FM online

The NorTh’s Number oNe FarmiNg guide Issue 24 | Autumn 2011

www.Farmers-marT.co.uk

metcalfes move with the times

wilkinsons and lawsons form show winning team

dunswell - last mart standing in east riding

2011 show seasoN sPeciaL

Managing Director/ eDitor Simone Gallon Tel: 01274 610 101 [email protected]

conSULtant eDitor Chris Berry Tel: 0113 2643 645 [email protected]

aSSiStant eDitor Kate Cragon Tel: 01274 610 101 [email protected]

SaLeS Manager/SUBScriPtionS Ben Walton Tel: 01274 610 101 [email protected]

aDVertiSing accoUnt Manager Nicola Robson [email protected] Damien Downing [email protected]

FeatUre eDitorS Jennifer Mackenzie, Chris Berry, Harold Woolgar, Phil Read

DeSign James Ockelford

The FarmersMart 40 Stockhill Road, Greengates Bradford, BD10 9AX Tel: 01274 610 101 Fax: 01274 621 730 www.farmers-mart.co.uk

We mail to over 10,000 industry contacts with an approximately readership of 30,000 throughout Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland,Berwickshire, Roxburghshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

The FarmersMart is published quarterly by Little 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.

Front cover courtesy of great Yorkshire Show and Driffield Show.

Welcome Well it has been a very busy show season and this edition is jammed packed of various winners from the shows this summer so grab a cuppa and sit down for a very good read!

It was nice to catch up with you all at the shows and I felt the mood out there was positive, even though I know it has been tough out there what with the weather, hay prices and general credit crisis. All I can say on that note is turn the blooming media off and stay focused on your job at hand!

Congratulations goes to L&K Group who have been given planning on their new site and if all goes well it should be up and running in July next year- please go to pages 16-19 for more details.

Another figure we have done a feature on is Tim Coleman who retires as Chairman at Driffield Show in December. Well done to Driffield Show and Tim’s daughter for organizing a fashion show for charity. See pages 20-23 for more details.

Having spoken to our advertisers I have been informed of an advertising scam that has taken their money for a Rural Security brochure and many more titles that never get published! Phil Read our Security Editor has written a piece on what to do if you are called- see page 79 for more details.

I hope you all have a fruitful winter and would you believe a great Christmas and New Year. We will see you in the Winter edition in February 2012.

Or we may see you at Lamma?

Kind regards, Simone ([email protected])

www.facebook.com/thefarmersmart

news ..................................... 4-7

M & D Drilling ............................ 8

World Sheep Dog trials ............ 9

Showtime ........................... 10-13

What’s on ............................... 14

Bayer ....................................... 15

north West auctions ........... 16-19

coleman .............................20-23

J Brindon addy Butchers ....24-26

ccM auction Mart ................... 27

Hampton Steel ........................ 29

LaMMa ..............................30-31

Dean ...................................32-34

Security ................................... 35

Metcalfe ..............................36-37

Frank Hill and Son ...............38-39

Moores................................40-41

Makin .................................42-43

craven ................................44-46

Shipley ..................................... 47

Heigh ..................................48-49

croft Feeds .........................50-51

Harrison ..............................52-54

Dairy ...................................55-56

Farmery ..............................58-59

Pickard ...............................60-61

Staveley ..............................62-65

thompson ...........................66-67

Lemken .................................... 68

Farmwatch ............................... 69

Scrivin ................................ 70-71

Walkers.................................... 72

Peacock and Binnington ...... 74-76

Black ....................................... 77

Foxbridge Machinery ................ 78

Security ................................... 79

Slowen ................................80-81

carter .................................82-83

tindalls ...............................84-85

russells ................................... 86

Des Sykes ................................ 87

Wilkinson and Lawson .........88-91

news ....................................... 92

Young Farmers ......................... 93

Property ................................... 94

Farming People ...................95-96

competitions ........................... 97

contractors .............................. 98

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 £15 (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: [email protected]

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address .................................................................................................................................................

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contents

FarmersMart Autumn 2011 3

news

C O N T R A C T S E R V I C E S

FOR ALL YOUR FARMCLEANING REQUIREMENTSMobile steam/pressure cleaning; Engine driven washers;

Livestock Housing; Buildings; Feed Bins; Plant & Machinery Vehicles.Also Ground based high level vacuumm cleaning and

pressure washing.

Over 20 years experience.

Gutter Cleaning. Blocked gutter & valleys can lead to wet animal bedding, unhappy animals and additional expense.

Gutters up to 50’ cleaned from the ground.

Solar Panel Cleaning. Research in America has shown that just 2 grams of dust per m2 can reduce panel output by up to 30%.Using a specially designed brush and water filtration system we

can remove all surface contamination from your panels.

Tel 07771 933560 orFree Phone 0800 2343133

[email protected]

Criminals are systematically targeting farms across Yorkshire and the North East with a 12% rise in ‘agri-crime’ in 2010.

New figures from the UK’s leading rural insurer NFU Mutual, reveal that the rise in theft to agriculture in north eastern areas of the country is estimated to have cost £9.2 million in 2010. This reflects a nationwide

trend where almost two thirds (62%) of NFU Mutual branches reported an increase in rural crime in their area.

While nationally, thieves have targeted expensive tractors, heating oil, scrap metal and livestock, the theft of power tools such as chainsaws, lawnmowers and jet-washers topped the list of items targeted by rural criminals in Yorkshire. Tractors came in second

followed by the theft of quad bikes.

When asked about the main reason thieves target the countryside, 41% of branches said the fact it was such a sparse area made it difficult to police, with 32% claiming there was less chance of thieves being seen. 23% thought relaxed attitudes towards to security measures could also be a factor.

Commenting on the issue of rural crime Andrew Moss, NFU Mutual Agent in Beverley, said: “People living and working in rural areas of Yorkshire and the north need to be vigilant and keep working with police and local communities to help fight rural crime.”

www.nfumutual.co.uk

‘Agri-crime’ on the rise in Yorkshire

Black Grouse have made a comeback in the Scottish Borders with an increase of nearly 70% on the 2010 count. A recent survey undertaken by The Southern Uplands Partnership recorded 390 lekking males this spring in comparison to 230 last year.

Upland sporting estates were shown to have contributed over 300 to the total, with birds now showing signs of spreading into adjoining areas. 52 were counted at the

Duke of Buccleuch’s Bowhill Estate, near Selkirk, where teams have been working closely with the local community to improve habitats.

Black Grouse are one of the most rapidly declining birds in the UK. Habitat management linked with legal predator and parasite control as seen to be the catalyst for restoring the fortunes of this iconic bird.

Derek Goodwin, Head Grouse Keeper at Bowhill Estate, commented, “We are really passionate about seeing

BlAck groUse mAke A comBAck in the scottish BorDersDUke of BUccleUch’s estAte sees increAse of over 120%

Curtis Wool Direct Ltd are experiencing a significant increase in market share and turnover in their wool and combed top merchanting and processing businesses.

They continue with their businesses in the Shetland Islands and their exclusive Real Shetland wool ranges and in New Zealand with bases in both the North and South Islands. They are seeking further expansion and to this end, wool and wool top traders are required with immediate effect.

Simon Curtis, Joint Managing Director, said, “We are experiencing unprecedented growth in our business and we need additional salespeople to join our existing team of traders.”

Curtis Wool have also invested heavily into their wool processing businesses, Haworth Scouring and Haworth Combing. Haworth can scour up to 1,000,000kgs of greasy wool per week and are the largest processors of British and Viking wool.

David Gisbourne, Managing Director of Haworth said, “We continue to invest to make sure the product we produce is the very best we can make it.”

Haworth are also looking for additional personnel, including a Deputy Managing Director who will work directly with David Gisbourne.

www.curtiswooldirect.co.uk

cUrtis Wool AnD hAWorth scoUring comPAnies on the eXPAnsion trAil AgAin

the Black Grouse population flourish. We have been working alongside the Southern Uplands Partnership to address key ways we can work to

improve the habitat for these birds.

www.bowhill.org www.sup.org.uk

FarmersMart Autumn 20114

news

www.machinery4agriculture.com

Specialising in Used Agricultural Equipment

Wanted: All types of farm machinery and equipment. Good prices paid.

Sumo Trio 3m £10,450Slurry Vac1500gal Tanker £3,950

NRH 3m Ring Front Press AS NEW £3,5506m Hyd Folding Rollers, Breaker Rings £2,450

Tel: 07793 742543 / 01937 841371Email: [email protected]

Every dog has its day. That day came for the first time in three decades for Robert Fielden, of Speke Edge Farm, Todmorden, at the summer sale of working sheep dogs at Skipton Auction Mart, Friday 22nd July 2011.

Selling his first dog in 30 years and his first at the high profile North Yorkshire venue, Mr Fielden achieved the highest price of the day from the 130-strong entry – 66 of which ran in the field - when his 22-month-old black and white Border Collie dog Zac sold for 3,800gns (£3,990).

Craven Cattle Marts’ General Manager Jeremy Eaton said: “Buyers were selective and while there was a shortage of top quality dogs, there were plenty of genuine working dogs to be had at prices that didn’t break the bank.”

Broken registered dogs averaged £2,094, unregistered broken dogs £551, registered part-broken dogs £679 and unregistered part-broken

roBert fielDen heADs fielD At skiPton Working Dogs sAle

CCM Working Sheep Dogs Robert Fielden-Shaun Richards

The CLA in the North says that there is increasing use of websites and social networking to glean information, should underline the value of ensuring that sources are reliable.

Douglas Chalmers, Director CLA North said: “In subjects such as legal issues, taxation and contracts, being even slightly wrong could lead to serious financial implications or even breaking the law. We are accountable to our members for the information we supply and that is always based on experience, expertise and a huge amount of research.

“The message therefore is twofold. Firstly, if you do network, don’t

just pass on information without checking it. If it is wrong you could get your contacts into trouble or cost them money.

Secondly, take good advice by going to an expert, or your trade or membership organisation. They will have your interests at heart. The financial or legal consequences of getting it wrong may be serious and irrevocable.”

Douglas chalmers, Director cLa north. t: 015395 67597 m: 07764 588 475 e: [email protected] www.cla.org.uk

Don’t let fActs Become A cAsUAltY of the informAtion Age, sAYs clA

The National Beef Association is worried that cash starvation is already forcing an unwanted contraction in UK beef production.

It would like the major banks, and other lending institutions, to either raise overdraft limits, or offer other credit, so suckled calf breeders can replace culled females and cattle feeders have the funds to buy a full yard of autumn feeding cattle.

“Banks appear either not to understand the urgent need for beef farmers to secure credit that reflects recent leaps in the value of store and breeding stock,” explained NBA Director, Kim Haywood.

“Current turnover on a cattle farm is 20-30 per cent higher than it was during the last financial year but regular borrowing limits have not been raised to match it,” said Ms Haywood.

“As a result breeders are cashing their cull cows at record prices to maintain cash flow instead of using credit to re-stock their herds. Raised credit limits are urgently required if the UK beef industry is to maintain its much needed output over 2012-2013.”

Kim Haywood. nBa Director. tel 01830 520131 / 07967 698936

DAnger of severe Beef herD contrAction BecAUse BAnk creDit hAs still to mAtch the increAse in overAll fArm tUrnover

dogs £199. There were also 20 pups on parade, registered youngsters averaging £265 and unregistered £142.

www.ccmauctions.com/ sheepdogs.asp Further information contact John Bell on 01757 638281

FarmersMart Autumn 2011 �

news

neW erA At fArmWAYFarmway is to change its status from an Industrial and Provident Society to a Private Limited Company.

This conversion marks a new era for Farmway’s business, which was established in 1964, and provides a platform for taking the business forward. Farmway’s Chairman, Malcolm Rayfield, commented. “This conversion gives us greater flexibility in how we run our business for the benefit of our customers and shareholders in the rural communities we serve throughout the North-East.”

Mr Rayfield continued, “Whilst the legal structure of our business will change as a result of this conversion I’m pleased to confirm

that Farmway will continue to trade with its customers and partners as before.”

Peter Hull, Farmway’s Chief Executive, added, “The new structure will enable the business to seek opportunities to develop the products and services offered to Farmway customers.”

Following the conversion three members of the executive team have been appointed to the Board as directors of the company. Peter Hull is Chief Executive, Simon Bishop is Operations Director and John Richardson is Finance Director and Company Secretary.

www.farmway.co.uk

Optigain Sheep contains a full range of vitamins and trace minerals making it an ideal supplement for critical periods in the productive cycle. It includes the unique blend of vitamin E and natural antioxidants, making it an ideal supplement for pregnant and lactating ewes.

oPtigAin sheeP Pre-tUPPing

Optigain Sheep + Cu includes copper, therefore copper requirement must be established on farm before using this product.

Optigain Sheep contains:

• vitamins

• chelated minerals

• amino acids

• natural vitamin E

• natural antioxidants

Making optigain the ideal supplement to enhance your flocks performance.

Optigain is available from Downland franchisees, operating throughout the UK.

At Countryside Live, eleven year old Richard Lancaster of Clitheroe, Lancashire went straight to the top of the class when he took the Young Handlers’ Sheep Championship. Young Richard took home prize money and three trophies - the Northern Counties Livestock Glass Trophy, a Perpetual Trophy given by Mr P Hughes and Mrs C R Fawcett and the Hannah Brown Trophy, given by Hannah Brown of Bedale, North Yorkshire.

Runner up was 7 year old Jake Clough of Pickering who won the under 8 years section.

Young Beef Handler winners were:

Champion:Charlotte Alford, aged 13 of Cullompton, Devon, winner of the 12 years and under section. She received the Tom Swales Memorial Trophy and NCLS glass trophy. Joanne Dale, aged 15, of Howden, Goole, won the 13 - 16 year section

www.countrysidelive.co.uk

eleven YeAr olD fArmer is toP of the clAss

the teAm


news

www.feedservices.co.uk

Tel: 01759 318230Mobile: 07811 432127

Email: [email protected]

Moist Grain StorageRoll and store your grain for the winter months

The National Beef Association would like Natural England to give up its role as the authority that oversees licensing for Defra’s proposed TB controls. The Association believes Animal Health would be better placed to take over this responsibility, as well as monitoring the general conduct of the cull itself.

The NBA’s TB committee, which met at Bristol earlier this year, has issued a statement in which it disapproves of Natural England’s lack of enthusiasm for the important tasks required of it by Government and industry – and questions its neutrality on the badger culling issue.

Taken from the statement NBA’s TB committee said, “Natural England, even though it has accepted the job as licensing authority for

the proposed badger cull, has nevertheless made clear that it is not keen to take on the work and also has reservations about the effectiveness of badger culling itself.

“This being the case the principle competent authority to oversee the proposed badger cull is the Government’s own Animal Health department”.

For more information contact: Bill Harper, chairman, nBa tB committee. tel 07831 099182 Kim Haywood, nBa Director. tel 0131 3361754 / 07967 698936

nBA tB committee WAnts AnimAl heAlth to rePlAce nAtUrAl englAnD As licensing AUthoritY AnD co-orDinAtor of ProPoseD BADger cUll

The Livestock Auctioneers’ Association has become the latest supporter of The Prince’s Countryside Fund which celebrated its first anniversary in July.

The Fund supports farm crisis charities through a dedicated emergency funding system, reconnects consumers with countryside issues and helps improve the sustainability of British farming and rural communities.

Chris Dodds, Executive Secretary of the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association says, “As auctioneers we are in touch with some of the more remote farming communities and this fund has an important role to play in providing much needed help and support,” he added.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund has raised well over £1 million for rural communities. It achieves this by using donations from a range of businesses and distributing the money to charitable projects and other good causes to improve the long term viability of the British countryside in its rural communities.

“We are delighted that The Livestock Auctioneers Association are supporting the Fund as they can provide support to the Fund in a number of ways.” commented Victoria Harris, Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

chris Dodds, executive Secretary, Livestock auctioneers association 01697 475 433 / 07885 731 502 [email protected]

AUctioneers to sUPPort rUrAl chAritY

Beef producers could save at least £21 a head on expensive straw bedding costs this winter by delaying housing by six weeks and maximising the nutritional potential of late season grass.

With straw already costing upwards of £125/tonne in the west of the country, housed bedding costs will be running at more than 60p/head/day on some farms – and that’s before taking into account any feed costs, points out David Thornton from Rumenco.

“Housed cattle require about 5kg/head/day of bedding straw, so if you are able to delay bringing your stock inside for six weeks you’ll need

210kg/head less straw this winter, saving a minimum of £21/animal,” he says.

David Thornton says it is perfectly feasible on many farms to leave young stock or suckler cows outside for longer, particularly when underfoot conditions are relatively dry.

“If you are able to feed the silage you would have fed inside in ring feeders outside at grass, and then supplement this forage and what grazing is still available with Rumevite High Energy and Protein blocks you will be better off financially,” he claims.

www.rumenco.co.uk

eXtenD grAZing seAson to cUt eXPensive strAW costs


m & d drilling

Borehole Construction• Irrigation• Agricultural• Industrial• Domestic

Borehole Pumps• Removed and Replaced

Water Purification• Filtration• Sterilisation• Softening

Water Distribution• Pressure Booster Sets• Under and Over Ground

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Telephone 01302 789011Ralph 07976 634802Wayne 07989 075528

M&D Drilling Co Limited have been operating in excess of 25 years drilling boreholes and providing associated services

for many different applications ranging from Domestic, Agricultural and Industrial.

We have been providing complete borehole packages for over 30 years. Our expertise is not just limited to drilling boreholes, but includes a detailed analysis of your water

quality requirements. We provide a full turnkey installation, incorporating energy saving technology, for instance variable speed drive for pumps to reduce electricity costs.

sAve moneY With A Borehole Our expertise allows for the design and build of water treatment plants to ensure water meets drinking water standards and is also tailored to a farms specific water quality requirements. Our customer list is extensive and includes Dairy, Pig, Beef, Chicken and Duck farms, Spray irrigation, Golf Courses, Leisure Centres, Retirement Homes and many more.

the benefits of a borehole

There are many reasons why a borehole could benefit you, here are just a few:

The most common is commercial, in excess of 90% of your water bill can be saved, since a borehole abstraction below 20,000 litres per day is exempt from licensing and is essentially free. Any business spending £1,000 per quarter or above would get a payback within two to three years.

Many farms suffer from poor water pressure and poor quality which can result in an inadequate supply to livestock or properties, even in a dry season a borehole will continue to supply at a constant flow and pressure.

Why us and what we offer

We will investigate your site geology using hydro-geological maps and historical records and since everything is not scientific we include a pre drill water dowsing survey. We will provide you with an accurate assessment of costs for the full project which will include:

• Free site visit

• Borehole construction

• Test pump and water laboratory analysis of the water

• Free visit to discuss your final plant design and costs based on the water analysis

• Full installation and commissioning

• Continued support and service

Feel free to visit our website at www.md-drilling.co.uk or for a no obligation discussion, contact ralph by phone on 07976 634802 or leave a message at the office on 01302 789011.

FarmersMart Autumn 2011�

world sheep dog trials

Irish eyes were smiling when James McGee, of Ballybofey in County Donegal, was crowned world champion at the 2011 World Sheep Dog Trials - and the Irish handlers landed the overall team championship.

Mr McGee and his dog Becca , fourth at the last World Trials in 2008, achieved their biggest ever success in the 4th International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) World Trials - the ‘Olympics’ for working sheep dogs and their handlers.

The four-day event, the first to be held in England, was staged at the Lowther Estate, near Penrith in Cumbria, when a total of 240 dogs and their handlers from 23 nations competed for the ‘top dog’ title. (Sept 15-18)

Sheep farmer Mr McGee and eight-year-old Becca are among the best-known and most successful triallists on the sheep dog circuit in recent years, having secured countless accolades, among them two Irish

irelAnD’s JAmes mcgee AnD BeccA lift 2011 WorlD sheeP Dog triAls croWn

Nationals and high placings in International Trials.

He said after taking the coveted title: “I am delighted, more so for the Becca than myself. She is probably the best dog I have ever owned and will be retired after today.”

Mr McGee also earned glowing praise from defending World Trials champion, Aled Owen, of Corwen, North Wales, who just failed the qualify for this year’s finals. He said: “I think Becca peaked today. She had a very good run. James richly deserves to take over my crown.”

Runner-up, after leading the field for most of the day, was Serge van der Zweep and his four-year-old dog Eve from the Netherlands, who just missed out on what would have been a first-ever success for a non-home nations competitor since the trials, held every three years, first began in 2002.

In third place was another Irishman, the youngest member of the team, Michael Gallagher and his seven-year-old dog Cap, from Armoy, County Antrim. The renowned pair won the 2010 International Trials and finished fourth at this year’s renewal.

Second place behind Ireland in the top team awards went to Norway, with the Netherlands finishing third. Prizes were presented by the Earl and Countess of Lonsdale, with the new World Trials champion receiving a cheque for £3,000, plus a gold dog whistle from dog food manufacturer Gilbertson & Page.

www.worldsheepdogtrials.org

JAmes mcgee AnD BeccA, 2011 WorlD sheeP Dog triAls chAmPions.

FarmersMart Autumn 2011 �

showtime

Glorious sunshine and a thrilling climax to three days’ show jumping brought the 153rd Great Yorkshire Show to a close, with the visitor numbers just a touch below the all time record of 135,111 established in 2006. This year 135,086 people came through the gates of what is acknowledged as England’s premier agricultural show.

Guests included HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, who delighted the crowds as they toured the showground, adding an extra hour to their visit as they chatted to visitors and exhibitors. Record figures in the competitive classes with around 1,000 cattle, 2,000 sheep, over 2,000 horses and 400 pigs underlined show’s popularity with exhibitors.

Marking the start of preparations for next year’s Great Yorkshire, the outgoing President, Sir Ken Morrison handed over the staff of

office to his successor, Raymond Twiddle.

Commenting on the three days, Bill Cowling, Show Director said: “We have had a tremendous Great Yorkshire Show, superb crowds, record entries across the competitive classes and lovely weather. Our aim is to provide a great day out and showcase the farming industry. I believe we have achieved that, re-enforcing our reputation as England’s premier show.”

The roll of honour at the 2011 Great Yorkshire Show included:

Livestock

Winner of the Burke Beef Trophy Trophy: An Aberdeen Angus pair shown by Peter Whittaker and Fraser Cormack of Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland.

Supreme Beef Champion: A 6 year old Beef Shorthorn bull, Trojan

thrilling climAX to the 2011 greAt Yorkshire shoW

of Craigeassie belonging to Sally Horrell of Peterborough

Supreme Dairy Champion: Holstein fourth calver, Saxelby Goldwyn Rose owned by Robert and Elaine Butterfield of Bentham, Lancashire

Supreme Sheep Champion: a home-bred British Rouge ewe shown by Percy Tait, of Worcester.

BPA Pig of the Year: a Welsh gilt shown by Brooksby Empress 32 from Brooksby Melton College, Rugby.

Supreme Pig Champion: a Large White boar, Panorama Prince 20, run by Bleddyn and Chris Beck of Neath, South Wales.

Next year’s Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 10 – Thursday 12 July. The shows are organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk


showtime

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It was another fantastic year for Driffield Show, on the 20th July, with just short of 22,000 visitors. The show ran smoothly and to plan, meaning visitors were keen to leave positive comments about their visit this year.

The only aspect of the day that didn’t quite run to plan was the heavy rain in the afternoon. The show was not to be perturbed however, and visitors and organisers alike mucked in to help keep the show running, making the most of an otherwise brilliant day.

The Fencing, Forestry and Renewables Area was bigger and better than ever. Each year the area is growing in popularity and was again host to Fencing News’ own Annual Fencing Competition. The competition’s entrants and spectators alike are growing in numbers, year on year, with increasing recognition. The demonstration and machinery within the area was also a must see by the show’s visitors this year.

There were 7 entries and what a spectacular event these professional contractors put on! They came

from as far a field as Devon and Warwickshire.

Mike Ford who heads from Tiverton in Devon has been coming for 3 years and won 2009 and 2010 says, “I would not miss this for the world, it’s a real professional event with high calibre contractors.”

Mike came 2nd this year, against winner Charlie Hubbard and his fencing partner Ray Baylis who say, “We were ecstatic to win this event and to beat Mike Ford who has reigned over the last 2 years. Mike is certainly the man to beat!”

Third place went to Dan Critchlow and Anthony Ollerenshaw, who hail from Sheffield. They were disappointed this year having been runner up last year and both say, “It’s a great competition.”

It was also another great year for livestock entries at the show. Handicraft and horticultural entries were higher than ever before and the new Pond and Demonstration area was also a big hit.

Driffield show are already considering improvements for next year’s show as well as new, exciting events and stands to keep making

A fAntAstic YeAr for DriffielD shoW

the event better each year. After such a wonderful show this year they understand the importance of making each and every year triumph over the last. After the success of this years improved Fencing, Forestry and Renewables Area there are plans to develop this area again in time for next years show.

Another highlight of this year’s show was, without doubt, the JC Balls Dancing Diggers, who wowed their audience with dance moves performed by JCB’s in the Main Ring. Both Children and adults were amazed by their performance,

bringing something a little out of the ordinary to the show.

Driffield Show would like to pay tribute to Simone and her team at Fencing and Landscaping News for holding their Fencing Competition at the show, as it is now clearly becoming an integral part of the show. The 4th Annual Fencing Competition will be held on the 18th of July next year at the Driffield Show.

For more information visit www.driffieldshow.co.uk

one of the Winners


showtime

thursday 12th January Farmstar Open Day

Second Week in January Ripon Farm Services Open Day

Saturday 12th - Sunday 13th May Newark & Nottinghamshire County Show

Saturday 19th May Otley Show, Otley Showground

thursday 24th May Beef expo, Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire

DiArY DAtes

shoWtime 2011hAving A BreAk?

helP! i love YoU

stArt them YoUng

hAnD it over! hAPPY! is thAt All!

mine’s Bigger thAn YoUrsso cUte!nice oneJimmY hAving A gAB!


showtime

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Record numbers of visitors poured through the gates and enjoyed two action-packed days at this year’s Countryside Live. (Sat 21 and Sun 22 October)

Organisers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society announced a final gate figure of 10,700 beating last year’s previous record of 10,221.

Now in its ninth year, Countryside Live is held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate and includes the best of British livestock along with rural activities and demonstrations which appeal to all the family.

Bill Cowling, Show Director, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have another record attendance – our third in four years. It’s clear that Countryside Live appeals to both the farming community and the general public.”

In the cattle section, it was the Welsh who headed home with the

silverware taking both the Supreme and Reserve beef championships. Tecwyn Jones of North Wales collected the top award with his black Limousin X steer, Jager Bomb. Weighing 654kg, the steer has already taken eight championships and six interbreed titles, and will doubtless go on to win further awards at forthcoming shows. Glyn Howatson’s homebred heifer, Minni M had to be content with Reserve. She had earlier won Champion Limousin Heifer.

www.countrysidelive.co.uk

coUntrYsiDe live 2011 – An All time recorD

Entries for the 2011 Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show (12 & 13 November) have been rolling in so fast that nearly all the indoor hall and marquee space is fully booked – very soon entries will have to be allocated outside positions.

The 2011 show, now in its ninth year and breaking records for exhibit and visitor numbers year-on-year, will have John Deere and Lanz as its feature tractors. And, as a result of the huge demand for space last year, the feature marquee will be bigger than ever; a massive 3,600 square metres.

The show’s organisers are offering a special Weekend Camping package which includes on-site

camping with two adult tickets for both days of the show at just £45.00 when prepaid (children under 17 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult). All advance ticket sales carry discounted prices with adults at £8.50 (a saving of £1.50 on the gate price) and Over-60’s Internet tickets at just £6.50 (saving £2.00 on the gate).

Gates open at 9.00am on both days, closing at 5.00pm on Saturday and 3.30pm on Sunday.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit: www.newarkshowground.com or call 01636 705796.

it’s neArlY A fUll hoUse (inDoors) At neWArk

The 97th Wensleydale Show held in Leyburn was a success attracting a sizable crowd and record entries.

Mr David Ford the Show Chairman estimated the attendance at approximately 7,000 including exhibitors, slightly up on last year. He said, “It was a successful day in spite of the weather. It could potentially have been a record event for us, with sunshine.”

With a full programme of events in

the main ring, top billing was Moto-Stunts International Display Team, a team of 8-10 riders including Britain’s top female motorcycle stunt rider. They performed skilled tricks and freestyle display jumping and motorcycle stunts with riders from just 7 years of age with cars, motor bikes, quads, and specialist vehicles.

As a traditional agricultural show there were over 3,000 entries this year an all time high. Whilst some

recorD entries for WensleYDAle shoW

sections were down slightly, others saw a slight increase.

Horticultural, handicraft and home craft sections al proved popular, as well as a flower and a vegetable show. A vintage section included tractors, cars, and steam traction engines. Walking stick

competitions, sheep dog trials, open competition, hounds and beagles and dry stonewalling proved as ever very popular

For full results visit www.wensleydaleshow.org


what’s on

The National Beef Association is to stage its renowned annual industry showcase, Beef Expo 2012, at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on Wednesday May 23rd

and Thursday May 24th next year.

The Beef Expo is the premier event for the cattle industry in the 2012 agricultural calendar and according to

the AnnUAl Beef eXPo is BAck At mAlvern for 2012

With the launch of the completely new MF 7600 Series, Massey Ferguson is introducing four high power, lightweight and versatile tractors. These combine well-proven, award-winning technology with the latest fuel efficient engines along with additional operator comfort and control.

The MF 7600 Series can be specified with either the Dyna-6 Eco, semi-powershift or Dyna-VT continuously variable transmission. All are equipped with the latest AGCO SISU POWER e³ engines with Generation 2 Selective Catalytic Reduction. These provide maximum powers of 185hp to 235hp, as well as Power Management.

A completely redesigned cab for the MF 7600 increases visibility and provides more interior space with extra comfort. Users can choose from three specification levels, with new control options, to match their requirements. Externally the MF 7600 Series now follows the same stylish and practical family lines as the MF 8600.

“Massey Ferguson introduced the concept of the lightweight, strong chassis high power tractor to mainstream large-scale farmers and contractors,” says Campbell Scott, Massey Ferguson’s Brand Development Manager and Director of Sales Engineering.

“The excellent power to weight ratios, long wheelbase and highly efficient engines, allied to most up-to-date useful technology and exceptional comfort, together provide an outstanding combination

mAsseY fergUson high PoWer mf 7600 series offers toP economY, comfort AnD ProDUctivitY

the Expo Chairman, Paul Westaway, is a must attend occasion for every commercial and pedigree cattle breeder and producer in the UK.

Beef Expo was last staged at the Three Counties showground in Malvern in 2009. Day one begins with visits to leading farms in the counties of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, following by a UK Genetics Showcase of cattle and the highly successful annual industry dinner that attracts over 500 guests including farmers, auctioneers, processors and retailers, to government ministers.

Day two is the main day of the Expo

when visitors can experience a huge array of trade stands, the biggest exhibition of pedigree and commercial cattle in the UK, and a vast array of demonstrations and seminars to meet everyone’s business needs.

Sponsor and trade stand exhibitors should contact event organiser, euan emslie, as soon as possible. tel: 01430 441870 Fax: 01430 448432 Mobile: 07718 908523 [email protected]

of advantages for customers looking for a high performance tractor of this size.”

MF 7600 Series features:

• Four new models from 185hp to 235hp (ISO max). Lightweight and versatile - ideal for all applications from cultivations and crop establishment through to top work and haulage

• Choice of either Dyna-6, semi-powershift or Dyna-VT continuously variable transmissions allows users to select the most appropriate driveline for their applications

• Specification levels to suit all farming operations – Essential, Efficient and Exclusive for MF 7600 Dyna-6 models and Efficient and Exclusive for Dyna-VT versions

• Latest technology AGCO SISU Power e³ engines with Generation 2 Selective Catalytic Reduction reduce fuel consumption and exhaust gas emissions

• Enhanced cab comfort and visibility from new windscreen, slim bonnet and compact cooling package

• New Command Control Armrests and options of new Multipad joystick and multi-function joystick

• New cab suspension choices of mechanical or hydraulic OptiRide Plus

Massey Ferguson is offering the new MF 7600 Series in three versions, Essential, Efficient and Exclusive, equipped with various specification levels to allow users to choose the technology they need to precisely match their specific circumstances.

www.masseyferguson.com


roADshoWs highlight neeD for neW roDenticiDeReports of spiraling costs associated with rodent control and waning effectiveness to traditional baits, were concerning messages highlighted at this year’s Bayer CropScience summer roadshows.

“With the main autumn treatment period approaching in rodent control, the task of getting on top of infestations seem to be becoming more and more difficult for UK farmers,” explains Bayer’s area Sales Manager, Ken Black.

“We had reports from attendees that existing rodent control programmes are simply no longer being effective, with pest numbers subsequently on the rise for many,” he notes.

Figures place the estimated cost to UK farmers as a result of rodent damage as reaching as much as a staggering £25 million a year, he advised. “There’s no doubting the significance and impact of the problem.”

“They’re a very adaptable species,

populations in the UK are emerging with growing resistance to traditional bait formulations, and already a number of different strains have been identified across the country from coast to coast,” he stresses.

“The news that we’re introducing Rodilon®, a brand new second generation rodenticide, containing the first new active ingredient difethialone,

to the UK market in over 20 years obviously attracted real interest from those at the events,” says Ken.

“Farmers are genuinely looking forward to trying the single feed rodenticide and excited by the very prospect of it.

“And it comes in four of the most palatable bait formulations and is available just in time for the crucial autumn treatment period too,”

he adds.

“We’re pleased Rodilon® is already being well received into the market, and encouraged that our new rodenticiwde solution could help answer a clear need within the industry,” says Ken.

www.pestcontrol-expert.com

left: ken BlAck AnD AlAn morris highlighting the ProBlem With rAts

bayer

FarmersMart Autumn 2011 1�

north west auctions

LIVESTOCK HAULAGE SPECIALISTS

Main Office:Station Yard

Oakwell RoadCastle Douglas

KirkcudbrightshireDG7 1LE

We are pleased to be associated with North West Auctions and wish them continued success for the future

Office: 01556 503791Tel: 01556 650361 / 01556 660303Mob: 07810 561330 / 07810 561334Fax: 01556 504003

Agents for Hay and Straw - Quality Prime Lambs Always Available

kenDAl’s neW mArt on scheDUlechris BerrY finDs oUt the lAtest from ADAm DAY

Everything is on course for the brand-new, purpose-built Kendal Mart to open its doors on time next year! Adam Day, managing director of North West Auctions is delighted with the progress being made at the Moss End Farm site.

‘We have been developing the site since July when Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale made time to come along and cut the first sod of earth to start us off.’

‘That was such an exciting moment for everyone concerned with this project, not only for the company but for the farmers that we serve in the South Lakes and North Lancashire. Since July the groundwork has been rapidly taking place and the first steelwork is now going up. We are constructing the three outside units prior to the mart building itself.’

‘The mart building will be up before Christmas allowing us to work on the interior during January. All of the pens will be in place by the end of February. It’s a marvellous achievement given some of the weather our developers have had to cope with.’

You can get regular updates on the progress being made by visiting the website at www.nwauctions.co.uk where there are also artists’ impressions of what some of the interior will look like.

‘We have been very impressed with the development that has taken place so far and we are very much looking forward to opening our

doors in July/August of next year. This new Kendal livestock market and rural business centre is the fulfilment of many years of hard work in planning and negotiation,

but more importantly it is a firm vindication of our commitment to the future of livestock farming.’

‘Our long term business plan is at one and the same time both

positive and prudent. We are always looking to expand where we can and this new site will offer us that greater opportunity to do so. We would like to turn the site

“We hAve Been 10 YeArs BAttling to finD the right PlAce AnD noW it is coming to reAlitY.”

ADAm DAY At the neW kenDAl mArt site


north west auctions

TONY SHARP

Phone 01229716445 Mobile 07860513350

Ifor Williams Trailers

Pleased to beassociated with

North WestAuctions

Email [email protected]

into a 7 day a week facility, offering greater all-round use of the mart building itself to everyone, and it is ideally placed for just that, on the Crooklands roundabout, just yards from the M6.’

Following years of discussion and the traditional ‘blood, sweat and tears’ which have gone before, the site of the new market is, ironically, where those involved first looked at a decade ago. The land has been purchased from local farmer George Robinson who has purposely kept a low profile during negotiations. George and his family have been involved with Kendal Mart for

many years and the timing of the mart’s move has proved right for both the mart itself and his family commitments.

‘Ten years ago my two sons were at home farming, but our circumstances have changed. I no longer run a dairy herd as the costs of renewing milking parlour equipment were too high. I’ve sold 26 acres to the mart.’

Trevor Wilson is a farmer and one of the eight directors of NW Auctions which includes Lancaster and Kendal.

continUes Pg 18ADAm DAY AnD mP tim fArron With the DeveloPer

tim fArron mP AnD trevor Wilson With the kenDAl teAm


20 Slyne Road, Bolton-le-Sands, Carnforth , Lancashire. LA5 8BQTel. / Fax 01524 822192 Mobile Tel. 07946 819467

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.Plastic & galvo. water troughs, bowls & footbaths.

Cattle & Sheep feed troughs, hayracks, feed rings, barriers, creeps etc.

Pleased to support North West Auctions for over 40 years

JAMES STEWART(Agricultural Sales)

We are proud to beassociated with

North West Auctions

Riverside Business Park, Natland Road, Kendal, LA9 7SXProviding a comprehensive total farm animal service.

Fertility, nutrition, mastitis, worming and health planning adviceincluding NWDA health initiative and Dairy Co Mastitis plans.

Telephone: 01539 72269224hr emergency service

Also at: Tithe Barn Veterinary Centre, Kirkby LonsdalePart of the XLVets Group

[email protected]

www.xlvets.co.uk

north west auctions

fArmer george roBinson Who hAs solD the lAnD to kenDAl mArt

‘We have been 10 years battling to find the right place and now it is coming to reality. We cannot wait to be in and trading. If you had a pin and could pick an ideal location for a livestock market anywhere in the country I think this would be in the top three. The road networks are key arteries and the new mart will allow us to promote the best of British and North West agriculture. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re nearly there!’

MP Tim Farron echoes Trevor’s words:

‘This location is perfect. It is easily accessible via both the M6 and A65

and it is a real win-win situation for the people in the town of Kendal and the farmers in this area. The current mart site will now be developed for housing, with half of the homes built being affordable housing, therefore helping young people get on to the property ladder. And here we have a brand new centre which will not only assist the rural economy but also provide more new jobs as the mart and its rural centre grows the way in which Adam and his team are intending.’

www.nwauctions.co.uk


north west auctions

North West Auctions was formed in 2005, following the successful merger of two long-standing independently-run livestock markets – Lancaster Farmers Auction Mart

and Kendal & District Auction Mart. The holding company name is L & K Group plc.

Kendal & District Auction Mart has been in existence for over 100 years,

home to the roUgh fell AnD ‘DroP & go’kenDAl mArt offers fAr more thAn JUst A livestock mArket

as has Lancaster, and the move to the new Crooklands site will be the most significant shift in that time.

The Rough Fell Sheep Breeders Association sees Kendal as its home and breed sales are held annually in the market. Rough Fells are native to Westmorland and the north west corner of the Yorkshire Dales. The breed is exceptionally hardy and requires no housing even in the depths and ravages of winter.

North of England Mule Sheep Society also hosts one of its own breed sales at Kendal every year.

Weekly, fortnightly and monthly sales of livestock are presently held at the town centre auction site. Weekly sales, held each Tuesday, are of rearing calves, prime hoggs and cast ewes, with dairy cattle also being sold every other week on a Tuesday.

There is a fortnightly sale, held on Thursdays, which includes cast and feeding cows, store and breeding cattle and store lambs.

The mart also operates what it terms a ‘Drop & Go’ service for those farmers who are either short-handed on the farm and therefore haven’t the time to spend at the mart, or simply cannot fit everything into their working day. This way, with ‘Drop & Go’ you can simply take your stock to market and leave the rest to Kendal Mart staff. They will pen, sort, sell and then ring you to let you know how well you’ve done.

if you would like to know more about this or any of Kendal Mart’s services give them a call on 01539 816210 or visit their website on www.nwauctions.co.uk

roUgh fell sheeP Being shoWn At WestmorlAnD coUntY shoW this YeAr


tim coleman

Please contact Andrew, Mave or James

• Heating Oil, Gas & Diesel• Local & Reliable Deliveries• Commercial & Agricultural Fuel• Domestic Home Heating Oil

• Lubricants Fuel Cards• Fuel Tanks & Lubricants• Home Or Commercial Heating Oil• Agricultural & Industrial Oils

AMK Fuel Services LtdTel: 01377 318984

Pleased to support Tim Coleman and wishing him continued success for the future

Putting on a show has become a large part of the Coleman family’s life, particularly in the past couple of years. And even more specifically in the course of one week in October.

I turned up at their Church Farm home in Speeton, between Flamborough and Filey, to find a marquee running from their house

to the edge of the road. It had been put there for a week in order that the family could celebrate daughter Polly’s 21st and Tim and Janet’s silver wedding anniversary.

They have two other daughters, Fran and Annabel and it was her that spotted her own big show opportunity when she knew that a

marquee was going to be up and to be unused for much of the week. More of that later.

Tim Coleman has been chairman of Driffield Agricultural Society for the past two years and relinquishes his role next month (December). During his tenure Driffield Show has changed and exciting new

developments have been put under way for the showground. The livestock have moved to a new, improved and enlarged area; the national Fencing News-sponsored fencing competition has grown and will grow again next year; and the Driffield Events Centre has now had its plans approved.

fAshion on the fArm At sPeetonchris BerrY tAlks With tim AnD AnnABel colemAn At chUrch fArm


tim coleman

Complete planting ServiCe

HarveSting and leading

traCtor and trailer Hire available

Call mark on 07971673852

pleaSed to Support tim Coleman and family and wiSH tHem

Continued SuCCeSS for tHe future

M a r k W a r k u ppotato ContraCtor

Tel: 01262 470 246Fax: 01262 470 502Mob: 07889 081804E-mail: [email protected]

Agricultural Contractors

We are pleased to be associated with Tim Colemanand wish him continued success for the future.

DAviD WooDCoCkDAviD WooDCoCkDAviD WooDCoCk

Burton Fleming, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 3PS

‘Tangibly, we’ve not achieved a lot just yet, but what we have done is to set the wheels of change in motion. Myself, Paul (Walker) who is currently vice-chairman and Show Director David Tite have worked well together and with others, and we have now had the planning permission approved for the new Events Centre. We are now busy trying to secure the grant money as the building will cost in the region of £2.3m.’

The Coleman family has farmed in Speeton for the past four generations, Tim being the fourth generation. His father Chris, who

is well known for his Leicester Longwool sheep, is still involved too. He still keeps a flock of around a dozen ewes.

‘We are very much a family farm, owner-occupiers and have 480 acres in one block, which incorporates Church Farm and Greenlands Farm. Most of our land is between Speeton and Bridlington and we are an arable farm growing wheat, malting barley, oats and oilseed rape. The wheat makes up half the acreage. It is good to have had some stability in price in recent

continUes Pg 22

tim, AnnABel AnD JAnet colemAn At chUrch fArm


times and I have already locked-in some of my wheat at £140-£150/tonne for next November in order to cope with the volatility that can occur.’

‘We also operate a potato growing company called Greenlands Potatoes Ltd., which I am in partnership with my co-director Mark Warkup. That takes in a further 300 acres and we grow on various other farmers’ land as far west as Burton Agnes. We grow crisping potatoes for KP and packing potatoes for companies who pack for various supermarkets.’

They started growing potatoes back in 1987 on just two and a

half acres. At that time they had a substantial beef operation on the farm, finishing around 250 bulls a year. But the potatoes soon took over.

‘I felt we were turning over a lot of money on the cattle without seeing much out of them. That’s when we made the decision to let the capital out of the beef side and into the potatoes.’

The latest change on the farm has been ceasing growing vining peas, which has been replaced by oilseed rape.

Janet works at Filey School; Fran has recently finished her Hispanic

tim coleman

sAllY conner of rABi


Masstock have provided agronomy support to

Tim Coleman for many years and wish him every success

for the future.

Pocklingon Office Tel: 01759 301144

Partners in profitable farmingwww.masstock.co.uk

A little thAnk YoU from shoW Director DAviD tite i WoUlD like to thAnk tim for his Work As chAirmAn of DriffielD AgricUltUrAl societY. it hAs Been A tAXing coUPle of YeArs, PArticUlArlY in getting the neW-BUilD of the events centre into PlAnning, BUt it hAs Also Been A verY sUccessfUl time. this YeAr’s WeAther on shoW DAY mADe it A chAllenging YeAr for Us too, BUt it hAs AlWAYs Been A PleAsUre Working AlongsiDe tim.

Studies at Edinburgh University and by the time you read this will be working in Madrid; Polly is in her placement year with Carter Jonas in York. She is studying Real Estate and Land Management at Harper Adams University; and Annabel is in the second year of her A levels at Worksop.

Annabel sees her future in fashion and wants to study at Northumbria University next year. This is not something she has thought about on a whim and when she knew there was going to be a marquee at home she seized her opportunity to turn a dream into reality.

‘Having been inspired by the fashion show I saw at the Great Yorkshire Show a few years ago I really wanted to organise one for Driffield Show. That hasn’t come about as yet, but when I found out we were to have a marquee at home in October half-term for a week, stood there doing nothing, I thought that I could do something with it.’

Annabel spoke with her mum about her plans. She then made an appointment to see David Tite and Sally Conner, with the intention of her fashion show raising funds for both Driffield Agricultural Society and the Royal Agricultural

Benevolent Institution. She also approached all of the fashion companies she wanted; engaged the models, the light and sound man and got hold of a sponsor for the food and wine.

‘I knew I wanted something different for everyone, something that would bring lots of different people in. So we had a mix of bikinis, beautiful hats and tweed clothing. Linda Bratley’s hats from the Lovely Hat Company are incredible. We also had bikinis from Starfish beachwear. I think it’s nice in winter to see summer wear. The tweed was on show from Tweed

and Country; including the By Sophie Jayne label.’

One of the lessons Annabel has already learned is to thank those who have assisted her.

‘Without Sally Conner, who helped me immensely with the organising of the event; and Cheryl Nicholson in the Driffield Agricultural Society office, I really wouldn’t have been able to make the evening the success it was. We sold nearly 200 tickets, raised a lot of money for the two organisations in the process, gave everyone a good night out I hope – and who knows, maybe Driffield Show might have a fashion show on the day of the show once the Events Centre is built?’

Annabel has certainly got the bit between her teeth so far as the organisation of future fashion shows is concerned – and her dad recognises what she has done.

‘This is a great way of testing the water. Annabel has done a marvellous job and everyone really did enjoy themselves on the evening.’

For more information call 01723 890316

tim coleman


addy butchers

CibroAccountants and Business Advisers

Whitby Court, Abbey Road, Shepley, Huddersfield, HD8 8ER

Tel and Fax: 01484 600494 E-mail: [email protected]

“Probably the best butcher in West Yorkshire, we wish him all the best for the future”

At a time when traditional local village shops are becoming increasingly rare, J Brindon Addy’s Butchers is thriving in the village of Hade Edge.

Brindon Addy, owner of J Brindon Addy Butchers, has had a keen interest in butchery since being a

child. “I started a Saturday job at local butchers, New Mill, when I was 11,” Brindon explains. “I knew whilst I was working there that I wanted to have my own shop one day. As soon as I could leave school at 16 I enrolled on a Meat Technology course at Thomas Danby

College in Leeds.”

Having finished the 3 year course in 2 years due to his previous butchery experience, Brindon started work as a Trainee manager at Malton Bacon Factory. After being there 12 months he knew working in factory was not for him and so he moved to

Brook Turner & Sons in Holmfirth as a butcher.

At the age of 21 Brindon bought a transit van, starting up his own light haulage business to create a second income. He was then able to buy his grandparents’ house in Hade Edge which had an adjoining barn.

AWArD-Winning celeBritY BUtcherkAte crAgon visits BUtcher BrinDon ADDY of J BrinDon ADDY BUtchers in hADe eDge, holmfirth

BrinDon With his meAt

DDD


addy butchers

Along with school friend and fellow butcher, David Cannon, Brindon converted the barn into a shop in 1993 and they have never looked back since.

“I was told to take the job in the bacon factory by my lecturer from college as he said there was no future in butchers’ shops. I couldn’t be happier with the decisions we’ve made and given the opportunity I would do it all again!”

Brindon lives with his wife Louise at Carlin Farm where they have a small holding of sheep, which he runs with Brother in law, David Cartwight, on their 90 acres of land. Louise now runs Carlin Farm Foods, a wholesale meat operation supplying to the catering market.

Brindon describes the shops development as gradual, and was spurred on by the ambition of being a member of The Q Guild “The shop has evolved throughout the years. We have grown and altered due to the customer demand. 3 years ago we decided to expand the shop. It was a great decision as the shop space doubled in size. Having the extra room allowed us to have a wider variety of produce available and cater for our growing customer base.” The extension also resulted in the shop being admitted to The Q Guild, which Brindon is now National Vice Chairman of.

J Brindon Addy Butchers attracts

N | B|r |a |m|a |l |l | & | S|o |N | l |t |d |.Wholesale Butcher – British Beef / Lamb / Pork

We are pleased to be associated withJ Brindon Addy

and we wish them continued success for the future.

Tel: 01226 763 011Fax: 01226 763 394

Email: [email protected]

continUes Pg 26

DDD

the teAm


T : 01484 60 80 60F : 01484 697 973E : [email protected] ServiceReception:01484 697989PartsHotline:01484 697980

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customers from far and wide with its premium products, which Brindon insists are all sourced locally. “Buying local meat is very important. We support our local farmers, especially in these difficult times, buying locally keeps down food miles and helps to maintain Britain’s rural economy.”

J brindon Addy’s beef is sourced from Ken Tinker and Mick Wynn. Ken has been supplying the shop since it first opened, with Mick supplying the butchers as sales increased. Their lamb is supplied both from Brindon and Louise’s own farm, as well as George Wood of Carlicotes, whilst their free range pork is supplied by Mark Grant. All of Brindon’s chickens are RSPCA Freedom Food barn-reared chickens from Robert Whitwam of Golcar. Their turkeys are supplied by Heaps, located just down the road from the shop. All of the game sold is sourced locally from the Yorkshire Moors.

Brindon not only enforces his views on supporting local farmers through trade with local farmers, he has also featured in Jamie Oliver’s programme Save Our Bacon! as a guest speaker in 2009. The programme was part of a campaign to support British pig farmers, informing customers about the pork they are buying. Brindon has also been filmed alongside

Kirstie Allsopp, showing her how to make traditional potted meat.

As well as starring on TV, Brindon has built his reputation through achieving many awards. Brindon says, “We have won various awards for our pies and sausages. It is rewarding to receive these achievements for all of our hard work. The awards we are most proud of are Meat Buyer of the Year awarded by Meat and Poultry News and Best Lamb at the National Barbeque Competition.

“We hope in the future we will carry on with our success. At the moment we don’t have any current plans for any more expansion, although we have looked into catering. At the moment this venture is still in the planning stages. With times as they are, the business is still doing very well. Now isn’t the time to make too many big changes.”

For more information visit www.jbrindonaddy.co.uk or call 01484 682897 J Brindon addy Butchers Penistone road Hade edge West Yorkshire HD9 2Jg

ed.note. Delicious pork pies!

addy butchers

oUr JAmie With BrinDon


ccm

Booth sheArling chAmPion At skiPton sWAleDAle rAms shoWA strong shearling ram class was the highlight of the evening show and sale of Swaledale rams at Skipton Auction Mart. (Mon, Oct 11)

The annual fixture for Swaledales, which are the most prominent breed in the region, grows in stature and quality year on year. This year, it attracted a total entry of 118 rams, of which ten sold for 1,000gns and more.

Top performer in the show arena was a shearling ram from North Craven breeders David and Robin Booth, of W A & A Booth, Old Hall Farm, Feizor.

Sired by their Bull and Cave tup, out of a ewe purchased by Gordon Rawsthorne from Stuart Harker at Overthwaite, Kendal, the title-winner, recipient of both the Robert Young Perpetual Challenge Trophy and the M & J Spensley Trophy, sold for 1,000gns to TM Nutter, of Nelson.

In addition, the Booths exhibited the third prize aged ram, a three-shear bred by Kenny Brown, of Barningham, which also made 1,000gns when joining Peter Metcalfe, of Langbar, Ilkley.

John and Claire Mason, of Oddacres Farm, Embsay, champions in 2010 with an aged ram, again presented the best in class, though had to settle for the reserve championship this year with their home-bred three-shear son of a Naby ram from J W Dent & Son, out of a Haltcliffe-sired ewe.

It allowed the Masons to retain the Stephen HK Butcher Trophy for the leading aged ram, which sold for 850gns to Andrew Ogden, of Cowling.

Once again, local Swaledale specialist Roy Nelson, who trades as C Nelson & Sons at Lainger House, Bordley, scooped top price honours.

The Yorkshire Dales showman, who has won multiple Swaledale titles at Skipton over the years, saw his 2011 price-topping shearling, sired by a Tennant Gill ram, out a ewe by a Halfpenny House tup, sell at 1,700gns to Malcolm Handley, of Slaidburn.

In total, Mr Nelson sold seven rams, four at over 1,000gns. Another leading performer was his second prize aged ram, sired by a John White tup, out of a Catchall-sired ewe, knocked down for 1,200gns to

Harold Smith, of Dunford Bridge.

Second top price in show at 1,400gns fell to an aged ram from Saddle End Farms at Chipping. Purchased as a shearling from TW & K Hutchinson at Blunt House, Middleton-in-Teessdale, it was acquired by John Blakey, of Greenhow, Pateley Bridge.

A show class for the ram with the best conformation fell to a shearling

from Bill Cowperthwaite, of Tennant Gill, Malham Moor. Sired by a tup from Andrew Harrison, of High Beck Head, out of a ewe by a sire from David Allinson, of West Brisco, it sold for 1,000gns to David Robinson, of Bradfield, who also paid 900gns for a ram from John Bland, of Crowden.

Aged rams averaged £449.70

(£304 last year) and shearling rams £348.38 (£308). Show judge was Jack Wade, of Catchall, Grassington.

www.ccmauctions.com


hampton steel

PROTECH MACHINERYTRACKED POST DRIVERS – A ONE MAN FENCING MACHINE, SAVE LABOUR, FUEL AND TIME!!

FOR PROTECH SALES PLEASE CALL ANDREW HOOPER ON 07971079751

OR COME AND SEE US AT THE DRIFFIELD SHOW - STAND NO. FC

WOOLRIDGE FARM, GLOUCESTER ROADHARTPURY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, GL19 3BG

e-mail: [email protected]: 01386 750772

www.protechmachinery.co.uk

COMPACT FORTRANSPORT

250KG HAMMER WEIGHT

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TELESCOPIC MAST OPTION FOR 10FT POSTS

Hampton Steel Ltd, UK manufacturer, has moved to the forefront of fixed knot wire fencing with the installation of state-of-the-art machinery at their Northamptonshire plant.

This revolutionary machine, the only one of its kind in Europe, is built to the highest specifications and offers speed and versatility which places it at the top of its class.

Featuring a distinctively smooth and safe X shaped knotted joint, XNET™ offers:

• User specifiable configurations

• Hinged lower or upper sections - ideal for badger and otter applications

• Ease of erection

• Less maintenance

• Up to 500 metre rolls

One of the core features that sets XNET™ is its versatility; mesh sizes can be as varied as the application or sector demands and hinged lower or upper sections are an easy addition to the configuration

so that, for example, the fence can easily be bent through 90 degrees and a section of it laid under the ground – thereby inhibiting access by burrowing animals. Stay wire spacings can be set at between 2” and 48” and line wires can be spaced in 1” increments between 2” and 10” according to the individual’s requirements. XNET™ really can be configured according to customer’s requirements.

Peter Matten, Hampton’s sales manager, said “The versatility of XNET™ is quite staggering; customers can literally design their own configuration. We can manufacture to order at our facility in Northamptonshire. We had an amazing response at our recent launch of XNET™.”

Hampton Steel has also undergone a complete revitalization of their branding, introducing a more contemporary logo and more vibrant corporate colours. A new website is being launched with customer navigation taking priority.

hAmPton steel ltD neW BrAnD, neW ProDUcts, sAme vAlUes feAtUring Xnet™

“Our commitment as always is to our customers. We wish to ensure that regardless of how or where they come into contact with Hampton Steel, the experience is one of quality and satisfaction. Maintaining continuity or our brand is paramount. Recognition of who we are and what we stand for. For these reasons we have introduced new stronger

branding but underpinned by our core values of honesty and trust” said Mark Johnson, Managing Director, Hampton Steel, UK manufacturer.

For more information you can visit Hampton Steel’s stand at LaMMa 2012.


lamma

get the lAmmA shoW in YoUr DiAriesWith applications for stand space at an all time high, LAMMA 2012 appears to be heading for another record. The coming show will have more exhibitors than ever before, making the 2012 show the largest in its event’s history. The next LAMMA show will also see a larger Fencing

Area than previous years.

Cliff Preston, LAMMA Sales and Marketing Director says, “We are very happy with the tremendous demand for stand space we have been experiencing in the year. What really pleases me, however, is the

wide range of products and services that will be on show. Several years ago the LAMMA Show was regarded as a good day out for arable farmers from the East of England, but the big increase in visitors with livestock and mixed farming enterprises, from many other parts of the UK, has

transformed the LAMMA Show into a ‘must-visit’ event for farmers both large and small.”

“All the major tractor and machinery manufacturers are represented at LAMMA, but the vast array of smaller companies present at the Show,

so so BUsY


lamma

NEW SMALLER PENS AVAILABLE10ft Trailer, 10 x 2m Hurdles, 20ft Race, 2 x Joiners,

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The only 3 way drafting system when you can draft off sheep after they’ve passed you!

Strongest welding on hurdles used

Cattle and sheep weigh bars from £795 + vat

MADE IN SCOTLANDClive Houldey

Tel - 01461 600203Mob - 07703 488277E [email protected]

www.scotpen.co.uk

ROYAL SHOW SILVERMEDAL WINNER

WE BUILD QUAILITY,NOT QUANTITY!

enables visitors to see products and services which they probably will not see at any other show in the UK,” Cliff Preston continues. “The range of products on show is quite staggering. I have in the past said that you could buy anything from a large post puncher to a cotter-pin at LAMMA, but each year the range of products and services grows and grows.”

“The LAMMA Show takes place on 18th & 19th January at the Newark Showground. A tremendous range of goods and services, free admission and car parking and a warm welcome all combine to make

a visit to the LAMMA Show a top priority for farmers and fencers from all parts of the UK. For the ‘early-birds’ arriving between 6.30am and 8am there is even the offer of a subsidised full English breakfast. This year the Stands will open one hour earlier than in previous years at 7.30am; so the order of the day is a hearty breakfast and then straight down to business”

Visit www.lammashow.co.uk for more information

Agricultural engineers NRH Engineering Ltd of Seaton Ross, East Yorkshire, will again be present at this years LAMMA event. Since the company was formed at the end of 2005, their sales and production has increased at a rate of 25% per annum. NRH produce a range of British built machinery that it is strong, reliable and competitively priced which is probably due to their continuing success. Not only have their machines been successfully accepted in the UK, but NRH now export to 25 countries world wide including not only Europe and Ireland, but Japan, New Zealand, Australia and have recently attracted interest from the USA.

NRH’s machinery includes their range of Cambridge Rollers from 3m to 12.3m. Front presses from 1.5m – 6m with various packer and tine options, subsoilers, drill

come visit nrh engineering At lAmmA 2012

cultivators, trailed presses, plough furrow presses and Coil packers complete with Star Cleaners.

For further details please visit nrH engineering at the LaMMa event or contact nrH engineering Ltd, the airfield, Seaton ross, York. Yo42 4nF tel - 01759 318775 Fax - 01759 318728 [email protected] www.nrh-engineering.co.uk


dean

Sometimes it just takes a word or two in the right place to get what you want. That’s how Mark Dean of Amblers Lodge Farm, near Shipton by Beningbrough achieved a lifetime’s ambition to be a farmer.

In the past eight years he has built his own farmhouse where he lives with wife Tracy and children Jack (15), Grace (13) and Sarah Jayne (7). He now owns 70 acres around Amblers Lodge and rents another 65 acres close by; with another 40 acres rented in Shipton; and a further 220 in Brandsby.

From an initial purchase of 27 in-lamb ewes at Thirsk market he has increased his Texel X flock to 750 ewes; and has recently started a suckler herd of commercial cattle. He has 20 calving in November.

‘I always wanted to be in farming. I worked on a dairy farm when I was

14. My parents Brian and Greta weren’t farmers but we grew up in a rural area. I was born at Newton-on-Ouse. My brother and I were into everything as lads. We would go out at the start of the summer holidays and you’d hardly see us until it was time to go back to school.’

Mark started out in business by laying turf and undertaking gardening jobs. Today that has developed into Dean Landscapes with a staff of eight working throughout Yorkshire.

‘House owner work came first, but over the years we have attracted work for councils and then housing associations. It has mushroomed from there and now all of our work is on behalf of commercial concerns, including new property builds and schools.’

Four years ago Mark went into the groundworks business, today

known as Dean Construction and Groundworks. It includes concreting, drainage, footings, kerbing and trenching and he now employs a staff of six.

‘We split all three companies – the landscaping company, groundworks and the farm – just four months ago. The groundworks side is the biggest part of the overall business and contributes approximately 60% of our activity. I have a partner in the groundworks company, Steve Jefferson, who runs that side. Tony Caygill looks after Dean Landscapes; and I farm in partnership with Tracy.’

So how did the farm come about?

‘I go shooting. I’m a shoot captain on a pheasant shoot; and was walking in a local wood when I had a chance conversation with a good friend of mine, David Hardisty.

I’d asked whether there was any chance of a bit of land to buy, as somewhere to run my expanding business. We had started in my dad’s yard, had outgrown it and I had outgrown other places too. David said he might be able to do better than just a piece of land. He had a building plot as well. That’s how it all started. We came here eight years ago in December and haven’t looked back. This was all fields. We bought the plot, built the house, put an extension on it and David converted some barns to a house for himself.’

‘I love farming and I particularly enjoy livestock, so although this is good arable land most of it is down to grass.’

‘On the sheep side I built up the flock very cheaply and was paying £36 for Mule gimmer lambs. I

chAnce conversAtion leADs to livestock enterPrisechris BerrY tAlks With mArk DeAn in shiPton BY BeningBroUgh


dean

from Scotmin. His cattle business is all set to grow too and he has put up a new building in readiness for that.

‘The herd is presently made up of first dairy X cattle to an Angus bull, which I bought from Peter Turnbull at Coxwold. I sell most of

my stock, whether sheep or cattle at Thirsk, with some going direct to Woodheads.’

don’t buy much in the way of ewes these days, breeding my own replacements. I bought five tups from the Texel Society Sale in Skipton this year. Everything goes to the Texel tup. This season we’ve achieved a sale average of £81. I stick to Texel X Mules and try to turn everything out with two lambs per ewe. We scan at around 210% and I’m very commercially-minded. I’m disappointed if a single lamb comes out. We find that if we X them twice the amount of lambs goes down, so we avoid that. I go straight for numbers of lambs, so we don’t lamb early. We lamb from 15 March.’

Apart from grass the flock is fed on ad-lib molasses and additional feed from BATA, plus mineral buckets

‘i oWe DAviD (hArDistY) A greAt DeAl for giving me the chAnce to BUY this PlAce. i’ll forever Be grAtefUl to him for thAt.’

continUes Pg 34

mArk DeAn


dean

Howells Veterinary Services Ltd.

Two veterinary surgeons from our own practice provide ourcomprehensive out of hours service, 365 days a year.

Tel: 01347 823678

Continued commitment to large animal practice NO CALL OUT CHARGES for farm animals and horses within 30 miles of Easingwold, mileage charged thereafter

Forthcoming Event; Farmer’s Meeting, Helmsley (pie & pea supper)

See website for details

• Flock and herd health planning• Health monitoring services• Quality assurance inspections• Bull and ram fertility testing• Ultrasonic pregnancy diagnosis • Farmer’s meetings & training sessions• Modern well equipped premises• Radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy, ECG• Dedicated dentistry suite & laboratory• Delivery service (animal health products)

‘I reared calves in the past, and generally buy in at 6 weeks old and sell them at 2 years old. I’d like to increase cattle numbers to around 100 in the future and would be interested if any land came up nearby.’

Mark also grows around 7 acres of barley and grew 55 acres of oats two years ago, but as he says he’s more interested in the livestock side. He is delighted and clearly very proud of having been able to achieve his boyhood ambition of becoming a farmer in his own right and he is also aware of the good fortune offered his way by David Hardisty.

‘I owe David a great deal for giving me the chance to buy this place. I’ll forever be grateful to him for that.’

Dean Landscapes Ltd Dean construction & groundworks Ltd Mark Dean, amblers Lodge amblers Lane, Shipton Yo30 1an tel: 01904 471623 Mob: 07970 699334

Full and partial house clearances undertaken

MART OFFICE:Thirsk Farmers Auction Mart

Thirsk Rural Business Centre, Blakey LaneThirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3AB

Tel: 01845 523165 Fax: 01845 526604

www.thirskmarket.come-mail: [email protected]

EVERY THURSDAYWEEKLY DEDICATED SLAUGHTER SALE

300 prime pigs & cast sows @ 9.00am1500 prime sheep & cast ewes @ 9.30am

550 prime cattle & young bulls @ 12 noon(preceded by OTM cattle & cows)

All stock must be CLEAN & TAGGED

EVERY OTHER TUESDAY OF THE MONTHFORTNIGHTLY SALE OF STORE STOCK

SALE OF STORE & BREEDING SHEEP as forward @ 1.30pmTOGETHER WITH FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF STORE CATTLE @ 2pmUsual selection of Cast Cows, Young Bulls & Store cattle. See website for dates.

EVERY 1ST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH @ 10.00AMMONTHLY COLLECTIVE SALE OF MACHINERY, FUR & FEATHER

Over 600 lots of fur & feather inc turkeys, rabbit, ducks, pigeons, hens, geese & ferrets . Entries on day of sale 7 - 9am.

Usual wide ranging selection of Agri-goods, Builders and Farm equip, workshop &gardening requisities, Timber etc.

Collective entries taken on Friday before sale 10am - 5pm.Fur & feather on day 7 - 9am.

FORTNIGHTLY ALTERNATE TUESDAYS TO STORE SALES @ 4.30PMFORTNIGHTLY SALE OF FURNITURE, ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES

Over 1200 lots of quality goods including collection of collectables, brassware,glassware, pottery, pine effects, nearly new furniture.

Antiques, Furniture & Collectable entries 10am to 4pm Monday day before sale.Viewing from 12 noon on day of sale - see website for specialist sales.


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Dairy Building

These McVeigh Parker customers do...

a Yorkshire based insurance broker is urging farmers to fit tracking devices to their farm equipment in a bid to combat the increase in machinery thefts.

Harold Woolgar, of Harold Woolgar Insurance handles insurance claims from farmers in the North of England, but particularly across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. He says: “Thefts have reached almost epidemic proportions. There’s hardly a week goes by without a call from a farmer saying he’s had valuable equipment stolen. In the last 12 months we must have had over £1m worth of claims come through. Farmers want to know exactly where their machinery is going and they will do their very best to assist the police in locating whatever has been taken,

that way they can solve more crimes and have thieves arrested.”

“Not only do farmers suffer the inconvenience and down time costs, but there is also the cost of replacing items which are not recovered. As a result, insurers continue to pay for an increasing number of claims with the resultant impact on premiums,” he says.

Mr Woolgar is a member and Director of FarmWeb, the UK’s largest network of independent agricultural insurance brokers and says members across the country have reported a noticeable increase in thefts of farm vehicles and equipment; everything from quad bikes to heavy plant and Land Rovers are being stolen regularly, with the

helP offereD to fArmers to comBAt mAchinerY theft

security

resulting impact on farm productivity and efficiency.

To help fight back, FarmWeb has negotiated a discount of 15% on vehicle premiums where trackers have been fitted to vehicles and a further discount of £150 on each TRACKER Monitor unit fitted.

Mr Woolgar continued: “If you bought a £50,000 car you wouldn’t think twice about fitting a tracking device, but farmers spend upwards of £70,000 on new tractors and it isn’t on their radar.

“Protecting property is the only option available and as thieves become more sophisticated so must the levels of protection. We want to help keep claims numbers and costs to farmers down and it’s clear that thefts are hitting them hard. To help, we are offering a £150 discount on trackers fitted to vehicles and equipment and have negotiated a 15% vehicle premium discount for those who decide to do so. Both these initiatives should assist with the cost of fitting

a tracker, which gives valuable equipment extra protection. The average cost of a Tracker is £349 so a saving of £150 is a substantial reduction.”

“TRACKER is the UK’s leading stolen vehicle recovery system so hopefully this initiative will not only be a deterrent to thieves but give farmers increased peace of mind and reduce the feeling of being a “helpless victim. A TRACKER device can only be by the client contacting the Tracker company; it then relays on the police who have the necessary equipment fitted to their vehicles in order to track the vehicle. It’s clear that vehicles are frequently stolen to order and often head abroad, so alerting the police or the owners earlier to the vehicle’s location has got to be an advantage.”

www.lifeandpensionsnetwork.co.uk tel: 01427 873 388 [email protected]

“Protecting ProPertY is the onlY oPtion AvAilABle AnD As thieves Become more soPhisticAteD so mUst the levels

of Protection”


metcalfe

When brothers Martin and Wilf Metcalfe started out as farm contractors from Silver Hill Farm in Tunstall back in 1968 they were cutting hedges with a Bomford Bushwhacker. It was the era when the flail hedgecutter was making its mark. They progressed to mowing grass with a Semica mower and muck spreading.

Martin and Wilf had both worked for another local contractor Eric Donaldson of Catterick. Today their business is much more diverse and the range of machinery involved covers everything from muck spreading to sowing and harvesting. Their 100+ customers are as far afield as County Durham and Tadcaster.

Martin’s son Charles makes up the contracting trio which goes under the name M. Metcalfe & Sons and they also have five other self-employed men as part of their team.

Our parents Maurice and Gwendoline

came here in 1947,’ says Martin. ‘We were mainly a dairy farm but came out of it at the time when bulk milk tanks were coming in because our landlord didn’t want us to put one in.’

The family bought Silver Hill Farm outright in 1983 and had by then concentrated on stocking beef and sheep. Their contracting business was by now growing steadily.

‘We came out of livestock completely after the Foot & Mouth year in 2001,’ says Martin. ‘We are registered as DEFRA contractors and we were advised that if there was an outbreak and we had stock on the farm our contracting business would suffer. We couldn’t afford that so the farm is now all down to grass and cereal crops, growing wheat and barley.’

The Metcalfes now run a fleet of eight Fendt tractors; a JCB Fastrack; and three Claas Lexion combine harvesters, as well as a host of

other farm machinery equipment including a brand new Joskin tanker (pictured).

‘We started with Fendt back in 1978 and it was only the second tractor of

its kind in this part of the country at the time,’ says Wilf. ‘It was 130hp which was a big tractor then. We’ve stuck with Fendt ever since. We’ve had Lexions for around 10 years and currently have the 570s. We use the

life in the cABchris BerrY tAlks With the metcAlfes of tUnstAll

mArtin, chArles & Wilf metcAlfe

P.V. Dobson pleased to be working with Metcalfe’s at Silverhill

See our used Fendt Tractors on the website; Fendt 415, Fendt 716 and Fendt 718

Many other used tractors, diggers and machines or pickups

www.pvdobson.comTel 015395 60833 Peter (sales) 07921 874840


metcalfe

rotary combines rather than the straw walkers because with straw being so wet when it is harvested it’s a case of getting the corn out of the straw and the rotary combine works best.’

Charles has been involved with the contracting business all his working life:

‘Sitting on a tractor or in the cab of a machine is just about all I know. In the summer we pretty much live in our tractors and combines. Around this time of year, now that we have completed the maize harvest, we do quite a bit with

diggers. We undertake foundations work for farm buildings and work on slurry lagoons. Our winter work still involves spreading but environmental regulations mean that the season is now shorter than it used to be, which means we have to get a great deal done in a short space of time. We also do snow plough work and have snow blowers and a gritter.’

One of their biggest jobs is an all-year-round activity of leading liquid waste from industry on to farmland, with Richmond Ice Cream and Black Sheep Brewery being their main customers. They also have a plastics waste collection business where

farmers bring their plastics or the Metcalfes collect. The plastic is then sorted, baled and sold to recycling companies.

As farming has changed so have farmers’ needs of agricultural contractors.

‘Our contracts with farms are getting bigger,’ says Charles. ‘We now find that farms where we used to do the silaging are getting us to plough, sow and look after their slurry spreading. That’s down to various reasons including cost of machinery and lack of labour. We are well placed here, between grassland and arable

farms, and we serve them both with every type of contracting apart from spraying. We work on the land as if it was our own.’

M. Metcalfe & Sons are full registered NAAC (National Approved Agricultural Contractors) members.

M. MetcaLFe & SonS Silver Hill Farm, tunstall richmond DL10 7rF Mob: 07720 468839 www.mmetcalfeandsons.co.uk


fank hill and son

lAst mArt stAnDing in eAst riDingchris BerrY tAlks With rAlPh WArD At DUnsWell cAttle mArket

livestock. Pigs had previously been big business in the East Riding’s three livestock markets but the numbers of pigs now farmed in the area have been slashed in the past 15 years.

Ralph Ward is senior auctioneer at Dunswell and one of three partners in the business of Frank Hill & Son, based in Patrington, which runs the mart as well as selling land and property. It was Ralph who put out the call for farmers and buyers to ‘use it or lose it’, in reference to Dunswell, around seven or eight years ago and he is very pleased that they have done just that. Their Monday sales are now very much on the up.

‘You can see, by the numbers we have had here today, just how well supported the mart has become. We’ve reputedly had a better store lamb and store cattle trade than

anywhere else in the country over the summer. We don’t get the massive numbers that the bigger marts get but good prices have been maintained.’

‘We are now well supported by local purchasers whose alternative is to travel tens and hundreds of miles on round trips to buy elsewhere. Today’s sale has seen us selling cattle for Brocklesby Farms of North Lincolnshire, who have been good supporters of the mart for years. Pam and Andrew White of Eastrington are regular buyers of store cattle. They have been here today too. Andrew’s father bought calves in the old Beverley Market. The number of Herefords we have had is the closest we come to an actual pedigree breed sale.’

The sheep sale saw a great deal of activity and competition around the sale pens too.

There was a time when Dunswell Mart, situated in the village of Dunswell midway between Beverley and Hull, was in danger of closure following on from the demise of both Hull and Driffield. Judging by the first of their autumn sales the ‘last mart standing’ of East

Yorkshire’s livestock markets is in good shape.

When the move was made from Beverley several years ago, following a supermarket purchase of the site, it was feared that support would dry up in this area, which is known more for arable farming than

rAlPh WArD in Action


fank hill and son

HPCS MOXONS

We are pleased to be associated with Frank Hill & Sonand wish them continued success for the future

Tel: 01482 229016 Fax: 01482 589562Email: [email protected]

HPCS MOXONSCourtney StreetMount Pleasant

Hull HU8 7QF

We supply pressure washers hot and cold, sweepers and scrubber-driers also chemical

Pleased to support Frank Hill & Son and wishing them all the success

for the future

Tel: 01964 671045 FourwindS, elliFooT lane, BurSTwick, Hull,

eaST riding oF yorkSHire Hu12 9eF

‘Store lambs have done very well today. We have some particularly strong support from vendors such as Chris Shelby of Beningholme, near Skirlaugh and Nick Payman of Preston, near Hull. They are both regular supporters and I am delighted that Geoff Riby of Fraisthorpe entered his Texel gimmers into the sale. They were a useful trade. Geoff has become a good supporter over the past year. We have some main sheep buyers who attend, but we are also well supported by local butchers around the pens.’

Pigs very much have their place in the market and Ralph also reported a god show of cull sows.

‘That’s our bread and butter business. We have very strong relationships with some of the bigger pig companies including ACMC. Our numbers of sows and cull sows are very much on the increase at present.’

Philip Mortimer and farmer Charles Hill are the other two partners in Frank Hill & Son. Philip is also a fully qualified auctioneer. He came into the business on leaving school, much as Ralph had done years

previously. Both auctioneers come from farming families.

Dunswell Mart isn’t much to look at. It doesn’t have the grandeur of Thirsk or Skipton, but it has its place in the livestock market world as the numbers that attended on this sale day bore witness to. The East Riding would be far worse off

DUnsWell mArt

without it and Ralph, Philip, Charles and their team have made every effort to ensure that it is going to be around for the foreseeable future.

‘Livestock producers and the buyers realised that the mart could close if it wasn’t used to the right extent and supported properly. Thankfully they have done just that and prices are good. Being able to supply and buy locally is even more important today with high fuel costs. We have one area where I feel there is still room for

improvement and that is in fatstock. In order to achieve that we need to supply the right numbers of quality stock and we’re working on it.’

In the meantime Farmers Mart congratulates everyone at Dunswell Mart on not just keeping open the East Riding’s only livestock market, but also taking it forward.

tel: 01964 630531 www.frankhillandson.co.uk


moores

Tel - or Fax - Email -

Craggs of Conder Green, Thurnham Mill Buildings Conder Green, Lancaster LA2 0BD

Having had yet another successful year, The Moss herd of Aberdeen Angus at North Moss Farm are continuing from strength to strength despite the problems they face with the farm’s location.

North Moss Farm was founded in 1964 by John and Jane Moores after John took over the Parbold herd from his brother Peter. Having previously had a keen interest in genetics, and relocating the herd to Formby, John transformed the Moss herd into one of the most successful Aberdeen Angus herds in the country.

John’s son Kevin now runs the farm. He began working at North Moss Farm as soon as he left school, but after a few years he decided on a change in career. Twelve years ago he returned to work for his father at North Moss Farm, initially helping with work for the Perth shows. “I soon became hooked again,” Kevin explains. “I quickly realised how much I had missed farming and knew that I

the moss is BosskAte crAgon visits kevin moores At north moss fArm in formBY neAr liverPool

weighing of the cattle and helping us to choose bulls. It has been a difficult few years of transition for him and I know he has found it hard to let go, but with his help and support, I believe we now have the right people in place and the right quality in the cattle to take the herd forward.”

The herd, which is made up of roughly 100 Aberdeen Angus, is kept on approximately 340 acres of land along with their flock of 40 Texel sheep. Due to being so close to the coast, the land at North Moss Farm has a sandy quality which makes farming the land difficult. The poor land quality means they have to make rigorous selections when maintaining their herd numbers. Only the cattle that consistently perform above breed average are kept.

Being close to the coast also means

the farm is in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone which means Kevin’s farm has to adhere to strict NVZ rules covering livestock numbers and manure levels.

“North Moss Farm has never strayed too far from Aberdeen Angus. Once you have established something that is successful there is little need to change. I did once manage to convince my dad to try out some Limousin crosses as embryo carriers. He wasn’t to be convinced though, as he described them as skinny cattle compared to the Angus. He didn’t let me forget the idea for a while either!”

In 1985 John hired Angus Bailie as North Moss Farm’s Manager. He worked at the farm until he retired in 2006. Angus still helps with the Willow Moss Texel flock at North Moss Farm, which alongside Kevin,

had to be more involved again.”

“My dad still keeps a keen eye on the herd, making sure he is involved in certain aspects such as the

John mooreskevin moores


moores

Angus introduced to the farm in 2007. As well as tending to the North moss Flock and helping with the cattle, Angus still manages to find the time to manage his own flock of sheep on his croft in the North of Scotland.

Kevin credits both his father and Angus as his farming inspiration, “The two people who have influenced me the most in farming are my dad and Angus. I consider myself very fortunate to have learnt through them both. If I only learn a small fraction of what these two men know, I will consider myself very lucky.”

This year alone The Moss herd have won Junior Champion, Reserve Junior Champion, Reserve Champion and two 1sts at this year’s Cheshire Show and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd at the Aberdeen Angus summer national show at the Westmorland Show. As well as having sold Moss cattle throughout the UK, they can also be found in Germany, Hungary, Portugal and the Azores. Recently 2 Moss bulls have been purchased and have been exported to different farms in the Isle of Man. “At the moment we are reviewing the cattle’s performance and are speaking to nutritionists about the herd’s diet. I find shows are a great

way to see how our cattle compare with others in the UK.”

Although The Moss herd have achieved many awards and prizes, Kevin explains how they don’t always come without a few problems. “I remember loading a bull for the Perth Sales back in 2006. After struggling with him for twenty minutes we finally got him on the back of the wagon. Someone distracted me with a question and as I turned back round I put my hand on the tail end of the bull, only to be kicked clean over the tailgate of the lorry. The bull in question was The Moss Mr Eshton D409 who we sold a few days later in the ring for 36,000 guineas, the fourth highest price for an Aberdeen Angus bull in the UK. I would take a kicking for that kind of money anytime!”

Keen to keep the business in the family, Kevin’s children Chloe and Harry are involved in the farm and his wife Andrea also looks after the administration and accounts. “Harry is tractor mad at the moment; his favourite toys are also black Aberdeen Angus cattle, I’m hoping his interest in farming grows as he gets older. Chloe also helps out in the office during the holidays.”

The Moss holds an open day and small judging competition in October every year for members of the local Angus club (PENWAC). Having just held this years event on the 9th Kevin explains, “It’s a great day, everyone on the farm works really hard leading up to the day and we look forward to seeing our friends each year. We always receive lots of positive feedback as the cattle are at their best at that time of year.”

“My only regret is not staying at the farm but I am definitely making up for it now. I wouldn’t dream of moving the farms location. Although it has

its problems, here is where The Moss herd was created. If anything it has made us more competitive and pushes our cattle to be the best they can be. Under my dad’s watchful eye, I hope to carry on his success with The Moss herd.”

For more information visit www.themoss.co.uk or call 01704 875489 north Moss Farm Partnership north Moss Lane, Formby Merseyside L37 0aQ

the moss herD of ABerDeen AngUs AngUs BAillie AnD kevin


makin

RICHARD BELL AGRICULTURALAGRICULTURAL CONTRACTING AND SUPPLYING

NEW AND USED FARM MACHINERY

Pleased to be associated with Philip & Helen Makin & Family and wishing them continued

success for the future.

TELEPHONE 07866 299313WWW.RBELLAGRICULTURAL.CO.UK

RICHARD BELL AGRICULTURAL

How do farming families start a pedigree breed dynasty? For Philip and Helen Makin of Williambeck Farm at Chopgate, midway between Stokesley and Helmsley, the catalyst was when they visited Skipton Auction Market.

‘We were buying tups for our Mule ewes at the multi-breed tup and ewe sale when I saw this huge ewe that I immediately called Bertha,’ says Helen. ‘She was in a pen of 20 that didn’t reach a price the farmer wanted. I followed the owner out of the ring and we ended up paying 150 guineas for her. We have always bought sheep on how they catch your eye and I was attracted by the way she stood out.’

The farmer concerned was none other than John Mellin of Hull House Farm, Hellifield, one of the UK’s top

texel breeders. Philip and Helen have since bought privately from him too. Their Texel flock now runs to around 20 pedigree ewes. They also run 160 Mules and Texel X Mules.

‘After we had been to John’s farm at Hull House we came home and culled a lot of our flock. We set off anew on the strength of having been to his farm.’

Philip and Helen started showing their Texels around three years ago when they entered at Stokesley. They are now already well on their way to what looks like being a lengthy showing career.

‘Last year we took reserve champion at both Stokesley and Ryedale; and they were the only shows where we competed. This year we have shown at Driffield, Ryedale, North Yorkshire County Show and for the first time

at the Great Yorkshire. Our biggest success was reserve champion with our tup Williambeck Royal Flush at Driffield, which also won the shearling tup class. We could have sold him at both Ryedale and Driffield shows, but we had just joined the Northern Area Texel Society and wanted to kick off with something good to take to the annual society sale in Skipton. We did the right thing too as he took the supreme championship there and we sold him for 1500 guineas.’

Their first experience of the Great Yorkshire Show gave them a taste of the big time and they were not overawed by it at all.

‘We didn’t get any tickets but we were pleased with how we got on. The ewes we took stood tenth out of a massive class; and of 56 gimmers we were stood twentieth. It was good

for us to be standing alongside Texel breeders who have been involved for a long time, with something that was home bred was a lovely feeling. It’s only when you see your stock directly alongside others that you can really judge whether you are doing well.’

What Philip and Helen have found is that show sheep are a little different to farm sheep.

‘This year we learned that for shows they need a little more size about them. We need to get ours more show-fit. We’ve been used to breeding commercials where you want them fit for the tup; but show sheep need more fat. We’re learning.’

Williambeck Farm was Philip’s granddad’s farm before he and Helen took it over.

‘My granddad, Wilf Todd, my mam’s dad, was down to about 15 sheep

mAkin A nAme for themselveschris BerrY visits WilliAmBeck fArm in choPgAte

mAkin fAmilY


makin

and we started from scratch,’ says Philip, who attended Askham Bryan College and worked on farms in Bransdale with Ray Flintoff and a dairy farm.

Helen and Philip got together just as he had finished at college. They had started running their own sheep flock at Williambeck and had told Wilf that they were thinking of getting a caravan for lambing time when he announced he was retiring completely and they took on the farm.

They married seven years ago and have two children, Phoebe (5) and Freddie (2) who is named after his granddad.

The farm runs to 150 acres of which 48 are moorland which they cannot do a lot with. At one time they ran a flock of around 500 commercial ewes but Philip’s other job, working with farmer Mark Phalps at Great Ayton, led them to cutting down on numbers.

Wilf left Philip and Helen his last fifteen sheep which they added to their own flock. They also had Swaledales at one time. Today as well as the sheep they also have a fledgling Belgian Blue X suckler herd and have recently started taking pigs on a B&B basis for Ian Mosey, coming in at four weeks of age and leaving at 8-9 weeks. They grow

kale for the sheep on 8-10 acres a year, the rest is grass on 5 year leys. Sheep are sold at Northallerton Mart and privately. New stock is bought at Skipton and Carlisle.

Philip would eventually like to go into pedigree cattle and favours the Limousin breed, but he sees that as a way off just yet.

‘It’s a matter of one thing at a time and gradually growing. There’s only so much money you have available to spend. I’d like to get to 100 pedigree Texels and get the suckler herd up to around 40 cattle. The whole farm is now MV accredited, that’s been one of our latest ventures and should see

us in good stead for the future.’

Helen comes from Stokesley and, apart from horses, didn’t know much about farming.

‘Horses were my marginal farming background but I’ve really taken to it and love it. I like the showing not just for the shop window it provides but also because of the recognition that we produce good stock. We have always taken pride in our stock, well before we started showing, and we would always come out of a show sale with store lamb tickets.’

They are both more than happy with where the showing world has taken them in the past few years and are already eagerly looking forward to the 2012 show season. Their Texels lamb from 1 March and the rest start from 1 April.

‘We’ve learned a lot since Mighty Mouse, our first show sheep competed at Stokesley three years ago. We like our sheep to have presence, something a bit sharp about them. Of course they need to be correct and powerful but the important thing is to like what you have.’

Watch out for the Makins next year!


Rain failed to dampen the spirits of show-goers for the 212th Westmorland County Show on Thursday 8 September, when an estimated 25,500 visitors streamed through the gates to enjoy one of the largest agricultural events in the north-west.

Records were again broken on the livestock lines, which attracted 480 cattle entries, 900 sheep and over 100 pigs. “Westmorland is renowned for the quality of stock on show” said Christine Knipe, Chief Executive “and this year we have been delighted with the support received from so many livestock exhibitors, who have attended.”

The Aberdeen-Angus National show attracted exhibitors from throughout the UK. 103 entries were judged by Victor Wallace of Co Londonderry, who presented the overall title to the two-year old male champion, Rosemead Karona, from P C Stovold and Son or Surrey.

Auctioneers had the job of placing both the supreme dairy and beef champions. Dairy judge Clive Norbury of Market Drayton had no hesitateion in pulling forward the

Holstein, Feizor Shottle L Melody from WA and A Booth of Austwick, followed by the Jersey Champion, Bluestone Spring Jersey from JD and S Jones of Ormskirk. In the beef lines, Anthony Skelton opted for the British Blue maiden heifer Solway View Elegance from Annan farmer Kevin Watret. Runner-up was another heifer, the Limousin champion, Simbo Etty, from Nigel Simms of Northwich.

For the sixth time in seven years, the upland inter-breed title went to Keith and Elaine Stones, who run 350 North Country Cheviots at Marrick, near Richmond. “It’s been fantastic” said Mr Stones, “It’s such a friendly show.” The lowland non-terminal inter-breed championship went to a two-shear Mule ewe from Ron and Fran Wilson of Armathwaite, who also took the reserve title with their Bluefaced Leicester champion, a home-bred gimmer shearling. “We’re chuffed to bits, and to have both champion and reserve is fantastic” said Mr Wilson. A home-bred Charollais ewe from JA & R Geldard and Sons of Levens, took the lowland terminal

WestmorlAnD coUntY shoW 2011

inter-breed honours. “I’m over the moon and it certainly makes up for the weather” said Richard Geldard.

While remaining steadfastly true to its agricultural roots, the one-day extravaganza offers visitors lots of different countryside activities to savour from Cumbrian Axemen displays to the chance to sample some of the best local produce around. The magnificent Food Hall is a festival in itself, including chef demonstrations which kept people rooted to their seats such as Coronation Street’s Sean Wilson

demonstrating what could be done with produce from his Saddleworth Cheese Company and Andrew Postlethwaite from the Castle Green Hotel. Attracting wrestlers from throughout the region, a packed ringside saw Richard Fox of Heathersgill win the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling World Championship in the 13-stone category, beating Graham Brocklebank in the final bout.

www.westmorlandshow.co.uk

come on son keeP UP


craven

three fArming generAtionskAte crAgon visits WhinBerrY hill fArm in WilBerfoss, York.After having had a busy show season, Andrew and David Craven’s hard work has paid off, collecting numerous prizes for their British Blondes.

Father and son team, Andrew and David, live and work at Whinberry Hill Farm in Wilberfoss, York.

Andrew was brought up and started farming on his Father, Trevor Craven’s, Farm at Beechwood House in the neighbouring town of Fangfoss. Andrew and David work together with Trevor, who carries out the majority of the arable farming, leaving Andrew and David to maintain the livestock.

Andrew bought Whinberry Farm 30 years ago. It is made up of 260 acres of owned land, 130 acres of rented arable land and 60 acres of rented grass land. During the winter months the farm is at its largest capacity, keeping up to 160 cows as Andrew and David fatten a lot of stock.

30 of the cows at the farm are pedigree British Blondes. Andrew started keeping the breed 20 years ago and over the years has increased his herd.

Andrew says, “I have kept Blondes for many years now. They are a great breed to keep as they make

AnDreW AnD DAviD crAven


craven

a good butchers beast, with a large killing out percentage. I also found that they make for easy calving, as a lot tend to calf themselves.”

If this wasn’t enough to keep the Craven’s busy they also keep 350 breeding ewes which they breed to lamb in January.

David has been helping on the farm

for a number of years and now works alongside his father. Although Andrew does help with showing, David is responsible for showing the British Blondes. With the results they have had this year it shows, at just the age of 22, he has a keen eye for the breed and knows exactly what the competition judges are looking for.

The Cravens show wins include second and fourth place at this year’s Driffield and Great Yorkshire Show. At Ryedale Show they were also awarded first and second place. Halifax Show proved to be another award winning show for the Craven’s having been awarded first, second and third place.

Trevor, Andrew and David are members of the North East Blonde Club. In November they are taking part in Thirsk Auction Mart’s Calf Show. Having won many competitions with their calves shown this year the Craven’s look set to take home more prizes at the show.

continUes Pg 46


SELBY LIVESTOCKAUCTION MART LTD

“YORKSHIRE’S FRIENDLY LIVESTOCK MART”Weekly Sales of Fatstock – Wednesdays

Pigs 9am – Sheep 9.45am – Cattle & Cows 10.30amStore Stock – Saturdays

Pigs 9.45am – Sheep 10.15am – Cattle 10.45amOn alternate Saturdays – Fur,Feathers & Miscellaneous items at 10am

All stock to be pre-entered. Payment on day of sale.Personal attention given to customers at all times by Auctioneers and staff

Tel: 01757 703347 Email: [email protected]

Auctioneer Richard Haigh 0776 8594535

Speaking about the shows Andrew explains, “We’ve had some really good days at the shows this year and are very pleased with the prizes our Blondes have won.”

Although the Craven’s have had a successful showing season this year they have also had their fair share of bad luck. At the beginning of August there was a storm that passed through Whinberry farm. As well as heavy rain, it also brought hailstones that damaged acres of rape seed crop that now can not be harvested.

Andrew says, “It damaged a lot of our rape seed crop. It did a lot of damage to a farm down the road too, they lost a lot more than we did but a lot of neighbouring farms

theY Are A greAt BreeD... With A lArge killing oUt PercentAge

didn’t get the hailstones. We were just unlucky.”

But the Craven’s are not to be perturbed and after having yet another successful show year, they are focusing more time on their herd of prize winning Blondes. “We don’t have any plans to take on any other breeds at the moment,” Andrews

explains.” We work well with the Blondes and we enjoy working with them. If something works well why change it?”

It may well be that three generations of men working together on their family farms is the secret to their prize winning herd. With David set to carry on the family business in

the future, the Craven’s look set to continue with their success for many years to come.

Whinberry Hill Farm, Fangfoss Lane, Wilberfoss, York Yo41 5Qa

craven


shipley

RT Feeds Ltd

Telephone (01759) 318570 Fax (01759) 318660

John Thorpe Mobile (07860) 899357 Email [email protected]

www.rtfeeds.co.uk

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We are pleased to be associated with Gillian Shipley and wish her continued success for the future

Alan Aconley was one of the best known names on the sheep showing circuit, particularly at the Great Yorkshire and Driffield. He passed away in January 2010 but the breed he cared passionately about is still being shown by his family.

His daughter Gillian, husband Mark and Alan’s wife Ann have carried on where he left off with his Leicester Longwools, which are officially categorised as critically rare in the rare breeds world. There are just 600 breeding ewes and 60 active members of the society of which Gillian is vice chairman. The breed is known for its lustrous fleece.

‘Dad did really well over the years and I was around particularly in his last three seasons. I had been involved with showing the sheep for a number of years. I’ve been really pleased by how mum and I have got on this year. We had male, female and overall champion at Malton; at the Great Yorkshire we were first with our ram lamb and reserve male champion; and third with a gimmer lamb; and at Driffield we were second in two classes – ram lamb and gimmer in wool.’

Gillian and her husband Mark Shipley now farm across 250 acres at Glebe Farm in Brandesburton and Eastfield Farm, North Frodingham where Alan farmed and that’s where the flock of 40 sheep, including 30 Leicester Longwools is kept.

Mark helped to run the plumbing and heating business that his father ran before him; but today he farms

cArrYing on A greAt shoW trADitionfArmersmArt tAlk With gilliAn shiPleY & Ann AconleY in BrAnDesBUrton

what is primarily an arable concern at both Glebe and Eastfield, whilst also running his own farm machinery workshop repairs and wearing parts business. Glebe Farm was Mark’s granddad’s farm and Gillian and he met when Gillian worked on the farm some years ago. Gillian and Mark also have a small suckler herd. Lambs are sold mostly into Dawn Carnaby near Bridlington, although they do sell occasionally to other breeders.

Ann tells of how Alan started showing

and how he had immediate success:

‘Alan’s dad had Leicesters too. They were a popular breed around here at the time with a number of farms running them. He started showing in 1975 and did really well straight away. His proudest moment was the year he won the Wool on the Hoof championship at the Great Yorkshire Show. He met HRH Prince Charles that year too. He met him twice but being introduced to him as a winner was something really special.’

Gillian and Ann are already thinking about their show team for 2012 and 2 year old Louise, Gillian and Mark’s daughter looks all set to get in on the act too if our picture is anything to go by.

‘The gimmer lamb in the halter, in the picture, is Nina, who was born 15 January 2011. All being well we will be showing her. We have a team of around 6-8 females and two gimmer lambs,’ says Gillian.

The flock is early lambing, starting on the first or second week of January utilising a fold yard. As well as the pedigree Leicester Longwools they also have 10 Texel X Charollais.

‘The Leicester Longwool society attracts 3 or 4 new members each year and some of the newer members are taking an active part in promoting breed. Down south there are quite a number who use the wool for spinning. We are always pleased to hear of new members.’

The Leicester Longwool breed society was founded in 1893, but the breed has a proud history right back to at least the 17th century. It was Robert Bakewell, the great farming pioneer, who commenced the improvement of the county breed around 1755. It first became known as the New Leicester or the Dishley Leicester, in connection with his own village.

glebe Farm cottage, octon, Driffield, north Humberside, Yo25 3eB tel: 01964 542785

the shiPleY girls


heigh

Having been up against stiff competition from long term Zwartbles breeders, Raymond Heigh managed to scoop numerous champion awards at this year’s shows with his Brookdene Flock.

Raymond only started keeping Zwartbles in 2005, after being left a legacy by a family friend. Brook House Farm, which he runs in partnership with his father, Robert, and mother, Wendy, was originally bought by Wendy’s father in the late 1960’s, farming both sheep and dairy cows. Prior to this Wendy’s father had been a tenant farmer at Brook House Farm since the early 1940’s.

“In 2005 we decided to cease dairy farming,” Raymond explains. “It was in the same year that I was left some money which enabled me to buy my first 3 Zwartbles. From their on I have built up the flock, buying the best quality Zwartbles I can afford to produce show winners.”

The farm, which consists of approximately 150 acres, is home to 250 Texel cross Mules, 100 double gene hogs and 30 Zwartbles. “I bought my first 2 Zwartbles at Carlisle from the Troutbeck & Garris Flocks and a Tup lamb form the Stonehouse Flock. I have now purchased sheep from Tardoes, Cynfin, Joyfield, Bobet, Beech Hay, East Middle and Holmlea Flocks, these being the foundation stock of my flock.”

I was drawn to the breed as they are

BrookDene :A 21st centUrY flockkAte crAgon visits rAYmonD heigh At Brook hoUse fArm in BenthAm

something different from the norm. I have known people to buy them because they stand out from other breeds. Aside from their looks, they are also very quiet, placid animals which make them easy to work with. My niece, Charlotte, who is 6, is beginning to take an interest in the Zwartbles at the moment. They

are a great breed for children to be involved with because of their gentle nature.”

This summer alone Raymond’s Zwartbles have been Champion at Lunesdale, Gargrave, Kilnsey, Bentham and Westmorland shows. At the Great Yorkshire Show Raymond won 2nd prize for his tup

lamb. At the first ever Zwartbles Society’s National Show, held at the Three Counties showground in Malvern, Raymond also won 1st prize for a ram lamb untrimmed, 2nd prize for a ram lamb trimmed, 5th place for a gimmer lamb and came 6th with a shearing. The class sizes were larger than other shows,

rAYmonD heigh With BrookDene flock


heigh

containing 18 entries per class.

Raymond is keen to maintain the size of his Zwartbles flock, which means he is very particular about the sheep that he keeps. When selling his sheep, Raymond sells many of his Zwartbles at the H & H pedigree sales in Carlisle. At this year’s pedigree sale one of Raymond’s tup lambs, Brookdene Trendsetter, won 3rd place in its class, before being sold for the highest price out of all the rams sold, making 1,100 guineas.

In 2009 the Heigh’s held an open day for the Northern branch of the Zwartbles Society. They had a great turnout with over 30 people attending. “It was a good day and it was great to be able to hold it at our farm. The Zwartbles is a breed that is quickly increasing in popularity, with the society growing in numbers each year. We had an excellent turnout on the day.”

Brook House Farm also has its own shop selling Carrs Billington animal feeds, which the Heigh family has sold for 25 years. In addition to farming, Raymond works at Bentham Auction Mart. He has worked at the auction mart for over 15 years, and works at sales on Tuesdays, Wednesday’s and at special sales.

Raymond launched a website for his Brookdene flock in April this year, which has proved to be a great

success. As well as selling sheep at Carlisle, Raymond also sells a lot of his sheep privately and so the website works as a great advertising tool for the flock. “The lamb which won 1st prize ram lamb untrimmed at the Zwartbles Society National Show was bought privately through my website by a farmer in Scotland,” Raymond explains. “Having seen the lamb through photographs on the website, the farmer was willing to buy the lamb without even visiting prior to the sale. The website has paid for itself already. It was definitely a great decision to make.

I also have a Facebook page for the flock which I update regularly with show results and any news about the sheep. Both the website and the Facebook page are great ways of promoting the flock. I’ve had a lot

of interest because people can find out about the sheep online first.”

“My aim for the future is to keep bettering myself each year. The shows provide the perfect opportunity to learn and improve. I am taking 6 in lamb sheep to H&H sale in Carlisle in early December, hopefully I will achieve some more great sales on the day. In the future I hope to take over the farm, once my mum and dad retire, but in the mean time I will continue to improve the Brookdene flock.”

For more information visit the Brookdene website www.brookdeneflock.co.uk or call raymond on 01524 262282 and 07813657234

this YeAr’s rosetes

rAYmonD With BrookDene trenDsetter


croft feeds

Manufacturers of British Maderolling & criMping Mills

We are pleased to be associated with croft feed enterprises

and wish them continued success in the future

www.superiormachines.co.uk

01377 288388

If passion could be measured in pints then you would need millions of gallons to do justice to Dawn Croft’s commitment in providing livestock farmers with the right feed.

Croft Feeds can justifiably lay its own claim to being one of the largest growing family feed businesses in the north of England at present, but it hasn’t just happened overnight.

Dawn is a farmer’s daughter, originally from Hurst in Swaledale, who started blending feed, on her own, in a rented shed in Topcliffe. She now employs a team of eleven staff from her Burtree Farm base just south of Thirsk on the A19.

‘I was brought up on a hill farm with sheep and dairy cows and the idea that I could sell to other farmers stems back to a day when I turned around to my granddad, when I was about 12 years old, and told him I could do a better job than the rep that was trying to sell feed

to him. The rep didn’t even know the difference between a male and female sheep let alone understand the product he was selling.

Spells of study at Askham Bryan College and Harper Adams University led to her first job as a nutritionist with Cumbria-based Chapman & Frearson, followed latterly by a spell with Pel Feeds.

‘I started out on my own because I care passionately about what a livestock farmer feeds his cattle or sheep. I want it to be right for every one, and every farm’s stock needs is different. That’s why I make a point of going to see the stock on every farm. It’s time-consuming, but unless you have visited and seen the stock I don’t believe you can make a proper judgement on what should be fed.’

Such has been Dawn’s success that Croft Feeds now supplies hundreds of farms throughout the north of England, and word of her

it’s All in the miXchris BerrY finDs oUt more ABoUt croft feeDs

determination to provide the right feed for every herd and flock is spreading.

‘I formulate all of the diets and presently undertake all of the calls to customers. I’m looking to take on a rep, but I will still be the main contact when it comes to on-farm nutritional support. I have absolutely no intention of letting up where that is concerned.’

Dawn traces her love of livestock back to her mother.

‘My mum, Ethel Hillary, was absolutely brilliant at stock judging. She would win all over the place, including the Great Yorkshire Show. I think my judgement of livestock and their needs was hereditary. My Uncle John has supported me all my life and he is out 6 days a week at 8am – he still drives the curtain sider wagon for me at 75 years of age.’

Croft Feeds is now an established farm-based blending plant which is

fully UFFAS approved. The business is also a member of AIC and Farm & Crop Assured. It manufactures and sells complete feed, concentrates, minerals, straights and liquid vitamin drenches for sheep and cattle, as well as wormers and animal health products. They also sell bread and confectionary cake bought fresh from bakeries; and chips both in a blend and as a straight feeding stuff.

‘I’m a farmer’s daughter, so I know how difficult it can be to achieve a decent margin at times and I also know that knowledge is not only learned from a book. I will never try to push our most profitable blend I will try to steer the farmer to what best suits their requirements. Equally well, I will not least-cost-formulate rations to suit our profitability.’

‘You have to get out on-farm to look at the livestock and the feed hopper. That way you can assess what is needed, and whether that

the teAm With DAWn (fAr right)

FarmersMart Autumn 2011�0

croft feeds

is to be pelleted, molassed or dry. I provide what I feel is the very best for every farm’s livestock, based on sound practical and nutritional knowledge and that’s why farmers who come to me stick with us. Nutrition is fundamental to your stock’s health and performance.’

Neville Kitching of Ingleby Cross has been buying feed from Dawn for the past nine years. He has a herd of 140 dairy cows and has seen the benefit Dawn’s attention to detail has brought. The average yield has doubled in the time he

has been using the services of Croft Feeds and is presently running at around 10,500 litres.

‘Dawn knows how careful I am with money. I work off the principle that everything we put in has to pay back two or threefold. I went with Dawn because I thought we could get more yield out of the herd – and we have. Croft Feeds is very different from any other feed company, Dawn understands the livestock and the nutritional side of the job!.’

David Hall of Rillington Fields, near Malton has had a fantastic year in the show ring with his excellent pair of bullocks. They have won the pairs titles at 12 shows including the Great Yorkshire.

‘Dawn came to me at a show last year and asked what rations my cattle were on. She said she

didn’t think I was getting enough oil into the rations and that she could improve my cattle. She did. One of the reasons for my success this year is certainly down to the shine, finish and the way my stock has filled out as a result of what Dawn has supplied.’

Dawn’s team now looks after farmers throughout Yorkshire, Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland.

‘Whilst most of our business is with farmers within a 35 mile radius we also have a growing number of farms over in Cumbria. We supply from coast to coast, Workington to Whitby, and everywhere in between. I truly believe we can do a job for a livestock farmer wherever they are.’

And Dawn hasn’t stopped there. New developments at Croft Feeds include a unique mobile mill and mix service; and a mineral bucket and blocking plant.

‘What it all means is that we will come to you and offer a unique mill and mix service.’

croFt FeeDS Dawn croft, Burtree Mill York road, thirsk Yo7 3aY tel: 01845 501562

mill Workers ArthUr AnD mike

Uncle John

FarmersMart Autumn 2011 �1

harrison

Holstein milkers at Crossrigg Farm, Cliburn, near Penrith, are bred for longevity - yet on a simple feed system the herd is averaging 10,200 litres a cow.

Fred and Carolyn Harrison farm 260 tenanted acres at Crossrigg, with their sons John and Richard, who are the fourth generation of the family to farm there.

They re-stocked in 2002 after losing their herd in the foot and mouth epidemic with the Ewefield herd from Winston Warhurst in Warwickshire, which included top

PUtting the crossrigg herD on the mAP

the hArrisons

North American bloodlines, some of which traced back to the famous Ullswater herd run by the late Tom Carrick at nearby Temple Sowerby.

Now the family, led by John’s enthusiasm for cattle breeding, has further improved on the herd’s genetics and production in the last nine years as well as putting the Crossrigg herd on the map through winning top accolades at Holstein shows across the country.

The Harrisons milk 120 cows and the plan is to increase herd numbers from 140 to an optimum 150, selecting families for longevity and milk production, and eventually adding further value to the business with the sale of heifers.

“I’m a great believer in longevity,” said John. “The biggest topic for discussion among dairy farmers is that Holstein cows don’t last. “We have two cows which have produced 100 tonnes of milk. One was the newly calved heifer Horwood Pansy by Vanatas Vision we bought in 2002 with the Ewefield herd and she has produced 103 tonnes in nine lactations.


harrison

“The other is Atlanta Rudolph Tilly which hit the target in eight lactations and her daughter Crossrigg Altitude Tilly by Elm Park Acme was junior champion and exhibitor bred junior champion at the 2010 Northern Dairy Expo.”

Tilly gave 11,600kg in 305 days as

a heifer and by 389 days was still producing well having given 14,586 litres.

Probably the best cow from the Ewefields foundation females was Lucy 7, the Northern Expo grand champion in 2005. It is not surprising that Lucy has established

one of the strongest families which John is building the herd around.

She was unbeaten at every show from 2003 to 2008 and she was nominated All Britain mature cow in 2005, 06 and 08. The following year she won the Dairy Event as a mature cow and was in the winning

interbreed group and went on to win AgriScot.

She has produced 94 tonnes in her lifetime and at 13 is now retired from milking but is part of the flushing programme of the herd’s top cows. Some of the 60 embryos produced from the programme are expected to be born next spring.

Of her four natural daughters in the herd, two are classified EX94, and she has a VG89 and a VG88 granddaughter and Crossrigg Latitude is her EX91 son. Her daughter Crossrigg Lustre Lucy was the champion calf at the 2007 Northern Expo.

“My goal is to have an All Britain nomination and to win a class with a home bred animal. I would also very much like to win the Dairy Event with a home-bred animal,” said John.

As well as showing the cattle being a good shop window for the herd, the Crossrigg website www.crossriggholsteins.co.uk is a good marketing tool, updated by John’s wife Debbie with Penrith-based designer Allan Bewley.

Showing apart, John’s aim is to breed a functional yet productive cow with width not purely for the pedigree

continUes Pg 54


harrison

breeder but with the commercial milk producer in mind to give good deadweight for cull cows and bull calves with good rump width.

For several years, all bull calves at Crossrigg have been reared for veal and finished at 130-140kg at dead weight at six months old to

Barracloughs of Gatelands Farm, Morland, which is in demand on the menus of top London restaurants.

Cows are not pushed for yield, despite production having risen by around 1,000 litres a head in the last nine years. The families which have good production traits will be

retained in the herd.

The Crossrigg herd is virtually closed and sales of bulls and semen already supplement the milk cheque from Milk Link which in August was 27.6p for milk at 4 per cent butterfat and 3.2 protein.

The Harrisons by next year hope to be in a position to capitalise on pedigree female prices and sell surplus heifers at the Border and Lakeland Club sales in Carlisle.

“Strength and robustness tick every box in my book. To live on concrete for six months, cows need to have good legs and plenty of heart room. Our Lucys are 13, 10 and 9 years old and they are staying the course. We have got to get back to reality with our cows,” said John.

With cattle comfort in mind, the Harrisons have built a new young stock shed which can house 100 head. Rubber matting has been laid in one of the feed passages which will be an ongoing investment in the building to help

prevent damage to joints and white line damage of the hoof.

The cows are fed a simple diet through a Keenan feeder of 45kg silage - made when grass has a bit more fibre - and 5kg of meal which is custom made by NWF to complement the feed value of the silage crop, plus 1.5kg of barley grown in the grass re-seed rotation and a mineral blend. The feed provides for 28 litres of milk which is topped up in the parlour to yield with a NWF concentrate.

The Harrisons have tried growing other crops - maize and wholecrop wheat - but find using the blend and home-grown barley, which provides plenty of straw, is the most cost-effective method of feeding without being reliant on contractors.

crossrigg Farm, cliburn, Penrith, cumbria, ca10 3aW tel: 01931 714237


dairy

A lot of hard work went into this years stand at The Great Yorkshire Show and it really paid off, with lots of enquiries and the honour of being awarded with Best Agricultural Stand in show for the second time! We enjoyed glorious sunshine for all three days at the show and with no less than 135,086 people coming

through the gates this year its no wonder we were busy.

Judging took place on the Monday and on the Tuesday the judges visited the stand and awarded Tim Gibson with the ‘John Russell Memorial Trophy’. One of the things that really caught the judges eye was the ‘Cows

Eye View’ video playing on our TV screen, the video was captured by two cows who wore a head mounted camera for 90 minutes a day over three days. In the videos we saw the cows carrying out their daily routines capturing everything that they would naturally do in a day such as Robot visits, using the Grazeway System to

access the field, eating, sleeping and drinking!

Next year’s Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 10 – Thursday 12 July. We look forward to seeing you there

www.tim-gibson.com

tim giBson ltD Win ‘Best AgricUltUrAl stAnD in shoW’ for the seconD time At gYs

FarmersMart Autumn 2011 ��

dairy

Research conducted by Barclays reveals that more than one in three (34 per cent) dairy farmers in England and Wales are planning to expand milk production in the next five years. 57 per cent said that their milk production would stay the same, and 8 per cent were intending to reduce production.

Commenting on the survey, Euryn Jones, National Agricultural Specialist at Barclays said: “The results reflect a continuation in the trend for those dairy farming businesses that are committed to milk production to continue expanding.

“There has been ongoing restructuring in this country’s milk production for many years, with a well established trend for producer numbers to decline, but coupled with an expansion in production by those remaining in the sector.”

Of the 300 farmers interviewed, 24 per cent indicated that they would be investing £50,000 to

£100,000; 7 per cent planned to invest between £100,000 and £250,000; and 3 per cent were planning to invest more than £250,000. This means that 34 per cent said that they were planning to invest more than £50,000 – a figure that corresponds with the number of farmers who told us that they were planning to expand production.

Euryn Jones said that “While it is often possible to undertake some modest expansion in milk production without significant capital expenditure, any major expansion will require investment.

“There is a wide range in the amount of investment planned, which reflects the range in scale of milk production on farms in England and Wales and the amount of capital expenditure needed to accomplish the planned expansion.

“In some cases additional capital required will be limited to finance the purchase of more cows,

more thAn one in three DAirY fArmers PlAnning to eXPAnD milk ProDUction

whereas in other cases entire new units are planned, consisting of a milking parlour, cattle housing, milk tank, and slurry storage.”

Commenting further Euryn continued: “Confidence in the dairy sector was dented earlier this year by significant increases in input costs coupled with inertia in milk price rises. However some farms, particularly those achieving good business performance and above average milk prices have been investing in their businesses and it is good to see that a significant number of milk producers are planning to invest in the next five years.

“Barclays is keen to provide finance to support expanding dairy businesses that can demonstrate a viable borrowing proposition. The key requirement to ensure the bank’s support is to demonstrate that sufficient cash is likely to be generated to service additional borrowing.”

Key messages for farmers seeking finance for new borrowing are:

• Be clear about the aspirations for the future of your business and explain how additional finance is to be invested

• outline how your business will benefit from additional investment and demonstrate how new borrowing will be serviced

• estimate over what period you wish to repay a new loan and consider whether you want to borrow at variable or fixed rates

For further information: euryn Jones Barclays national agricultural Specialist tel: 0777 55 46834 email: [email protected]


news

Ben Pocklington, a gamekeeping student at Bishop Burton College, has become the first ever winner of the Frank Jenkins Trophy for the best gamekeeping student or apprentice of the academic year.

The trophy, donated to the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) by the family of the late Frank Jenkins

as a result of a collection made at Frank’s funeral, was presented to Ben by the organisation’s Chairman, Lindsay Waddell on the NGO stand at the recent CLA Game Fair.

Ben (18) hails from Authorpe near Louth in Lincolnshire and was nominated for the award by his tutor at Bishop Burton College, Norman

Dalleywater, and supported by Joseph Nickerson Farms on whose Rothwell Estate he also works as an apprentice.

Both said he was an exceptional young gamekeeper and although nominations were received for students from colleges all over the country, Ben emerged as the winner

BishoP BUrton college gAmekeePing stUDent AWArDeD inAUgUrAl memoriAl troPhY for Uk’s Best APPrentice

after judging was carried out by NGO President, David Clark, and by Brian Hayes of the NGO Educational Trust.

www.bishopburton.ac.uk

UK No.1 bull, Ballycairn Tiergan, is now available sexed from Cogent Breeding.

As the highest ranking bull in the world with no Oman in his pedigree, this Goldwyn son transmits high health and fitness, high production, high components and high type.

With 90 per cent reliability, the high ranking PLI bull (£220) is a production giant having one of the highest component offerings by any bull in the breed; +388kgs milk,

+0.21%F and 0.07%P.

Health and fitness is what this bull has in abundance. Highly profitable, he offers +0.2 lifespan, -11 SCC, +2.2 fertility, +0.9 calving ease. As a Goldwyn son, top conformation is also expected and Tiergan is proven to deliver +2.0 type, +2.1 locomotion, +2.5 rear udder height.

From the ‘Tinnie’ family bred by W. & A. McCoullum in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, Tiergan goes back to 10-star brood cow, Mesland Princess 9705

EX93(6) who is an LP100 award winner. Tiergan’s dam, Ballycairn Garter Tinnie VG87 is an outstanding animal who ranks highly on the UK PLI cow listings at £252 and has averaged in two lactations 12,070kgs at 5.18%F and 4.15%P.

Cogent progeny evaluator, Andy Smith says: “Daughters are balanced with very functional type. They have good chest width with plenty of heart room through the chest floor and throughout with open ribbed, deep bodies. Legs and feet are exceptional being very

no.1 BUll noW AvAilABle seXeD

clean in the bone, not too straight with excellent locomotion. Udders are their best quality being shallow with extremely high and wide rear udders.”

For more information contact your local cogent Breeding advisor, or call FreePHone 0800 783 7258.

Ben Pocklington


farmery

‘Peter used to work on the docks’, doesn’t have quite the same ring as Tommy, if you know anything about Bon Jovi’s song ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’. But that’s where Peter Farmery worked – at Queen Elizabeth Dock in Hull – for 20 years up until around two years ago.

That doesn’t tell his whole story by a long way. Born and bred in Sandholme, near Gilberdyke and Brough in East Yorkshire, Peter has been around farming all his life.

‘My granddad and his brothers, on my mother’s side, always farmed; and I served my time as apprentice engineer at Clayton’s in Gilberdyke, the agricultural machinery company which specialised in Massey Ferguson. I worked there from 1976-87.’

He’s never been far away from sheep, cattle and working with farm machinery, even though he has worked at both a private wharf in Howden, and then the dock in Hull, as an engineering manager, for around a quarter of a century.

‘I’ve had sheep and cattle for the last 20 years; and I started farm contracting work around four years ago. The contracting takes up most of my time during the summer months. I combine around 200 acres for small farms around here and bale straw and haylage. I will bale around 3000 straw bales and another 3000 hay bales each year.’

Peter has all of his own machinery including his own combine harvester, tractors, baler and bale wrapper. It’s no surprise that his farm machinery

from ‘in the Dock’ to shoW ringchris BerrY tAlks With Peter fArmerY of sAnDholme

is predominantly Massey Ferguson, given his employment in his early working life.

‘That’s maybe why I could never sell any other farm machinery. I’ve always thought a lot of Massey

Ferguson’s. I think I was born and bred into them.’

When he’s not working with his contracting business Peter works with Stuart Cornforth’s feed business – Cornforth Direct Animal

FarmersMart Autumn 2011��

farmery

FRANK HILL & SONCHARTERED SURVEYORS, AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS

Ralph Ward FRICS FAAV, Charles Hill FNAEA SCV, Philip Mortimer BSc

18 MARKET PLACE, PATRINGTON, HULLTELEPHONE (01964) 630531

WEBSITE: www.frankhillandson.co.uk EMAIL: [email protected]

ALSO AT HULL CATTLE MARKET, DUNSWELL

THANK PETER FARMERYFOR HIS CONTINUING SUPPORT

Feeds. He had a short spell working with Andrew Marwood’s agricultural machinery business before joining Stuart.

‘I’ve been with Stuart for around nine months. I used to buy from him for sheep and cattle feed, now I get out on the road and sell on his behalf. It helps that I’ve used his feeds and that I have show stock too. Customers are always interested in what works best. I look after the east side of the A19 covering York, Malton and right across to the coast.’

Peter has a flock of 70 breeding ewes; including pedigree Texels and commercials, and a small herd of purebred Hereford cattle, as well as

a selection of continental crossbred calves for showing. He started showing around 10 years ago and has a simple philosophy.

‘The art of showing is that you have to learn how to accept the places your stock is judged. We’ve not done too badly this year with the cattle. We picked up a few firsts at local shows; and we managed seconds, thirds and fourths at the Great Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, but first and foremost I just enjoy showing.’

And he does as much as he can, whilst also making sure that his contracting business and his feed selling work is carried out too. Newark, Lincoln, the Great Yorkshire,

Eastrington, Howden and Sykehouse are all regulars on his calendar.

Whilst his cattle showing has come on strong in the past three years Peter also shows his Texel sheep – and not just in the summer but also at Christmas fatstock sales where he has had several champion carcases.

After going out of cattle in 2001 he only restarted his herd four years ago. That’s when he went for the purebred Herefords as well as his continental crossbred calves.

‘I liked the look of them in the field. They are a good old-fashioned, native breed and their popularity is on the increase.’

Peter uses the local livestock markets at Dunswell and Selby, as well as travelling further afield to Newark to buy and sell stock. And he doesn’t just stick to those as he recently bought a Limousin heifer in Carlisle.

One thing is for certain – with his combination of contracting, feed sales and show activity life at Sycamore House, Sandholme is certainly not all about living on a prayer.

Peter Farmery tel: 0787 5194197 email: [email protected]

Peter fArmerY


pickard

There has been a Pickard at Swindon Hall, Kirkby Overblow, near Harrogate for 147 years. It was Joshua Knapton Pickard back then and thanks to Keith Pickard the family name will remain for quite a while longer.

Keith recently won his fight for tenancy rights for he and one of his sons, after a protracted period that ended up going to tribunal.

‘It cost me £40,000 and a great deal of time and effort but it’s completed now. The problem had been that my father and my brother Maurice had the tenancy. My father had passed away some years ago and when my brother passed away the farm’s tenancy was just in his name. I had to reapply for the tenancy and had to prove that I had made an income from the farm over the previous seven years.’

Keith had combined his work on the farm with his ‘other’ job as a forklift driver at Golden Fry in Wetherby whilst farming wasn’t looking so clever.

keePing it in the fAmilYchris BerrY tAlks With keith PickArD At kirkBY overBloW

‘I was working at Golden Fry from 6am until 2 in the afternoon, then coming back to work on the farm from then until midnight each day. I was making sure that I paid off my father’s loan on the farm. I came back to work full-time on the farm once farm prices picked up again.’

The farm runs to 245 acres and Keith has around 245-250 cattle, which is made up of 120 cows and followers. The herd is predominantly Charolais influenced as Keith has bred them all up from the base of his first Charolais cow. They are crossbred with the Welsh Black

or Shorthorn as he believes this crossing pattern keeps them milking well, which in turn feeds the calves well. He used to send his cattle for fatstock at Wharfedale Farmers Livestock Market but now sends them as stores, going at around 6-7 months.


pickard

Tel 01525 240333 Fax 01525 240184

Martin 07921 921849 John 07860 136010

Dean Road, Stewkley Leighton Buzzard

Bedfordshire LU7 OEU

Stewkley Milling Serviceswww.stewkleymilling.com

Pleased to support Keith & Kerry Pickard and

wishing them continued success for the future

There are two reasons for sending them this way. Firstly, the grass has not performed as it should have done this year, due to the really dry spring; and secondly, after the tribunal I needed cash flow.’

In recent years Keith has developed a good reputation for his stock.

‘They grow well and we’ve got a bit of a name at the moment. I get quite a few asking when they will be coming in to the market. They also kill out well, giving a good proportion of meat to bone.’

Whilst Keith is the first to admit that he’s not really a cereals farmer he grows 45 acres of spring barley each year, as crop rotation for the grass leys and for feed.

‘Grass is my main thing. I have to reseed for grass leys coming. One way of getting rid of the rubbish is to go straight into arable. That way I’m ready for going straight back to grass again the following year. This year our spring barley has done really well on yield. We have averaged a respectable 2.5 tonnes on clay land. I grow Westminster, which is a malting barley, and Wagon. I grow them for the length of the straw. I was looking for the longest straw variety around and my suppliers Woodheads suggested these.’

Whilst Keith’s barley generally goes

toward feed for his cattle, who are in for 6 months of the year, he has sold the biggest quantity this year due to both the price of grain and his move to stores from fatstock. He gets minerals from Jameson Feeds and his cattle live off silage and grass in the main.

Keith was one of 10 siblings; of which two have now sadly passed away, as has his mother and father Joan and Maurice. He remembers the old days on the farm with fondness.

‘Haytime was always busy with a mass of small bales being produced, and plenty of stooks. I used to work hard on the farm, as did my brothers and sisters. I’d work before and after school each day. Dad had sheep in those days. He went into arable when I was born. Mum used to run the two vegetable plots we had in the garden producing all kinds of vegetables. She was a big baker and used to teach all of us how to bake on wet days.’

Keith is married to Kerry, who comes from Kirk Hammerton, and they have a 3 year old son, Joshua. He has two other children – Laura (21) and Thomas (18) from a previous marriage. Thomas works on a farm near Thirsk and helps out at his mother’s mum and dad’s farm in the

same area.

Outside of farming Keith was a sidecar man; the passenger in sidecar racing with one of his cousins. They raced on local grass tracks at Pickering and York.

Now that the tenancy issue has been resolved Keith is reinvesting in the farm. He has purchased new farm machinery and would like to put up other buildings for the cattle. But he doesn’t believe in over-spending where it can be avoided, his purchase of combine harvesters being a case in point.

He bought a combine for just £1000

around 20 years ago that he still uses today.

‘I worked out how much I was paying for having my corn cut by a contractor and reckoned that if I bought one cheaply it would pay for itself in 3 years – and it did.’

Keith has paid off his father’s loan; won the farm tenancy for his family; is building a reputation for his cattle; and he is now reinvesting in the farm. The future is looking good!

For more information contact Keith Pickard on 07801 600776


staveley

NOBLETREFRIGERATION

Unit 10 Keynons FarmGough LaneBamber BridgePrestonLancs PR5 6AQ

We are pleased to be associated withAndrew & Janet Staveley and

wish them continued success for the future.

Tel 01772 628 828

Surrounded by the Lakeland Fells and the mountains of Ingleborough and Whernside, Hill Farm in Tatham, Lancaster has enviable views.

The farm, owned by Andrew and Janet Staveley, consists of 300

acres and holds 150 Friesians, 120 of which are milked daily, 20 Limousin-cross cattle and 300 sheep. Both Andrew and Janet work on the farm, alongside 2 part time workers who help with the milking of their cows.

Hill farm is very much a family run farm, having previously been owned by Andrew’s Father, who bought the farm in 1956. Andrew and Janet took over 5 years ago, with Andrew having worked on the farm since he was 11.

Andrew was brought up on Hill Farm, when he married Janet they moved to The Lodge, a stones throw away from Hill Farm, at the opposite end of the lane. When Andrew and Janet took over Hill Farm they moved back into the

hill fArm mAkes the iDeAl holiDAY DestinAtion fArmersmArt visits AnDreW AnD JAnet stAveleY At hill fArm in tAthAm

stAveleY AnD reAgAn fAmilY


staveley

Suppliers of Ruminant Feeds, Liquid Feeds, Grass Seeds, Biotal Products, Minerals and Milk Powders to the farmers of Lancashire and surrounding areas.

Unit 1, Station Park, Ramsgreave Road, Blackburn, BB1 9BH

Tel 01254 24088 Fax 01254 249400

farm house where they now live with their 4 children.

Keen to keep the farm within the family Andrew and Janet’s daughters Vanessa, Annabel, Lucy and Connie are all involved in the family’s farming life. The children own 12 chickens, which they look after themselves and Annabel was given 2 Southdown sheep for her 10th birthday. Annabel is hoping to show them next year, with an

aim of breeding from them in the future.

For as long as Andrew has worked on Hill Farm they have kept dairy cows. “My family has always been involved in dairy. It’s hard work but I couldn’t imagine keeping anything else,” says Andrew. “My average day starts at 6 am and I usually don’t finish until about 7pm – if I’m lucky!”

If dairy farming wasn’t enough to keep the Staveley’s busy they also

continUes Pg 64

own two holiday homes which they run themselves. In 2007 Andrew and Janet converted a barn situated halfway down their lane into two luxury holiday cottages, after having rented out a caravan as a holiday let for a number of years. One luxury cottage sleeps 6 and the other sleeps 8. The cottages feature in

Hoseasons’ Ultimate collection, both sharing Hill Farm’s stunning views of the surrounding scenery. Each has its own outdoor seating and garden area, as well as private parking and their very own hot tub.


Towers GornallChartered Certified Accountants

Towers & Gornall are pleased to be associatedwith Andrew & Janet and wish them every success

now and in the future

29 Main Street, BenthamNear Lancaster, LA2 7HQTel: 015242 61206Fax: 015242 [email protected]

“It’s something we had considered venturing into for quite a while. After letting out the caravan successfully for some time we decided to go for it and convert the barns. We’ve never regretted it since,” Janet says.

“As well as having first time visitors to the cottages, we now have people who return for their holidays, sometimes more than twice each year. A few years ago the Reagan family, from Chester, came to stay in one of our holiday cottages. Alex

has children who are similar in age to ours and they all got on so well together they decided to return for another holiday. Now they come and stay 3 times a year and we have become close family friends.”

“We’ve found a lot of our guests enjoy staying so close to a farm. The holiday cottages tend to be busy in the spring time, around the lambing season, as guests enjoy being able to see first hand what lambing involves. For a lot of our guests it is their first time visiting a farm and seeing up close how a farm works. It’s great to be able to show people what farming life is all about.”

As well as having cows, sheep and chickens the Staveley family also have 2 sheepdogs and a pet dog, cats, kittens and guinea pigs. With

“for A lot of oUr gUests it is their first time visiting A fArm ... it’s greAt to Be ABle to shoW PeoPle WhAt fArming life is All ABoUt.”

staveley

AnnABel With her sheeP lUcY With her cAlf


NORTHERN FALLENSTOCK LTD

Daily Collections of all Classes of Fallen/Casualty Cattle,Sheep, Pigs & Horses in Lancashire, Cumbria & Yorkshire

Best rates for removal - GUARANTEED!!

Telephone : 0845 6029749Simon : 07969 890369 / Edward : 07860 289176

We are pleased to be associated with The Staveley Familyand wish them continued success for the future

Hunter FabricationsTel: 015242 62600

Suppliers of Steel Framed BuildingsGeneral welding and Fabrication

We are pleased to supply Andrew & Janet Staveley and would like to wish them well for the future

both the farm and the holiday lets to look after there is never a dull moment at Hill Farm. “We once had an escapee Friesian Bull in the yard whilst I was milking,” Andrew says. “Farming always keeps you busy!”

When not at school Annabel is keen to help out on the farm. Andrew explains, “Annabel loves working on the farm and often helps out with what needs to be done. As well as having her own sheep, Annabel is also interested in learning felting. It’s really nice to see the girls getting so involved in farming. We’d love for the

farm to stay in the family in the future and it would be great to see Annabel be successful with her own Southdown’s.”

You can find Hill Farm Barns luxury holiday cottages in Hoseasons’ Ultimate collection at www.hoseasons.co.uk

For further information contact 015242 62424 or [email protected] Hill Farm, Spens Lane tatham, Lancaster La2 8PP

staveley


thompson

TONY SHARP

Phone 01229716445 Mobile 07860513350

Ifor Williams Trailers

Pleased to beassociated

with the Thompson Family

Email [email protected]

Herdwick sheep have been a passion for David Thompson since he grew up on a farm in the heart of the Lake District.

He bought his first few ewes more than 30 years ago and started showing the sheep and since then, mainly by breeding, numbers have increased to 47 ewes.

David, of Climbstile, Woodland, Broughton-in-Furness, runs the sheep on 35 acres of rented ground as well as taking winter grazing for

the ewe hoggs, and his enthusiasm has been passed on to his daughter Claire who helps him with the sheep both at home and in the show ring as well as running a pedigree flock of Beltex with her husband, Leigh Whitaker.

Breeding and training sheep dogs is his other passion and hobby and he also carries out dry stone walling and hedging along with other building type jobs as well as working part time at Broughton auction mart.

The family farmed Herdwicks in Landgale for generations but David started his own pure-bred flock while he worked as a shepherd for the Morris-Eytons at Beckside, Millom.

Flock numbers have gradually been built up to the current optimum number from the original ewes from Harry Robinson in the Whicham Valley with a few bought in females, including some from Jean Wilson at Dockray. Rams are shared with

George Harryman, the Thompsons’ former neighbour in Langdale.

The small flock has earned David plenty of accolades. A regular exhibitor at the Great Yorkshire Show, the Herdwick championship has been won numerous times, including twice in a row with the same ram which he still retains a share in.

The ram was bought as a shearling from Mark Potter and first won the Yorkshire Show championship as a

DAviD flies the flAg for the herDWick


thompson

three shear ram in 2009, repeating the success the following year.

He also flies the flag for the breed at local shows - this year taking reserve breed championships at Cartmel and Lowick with home bred rams, a lamb and a shearling respectively.

“I enjoy showing the sheep and breeding tups. I like to breed sheep with a nice blue colour and a good frame. Getting the frame right is important because a sheep with a bit of size can get to a good carcase weight for the meat trade,” said David.

Despite a decrease in numbers of Herdwicks on the Lakeland fells because of environmental schemes, the hardy native hill breed is enjoying a renewed popularity across the country and in Wales in particular.

The breed’s ability to produce a good tight-skinned carcase lamb when crossed with a Texel or a Charollais is increasing demand for the ewes from lowland producers and meat marketing schemes for the breed run by supermarkets such as north west company Booths is also attracting interest.

The breed has even been enjoying international acclaim with two batches of ewes selling to Holland several years ago.

David has kept the health status of the flock a priority and has selected the best scrapie resistant genotype sires, with the flock being tested regularly to safeguard markets both at home and abroad.

The ewes lamb outside from the end of March early April with ewe rolls offered as supplementary feeding. Lambing is around 150 per cent.

Twenty of the best gimmer hoggs are retained as replacements and the remainder are sold for breeding.

Few replacements are required as ewes can still be producing lambs into their teens of years.

Rams are sold as shearlings and up to three year olds at Broughton-in-Furness and Cockermouth marts in September and October to a top price of £2,000.

Wether lambs are sold store in early autumn through Broughton and thiis year’s trade has reflected the increased demand in the breed. Some draft ewes are sold privately.

As well as the former Yorkshire Show champion being used selectively on the flock this year as one of three stock rams alongside those bred by Brian Stagg, of Lorton, and Shaun Richardson, of Watendlath.


DAviD thomPson With one of his eWes


lemken

Lemken have introduced two new options that significantly increase the ease of operation of the Sirius field sprayer. The EcoControl unit enables the operator to control all hydraulic functions of the sprayer via two joysticks which can be mounted in a convenient location in the cab. All boom adjustments, including folding, are permanently available via the joysticks, without the need to refer to the menu screen on the main control box. As a result of this, it is easier to make boom adjustments, such as tilt and height, whilst on the move.

The EcoControl unit is directly connected to the Ecospray Terminal and requires a constant oil flow from the tractor via the spool valve or load sensing system. Any Sirius sprayer, which is fitted with an Ecospray computer, can be upgraded to EcoControl.

The second new LEMKEN option, Teejet Matrix 570G, offers a track guidance system with monitor that, combined with the Ecospray computer, provides a number of important functions. The field shape is recorded during the first full pass around the headland. After that, the Matrix system automatically controls the boom sections to ensure application in irregular or wedge shaped fields is

optimised. Matrix features a DGPS signal corrected with EGNOS which means a precision of +/- 30 cm.

Equipped with a camera, the track guidance system combines a live image with graphical guiding lines on the screen, enabling the driver to easily follow them. The track guidance can handle straight lines, curves, circles as well as the last leg of the field.

The Matrix terminal is connected to the Ecospray computer via a CANBUS interface and provides an USB port. Thus the application summary can be saved as pdf file and used in further applications. GPS data can be exported to “kml” or “shape” files enabling an import to Google Earth and graphic display.

The Matrix track guidance system comes with GPS Antenna, attachment, and Ecospray connection cable. The Matrix terminal can also used without the connected Ecospray computer as parallel driving assistance e.g. with cultivators or fertiliser spreaders.

www.lemken.co.uk [email protected]

lemken focUses on eAse of oPerAtionJoYstick control AnD AUtomAtic sWitching of WiDth sections for siriUs fielD sPrAYers

mAtriX, ecocontrol AnD ecosPrAY comPUter in trActor cAB


farmwatch

Encouraging a strong link between the rural community and the police may seem like an easy task on the face of it. However over the years the lack of a regular visible policing presence has done little to boost confidence and satisfaction. That is why when I took on the responsibility of Farmwatch at the Otley based North West Outer Neighbourhood

Policing Team I recognised what a great opportunity we had.

It is not very often you get something for nothing and the offer of free information updates and more focussed patrols within the countryside was initially met with a degree of scepticism from the farming community. However the benefits are clear.

fArmWAtch scheme cAlls for more memBerssergeAnt neil Perkiss eXPlAins hoW fArmWAtch is helPing to tAckle rUrAl crime

You tell us what issues there are in your area and we will endeavour to address them. By joining the Farmwatch scheme you will receive updates as to what crimes have happened locally and what crimes trends we have county wide.

What do we ask for in return? Simply communication. You are the eyes and ears of the community. We need to know if a vehicle is acting suspiciously in your area, if you have been offered cheap fuel, been approached to launder money or heard rumours about people engaging in criminal activity.

We know that the farming community have one the best and effective informal communication networks. By tapping in to that I am positive that can have a positive impact upon rural crime.

Our team is geared up to the challenges, having recovered a large

amount of stolen farm machinery that was part of a nationwide operation. More recently a Land Rover Defender stolen from the Otley Auction Mart was recovered in Bradford, the suspect identified by our team and he is currently awaiting trial at Leeds Crown Court.

if you wish to join our scheme simply contact us at ‘Farmwatch’, otley Police Station, Bridge Street, otley, West Yorkshire LS21 3Ba or email us at [email protected] or give us a call on 01943 858071. We will supply a large Farmwatch notice, stickers for machinery and provide regular crime updates.

Ed. note. Farmersmart have signed up for this scheme.

The British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) has initiated a Bull Buyer’s survey of over 1500 pedigree Limousin bulls sold at official Society sales throughout 2008 and 2009.

Buyers in the period, from across the United Kingdom, have been sent a wide ranging questionnaire covering their criteria for purchasing to how satisfied they have been with all aspects of the performance of their Limousin bulls to date. The survey will ask purchasers the importance they place on areas such as pre-sale inspections, herd health information, and performance figures. Thereafter questions will concentrate on the all-round working abilities of the bull including fertility, calving, docility, and quality and performance of progeny through

to marketing. An overall approval rating will be asked for and the survey respondents will also have the opportunity to comment generally on the Limousin breed and their thoughts on its future development.

The Limousin Bull Buyers’ survey will be conducted from present through until mid-November. Thereafter, in the first instance, an overall summary of replies will be published to allow breeders the opportunity to consider the collective views of Limousin bull buyers.

For any further information please contact BLcS chief executive, iain Kerr, on 02476 696500

initiAtes BUll BUYers’ sUrveY


scrivin

Contact Alastair Cromarty1-5 Alma Terrace, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1EJ

Tel: 01756 795417 Fax: 01756 701047

Established

for over 40 years

Specialists in Farm Accounts and Agricultural Taxation

We are pleased to be associated with Jim and Christine Scrivinand wish them continued success for the future

We are pleased to support Jim & Christine Scrivin and wish them continued success for the future.

Tel: 01282 [email protected]

The Lonk SheepBreedersÕ Association

Situated on the outskirts of Elslack village, Park House farm, run by Jim and Christine Scrivin is home to the award winning Pinhaw Lonks that stole the show at the 2011 Great Yorkshire Show. Jim and Christine’s Lonks won both Champion and Reserve, this is something they have never achieved before, having won just the Lonk Champion in 2009 and 1985. Jim says, “It is great to have achieved this with our Lonks.”

Jim’s family have been at Park House since 1964. Both his father, Steven, who is originally from Halifax and his granddad, Tom, had their own farms previous to this, where they kept their Lonk flocks. Tom introduced the breed to his farm in 1940 and the Scrivin family have never looked back.

Christine, who is from a farming background, is originally from

Lancashire, the home county of the lonks, although until meeting Jim she had never had any dealings with the breed. She was brought up on her fathers farm, Leewarden Farm at Gisburn, which she now runs as well as Park House. Her son, Chris, also has an active role in the day to day running of the farms.

Park House has 350 acres of land which runs up to Pinhaw Moor which is around 1300 feet. This is where Jim and Christine keep their 300 Lonks, 50 Derbyshire Gritstones, 65 Limousin cross suckler cows and followers. At Leewarden they keep a flock of 350 Texel cross and Mule ewes. The Mule ewes are homebred ewes bred out of Lonk ewes that are not good enough to be kept pure. Jim feels that the fat lambs bred out of this cross are of better confirmation and have far better skins, both of

PinhAW lonks BreAk recorD At greAt Yorkshire shoWkAte crAgon meets Jim AnD christine scrivin At PArk hoUse fArm, elslAck, neAr skiPton

which the butcher is looking for.

As well as winning with their Lonks at The Great Yorkshire Show, their Derbyshire Gritstone flock also had a successful day taking home Female Champion and Reserve Champion overall. Jim and Christine also show their fleeces and in 2009 and 2010 they won the overall Fleece Championship at The Great Yorkshire Show. This year they had Reserve Champion and had 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each of the classes for

their Gritstones, Lonks and Mule fleeces.

“I have always paid close attention to wool quality and it is a breed characteristic that the wool is clean and free from kemp and black wool. This is paying off now because Lonk wool is sought after and a premium price paid, this will continue as the wool price continues to rise. We clip all the sheep ourselves and this definitely helps when we are selecting our show fleeces.”

Jim AnD christine scrivin


scrivin / Jg animal health

Pearson Farm SuppliesStainton House Farm, West Marton

Near Skipton BD23 3UHTele 01282 842932Fax 01282 842950

www.pearsonsfarmsupplies.co.uk

We are pleased to supply Jim & Christine Scrivin

and wish them continued success for the future

Agricultural Merchants

After a successful 3 days at The Yorkshire, Jim and Christine went on to have success at The Royal Welsh Show, Trawden Show, Halifax Show, Chipping Show, Hope Valley, Westmorland Show, Hodder Show and Hayfield Show.

With all of this years accomplishments you would think the Lonks would be a regular sight on English sheep farms, but they are quite few in number. Named after the Lancashire term for Lanky, the Lonks are far from what could be called a skinny breed. Native to the Pennines, Lonks are naturally free ranging sheep of the mountain class. Coming from a mountainous environment they are strong boned sheep and are extremely hardy.

With generations of his family keeping Lonks, Jim is keen to improve the breed’s reputation and promote their great farming qualities. Both Jim and Christine are heavily involved in the Lonk Sheep Breeders Association, Jim is a Registrar and Christine is the secretary. “There does seem to be an increase in interest and more farms are keeping them as there are several schemes on offer to encourage them,” Jim explains. “I think if more farmers are aware of their benefits, more people would choose them over other native hill breeds.”

Up to a year ago Park House also kept dairy cows but Jim says he is glad to have stopped when he did.

“We decided to stop milking as it was becoming more and more unprofitable for us, though we know we won’t make a fortune out of sheep either! There are always ups and downs within farming but we enjoy what we do - winning at shows is a bonus.”

When asked about diversifying at Park House Jim replied, “Farming is enough to keep us busy, with the shows we have a busy summer, we don’t have a time for a lot else.” Christine says they would like to expand their flock of Lonks but at the moment their acreage restricts them.

“Our aim at the moment is to continue to breed show winners and improve our flock, It would be great to win at Holme show, Cliviger next year. This is our Society show and is held each year at the end of September. Our Society sale, where registered rams and females are sold, is usually held the following week at Clitheroe Auction.”

For a breed of sheep that narrowly avoided extinction during the Foot and Mouth epidemic, and are still considered threatened, they have had an outstanding summer at this year’s shows.

Park House Farm, Skipton, north Yorkshire BD23 3at tel: 01282 842423

With a greater reliance on forage based diets it is important to monitor mineral and trace element levels to ensure you are feeding a balanced ration to enable your livestock achieve their genetic potential.

Blood tests will give you a guide to general mineral status but will not give accurate figures to mineral availability due to the inability to check molybdenum, aluminium and iron levels.

We use detailed forage analysis and your knowledge of your livestock to identify the shortfalls in the mineral supplementation of your stock, so often the link

between profit and loss.

Premier Drenches will often fine tune the performance of your animals. Our ready to use, easy drench formula ensures stress is kept to a minimum and helps maximise livestock performance. Not all mineral drenches are the same, we use only the highest quality raw materials, protected trace elements and vitamins to provide a no-compromise product at a competitive price.

Visit the website: www.jganimalhealth.com

Achieving YoUr livestock’s PotentiAl


walker

WAlkers keeP on WinningkAte crAgon tAlks With JAne AnD nicolA WAlker of sigston grAnge in northAllerton

and Applied Science at and Chris is studying for his GCSEs. Once Nicola has completed her A-Levels she is hoping to study at an agricultural based college or university, such as the Royal Agricultural College, studying Accountancy or Crop Science. Chris is also going to continue studying completing his A-Levels before hopefully studying Agriculture at Askham Bryan College. Both Nicola and Chris also attend their local Young Farmers Club every week.

The Walker family sell cattle both privately and at Thirsk Farmers Auction Mart. They buy cattle from all over the UK, including Carlisle, Chelford and Lancashire.

Nicola is hoping to extend the British Blue cattle numbers at Sigston Grange, whilst Chris is also keen to build on his herd of Charolais. It was through Chris’ interest in the

Charolais that the Walker family decided to start keeping them at the farm last year.

Jane says, “There could be a battle to see who takes over the farm! Although I think Chris is most interested in running the farm when he is older. Nicola would like to work outside of the farm but still in agriculture. It is great to see that they love being involved in the industry and want to stay involved as they grow up.”

Nicola would like to thank Eileen Wilson for all her help and instruction on beef judging.

Sigston grange Kirby Sigston, northallerton, north Yorkshire DL6 3tB tel: 01609 883421

Brother and Sister, Chris and Nicola Walker, have had a successful summer of showing this year. Nicola, aged 16, and Chris, aged 14, have won a whole host of prizes at many of this year’s shows, including the Great Yorkshire and Ryedale Show.

At present the Walker family are the fourth generation of their family to farm at Sigston Grange. The farm was passed on to Chris and Nicola’s parents, Collin and Jane in 1958, has been owned by Collin’s side of the family, for a number of years. Up until 2005, Sigston Grange farmed a herd of dairy cattle. It was Jane who decided to cease milking, instead concentrating on farming native cattle breeds in the same year.

At Sigston Grange, which consists of 190 acres, the Walker family farm a suckler herd, 20 Herefords, 10 Charolais and a small herd of cross breed cattle. They also keep 5 horses, 2 of which Jane and Nicola are in the process of breaking in at the moment. When the summer show season ends, Nicola concentrates on getting her horse fit enough for hunting competitions and trials which she does with the Hurtworth.

Nicola and Chris started showing in 2005, at the ages of 10 and 8. Their show wins this summer include Supreme Champion, Champion, five 1sts and two 2nds at the Young Farmers Club Calf Show, two 4ths and a 6th at the Great Yorkshire Show, Reserve Champion and three 1sts at Ryedale Show, a 1st, 2nd and 3rd at Wensleydale Show and a 1st, 2nd and 5th at Osmotherly Show,

amongst others wins at Otley, Huby and Sutton and Nidderdale Shows.

This year Nicola won the Young Handler award at both North Yorkshire County and Todmorden Show. Chris also won Junior Young Handler at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show, having won Reserve Junior Young Handler at the show last year.

At this year’s Great Yorkshire Show the Walkers competed in the Housewives Choice competition for the Herefords category. “The theme we had all chosen was ‘Beef Wellington’ which meant we dressed up as chefs in wellies,” Nicola explains. “I assumed I was going to lead the bull into the ring but I noticed my mum had the halter for him in her hands. Instead I ended up riding the bull into the ring! Sadly we weren’t placed and as we made our way out of the ring, Colorado, the bull, decided to start rollicking about and bucking. I had all on to try and stay on his back. Although I’m used to riding horses, trying to stay on a bull bare back is a real challenge!”

“Nicola and Chris haven’t yet competed together in the young handler competitions. Chris has been competing in the junior competitions whilst Nicola competes in the intermediates. They are both very competitive so it will be interesting to see them compete together when the time comes.”

Jane works full time on the farm, whilst Nicola and Chris attend Stokesley School. Nicola is studying for her A-Levels in Geography, English Literature, Product Design

chris At the greAt Yorkshire shoW 2011 nicolA riDing colorADo


peacock and binnington

When you are new to an area it usually takes a while to earn the trust of your prospective customers, showing them you have the commitment for the long haul.

Peacock & Binnington have made their name to the south of the Humber but, when they took over the franchise areas operated previously by Mitchells and Claytons, they opened up their first Yorkshire-based premises for over a century. The original company had started in Hull before moving to the south bank.

In 2007, following a period when they were trying to find the right location, they opened up a new centre at Selby Business Park, near the livestock market on the outskirts of Selby. This was to be the catalyst for what is now a thriving environment.

Marcus Bourne is Branch Sales Manager and has seen the company’s Yorkshire-based business blossom in the four years since then.

‘We have developed a very strong

commitment BUilDs A BUsinesschris BerrY visits PeAcock & Binnington in selBY

and enthusiastic team here and our customer base has increased year on year. When we first came there were

just six of us, now we have a staff of fifteen. There are six technicians and four are fully time-served and

vastly experienced, along with two apprentices.’

Graham Main took over as Managing

PeAcock & Binnington’s teAm At selBY With groUP mD grAhAm mAin (right)



Director of Peacock & Binnington in January 2010. He is delighted with the progress being made at Selby, as well as right across the business.

‘These are exciting times for the company and it shows our commitment to farming. We have now purchased the site at Selby, which we were renting initially. We have increased the staffing and put key people into senior roles. We have Marcus; and Mark Johnson, our Parts Manager who has recently moved from our Brigg depot; and David Dawson, Service Manager.’

‘When I came here I was immediately taken with the passion of the people we have on our team, throughout the company. It sets a great deal of stall on training and development of its people and providing a quality service to its customers. The owner, Mr Peacock, has always had his own passion for seeing Peacock & Binnington products on farm, and the rest of us are no different.’

Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Challenger brands are all in demand across Peacock and Binnington’s four branches at Louth, Brigg, Corringham and Selby.

‘The Massey Ferguson 6480 and 6499 tractors are where the volume has been,’ says Marcus. ‘But we also now have a very efficient and cost effective stockman’s tractor in the 4550. It is a newer model and has put us well and truly back into the stockman’s market place.’

One of Peacock & Binnington’s undoubted success stories in recent years has been their Challenger franchise, which covers far more than purely the areas normally served by their four branches. The man at the head of this is Les Bacon, who is now a Director of the company and in charge of the Challenger brand.

‘We have recently taken the Top Dealer Award in EAME (Europe, Africa & Middle East) for sales, service, parts and training in Challenger product,’ says Les. ‘We sell a substantial number of new Challengers each year and one of the really exciting parts of the business currently is in the second-hand market. There is such a demand for them and everyone knows about their reliability. They are robust and effective machines and as anyone who has ever used one will tell you, nothing pulls like a crawler. We have customers as far north as the Tees and a number over in Holderness in the East Riding.’

Graham Main is now looking to repeat the success Les is making with the Challenger brand through Peacock & Binnington’s Fendt franchise.

‘Les’ successful model of having one man overseeing the whole brand is what we have now taken into the Fendt brand. We have just employed Steve Mills, who was previously our AGCO Territory Manager, to mirror what Les has done. Fendt are currently undertaking a huge investment at their factory and upping their production from 11,000 to 20,000 units. Fendt would be very proud in telling you that they currently hold a 40% market share in the over 200hp sector in the UK. We believe that we can add to that for them and become their dealer of the year.’

When you start out with a new depot, in a new area, you don’t automatically get the franchises you have elsewhere – but over the past four years the Selby centre has made huge strides by negotiating the franchises for Kuhn and latterly

the PArts teAm At selBY

continUes Pg 76



Simba, adding to their roster that also includes Lely Welger, Larrington Trailers, Chafer, Dowdeswell and Leica guidance systems.

Guidance systems are fast becoming big business, especially amongst arable farmers whether for cereals

or roots crops.

‘We certainly have more people buying tractors with guidance systems now,’ says Marcus. ‘They have moved from what appeared to be a luxury item, just a few years ago, to a necessity as farmers can

now see the savings that can be made on cultivation, time and cost of fuel. We are finding that they are becoming very popular with vegetable growers. We have six RTK base stations across the Peacock & Binnington territory which provide

consistent, repeatable accuracy.’

So what next for Peacock & Binnington? Graham Main believes there is every reason for looking forward with confidence, whilst ensuring that their healthy position across all four branches is maintained.

‘We will always look very positively at any opportunities that arise, but for the moment we are all focused on doing better at what we do presently. Our unit sales are up on last year and we are seeing improved sales in all areas, most importantly though, we want to carry on looking after our customers wherever they are with great products and great service. We are totally committed to what we do and the team at Selby has shown just how you can build up a business in a short space of time.’

PeacocK & Binnington Selby centre, Unit 9 oakney Wood road Selby Business Park SeLBY Yo8 8LZ tel: 01757 700699 www.peacock.co.uk

les BAcon With A chAllenger


black

What started out as a garden maintenance project has turned into a successful, prize-winning venture for Trevor and Pat Black.

In 1983 Pat and Trevor found the perfect countryside house in the small village of Gowthorpe, York. As well as a large garden, Swynford Cottage came with a 1 acre paddock. Pat explains, “The paddock needed a lot of maintenance. The grass was very high and I knew it was more than we could garden with a lawnmower. I had previously owned a horse but with working full time I knew I wouldn’t have the time to look after another. Both Trevor and I knew that we didn’t want goats as they are great at escaping. It was actually a neighbouring farmer who had two Jacob sheep for sale. We instantly fell in love.”

Knowing very little about sheep, Trevor and Pat have learnt a lot since buying their two Jacobs. Both had farming in their blood, but had never farmed themselves up until taking on the Jacobs. Now they own another 8 acres of land in the neighbouring village of Full Sutton where they keep some of their 26 Jacobs flock

Although both Trevor and Pat would love nothing more than to own and run their own farm, they know however that with the holding they have at the moment they would need to acquire more land before farming full time. Trevor runs his own business, Blackwolds Consultancy, and Pat works for Business Link as well as both being partners of the Yorkshire Business Advisory Services, which

from gArDening to fArmingfArmersmArt visit trevor AnD PAt BlAck At sWYnforD cottAge in goWthorPe, York

launched this year. Trevor was also the Regional Representative representing the North of England on the Jacob Sheep Society Council from 2000 to 2003.

“We attract crowds at the shows because of our Jacobs. A lot of people don’t know that much about them and so it’s nice to be able to teach people about the breed,” Trevor says. “We’ve had people think they are black and white goats before!”

The key to the Black’s success is their discipline in managing the flock. “We know what traits appeal to the judges when showing Jacobs. When breeding we look out for well built rams. Jacobs used to be such a small breed,” Pat explains. Both Trevor and Pat never keep more sheep than they can manage, selling their top quality ewes for impressive prices. Two of their lambs were sold a few years ago in Scotland for 390 guineas each and one went on to win Reserve Champion at the Royal Show.

In this year’s Northern Region Sheep Society Show and Sale, as well as having won first and second place for two of their lamb rams they also won reserve championship and achieved the highest selling price of the day, selling a lamb for 700 guineas.

Trevor speaks of how Jacobs haven’t always been as widely appreciated in the farming world. “We were once showing one of our Jacobs and the holding pen was nearly half the size of our ram,” says Trevor. “The

people working at the show were shocked at how large he was. It is great to see how the breed has developed, and how they now rival a lot of other breeds.”

Trevor and Pat first started showing at local shows including Bishop Wilton and now attend several shows throughout each year. This year their Jacob’s have won championship at Malton, Thornton-le-Dale and Danby show, as well as two first and two second places at Driffield show.

It’s a team effort from both Trevor and Pat when the shows get underway. Pat says, “Jacobs are a very demanding and time consuming breed to show. They require a lot of care and attention to make sure they are looking their best. Trevor usually prepares the lambs, whilst I dress and clip the adults. We start

the day at 5am when we have a show to attend as we have so much to sort out before we can show our Jacobs. We always make sure we reward ourselves with a bacon butty though!”

Both Trevor and Pat’s biggest farming regret is not being able to buy a farm sooner. With their previous success over the last few years though it is fair to say they are making up for lost time. When asked about swapping the Jacobs for a lawnmower, Pat replied, “I wouldn’t swap them, I couldn’t imagine our lives without our flock of Jacobs.”

Swynford cottage, gowthorpe, York, north Yorkshire Yo41 5Qn tel: 01759 368346

PAt AnD trevor BlAck


foxbridge machinery

What came first – the chicken or the quad bike? In the case of the north of England’s newest quad and UTV company it was the chickens.

Poultry farming family the Tarrans are now also established as Foxbridge Machinery at their Smearholme farm, Gatenby near Bedale.

They marked their start-up with an open day at the end of October where they put on show the new Martin Collins range of ATVs, UTVs and small tractors, as well as equipment from Wessex Machinery.

Chris Tarran started out in agricultural engineering many years ago with

neW qUAD AnD Utv BUsiness oPenschris BerrY visits foXBriDge mAchinerY At gAtenBY

Northallerton-based Kellett & Pick. He was very impressed with the attendance at the open day.

‘We had prospective customers attend from as far as Northumberland, as well as quite a number from right across the county. That’s just about right as we are the North east approved retailer for Martin Collins Equipment. The over-riding impression we gleaned from the day was that people really were interested in the brand. We already have some very positive enquiries which we are following up.’

Foxbridge Machinery’s team includes Chris’ daughter Lindsay, her fiancé Phil Peacock and Chris’ wife Diane.

‘We believe that we will be able to bring our customers value for money. We’re on-farm here all the time so our service will be available around the clock. If someone wants a demonstration at 7 or 8 at night we’ll be happy to show them what these machines are capable of. I’m a fully qualified mechanic and whatever a customer needs they can be sure of getting with us.’

Lindsay was also very pleased with the response to the open day:

‘We really didn’t know what to expect, but everyone who came congratulated us on a very professional start. We now have a number of good prospects and we fully intend building on them. The machines themselves are extremely rugged and just what farmers and gamekeepers are looking for. But we’re not counting our chickens (in this respect) just yet. We want to show everyone just how good the Martin Collins range really is – so why don’t you drop by and find out for yourself?’

Check out their website for directions as their farm is on the east side of the A1 from the village of Burneston where A1 developments are taking place. Or better still, just give Lindsay a call.

FoXBriDge MacHinerY Smearholme, gatenby Burneston, Bedale DL8 2JQ Mob: 07798 631449 Mob: 07762 346957

linDsAY AnD chris tArrAn

visitors At foXBriDge mAchinerY’s oPen DAY


security

You want to boost business and you know advertising works, then you get a cold call from someone saying they are already working with a publication you currently advertise with, you are lulled into a false sense of security, you agree to a £300 advert, plus VAT of course and you pay in advance.

Guess what? – It’s a complete scam, the advert is never published, they are not working with your current advertiser – you have been scammed.

Since around 2002 scrupulous individuals across the country have been happily scamming susceptible victims. In the past callers have even claimed to be from the police, and often talk about a rural crime special or a drugs crime year planner. They get the money in advance but the publication never appears.

FarmersMart advertisers have been scammed in this way by three companies calling themselves Blueline Publications, Independent National Publishers and Monarch Multimedia forcing FarmersMart to seek legal and police help to prevent further harm.

Advertising scams are big business. In January 2010, 45 year old Peter Kemp and three others were convicted in Staffordshire for tricking local businesses into advertising in a bogus anti drugs publication. The fraud netted £700k - tax free of course. Kemp the mastermind behind the scam set up false companies and call centres to contact potential victims. He was sentenced to four and half years in prison.

And one twist in the ad-scam world was a fraud on a busy doctors practice which was threatened with bailiffs for not paying for their advert in a drugs awareness publication. It was only after quickly paying up that the practice manager realised they had never agreed to take out the advert in the first place and the request for payment was just a scam.

It is the clever way the fraudsters

ADvertising scAms - Don’t Be A victimPhil reAD oUr secUritY eDitor investigAtes the mUrkY WorlD of ADvertising scAms Which is even Affecting fArmersmArt cUstomers.

claim a link to an existing publication like FarmersMart, or claim to be part of a police drugs or crime awareness campaign that give them an air of integrity. Some have even claimed to be the police calling from the police media department. And all this has meant honest hard working people being duped by criminals with no conscience whatsoever.

So what can you do? The Advertising Protection Agency (TAPA) offer lots of advice on their website including a ten-point prevention plan. They run a TAPA opt out scheme where

advertisers can register to prevent cold calls.

TAPA also have a list of 445 publishing companies that TAPA have received complaints about and that they are currently actively monitoring, including our Blueline Publications!

As always in life the rule is ‘buyer beware’, but there are a number of steps you can take when invited to take out advertising and prevent these scammers from profiteering from you. Some of their claims are also dubious – like suggesting they have a 60,000 circulation, that’s

the circulation of a city newspaper, with access delivery vans and shop outlets – is it realistic for a small publisher?

The latest scams are; charity type publications, also crime reduction, emergency services, drugs awareness, rural crime publications, wallplanners, calendars etc.

For further advice also go to Trading Standards.

www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

so WhAt shoUlD YoU Do? • BeWAre of the colD cAll. finD oUt Who is cAlling; nAmes, telePhone

nUmBers AnD ADDresses, Also WeBsites – sAY YoU Are too BUsY AnD ArrAnge to cAll them BAck, or Better still Ask them to senD YoU the informAtion BY Post.

• cArrY oUt YoUr oWn verificAtion checks on the comPAnY thAt cAlleD YoU – ring them BAck AnD finD oUt if theY Are Who theY sAY theY Are.

• scAmmers Use moBile Phones or ‘cAller iD WithhelD’ lAnD lines – Be sUsPicioUs of moBile nUmBers.

• Ask for them to senD YoU coPies of PrevioUs PUBlicAtions so YoU cAn see for YoUrself the qUAlitY of the ProDUct theY Are selling – if it’s A scAm theY Won’t hAve A PUBlicAtion to senD YoU.

• Don’t PAY UPfront, WAit for the invoice AnD A coPY of the PUBlicAtion.

• check oUt the ADvertiser With the ADvertising Protection AgencY (tAPA) on 0844 357 3311 or their WeBsite At:- WWW.ADvertisingProtectionAgencY.org

• never Agree An ADvertising contrAct over the Phone With An UnknoWn comPAnY – Ask them to senD everYthing to YoU in Writing, then YoU cAn reAD the terms AnD conDitions.

• if the cAller clAims to Be AssociAteD With fArmersmArt – PleAse ring to let Us knoW As this Will Be A scAm.


slowen

At the age of 16 you may consider Hannah Slowen to be an amateur when it comes to knowing about cattle, but her collection of trophies and rosettes would prove otherwise.

Along with her brother, Thomas, Hannah has made a name for the Slowen’s in the showing circuit. Having started at the age of 10, showing has progressed to become an almost full time activity for Slowen family. “I was interested in horses from a young age and helped out at a local equestrian centre,” Hannah explains. “I knew that having my own horses would involve more time than I was able to give with being at school so we decided to buy some Limousine crosses.”

The Slowen’s herd, made up of 15 cattle, are kept at Squirrel Lodge on four and half acres of land. Hannah’s father Paul says, “We only keep a small herd as we don’t have a lot of land and myself, my wife Julie and Thomas work full time. Having only a small number of cattle means we have to be very selective about what

A sUmmer of sUccesskAte crAgon meets With the sloWen fAmilY At sqUirrel loDge in BAlkholme hoWDen neAr goole

we keep, narrowing our cattle to those that we believe have the best breed qualities.”

Paul built Squirrel lodge in 1994, having previously lived in Balkholme

Howden for 25 years. His father owned a butchers and a small farm in the village and when he died in 1979, Paul took over the business until 1996. “I ran the business for

a number of years before venturing into my own business in 2000 which I still run today. I drew on my previous farming knowledge when we started our herd at Squirrel Lodge.


slowen

It is great to see both Thomas and Hannah involved in agriculture.

“It was Thomas who was first to express interest in cattle and he was the one to introduce Aberdeen Angus to our herd. He’d been interested in the breed throughout his childhood and so we decided to see what they were like. We found out very quickly that they are an easy breed to maintain. They are easy to calf and they can be fed mainly on grass. Taking on the Angus was a great decision to have made.”

Thomas and Hannah are responsible for choosing new cattle for the Squirrel Lodge herd. As with anyone who shows they have certain traits in mind when looking for their next prize winner. Having won many prizes and awards between them, Thomas and Hannah have proved that they have the ability to choose the best cattle on offer.

Hannah explains, “I always make sure they have a good temperament. We have taken on cattle that have proven to be more of a challenge in the past, but it is easier, in regards to showing, if they are less of a handful. I also look for a big build and a good ring presence, the overall package really.”

Hannah won Reserve Champion Commercial Beef with her Limousin

Steer at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show. She then went to Driffield Show to take overall Commercial Champion. Hannah then added to the Howden Show Shield and won the shield with a separate Limousin Bullock.

“I was taking my GCSE exams and showing at the same time. I didn’t want to miss out on the shows. In one of my exam weeks I took an exam, went to a show the next day and then the day after I sat another exam – I’m not sure how I fitted it all in! I achieved 11 GCSEs this summer.”

As well as this years wins, Hannah has previously won Champion Young Handler at Newark Show in 2009 and through the Angus Youth Development Programme Thomas met Prince Philip. Both Hannah and Thomas are members of the Aberdeen Angus Youth Development Programme which provides great experience holding stock judging, cattle dressing and ring craft events.

Hannah has just started studying for her Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at Riseholme College in Lincoln. “It’s a 2 year course which I hope will help towards studying for a degree in agriculture. Once I have finished my studies I would love to work for

DEFRA. I know I definitely want to work within the agriculture sector.

“At the moment I’m focusing on my education. I am living away from home whilst at Riseholme College so we may have to downsize the herd slightly, but I am definitely going to keep on showing as much as possible. I will be coming home to attend as many shows as possible.

“Showing has opened up a whole new world to both Thomas and myself. We are both members of the Young Farmers Club and as well as the agricultural side of the club, it also has a great social side too. I

have made a lot of friends and I have been able to attend a lot of events. I have learnt so many skills through showing and above all it has helped me to see where I want to work in the future. I would recommend showing to anyone, but especially to younger people. I couldn’t imagine my life without the cattle!”

Squirrel Lodge Brow Lane, Balkholme goole Dn14 7XH 01430 410495

hAnnAh AnD PAUl


carter

There cannot be greater recognition than being rewarded for your day-to-day work by your peers. Andrew Carter of Gerard House, Wigton has recently won the best dairy herd competition in the Border & Lakeland section of the Holstein Breeders Club. He’s understandably delighted.

‘We have won the small herd and progeny competition, but we have

also won the overall title against the large herd winners. It’s only the second time we have entered in a long while. We used to enter in pre-FMD days, but the quality of our herd has improved and keeps improving. Last year we had a herd average of 9500 litres and the way they have milked during the winter and this summer we should do better than that.’

Winning competitions is something that is not uncommon for the Carters on their 160 acre farm just south of Wigton. Andrew and his father Robert have long had a reputation for their pedigree Simmental herd and have won many times in the show ring.

Up until FMD in 2001 the carters also had sheep. They had pedigree Suffolks and Blue Faced Leicesters.

The Suffolks were dispersed in the mid-90s, but a contiguous cull was the end of sheep on the farm. Like many in the area, they were taken for burial at the giant Great Orton site.

‘I always wanted to be a dairy farmer,’ says Andrew. ‘I was always keener on dairy than sheep. Since FMD we have increased the size of the dairy herd, which now runs to

the creAm of north cUmBriAchris BerrY tAlks With AnDreW cArter of Wigton


carter

135 milkers with a similar amount of young stock.’

Andrew is particularly pleased with his breeding policy which is mainly AI, using proven high-type semen from the likes of Semex, Worldwide Sires and Genus. But he is also pleased with a bull he has, whose sister has been interbreed champion at the European Dairy Event.

‘Breeding is a main priority for us. Type comes through in cow families and if you are using semen from a high-type bull, or have a high-type bull, it should continue coming through time after time.’

Andrew sells his milk to Meadow Foods and was with First Milk previously. He has been pleased with the move particularly as Meadow Foods stepped in and helped a number of dairy farmers when a proposed move elsewhere went wrong. Andrew doesn’t feel the industry is in too bad a way at present, although he believes it could still be a lot healthier.

‘I think the future is looking a lot more promising than last year, so long as the dairy companies pay us a fair price. As we speak (September) we’re getting around 27ppl. That can be viable so long as you are cost conscious, but the way costs have risen we need another 2-3ppl.’

One of the other areas which has picked up markedly in recent times is the cast cow trade. This has really benefited Andrew’s herd in that he has been able to be far more selective over what stays and what goes.

‘The cast cow trade has been very good and that means we have culled out anything that wasn’t just right. We’ve also had a lot of good heifers coming through this spring and summer.’

Andrew is presently vice chairman of the Border & Lakeland Holstein Club. His mum and dad, Sybil and

Robert are still very much a part of the farm which was originally farmed by Sybil’s father, William Watson when he came to Gerard House in 1935 buying the farm for the princely sum of just £4,000. Sybil and Robert also have three daughters: Kathleen, Elizabeth and Sheila. Sheila’s son has a small farm close by and milks for Andrew.

‘I’m the youngest by eight years. I was a bit of an afterthought,’ he says cheekily, with mum close by. ‘I’m lucky to be here really!’

Andrew is married to Sally who works as a teaching assistant at

a school in Abbeytown. They have two daughters (the Carters seem quite good at producing female offspring!) Laura and Emma. Laura has recently started as a primary school teacher in Carlisle after attending Newcastle University; Emma is in her second year studying medicine at Newcastle too.


“the fUtUre is looking A lot more Promising thAn lAst YeAr, so long As the DAirY comPAnies PAY Us A fAir Price.“

AnDreW cArter


tindalls

It has been a great year in the sheep classes for Robert and Samuel Tindall of Linton Springs Farm, Sicklinghall, near Wetherby. Two reserve champions at the Great Yorkshire and wins at Otley and North Yorkshire County, and interbreed champion at Stokesley and Masham Sheep Fair, have brought about their best year yet.

They started their Charollais flock of around 210 breeding ewes eight years ago when Robert sent son Samuel to renowned Charollais breeder Charles Marwood’s tup sale.

‘Samuel bought a tup for £500. It proved itself such a hard worker that it ended up getting two-thirds of our flock into lamb. The Texel and Suffolk rams hadn’t woken up by the time

he’d been getting to work, but the real clincher for us was that when they lambed the Charollais lambs were 10 days to a fortnight ahead of the Suffolks; and another fortnight ahead of the Texels. We had him five years before we let him go.’

The Tindalls’ next move was to buy a tup from another noted breeder, Jennifer Curtis, called G4 who

has bred both good quality male and female stock. Kingmaker was purchased last year and although Robert says he is still to be proven he is one of their sheep that won at the Great Yorkshire this year.

But it’s certainly not all about showing so far as Robert is concerned. He sees showing more as a shop window.

Best Yet for fAther christmAsfArmersmArt tAlks With the tinDAlls of sicklinghAll

roBert & sAmUel tinDAll With one of their chArollAis


tindalls

‘Samuel’s very good at showing and is highly competitive. But first and foremost we are here to produce quality Charollais for commercial buyers. I want every commercial buyer to have a good sheep that’s easy to lamb and that’s what we advertise, what we want and what we are trying to produce. All our Charollais are now MV accredited too.’

‘It’s not all about coming first either. Knockout took 4th place in the shearling tup class at Harrogate and he was the one that other breeders wanted to buy. He’s not got the looks of the pretty boy that was judged in first place; but he’s a block of meat and very correct. He took the farmers’ vote from around the ring. One farmer offered me £900 for him. I didn’t sell because I’d like us to breed some more like him before letting him go.’

Robert was born at Linton Springs Farm and his late father Harry Maurice Tindall farmed here before him. Years ago this was a totally mixed farm with dairy cows, beef, sheep, mangels, turnips, sugar beet, potatoes, wheat, barley and oats. Today that mix has been reduced to wheat, barley, oil seed rape, oats, sheep and a DIY livery for local horses on the 340 acres half owned and half tenanted by Robert and wife Ann in partnership, with Samuel and daughter Joanna both heavily involved.

Robert and Ann also have another son Jess who is a lecturer at Northumbria University. Robert has a brother David, who has a hotel in Filey, and five sisters.

As well as his sheep showing prowess Samuel is also a gifted engineer who is very adept at

manufacturing new farm machinery. Last year his new home-built bale carrier, which deals with big Hesston bales was runner up in the hand-built machinery competition run by Farmers Weekly. He is currently in the process of manufacturing a 20 tonne grain trailer from both a disused grain wagon and carrot trailer.

Joanna runs the farm’s DIY livery yard for 18 horses with her friend and colleague Jacqui Lund. But there’s far more to the two young ladies than horses. They are both NHS trained nurses and utilising their NHS knowledge they have helped Robert’s flock.

‘They fix my sheep. In May of this year we had an attack of crows on our shearling tups. The crows pecked the sheep creating holes in their backs. This developed bacteria under their skin. One hole was two inches across. Joanna and Jacqui have managed to cure the tups.’

‘Joanna is also very competitive and she is keen to become an eventer. The only problem for her is that the sheep like some of the jumps that Samuel has made and keep knocking them down.’

Robert took on the role of secretary for the northern region of the British Charollais Society five years ago,

but is quick to acknowledge the part played by Ann.

‘I’m not naturally gifted in that way and so Ann took pity on me. She’s very good.’

Their Charollais’ are mostly sold through Builth Wells and Worcester; although they bought what Robert describes as a ‘grand little tup’ from Chelford recently. They sell also at Builth Wells, Welshpool, Worcester and some at Skipton.

Robert’s trademark beard first appeared in 1971 and it has a purpose.

‘When Ann and I were married she said if I couldn’t be bothered to shave I should grow a beard – and I’ve had it ever since. I keep it in trim and right for the Candlelighters party held at the Royal Armouries where I play Father Christmas each year. It’s for about 400 children suffering from cancer and leukaemia.’

Robert is also a trustee of The Ark church in Foxwood, York.

Linton Spring Farm, Sicklinghall road, Wetherby LS22 4aQ tel: 01937 581101

tWo of the tinDAlls’ chArollAis


russells

The long-awaited Manitou MLA 630 LSU articulated ‘pivot steer’ machine offers exceptional handling capacity and unmatched manoeuvrability. It has a reach of 3m 25 and a lift

height of 5m 20. It is available now at Russells where we have been organising demonstrations which have proved very successful.

neW mlA 630 AvAilABle noW

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

www.russells.uk.com

ecoBlUe Promotes fUel efficiencYNew Holland’s ECOBlue SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology offers farmers a strong competitive advantage against other Tier 4 solutions. The engine ‘breathes’ clean air high in oxygen, rather than dirty hot recirculated ‘smog’. It also brings about 10% lower fuel consumption; an increase of up to 7% in maximum horsepower; and 13% higher torque.

With ECOBlue SCR technology your machine can benefit from increased engine power management output of up to 41hp. Why not find out more by contacting us now.

introDUcing... 3 of oUr teAm At eggBoroUghDuring the past 12 months we have welcomed new additions to our team at Eggborough.

Dave Simpson is our Sales Representative covering the north side of the M62 up to York. He is a farmer’s son from Tickhill, near Doncaster and studied for his NDA at Bishop Burton College. He reports a strong first six months particularly in combines.

Jon newton is our Sales Representative covering the south of the M62. He is also our PLM (precison land management) specialist for the whole area. He is from Askern, near Doncaster and studied for his HND in Electrical & Machinery Engineering at Doncaster College. He reports an ever stronger take-up of satellite technology amongst tractor and combine drivers.

Paul Bentley is Service Manager. Also from a farming background, he is from East Yorkshire and spent three years with another New Holland dealer prior to joining us. Paul attended Bishop Burton College where he studied for his City & Guilds qualification in Agricultural Mechanics.

DAve simPson, PAUl BentleY AnD Jon neWton At eggBoroUgh

Last month saw the launch of both our new website and rebranding of the Russells logo, now incorporating an initial letter R with our new company motto ‘Excellence Every Time’. We hope you take a look regularly. It tells of all our latest products and incorporates our on-line store.

neW WeBsite – neW look

If you haven’t already booked your annual service and maintenance check then now is the time to do it. Call in or call us to organise a date that suits you. We are also able to offer fork lift testing.

Winter servicing


des sykes

‘It’s all about concentration – and not listening to farmers when they tell you just to flash over it, as though it doesn’t matter. Because it does. At the end of the day most farmers love to see their farms looking neat and tidy.’

Des Sykes has cut farmers hedges for 40 years, making a business out of it along the way and keeping him in the countryside, where he has always wanted to be.

‘I would have loved to have been an arable farmer, growing carrots, parsnips, potatoes and lots more besides. But I can’t complain. I’ve had a great life being involved with the farming community.’

He was born in West Stockwith, close to the River Trent, in Nottinghamshire and today lives just four villages away at Broom Farm, Mattersey Thorpe, also in Nottinghamshire, with his wife Joan.

‘I always thought farming was a great life, right from being a child. I used to help local farmers and drive an old grey Fergie T20. I’d go chopping mangels. My parents didn’t think much to it though, because they saw no money in it.’

That didn’t stop Des from pursuing his future in agriculture. When he left school he worked on a mixed dairy and arable farm in Misterton before moving on to another farm in Walkeringham. He had a spell working with HM Prison Service for 6 months and then landed a job with Stan White at Misterton, one of the biggest red beetroot growers in the country.

The move that was to shape Des’

A cUt ABove the restchris BerrY tAlks With Des sYkes At mAtterseY thorPe

his manager passed away. But by this time he had an idea where his future lay.

‘I had been doing all the hedgecutting jobs. Flail hedge cutters were a new thing whilst I was with Hempsall’s and I used a Bomford and a Twose during my time with them. Whilst Hempsall’s didn’t want me to set up in business they didn’t seem too bothered about the hedgecutting side. I could see my future that way because hedges are a bit like hair. You have to have it cut now and then. I could see annual business and so I started up on my own in 1986. I didn’t know it was going to work for sure, but I had a full first season of hedge cutting and never looked back.’

His first purchases were a second hand tractor and a brand new flail hedge cutter, but the business soon developed to more than just hedge cutting. Des went into baling, wrapping and silaging.

‘Farmers were always saying ‘do you do this?’ and I was in my 40s and looking to expand. I ended up making quite a big investment in machinery which meant I had to borrow money. I had two great young men who worked with me, Patrick Ebbs and Kenny Cook.

At one time we were working across 1000 acres.’

But his plans were about to hit the buffers, through no fault of his own.

‘The BSE crisis came along and we went right down to 200 acres. I had to sell some equipment and let the lads go. They had both supported me so well and I was so sorry to have to let them go but the work just wasn’t there.’

The past 12 years – following a spell when Des and his son Andrew worked together – have seen him go back to his one-man operation.

‘I’m 67 years old now and my main job is hedge cutting once again. That makes up 90% of what I do. I have a new Bomford 71 machine which is excellent. The business doesn’t owe me anything, it’s all paid for and the pressure is off. I won’t give it up because it’s an enjoyable life and I like what I do. I work within around a 12 mile radius of here and I’m happy with that. I’m a country person throughout and my leisure time is taken up with shooting and picking up with my dog.’

tel: 01777 818003 Mobile: 07940 714892

life was when he was offered a job as a contractor with CJ Hempsall & Sons in Newark. It came just as he split from his first wife Julie.

‘I was there 17 years and it gave me tremendous experience. I learned so much about contracting from ploughing and subsoiling to spraying and combining. I had a fantastic manager who was great to work with and I earned good money. I also met Joan during this time, so life was really good. Joan has been a pillar of strength throughout our courtship and marriage.’

Des left Hempsall’s not long after

Des sYkes


wilkinson and lawson

Livestock showing is a time-consuming part of farming which some farmers can struggle to fit in to their already busy schedules, but the Wilkinson and Lawson families have had a terrific idea to combine their skills to become a show winning team.

The two families, who have both previously farmed and shown separately, came together to work as a team for showing cattle in

2008. James Wilkinson, of Ivy Farm in Leyburn, met Brian Lawson, of Buddle House Farm in Richmond, through Leyburn Auction Mart’s Committee, where they decided that James and his family could help the Lawson’s show their calves.

We had known each other for a number of years before we started showing together,” James explains. “Ivy Farm was originally my father’s farm which used to be located in the

middle of Leyburn Town. We now own 20 acres which isn’t enough land to run a full cattle farm from, so we began showing cattle as a hobby in 2006. Teaming up with the Lawsons, who have a much larger farm but lack the time to be able to show, seemed the perfect idea.”

Brian and Rachel Lawson, along with their son Matthew, farm at Buddle House which has 2,600 acres. The Lawsons keep a herd of

Wilkinsons AnD lAWsons creAte Perfect PArtnershiPkAte crAgon visits the Wilkinson AnD lAWson fAmilies At their fArms in leYBUrn AnD richmonD, north Yorkshire

100 Limousin and Limousin crosses, 1,300 Swaledales of which 1,000 are Swale pedigrees, 700 Texel cross Swales and replacements. Matthew says, “In the past we have shown our sheep, but we found that we didn’t have the time to attend as many shows as we would like. The Wilkinsons pick the calves they think would be best to show and then they carry out the pre show work needed to turn them into prize winners and show them.”

James and his wife Rachel work together with their children Beth, aged 12, and Luke, aged 10, to show the Lawson’s calves. Rachel says, “Generally the children do most of the showing in the rings, although James and I do show when they can’t make it, if they are at school. James carries out most of the halter training and general maintenance and I do the prep work that is needed to make the calves suitable for showing.”

We first showed as a team at the 2008 Spring Spectacular and since then we have won 9 Champion prizes; 4 Champions and 5 Reserve Champions. We are most proud of becoming the Yorkshire Fed and Bread Champion at last year’s Countryside Live.”

This year the Wilkinson and Lawsons have won Reserve Baby Beef and a 1st for their baby beef steer at Beef Expo, as well as taking home three 1sts and four 2nds at Nidderdale Show. At Kilnsley Show they won two 1sts, a 2nd and Reserve Supreme Beef. Luke also won the

left to right : mAttheW, Beth, JAmes, lUke, BriAn, rAchel AnD rAchel



HOLL I N R I GG V E T S(J & JL Watkinson)

Leyburn, North YorkshireTel 01969 623107

We offer a comprehensive veterinary service to all local livestock farmers

For further info please visit www.hollinriggvets.co.uk

Please direct queries to John Watkinson(Member of Dale and Vale Vets)

Leyburn Mart is pleased to be associated with James & Rachel Wilkinson & Family

as valued customers and for their help with running the Leyburn Spring

Spectacular for Show Potential Cattle.

The mart holds fortnightly sales of Store cattle with predominately Limousin and British Blue crosses.

The majority of these cattle are “three quarter Continental” as the Dales farmers have moved to breed quality beef types from their suckler herds.

From October to May, shows are held along with these sales to encourage sellers to show off their wares and at the same time buyers can look for superior types to

finish or show again.

On Saturday March 10th 2012 the Mart will hold its annual Spring Spectacular for Show Potential Cattle

when 50/60 superior halter trained steers and heifers are shown and sold to a wide audience of the keenest

cattle men, women, boys and girls in the country.

Sheep are sold all year round with Primestock every Wednesday and the usual run of Breeding & Store

sheep on Fridays throughout the season.

Leyburn Livestock Auction Mart North Yorkshire

Enquiries would be welcome to the Mart Office, Richmond Road, Leyburn, DL8 5DP. Tele: 01969 623 167 and Stephen Walker, Auctioneer 07866 358 130.

Email: [email protected] www.leyburnauctions.com

Leyburn Livestock Auction Mart North Yorkshire

Hatton Trophy.

Ryedale Show saw the Wilkinson and Lawsons take home Paul’s Perpetual Cup for Best Butchers Beef. At Wensleydale Show they won the Tandale Cup as well as a 1st and two 2nds. Beth and Luke both won places in the Beef Young Handlers competition at Wensleydale. Beth came 3rd and Luke came 1st, winning the E W Collins Lobol Cup.

The Wilkinsons also show each year at the Leyburn Christmas Show and their calves have won prizes 7 out of the 10 years they have shown there.

As well as showing, both James and Rachel work full time. James works

for R and J Ford of Leyburn, milking cows and has worked there for 25 years since he was 16. Rachel is Practice Manger for Leyburn Dental Practice, having worked at the practice since she was 17. “We would love to farm full time, taking on more land and livestock but at the moment this just isn’t possible,” Rachel says. “Showing provides us with the best of both worlds, as we are able to be involved in agriculture but are still able to have full time jobs.”

Beth and Luke are also keen football

continUes Pg 90

Beth AnD lUke


We are pleased to be associated with the Lawson Family

and wish them continued success for the future.

SHED ERECTING

CONCRETING

BLOCK WORK/CONCRETE PANELS

ROUND & SQUARE BALING

JCB, HYMAC & MINI DIGGER HIRE

D H W I L L I S & S O N S LT DA G R I C U LT U R A L E N G I N E E R S , F A R M E R S & C O N T R A C T O R S

DH WILLIS & SONS LTDCARRBECK HOUSE, GILLING WEST,RICHMOND, NORTH YORKSHIRE DL10 5LN

Tel. 01748 822714 / 826746

players who, as well as showing, both are members of football teams. Luke plays for Leeds United’s Shadow Squad and Beth plays for Middlesbrough Girl’s Centre of Excellence. Beth would like to work in agriculture when she is older but Luke is aiming to be a professional footballer.

Matthew farms full time at Buddle House Farm with his wife Rachel and sons, Jake and Oscar, having worked their for 25 years. Matthew employs one full time and two part time staff to help with the work on the farm. As well as winning prizes for their cattle, the Lawson’s Swaledale Ewes were the winners of this year’s HSBC

trophy at Hawes Auction Mart for a pen of 10 making this the third time.

“Showing helps with the trade of the livestock, it is part and parcel of the farming industry,” Matthew explains. “It works as great advertising to show people the quality of your cattle and to see what your competition is like.


We have found that working as a team is the perfect set up. I just don’t have the time to show anymore. I prefer to work in the background breeding and raising the cattle here at Buddle House.”

Having formed the partnership with James, Brian says, “Shows are so time consuming it is lovely to have the Wilkinsons showing for us and it is great to see the children involved too. It provides us with the time to improve our cattle and to breed the show winners here at Buddle House. We ring the Wilkinsons and visit each other for regular show updates to see how the calves are performing. We have become close family friends.”

Both James and Rachel find that showing is a great family hobby. James says, “It is also a great hobby for Beth and Luke to have. It teaches you a lot of good skills and we have made many friends from going to shows all over the UK. Our week at the Yorkshire Show is our summer holiday and we go every year.

Beth and Luke pick the calves they want to show, usually in July. I then carry out most of the halter training, which usually takes around 4-5 days. I’ve found that halter training is easier the younger the calf. I usually halter train between 15-20 calves for the Spring Spectacular. In the

Beth shoWing At coUntrYsiDe live


past I have halter trained a Belgian Blue calf which we picked up on the Wednesday and were showing at Stokesley Show on the Saturday! The length of time alters depending on the nature of the calf.”

After having been shown, the heifers return to the Lawson’s farm to be bred from. Calves that are sold go to Middleton in Teesdale Sale and are also sold at Leyburn’s Spring Spectacular.

Having been so successful at this year’s shows, the Lawson and Wilkinsons appear to have found the perfect partnership. With Matthew aiming to raise pedigree numbers

of cattle, the Wilkinsons look set to have increasingly higher standards of cattle to show for next year’s show season.

James and rachel ivy Farm cottages Market Place, Leyburn north Yorkshire DL8 5aS 01969 624348

Matthew Lawson Buddle House, Whashton, richmond north Yorkshire DL11 7Jr


BriAn AnD rAchel With the Wilkinsons At coUntrYsiDe live


news

fUrther eXPAnsion for hArBro in englAnD A new feed blending plant has been opened by leading animal feed company, Harbro Ltd, at Riccall, near Selby, Yorkshire.

The new plant will produce a range of ruminant feeds for distribution to farmers in Yorkshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire.

The move is part of Aberdeenshire-based Harbro’s continued expansion in England. The company has a distribution base for bagged feeds at Howden, near Goole, Yorkshire, and provides a mobile feed mixing service throughout the north and east of England through wholly-

owned subsidiary, Feedmix Ltd, and in the Midlands through the recently-acquired Midland Feed Services at Stratford on Avon.

Harbro currently produce 45,000 tonnes of blended feeds from three existing sites in Scotland and have built a strong reputation for high quality blends using quality raw materials. With a strong emphasis on quality and animal performance, fillers such as palm kernel are not used in any Harbro blends.

Sales director, Chris Baxter, said: “We are very pleased to be opening our first blending plant in England and look forward to serving our existing

customer base while at the same time offering farmers more choice in the area.

“We have grown the blending side of our business in the UK by focusing on quality raw materials, providing the correct technical advice to our customers and ensuring an efficient service. We look forward to providing the same efficient service from Riccall.

“Our “Rumen Friendly Concept” is a major focus in all our ruminant feeds to ensure optimum rumen performance by selecting the right raw materials and ensuring the correct formulation and structure of our feeds.”

A range of dairy, beef and young stock blends is being produced at Riccall and bespoke formulations can also be produced to meet individual farm requirements.

Blends can be collected from the Riccall site or delivered by a dedicated fleet of lorries. Harbro pride themselves on service and on-farm advice and can offer farmers a full feed and forage analysis service along with a free on-farm rationing service.


John smith

Delighted with his first Lely Splendimo 205 classic mower, South Broughton farmer Peter Smith upgraded to a new Lely Splendimo 240 mower conditioner for the 2010 season.

Although semi-retired, Peter helps out with silaging for a local contractor, either hiring out his equipment or operating it himself. With over 60 years of farming experience Peter’s hands have operated a few machines over the years and the Lely mower with its suspended cutting bed and centre pivot suspension is “the best he has had for keeping the grass under control.”

Much of Peter’s own land and some of the grassland they are contracted to cut are old pasture fields with ridge and furrow. The Lely Splendimo suspension technology enables the mower to cut down into the furrows whilst

not scalping the ridges “The mower rides beautifully across the land and is very easy on blades” says Peter.

The 2011 grass season sees a new Lely Lotus 675 hook tine tedder added to the contract fleet. Having seen a neighbour’s machine do a very good job in the difficult 2010 season, Peter looks forward to seeing the Lely Lotus “throwing the grass about.”

www.lely.com

one lelY moWer leADs to Another

Peter smith


young farmers

Hundreds of Young Farmers turned out on Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd July to take part in a 200 mile Charity Bed Push in aid of the Air Ambulance. 2 beds set off simultaneously from Broughton and Drigg visiting all 26 YFC clubs along the way. As each club was reached their members took over the pushing of the bed. Both beds reached Penrith Show on Saturday afternoon where they completed a triumphant lap of the main ring.

Mark Hurst of Aspatria YFC organised the event along with Lauren Galbraith of Grayrigg YFC. Mark said, “The Air Ambulance is a great cause and extremely important to the rural

community. Young Farmers decided this year to concentrate their efforts on trying to raise as much money as possible for them.”

The Young Farmers collected over £3,000 in their buckets as they pushed their beds through Cumbria’s towns and villages and have over £2,500 in sponsorship of the event.

Over the year the Young Farmers have held a range of events as varied as calf rearing and the “Full Monty” in an effort to raise £15,000 for the Air Ambulance.

www.nfyfc.org.uk

Yfc BeD PUsh A hUge sUccess

19 teams of 3 young farmers took part in the YFC Fence Erecting competition held at Yanwath Woodhouse Farm, Penrith.

Their task was to erect a run of stockproof fencing and to incorporate a stile. Judges Alex Sibbald and Ian

Potts had a difficult task placing the teams, but the final results were:- 1st Carlisle’s team of George Bowe, Tom Graham and Will Hoodless, 2nd Crook, Tony Booth, Tom Redmayne and Martin Robinson and 3rd Egremont’s team, Peter Slater,

Richard Wilson and Dean Butler.

The winning team thanked the judges and Relphs Ltd for sponsoring the event.

In the evening the fencers joined 375 other young farmers at the County

Dinner Dance held at the Shepherd’s Inn, Carlisle and organised by Amy Johnson of Raughton Head YFC.

www.nfyfc.org.uk

stiff comPetition in the Yfc fence erecting contest

Cumbria Young Farmers have been travelling around the country to represent Cumbria in the National YFC Finals in a variety of competitions.

At the National Sports finals held in Warwick, Caldbeck YFC’s swimming team, Laura Potts, Amy Clark, Ben Wilde and Sarah Gate swam a relay of breastroke, backstroke, butterfly

and front crawl and came in 3rd place.

Pennine YFC’s team of Helen Hayllar, Hayley Pattinson, Aimee Wilson, Laura Smithson and Chloe Chapman came 5th in the NFYFC Ladies 5 a side football final.

Cumbria sent 3 teams to compete in the NFYFC Dairy Stockjudging Finals

at The Great Yorkshire Show with the following excellent results: -

Senior Linear Assessment, Craig Brougha 3rd, Dan Bargh 10th, James Pattinson, 22nd . Intermediate; Richard Carruthers 8th, David Jarman 11th, Ethan Sawrey 23rd. Junior; Sam Blease 12th, Jamie Lightfoot 14th, John Dent 19th. Cumbria B’s team were 6th overall

nAtionAl sPorts finAls 2011

Yorkshire Young Farmers are holding their fifth Question Time event on Friday 18th November 2011 at 7pm. The evening will be held at Ripon Landrover in Hutton Bank, Ripon.

This year’s Question Time will cover the topic of ‘Super Farming,’ promising a lively and constructive debate by the selected panellist and invited audience. Are our traditional family farms on the verge of extinction, or are they the solution to the survival of British agriculture?

The panel consists of Barney Kay (Regional Director of the NFU in the North East), Gordon

Cummings (General Manager from Eastern Harvesters Marsh), Dr Beck Hothersall (from Animal Welfare & Behaviour Group), Jim Dickinson (from Longley Farm), Sarah Hinchliffe (from Savills & YFC Panel Member) and Pete Garbutt chairperson (NFU Chief Livestock Adviser).

if you would like to attend the debate please rSVP to catherine Horn at Yorkshire county office on 01423 865870 or [email protected]

YoUng fArmers qUestion time

with Cumbria A, 10th and Cumbria C 18th out of 30 teams.

www.cumbriayfc.co.uk


property

Average land values continued to nudge upwards during the third quarter of 2011, albeit at a slower rate than in the previous two quarters

According to our Farmland Value Survey the average value of Grade 3 arable land across England rose by 1.1% during the third quarter of 2011 to almost £6,000 per acre, giving a total rise of 7.4% to the end of September. The more muted value growth was generally consistent across the regions; however, prices are still sensitive to land type, quality and location. The range of prices paid continues

to be diverse and in some cases have been well above the averages quoted in this article.

Savills research shows that the volume of publically marketed farmland (145,000 acres) across Great Britain increased marginally (1%) up to the end of September, compared to the same point last year. However, this small rise in supply is entirely due to the increase in volume of land marketed in the south eastern counties. Market activity was down in the north of England, which is the opposite of supply levels in 2010, which had seen an increase of about 16% on

the previous year.

We expect the overall activity in the farmland market across the north to remain similar to last year, for the remainder of 2011. However, in the short term, as we have seen historically, the uncertainty of the current reforms of the CAP could have a negative impact on farmland supply. Although a lot of information is being currently published with regard to expectations from the CAP reform there are still some uncertainties, in particular the current requirement for applicants to have activated at least one entitlement in 2011 in order to register for the new

For further information or a free no obligation appraisal of your property, please contact Savills (L&P) Ltd 13 -15 Micklegate, York, Yo1 6JH www.savills.com

andrew Black MRICS FAAV

Tel: 01904 617831 07967 555697 E: [email protected]

Sarah Hinchliffe BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV

Tel: 01904 617819 07870 999441 E: [email protected]

Manor Farm, Whenby, YorkApprox 113 acres Guide £1,750,000

trotters Farm, Yorkcommercial mixed farm with pig and arable enterprises 5 bed farmhouse (AOC), self contained 335 sow pig unit, modern 1,200 tonne grain store, about 428 acres arable. About 440 acres For sale as a whole or in 2 lots

guide £3.7 million

redmire Farm, WhitbyBeautifully situated property. Attractive 4/5 bed sandstone house, PP for two 1 bed holiday cottages, 7 stables, indoor arena, outdoor arena, about 23.8 acres grassland. About 30 acres guide £870,000

Manor House cottage, thirskFamily home with equestrian facilities. Spacious 4 bed family home, 1 bedroom annex, 10 stables and 3 pony boxes, outdoor arena, PP for use as a stud farm. About 5.7 acres (additional land available). guide £750,000

basic payment scheme entitlements on 1st January 2014. It is unclear as yet the implications this may have on the farmland market and we would urge potential purchasers and sellers to seek professional advice regarding any concerns.


Work has already begun for the new President of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Raymond Twiddle, OBE, as plans for next year’s Great Yorkshire Show get underway.

Mr Twiddle, whose home is at East Knapton near Malton, took over the role on the final day of what is now England’s premier agricultural show and will be the Society’s President for the next twelve months.

Simon Theakston, the Society’s Chairman said: “We are delighted to have Raymond as our President in recognition of his outstanding achievements across so many organisations and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society in particular.”

Raymond is the founder of Twydale Turkeys. He has won many accolades, both within the UK and in Europe, including in 1996 an OBE for services to the industry.

Commenting on his appointment Raymond Twiddle said: “As a farmer and founder of Twydale Turkeys, I am passionate about the future of the farming and poultry industries and hope to be able to continue the outstanding work for which the Society is well known.”

www.yas.co.uk

neW PresiDent AlreADY hArD At Work!

mr rAYmonD tWiDDle, oBe

farming people

Several new Langar-based appointments have been announced by John Deere Limited, as part of the streamlining of the UK and Ireland business to be more focused on sales and dealer development.

Gordon Day has taken up the new position of branch tactical marketing manager for agriculture and turf, replacing Chris Meacock who has moved to Mannheim in Germany as tactical marketing manager, small ag within John Deere’s new regional organisation.

Gordon began his career with John Deere Limited in 1983 as a training

instructor.

Edward Stephenson has been appointed as agricultural division sales manager for the north of England, Scotland and Ireland, replacing Antony Scott, who is the new Region 2 dealer development manager, scale and coverage.

Edward joined John Deere Limited in 1998 as an agricultural sales demonstration instructor.

Chris Wiltshire has been appointed John Deere Limited’s training manager, replacing Neil Macer, who has moved to a new product marketing role in Germany.

neW APPointments At John Deere limiteD

Chris joined the company in 2000 as an agricultural sales demonstration instructor, and in 2001 was upgraded to the position of ag demonstrator & marketing specialist.

For further details please contact richard Johnson, John Deere tel: +44 (0)1949 860491 www.JohnDeere.com

gorDon DAYeDWArD stePhensonchris Wiltshire


farming people

Christine Ryder from Scaife Hall Farm, Blubberhouses, near Otley in Yorkshire has been named as one of three finalists in the Deliciously Yorkshire Breakfast Awards for 2011.

The winners will be announced on November 14 at Rudding Park, Harrogate. The finalists are to be judged by an independent panel of more than 20 food connoisseurs, including Radio 2’s Nigel Barden, Stephanie Moon, Tim Bilton and former chef at 10 Downing Street Mathew Benson-Smith. Matthew Benson-Smith is now the chef at Dean Clough Cooking School where in May, Yorkshire Farm Stay members enjoyed a day’s cookery course which was part funded by Yorkshire Forward.

Rosemary Hyslop, Regional Director of Farm Stay UK comments: “In 2010 the Deliciously Yorkshire Breakfast Award was won by another Farm Stay member, Katrina Gray of Wold

Do fArm stAY Uk mAke the most DelicioUs BreAkfAsts?

Cottage, Wold Newton, Driffield, so we have great hopes that another Farm Stay member will win this year’s award. Good luck Christine!”

Ed. note. Best breakfast ever!

www.farmstay.co.uk

christine rYDer AnD frienDs At A BreAkfAst event orgAniseD lAst

YeAr for chAritY

VALTRA dealer Brian Robinson Machinery Ltd of East Cowton, North Yorkshire has appointed Sandy Ellis to the position of General Manager responsible for the day to day running of this land-based machinery dealership.

Commenting on Sandy Ellis’ appointment, Company Director Christine Robinson explained; “Our Company has grown to a size where we need another member on the management team. Understanding our abilities and limits allowed us to define the position of General Manager and the type of person required.”

Sandy Ellis brings to Brian Robinson Machinery Ltd a range of management skills gained over the past 25 years in both practical machinery management and latterly in education; five years at Harper Adams University College and most recently during ten years at Askham Bryan College as the head of the

BriAn roBinson mAchinerY ltD APPoint generAl mAnAger

Engineering Section.

Talking of his appointment Sandy Ellis said, “My position here includes keeping on top of the demands of bureaucracy, staff training, and other day to day items as well as long term business planning. There are not as many changes from my previous position at the college as you may think”.

www.valtra.co.uk

sAnDY ellis

The utility ATV market as we know it would never have happened in the way that it did but for the vision, intelligence and wit of Willie Rutherford.

Willie passed away aged 63 on the 9th September in New Zealand (his home for the past decade) after a determined battle with pancreatic cancer. He leaves his partner Lisa and her two children, Julian and

Alicia, in New Zealand but he will also be sadly missed by his remaining family, friends and colleagues in the UK and in particular his native Northumberland.

Willie founded Logic, the company which has become so well known and respected for the products he designed. Logic came to prominence with the introduction of ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles).

Willie was instrumental in the establishment of ATVs as the workhorse they have now become. His flair and entrepreneurial drive saw the introduction of a wide range of equipment. It was nothing short of revolutionary and it transformed working practices. This is his legacy.

A tribute to Willie will be featured on the website, where visitors can post their own memories, tributes and

Willie rUtherforD 1947-2011

messages for others to read.

www.Logictoday.co.uk

Ben Atkinson, a well respected Wharfedale livestock auctioneer, sadly passed away on 1st August 2011 after a short illness, aged 72

Born in Scarborough, Ben grew up in Long Framlington, Northumberland. On leaving school he came to Otley and began his auctioneering career, training with F M Lister and Son as a livestock auctioneer. There he worked at Bridge End Cattle Market.

In 1962 he moved to Wharfedale Farmers’ Auction Mart Ltd, where

he worked for almost 50 years. He was Company Secretary for many years, until he took semi-retirement at 60, when he then became a Director of the company and also continued auctioneering until the end of May this year.

Ben married Ann Lawson in 1965 and they lived on a Farm at Addingham Moorside, near Ilkley, where they brought up their three sons, Richard, Gordon and Andrew.

Ben was a member of Otley

Rotary Club of which he had been President. He would conduct annual charity auctions for various organisations which helped to raise thousands of pounds for many good causes over the years and was also sought after as an ‘after dinner’ speaker.

Ben was well known within the farming industry throughout the North of England and beyond and will be missed by many.

We moUrn the DeAth of Ben Atkinson


christmAs treAts for 2011

competition

Just to start the ball (or baubles) rolling in time for Christmas, John Deere would like to draw your attention to its new festive line-up for 2011.

The popular chocolate advent calendar from last year has been redesigned, and will be joined for the first time this season by new tractor themed gingerbread and electric Christmas lights, plus green and yellow Christmas tree baubles decorated with the John Deere logo.

The advent calendar has been redesigned and improved with a snowy tractor scene on the front, and 24 Christmas themed chocolate shapes inside the windows. The 60mm diameter glass baubles feature gold coloured ornamental caps, while the light chain has 20 white filament bulbs inside plastic lamp shapes printed with the new John Deere 8R Series tractor design.

The 12cm gingerbread tractors also feature sugar decorations in John Deere’s green and yellow livery.

All these Christmas items can be ordered now, while stocks last, from participating John Deere dealers – look out for the displays at your local dealership, or order online from November at www.JohnDeere.co.uk

List prices (including VAT) are: advent calendar £4.16; set of four Christmas baubles £11.72; tractor gingerbread £3.85; and tractor lights £34.68.

For further details please contact: James Morley John Deere Limited tel: 01949 860491 www.JohnDeere.com

kiDs corner Where’s sheilA the sheeP?

for YoUr chAnce to Win £50 Worth of m&s voUchers JUst AnsWer the folloWing qUestions

1 What model number is Massey Ferguson’s new tractor?

2 At which show were the Craven’s awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place at this year’s show?

3 How old was Brindon Addy when he first started working at a butchers?

Send your answers to [email protected] by Friday 9th September

congratulations to angela Jill of county Durham, who won last issues M&S competition. The correct answers were:

1 Who was the winner of the 2010 Fencing News Fencing Competition held at the Driffield Show? Mike Ford

2 When did the Fairburns make their Great Yorkshire Show debut? 1971

3 For how many years has Head o’th Marsh Farm Shop been trading? 5 years

£50 m&s voUcher comPetition

Another issue, another hidden animal!

Somewhere inside this issue hides Sheila the Sheep, for your chance to win a Case IH Puma 210 and a New Holland T7060 model tractor, simply tell us which page you have spotted her on!

get all your entries in to [email protected] by Friday 9th September

a final congratulation goes to tyreece Lewis (age 8) who won our last Kids corner. Daisy was found on page 26.


contractorS gUiDe AUTUMN 2011

Chris Smith Agri ServicesSpecialising in:

- Min-Till, Combi-Drilling- Ploughing using a 300 Horsepower Track Machine

- Combining using a Claas Lexion 570 with vario header

Tel (Mobile): 07734 443301Sutton Farm, Sutton-on-Derwent, York

For Further inFormation please call

0777 4775031

Alan Fish FencingAll Types of fencing

AvAilAble

If you would like to be included in our Winter 2011 Guide please contact Ben Walton on 01274 610101.

TEL: 07595 070 834 OR 01904 738 245

RICHARD BURNISTON & SONAGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS

• ROUND & SQUARE BALING & WRAPPING • SUGAR BEET DRILLING• 6 ROW HOLMER TANKER BEET HARVESTER • STUBBLE TO STUBBLE

DEUTZ FAHR TRACTORS & TELEHANDLERSMcHALE ROUND BALERS & WRAPPERS

Thomas Dirom

Tel: Tom on 07787 565298

Agricultural Contractors LtdTractor & Dump Trailer • 230hp Tractor Hire with Driver

Large Rear Discharge Muck Spreader • Ploughing, Combination DrillingTrail Forage Harvesting, complete or part job undertaken

Quality work guaranteed!

ALL MAIZE OPERATIONSFROM SEED TO CLAMP

T E L :0 1 3 4 7 8 1 1 1 4 00 7 8 3 1 3 3 5 6 9 7

C o v e r i n g a l l a r e a s o fN o r t h & E a s t Y o r k s h i r e

HESSTON SQUARE BALING“MINI”, “MIDI”, or “BIG”

GRASS TEDDINGAND RAKING

W CONDER & SONFULL FARM OPERATIONS

Contact Mark for further information on:Tel- 07967 725415 / 015242 [email protected]


Moor Lane, Full Sutton, York, YO41 1HXTel: 01759 373062 / 01759 368563 (evening)

Fax: 01759 372929Web: www.edwardstrailers.co.uk

www.edwardstrailers.co.uk

email sales.marr@ farmstar.co.uk

www.farmstar.co.uk

For all your agricultural Machinery needs

Marr, Doncaster T: 01302 786786 F: 01302 783443

M. Weighton, York T: 01430 875900 F: 01430 875909

Newark, Notts T: 01400 283818 F: 01400 283819

Brigg, North Lincs T: 01652 654944 F: 01652 655171

case ih - Manitou - Kverneland - KubotaMc hale - rau - richard Western - vicon

cousins - boMFord - PhiliP WatKins

main dealer

TracTors, combines, Trailers, Ploughs, ride on mowers, hedge-cuTTers, sPreaders, sPrayers, mowers, drills,Telehandlers, rollers, discs

oPen day ThursDaY 12Th JaNuarYaT DONCasTer 10aM - 4.30pMRefReshments pRovided

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