whilst the drying
and storage facilities are used
mainly by local farmers, many
delivering by tractor and trailer,
they are available to any farmer
who has such a requirement,
with competitive haulage to the
stores available.
The most recent investment has
been to upgrade the grain dryer
at Leeming Bar, a decision which
had it not already been made
before the wet harvest of 2008,
would certainly have had to be
made after it! Having considered
various options, and consulting the
store management, the decision
was made to purchase an Allmet
continuous flow model A45106,
having a capacity of 45 tonnes
per hour, from JW Installations
of North Cowton. This has been
successfully commissioned and
is ready for the forthcoming
harvest. Following the installation
of new rotary grain cleaning/
screening facilities in 2008, and
the construction of a new shed
in 2007, the company is now
satisfied that the site has been
brought right up to date and is
able to cope with the inflows from
today’s high capacity combines.
The storage facilities account for
only a small proportion of Argrain’s
total ex farm grain purchases, of
over 150,000 tonnes annually,
sourced by a small procurement
team. Trading Director Jonathon
Cockill has responsibility for
marketing the vast majority of
this, to domestic consumers such
as flour millers, maltsters and
feed compounders, with whom
excellent trading relationships are
maintained and who are regular
and reliable customers.
Argrain is a keen supporter of both
Driffield and Ryedale Shows, and
is pleased to meet customers,
both new and old, on its stand
each year.
If you would like to contact
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FarmersMart Summer 2009 37

 wilkinson

Life on the fells of Frosterley

Chris Berry talks with the Wilkinsons of Weardale
Lambing is a real family affair at
Bollihope Shield Farm in County
Durham. Situated in the fells of the
North Pennines in Weardale this can
sometimes be a bleak existence, but
it is a hive of activity when I arrive
in Spring.
Graham and Sandra Wilkinson are
busy sorting out this year’s crop, with
the help of Graham’s dad Leslie and
their 3 ½ year old son Ned. It isn’t long
before 5 year old Jack is collected so
that he doesn’t miss out on the family
picture.
‘We have around 900 Swaledale
ewes at the moment, including both
those in-bye and on the fell. We breed
commercially with the majority of the
males going fat for meat production, as
well as breeding a few tup shearlings.
The best Swaledale females are kept
for our own replacements,’ says
Graham. The remainder are sold for
breeding, along with a new venture
of selling Texel x Swaledale gimmers
direct to a buyer in the South of
England who had made enquiries at
the Swaledale Association stand at
The Wilkinsons - Graham, Ned, Sandra & Jack
Malvern.
The Wilkinsons’ fat lambs go direct to
Welsh Country Foods in Anglesey.
‘We’ve been with Welsh Country for
10-15 years. As our lambs are all
entire, it’s a better system for us than
selling through the marts. Last year
we averaged just short of 20 kilos
deadweight with over 60% of the
Swales been R grades.
We use the breeding sales at
Middleton in Teesdale for selling our
Swale draft ewes and surplus gimmer
lambs. Tups are sold at our D District
Association sale at St John’s Chapel.
For purchasing tups we go to the
association sales at St John’s Chapel,
Middleton in Teesdale, Kirkby Stephen
and Hawes.’
Graham’s top price he has achieved in
selling a tup is presently £2,600, and
that was around four years ago. The
record he has paid is £5,000.
‘He’s done well for us too. A year
ago at the Royal Highland Show
he came second, and he was on
the Swaledale Association stand at
North Sheep in Eastgate.’ At this
years RHS a son of his took 3rd

38 FarmersMart Summer 2009


Wilkinson ewes at Frosterley
prize in the tup hogg class.
In common with many other farmers
the Wilkinsons make the Royal
Highland Show a bit of a holiday for
themselves. Graham rates the show,
and what it does for the Swaledale
breed, very highly.
‘We go up there and support the
association because Scotland is an
important part of the Swaledale.
The Swaledale goes well with the
Scottish Blackface and that’s why,
commercially, it is right to support the
show too. It’s a good shop window.’
All the family are members of
Eggleston Show Committee and
Graham was previously the chairman,
he admits to not having enough time
to show there, or at many of the other
local shows, but that doesn’t stop the
rest of the family from being involved.
Sandra tends to be the one who shows
the most both with the Swaledales
and her own flock of 15 pure Texels at
the local shows.
‘We show both the Swaledales and
Texels at Eastgate and then just the
Texels at Wolsingham and Eggleston,
and any other local one I can get to,’
she says. The Texels are also bred
commercially with the onus being on
a good body with good gigots. The
tups are sold as shearlings or kept for
home use.
Graham’s father and mother, Leslie
and Marion, came here 40 years ago
from Scargill, near Barnard Castle,
and are still very much involved with
the farm. His sister Dianne is married
and lives and farms at the top end of
Teesdale.
Sandra comes from a bit further
south, as she’s a Yorkshire lass. She
was a member of Penistone YFC, and
met Graham, who was with Barnard
Castle YFC. They’ve been married 6
years.
‘I was in the wrong place at the wrong
time!’ she says jokingly. ‘Life up here
isn’t any different to what I was used
to at Green Moor. Down there we
weren’t far from the open fell.
Sandra works in the local Co-op part-
time and helps out at the school, both
situated in the village of Frosterley
which is three miles from Bollihope
wilkinson
Graham has strong views on
tagging, paperwork, vaccination and
bureaucracy.
‘This new electronic ID is farcical. As
for vaccination (for Bluetongue) we’ve
just completed it. With stock on the
open fell the logistics of gathering
them all up would make life difficult.’
He doesn’t see that the increasing
of stock numbers on his farm is the
key to success either, even given
the current good prices in the sheep
sector.
‘It would be nice to have tomorrow’s
paper today wouldn’t it? It’s the
other way around for us. Bollihope
Common is in a stewardship at
the moment and we have reduced
numbers for environmental purposes
from the 900 rights we have. We
took sheep off the fell, but I’m not
sure they are any better for being
confined. The sheep’s worst enemy is
another sheep, at least on the open
Shield Farm. fell they are spread well out.’
They also have a herd of 25 suckler
Graham Wilkinson
cows, with a few pedigree Limousins,
Bollihope Shield Farm
but Graham counts these as very
Frosterley
much his hobby.
Bishop Auckland DL13 2TA
‘We’re doing alright with them. I sold Co Durham
one bull through Carlisle at 1500
Tel: 01388 528246
guineas, and I’ve sold one at home
Mob: 07734 560078
for 2000 guineas, but I just dabble a
Email: graham@bollihope.co.uk
bit - as a hobby.’
SPECIAL BREEDING SHEEP SALES
Tuesday 8th September
Prize Show & Sale of 1000 Mule & Cont Ewes and Shearlings.
Also 150 Suff & Cont Rams
Thursday 17th September
Prize Show & Sale of 3000 Mule Gimmer Lambs on behalf of NEMSA
Barnard Castle Auction Mart are pleased
to support Graham & Sandra Wilkinson
Auction Mart, Vere Road, Barnard Castle, Co Durham, DL12 8AD
01833 638152 or 07813755595 or 07818435728

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We are pleased to be associated with

The Wilkinson Family We are pleased to be associated with the
and wish them continued success for the future. Wilkinson Family
and wish them continued success for the future.
Tel: 01833 695695 Fax: 01833 690085
E-mail: enquiries@castlevets.net
Ebor House, 91 Galgate, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8ES
Montalbo Road, Barnard Castle, Co Durham, DL12 8ED
www.castlevets.net www.addisonandco.co.uk

FarmersMart Summer 2009 39

 hindmarsh

Couple’s successful low-input

system high in the Cheviot hills
jennifer mackenzie visits poppy & neil hindmarsh in northumberland

Poppy and Neil Hindmarsh

Poppy and Neil Hindmarsh have got
onto the farming ladder in one of the
most beautiful and remote corners
of the North East of England.
The couple took on the tenancy of
the 2,500-acre hill farm Rowhope
and the Trows near Harbottle in
the uppermost reaches of the River
Coquet in Northumberland bordering
Scotland four years ago.
Originally from farming families in the
neighbouring valley of Redesdale, the
Hindmarshs and their children Anna,
six, and William, four, love their
new home and farm which rises to
2,000ft at the aptly named Windy
Gyle in the heart of the Cheviot
hills and the Northumberland
National Park.
The farm is so remote that it has
no mains electricity or water with
electricity being generated and water
taken from the spring. School for
the children is nine miles away in
Harbottle.
Poppy and Neil spent a year in New
Zealand from 2000 to 2001, Neil
taking advantage of using his sheep
shearing skills and both of them
working in the wool sheds.
They married in 2001 and invested
in two lorries - a four wheeler and
a six wheeler - transporting dressed
stone, animal feed and wool from
the region. These were sold with the
move to Rowhope.
Keen to get a farm of their own,
there was no hesitation in taking on
Rowhope, despite it being a hard hill
farm with no in bye land.
All feed has to be bought in for the
farm’s hefted flock of 1,600 ewes
and 400 hoggs on the hill which
is part of the Ministry of Defence’s
Otterburn training range.
In 2007 the couple bought their first
Galloway cows for their Rowhope
herd, the females and calves also
grazing the hill, the third highest
in the Cheviot range, and hopefully
helping in a bid to enter the Higher
Level Stewardship scheme.
The flock’s seven hefts were Blackface
sheep when the Hindmarshs took
them on but because the farm is
not suitable for finishing the lambs,
Cheviot rams have been introduced
to breed up a new flock.
“We decided to cross through 800
ewes with a Lairg type Cheviot
ram and last year we used a South
Country Cheviot on a further 500

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40 FarmersMart Summer 2009


ewes, with the remainder going to
the Blackie tup,” said Neil.
“The grass stops growing here in
October and we can’t finish lambs so
they have to be sold store by then.
“Last year we sold 1,000 Cheviot
lambs which averaged £10 a head
more than the 400 Blackfaces sold
through Scott Lambie and Livestock
Marketing (Borders). The Cheviot’s
wool is also worth £1 a fleece more.
“It makes sense because of our
circumstances. The Cheviot crosses
are every bit as hardy which is
important when we can have some
snow lying from November to April
and eventually the ewes will be pure
bred.”
“We have found the South Country
Cheviot crosses to have more wool
and a heavier skin and they are a
fleshy lamb straight off their mothers
in September but as a finished lamb
they will probably not be as heavy,”
he added.
The ewes are given feed blocks from
the end of February to early May and
are only fed hay in extreme weather
conditions such as snow from hay
huts on the hill.
Lambing is from April 20 to mid May
in an enclosure with ewes with twins
turned onto better land - this year
there were 300 pairs of twins. Soon
after lambing the ewes and lambs go
back to the fell.
Weaning is in September and to save
on transport costs lambs are sold
from home to buyers in England as
far afield as Shrewsbury.
One of the reasons for starting the
Galloway herd was because the
Hindmarshs have to buy in hay in
case of inclement weather for the
hindmarsh
sheep it saves wasting it if it is not
needed.
The 13 foundation females were
bought from Hindhope, Outer Huntly,
Coldingham, High Creoch and from
the Dryhope dispersal sale. All but
two are registered. The aim is to run
25 females with a bull.
As there are no livestock buildings
on the farm, the cows and calves are
outwintered at up to 1,500ft on the
minimum of feed. Last winter they
were fed five small hay bales a day
from mid December to mid April.
The bales are delivered in the summer
to the hay huts by a tractor borrowed
from the family but the farm’s only
machinery is a quad bike and a snow
mobile.
The cows calve from the end of
February extra females to build up
numbers and herd replacements will
be bought in to save changing the
bull with the intention of building up
a good pedigree herd.
“Native breeds such as the Galloway
and the Blue Grey are coming
back into fashion partly because of
environmental schemes but also
because they are so easily kept
requiring the minimum of feed which
is an increasing cost, particularly
taking into account haulage. There
is definitely a place for them,” said
Neil.
In 2010 the current Stewardship
agreement ends and the Hindmarshs
are hoping that the features and
management of the farm will enable
them to enter the Higher Level
scheme.
The farm is criss-crossed with
footpaths including a Roman road,
The Street, and it is a place frequented
by serious hill walkers.
There is a late Bronze Age farmstead
and settlement at Wardlaw, flora
and fauna include heath and blanket
bog.
There is a variety of wildlife including
buzzards, curlews, partridges and
around 50 feral goats which roam
close to the Border fence.
NEIL & POPPY HINDMARSH
Rowhope Farm
Harbottle, Morpeth NE65 7BT
Tel: 01669 650267
FarmersMart Summer 2009 41
 mason

Remaining true to their roots

Chris Berry talks with John & Claire Mason at Embsay
If anyone ever tells you that
farming has to change direct them
to Oddacres Farm, just out of
Embsay, near Skipton on the Duke
of Devonshire’s estate. Here is
where John and Claire Mason farm
with sheep and cattle largely as
they have always done. They don’t
have a single form of diversification
and are very happy that way thank
you very much.
John took over from his father, also
John, some years ago and has been
here all of his life, Claire come from
Gargrave where her parents still live,
and her brother farms at Elslack.
John and Claire were both members
of their respective young farmers
clubs, but actually met at a local
nightclub in Skipton.
‘I was under the influence I think (not
of John!) at a nightclub called The
Waterfront, which is now the Canal John & Claire Mason with their Limousin herd
Side Restaurant,’ says Claire jokingly.
They married 20 years ago and have
two children – Annabel and James. whilst James has just finished his John’s dad had a dairy herd of around North of England during his YFC
Annabel is at Myerscough College first year as an apprentice mechanic 30 but as soon as he retired the days and that has clearly stood him
studying for a degree in agriculture with local Land Rover specialist herd was sold. Today the farm runs in good stead for where he is today.
Robin Clarkson. to some 400 acres with fell rights
‘It’s the weeks before a show or sale
up on the common for 300 sheep.
that matter most. You have to get
John and Claire presently have 900
the growth first, but it is the last 10
Swaledale ewes of which they have
days that are crucial. We sort out the

SWALEDALE
300 pure and 600 X with the Blue
best of the flock ready for showing
Faced Leicester. They also keep 40
and make sure they are fed better
Leicester tups for selling. On the
through the summer.’
SHEEPBREEDERS’ cattle front they have 35 pedigree
Limousin cows plus followers. The Masons breed all of their own
replacements and buy two Leicester
ASSOCIATION Whilst their record with the
Limousins is good it is the sheep side
tups and two Swaledale tups every
year.
where John is better known. He is an
in-demand judge at shows such as ‘We always buy at the better end
of the Swaledale tups. We go to
England’s premier hill sheep breed Northumberland, Westmorland and
North Yorkshire County and their Hawes and Kirkby Stephen and we
own Mule gimmers have twice won like a tight-coated, long-legged, long-
Adaptable and versatile their classes at the Great Yorkshire necked tup with a good body, mainly
thinking about the breeding ewes.
Show. John won the Stockman of
Lamb is lean and rich in flavour the Year title for Yorkshire and the Virtually all of our females go for

THE MOTHER OF THE CELEBRATED

NORTH OF ENGLAND MULE

For further details please contact the Secretary

- John Stephenson

Tel: 01833-650516
Email: jstephenson@swaledale-sheep.com
website:- www.swaledale-sheep.com

42 FarmersMart Summer 2009


John Mason’s Blue Faced Leicester tups
breeding. We buy mainly at Skipton
and sell tups at Hawes. We still hold
the record price for a Leicester in
Skipton and we have sold tup lambs
up to £2800 at Hawes.’
Kilnsey and Gargrave shows both hold
special places in the Masons’ hearts
and minds. Gargrave is Claire’s local
show whilst John rates Kilnsey as the
main show in the country for Mules.
‘That’s all a lot of people go for, to
look at the Mule lambs. Whether you
win or lose if you’re in to Mules you
have to be there.’
The family started out with Limousins
nearly 30 years ago, running them
Good length on this bull
commercially and improving them
bit by bit. Then foot and mouth saw
virtually all of the cattle culled, as
well as half the sheep.
‘We restocked and when we did we
just thought that if we were restocking
we would try even harder.’
And so they have. John reports a
good trade so far this year and that
they sold around a dozen bulls this
spring, selling at Skipton, Carlisle,
Leyburn and a few from home.
‘We’ve sold one (Oddacres Comander)
at £7000 at Carlisle and another four
at Skipton averaged £2500. We’ve
had the occasional reserve champion
at Kilnsey and one year we even won
at the Great Yorkshire as well. We
spend a great deal of time preparing
them for show, making sure they
walk and stand correctly.’
Whilst John has never moved from
Embsay he and Claire do get away
occasionally – under the auspices
of looking for yet more good quality
cattle.
‘We go to the Royal Highland to take
a look at who has got what, and
when we lost our stock we went over
to France to look at cows. The first
time we went we ended up going to
a show. This French chap gave us a
catalogue for a sale and we’ve been
mason
going back ever since. We’ve been to
Ireland and Italy as well, and bought
cows there too.’
Daughter Annabel seems to be
following in her dad’s footsteps as
she is very keen on stockjudging
too, and John isn’t one of those
who is about to quell any thoughts
his children have of farming in the
future.
‘I’ve always encouraged Annabel and
James that if they want to farm they
can do. A lot of farmers these days
tell their kids not to farm but I don’t
like putting people off. Farming is
still a great life, even in marginal hill
farm areas like ours. I can see things
changing but there’s more to life than
money.’
Claire is the current president of the
local YFC where both children are
involved, at Silsden-with-Skipton
YFC. And there is plenty of family
support close by. John’s mum and
dad, John and Shirley, live just up the
road and his brother Andrew helps a
bit with the cows and has a shop in
Skipton called Honme & Kitchen.
John & Claire Mason
Oddacres Farm, Embsay,
Skipton, North Yorkshire
Tel: 01756 792636

SKIPTON AUCTION MART

Gargrave Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire
Auctioneers & Valuers
Weekly Sales of:- Primestock, Cast Cattle & Sheep, Rearing Calves, Crop
Fortnightly Sales of:- Beef Breeding Cattle, Young Feeding Bulls & Store Cattle
Pedigree & Commercial Newly Calven & In-Calf Dairy Cattle & Dairy Young Stock
Major Seasonal Sales of:- Breeding Sheep and Store Lambs
Inc: NEMSA Mule Gimmer Lamb Sales & MSBA Masham Gimmer Lamb Sales,
Mule & Continental Gimmer Shearling Sales, Swaledale Draft Ewe & Shearling Sale, Pedigree Sheep & Cattle
Specialist Sales inc:- Poultry & Waterfowl, Working Sheep Dogs Are happy to support John & Claire Mason
SKIPTON MACHINERY SALES (4X4’s Tractors & Machinery), Reclamation, Salvage & Furniture etc
Country, Farm & Flock Books, Border Fine Art
On-Farm Stock Sales, Dispersals & Valuations Undertaken Serving Farming in Craven
Farmstock Office:- Skipton 01756 792375
Auctioneers: Jeremy Eaton (General Manager) 07747 780481 Kingsway Veterinary Group, Skipton
A Member of
Ted Ogden (Farmstock Sales) 07855 958211 General Tel: 01756 793224
Diane (Field Officer) 07834 050193 Auction: 01756 796333
www.ccmauctions.com Dispensary (Pat): 01756 702428

bluefaced PROGRESSIVE BREEDING

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For further breed details or information contact the Management Advice
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Jim McRobert
The Bluefaced Leicester Sheepbreeders’ Association
Tel: 01969 667334
Tel 01228 598022 Carrs Billington would like to wish
Mob: 07801 564020
Email: info@blueleicester.co.uk John & Claire Mason
jim.mcrobert@carrs-billington.com continued success

FarmersMart Summer 2009 43

 market garden

From wheelbarrow to farm shop

Chris Berry talks with Sue & gordon Badham at South Cave
Many farmers have bemoaned the
power of supermarkets over the
years, forcing producer prices ever
lower. But it’s not just the sheep,
cattle and pigs sectors that have
suffered. Both east and west of
Hull there are a number of the
UK’s salad growers and one of
them is now building a business
based upon selling direct to the
consumer rather than supplying the
supermarkets.
Gordon and Sue Badham run The
Market Garden at South Cave, just a
handful of miles west of Hull. Some
will know it as Sands Lane Nurseries
but their business now comprises
a plant nursery, full of gorgeous
flowers; a fabulous array of fruit and
vegetables; a farm shop and now
a café/tearoom which looks for all
the world more like a restaurant or
bistro.
‘Gordon built the 2.5 acre nursery
initially to grow cucumbers for the
supermarkets,’ says Sue. ‘But 5
years ago it became financially
unviable for us to do that anymore.
The prices from the supermarkets
dropped dramatically and with
fuel costs rising we decided that
if things carried on the way they
were going we would soon be out
of business. That’s when we opted
to diversify. Our first venture was
PYO strawberries and we decided to
grow them as commercial growers
do, up high at chest level and all
under glass. That way our customers
don’t have to bend down in order to
pick them. They just come into the
greenhouses and pick them fresh,
straight off the plant and in a decent
climate.’
The strawberries proved so
successful that the following year
they expanded into the growing of
raspberries, blueberries, loganberries
and tayberries.
Gordon has always grown bedding ‘The farm shop actually started life
But they didn’t stop there. They
plants in the summer but at the time as just a wheelbarrow 5 years ago.
also now grow asparagus, rhubarb,
of the onset into strawberries he and We found that some people didn’t
tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers,
aubergines and they even grow Sue also decided to grow bedding want to come along to do PYO they
potatoes inside. plants throughout the season, with just wanted ready-picked, so I had a
winter as well as summer plants. tiny wheelbarrow with a few punnets
‘Everything is grown under glass This has also now progressed further of strawberries on it. The whole thing
except the rhubarb and asparagus. into perennials, hanging baskets has grown from that really.’
But we also grow different kinds of and shrubs.
Sue’s eye for exploiting market
vegetables like kohlrabi.’

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44 FarmersMart Summer 2009


opportunities is pretty sharp. When
the supermarkets wouldn’t take bent
cucumbers she simply sold them at
25p each, and sold the lot.
‘When they’re cut up it doesn’t make
a difference whether they are straight
or bent. They went very well!’
Two and a half years ago they put
in planning permission to convert an
old agricultural packing shed, where
they had stored the cucumbers, into
a farm shop and coffee shop. Sue
tells of the nightmare they had in
getting it all passed, but eventually
they did and now they have both up
and running. They coffee shop really
does look more like a restaurant
C.M.W. HORTICULTURE LTD.
Suppliers of
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and looks far classier than what
you might expect from a farm shop/
market garden enterprise. They have
taken great care in its décor and the
food looks fabulous too.
They are keen to expand even
further. They are building an area
where pigs will be on display too.
Presently they have one Vietnamese
pot-bellied pig called Jack, but they
have some Kune Kune pigs on their
way shortly. There are also a number
of guinea pigs, chickens, ducks and
rabbits too, which you get the feeling
are there for the children to look at
whilst mum and dad sort the food.
Ice cream is also on sale.
market garden
Sue , who is originally from Haworth, Well worth a visit!
near Keighley; and Gordon, who
comes from Kidderminster, have the
bit firmly between their teeth and GORDON & SUE BADHAM
are a classic example of how you The Market Garden
can succeed without the need to Sands Lane Farm Shop/Coffee
supply supermarkets any longer. Shop & Nursery
‘This is a 7 day a week 24/7 South Cave, Nr Hull
operation, but it’s also our passion. East Riding of Yorkshire
HU15 2JQ
Gordon is a brilliant grower.
Everything on the nursery is Tel: 01430 423131
controlled by computer. That’s why
the strawberries have such a good
www.themarketgarden-
sandslane.co.uk
flavour. Each individual plant has a
CMW HORTICULTURE LTD
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South Cave, Brough
into them and they don’t have poor
East Riding of Yorkshire
atmospheric conditions to deal with
Tel: 01430 422222
so they are much better than an
outdoor crop.’
FarmersMart Summer 2009 45
 haworth

Sally’s success beats off

DFoB blues
Chris Berry talks with the Howarths of Wilton
In many ways June was a horrendous
month for the Howarths of Hollies The Howarths - Jack, Sam, Rosie and Sally
Farm, Wilton near Pickering. Sam
and his wife Wendy run a 200-
strong dairy herd and were selling
their milk to Dairy Farmers of
Britain, or at least they thought they
were! In common with every other
member of the failed co-operative
they received no money for the milk
they provided throughout May, and
for which Sam would have been
expecting a £20,000 cheque.
However, despite all of the pressures
that this has brought about to Sam
and Wendy, and many other dairy
farming families throughout the UK,
the Howarths have been celebrating.
The reason is down to their daughter
Sally’s historic success at Bishop
Burton College recently.
Sally has joined an elite group of girls
who have won the college’s unique
and prestigious Stockmanship of
the Year title, beating off over 70
boys and girls to the championship,
and even helping many of them to
compete too! Thornton le Dale Show. When I ask what she felt made all the with animals so I helped them. They
difference in her winning at Bishop didn’t know things like how to walk
‘There are classes for stockmanship ‘I was the smallest person there that
Burton she shrugs her shoulders and them backwards or they kept getting
in equine, sheep, dairy, beef - and day and it was quite a strong class.
passes it off lightly. their halters on the wrong way.’
for the first time this year there was There were a lot of older people
also a calf class. After that there is competing. I still have that cow now. ‘My smiley face?’ she offers and then Sally has been around cows all her
the overall Stockman of the Year title, My second show was at Rosedale gets a little more serious. life and Wendy says that’s how she
and that’s what I won,’ says Sally, and that day she sat down in the learned to count.
‘Really, I was like ‘Wow!’ that’s great.
who has just finished the first year of ring!’
I had put a lot into it. We had to clip ‘She used to sit in her pushchair and
her two year NDA qualification. Since those early days Sally has not them, wash them, halter them, and watch them come in, counting them
Her win will come as no surprise to only learned the art of showing, she I had a really stubborn massive cow into the parlour with freeze brands,’
some in the showing world as 17 year has also blossomed into a beautiful to start with. Again I was one of the says Wendy.
old Sally is already very experienced. young woman, which makes for a smaller competitors, but they gave
The showing scene is where Sally
She started when she was just striking combination when showing me a big heifer. Some of the arable
seems destined to pursue her career.
8 years old – showing a calf at quality stock too. guys have never had anything to do
She has shown at all of the local

J.A.LUNN
AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTOR
H.M.J. & C.M. Howells,
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46 FarmersMart Summer 2009


shows including Ryedale, Rosedale,
Egton and Danby and this season she
has joined the renowned Butterfield
dairy cow show team from Bentham
and will be appearing with them
at the Royal Highland and Great
Yorkshire. She is also a keen member
of the Holstein Young Breeders Club.
‘The Butterfields have one of the
top Holstein herds in the country
and Sally has been lucky to get the
opportunity to go with them,’ says
Sam.
Sally’s news has been a very bright
spot on what has been a fairly dark
time for Sam and Wendy following
the news of Dairy Farmers of Britain’s
demise. Ironically they had only
recently moved to DFoB.
‘We had signed an agreement for
organic milk supplies into the Whitby
bottling plant. It seemed a good
local move and DFoB were the only
company in Yorkshire taking organic
Sally Howarth - Bishop Burton Stockmanship Champion
We are pleased to be associated with
The Howarth Family
and wish them continued success for the future
Testing, servicing, installation & 24hr breakdown service.
James: 07792 981018 Bill: 07936 407690
Office: 01904 744582
milk, but within a month we’d had a
2ppl price cut which became 5ppl.’
The farming operation at Hollies
Farm is Wendy’s dad’s (Ernest) and
the Lunn family have lived here
since 1961. Sam came to the farm
when they married in 1988. Initially
he was a milk roundsman. They
began processing milk, something
which they undertook from 1988 to
1996, utilising a bottling plant and
producing skimmed, semi skimmed
and cream.
‘There were 600 cows in the village
across 5 farms with all of the milk
coming into here, but we suffered
at the hands of some very ruthless
marketing techniques by other dairies,
so we decided to sell the processing
side and concentrate on farming.’
The cows were still having to walk
through the village in those days,
which wasn’t condusive to a happy
environment for anyone, especially as
the farm is situated on the increasingly
busy Pickering-Scarborough road.
‘We bought another farm, Leas Farm,
in Pickering and a few years later we
moved the cows there expanding the
herd from 80 to 200. Across the two
farms we now have 450 acres.’
The DFoB collapse was certainly a
shock to the Howarth’ system, and
whilst Sam is still optimistic over
their long-term future it will cause
serious problems this year.
‘We certainly never expected to
lose a month’s milk cheque. With
the reduction in milk price we had
already lost about £3000 a month
since October, then we lost £20,000
due to no payment at all in May. It’s
really stuffed us, but we’ll try to work
through it. We go fully organic on 1
August and that’s when we will see
a premium on our price. We’re now
going to be with OMSCO (Organic
Milk Supplies Co-operative) who are
currently offering a price of 30.3ppl.’
Wendy has lived in Wilton all of her
life, except for two years in Thornton
le Dale, and suffers from MS.
‘I started with it nearly 15 years ago
and I’ve been in a wheelchair for the
past 4 years. I used to do everything
on the farm, now I’m landed with the
telephone and the paperwork. Dad
started milking cows when he came
here in 1961 and there are quite a
few Lunns in the village today, 15 in
2 Hallgarth, Pickering, YO18 7AW
Tel: 01751 472509
www.johnsonsaccountants.co.uk
haworth
Sam leads the way
all, plus me. The Lunn family moved
here in 1945 and granddad Lunn had
6 children. The 3 Lunn brothers all
stayed in the village so that’s maybe
the reason there are so many now.’
Ernest still farms and has around 80
beef cattle on the farm, but gave up
with sheep last year.
As well as Sally, the Howarths also
have two other children – Jack
and Rosie, who have also taken to
showing too. Both are sporty. Jack
plays rugby for Malton & Norton
and the East Yorkshire Development
Team, whilst Rosie has already been
successful in the showjumping world
at local events. She is a member of
Friars Hill Pony Club and the North
Ryedale Riding Club.
It may be a tough time for the
Howarths financially but Sally’s
recent success has given them the
fillip they needed. Watch out for her
with the Butterfield’s show team this
Summer!
SAM & WENDY HOWARTH
Hollies Farm, Wilton
Pickering, North Yorkshire
YO18 7JY
Tel: 01751 474263
Mob: 07885 487178
Email: holliesfamdairy@fwi.co.uk
We are happy to support the
Howarth Family and if you think
we could help your business please
call us for a free consulation.
FarmersMart Summer 2009 47
Askham Bryan College
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 brockhills

The all-new Brockhills of

Yorkshire
Sometimes things can look, on the
Chris Berry talks with Peter Swales at Thirsk

surface, as though they are the

same as they have always been, yet
behind the scenes there has been
great activity. Such is the case with
a long-established North Yorkshire
farm machinery business which has
retained its name but is now under
new ownership.
Eddie Brockhill had built up a
formidable reputation since he
started out in 1967, but whilst his
name lives on in the company title
it is a different man who now owns
and runs the business - farmer’s son
Peter Swales, who learned his trade
through another farm machinery
company.
Peter, who I caught up with recently
at his very well attended open day at
Thirsk Livestock Centre, is quick to
pay tribute to two men of whom he
has the utmost respect.
‘John Russell taught me so much
about the business and that has Thirsk YFC in their newly sponsored tops

allowed me to be brave enough to Eddie’s business had been run

take on from where Eddie has left - however what he did want to get
off. Eddie is quite simply a gentleman clear was the Fendt relationship.
and as straight a man as you could
‘I wanted a meeting with someone
ever wish to meet in business. I’ve
from Fendt to see what I thought
known him all my life. My father and
about them, and what they felt about
uncle purchased the second Fendt
me. Because of the dealings I had
tractor Eddie ever sold and when I
with other big name manufacturers
was at school I did work experience
and other franchises I was a bit
for him.’
concerned about any dictatorial
Peter tells of how the opportunity attitude. Some companies these
to take over Eddie’s company came days seem more bothered about the
about: fact that you wear their company ties
than what you actually do with the
‘I decided to take a bit of time out
product. I was impressed by what
to gather my thoughts about what
they told me and actually felt it might
I wanted to do with my future in
be too good to be true, but Eddie
2006. I was fortunate that I had
confirmed everything they said.’
the family farm at Bagby to possibly
fall back on if I had needed it, but Following an agreement over paying
I started off trading a bit of second- for stock and the company itself
hand machinery.’ Peter raised the necessary finances
and took over at Dalton on 5 April
Unbeknown to Peter at the time this
2007, but he kept the name Brockhill
was to be the catalyst for his future
for trading.
career:
‘I felt that my name wasn’t known
‘I sold a second-hand combination
for Fendt so I plumped for Brockhills
drill to a Fendt user. I needed some
of Yorkshire through advice from my
belts and I knew Eddie always kept a
good friend, Stuart Watson. For the
good stock of them. Eddie asked me
first year I treaded water and we did
whether I was happy with what I was
7 new tractors delivered out. We did
doing and as we talked he told me
11 last year and we’ve already sold
that he was intending to retire and
10 this year.’
asked whether I would like to take on
the business.’ That’s not a bad start at all and Peter
Peter was very interested and had continues page 52
no hang-ups about the way in which

50 FarmersMart Summer 2009

 brockhills
has also added a number of other
franchises - Strautmann diet feeders,
Lemken, Triffitt Trailers, Guttler,
Opico and Teagle, who were all
present at the recent open day.
‘The Strautmann forage wagons are
the only harvest related machine we
deal in. Fendt tractors are a premium
product as everyone knows and
52 FarmersMart Summer 2009
to many they are as important an
investment as a combine. So the last
thing my Fendt farmers want is for
me to be running around everywhere
looking after combines and balers
when I should be looking after
them.’
Peter’s Fendt dealership area covers
as far as Teesside, across to the
coast and just south of Scarborough
towards Bridlington, then running
across to Driffield and across to
York, following the northern edge
of the York ring road and just over
the western side of the A1, but they
service tractors from as far afield as
Clitheroe, Alnwick and Rotherham.
‘Service is our backbone and one
of the reasons our business is so
successful is the knowledge we
have in our workshop. I’m very lucky
to have retained Chris Hutchinson
and Robert Reed, who worked with
Eddie for many years. We also have
an excellent senior apprentice and
another good lad who is at college at
present.’
 brockhills
and www.fendtclothing.co.uk for the
first time.’
Peter was also a member of Thirsk
YFC when he was younger and at his
open day he was able to present the
current club with Fendt and Thirsk
YFC branded clothing to wear when
they go to events.
‘I was in Thirsk YFC but because of
work commitments I dropped out a
little earlier than I would have wanted.
The Young Farmers Clubs are still
very much the future of farming and
I had been approached to go on their
advisory committee. I asked whether
there was anything tangible I could do
to help and support and they asked
whether I could sponsor some type of
clothing. Between Fendt and myself
we came up with the tops they are
wearing here.’
Farmers Mart congratulates Peter on
his impressive start to life as a fully
fledged farm machinery enterprise
Peter Swales (centre) with Fendt colleagues
owner - as well as his recently
expanded family!
And Peter isn’t about to forget the she has also done some of the ‘The support I have had from
part that his wife has played in what paperwork as well. And now we also everyone. The team in the workshop, BROCKHILLS OF YORKSHIRE
has happened over the last three have a beautiful daughter, Sophia Nicky, Eddie, all of the Fendt Dalton Lane, Dalton, Thirsk
years. In fact they’ve not only grown Grace, who is ten months old.’ operation has been fantastic. I can’t North Yorkshire YO7 3HR
their company, they’ve also grown thank everyone enough. We’re now
Eddie still keeps an involvement with Tel: 01845 577242
their family too! developing a few new websites too.
the business and pops in a couple Fax: 01845 577122
Nicky is on with those and in the
‘If it wasn’t for Nicky’s support I of mornings a week, which Peter is Email: sales@brockhills.co.uk
Summer our customers should be
wouldn’t have been able to do any grateful of. Web: www.brockhills.co.uk
able to visit www.fendttoys.co.uk
of this. Nicky has not just supported,

STOCKLIST DEMONSTRATION
New Equipment, available Ex Stock Equipment Available for Demonstration
Opico-Heva 3m CombiLift-Disc Roller ..............................................................................£12900.00 Fendt 415 Vario, 155hp, 4cyl turbo, 55Kph, Vario Transmission, Air Brakes, Suspension.

Opico-Heva 6.3m Folding Rolls, 24” Diameter Breaker Rings .........................................£8300.00 Opico-Heva 3m, 5 Leg Subsoiler with packer & Vario-Cast Seeder,
Optional Shatta-boards & locks...........................................................£3600.00 / Total £11900.00
Guttler 3m Duplex Front Press, 2009, c/w 3 Rows of tines,
Opico-Heva 3m, 5 Leg Subsoiler with packer.....................................................................£7500.00
Optional Vario-Cast Seeder .................................................................£6000.00 / Total £13500.00

Teagle Topper 8, 8’ Topper...................................................................................................£1700.00

Teagle Topper 510, 5’ 10” Topper`......................................................................................... £940.00

Brockhills of Yorkshire Ltd,
Twose 5’ 6”, 2 Drum mower.................................................................................................£1850.00
Dalton Lane, Dalton, Thirsk, N.Yorks YO7 3HR
Tuchel Eco 230, Sweeper Collector, Hydraulic Drive, Front or Rear Mounted .................£1450.00

Sweepex Megabroom, SMB960 ........................................................................................... £950.00 Tel 01845 577242

New, 14.9R46 Rear & 14.9R30 Row Crop Wheels fitted with Alliance Tyres (Bolt in centres to fit Fax 01845 577122
Fendt Vario 718/820)............................................................................................................£4400.00
Peter Swales 07792 510204
Used Tractors & Equipment, available Ex Stock www.brockhills.co.uk
Fendt Farmer 309, 4wd, 7333hrs, Front Linkage, 1996, Excellent Condition .....................£P.O.A. www.fendtoys.co.uk
All Prices quoted subject to 15% vat. www.fendtclothes.co.uk

FarmersMart Summer 2009 53

 DH Wadsworth

10 years on all fours at Malton

Chris Berry talks with Richard Wylie of DH Wadsworth & Sons
Quads and ATVs are now very much
an integral part of farm life. Indeed
it is hard to imagine the time when
farmers were without them.
Richard Wylie of DH Wadsworth &
Sons has been involved with these
machines since they first launched
in the UK nearly three decades ago.
They have transformed the way in
which farming is undertaken and
show no sign of being usurped by any
other new machine.
‘Right from the start you could see
how useful they would be. Things
like slug pelleting and low ground
pressure spraying were two of the
first uses when they originally came
out as 3-wheelers. But when the
4-wheelers were introduced the
potential was huge, and now the Richard Wylie Service with a smile Service is their key
Kawasaki Mule machine has taken
things on even further.’
director of the company. whilst at Flockton they always win is not just down to the quality of the
This year Richard celebrates 10 years
the Kawasaki top ATV dealer in the machines though. He has assembled
since he started the Malton branch of ‘In 10 years we have grown from
country. Between the two branches a strong team and everyone at DH
DH Wadsworth & Sons, whose initial nothing to being one of Kawasaki’s
we are probably now Kawasaki’s Wadsworth & Sons in Malton is
site in Flockton also continues to go main outlets. From here at Malton
premier dealer in the UK.’ totally committed to providing their
from strength to strength. Richard we keep winning the North of
customers with he best possible
has recently also now become a England Mule award every year, Richard believes that their success
service.

Advanced engineering.
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The C-DAX Eliminator is a 2.3m trailed weed
wiper that enables you to treat large areas
quickly without any spray drift-even in wind.
• Electronic controller allows you to adjust the chemical flow to
suit the infestation level
• Bruise bar to maximise chemical update
• Unique chemical feed system supplies arms evenly on all terrain
• Low volume so you can maintain your weed control programme with no spray drift on runoff
• Compatible with all C-DAX 12 volt sprayers

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Call D H Wadsworth
204 Barnsley Road, Flockton, Wakefield Tel: 01924 840319
28 Derwent Road, York Road Ind Estate, Malton Tel: 01653692244

www.wadsworthquads.co.uk

54 FarmersMart Summer 2009


‘Darren Whitaker, Jamie Taylor, John
Bean, Robert Dowson and Chris
Marcroft all have important roles
to play in this business. We pride
ourselves on our service and back-
up, and we always do a good deal for
our customers. In the store we have
1100 items for spare parts which
gives us a 95% pick rate of being
able to fulfil what our customers need
straight away. I think people really
appreciate that.’
The Malton branch looks after
customers from the Humber to the
Tees and Richard reckons they will
have sold thousands of machines
during the past decade.
‘I don’t think we have grown as far as
we are going to get just yet. We have
had a very good first six months of the
year in which we have exceeded our
year’s target already, but I still think
there is room for us to do more.’
Two years ago DH Wadsworth &
Sons took on Suzuki, in response
to the loss of the Kawasaki 400.
This has worked well, without them
seeing any reduction in the numbers
of Kawasaki machines they trade.
‘The Kawasaki 300 is still our most
popular bike. It is a very good,
robust, reliable machine and very
economical. We also have a lot of
customers who like the 650. Then
of course there are the Mules. We’re
DH Wadsworth
selling plenty of the 4010 diesels at
present. The Mule is quite simply the
best utility vehicle on the market.
There are others that are good, but
this is easily the best whether for
gamekeepers or farmers.’
DH Wadsworth & Sons at Malton
also stock Logic ATV equipment,
Swaledale Trailers, Wessex Trailers,
Cedax, Enduramaxx and a huge
range of accessories. But no matter
what they stock Richard believes it
is their service and the team he has
behind him that counts most of all.
‘The Mules and Kawasaki 300s and
650s, and the Suzuki 400s, are the
best machines on the market, but if
you don’t back that up with a good
service then it’s all pretty pointless.
We’re here because of the service we
give – and we fully intend being here
for the next 10 years too.’
DH Wadsworth & Sons
York Road Ind Estate, Malton,
North Yorkshire Yo17 6yb
Tel: 01653 692244
Fax: 01653 698500
Email: maltonquads@tiscali.co.uk
www.wadsworthquads.co.uk
FarmersMart Summer 2009 55
 massey ferguson
More medal
success
for MF 8600
The unique OptiRide Plus cab suspension system on Massey Ferguson’s outstanding MF 8600 Series
has been awarded a Gold Medal in the French, SIMA 2009 Show Innovation Awards. According to the
expert judges the system represents “a significant step forward in driver comfort.”
Massey Ferguson has now won five
prestigious accolades in the past
two months. This latest Gold Medal
joins the MF 8690’s success in
taking both the important ‘Tractor
of the Year 2009’ and ‘Golden
Tractor’ design awards at the EIMA
Show in Bologna, Italy along with
the MF 3655F receiving a finalist
award in the specialist category.
And, last month, the MF 7280
Centora combine harvester received
a Silver Medal at the first AgroSalon
exhibition in Moscow, Russia.
The OptiRide Plus suspension
system is one of only three
56 FarmersMart Summer 2009
innovations out of 154 entries to
receive the prestigious Gold Medal
at SIMA. The Awards were judged
by a panel of 15 experts from six
different countries.
“This Gold Medal is the result
of Massey Ferguson’s sustained
investment in developing advanced
designs,” says Laurent Pernin, MF
General Marketing Manager Mid and
High HP Tractors. “It also confirms
Massey Ferguson’s position as the
leader in advanced cab technology.
Indeed, this award builds on the
success of the MF 8600 Series’
forebears, which also won Medals
at a previous SIMA show as well as
at FIMA in Spain.”
The judges said the advanced
OptiRide Plus dynamic suspension
system, which is fitted as standard
to all Excellence specification models
in the MF 8600 Series, “represents
a significant step forward in terms of
driver comfort.”
Key to the OptiRide Plus dynamic
system, the judges added, is its four
hydraulic dampers and accumulators
that are attached to each corner of
the cab. These are equipped with
four levelling sensors – fitted to each
of the hydraulic dampers. These
provide information to the controller,
which also receives information
about, for example, forward speed,
acceleration, and braking.
This SIMA Gold Medal, along with
other recent awards again confirms
Massey Ferguson’s world-leading
position as a manufacturer of
advanced technology.
For more information visit
www.masseyferguson.com
 russells

Customer response Combines

brings back Rexius
Twin 330
available
on demo

In response to customer feedback delighted when he heard the news

we are delighted that Vaderstad has
reintroduced the Rexius Twin 330.
The machine was very well received
when it was first introduced with a
reputation based on build quality and
regarded as the heaviest 3m press on
the market. It offers great cultivation
and levelling quality and is a very
powerful piece of equipment. It suits
110hp+ tractors. Simon Dunn of
BHE Agricultural Contractors was
too: ‘I have run the 3m Rexius Twin
for five seasons and it is a fantastic
tool, built for the job with its robust
design. It is a high speed machine
in the right conditions, which leaves
a well-prepared seed bed.’ Russells We will have both the CR9080 a real opportunity to see how these
will have a demonstration machine with 30ft Varifeed header and combines can perform for you.
available this back end for all of the CX8060 conventional straw Please contact your local depot to
those who have not caught up with walker available for demos this book your demonstration..
it yet. harvest season. Don’t miss out on

Harvest Hours Great Yorkshire

Here’s a note of our Summer opening hours
Monday – Friday
8am – 6.30pm (now to 18 September)
Show
Saturday
8am – 4pm (now to 19 September)
Sunday
9am – 4pm (19 July to 20 September)
Parts & Service also open on Summer Bank Holiday Monday 31 August
Harvest cover will be extended to match the season.

Malton - 01653 698000

Eden Works, Old Malton, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 6RD

Northallerton - 01609 771727

Darlington Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire DL6 2NH

Boroughbridge - 01423 324848

Milby Road, Boroughbridge, York YO51 9BL

Selby - 01977 663353

Selby Road, Eggborough DN14 0JT Once again we will be exhibiting at
the Great Yorkshire Show, as well
as several others in the summer
www.russells.uk.com calendar. Please come along and
have a brew. We will have plenty
of new equipment available for you
to take a look at including the all
new NH T7000 Auto Command
tractor and the reintroduced Rexius
Twin 330.

FarmersMart Summer 2009 57

 philip watkins

Bespoke tillage keeps

getting bigger
Chris Berry talks with Philip Watkins at Stainton
Every farm is different and every
farmer wants that something
that fits for his needs. Not every
agricultural machinery company
can match that kind of unique
manufacturing ability, but that
is where South Yorkshire-based
Philip Watkins has made his name
over the past 12 years.
Philip is a farmer’s son from
Stainton, a small village situated
between Rotherham and Doncaster,
where his father Ivor and his
father’s two brothers, Michael and
Richard have farmed since Philip’s
grandfather Thomas Edward moved
up from Herefordshire over 40 years
ago. Philip worked on the farm too,
but has now grown his business
so much that all of his time is
devoted to the world of machinery
manufacture.
‘I took the plunge in December Philip Watkins

1996, packed in my job on the
farm and went self-employed. I
always used to do repairs on the
farm and realised that I enjoyed
the workshop side more than being
on tractor. I started out with small
things like front linkages and front
presses. They were what I could
do on my own. I built a workshop
which I have since expanded
every year.’
Today Philip employs 8 people and
has developed a niche market in
cultivation with his QUAD-TILL
and TRI-TILL machines. He buys in
some of the components but all of
the steelwork is fabricated on-site.
‘We find that our bespoke service is
definitely something our customers
like. Even if we have a customer
who comes in and sees one of our
standard machines he still enjoys
the fact that we will tinker with it a
bit to get it right for his needs.’
Philip’s range of cultivation
machines includes a 6-metre quad
tillage cultivation machine, an 8-
metre trailed press, right down to
the smaller 3-metre machines.
‘We now have a very wide range
of customers from the south coast
right up to the north of Scotland.
We have built up steadily through
word of mouth and have sold a lot of

The Harold Woolgar Insurance Team

35 High Street, Epworth, N. Lincs., Tel: 01427 873388/873888
We are pleased to provide a specialist Insurance service to the Farming Industry

58 FarmersMart Summer 2009

 philip watkins

Quad till

“I always used to do repairs on the farm tractors, but we also manufacture

trailed presses, sub-soilers, loaders,
for placing orders for the current
season, but it’s also too early for
and realised that I enjoyed the workshop rollers and trailers.’ customers to be thinking about

side more than being on tractor...”

machines locally. We are constantly
trying to improve no matter what,
even on minor details.’
And Philip hasn’t stopped yet – not
by a long way.
‘I’m happy staying here on the farm
and that’s where I’d like to stay if
that’s possible. We have grown
substantially from my original one
man business and now occupy
5,000 sq ft of manufacturing space
– and at present that is not enough.
We have constantly added to our
workshop capacity and have other
plans to further develop our line of
bespoke machines. It’s fair to say
that so far we have focused more
on the tillage side for farms from
200-300 acres to the massive
machines that will run on 600hp
committing for the following year.
The Philip Watkins order book is
LAMMA fits in perfectly as it comes
pretty near full for this year too.
along when everyone has generally
‘We started getting orders in very finished their season’s planting. It’s
quickly in January and we’re now the ideal show for us.’
at our limit for the larger machines
this year, although we still have a
PHILIP WATKINS
small amount of capacity for the
Hall Farm, Stainton, Rotherham
smaller machines.’
South Yorkshire S66 7QY
Philip is a regular at LAMMA and
Tel/Fax: 01709 790752
finds it exactly right for his business
Mob: 07778 751598
calendar-wise.
Email: info@philipwatkins.co.uk
‘The summer agricultural shows www.philipwatkins.co.uk
come at a time when it is a bit late

greentoilet
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We wish Philip Watkins continued success
Phillip Watkins
and wish him continued success for the future Rochester House Ridgewood Farm
Braithwell, Rotherham S66 7AU
Tel: +44 (0)1226 766251 Fax: +44 (0)1226 370651 Tel: 01709819695
New Chapel Farm, Chapel Lane, Penistone, Sheffield, S36 6AQ Fax: 01709769778

www.thegreentoiletcompany.co.uk

FarmersMart Summer 2009 59

 northfield

Northfield’s Big Bi-Annual Show

Chris Berry heads out to Halsham in the East Riding
Deep down in Holderness is a farm
machinery business that has earned
a formidable reputation over the
years since it was started back in
1976.
Halsham is the home of Northfield
Agricultural Services Ltd, run by
George and Richard Cross, and
whilst the pub down the road may
no longer be the place to be (The
Halsham Arms, as it is closed) there
was only one venue that mattered
one pleasant Spring afternoon and
evening this year.
The Northfield Agricultural Services
Open Day is held every other year
and is a massive event with what
always seems like the whole of the
Holderness farming community
turning out.
Certainly the hog roasts, which had
moved on swiftly from the third to
the fourth hog in the time I was
there, were evidence of just how
many attend. Mike Evison and his
team, HOT TROTTERS, from Moat
Farm, Fitling were kept well and
George Cross of Northfield
truly busy throughout in serving up

their delicious delights.Thanks Must ‘We sell the brands we sell and
Also go to Matthew Hodgson & his make a good job of looking after
team at Great Newsome Brewery for people. As long as you do that you’re
supporting us with a wide range of alright. We don’t worry to much
brews from their local brewery about competition. We’ve always
run off about a 25 to 30% market
‘This is a real Northfield family
share in tractors and that’s good
event,’ says George Cross. ‘It’s a
enough for us. The manufacturers
way of thanking our customers for
are improving their products all the
their support and also showing them
time and we have already sold two
everything that we have. We are very
combines this year & with a larger
grateful to all of our manufacturers
model in the pipeline hopefully this
who go out of their way to make sure
will continue to increase. We stick
all of the latest machines are here.’
to what we know.’
George tells of little in the way of
any recession hang-ups amongst the continues pg 62
farming community of Holderness at
present.

Hot Trotters kept everyone well fed

60 FarmersMart Summer 2009

northfield

FarmersMart Summer 2009 61

 northfield
Richard Cross of Northfield
Whilst George has been at the helm
for many years he tells of Richard
now having taken much more of a
lead role. It is Richard who tells me
about the new equipment on display
at the Open Day.
‘We have the new Väderstad
Seedhawk 6 metre grain & fertiliser
no till drill, two new MF Centora
Combines, a new 7270 JCB Fastrac,
and new machines also from
McConnel and Lemken, Along with
62 FarmersMart Summer 2009
our newest franchise McHale who
have just launched a new variable
chamber round baler. Farmers
around here have ploughed a lot of
money into their replacement policy
for farm machinery and largely stick
to their plans. In the last few years
we’re finding that we are selling less
units but bigger machines.’
Northfield Agricultural Services
prides itself on the words in the
company title, particularly the
Scrapart GuruHot
Charlie Hillkept
Trotters tucks in at Northfield
everyone well fed
services aspect. They look after
their customers whether that be NORTHFIELD AGRICULTURAL
serving them drinks and hog roasts, SERVICES
or making sure their machines are Halsham, Hull,
kept on the move no matter what East Riding of Yorkshire
the time of year. HU12 0BT
A crowd of well over 800 attended Tel: 01964 614233
Northfield’s Open Day - and no Fax: 01964 613227
doubt everyone will be eagerly Email: richardcross@
anticipating the next big social northfieldagric.com
occasion in 2011.
www.northfieldagric.com
 IAE

Down to earth approach the key

to manufacturing success
Chris Berry talks with Richard Harper of IAE
Forty years ago ‘that Pole’ started
what has today become one of the
UK’s leading fencing, agricultural
and equestrian equipment
manufacturers. That’s when Frank
Klucznik set up under his own
name.
The world has changed inexorably
since Frank came to England as
part of the armed forces during
the second World War, and drove
out with his Bedford truck liveried
out with the slogan ‘It’s that Pole
from Leek’, in response to the many
customers who couldn’t remember
or pronounce his name. Today his
son David heads up the company
which has become known for trading
purposes more simply as IAE and
runs a whole fleet of lorries.
‘David has really taken us forward
since he took over in 1990,’ says
Richard Harper, one of the seven-
strong team of directors, who
has been with the company for
over 20 years. ‘The commitment
the company has made to the
galvanising plant and many other
developments, particularly by
bringing the manufacturing down to
just two sites, has built on the solid
foundations laid down by Frank
back in 1969.’
Until three years ago IAE was
operating from five sites all within a
radius of 15 miles, but the purchase wanted to make sure that we were mesh fencing systems in the UK, ‘We are down to earth people. All
of the Longton site, near Stoke on still providing the necessary income as well as the leading agricultural of the directors and everybody in
Trent, ten years ago has formed to be able to invest in the plant and livestock handling equipment the company are just people who
the catalyst for what is now taking machinery necessary.’ manufacturers, but they also want to get on with the job, and
shape. The manufacturing site has understand all about complacency. provide quality products. I believe
Having achieved their goals,
recently been extended and a new that over the next decade we will be
with the considerable help of a They purchased Centrewire in 2006
office complex is planned. manufacturing many more products
very committed workforce, IAE’s which makes a comprehensive
from here. We are looking at new
But this isn’t a company that progression has duly included the range of products from kissing gates
markets all the time - cycle shelters
believes in overstretching itself and galvanising plant and sheet metal to all manner of access gates, all
are our latest range and our policy
thereby creating future problems. works. They have also added with the intention of providing easy
is never to say never about anything
Whilst today’s world sees the latest in robotic and laser access to rights of way. There is an
we might make in the future.’
tremendous business challenges technology, including even more additional sector within Centrewire
and as competitive a market place recently investment in a new flat that manufactures benches and FarmersMart congratulates IAE on
as there has ever been IAE still bed laser machine, all of which the tables from recycled plastic and its 40th anniversary and wishes
believes in taking things one step company believes will help keep it runs as a separate entity within the company every success in the
at a time. costs down and quality up, and in IAE. future.
so doing pass on those benefits to
‘We have always had a policy But IAE is in no way getting ahead
their customers.
of learning not to run before we of itself. The 450-strong team that
For more information
can walk, so when this site was Four robotic machines are in use makes up the company carries
contact IAE
purchased we did nothing with it at the present and there is an the same down to earth spirit that
Tel: 01538 399200
for the first two years. That was for on-going policy of ensuring the Frank Klucznik started with 40
Fax: 01538 373005
two reasons. Firstly, this site was company’s techniques and systems years ago when he started using
Email: sales@iae.co.uk
previously Coal Board land and are the best in the business. That’s the slogan that originally made
www.iae.co.uk
there was a pit here. The pit needed because they believe in moving his name. Richard reckons that
to be filled in before we could build. forward rather than standing still. is what keeps their feet firmly on
Then, following the purchase, we They are arguably now the largest the ground no matter how large the
manufacturer of steel railings and company grows.

FarmersMart Summer 2009 63

 scrutons
Machinery dealers expand
at Riccall
Chris Berry visits the Wilfred Scruton Ltd open day
High up in the Yorkshire Wolds
the name Scruton has long been
associated with farm machinery
and agricultural equipment. Back
in 1896 the company that is known
today as Wilfred Scruton Ltd made
its mark casting plough shares and
repairing cart wheels.
The Providence Foundry Works at
Foxholes is as busy today as it ever
has been, but Wilfred Scruton Ltd is
no longer limited to the same area
the company has served for well
over a century.
Six years ago the East Yorkshire-
based business spread its wings
with the opening of a second branch
just off the A19 between York and
Selby. It was a bold move and one
that certainly appears to have paid
off as they have recently expanded
their premises at King Rudding
Lane, near Riccall.
Ian Scruton heads up the modern
64 FarmersMart Summer 2009
day Wilfred Scruton Ltd business
operation, maintaining the family
link with brother Guy, and was on
hand for the open day held at King
Rudding this Spring to celebrate
the official opening of the new
premises.
‘It was a big decision coming here
but it’s working out well and we are
growing the business year on year.
When we started in 2003 we had a
team of just 4, now that has gone up
to 17. In people like Richard Bower,
Scott Shirley, Charlie Walmsley
and the rest of the team we have
tremendous dedication towards
helping our customers and that’s
what not only gets you the business
but keeps it strong.’
When you have been used to only
having one branch for so long it can
sometimes be difficult to establish
a new area. Scruton’s have always
been seen as a Wolds dealer, so how
tricky was it for Ian and his staff to
make their mark?
‘I think when we came people were
ready for somebody new to deal
with. Sometimes a new broom can
sweep clean, although I’d say we’re
now well out of the honeymoon
period that people talk about. All
we wanted was for people to give
us a try so that we could show
what we could do, now we have
built up to over 600 customer
accounts ranging from as far afield
as Huddersfield to the west and to
the bottom of Garrowby Hill, which
is effectively the border between the
two branches.
With JCB we had a good start
because it really is a first class
product. It’s desirable and people
want to buy it, so we were halfway
there already. Days like this are
really an opportunity for us to thank
our customers for the business they
have given us, because without
them we wouldn’t have a business
at all.’
Richard Bower has been at the helm
of the Riccall-based Wilfred Scruton
Ltd operation throughout the past
six years and has been involved
in the farm machinery sector for
many years. He believes there is no
substitute for hard work.
‘Our trade has been very good ever
since we started. We have become
firmly established here and although
Ian Scruton of
Wilfred Scruton & Co
it could have been tricky with us
being new I think that if you work
hard and put in the effort the
customers warm to that and respect
you more. We’ve pretty much got
the same staff we started with as
well as having grown substantially.
When we first started here we only
had the JCB franchise. Now we have
Valtra, He-Va, Twose, Triffitt Trailers
and a number of others.
The horsepower range covered by
both Valtra and JCB fits very well
for our customers, which include
both grassland and grain farms. The
demand around here is largely in the
150-250hp band.’
For those visitors who couldn’t make
it to the Riccall branch open day
– and there were over 500 that did
– the new premises don’t take much
finding if you’ve been there before as
they have just moved next door!
WILFRED SCRUTON LTD
Maxwell House
King Rudding Lane
Riccall Grange
Riccall, York YO19 6QL
Tel: 01757 249799
Roger Bower 07815 817205
Scott Shirley 07816 766236
Email: sales.york
@wilfredscruton.co.uk
www.wilfredscruton.co.uk

SOUTHERN DISTRICT CUMBRIA YOUNG
FIELD DAY 2009 FARMERS’ FIELD DAY
Hundreds of competitors and
spectators gathered at Low
Foulshaw Farm, Levens for the
annual Young Farmers’ Southern
District Field Day by kind permission
of Mr & Mrs John Geldard.
There were over 80 competitions
on the day with tough competition
between the 10 Clubs. Highlights of
the day were the Song and Dance
Routine won by Grayrigg, the boys
hair styling won by David Wright
and Naomi Boorman from Kent
Estuary and the Sports Day Race
with space hoppers and a sack race
won by Kent Estuary. Local M.P.,
Tim Farron, posed for the caricature
drawing which was won by Alice
Batty of Crook, the girls wheel
changing was won by Steph Sykes
and Cathy Edmondson of Lowick
and the worm charming by Robert
Hetherington of Lyvennet.
The Tug-of-War was fiercely fought
with Lowick women pulling the
Sedbergh team over the line,
Sedbergh men beating Crook and
Kent Estuary Juniors winning over
Lowick juniors.
The 19 Pre-Field Day Craft classes
were won overall by Grayrigg YFC
as was the Industrial Section.
Kent Estuary won many of the
Stockjudging classes and triumphed
at the end of the day, winning the
Cock of the North Trophy with 9994
points with Grayrigg 2nd on 9509
points, Pennine 3rd on 8712 points
and Lowick 4th on 8401.
Mr Gary Mason, Field Day Chairman,
thanked his secretary and sister Lisa
for all her hard work and the hosts,
judges and stewards who had helped
make the day such a success.
young farmers
Hundreds of competitors and
spectators braved the weather and
had a hugely entertaining time at
Cumbria Young Farmers’ Northern
District Field Day at Tarn Rigg Moor
Farm, Oulton by kind permission of
Mr. and Mrs. Wright.
The theme this year was “Climate
Change” which was very appropriate
for the day! The imaginative
interpretations of the theme in the
flower arranging and the cookery
– both won by Caldbeck - were Club gaining the most points in the
fascinating to see. The “design and Industrial Section and Caldbeck were
build an eco house “ competition the winning Stockjudging team.
winners, Stuart Armstrong ,James
After tough competition, Brampton
Bendle and Charles Ackerley from
pulled the hardest in the men’s tug of
Kirklinton YFC designed a house
war and Penrith in the women’s tug
worthy of Grand Designs and Stuart
of war.
Hind from Caldbeck made good
use of recycled plastic bottles in his Karen Watson, Field Day Chairman
Climate Change model. thanked her secretary, Anita Jackson
and congratulated Caldbeck YFC for
The spectators enjoyed more
winning the day. The final results
traditional competitions too with
were 1st Caldbeck 1085 points,
James Hodgson of Kirklinton winning
2nd Raughton Head 979 points,
the hand sheep shearing and Phillip
3rd Carlisle 850 points, 4th Wigton
Hewetson of Greysouthen winning
848 points.
the machine shearing. Drigg were the
FarmersMart Summer 2009 65
 richardsons

Hats off to winning Texel family

There are many reasons why people
get involved in the world of showing. Sherry Richardson with a selection of her hats
For Steve and Sherry Richardson
of Mount Pleasant Farm, Great
Houghton, near Barnsley in South
Yorkshire it was all down to a new
lane they put in to their farm!
‘We only had one track to the farm at
the time and I wanted another which
would mean that the children didn’t
have to worry about tractors, trucks
and trailers coming by them as they
were playing outside. As a result the
inner of the two tracks then formed a
paddock in front of the house.’
It was to be the catalyst that led Steve
and Sherry, who met at Doncaster
YFC, into being Texel breeders.
They farm 350 acres with 300
arable, growing wheat, barley and oil
seed rape. The cereals are grown for
feed for the pigs using mill and mix.
Their pig operation is high health
around 83-84 kilos deadweight and muck and slurry the pigs produced had a few pet lambs and then had
status with 190 breeding sows
go to Cranswick at Preston, near used to be a bit of a bind but it is now a go at one or two different breeds
and they have three different outlet
Hull. Their surplus gilts go to retailers proving a very good asset given the before settling on the Texel. We
streams. They multiply for Rattlerow,
and farm shops around the Barnsley price of fertiliser. He has two men, then started the Stonebridge flock
F1 gilts which are Landrace X Duroc,
area where they have found there is a Craig and Barry and tells of the farm in 1991 and both of our children,
marketed as Landroc for outdoor
thriving market for the succulent pork only ever being as good as its staff Hannah and Adam have grown up
production predominantly in the
that the 50% Duroc brings about. and respects them both immensely. with it. As Adam grew up he became
south of England. All boars are sold
particularly keen and even now at 28
as heavy as possible, averaging Steve is currently finding that all of the ‘We started the sheep as a hobby. We

We are pleased to be
associated with the TEL FAX
Richardson family
and wish them continued
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£15,000 £281.40 Two named drivers. Full bonus
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We can visit to discuss your requirements

Tel: 01332 362 367 or fax details on 01332 296 808 INSURANCE SERVICES

66 FarmersMart Summer 2009


Steve Richardson checks out one of his Texel flock
and with his own demanding career
he will arrange his holidays around
sheep shows and sales.
We now run about 40 ewes and sell
shearling tups. Our target market is to
produce good commercial shearling
tups for commercial sheep farmers
for their X breeding. Last year we
sold 4 tups to fellow Yorkshire Texel
breeders, which was a great honour.’
Steve is currently the North East
region director of the Texel Sheep
Society and has travelled as far as
Rumania to expand the breed.
Over the years success has come
Steve’s way in the show and sale
rings.
‘The pinnacle for me was to win the
ram lamb class at the Great Yorkshire
Show. I have been fortunate to do
it twice. In 1999 with Stonebridge
Fantastic which we then took to Lanark
richardsons
and sold for 6000 guineas, then in the races. She has also added to this
2003, I was holding Stonebridge Jet with her own design handbags too.
Set who was stood first whilst Adam
‘It was something I felt I wanted to
was showing Stonebridge Jasper who
do creatively. My mum was an art
was second.
teacher and my grandma was very
In 2004 we took 2 lambs up to handy too and so I took a course in
Lanark and sold Stonebridge Kes for Huddersfield, the only college in the
8500 gns and Stonebridge Kudos for north of England that ran a milliner’s
3500 gns. course at the time and I started up
HATS BY SHERRY. I now have my
The Great Yorkshire Show this year
own website and I’m finding that
will have the biggest show of Texel
more and more people are finding me
sheep in Europe. I was perhaps a little
by using it. Brides’ mums frequently
lucky last year because I achieved
go on to it now, whereas at one time it
another first – as Texel Champion
was only the brides who were looking.
with a gimmer lamb and we were
There’s been a bit of a change in more
also placed first at the Northern Area
generations now using the internet.’
Breeders Sale at Skipton, but there
were a lot of farmers who couldn’t Sherry’s hats are fantastic creations
compete because of the BlueTongue and one of her tiaras has even been
restrictions.’ purchased by the Tower of London –
you can ask her about this when you
Steve gets on well with the Scotsmen
see her at the Great Yorkshire Show!
and those from the north of England
who couldn’t take part last year.
STEVE & SHERRY RICHARDSON
‘We are good friends with many of
Incl: HATS BY SHERRY
them and they have now adopted the
Great Yorkshire as opposed to the Mount Pleasant Farm
Royal.’ Great Houghton
Barnsley S72 0BX
Sherry has developed a diversification
interest on the farm in recent years. Tel: 01226 752359
She is now a professional milliner and Mob: 07764 223230
makes hats to order, as well as having
Email: enquiries@
one or two in stock, for brides, brides
hatsbysherry.co.uk
‘ mothers, grooms’ mothers and
www.hatsbysherry.co.uk
basically anyone who wants to feel
special either at a wedding, or even
FarmersMart Summer 2009 67
 machinery
A TAYLOR MADE OPEN DAY
There’s one very good way of
celebrating 150 years in business.
Have a giant gathering!
That’s exactly what Robert Taylor &
Sons of Bentham on the Yorkshire/
Lancashire/Cumbria borders did with
their first ever open day held in April
and it went with a swing!
Over 900 local people and customers
headed over to the company’s HQ
on the edge of this scenic village
sandwiched between the Yorkshire
Dales and Forest of Bowland and
the long trail of cars parked up on
adjacent lanes told its own story.
“We had a very successful day,”
exclaimed Paul Taylor, the sixth
generation of the Taylor family to be
involved in the business.
“We were lucky with the weather and
were overwhelmed by the turn out of
customers with some coming from as
far away as Ireland, Wales and the
Midlands!
“We would like to thank our
customers, both old and new, for
attending and making the day the
success it was. We have received
some lovely thank you cards.
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FOR PROTECH SALES PLEASE CALL
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DRIFFIELD SHOW - STAND NO. FC
68 FarmersMart Summer 2009
“Another big thank you to our
manufacturers who brought some
seriously big tackle along.
“It is good for customers to see what
some of these people actually do
manufacture for worldwide sale and
it really is seriously big kit that would
certainly widen a few gate holes in
these parts.
“Again it’s good that customers can
associate with the brands that they
purchase from us and along with the
manufacturer area staff we felt very
pleased to see several manufacturer
UK bosses in attendance.
COMPACT FOR
TRANSPORT
“I guess one of the ‘stars of the show’ Bowland Outdoor Reared Pork whose
was the Case IH STX 500 Horse hog roast went down very well!
Power “Quadtrac” ---mega. What a
“The free prize draw had nearly 50
machine ad the size and price of a
winners claiming all sorts of things
house.
from a drum of oil to a weekend
“The Special commemorative 150 break.” added Paul.
year silver special JXU 105 also
On the day the banter and
attracted a lot of interest along with
conversations were great and all-in-
many people wishing they could win
all it’s not looking at all bad for the
the special Robert Taylor and Sons
future in farming. The next significant
black Honda ATV. The lucky winner
milestone in these parts could well
will be drawn at Nidderdale Show
be another Taylor made event.
later this year.
“We would like to thank our staff For more information visit
also for their efforts on and before www.roberttaylorandsons.co.uk
the event and a special mention to
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e-mail: protechmachinery@yahoo.co.uk
fax: 01386 750772
www.protechmachinery.co.uk

P V DOBSON & SONS OPEN DAY
The rain may have fallen but it
did little to dampen spirits at P V
Dobson & Sons’ second bi-annual
Open Day held in late April.
The event, located in a field close
to the firm’s Levens HQ in Cumbria,
attracted several hundred visitors
through the day who wandered
around a wide array of machinery as
well as viewing live demonstrations
of the hardware in action.
Many of the major agricultural
brands were in attendance including
Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Vicon,
McHale, Thomas and Teagle.
Andrew Dobson commented: “We
had a successful Open Day a couple
of years ago when the weather was
a lot better but we still saw a good
turn out and a lot of interested
farmers turn up.
“These events take a lot of planning
but the benefits are obvious. Existing
and potential customers are able to
view the equipment close up and
chat with the various staff on hand.
“One of the big advantages of holding
MACHINERY
the event where we do is the ability
to show the machinery in action
and we had everything from bailing
machines to grass cutters in action
with plenty of interested onlookers,”
added Andrew.
For more information visit
www.pvdobson.com
FarmersMart Summer 2009 69
 yorkshire steel buildings
YSB celebrate 50th new building
Chris Berry talks with Jonathon Jessop of Yorkshire Steel Buildings
It is one of the success stories of the
past two and a half years. Yorkshire
Steel Buildings, run by Jonathon
Jessop and Nick Shepherd, has
already built up a fantastic reputation
for its agricultural buildings work
and recently they completed their
50th new building, a 120ft x 75ft
sheep housing and management
building in Southport, Cheshire.
‘It houses an indoor handling system,
lambing pens and bedded yards
all under one roof,’ says Jonathon.
‘The customer had very specific
requirements for this building
including ventilation doors, timber
colour, lighting and foundations. Like
all our buildings it was specifically
designed for the farmer concerned.
We believe in listening to what the
customer wants, designing the
building to suit these needs and
then delivering it on time and in a
professional manner. That’s why
we’re getting the orders and I would
like to think it’s why our order book is
looking so healthy’
As regular readers will be aware
whilst Yorkshire Steel Buildings
70 FarmersMart Summer 2009
is a relatively new company their
experience and knowledge of
the agricultural buildings market
encompasses many years and they
have well-respected figures in the
industry working for them.
Jonathon is delighted with the way in
which Yorkshire Steel Buildings work
has grown in such a short time and he is
looking forward to celebrating putting
up their 100th farm building. Judging
by the Testimonials from satisfied
customers on the YSB website,
(www.yorkshiresteelbuildings.co.uk),
that milestone might not be too far off
either. ‘We take great pride in doing
a good job for our Customer and
believe that having a new building
constructed on the farm should be
a pain-free, exciting experience, not
one filled with worry and hassle. All
our team know that our Customers
come first and hopefully the
Customers feel that too.’
‘At the moment I have to say we
seem to be avoiding the worst of
the recession. We are consistently
quoting for and winning new farm
building construction work. This
encompasses the full range of farm
buildings from dairy housing, including
milking parlours and calf buildings, to
grain stores, insulated warehouses &
workshops, farm machinery sheds &
sheep buildings. It’s certainly keeping
us on our toes.’
Last year Yorkshire Steel Buildings
designed, supplied & erected a brand
Nick Shepher and Jonathon Jessop
new building for the auction mart at
Pateley Bridge and since then they
have received enquiries from other
marts around the UK.
‘I think one of our main selling points
and strengths is the Quality of our
Buildings & Workmanship. We employ
a very skilled team who have been
involved with all aspects of agricultural
buildings for many years and we have
not yet come across a job that is too
much for us to cope with.’
If you would like to know more about
what Jonathon, Nick and their team
can offer why not give them a call
today.
Yorkshire Steel Buildings
Aiskew Bank Farm
Aiskew, Bedale
North Yorkshire DL8 1AU
Tel: 07718 984010 (Jonathon)
Tel: 07734 246245 (Nick)
www.yorkshiresteelbuildings.co.uk
email: info@
yorkshiresteelbuildings.co.uk
 thirsk AUCTIONmart

World of a difference at Thirsk

Chris Berry talks with Tony Thompson
Back in 1920 the Thirsk Farmers
Auction Mart company purchased
the purpose-built mart on Station
Road which they had leased from
the Turton family until then. At that
time it was regarded as a top-of-the-
range market because it had two
rings, when in those days most had
only one.
Today the Thirsk Rural Business
Centre which houses the Thirsk
Auction Mart just outside of the town
and just off the A19 and A168, is also
regarded in just the same light – top
of the range. It was completed in
2006 and is situated on a massive 20
acre site that also includes Askham
Bryan College satellite premises,
leading animal health company Green
Farm Health, chartered surveyors
Bell Ingram and a number of other
companies related to agriculture. It is
also the home of Thirsk YFC.
Tony Thompson is the man at the
helm in the sale rings and he is
delighted with the progress the mart
has made in its 3 years since moving
to their fantastic new home.
‘It has made the world of a difference
to those who come here. We are
now regarded as one of the most
forward-thinking auction marts in the
country and where we are situated
is ideal for road transport. We are
probably amongst the best located
of any auction mart in the UK – and
tribute must go to our directors and
in particular our chairman Mr Hary
Woodhead who had the vision and
foresight to see just what a difference
it would make to our business both in
terms of throughput and quality.’
It is now also not just a rural centre for
farmers buying and selling cattle and
sheep, it is fast becoming a meeting
place for all rural businesses.
‘And although we are doing very well
at present in the sale rings we don’t
just have to rely solely on them for our
income any longer. We run established
furniture and antique sales, fur and
feather, and collective sales, farmers
markets and car boot sales. But the
mart really is doing very well too. With
the prices of sheep and cattle having
been good for much of the past year
Tony Thompson
there has been a very real trend of are excellent and anyone who is
farmers coming back to the livestock interested in bringing whatever event
marketing system. Prices may have here should always get in touch.’
dipped a little as they always do at
Thirsk Rural Centre is a very clear
this time of the year but they are all
example of what can be achieved with
still well ahead of last year and ahead
just a little forethought, a great amount
of many deadweight prices too.’
of commitment and considerate
Thirsk Auction Mart is already gearing backing from people who care.
up for its autumn sales programme,
which looks all set to be another
Thirsk Rural Business Centre,
cracker, and amongst its regular sales
Blakey Lane, Thirsk,
will be a special show of Alpacas on
North Yorkshire YO7 3AB
24 October.
Tel: 01845 523165
‘We are starting to get a number of
Fax:01845 526604
requests from breed societies who
e-mail:thirskauction@
want to bring their show and sale
btconnect.com
events here because they have heard
about our venue. Our facilities here www.thirskmarket.com

MART OFFICE:
Thirsk Farmers Auction Mart
Thirsk Rural Business Centre, Blakey Lane
Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3AB
Tel: 01845 523165 Fax: 01845 526604

www.thirskmarket.com
e-mail: thirskauction@btconnect.com

EVERY THURSDAY
WEEKLY DEDICATED SLAUGHTER SALE
THE BARKER PARTNERSHIP 300 prime pigs & cast sows @ 9.00am / 1500 prime sheep & cast ewes @ 9.30am
550 prime cattle & young bulls @ 12 noon / (preceded by OTM cattle & cows)

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS All stock must be CLEAN & TAGGED

EVERY OTHER TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

Specialists in Accounting, Auditing and Taxation Services FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF STORE STOCK
Whatever your needs, we can help SALE OF STORE & BREEDING SHEEP as forward @ 1.30pm
TOGETHER WITH FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF 150/200 HOMEBRED BREEDING AND STORE CATTLE @ 2pm
• Bookkeeping and VAT Usual selection of Cast Cows, Young Bulls & Store cattle including many local consignments. See website for dates.

• Payroll and PAYE EVERY 1ST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH @ 10.00AM

• Management accounts and information MONTHLY COLLECTIVE SALE OF MACHINERY, FUR & FEATHER
• Budgets, Business Plans and Forecasts 3 Auctioneers sale starts @ 10am Fur & Feather, Plants & Garden tools, small tools. 11am outside lots, vehicles,
machinery etc, Timber, plants, shrubs, garden tools and equipment, power tools, agricultural & horticultural equipment,
• Business Start Up building materials, scaffolding boards, motor and agricultural vehicles, rabbit hutches, dog kennels, chicken huts

• Self Assessment ENTRIES 10AM – 5PM FRIDAY BEFORE SALE ONLY

Great assortment of over 600 lots of fur & feather, including turkeys, ducks, pigeons, hens, geese, rabbits and ferrets
• Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax Planning ENTRIES SATURDAY 7-9AM ONLY
• Company Formations and Secretarial Services See website for dates
• Accounting Systems and IT FORTNIGHTLY (ALTERNATE TUESDAYS TO STORE STOCK SALES)
SALE OF FURNITURE, ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES
DEDICATED TO DELIVERING A FIRST CLASS SERVICE Box lots at 4.30pm Followed by Electrical goods,then 2 auctioneers starting at 6.00 pm
with both furniture & collectables in the Foyer. Inc large quantity of oak furniture, modern & antique furnishings,
For further information please contact: - brassware, glassware, pottery, pine effects, collectables. Over 1200 lots of quality goods

ENTRIES MONDAY BEFORE THE SALE 12AM TO 5PM ONLY

Bill Pearson Charles Gill John Morton Veiwing from 12 NOON on day of sale. Other dates by prior arrangement,
Thirsk Office Ripon Office Leyburn Office
Tel: 01845 522045 Tel: 01765 603501 Tel: 01969 623137 Full and partial house clearances. Collection can be arranged.
Please contact mart office on 01845 523165.
Or visit our website at www.barkerpartnership.co.uk See website for dates.

FarmersMart Summer 2009 71

 douglas
Pure-bred sheep pay their way
at Catslackburn
jennifer mackenzie talks with the douglas family in the yarrow valley
Six different types of pure bred
sheep making up a flock of 2,600
ewes have to pay their way at
Catslackburn in the Yarrow Valley,
near Selkirk in the Scottish
Borders.
Norman Douglas, now in partnership
with his son David, is the third
generation of his family to farm
Catslackburn which is part of the
Buccleuch Estate.
While Catslackburn has always been
a traditional South Country Cheviot
farm and the flock goes back more
than 100 years to when the family
first took on the tenancy, with
expansion of the enterprise to take on
more acreage on the estate, Scotch
Blackfaces and Lairg type Cheviots,
Texels and Suffolks have also been
added to the sheep business.
All the sheep are bred pure but
are run very much on commercial
lines, breeding tups for commercial
72 FarmersMart Summer 2009
David, Irene and Norman
producers and finishing almost
7,000 home bred and bought-in
lambs a year.
Norman, his wife Irene and David
along with full time men Alan Wilson,
Gavin McKinley and Eric Simpson
farm 2,500 acres at Catslackburn
and the neighbouring Whitefield
and part of Faldonside. Norman
and Irene’s daughter Suzanne has
recently left university and is working
with a local firm of accountants.
The farm runs from 650ft above sea
level to 1,650ft with only 300 acres
of enclosed land, the remainder being
hill. As well as the sheep enterprise,
there are also 260 suckler cows,
mostly black Limousin crosses.
Norman was one of the earlier hill
farmers to finish their lambs going
back 30 years.
“Because of that I have always been
very conscious of size and shape –
kilos are king,” said Norman. “I have
always bred with a very commercial
aspect. Over the years it has paid off.
I have bred all the sheep from the
Cheviots to the Texels and Suffolks
with this in mind.”
The 1,000 ewe South Country
Cheviot flock’s bloodlines goes back
to Norman’s grandfather’s days
when then they were also winning
prizes.
A Catslackburn ram was the first
of the breed to make five figures
when it sold in Lockerbie in 1996
for £10,000 and the following year
a son of the ram broke the record
again at £11,000. A group of three
sold at Lockerbie in 2008 averaged
£4,000 included in the 15 sold to
average£1,814.
Norman was also one of the
first to break with tradition and
sell shearling rams 25 years ago
because he felt selling them as two
shears was keeping them too long
for the sake of breed improvement.
Now more than half of Cheviots sold
by breeders are shearlings.
 douglas

The family is happy to invest in
stock rams and four years ago paid
£11,000 for a ram from Hislop.
“We never get carried away when
buying tups. We try to make the
enterprise pay every year. If we have
a good year and breed tups that
make a lot of money we can spend a
bit more,” said Norman.
“I always try to put a value on a tup
before it goes into the ring. If you
think they are too expensive - they
are! Our bread and butter is supplying
good tups to the commercial men
and, hopefully, they will pay good
commercial money for them.
“It costs a lot of money to bring
these tups out and I am heartened
with the buyers who are prepared
to invest when things have not been
easy over the last few years.
Of the hill sheep, the Yarrow
Blackface flock was taken on with
the farm 25 years ago and rams are
sold commercially as shearlings at
Lanark and Stirling.
And the Lairg type of Cheviot flock
was taken on in ?? with another
farm and Norman is keen to
further improve on the flock and its
productivity which has a 135 per
cent lambing and traditionally those
not kept for breeding sheep were
sold store.
The Suffolk flock was founded by a
ewe with a pair of ewe lambs bought
at a Jedburgh farm dispersal and all
the ewes go back to those three
females.
The flock is bred pure but not
registered with the aim of selling
between 25 and 30 shearlings at
Kelso with a few going to the NSA
sale in Builth Wells.
continues page 74

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FarmersMart Summer 2009 73

 douglas
The current stock ram is Solwaybank
bred and he is doing well for the
flock.
Norman has had a long interest
in Texel sheep and founded a
commercial flock 20 years ago now
numbering 100 breeding ewes and,
as with the Suffolks he has sold
rams at the annual Kelso sale where
75 rams last year averaged £470 a
head, as well as at Builth Wells and
Lanark with the Texels.
When David became involved with
the farm he was keen to set up a
pedigree Texel flock with bought
in females six years ago which
now runs to 70 ewes. Texels from
the Yarrow flock as well as the
commercial shearlings are sold in
two rings at Kelso. Pedigrees are
also sold at Lanark.
Two pedigree Texel ram lambs
bought last year at Lanark, one for
5,500gns from Didcot, Orkney and
the other from the Millars of Northern
Ireland for 5,000gns have left their
mark with this year’s lambs.
Finished lambs were sold every week
last winter from October through
to March through St Boswells and
Longtown marts with Cheviots
selling to £96 a head.
Between 300 and 400 are sold each
week, irrespective of the price, but
when the lambs are ready to be sold.
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74 FarmersMart Summer 2009
The lambs are costed in the spring to
see how they have fared.
They are finished off grass then
green crop later in the season and
eventually on concentrate fed in
hoppers.
Lambing starts at the beginning of
February with the Texels and Suffolks
with a break in March before the hill
sheep start in April. “We find it difficult to get good three
quarter beef cows to eliminate the
The in lamb ewes start off on feed
Holstein so we are looking to breed
blocks and are fed concentrates
more of our own replacements.
from six weeks before lambing.
We want easy calving cows and
Grazing ground is fertilised as early
to minimise disease risks,” said
as possible to allow the ewes to be
Norman.
taken off concentrate feed.
“The cows summer well on the hills
The cows are wintered in the Kelso
and they get plenty of exercise which
area on three adjacent arable farms
I think is the key to easy autumn
Easter Softlaw, Wooden and Windy
calving as they are not too fat. The
Walls where the Douglases also
cattle have also played a huge part
finish lambs.
in eradicating ticks because they
The herd is split between spring and have taken off a lot of the roughage
autumn calving. The majority of the on the hills and the sheep are doing
spring born calves are sold off their better for it,” he added.
mothers in the autumn after being
The cows are taken off the hill by
creep fed through the summer. Last
the end of October and do not
winter the calves made up to £700
return until May so that they are not
through UA in Stirling.
competing with the sheep over the
Heifers are put to the Limousin winter months.
with the remainder to the Charolais
and British Blue bull and, more
recently, the Simmental. Cows are WN DOUGLAS
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 hope

Dedicated to the North of England Mule

Jennifer MacKenzie talks with the Hopes of Canonbie
David and Marion Hope of Albierigg
Farm, Canonbie are passionate
about North of England Mule
sheep, and Marion has recently
taken on the role of secretary of the
association.
Dorothy Bell retired after 20 years
and now Marion is running the
association for its 1,200 members
as well as working alongside David
and looking after their sons Thomas,
9 and Harry, 7.
They took on the 15 year tenancy
of the 610 acre Buccleugh Estate
farm in October 2006 moving from
Hexham.
The larger unit enabled them to more
than double their ewe numbers to
700 and establish a suckler herd of
80 Limousin and British Blue crosses
so the farm could support both
of them – both Marion and David
have HGV licences and previously
supplemented their income driving
livestock lorries.
Of the flock, 450 are Northumberland
type Blackface ewes, 150 of which
are bred pure and remainder are
crossed with home bred crossing
type Bluefaced Leicester rams to
maintain the 200 North of England
Mules. There are a few Beltex
and continental ewes for breeding
commercial show sheep for the boys
who have each won the Longtown
Mart young handlers class with three
quarter Beltex lambs.
‘The Mule is the best crossbred
sheep for breeding prime lambs,’
says David. ‘She will finish two lambs
naturally within 12 to 14 weeks.
She’s a great breeder – consistent
and very prolific with the ability to
easily rear two lambs.’
The Hopes usually sell around 175
Mule ewe lambs each year, retaining
David and Marion
60 to cross predominantly with the
Suffolk and some with the Texel.
The Mules lamb mainly to the
Suffolk from mid March onwards
and by early August only a handful
of the finishing lambs are still to sell
finished.
The Blackfaces lamb from April 1.
Lambs are not fed creep because
of their horns. They are weaned in
mid August and run on grass with
feed introduced to get them off the
farm by November-December selling
through Longtown Mart which also
handles the cast ewes.
A small flock of 12 Bluefaced
Leicesters are kept mainly for
breeding rams for use at home.
Ewes carrying singles and triplets are
lambed in a 125 x 30ft polytunnel
covered with wind resistant material,
as are the Mules and Bluefaced
Leicesters.
The plan is to put up a second 150 x
30ft polytunnel for which they hope
to receive a 50 per cent grant from
the SRDP under a five year land
management programme.
Depending on the weather, they
are turned out within 36 hours of
lambing.
The flock is closed to minimise
disease risks with only Blackface
and the odd Bluefaced Leicester
rams being bought in.
All the sheep are vaccinated against
enzootic abortion and toxoplasmosis
as a precaution.
At the summer shows the Hopes
won the overall championship at
Newcastleon with a Mule against
other pure breds and the boys won
the young handlers class with a three
quarter Beltex. They also won the
Mule class at the 2008 Borderway
Agri Expo in Carlisle and they
have collected the championship
at Hexham for the last two years’
NEMSA shows.
The Hopes believe in investing in
their stock rams. A ram bought last
year from John Snaith at Clennell
Hall for £700 has produced sharp,
clean Blackface lambs.
All the replacements for the suckler
herd are bought in through Harrison
& Hetherington, generally in one
batch off one farm to minimise
disease risks. The heifers are either
bulling, in calf or with their first
calf.
They are all calved to the Limousin
bull with some calving in March
and April and the remainder in
September and October.
One of the regular buyers is near
neighbour David Dickinson at
Brockwoodlees, Canonbie, who
sells finished cattle to Cranstons
butchers.
Since the suckler herd was started,
pedigree Limousin bulls have been
bought privately from Michael
Davidson, of Latterford, Wark,
which have proven to be very easy
calving.
The farm’s only other livestock is
David’s thoroughbred brood mare
and two Gloucester Old Spot piglets,
Chops and Pepper, which were
Harry’s latest birthday present.
The NEMSA website is being re-
designed and it will be regularly
updated with news and events.
Marion has started a forum on
Facebook - called Bonny Ewe Lamb
Mule Rules -which has almost 50
members to chat about Mules and
put up photos.
DAVID HOPE
Albierigg Farm, Canonbie
DumfriesshireDG14 0RY
Tel: 01387 371677

bluefaced
leicesters LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS
The ‘Sire of The UK Mule’ MARKETING PRIME & BREEDING SHEEP THROUGHOUT
NORTHERN ENGLAND & THE SCOTTISH BORDERS

For further breed details or information contact the We wish David, Marion & Family continued success with their
secretary or visit our website at www.blueleicester.co.uk NEMSA Mule Ewe Lambs bred at Albierigg.
The Bluefaced Leicester Sheepbreeders’ Association Good Luck to Marion in her new role as NEMSA Secretary.

Tel 01228 598022 Mart Offices, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3SG.

Email: info@blueleicester.co.uk Tel 01434 605444
e-mail info@hexhammart.co.uk website www.hexhammart.co.uk

FarmersMart Summer 2009 75

 todd of east torrington

Supersonic cattle & fast horses

Chris Berry talks with David Todd in East Torrington
He’s a familiar face in the livestock
markets right across the north of
England. He’s bred thoroughbreds
for horse racing. And he has run
his 1670 acre farming operation
across 3 farms in and around East
Torrington in Lincolnshire for many
years. David Todd is what you might
call a busy man.
Now, at 72, he terms himself partly
retired, and it is one of his three
daughters, Louise, who has taken
over the day-to-day running of the
farm.
‘Louise has been involved for a
lot of years and she thoroughly
understands the buying and selling
of cattle.’
As well she might, given her father’s
experience in this field. At any one
time they have around 900 cattle,
with most of them at Manor Farm.
‘We buy store cattle from several
livestock markets in the north
including Hexham, Penrith, Barnard
Castle, Leyburn, Wigton and
Darlington, and we have a man in David Todd of East Torrington
Buckinghamshire who buys in the

www.newarklivestocksales.com
We specialise in all Pedigree and Commercial
Livestock Sales both in mart and on farm
All deadstock sales undertaken
Weekly sales of Primestock, OTMS, Young Bulls,
Clean Cattle and Sheep
All stock paid for within seconds of sale
south of England. All of the cattle
come back here and are either
sold to Morrisons, Dawn Meats at
Carnaby or through Newark Mart.
We also have a strong following of
local butchers.’
They have a quick ‘in and out’
system where David explains they
feed them up into supersonic cattle.
‘I’m always looking for the top end
of the market. We try and buy older
cattle, certainly nothing less than 15
months old and we go for a quick
turnover of 3-4 months. They’re
on rocket fuel diet-wise with ad-lib
maize silage which we do ourselves.
It takes us a fortnight to get them on
the diet we use which is half barley,
mix ad-lib, protein pellets and other
stuff.’
The Todds have an 80-strong herd
of suckler cows, which are Limousin
X South Devons.
‘I know the South Devons may not
be fashionable but they suit our
job. They have a placid nature,
they’re built well and easy to handle.
Crossed with the Limousin you really
do get supersonic cattle. They’re not
scatty, they’re easy calvers with very
creamy milk. I think they are the
most underestimated suckler cow in
the country.’

Weekly Market Report available.

We would be delighted to visit your farm to discuss your

marketing requirements
LINCOLNSHIRE MOTORS LTD
AGRICULTURAL SALES, SERVICE, PARTS, REPAIRS
Visit our website: www.newarklivestocksales.com Fairfield Industrial Estate, Louth, 01507 604061
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Contact us anytime
PAUL GENTRY: MOBILE: 07801 032846
KEITH MILLER: MOBILE: 07801 032847

Newark Livestock Market Ltd

Great North Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1BY
Telephone 01636 676741 Fax 01636 611190
www.newarklivestocksales.com Proud to support David Todd & Family
Email: enquiries@newarklivestocksales.com in all of his farming activities.

76 FarmersMart Summer 2009


The arable operation runs to 800
acres of wheat, growing Humber and
Oakley, 250 acres of barley growing
Tipple and Pearl, along with 180
acres of oil seed rape, 100 acres of
sugar beet, 50 acres of beans and
45 acres of maize.
David has seen tremendous changes
in farming during his lifetime and
remembers the days when the
farm had 15 men rather than the 5
employed today.
‘We had 20 carthorses coming out
of these stables every morning. I
don’t particularly miss those days
though because it was hard work.’
David is a third generation farmer.
It was his grandfather – James
todd of east torrington
Smithson Todd – who came here
in the 1920s, with David taking
over from his father David William.
The involvement with horses was
no surprise given his grandfather’s
background.
‘He was a horse dealer and used
to buy and sell horses all over
the country. I have bred my own
thoroughbreds for many years and
have horses in training with Malcolm
Jefferson in Malton. I’ve bred 38
winners in my lifetime.’
David’s best horse was Abersing,
but it was with King’s Lure that he
had more success.
‘King’s Lure came second in the
Great Yorkshire Chase and third in
the Whitbread Gold Cup and was
trained by Bobby Hall from Heddon
on the Wall in Northumberland.
We bought it ‘sold unsound’ and
my father gave about 200 guineas.
When Bobby got it he rang me
immediately and said this was a
proper thing. It ended up winning
me over £40,000. Abersing didn’t
win as many races as King’s Lure
because he had a bad accident at
Leicester.’
All of David’s horses have been
jumpers and he tells of them still
being a hobby.
‘We have 10 at the moment. I had
most success at Wetherby so that
was my favourite course but the
ground isn’t right there now. Hexham
is a wonderful course. I had my first
win with King’s Lure there.’
But horses aren’t the only sport
David has been involved with. He
likes all country sports and played
cricket for Hainton, Woodall Spa
and Lincolnshire Gentlemen as a
cultured opening bat
He is chairman of Wragby YFC with
whom he was once a member and
although he says he’s part retired
he is still very much involved in the
farm. He has two other daughters –
Rachel, who lives in Gloucestershire,
and Julia who married a neighbouring
farmer.
‘They’re all in partnership with me
but is Louise who is the farming one
and who takes an active part.’
So active in fact that Julia was
showing at the East of England Show
in Peterborough when I visited.

“They’re on DAVID TODD

Manor Farm, East Torrington

rocket fuel
Market Rasen,
Lincolnshire LN8 5SE

diet-wise...”
Tel: 01673 858242
Email: manorfarm@dttodd.co.uk

David Todd Daughter - Louise Todd

HOPES of Wigton
Hopes Auction Co. Ltd
93 High Street, Wigton CA7 9PG
Telephone 016973 42202 / Fax 016973 45001
LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS E-Mail: auctioneers@hopesofwigton.co.uk
MARKETING OVER 28,000 SUCKLER BRED STORE CATTLE Web Site: www.hopesofwigton.co.uk
& SUCKLED CALVES EACH YEAR AT OUR WEEKLY SALE AT Commercial Livestock Auctioneers & Valuers
OUR MODERN HEXHAM AUCTION MART COMPLEX.
Wishing continued success to David Todd & Family
We wish David & Louise Todd continued success feeding the EVERY TUESDAY - throughout the year Sale of Prime Cattle
best of cattle purchased from Hexham Auction Mart. (Young Bulls & Clean Cattle) and Prime Sheep
THURSDAYS FORTNIGHTLY – Sale of Store, Beef Breeding
Mart Offices, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3SG. & Dairy Cattle, Over Thirty Months Cattle & Calves
Tel 01434 605444 Also Special Sales as advertised
e-mail info@hexhammart.co.uk website www.hexhammart.co.uk All types of agricultural sales & valuations undertaken

We are pleased to supply the todd Family with

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We wish them continued success for the future.

Achurch roAd, Boston roAd IndustrIAl EstAtE

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www.phillips-animal-health-ltd.co.uk

FarmersMart Summer 2009 77

 hepworth

Branching out with a winning formula

A farm that’s home to the Rolston
herd of British Saddlebacks in East
Yorkshire has won the first Royal
Forestry Society (RFS) Excellence
in Forestry Farm Woodlands
Award.
Woodbottom Farm at Stainburn near
Otley, primarily a pasture farm, took
second place. The awards, which
were supported by the Forestry
Commission, will be presented at
the Great Yorkshire Show on July
15.
Winning the award was John
Hepworth, owner of Braemar
Farm at Rolston, Hornsea, in East
Yorkshire.
John had started to plant
woodlands in 1989 with the help of
a Woodland Grant Scheme, filling in
an area between a public footpath
and a public bridleway. He has now
expanded the woodlands to cover
around 30 hectares, or about half
the farm, establishing a number of
different woodland types. These
include the Hornsea Community
Woodland which has public access,
flowering shrubs and a mix of
trees designed to attract birds; 11
hectares of Swedish willow destined
for biofuels and a stand of eucalyptus
which was planted in 2003 and
which he is now harvesting through
thinnings.
Judges Roderick Leslie and
Rodney Helliwell said: “The awards
recognise the importance that
woodlands bring to farms, both in
terms of an added income stream,
but also in promoting biodiversity.
“John Hepworth simply bubbles with
enthusiasm, for his trees ranging
from native broadleaves to Willow
and Eucalyptus energy crops, and
for the wide range of people he
welcomes to his new woods in one
of the least wooded parts of the
north east. The farm now has much
greater interest, both to the owner
and the public, as well as increasing
Braemar Farm Rodney Helliwell and John Hepworth
the biodiversity of the area.”
John said: “I am growing wood not
just as an amenity, but as a future should grow and develop, and I have some welcome additional income.“
income. It is a delight to see all sorts taken on several of the points the
of people enjoying those woodlands Second placed Woodbottom Farm
judges made. The RFS was the first
where there is public access, also originally established its 5.57 ha
to point out the income potential of
including a group of 120 children woodland with the aid of a Woodland
thinning the Eucalyptus when the
brought to site by Teaching Trees. Grant Scheme.
Yorkshire Division visited in 2008,
and their suggestions have brought in Judges commented: “This was a
“I like to understand how woodlands

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78 FarmersMart Summer 2009

 johnsons

Award-winning &
beautifully designed and executed
farm woodland, with a well thought
out range of native species growing
well and a ride and glade network

which made the wood a pleasure
to visit.”
Owner Justin Arnold explained:
“The woodland is on an area that
was formerly pasture land. It has
brought a wider range of native
habitats to the farm, and, while it
was primarily introduced as part of
our commitment to conservation,
we are also expecting to grow some
valuable timber through appropriate
pruning and thinning.
“The award is recognition of the
efforts of all involved and the sound
establishment and management
practices employed by Keith
Rawling as forestry adviser.”
Trees on site include oak, ash, small
leafed lime, native broadleaves
such as wild cherry, field maple
and crab apple and woody shrubs.
Although there is no public access
to the land, visits have been
arranged for local residents and for
a group from the nearby Nidderdale
AONB and the woodland was the
venue of a two day training course
for Yorwoods.
The RFS Excellence in Forestry
Awards were being piloted during
2009 by The Royal Forestry
Society in Yorkshire and the North
East during 2009.
Crispin Thorn, Forestry Commission
Regional Director Yorkshire and the
Humber, said:
“We were delighted to sponsor the
RFS awards in their first year and
I was impressed by the interest in
the competition. I hope the success
spreads across the country in the
future. Woodlands can help the
local economy in many ways from
timber and woodfuel businesses,
to leisure, recreation and tourism.
I believe these awards also show
how trees, woods and forestry
are important in other ways from
education and learning outdoors,
bringing communities together and
keeping vital forestry skills alive.”
people friendly
Environmentally-friendly is a cliché
that farming has adopted in varying
amounts throughout the UK, but
in south-east Leicestershire the
Johnsons have probably embraced
the term more than many. Indeed
such has been their commitment
to the cause that they received a
Most Beautiful Farm award in 2007
for their work on public access,
diversification and conservation.
Phil Johnson lives at Rectory Farm
with his wife Sue. They have three
daughters – Kirstie, Abigail and Fay.
Kirstie is a schoolteacher, Abigail a
mobile farm secretary and Fay are
involved both with the farm and their
diversification business Eyebrook
Wild Bird Feeds.
‘My late father Tom Johnson took
the tenancy here in 1936 when the
farm ran to just 183 acres and had
dairy, beef, sheep, pigs and poultry,’
says Phil. ‘He was ambitious and
the farm grew to more than 1000
acres, with the majority of the
tenancy being owned by the Church
Commissioners. The land is to the
north and east of Great Easton and
is half in Leicestershire and half in
Rutland.’
Today’s farming operation is currently
930 acres of which 850 are arable
cropping. Phil also has a 200 ewe
flock of north country mules.
‘Our crops are a typical rotation for
around here of wheat, beans, wheat,
barley and oil seed rape. We went
into the 10 year DEFRA Countryside
Stewardship Scheme 7 years ago
with the aim of improving the beauty
and diversity of the countryside
around us and I am very pleased
with what has been achieved. We
now have conservation margins
around most of the arable fields, we
Fay, Abigail and father Phil
year we take on a student from the
village to assist us at harvest time.
I don’t grumble about farming either.
It’s no good grousing when you
visually appear to have such a lot.’
Fay tells of the family having
won another award recently, for
conservation on a commercial farm,
and their Eyebrook Wild Bird Feeds
business is going well too.
‘We produce wild bird seed and
we are dedicated to producing high
quality bird seed mixes using as
many home-grown ingredients as
possible,’ says Fay. As well as these
we also sell black sunflower seeds,
sunflower hearts, premium peanuts,
wheat and niger seed, fat balls,
feeders and other accessories. Many
of our visitors also take in a walk
around the farm, Eyebrook Reservoir
or Rutland Water when they come
here. Eyebrook Wild Bird Feeds is
launching its online store in August
this year which is the next step in
progressing the business’
The farm has also had a bird species
list put together by ‘RSPB Volunteer
and Farmer Alliance’, which showed
there were a good number of each
of the 33 bird species including
everything from red kites to
yellowhammers. The RSPB are set
to return again this year to conduct
another bird count.
‘We will hopefully go into the HLS
scheme once the CSS finishes
in 2012,’ says Phil. ‘I’m always
optimistic about the future and I’m
a great believer in farming going
through 7 good years then 7 bad.’
‘I am sure there is a great future for
Fay and Abigail to carry on farming at
Rectory Farm.’
PHIL JOHNSON & EYEBROOK
WILD BIRD FEEDS
Rectory Farm, Great Easton
Market Harborough
Leicestershire LE16 8SN
Tel: 01536 770771
Email: rectoryfarm@
eyebrookwildbirdfeeds.co.uk
Web: www.
eyebrookwildbirdfeeds.co.uk

C.N. Spencer Ltd.

RFS Chief Executive Dr John
Jackson said: “This has been a
highly successful pilot and it looks
likely that the competition will now
roll out across the country starting
in London and South East next
year. “
To find out more about the
Excellence in Forestry Awards,
or the RFS, visit website
www.rfs.org.uk or call 01442
822028 or write to the RFS
at 102 High Street, Tring,
Hertfordshire, HP23 4AF.
have put in a mile of new hedgerows
and have been particularly keen on
public access whether through rights
of way, permissive paths or farm
walks. We are members of LEAF too
and I am a firm believer in maximum
Timber Merchants
output for minimum inputs.’
Are pleased to be suppliers of all Timber Materials
Rectory Farm is now so busy with the
general public that in May and June
and Gates to the Johnson Family
they hosted 19 farm walks. and we wish them continued success for the future.
‘The effect of what we do to the land
is something that concerns me and Tel: 01536 373 234
I am always keen on farming in the Fax: 01536 373 053
most environmentally friendly way
possible. I’m also keen on encouraging Sudborough Road, Brigstock, Kettering, Northants, NN14 3HP
young people to farm too, and each

FarmersMart Summer 2009 79

 david shaw

Niche
Market
milk at
Elvington
Chris Berry talks with York East County
David Shaw

NFU vice-chairman David Shaw

When you’re losing money year
on year there comes a time when
something has to give. That’s what
it was like for David Shaw of Grey
Leys Farm, Elvington, near York,
five years ago when he decided to
pull out of growing cereals.
‘We’d lost money all the time and
I just felt I would be better off
concentrating on dairy, so everything
now is for the cows.’
Given the increased grain price in the
past couple of harvests and a recent
downturn in milk price David could
be forgiven for thinking that things
maybe haven’t gone totally his way.
But not a bit of it.
He has one of the best respected
Jersey herds in the north of England,
running to some 330 cows, with 270
followers, and the price he receives
for supplying Longley Farm stands up
well in anyone’s league table.
‘The price I get has stood up well. We
can get up around 35ppl and we’re
running somewhere around 33ppl at
the moment. For other dairy farmers
the previous 18 months, up until
autumn of last year were very good.
Prices had improved to the point
where most were starting to make a
margin once more. They had gradual
increases last year but then the price
started to deteriorate.’
The demise of Dairy Farmers of
Britain has caused considerable
consternation in the dairy world and
David has helped as much as he can,
wearing both his new hat of vice
chairman of the York East County
NFU and his vice chairman’s role of
the NFU north east dairy board. He
is also a director of the Jersey Cattle
Society.
‘DFoB’s problems were really shown
to have started when they had to
rationalise their dairies. I think most
dairy farmers were feeling a bit more
confident about their lot up until
the second half of last year. But
when prices started to drop people
Jerseys at Elvington
maybe felt this was as good as it was
going to get. Once you take away
confidence then dairying is pretty
fragile. Every dairy farmer really
needs to be earning around 30% of
the price of a litre of milk to be viable
in the future.’
David went down the value added
route for his milk many years ago,
as part of the QMP (Quality Milk
Producers) group. He was chairman
for 7 years.
‘QMP is all about developing brands
and sales of the milk from the 400
channel island producers. It makes
political representations, has its own
gold top brand and has maintained
its market share. It is very much a
value added market and my milk is
used in Jersey cream, Jersey butter
and crème freche by Longley Farm in
Huddersfield.’
David’s NFU county area has never
traditionally been one that is host
to many dairy farms and in the past
two years alone even that number
has reduced from 48 to 37. He does
believe there is a future in dairying
though.

For all your machinery needs

For prompt and reliable sales and service

We are pleased to Wilfred Scruton Ltd Wilfred Scruton Ltd

be associated with
The Shaw Family
and wish them
continued success
for the future
1-3 The Barley Store Providence Foundry
King Rudding Lane Foxholes, Driffield
Riccall, York East Riding of Yorkshire
YO19 6QL YO25 3QQ
Tel: 01757 249799 Tel: 01262 470221
Fax: 01757 249700 Fax: 01262 470335

www.wilfredscruton.co.uk

80 FarmersMart Summer 2009

 david shaw

Priestley
‘The next generation of dairy farmers important commodity and we should
will be those who want their own all be doing what we can to preserve
lives, as well as dairying. Many our dairy industry.’

Limousin rules
of them are well-educated, well-
David is married to Anne, and they
travelled and know that the world is
have a daughter Helen, who is a
a much bigger place than just a farm
buyer for the Co-op and based in
full of cows. They want to see it as
Manchester, and a son Robert who is in

supreme
well, and they’re not about to work
his last year of his PhD at Cambridge.
for nothing. It is good to see young
dairy farmers like Sam Middleton and
Tony Wake’s son having a go. Robot David Shaw, Grey Leys Farm,

at Skipton
milking is definitely the future. There’s Elvington, York YO41 4AX
certainly no point in having more and Tel: 01904 608278
more cows, flogging themselves to Mob: 07715 923472
death just to satisfy the customer who Email: david_shaw1@
wants a cheap product. That’s what btconnect.com
needs sorting out. We need everyone
to realise that food is a valuable and

We are pleased to be associated with

The Shaw Family
and wish them continued success for the future
Limousin Champ
Testing, servicing, installation & 24hr breakdown service.
James: 07792 981018 Bill: 07936 407690 West Yorkshire Limousin breeder
Office: 01904 744582 Steven Priestley added to his
trophy cabinet with the supreme
champion at Skipton Auction
Mart’s annual show and sale
ABC Limited have helped of pedigree Limousin breeding
David Shaw to reduce cost cattle recently.
2007. Brontemoor Custer, a son
of Sultan out of the home-bred
Brontemoor Rolypoly, secured
the day’s second highest price
of 3,300 guineas when acquired
by David Preston, Sannat Hall,
Stainforth.

through Partnership Sourcing Steven runs his multi award-

the Agricultural Brokerage Company Ltd
has been formed with the intention of supplying
it’s members with a full range of products and
commodities at reduced market prices.
Partnership sourcing allows these members to
maximise their profitability and vastly reduce
their time on sourcing products.
Core ProDuCtS NoN-Core ProDuCtS
• AnimAL FeedstuFFs • AnimAL HeALtH / mediCines
• FertiLisers • miLk repLACers
• dAiry Hygiene • proteCtive CLotHing
& teAtCAre • pArLour spAres, miLking Liners
• siLAge inoCuLAnts • equipment inCLuding CuBiCLes,
• minerALs mAts & mAttresses
• identiFiCAtion – eAr tAgs, etC
• grAss Leys & ForAge seeds
• insurAnCe
Congratulations to David Shaw.
We wish him continued success.
Agricultural Brokerage Company Ltd
18 Camp Hill Close, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 1QY
Tel: 01765 608 522 Fax: 01765 608 040 Contact: Maurice Howie
winning Brontemoor herd from
Hill Top Farm, Denholme,
Bradford, and stepped up on his
reserve championship success
at last year’s popular Skipton
fixture by sending out the 2009
victor, shown by 19-year-old son
Richard.
The August, 2007-born pedigree
bull Brontemoor Carmen is a
product of Procters Subaru,
bred locally by Procter Farms in
Slaidburn, until being bought and
successfully used as a sire by the
Priestleys for nine years, having
produced bulls to 12,000 guineas.
He was sold on just a fortnight
before the show to farmer J M
Mackley, of Folkton, Scarborough,
for further pedigree breeding.
Out of the home-bred Brontemoor
Uhu, the victor sold for the show’s
top price of 4,200 guineas to
brothers David and Richard
Sandham, who run Bradford
Waste Traders in Yeadon.
The Priestleys were also
responsible for the first prize
winner in the class for pedigree
bulls born in the latter part of
Local breeders John and Claire
Mason, of Oddacres Farm,
Embsay, had a successful day,
presenting the reserve champion
bull, Oddacres Cavalier, an April,
2007-born son of the renowned
French sire Titan. The runner-up
was knocked down for 2,450
guineas to A & RA Middleton,
Cowan Bridge.
Show judge was well-known
Limousin breeder David Hill, who
Rayson Hall pedigree herd is based
at Great Asby, Appleby. Sponsors
were Pfizer Animal Health,
represented by territory manager
James Porritt, and Farmers Mart
Magazine, represented by sales
manager Ben Walton.
The show formed part of Skipton’s
annual “Red Pedigree Event” and
was followed later in the day by the
Northern Limousin Extravaganza
– the opening two fixtures in the
mart’s prestigious 2009 pedigree
beef season.
For more information contact
The Limousin Cattle Society
www.limousin.co.uk

FarmersMart Summer 2009 81

 hyslop

Northumberland partnership goes

for organic growth with new mill
jennifer mackenzie talks with stuart hyslop near belford
The northern counties’ first fully
organic blending, milling and
pelleting plant is ready to meet the
demand for feed from the region’s
organic cattle, sheep, pig and
poultry farmers this winter and at
the same time help to cut down on
food miles.
Stuart Hyslop and his wife Wendy
have been building up a sizeable
organic production unit within their
diverse range of farming operations
near Belford, in Northumberland
predominantly producing organic
lamb and beef, and through Dawn
Meats, supplying Marks & Spencer
and ASDA.
Stuart Hyslop
Their £400,000 investment, whose
nearest all-organic plant in the north
is believed to be in Derbyshire, meets totally organic. Hyslop, who is marketing the feed converting to organic production.”
not only the increase in demand under Northumbrian Organic Feeds.
“Originally, my idea with blending “There is also more interest from
for organic feeds but also tighter
and milling was to add value to our “We need feed for our own livestock arable farmers which has led to
regulations preventing organic beef
own production – we grow about enterprise but I also felt there Coastal Grains investing in an organic
and sheep producers and eventually
800 acres of arable crops, mainly would be demand locally because store at Belford which I use. This all
all livestock and poultry farmers
wheat and beans,” says Stuart of the number of livestock farmers cuts down on food miles which are of
from using feeds which are not

Berwick upon Tweed

Tel: 01289 331 904 Fax: 01289 331 530
Kelso
Alnwick: Morpeth: Ponteland: Rothbury: Wooler:
01665 510999 01670 505321 01661 871570 01669 620638 01668 281323 Tel: 01573 225 213 Fax: 01573 226 214

• Full range of Large Animal Veterinary Services

• Experienced in Beef, Sheep and Dairy Health Planning to
reduce costs of disease and increase farm profitability
• Semen testing for bulls & tups Main Dealer
• Bovine pregnancy diagnosis, manual and scanner We have also major franchises for Sumo - Flexifarm - Fleming - Krone - PZ and many others
• Roll-over crushes available for treatment of lame bulls and cows
• On farm post mortem investigations carried out
• Extensive equine facility at Alnwick Wishing Stuart & Wendy Hyslop every success in the future!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

CONTACT THE RICKERBY
SALES TEAM

East Coast Area Sales Manager:

Colin Potts 07774 248867

The AXOS - Versatile around the farm Alnwick Agricultural Sales:

Simon Curry 07785 267941

from CLAAS - Whatever this tractor tackles, Hexham:

Paul Scandle 07774 248862

it does it right
Cornhill-on-Tweed:
Neil Douglas 07785 921891
Ian Gray 07774 248866
- A strong offering Durham:
Richard Eggleston 07734 856957

Willowburn Trading Estate, Alnwick Tel 01665 603631

Rickerby
since 1880 www.rickerby.net Rickerby
since 1880

82 FarmersMart Summer 2009


course a current debate.”
The new business has led to the
employment of a full-time sales and
administration man, Robin Scott,
who has had 27 years’ experience in
the livestock feed business.
From an initial survey of organic
producers in the North East Stuart
found most were struggling to find
reasonably priced organic feed in the
area.
With help from Alex Haywood of
the Northumbria Organic Producers,
Stuart sent out a survey to all the
organic producers in the North East
and some very positive responses
came back.
“Once we had these responses back,
I knew that there was a demand
for an organic mill in the area and
Easington seemed the ideal location,
he said.”
Now extensive buildings formerly
used as a potato store at Easington
incorporate a milling and pelleting
plant to complement crushing, mixing
and weighing equipment producing
the blends, all certified under Organic
Farmers and Growers and UFAS.
The investment attracted a 30 per
cent Defra Processing and Marketing
grant the application for which was
put together by Louis Fell, of George
F White, in Alnwick.
The development of the second phase
of feed production, the pelleting plant
was to meet the demand particularly
from organic sheep producers.
“There is a requirement from
producers who feed sheep
mechanically for rolls which can be
fed on the ground with no waste so
we have added a pelleted range to
our current three blends. We can also
produce specialised blends to order,”
said Mr Hyslop.
Feeds are also now being marketed
in the region through John Naylor
of Carrs Billington Agriculture. A
further initiative being considered is
the production of grass or lucerne
nuts which will meet a local demand
and also utilise the plant during the
quieter summer months.
Because feeds are primarily intended
for local use – and raw ingredients are
mainly sourced from within the area
– retail prices are very competitive.
Buyers have the opportunity to
further contain costs by collecting
feeds themselves instead of bulk or
bagged delivery.
This winter the aim is to sell over
2,000 tonnes of 100 pc organic
blended and compound feeds for
beef cattle and sheep from the
Hyslops’ Easington Farm which
along with their other holdings totals
3,500 acres.
Stuart Hyslop admits that originally
the attraction of organic conversion
hyslop
of the farming operation was the changes in the weather and seasons
financial benefits. and are naturally more resilient.
“I’m totally ‘converted’ myself to the “The arable cropping with clover
system now which is a return to much breaks is ideally suited to the type of
more traditional farming methods. mixed livestock systems we have in
The benefits are as much from the Northumberland.”
reduced working capital outlay and
Another benefit in conversion for the
input costs, particularly on the arable
Hyslops was that Easington suited
side, to the premium you are receiving
Higher Level Stewardship as there
from the commodity,” he said.
are rare Whinsill grasslands - a
Depending on market fluctuations, primary target for DEFRA.
Mr Hyslop says the retail mark-up
The Whinsill is a primary feature and
on his arable crops before deducting
through grazing restrictions, the aim
production costs is between 20 and
is to increase the biodiversity of the
30 per cent of commodity prices.
site and the grassland species.
“We began our organic conversion at
The area is also a tree sparrow
Wrangham Farm, Lowick in 1999,
hotspot and the rotational wild bird
following with Birchwood Hall,
plots, grass margins and undersown
Newham Buildings and Doddington
spring crops will help provide habitats
North Moor in 2000. In 2004
for these birds top thrive in.
we bought Easington Farm and
immediately entered it into organic The Higher Level Stewardship scheme
conversion,” he said. is helping fund the clearing of the
scrub from the Whinsill and protect
“There has been a good margin
an ancient iron age settlement near
between conventional and organic
the farm steading. Stuart and Wendy
prices for livestock and arable crops
have also agreed to allow permissive
so you can be making more money by
access along the Whinsill so other
producing a premium, added-value
people can benefit from this valuable
product which is still in a growing
landscape feature.
market.
“We haven’t encountered any major
Tel: 01668 213400
disease in our livestock or disease
www.organic-farm-feed.co.uk
and weed problems in our arable
crops. In fact, we have found our
arable crops are less prone to
Chathill
ABERDEEN ANGUS
2009 Highland Show Champion
We are pleased to be associated with the
Hyslop Family and wish them continued
success for the future.
Supply of stubble to
stubble operations
Supply of pedigree
Aberdeen Angus bulls
Pip and Jane Robson
Iacs Cottage, Chathill, Northumberland NE67 5EF
Tel : (+44) 1665 589363
Mobile : (+44) 78898 74454
Email : pip@chathillfarm.co.uk
Website : www.chathillfarm.co.uk
FarmersMart Summer 2009 83
 galloway
Galloway family -
in the pink with Bleus
jennifer mackenzie visits fort william
Ian Galloway has broken with
tradition in his corner of south west
Scotland near Newton Stewart,
with the Bleu du Maine having a
strong commercial influence on his
sheep enterprise for more than two
decades.
Ian and his wife Lorraine and his
parents Robert and Lindsay farm
306 acres of marginal upland grazing
at Clantibuies, Port William, near
Newton Stewart.
While within a few miles of the farm
lies some of the region’s best dairying
and agricultural land, Clantibuies has
long, cold winters, running at up to
275ft above sea level.
And the majority of sheep farmers in
the area breed Mules out of Scotch
Blackfaces, a tradition the Galloways
began to move away from in 1985
when they bought their first ram of the
French breed, Bleu du Maine.
84 FarmersMart Summer 2009
The sheep enterprise has evolved from
pure bred Blackfaces to Mule ewe
lamb production, then into Blackface
Bleu crosses and now Blackface
crossed with the Millennium Bleu.
The original Bleu ram was crossed
with half the flock and by the next
year all the ewes were crossed with
the Bleu.
“We liked the hardiness of the lambs
and we saw the lambing percentage
increase. The tups were working as
soon as they went out resulting in a
more compact lambing with only a
few left after 17 days, reducing the
workload and producing a more even
batch of lambs at sale time,” said Ian,
who runs 400 ewes, 360 of which
are commercial, plus hoggs.
“We started keeping the female
Blackface cross Bleu lambs and sold
the wethers and we were getting a few
pounds a head more for the lambs
Ian and Lorraine Galloway
with one finisher in Hereford buying
the lot. Then we a good few years of
private sales with the females until
these were retained as replacements.
“To produce good Mules we were
having to buy the best black faced
ewes costing us £15 a head more
than the lighter faced types which still
produced us a really good lamb when
crossed with the Bleu.
Until recently all the ewes were bred
on the farm but now Millennium Bleu
cross Blackies are bought from Ian’s
uncle, William Galloway and are
crossed with the Texel and the Bleu is
put to the gimmers to give the option
of keeping replacements.
“I don’t like buying in stock – that’s the
reason we started breeding our own
rams. We have 20 pedigree Texels
and a small Bleu flock,” said Ian.
“Although now I’m buying from my
Wishing continued success to Ian and Lorraine Galloway
Livestock Auction Mart
Whitefordhill
Ayr KA6 5JW
Tel. 01292 262241
uncle, I know the health status of the
flock and the breeding of the ram. He
is crossing his draft ewes with the
Millennium Bleu and more recently
the Millennium Bleu. I also want
sheep that are hardy.”
The Galloways have also been
breeding the Millennium Blue – the
Beltex cross out of a Bleu ewe – with
success selling to 600gns in Carlisle
and 580gns at Kelso. Similarly, Texel
rams sold commercially in Carlisle
have made up to 500gns.
All the lambs, with the exception of
those retained as replacements, are
finished off the farm, selling through
Vivers Scotbeef at Annan.
The first lambs, finished off grass with
no creep, sold live in last July last year
averaged 130p per kg.
Lambs sold during 2008 averaged
18.9kg deadweight and, despite
Auction Mart
Queen Street
Newton Stewart DG8 6LH
Tel: 01671 402 051
 simmental

lambing starting in the second week
of April, only a handful were left to
finish by December 18. They made
from 280p a kg to 292p.
“I don’t have a big tail-end of lambs
because I don’t want lambs competing
with the ewes for grazing. There are
added costs in keeping lambs that
length of time.”
The majority of the lambs are finished
off grass with later finishers are fed
concentrate from mid November as
the grass quality declines. Last year
the farm was particularly short of
grass but still only three quarters of a
tonne of concentrate was requirted.
The commercial ewes are scanning
at 175-180 per cent lambing with up
to 165 to 170 per cent weaned with
the ewes more than able to cope with
twins.
The concentrate feed bill last winter
for the commercial ewes was £3.70 a
head. Ewes are fed from three weeks
before lambing, with those with twins
being fed after lambing until the
second week in May when the grass
starts growing.
“The Bleus suit our system and are
hardy sheep. I think the breed was a
victim of its own success in the early
days. It is a versatile breed which can
be used as a terminal sire but I find it
very beneficial for breeding females.
“When we had a grading system
Bleus did well because they put on
flesh without fat.”
Other advantages Ian says are that the
cast ewes are worth £2 to £3 a head
more.
“I’m now running more stock than 20
years ago and I would say the sheep
enterprise is more profitable than if we
were running it as we did originally.
We would be running to stand still.
As with the sheep, the Galloways have
closed their 50-cow spring calving
suckler herd. The original Angus and
Limousin cross Friesians are now
being put to the Simmental bull.
Heifers calving at two years old will
then be crossed back to the Limousin
to prevent the cows becoming too big
for the farm’s land.
Forty of the herd to include the
replacement heifers are housed
at weaning time at the beginning
of December with the remainder
outwintered. All cows calve outside
from April 5. Cows are fed silage and
straw to manage the size of the calf.
Calves not kept as replacements are
sold either finished or store, depending
on the season, through UA in Stirling,
The Galloways have diversified into
tourism with a holiday cottage.
Honeysuckle Cottage has four
bedrooms and can sleep eight. It has
three bathrooms.
For more details and
bookings go to
www.gallowayselfcatering.co.uk
STEAKS FROM
SIMMENTAL CLAIM
TOP TWO
Steaks from cattle consigned by
Deeside and Buchan beef producers
claimed the top four places in the
annual McIntosh Donald/Tesco
Scotch steak championships at the
Royal Highland Show.
Two steaks from Simmental
cross steers were placed first and
second from an initial entry of 166
consigned by leading producers
from all over Scotland.
The 12 steaks in the final of the
competition were described as
“superb” by top chef, George
McIvor, former chairman of Master
Chefs of Great Britain.,
Scotch beef is recognised as the
hallmark of quality beef and the
12 steaks in the final could grace
the table of the finest restaurants
anywhere in the world,” said Mr
McIvor.
The top steak came from a two year
old Simmental cross steer from Ian
Blackhall and his two sons, Alex
and Rodney, of Milton of Durris,
Banchory, Aberdeenshire. The
373.4kg steer was home-bred and
graded –U for conformation and
three for fat cover.
The winning trophy and cheque
for £1000 was presented to Alex
and Rodney by Tesco commercial
director, Colin Holmes, who
announced that Scotch beef
from McIntosh Donald was being
introduced into a further 80 Tesco
stores in England as from July 1.
The Blackhall family have built
up a suckler herd of 80 cows
over the past four years and use
Simmental bulls to breed their own
replacements.
The runner-up was also from a
Simmental cross steer grading
–U4L and consigned by Ian
Buchan, Overton of Knaven, Maud,
Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. This one
weighed in at 364.4kg.

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We are pleased to be associated with The Galloway Family

and wish them continued success for the future

FarmersMart Summer 2009 85

 PROPERTY
Northern Land Market Review
By Andrew Black MRICS FAAV
Savills research indicates that in 18%. In Yorkshire 3341 acres was
the first 6 months of 2009, the marketed which was 30% less than
volume of land publicly marketed in in the previous year and less than
England was 6% lower than for the half of the volume offered in 2007.
first 6 months of 2008. This hides In particular the south Yorkshire
regional variations including a 28% area has been very undersupplied
reduction in volume in the south in the last 2 years and public sales
west of England balanced by a 23% on the Yorkshire Wolds are almost
increase in the East Midlands. In the non existent although there is more
north of England volume was down evidence of private transactions.
Swainby Grove Farm, Pickhill, Thirsk
Attractive and well situated residential and investment farm
· 6 bedroom period farmhouse · Traditional farmbuildings
· 212 acres subject to Agricultural Holdings Act tenancy
· 30 acres subject to an annual FBT
· 95 acres of grassland
About 347 acres (140 ha)
Guide £1.475 million
Field House, Morpeth
· 509 acres arable land
· Central access road
· Potential for new steading
· 127 acres sporting rights
About 656 acres
Guide £1,850,000
Chester le Street
· About 127 acres arable land
· About 8.7 acres arable land
with potential pony paddockuse
· 23 acres of grassland
About 159 acres
Guide £650,000
Carlton Miniott, Thirsk
· 35 acres Grade 2 arable land
· 5 acre potential paddock on
edge of the village
Lot 1 Guide - £210,000
Lot 2 Guide - £50,000
For further information or a free no obligation appraisal of your property, please contact:
Andrew Black or Sarah Hinchliffe, Savills (L&P) Ltd, 13-15 MicklegateYork YO1 6JH T: 01904 617800 F: 01904 617801
www.savills.com
86 FarmersMart Summer 2009
County Durham is the only area The overall picture is one of tight
where volumes have increased supply yet again and demand for
in the last year with 1064 acres equipped commercial farms is now
marketed so far this year. Volumes truly national due to the shortage
are also down in Cumbria by 15% of properties. The bareland market
and in Northumberland, 2330 is more variable depending on local
acres is 12% down on last year demand and availability of finance
and almost 40% less than the year with arable land selling for between
before. £3,500 and £7,500 per acre.
Low Crossett, Bilsdale, Near Helmsley
Traditional farm set in some of Yorkshires finest countryside
· 4 bedroom period house
· 1 bedroom cottage
· Coach House and large barn
· Set in grassland and woodland
In all about 66 acres
Guide £950,000
Land at Stainsby Hall Farm,
Middlesborough
· Productive arable land
· Amenity woodland
· Fronting onto the A174 / A19
· Potential strategic development site
About 230 acres
Park Hall Farm,Spinkhill, Sheffield
· 6 bed farmhouse
· Equine facilities with potential
· Ring fenced holding
· About 24 acres
· More land available
Eddlethorpe Grange,Malton
· 5 Bed main house
· 1 Bed cottage
· Equestrian buildings
· Up to 72 acres
· In lots
 PROPERTY

HARWOOD DALE, SCARBOROUGH – 17 ACRES LAND FOR SALE

BEAUTIFULLY SITUATED, IMMACULATE 148 ACRES, FILEY, NORTH

SMALLHOLDING - 17 ACRES YORKSHIRE
Productive Arable Land. SPS Included
• Grade II Listed, 6 Bedroom Farmhouse
Guide Price: £630,000 (£4239/acre)
• E xtensive Range of Traditional Stone Barns (8,000sq.ft)

• Attractive Grounds and Courtyard Garden

35.5 ACRES, STAINTONDALE,
• 17 acres Grassland and Woodland. NORTH YORKSHIRE
Well Fenced and Productive Grassland
GUIDE PRICE: £800,000
Guide Price: £150,000.
CLOSING DATE: 12pm, 31st July 2009

33.93 ACRES, NAFFERTON,

DRIFFIELD
Productive Grassland/Arable, with 13,200 sq,ft
Clear Span Buildings, Railed
Paddocks and Menage.
LILLING, NEAR YORK - 232 ACRES

5.33 ACRES AND BUILDINGS,

PRODUCTIVE ARABLE FARM IN
GREAT BARUGH, MALTON
THE VALE OF YORK – 232 ACRES
Productive and Well Fenced Grassland with
• Traditional 4 Bedroom House, with Potential to Extend. Range of Traditional Buildings and 6 Stables.
• Range of Farm buildings. Closing Date: 12pm,
17th JULY 2009.
• Approx. 227 Acres of Productive
Arable Land in a Ring Fence.
12.5 ACRES and 45’x 35’ G.P.
• River frontage, Ponds and Amenity Woodland.
BUILDING, FLAXTON, YORK
• SFP Included. Productive Edge of Village Grassland and
• Rural Location, yet close to York. General Purpose Building.
Guide Price: £160,000
FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY
AS A WHOLE OR IN 6 LOTS
5.39 ACRES, AMPLEFORTH, YORK
Attractive Edge of Village Paddock.
Guide Price: £25,000
NEAR DRIFFIELD, EAST YORKSHIRE - 190 ACRES
5 ACRES, NAWTON, HELMSLEY
FULLY EQUIPPED ARABLE/ LIFESTYLE FARM Post and Rail Fenced Edge of Village
WITH CONVERTED BARNS PROVIDING Paddock Land.
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES – 190 ACRES Guide Price: £40,000
• South facing 4 Bedroom Farmhouse.

• Courtyard of Traditional Barns amounting to over 7,000sq. AUCTION RESULT: 1.78 ACRES
ft that provide business and accommodation facilities. – SLINGSBY, MALTON
• Approx 165 Acres of Arable and Grassland. SFP Included. Guide Price: £15,000
SOLD FOR £35,500
• E xtensive Range of Modern Farm Buildings.
(130% OVER GUIDE)
• Equestrian Facilities: Stabling, Ménage, Post and Railed Paddocks.

• 25 Acres Recently Planted Woodland and Trout Pond.

View a full list of farms,
FOR SALE AS A WHOLE OR IN TWO LOTS smallholdings and land at:
www.cundalls.co.uk

15 Market Place, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 7LP T: 01653 697820 F: 01653 698305 E: malton@cundalls.co.uk
40 Burgate, Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18 7AU T: 01751 472766 F: 01751 472992 E: pickering@cundalls.co.uk
10 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ T: 01904 626705 F: 01904 673301 E: york@cundalls.co.uk

www.cundalls.co.uk
FarmersMart Summer 2009 87
 competition

KIDS
Y O R K S H I R E F S A N

A Z O F M U Z G S A N C H

CORNER
F G Y H U O X C A Z O F A

C P A Y X Q E F T M N N L

Competition winners will receive a Case IH Puma 210 D Q L L U M L F F X I F I

and a New Holland T7060 Tractor manufactured
by Britain’s.
L Q A C F O A G A N D N F
For your chance to win complete the show
inspired word search (to the right) and send to
Christian Gallon, The Farmers Mart, Office 1, E G Z L A P D S P N D S A
40 Stockhill Road, Greengates, Bradford BD10 9AX
I O G L D X E O A A E I X
Find the following names:
F A J F N O Y L E G D F I
Yorkshire
Driffield F C J U B N R O F S A R G

Ryedale I O I L V O G L P X L R E
Halifax
R N Z A M A U O O I E T S
WestMorland
Nidderdale D O D T N S O S N N G W M
Penrith
P S S L M P Q M Z X A Y P
Royal
Bakewell P E N R I T H O M S G G I

W D B A K E W E L L O L E

£50 M&S LAST issue’s kid’s

VOUCHER corner solution
Competition Congratulations to James Sanderson of
Lower Highfield Farm at Halton, Nr Lancaster
who won last month’s Kids Corner
1
Q

Well done to Avril McGregor at Dalefoot, Leyburn. U

The answers to the last competition were: 2
1. 150 years B A
2. Driffield 3 4
M I A O W C
3. Winn Family
5 6
A O I N K
For a chance to win £50 M&S vouchers answer the
following questions:
O E
1. W
 ho is Simone’s Nephew one of the young farmers
model competition at the Yorkshire show?
F E
2. How many years are IAE celebrating trading?
3. Who is the Show Director at Driffield I
Send all answers by 31st August 2009 to:
The Farmers Mart Competition G
Unit 1, 40 Stockhill Road 7
Greengates, Bradford BD10 9AX C H E E P
Or e-mail simone@farmers-mart.co.uk

88 FarmersMart Summer 2009

 MACHINERY

Why use a Logic weed wiper?

Put simply: it works! Logic’s weed
wiper, Contact 2000, represents the
very best in weed wiping technology
and is a huge advance over old-style
weed wipers which rely on wicks or
carpet-style rollers.
At the heart of the system is Logic’s
unique cylindrical brush applicator.
The specially chosen long fibres
allow saturation levels to remain high
while at the same time eliminating
unwanted dripping. Approximately
2 - 2.5 litres of herbicide can be
carried by a standard Contact 2000
brush before over-saturation occurs.
The brush contra-rotates so that as
it meets the tall weed, the chemical
is ‘painted’ up the plant and on the
underside of the leaf. The unique to boundaries with no over-spray. allowing higher work rates and high-impact, rotational-moulded
long fibre bristles on the Contact lower chemical concentration plastic—strong and durable
Every aspect of the Contact 2000
2000 brush penetrate between the to be used for an effective kill
has been designed for a purpose: • Professional-quality pumps,
weed stems (particularly important
• The herbicide tank can be spray lines and nozzles are
where growth is dense) delivering a • the offsettable draw bar with
mounted on an ATV rack, used throughout – the positive
one-pass dose to the weed. This is ‘swan neck’ design minimises
or on the drawbar if the pressure system prevents
an important benefit of the Contact flattening of the plant (and
towing vehicle requires dripping and helps avoid
2000 - other systems often require thus shocking it) in advance of
over-saturation.
wiping to be done in two directions the wiper. This arrangement • The metering unit is accurate and
to provide sufficient contact. The also allows easy working provides a controllable method
Contact 2000 thus maximises your under trees and on slopes of keeping the brush system See more at LogicToday.co.uk or
work rate and minimises chemical fully loaded with chemical contact Logic Manufacturing on
• the unique brush applicator
use – and with no ‘drift’ even in 01434 606661 for more details.
gives unrivalled plant contact • The spray tank is made from
breezy weather can be used right up

FarmersMart Summer 2009 89

 CONTRACTORS GUIDE summer 2009
$PWFSJOH
BMM
BSFBT
PG
/PSUI

&BTU
:PSLTIJSF
1BVM+3PF
HESSTON SQUARE BALING A L L M A I Z E O P E R AT I O N S
F R O M S E E D TO C L A M P
“MINI”, “MIDI”, or “BIG”
) *( )
$ " 1"$ * 5 :
. 6 $ ,
413 & " %* /(
Covering all areas of
) & 4 450/
4 26" 3 &
#" - * /(
N o r t h & E a s t Yo r k s h i r e
GRASS TEDDING
i. * / *u
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PS
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( 3 "4 4AND

5 & %%*RAKING
TEL:
/(
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3 " , * /(
01347 811 140
07831 335 697

RICHARD BURNISTON & SON

AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS
Thomas Dirom
Agricultural Contractor
• ROUND & SQUARE BALING & WRAPPING • SUGAR BEET DRILLING Bobcat Hire with Driver • Tractor & Dump Trailer
• 6 ROW HOLMER TANKER BEET HARVESTER • STUBBLE TO STUBBLE Large Rear Discharge Muck Spreader • Ploughing, Combination Drilling
TEL: 07595 070 834 OR 01904 738 245 Forage Wagon Silaging • 230hp Tractor Hire with Driver
Quality work guaranteed!
DEUTZ FAHR TRACTORS & TELEHANDLERS
RATIONAL BEET HARVESTERS & SPARES Tel: Tom on 07787 565298

KBA AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS Stalker Agricultural Contractors

• SILAGE - WHOLE OR PART JOB • SLURRY TANKING & UMBILICAL Ratten Castle, Sowerby Row, Carlisle, Cumbria CA4 0QG
• WHOLE CROP & MAIZE SPREADING WITH INJECTORS
Tel: 016974 762 83 / Mob: 07765 401 993
OR SPLASH PLATE
• HARVESTING • Silage-Making
• TRACTOR HIRE - WITH OR
• MUCK SPREADING WITHOUT DRIVER • Grass Silage
• Whole Crop & Maize Silage
• Ploughing
TEL: 01524 762 467 | MOB: 07899 857 895 • Combination Drilling

If you would like to be included in our Autumn 2009 Guide please contact Grahame Kraft on 01757 229 630

90 FarmersMart Summer 2009

 ww fo
r
w. more
ed
wa infor
rd mat
str ion
ail
er visit
s.c
o.u
k

Moor Lane, Full Sutton, York, YO41 1HX

Tel: 01759 373062 / 01759 368563 (evening)
Fax: 01759 372929
Web: www.edwardstrailers.co.uk