Farmers Mart - Early Spring 2012

The NorThs Number oNe FarmiNg guide Issue 25 | Early Spring 2012
www.Farmers-marT.co.uk
RickeRby go
all 007
pedigRee success
foR the Ribys
annas happy
tRotteRs - fRee
Range tRiumph
aucTioN marTs oN The up!

Managing Director/
eDitor
Simone Gallon
Tel: 01274 610 101
simone@farmers-mart.co.uk
conSULtant eDitor
Chris Berry
Tel: 0113 2643 645
chris@farmers-mart.co.uk
aSSiStant eDitor
Kate Cragon
Tel: 01274 610 101
kate@farmers-mart.co.uk
SaLeS Manager/
SUBScriPtionS
Ben Walton
Tel: 01274 610 101
ben@farmers-mart.co.uk
aDVertiSing accoUnt
Manager
Nicola Robson
nicola@farmers-mart.co.uk
Damien Downing
damien@farmers-mart.co.uk
FeatUre eDitorS
Chris Berry, Phil Read
Harold Woolgar
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 Mitchells, Frank Hill
& Sons and northallerton auction Marts.
Welcome to
the early
spring edition
We have been very busy out and
about visiting all the machinery
open days which I have to say
were extremely busy. Rickerbys
spring show, Farmstar and Robson
Tractors open days, Ripon Farm
Services 2 day event at Harrogate
show ground and Guy Machinery
at Skipton Auction Mart- see if
you can spot yourself or someone
you know on pages 26, 27,
40-43, 46, 50-51, 62-63 for
more details.
The weather has been good and
I am sure it is helping with your
lambing. I hope it goes smoothly
for you, however, watch out for
the Schmallenberg virus which is
spreading at a pace- see page 21
for symptoms and advice.
Again we have been out and
about visiting some auction
marts which have been extremely
busy. Congratulations goes to
Northallerton Auction celebrating
100 years and Mitchells and
Frank Hill and Son celebrating
10 years - it is good to see these
marts thriving! See pages 22-24,
28-31 and 53 for more details
plus check out the front cover!
We have also updated you on the
advertising scam and who to call
if you receive any contact from
them. See page 52 for an update
on this.
Dont forget to check out our
Diary Dates for whats coming up,
we might even see you there!
Have a great early Spring and
see you in May for the late spring
edition
Kind regards,
Simone
(simone@farmers-mart.co.uk)
www.facebook.com/thefarmersmart
news ...................4-6, 21, 52, 66
BaSF ........................................ 7
M & D Drilling ........................... 8
John Summers Butchers ............ 9
Showtime ........................... 10-13
rennienergy ............................ 14
Peter rhodes ........................... 15
Bayer ...................................... 16
Beavers Butchers .....................17
Lane end Farm Shop .......... 18-20
northallerton auction Mart .. 22-24
Dairy ........................................ 25
Farmstar ............................. 26-27
Mitchells auction Mart ......... 28-31
annas Happy trotters ......... 32-35
Willie Seels ......................... 36-37
Lamma review ........................ 38
rickerby ..............................40-43
Haxton ..................................... 44
Security ............................. 45, 61
robson tractors ....................... 46
Pearson ................................... 48
ripon Farm Services ........... 50-51
Frank Hill & Son ....................... 53
Front row agriculture .........54-55
Stephen Dodsworth .............56-57
riby ....................................58-59
gripple ..................................... 60
guy Machinery ....................62-63
Machinery ................................ 64
Breeds ................................65-66
russells .................................. 67
Sewards ................................... 69
Property .............................. 70-71
Young Farmers ......................... 72
Farming People ................... 73-75
ritchie ..................................... 76
competition ............................ 77
contractors guide..................... 78
Each edition of FarmersMart contains essential information about the agricultural industry. As a subscriber youll
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: ben@farmers-mart.co.uk
name .............................................................................. tel no.
address .................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................... Postcode
GET YOUR COPY
p32-35
p28-31 p69
contents
FarmersMart Early Spring 2012 3
news
Two bids topping 4,000gns were
the highlights of the opening winter
sale of 115 working sheep dogs at
Skipton Auction Mart on Friday 10th
February.
John Bell, of Parks Farm Howden,
Selby led the way at 4,800gns with
Nell, a two-year-old black and white
bitch, who returned to her roots when
bought back by her Scottish Highlands
breeder Jock Sutherland, of Keoldale
Farm, Sangormore, Durness.
Next best at 4,200gns was Shaun
Richards, of Watson Laithe, Hapton,
Burnley, with his 13-month-old black
and white bitch Fan, who found a new
home in Suffolk with Eddie Thornalley,
of Mildenhall, Shepherd for Andrew
Foulds at Elveden.
With quality dogs again much sought
after, broken registered dogs averaged
1,938. Part broken registered dogs
sold to 1,350gns, averaging 726,
broken unregistered dogs to 1,800gns
(av 987), part broken unregistered
dogs to 380gns (av 299), registered
pups to 400gns (av 279) and
unregistered pups to 180gns (av
112).
Skiptons next working dogs fixture in
May is a two-day event, featuring an
afternoon trial on Thursday, May 17,
John Bell and shaun richards
top dogs at skipton again
followed on the Friday by the annual
Spring sale of fully and part trained
dogs and pups.
Above: John Bell, right, with Jock Sutherland,
buyer of his 4,800gns Skipton dog
Right: Shaun Richards, left, with Eddie
Thornalley, buyer of his 4,200gns Skipton dog
www.ccmauctions.com
For Harrison and Hetherington
2011 has been a year of highs. Its
accomplishments read almost like a
Guinness MART of Records. In his
first full year with this Carlisle based
company Scott Donaldson, Sales
Director, looks back at the livestock
trading for the last six months.
Its been a year for records tumbling,
as the sales have mounted up.
Livestock has certainly kept our
gavels busy!
In total, the company has conducted
annually over 600 sales, and
auctioned over 800,000 head of
livestock. Thousands attended not
just the auctions but their many
events held, including Harrison &
a guinness mart oF records!
Hetheringtons very own agricultural
event, BorderwayAgri Expo.
Highlights include the first of the world
records broken at Carlisle in July when
an in-calf heifer selling for 65,000
guineas. The spring born suckled
calves at Middleton in Teesdale was
another record breaking sale with the
highest prices ever seen.
Finishing off the year was the 25th
Anniversary Black and White Sale
were buyers from 8 different countries
competed for some of the best dairy
genetics on offer in Europe.
Harrison & Hetherington look forward
to another year of buoyant livestock
prices for their customers in 2012.
tel: 01228 406200
info@borderway.com
www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk
Hundreds of farmers were given an
optimistic view on the future of food
production from Deputy President of
the NFU, Meurig Raymond, when
they descended on Bishop Burton
College for the annual Masstock (now
known as Agrii) SMART Farm event.
Mr Raymond, who is currently up
for re-election, spoke to farmers and
growers on the need to increase food
production as we move towards 2050,
when they will be feeding in excess of
nine billion people worldwide.
Agriculture is now recognised as
the biggest industry in the country,
said Mr Raymond. But to deliver
the demands of society over the
next twenty years its important that
we encourage young people into the
industry.
Mr Raymond delivered his presentation
to a packed house as he spoke about
the NFUs ethos of producing more,
but impacting less.
Appearing alongside Meurig Raymond
at the event was Nick Oakhill, Senior
Trader at Glencore who gave his view
of arable markets at home and abroad,
and Bill Angus of Angus Wheat
Consultants who examined how a
better understanding of wheat genetics
can benefit growers in the future.
www.agrii.co.uk
nFu deputy president oFFers
groWers positive thoughts on
the Future oF Farming
Meurig Raymond and Jeanette Dawson
in the Colleges sheep facility
FarmersMart Early Spring 2012
news
Farmers wanting professional
advice will no longer have to ring
around dozens of organisations
before getting through to the right
source, said Agriculture Minister
Jim Paice as he announced that a
new, simpler Government advice
service will launch this year.
Defras new Farming Advice Service
(FAS) will offer a one-stop-shop to
farmers needing advice on subjects
including cross compliance, nutrient
management, competitiveness, and
climate change adaption and
mitigation.
The new service replaces the old
cross compliance advice programme
and will now cover a much broader
range of subjects, with a central
contact point to help farmers find
specialist advice on improving
their economic and environmental
performance.
Because the Government wants to
deliver the best and most up-to-date
advice to farmers, Defra is working
with industry and other stakeholders
such as the NFU and CLA to set up
neW advice service to give
Farmers a helping hand
the new service which launched
in January.
the helpline number for
technical questions and advice
is 0845 345 1302.
the new website address will be
www.defra.gov.uk/farming-advice.

Lely Center Garstang will open its
doors for the first time on Tuesday
3rd April 2012. The huge demand
for Lely Astronauts in the Lancashire
area has forced Tim Gibson, who is
currently a Director of Lely Center in
Bedale and Lely Center in Longtown,
to open the Lely Center in Garstang
franchise which will be cover the
Lancashire area.
Lely Center in Bedale has been a huge
success since it started in 2003 and
is currently looking after nearly 100
Lely Astronaut milking robots which
the company has installed since 2003,
15 of which are in the Lancashire area.
These existing customers, along with
the interest and visitors going to see
them, has caused the demand for a
branch on the doorstep. Internationally
Lely have just celebrated the installation
of the 12,500th Astronaut and next
year will have been selling Astronauts
for 20 years.
This new Center will be operating
from premises which were formally
Forton Wood Turning, adjacent to the
A6 just off Junction 33 of the M6 to
the North of Garstang. They will be
offering the A4 Astronaut milking
robot as well as the full range of labour
saving Lely equipment and services to
dairy farmers in the North West.
There will be a working A4 milking
robot on site for the opening along
with free caterers, theyre also giving
away a Lely Luna Cow Brush worth
1000! The Lely Center will be
managed by James Hudson who
has been employed by Lely Center in
Bedale since 2003.
Lely center in garstang
Lancaster new road, cabus,
garstang, Lancashire Pr3 1aD
tel: 01995 638 043
www.lely.com
lely set up shop in garstang
Jim Paice
Theres a new book
out this Spring that
every farmer should be
interested in reading.
Ken Jackson, who farms
at Walden Stubbs, near
Doncaster, is a renowned
cattle showman. Together
with his daughter Kate
McNeil his pedigree
British Blondes have won
many times at shows
throughout the UK.
Boxster, probably his
best bull ever, had won at every show
he had been entered during 2009. A
botched routine Bovine TB test saw a
swift end to his showing career and
the Jackson family have been fighting
for his life against Defra ever since.
Last year they beat the government
organisation in the High Court and
now the Jacksons story is being told
by Kate in a new book which was
being published as this edition of
Farmers Mart went to press.
We have written this book so that
other farmers can see
what we have had to
go through, says Ken.
It has taken a lot out
of us but we feel that
justice has now been
done.
The book is a heart-
rending tale of the
familys campaign to
save Boxster, which
in turn put their whole
farm and future at
risk.
You can order copies on
www.boxstersstory.co.uk

The book costs 10 incl. postage and
packing. If you would like to simply
order direct you can do so by sending
a cheque made payable to: K. &
A. C. JACKSON to: Boxsters Story,
Forlorn Hope Farm, Walden Stubbs,
Doncaster DN6 9BT
Boxsters story : availaBle
noW in paperBack!
the prize Winning Bull that Wouldnt Be
Beaten even By deFra
BOXSTERS
STORY
the truth behind the lies
KATE McNEIL
WITH CHRIS BERRY
news
Faster Tighter Easier Safer
Please contact: John Mob: 07966 285240 or Steve Mob: 07931 511090
www.quickfencer.com email: info@quickfencer.co.uk
Four strand barb wire unroller, will take 4x2000 mtr rolls
of barb wire. Can be retro fitted to existing machine
Now available with Bryce and Protech Post Driver

New Quickfencer Clamp Attachment which allow you to put 2 metre
wire on, using 80cm Quickfencer
Horse and Deer version available
All machines will take 2 x500 mtr or 2 x300, or 3 x100, rolls of net
Re-rolling attachment (roll wire back the same diameter) as the original
7 day money back guarantee (subject to terms and excludes return carriage)
NEW PLAIN WIRE MACHINE capable of rolling out and tensioning up to
12 lines and taking 6x 3000 metre rolls at once
Yorkshire business and community
leaders are helping shape Government
action to support rural areas today in
the first of a series of Rural Roadshows
with Defra ministers.
Taking part in her first Rural Roadshow,
Environment Secretary Caroline
Spelman has been in Yorkshire to
meet the Yorkshire Food, Farming and
Rural Network in Harrogate and listen
to the priorities, issues and concerns
of Yorkshires rural communities,
businesses and food and farming
industries.
Caroline said, Coming here for my first
rural roadshow to find out what issues
the community face has been a great
experience. Our rural communities
across the country have great potential
and we want to unlock it.
Steve Willis, Chair of the Yorkshire
Food Farming and Rural Network
said, The rural and farming network
has given rural communities and
businesses in Yorkshire the chance
to communicate important rural
issues directly to Government. We are
pleased to welcome Caroline Spelman
to Yorkshire today and look forward
to engaging with Defra on key local
issues like rural economic growth and
the Rural Development Programme
for England.
www.defra.gov.uk
yorkshire Businesses shaping rural
policy in First rural roadshoW
With many growers opting out of
growing spring pulses over the last
few seasons, there is a real possibility
of a potential shortage of blue peas.
In fact, last year saw a drop in
plantings by as much as 40%,
says Howard Jackson, Pulse Trader
for Masham Micronized Feeds.
Without a doubt cereal and oilseed
rape prices have had an impact on
the pea area as growers have been
tempted to increase their winter
cropping hectarages. Added to this,
some growers have struggled to
meet the quality premiums and have
subsequently decided to drop the
crop from their rotations, he says.
Les Daubney, Pulse Product Manager
for plant breeders Limagrain,
believes however that this should
not put growers off for the coming
season, as there are good marketing
opportunities through buyers such
as Masham Micronized Feeds, who
are looking to source consistently
good quality peas. We need to avoid
the peaks and troughs in supply
and stabilise the market. However,
its only through an understanding
of the market and its needs, that a
more sustainable and profitable trade
for growers and processors can be
established.
www.limagrain.co.uk
www.mmfeeds.com
dont ignore premiums
oFFered By Blue peas
Organisers of the 2012
Newark & Nottinghamshire
County Show to be held on
12 and 13 May - are delighted
to announce that the event
will be hosting two qualifiers
for the Rare Breeds Survival
Trust (RBST) Young Shepherd
of the Year Final.
The qualifiers will be for
young sheep handlers aged
812 years and 1316 years
with the winners going forward to the
final, which will be held at Hatfield
House Country Show on Sunday 19
August 2012.
Qualifying classes will be included
in the Newark & Nottinghamshire
County Show Sheep Schedule.
Schedules can be obtained either by
post from the Competitions & Entries
Secretary, Newark & Nottinghamshire
Agricultural Society, Newark
Showground, Lincoln Road, Newark-
neWark to host rBst young
shepherd oF the year QualiFiers
on-Trent NG24 2NY (please enclose
an A5 addressed envelope with 75p
postage) or downloaded from the
website: www.newarkshowground.
com. Entries can also be made online
or by post.
Further entries information is
available on 01636 705796 or by
email: entries@newarkshowground.
com; general show information
is available by emailing:
sally@newarkshowground.com
basf
First class hygiene at lambing is
one of the simplest, best and most
economic ways of reducing the
losses of life and vigour the major
disease challenges facing newborn
lambs so frequently cause. But it
only takes a momentary slip amid
the intense pressures of lambing
to let a range of serious infections
take hold. Especially so where
large numbers of ewes are lambing
indoors within a short time.
With one third of all lamb losses
in lowland flocks occurring during
the neonatal period and a good
proportion of these resulting from
disease, the best possible protection
against infections is vital at this
critical time, stresses Joanne Mayes
of BASF Pest Control Solutions
which has produced a practical -
point lambing hygiene checklist to
help producers limit losses in the
coming season.
The particular vulnerability of lambs
to infection is compounded by the
substantial build-up of bacteria in
housing and lambing sheds. Under
these circumstances it doesnt take
much of a hygiene slip for infections
like watery mouth, joint and navel ill,
clostridial disease and various types
of enteritis to cause serious damage.
And, of course, for every lamb that
dies there will be many more whose
early performance is compromised.
Modern disinfectants that are
proven effective against all major
disease-causing agents even in the
presence of severe soiling as well as
safe to use around ewes and lambs
offer just the sort of protection
required at lambing, she says. But
they must be used diligently as part
of a well-established routine if they
are to provide consistent and reliable
protection. Thats what our checklist
is designed to ensure.
The Sorgene 5-point Lambing
Hygiene Checklist identifies the key
essentials of environmental hygiene
at lambing that could make all the
difference in combating losses this
season:
hygiene checklist helps
limit lamBing losses
1. Thoroughly disinfect all
accommodation before the start
of lambing, pressure washing the
sides and floors of the pens with
a good quality detergent before
spraying them with a 1:100
solution of Sorgene 5 broad
spectrum disinfectant.
2. Isolate sick ewes and lambs in
specially-prepared pens well
away from the healthy flock and
tend them last to minimise cross-
infection dangers.
3. Wear clean overalls, dip boots
in a 1:100 solution of Sorgene
5 before entering the shed and
wash hands with bactericidal
soap before and after examining
ewes and lambs or assisting with
lambing.
4. Keep a bucket of 1:100 solution
of Sorgene 5 on hand at all times
to routinely disinfect all lambing
equipment, water bowls, teats
and milk dispensers, refreshing it
regularly.
5. Muck out pens frequently,
replenish them with fresh bedding
generously and disinfect exposed
surfaces with a 1:100 solution
of Sorgene 5 in a knapsack or a
hand-held sprayer at least daily.
Good hygiene isnt difficult or
expensive, Joanne Mayes insists.
But its all too easy to let your guard
down when the pressure is on. So,
use a proven disinfectant you can
be sure of and follow our five simple
guidelines throughout your lambing
to be sure of minimising your losses
this season.
www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk
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
Pipe
Motor Control Panels
Variable Speed Drives
Spring Water Supplies
14 Park Avenue, Sprotbrough, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN5 7LW
Telephone 01302 789011
Ralph 07976 634802
Wayne 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.
M & D Drilling co. Ltd have
30 years worth of experience
in providing complete borehole
packages. their borehole packages
not only include drilling boreholes,
but also a detailed analysis of your
water quality requirements. M &
D Drilling provide a full turnkey
installation, incorporating energy
saving technology, for instance
variable speed drive for pumps to
reduce electricity costs.
Benefits of a borehole include
saving money on water bills, and an
increased and constant water flow
and pressure.
Over 90% of your water bill can be
saved with a borehole as a borehole
abstraction is below 20,000 litres
per day which makes it exempt
from licensing and so is essentially
free. Any business spending 1,000
per quarter or above would get a
payback within two to three years.
Being in a remote location, many
farms suffer from poor water
pressure and poor water quality. A
borehole will continue to supply at
a constant flow and pressure.
With so many years of experience,
M & D Drilling can design and
build water treatment plants to
guarantee water meets drinking
water standards. They can also
a Borehole could save you pounds
tailor boreholes to a farms specific
water quality requirements. Their
previous experience includes dairy,
beef, chicken, duck and pig farms,
spray irrigation, leisure centres,
golf courses, retirement homes and
many more.
M & D Drilling investigate your
site geology using hydro-geological
maps and historical records and
include a pre drill water dowsing
survey. They wull also provide
you with an accurate assessment
of costs for the full project which
includes a free site visit, borehole
construction, test pump and water
laboratory analysis of water, free
visit to discuss your final plant
design and costs based on the
water analysis, full installation
and commissioning and continued
support and service.
Feel free to visit their 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.
M & D Drilling
Borehole installation
john summeRs butcheRs
Weekly Sales of:- Primestock, Cast Cattle & Sheep, Rearing Calves, Crop
Fortnightly Sales of:- Beef Breeding Cattle, Young Feeding Bulls & Store Cattle
Pedigree & Commercial Newly Calven & In-Calf Dairy Cattle & Dairy Young Stock
Major Seasonal Sales of:- Breeding Sheep and Store Lambs
Inc: NEMSA Mule Gimmer Lamb Sales & MSBA Masham Gimmer Lamb Sales,
Mule & Continental Gimmer Shearling Sales, Swaledale Draft Ewe & Shearling Sale, Pedigree Sheep & Cattle
Specialist Sales inc:- Poultry & Waterfowl, Working Sheep Dogs
SKIPTON MACHINERY SALES (4X4s Tractors & Machinery), Reclamation, Salvage & Furniture etc
Country, Farm & Flock Books, Border Fine Art
On-Farm Stock Sales, Dispersals & Valuations Undertaken
Farmstock Offce:- Skipton 01756 792375
Auctioneers: Jeremy Eaton (General Manager) 07747 780481
Ted Ogden (Farmstock Sales) 07855 958211
Diane (Field Offcer) 07834 050193
www.ccmauctions.com
SKIPTONAUCTION MART
Gargrave Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire
Auctioneers & Valuers
Whilst other butchers have closed in
the village of Clayton, West Yorkshire,
over the last several years, John
Summers Butchers has continued to
grow and business is as busy as ever.
The family run butchers has diversified
over the years, which John credits for
the success of the shop.
John has worked in the butchery
industry for 40 years but, although he
has worked in the trade since leaving
school, Johns start in butchery did not
quite go as planned.
At the age of 9 I had a job on a
milk round and after a short while I
also began helping on the local dairy
farm, John explains. The more time
I spent at the farm the more I realised
I wanted to be involved in agriculture
when I was older. A few years later,
my school offered 3 scholarships at
Askham Bryan College for students
wanting to study farming. I knew then
that I wanted to become a farmer.
However, John did not make it on
to the course at Askham Bryan, yet
he did not let this perturb his plans.
Having been turned away from the
course I began working at a local farm
in my spare time which had its own
butchers. There I learnt the ropes of
butchery. At the age of fifteen John
left school and started working on a
butchers stall at Rawson Market in
Bradford.
In 1982 John and his brother Philip
started their own stall in the market
and after several good years trading,
Philip left the business to run his own
farm. It was ten years later, in 1992,
that John decided to buy their current
shop premises from a retiring butcher
and made the move from Rawson
Market to his own shop.
At one time there were three butchers
shops in Clayton, including ours. We
knew to make sure customers kept
coming back we had to listen to what
they wanted. Over the years the shop,
which stocks meats, confectionary and
fruit and vegetables, has been extended
twice to accommodate the business
growing trade and the Summers family
do not intend to stop there.
Johns wife, Karen, works at the
butchers as well as their daughter and
two sons, Maxine, Jack and Myles.
Maxine helps out at the shop on a
Saturday and around Christmas time,
says John. Myles is 15 and still at
school, so he helps out in the shop on
a Saturday too. Jack is in his final year
of training to be a butcher at Thomas
Danby and works in the shop alongside
his studies. Once he is qualfied and
works in the shop full time we are
hopefully going to expand the shop
again.
Only tracing local meats for the shop,
the majority of Johns meat comes
from Wharfdale Auction Mart at Otley
and CCM at Skipton, with the rest via
private sales. John also has his own
small holding of cattle kept at his
brothers farm in between Clayton and
Queensbury which he sells in the shop.
John also now trades with John Pennys
Wholesalers based in Rawdon.
Two relatively new products for the
shop include Johns Yorkshire sausages
and his own recipe for slimming
products that are promoted at local
slimming classes in the village.
The Summers family have won many
awards for their produce and were also
runners up in the Telegraph and Argus
Bradford Business Awards last year.
When he is not kept busy at the shop,
John likes nothing more than to farm his
small holding of cattle at Philips farm.
John also judges at both Whafdale and
Skipton Auction Marts.
keeping it in the Family
kate cragon visits John summers oF John summers Butchers in clayton, West yorkshire
I have a great love of cattle and
what makes a prize winning animal.
It is great that I get to be involved in
all parts of the industry from farming
and judging to selling the final product.
Customers have become very aware of
the meat they are buying and are much
more interested in its traceability. By
buying locally we know exactly where
the meat has come from, how it has
been raised and how it has been
slaughtered.
Having not had the most usual of starts
to his career, you may think John would
do things differently, given the chance
to start again but this is not the case.
Although the start of my career wasnt
what I had planned, I wouldnt change
a single thing. Everything has fallen in
to place and I couldnt be happier with
how the business has grown. Id like to
say a big thank you to my wife, Karen,
for all the hard work she has done for
me over the years.
With Jack soon to start working in the
shop full time and another expansion in
the pipeline, John Summers Butchers
looks set to keep trading for many
years to come.
Since Kate visited John has bought
three champion show cattle from the
February sales at CCM which are
potential show cattle.
John Summers Butchers
Druid Street, clayton,
Bradford BD14 6rJ
tel: 01274 882 565
Jack, John and Karen
showtime
With this years Beef Expo
Chairman determined that the
2012 show will be the best beef
event in Europe, you would be a
fool to miss all the action on May
23rd and May 24th.
The Three Counties Showground
at Malvern, Worcestershire, will
be dedicated to trade stands
and demonstration areas with
a wide range of breed societies,
commercial companies, advisory
bodies and consultants showing
all the products, equipment and
services they have on offer to
make beef farming as efficient
and profitable as possible.
Visitors will have access to
seminars, workshops and clinics,
where they can pick up new
information and quiz the experts
on a wide range of topics from
TB to forecasting the future beef
price.
Changes have been made this
year to clear the main showring
for the ever-popular Question
Time providing more space for
visitors to get involved in the hour-
long session with top industry
spokespeople, quizzing them on
the topics that matter.
Reflecting the ever-widening pool
of beef supply, Beef Expo 2012
will also have a bigger-and-better
area dedicated to beef from the
dairy herd, showcasing the best
methods and tools for exploiting
this part of the beef sector.
Beef Expo tickets can be bought
at a special advance price of 12
(8 for NBA members) via the
website.
www.beefexpo.co.uk
the Best BeeF
event in europe
livestock helps launch
ticket sales For 2012
great yorkshire shoW
A contingent of pigs and poultry has
arrived early at the Great Yorkshire
Showground, but fortunately, being
made of chocolate, it means that
rosettes, judges and prize cards will
not be required!
The livestock are making their
appearance courtesy of the
chocolatiers at Bettys, the world
renowned caf tearooms, to coincide
with the start of ticket sales for
Englands premier agricultural event,
the Great Yorkshire Show.
Nigel Pulling Chief Executive of
the Yorkshire Agricultural Society,
the event organisers said: At this
time of year, its a relief that any
livestock arriving is only temporary!
In July visitors can see more than
5,000 animals competing for the
top awards, and although we dont
have a category for the chocolate
variety, Im happy to say these are
first class. The family business
has been a staunch supporter
of ours for many years and this
gets our ticket sales off to a great
start.
Dates for this years Great
Yorkshire Show are Tuesday 10
Thursday 12 July, when more
than 135,000 visitors are expected
to come through the gates for
the countryside extravaganza. As
well as the competitive classes,
each day the Ukrainian Cossacks
and also the Red Devils will be
entertaining the crowds with their
dare-devil displays, theres top class
show jumping, a food hall packed
with regional food and stunning
fashion shows, as well as a host
of demonstrations, exhibitions and
opportunities to shop.
tickets are available by calling
01423 546122 or on line
www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk.

And if you would like to carry out
your own judging and tasting of
the chocolate Saddleback pigs and
hens, then head for the nearest
Bettys Caf Tea Rooms where you
will find them as part of the new
handcrafted Easter range.
Chocolate pigs and hens are early
arrivals for this years Great Yorkshire
Show, as tickets go on sale for the
2012 event. FarmersMart will be
happy to see you there!
Nigel Pulling,
Chief Executive
showtime
Robert D. Webster Ltd
Kilham, Driffield Tel 01262 420226
Owstwick, Nr Roos, Hull Tel 01964 670251
Howden, Goole Tel 01430 430624
Robert D. Webster Ltd.
New Holland T8000 Series New Holland T5000 Series
New Holland T7000 Series
Robert D. Webster Ltd.
New Holland T6000+ Series
0% FINANCE AVAILABLE ON VARIOUS MODELS
PLEASE PhONE FOR DEtAILS
With spring quickly approaching,
bringing better weather and lighter
nights, we can begin to look forward
to the summer show season. A
FarmersMart highlight of the season
has to be the annual Driffield Show
which will be held for the 137th time
this year at Driffield Show Ground
on the 18th July.
Always looking to improve, this
years Driffield Show will be bigger
and better than ever. Having
seen record numbers of handicraft
and horticultural entries in 2011,
Driffield show has seen increasing
popularity in entries over the years.
Driffields livestock competitions
continue to attract some of the best
entries from all over the UK making
the competition an event not to be
missed.
The Countryside Pursuits Area with
wildlife pond, which was new to
Driffield Show in 2011, proved to
be a very popular new addition to
the shows attractions and will be
the 137th driFField shoW
18th July 2012
returning for this years show.
The Fencing, Forestry and
Renewables Area looks set to be
larger than ever before with more
entries in the annual Fencing News
Fencing Competition. Nine teams
are already signed up to compete
against each other to build the
best fence by hand. Places are
still available contact simone@
farmers-mart.co.uk.
Advance tickets are now available to
purchase at the discounted rate of
10 for adults, 8 for senior citizens,
4 for children and an advanced
family ticket can be purchased for
only 24. Car parking is also free
making Driffiend show fantastic
value for money and a great day out
for all!
www.driffieldshow.co.uk
showtime
Organisers of the Newark Vintage
Tractor & Heritage Show are
delighted to announce that,
following the success of its
inaugural event at the venue last
year, the Midlands & East Anglia
Hereford Breeders Association
(MEAHBA) Regional Calf Show
will once again take place as
part of the Native & Rare Breeds
Exhibition.
The Newark Vintage Tractor &
Heritage Show, which takes place
on 10 and 11 November, will be
celebrating its 10th anniversary in
2012. The Native & Rare Breeds
Exhibition was introduced in
2008 and, like the main event,
has grown in size and visitor
popularity year on year.
Michael Church of the MEAHBA
Calf Show organising sub-
committee said: Everyone was
pleased with the help we received
at Newark which ensured we had
a very successful show. The event
gives us the ideal opportunity to
showcase Hereford calves and the
next generation of breeders with
our Young Handler classes.
Newark Showground would be
delighted to host other events
at our excellent venue, either
stand alone or within our existing
shows.
anyone interested in doing
so should visit
www.newarkshowground.com,
contact us on 01636 705796
oer email:
info@newarkshowground.com
hereFord regional
calF shoW venue
conFirmed For 2012
Country Fest For Country Lovers,
Saturday 26 May & Sunday 27
May 2012, gives a real taste
of the countryside, celebrating
the quality and diversity of the
superb independent food and
drink producers and suppliers
that abound in Cumbria and the
North West.
Alongside talks and demonstrations,
live music and dancing, there
will be a wide range of childrens
activities, pets corner, meet a
farmer - dont miss Mary the
cow in Why Farming Matters.
Mini sheepshow with shearing
demonstration, crafts, lifestyle
area, Beer Festival, and Open
Sheep Dog trials throughout the
weekend.
2012 welcomes Packs & Tracks
a celebration of the role of
people and horses in shaping
Cumbrias landscape through the
ages. Saturday, dont miss Sheep
racing in the main Arena stars
of the sheep show battle it out
over a furlong for first past the
post! Sunday the Companion Dog
Show, Terrier Show and Terrier
Racing and the Vander Brothers
Space Wheel bring a breath taking
death defying aerial spectacular,
definitely not to be missed!
Free parking and generous
discounts are available for
tickets bought in advance of
the event, group bookings
are also available.
www.westmorlandshow.co.uk
a shoW not
to Be missed
showtime
3rd april
Lely open Day
Garstang
12th 13th May
newark & notts county Show
Newark Showground
19th May
otley Show
Otley Showground
23rd 24th
Beef expo
Three Counties
Showground, Malvern
4th June
northumberland county Show
Corbridge, Tynedale
9th June
Honley Show
Huddersfield
9th June
cumberland county Show
Carlisle Racecourse
16th June
todmorden Show
Centre Vale Park
17th June
north Yorkshire county Show
Northallerton
20th 21st June
Lincolnshire Show
Lincolnshire Showground
21st 24th June
royal Highland Show
Royal Highland Centre
1st July
Howden Show
Ashes Playing Fields, Howden
10th 12th July
great Yorkshire Show
Harrogate Showground
18th July
Driffield Show
Kellythorpe
25h July
Borrowby Show
Thirsk
27th 28th July
Border Union Show
Springwood Park, Kelso
28th July
Penrith Show
Penrith Showground
29th July
Huby and Sutton Show
31st July
ryedale Show
Welburn Park
1st august
cartmel Show
1st 2nd august
Bakewell Show
Bakewell Showground
4th august
cockermouth Show
The Fitz, Cockermouth
4th august
Powburn Show
Powburn, Northumberland
4th august
emley Show
Factory Farm, Emley Moor
4th august
Dumfries Show
Park Farm
4th august
garstang Show
The Showfield
5th august
Sykehouse Show
22nd august
egton Show
Egton, North Yorkshire
25th august
Wensleydale Show
Nr Leyburn
27th august
Keswick Show
The Crossing Fields
28th august
Kilnsey Show
Upper Wharfedale
13th September
Westmorland county Show
Lane Farm, Crooklands
diary dates
RennieneRgy
Did you know that the photovoltaic
effect which converts sunlight
into electricity through solar panel
technology was first discovered in
1839? Even Einstein got in on the
act in 1923 when he won a Nobel
Prize for explaining the theory.
Farmers Mart spoke to David Rennie
the Managing Director of Pudsey
based Rennienergy near Leeds, a
family run roofing business which
celebrates 25 years in business this
year. The company has diversified
into renewable energy including
solar panel installation, a source
of green energy that could benefit
farmers.
There has been uncertainty recently
over the Governments proposals to
decrease the Generation Tariff, part
of the Feed in Tariff paid to people
who generate their own electricity.
At the time of writing this is still
unresolved for anyone installing a
system before 3rd March 2012 and
is likely to reduce again after March.
Solar system owners are paid
for every kilowatt generated; the
Generation Tariff. Unused energy is
exported back to the grid with the
owner also receiving a payment,
the Export Tariff. These payments
are in addition to any savings made
on energy bills. From later this year
habitable buildings will need to be
energy efficient at band D to qualify
for these tariffs.
However David pointed out that
many industry experts are now
saying that for farmers solar energy
represents a viable long term
investment which should return
a yield of 5 7% annually. For
farmers, being able to generate their
own power whether the farm is on
the grid or not, is going to deliver
energy bill savings as well as reduce
the farms carbon footprint. Ofgem
recently announced the likelihood
of electricity bills rising 60% in
the next 6 years, that makes an
alternative renewable energy source
very attractive, added David.
The recent solar gold rush has not
been without its problems. REAL
the industrys Renewable Energy
Association warned last November
that cowboys are increasingly
getting in on the act.
solar poWer For Farms -
good idea? We think so.
phil read spoke to david rennie to unravel some oF the truths and myths
surrounding reneWaBle energy solutions For Farmers.
David, a snowboarding & mountain
bike enthusiast is a passionate
supporter of green energy. My
family car is electric which we charge
from our own solar panels and we
have all the latest energy saving
measures at home. My business
interest is not about making a
quick buck. Rennienergys business
plan is to be the best provider of
renewable energy solutions and we
have made a great start with solar.
With my interest in green energy
and our decades of roofing expertise
we saw a natural convergence for
our business, said David. We
have successfully installed over
100 solar systems during the last
12 months and are now exploring
other renewable energy options.
Part of the company success is due
to the measured and sustainable
progress David has planned for
his business. All my design and
installation team are fully trained,
nationally accredited and industry
certified to the highest level. We
plan and survey a system ourselves
and we do the installation, no sub-
contracting. This means we are not
only quick and efficient, undertaking
the complete installation ourselves,
but the customer gets a seamless
service from start to finish, said
David.
Rennienergy only use high quality
products. We can install either roof
or ground installations, said David.
Twenty five years of working on
roofs gives us a head start for
building installations but we also
install ground systems, off the
surface, that allow sheep to graze
underneath, great for farms.
David said that planning permission
may be required and could
be refused for listed buildings
or in special landscape areas.
Independent advice can be found
at the Energy Saving Trust website
or at the Department of Energy and
Climate Change.
For more information contact
rennienergy, grangefield Works,
grangefield industrial estate,
grangefield road, Pudsey,
Leeds LS28 6Jt

tel: 0113 236 1845
e.mail: info@rennienergy.co.uk
David rennie of rennienergy
peteR Rhodes
Peter Rhodes Feed Services (PRFS)
Limited, based at Storwood near
York , has significantly increased its
geographical coverage following the
acquisition of Mill Feed (North East)
Limited.
Founded in 1974, PRFS provides
specialist mobile feed services for
livestock farmers across the north
Midlands, Yorkshire and parts of the
North East whilst Mill Feed (North
East) covers Durham , Northumberland
and the Scottish Borders
Michael Rhodes of PRFS commented,
Late last year we met up with Bill
Doolan, who launched Mill Feed
(North East) in 1980, and it was
clear that there were a lot of ways in
which our businesses complemented
each other. The initial introduction
came about when David Monkhouse,
formerly a PRFS customer from York
moved up to Durham and began using
Bills services. He suggested Bills
business would benefit from a modern
machine as operated by PRFS.
We took over ownership of the
business in December and have
since supplied Bill and his team with
a Buschhoff mobile milling vehicle
which has dramatically improved the
efficiency of the services he provides
to farmers across his region.
The link with Mill Feed allows us to
make better use of our resources for
customers ranging from Lincolnshire
up to the Borders, added Michael
who has over 250 customers on his
books.
Bill Doolan, well known and highly
respected amongst farmers in the
region, supplies feed services to
almost 100 customers, explained: It
made a lot of sense to become part
peter rhodes Feed services -
Bigger and Better than ever
of PRFS and we can now offer a
faster, more effective service for our
customer base.
The new Buschhoff machine has
made a dramatic difference to our
operations and will help us to establish
PRFS as one of the biggest regional
players in the provision of mobile
milled feed, added Bill.
With the latest technology in mobile
milling, PRFS is already making its
mark in the Durham area, receiving
excellent reviews on its on farm
service from Bills existing customers,
including Durham-based farmer George
Herdman who owns 220 cows, over
600 beef cattle and 800 ewes.
Georgie exclaimed, The new milling
machine is an impressive piece of
kit and makes the whole process of
providing feed much faster and more
streamlined.
PRFS Ltd provides a full range of
on site vitamins, supplements, food
blocks and high quality diets for pig,
poultry, sheep and cattle farmers. The
enlarged business now employs eight
full-time staff.
For more details visit
www.feedservices.co.uk
george herdman and Bill doolan
michael rhodes and Bill
bayeR
Growers are being urged to be ready
to respond to a likely surge in rodent
infestations as the first significant
cold snap of 2012 sweeps across
the country.
Ken Black, Bayers National Account
Manager for rural hygiene, explains
that an increase in rodent numbers
in buildings and stores is to be
expected due to the plummeting
temperatures.
Its driving rodent populations
indoors in search of warmth,
water and food as outside natural
food sources become scarce, he
explains.
And with temperatures now
well below freezing, the task
of scavenging for food in these
conditions becomes much more
difficult for rodents, adds Ken.
Rodents will instead be turning
their attention to search for food
in stores exploring grain sheds,
general farm buildings, livestock
units, anywhere with access to
feedstuffs.
And its likely to be a visible influx,
believes Ken, as some rodent
populations may not have retreated
indoors for the winter, instead
remaining outside to nest during the
extended warm, mild winter.
Growers need to be aware of this
risk of new infestations and remain
vigilant for any signs of rodent
activity, stresses Ken.
The presence of droppings as well
as urine stains and body smears are
three common indications of rodent
presence, so too are well-worn
paths in vegetation and tail marks
in dust and soft earth, notes Ken.
Being aware of all these symptoms
ayer urges vigilance
against heightened
rodent activity
of rodent activity
and also how rats
and mice behave differently
will help ensure targeted control.
In support of this we have
produced a Rodilon user guide
and record book, following on from
the launch of the new rodenticide
last autumn, explains Ken.
The Rodilon user guide and record
book is a perfect tool, supportive
of Farm Assurance schemes,
and is available to farmers upon
request, providing a wealth of
useful information, including in
depth details of the biology and
behaviour of rodents and advice on
constructing a baiting programme.
Please email ken.black@bayer.com
or telephone: +44 7908 224878
to request a copy of the rodilon

user guide and record book

Find more information at
www.pestcontrol-expert.com
beaveRs butcheRs
M & C Meats
Slaughter & Butcher services available
at competitive rates
48 Marshall Street, Crossgates, Leeds, LS15 8DY
Tel: 01132 605551
We are proud suppliers of Pork and Lamb to
Beavers Butchers and wish them continued success
Situated in the picturesque village of
Masham, well known for being home
to the Black Sheep and Theakstons
Breweries, Beavers Butchers has
been trading for over half a century.
Beavers Butchers, also known to
the locals as The Sausage Shop,
has been running from the same
location on Mashams high street for
over 50 years. The butchers is run
by Richard Welford, but was started
by his Grandfather, Mr Beaver, who
taught him everything he knows
about the trade.
I started working at the butchers
whilst I was still at school and
began full time when I had finished
studying, explains Richard. My
Grandad showed me the ropes
and taught me nearly all the skills
I know.
Richard runs the butchers full time,
with 4 part time staff helping out on
the busiest days of the week. His
daughter, Jessica also helps out in
the shop on a weekend. Mr Beaver
is now retired from the business,
having worked past his retirement
to pass on his knowledge to his
grandson.
Being known as The Sausage Shop,
it is not surprising that Beavers
stocks a wide variety of flavoured
sausages. Richard makes over 30
different flavours, with 20 flavours
stocked at any one time.
I like to experiment with different
flavours of sausages. Once I make
a new recipe I cook them and put
them on the counter for customers
to try. If they prove to be popular I
will make more to stock in the shop.
I havent really had any that have
been unsuccessful!
Richards best sellers are country and
herb and Cumberland, having won
the BPEX North East and Yorkshire
Speciality Pork Sausage Champion
for his Cumberland sausages. Other
prizes his sausages have won include
the BPEX Roadshow 2009-2010
Gold Award for his pork, country
herb and chive sausages.
As well as stocking traditional
flavours, Richards counter displays
an array of more unusual recipes
including Moroccan lamb, beef and
tomato, venison and lamb and mint.
Alongside the sausages Richard sells
a variety of meats, burgers, bacon,
black pudding, frozen or cooked pies,
sausage rolls, scotch eggs, chicken
kievs as well as much more.
as Busy as a Beaver
kate cragon visits richard WelFord oF Beavers Butchers, masham
A new idea Richard has been
trialling over the last few months
is one which focuses on knowing
where your meat has come from.
Richard is inviting farmers to
bring their own livestock which he
then has slaughtered at his local
slaughter house, before cutting into
the farmers exact requirements.
Looking at each animal individually
I can recommend to each farmer
what cuts would best suit their
animal. As well as famers, Ive had
a local school bring in a pig that
they have reared. People are more
interested in knowing the journey of
their food, from the field right onto
their plate. This new idea we have
been trialling has proven to be quite
popular. At the moment we are
doing roughly 5-6 pigs a month, but
we have the capacity to do up to 8
a week.
Having had the busiest Christmas
period in a number of years, Richard
and his team are looking forward to
a successful year ahead.
We tried Richards pork, black
pudding and apple sausages for
ourselves and have to admit they
were some of the best sausages we
have tasted!
Beavers Butchers
11 Silver Street, Masham
tel: 01765 689269
Having been passed down the family
butchery skills, Richard is keen to
teach others what he knows about
the business. I have held classes in
the shop when we have been closed
on an evening, teaching young
farmers basic butchers skills. They
choose their own pig or cow and
it is slaughtered locally before they
bring it to the class where I teach
them how to cut different parts of
the meat. I also teach them how to
make sausages and burgers which
we cook and eat after the class. It
is very rewarding to be able to cook
and eat what we have just made.
As well as holding lessons for young
farmers, Richard has also taught
sausage making classes at Rosemary
Shragers Cooking School at Swinton
Park, which he sells his produce to.
Three local pubs in the village also
use Beavers produce.
Stocking local meat is a priority for
Richard and he is very particular
about where he buys his meat from.
The beef we stock is from John
Pennys and the pork and lamb we
stock is from M & C Meats. I mainly
buy rare breed pork as the meat
makes excellent sausages. The
seasonal game we stock, including
venison, rabbits, pigeons, partridge,
grouse and pheasants, is sourced in
season from local estates. Food that
has travelled less miles has been put
under less stress, making it a better
tasting final product.
lane end faRm shop
Having started trading from a van in
the farms car park, Lane End Farm
Shop, founded by Martin and Arlene
Hare, has come a long way in just
over 3 years. Lane End Farm Shop
now has its own premises, based
at Lane End Farm, in Tong Village,
stocking a variety of local produce,
like Father like son
kate cragon meets martin hare oF lane end Farm shop in tong, West yorkshire
some direct from the farm itself.
Martin began his career, following
in his dads footsteps on a butchers
stall in a local market. My dad
started his butchery career whilst
still at school, Martin explains. He
began washing blocks for a butcher
who worked in Rawson Market. He
took over the stall at the age of 20
whilst farming at Lane End, keeping
pigs and sheep to sell on his stall.
I helped out on the stall whilst at
school, but decided I would much
prefer to look after the farm.
Once Martin took over the farm,
he began rearing pigs, cows and
sheep to supply his dads stall in
the market. After a brief move away
from the farm, Martin soon returned
to begin building his own business
with Arlene.
We started selling produce from a
van in the farm car park in November
2008. Little did we know then how
popular the shop would become!
Martin and Arlene opened the
mobile shop just three days a week,
but quickly found themselves having
to trade an extra two days a week to
meet customer demand.
In September 2010 the Hares made
the next step, opening their very
own purpose built store to move the
farm shop into. We outgrew the
van very quickly, so it made sense
for us to expand into some a little
more permanent with more room.
We received planning permission for
the shop and got building as quickly
as possible so we could open in time
for Christmas in 2010.
Martin farms Texel cross Rouge
Du Maine and Dorset cross Beltex
sheep, Dexter cattle and Angus
arlene and martin (centre) With the team
lane end faRm shop
Chevin Fencing is pleased to support Martin & Arlene
For Traditional post and rail or the more economical
post and stock wire fencing, we can help.
We supply and fit a quality product which you can expect to last,
fitted by our friendly team of experienced fitters.
All our timber is treated to protect it against the Yorkshire Weather.
Call Andrew today for a free Quote
On the move: 07795 384172 At the office: 01943 462665
www.chevinfencing.co.uk
and Limousin cross cattle on his
180 acre farm, as well as keeping
donkeys, alpacas, pigs, goats, hens,
ducks and rabbits.
With outdoor pens and a seating
area, one of the main attractions
for the shop is the farms family of
donkeys, Customers come as much
to see our donkeys and alpacas as
they do to do their shopping. We
have Ant and Dec the alpacas and
donkeys, mum and dad, Millie and
Jack as well as their three children
Malcolm, Mavies and Stanley. They
are a great attraction for adults and
children alike!
Stocking local produce is a priority
for Martin and he is a keen supporter
of local businesses and farmers. We
stock all our own beef and lamb in
the shop. Our pork chops, sirloins,
mince and diced steak are also sold
to the local pub, The Greyhound in
Tong village. The chicken we sell
is from Milford Farm in Leeds and
Nidderdale Poultry. The pork is from
Gillams in Yeadon and John Pennys
in Rawdon and the veg is from Gary
Bradshaws. We also stock freshly
baked bread from Maughans in
Mirfield and milk from Dales Dairies
in Grassington. All the businesses
we trade with are local and most are
fairly small. I find they are easier to
trade with and supply some of the
best produce.
continues page 20
thomas hare leFt, Working on his stall in raWson market
lane end faRm shop
V L & M C ROOKES
Suppliers of selected bacon and cooked meats
Tel: 01904 608240
Fax: 01904 608241
Pleased to be associated with
Lane End Farm Shop
and wish them every success for the future
Working alongside Martin and
Arlene, there are 3 full time
butchers and 1 person who works
on the deli, as well as 5 part time
staff in the shop. Arlenes daughter
Tara also helps out in the shop.
When Martin in not working at the
farm shop, he is looking after his
livestock on the farm.
Once I have finished in the shop I
go to the farm to feed and look after
the livestock, Richard works with me
to look after the cattle and Andrew
Letten, of Chevin Fencing, not only
does all of our fencing, he also looks
after the sheep.
Lane End Farm shop attracts
customers from far and wide, being
ideally located with good links to the
M62. One thing that is important
to Martin is that customers come
back again and again. We have
regular customers who come from
Bradford, Halifax and Leeds. Its a
great sign when you have customers
returning time and time again who
are travelling to come and buy your
produce.
Arlene owns Tong Feline Retreat, a
cattery which is also run from Lane
End Farm. The cattery has been
running for 8 years and is licensed
to board 50 cats at any one time.
Having grown from the farm car
park, we asked Martin what the next
step for Lane End Farm Shop will
be, We are already growing larger
than the premises we have at the
moment. We like to stock a wide
variety of items and customers are
always asking for new and different
products. Our plan is to extend the
shop again soon so we can stock
a wider variety of veg and other
produce.
www.laneendfarmshop.com
tong Lane, Bradford, BD4 0SF
01274 684300
news
A new virus has been detected in
UK farms which has been affecting
sheep and cattle. The Schmallenberg
virus which has mainly been found in
sheep and lambs, has been causing
lambs to be born with deformities
which can be so severe that the
illness is leading to death.
The virus was first detected in
Germany in August 2011 and has
since been found in Belgium and the
Netherlands. The Schmallenberg
virus is thought to have been spread
by midges from Germany and has
affected 190 farms in the UK, 113
of the cases being in sheep and
the other 8 being in cattle. The
disease is thought to have reached
the UK last autumn and has become
apparent recently due to the start of
the lambing season.
The infected sheep are likely to have
miscarriages, stillbirths or lambs with
malformations including fixed joints
and bent limbs, spinal cord damage
schmallenBerg virus
aFFects uk Farms
and brain deformities. At present
it is thought that the virus can not
be spread from animal to animal or
animal to human, but this can not be
confirmed. The virus can also cause
symptoms in adult animals but these
symptoms are thought to be less
severe. These symptoms include
fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and
low milk yield.
A virus for the disease is yet to
be invented. West Sussex, Kent,
Norfolk, Suffolk and Hampshire
appear to be the worst hit by the
virus but experts are unable to
predict if the virus may spread to
other parts of the country.
At the moment the virus is not
notifiable which means that farmers
have no legal obligation to report the
virus. Also no legal restrictions are in
place on infected livestock. Defra is
advising people who think they may
be infected by the virus to contact
their local veterinary surgeons if
they notice any of the symptoms
thought to be associated with the
disease. Veterinary surgeons should
then contact their local AHVLA
Laboratory if they suspect the virus
to be the cause of infection.
For more information please
visit www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla
noRthalleRton auction maRt
Old Hall Farm, Church Lane, Esholt,
Shipley, West Yorkshire BD17 7RA
Telephone: 01274 581420
Fax: 01274 530450
Email: sarah@fredgreenwoodandson.co.uk
We are pleased to be associated with
Northallerton Auction Mart and wish them
continued success for the future
Marshall Green Abattoir
Witton-le-Wear
Bishop Auckland
Co Durham DL14 0AQ
Tel: 01388 488202
Fax: 01388 488675
We are pleased
to be associated
with Northallerton
Auction Mart
and wish them
continued success
for the future
Racking up a century is a
momentous achievement in cricket,
but it is even more unique in the
livestock market world. In the past
two decades Yorkshire has seen
many mart casualties, which is why
Northallerton Auctions centenary is
so impressive. They are very much
not out up here.
It is 100 years since this business
took over from John Todds
Storestock Market, says Brian
Weighell, Company Secretary. There
were once three markets in the town,
but its been just us for quite a few
years and with our new Auctioneer
and Mart Manager Giles Drew, who
joined us last year, we have much to
look forward to as we move into our
second century.
Giles was on-form and in full-
creating a Buzz
in northallerton
chris Berry talk With giles dreW and Brian Weighell
flow when I visited just prior to
going to press. I caught up with
him after another successful days
auctioneering:
This is a really exciting time for
livestock markets. It is also extremely
challenging. We need to be on top of
our game week-in, week-out. There is
competition out there and we need
to continue to show our livestock
producers that the livestock market is
the best place to bring their stock and
in particular Northallerton Auctions.
Prices have been flying high, which
has helped, but there is still a great
deal of pressure on ensuring we
maintain and improve our position.
We are always looking to increase
numbers and in doing so we are
attracting more buyers.
We have recently also set up a new
collection centre at Brompton-by-
Sawdon, near Scarborough. We are
sourcing prime sheep lambs and
ewes at Chris Barkers farm off Carr
Lane each week. We are determined
to show everyone that Northallerton
Mart isnt just 100 years old and
wallowing in the past. We are about
now and the future. There will be ups
and downs, as there always are, but
we are taking this livestock market
forward.
The Northallerton team also includes
Brian Weighell (centre) With the oFFice staFF at northallerton
Bowland Foods ltd
Meat Wholesalers
Northallerton auction Mart Co ltd
and wish them continued success for the future
Tel: 01772 655 555 Fax: 01722 655 565
Unit 16, Roman Way Industrial Estate, Longridge Road, Preston, PR2 5BB
Helen Walton and Helen Grainger
who are both involved with the
procurement of stock. Its a young
team that adds youth and vitality to
the experience of Brian and the rest
of the mart staff.
Theres certainly a buzz about the
place right now, says Brian. Giles
joined us from Worcester Mart in
April last year. Hes young, keen
and ambitious and whats more
he knows the livestock world inside
out. Hes really injected life back
into the market. He has increased
numbers, knows how to hold on
to a good trade and thats making
him very popular. We all now see
him as the future of the mart. He
has managed to win trade back that
had gone to deadweight and to other
marts. He has quickly grown a great
following.
We have also recently started
a programme of updating and
repainting the mart. The whole
scene here at Applegarth is the best
it has been for many years.
Usually the talk, whenever
Northallerton Mart is mentioned, is
about when it will move out of the
a packed northallerton mart
plenty to say When the camera Flashes!
Buyers around the ring at northallerton
continues page 24
We are pleased to
be associated with
Northallerton
Auction Mart
and wish them
continued success
for the future
www.clevelandmeatcompany.com
The Abattoir, Yarm road, Stockton on Tees, TS18 3RU
Tel 01642 674498 / 01642 604291
Fax 01642612536
Email meat@cleveland.demon.co.uk
CMC
Cleveland Meat Co. Ltd
Wholesale Meat Exports
town; or in previous years when it
would merge with Thirsk. The out of
town move is still a possibility, but
its not on the agenda at present.
Giles would rather talk about what
is on the current agenda rather than
something that isnt.
Theres a big demand for prime and
store stock at the moment, whether
that is sheep or cattle. And we
believe that what we are doing here
at Northallerton is worthy of every
farmer sending his stock. We are
achieving good prices and there are
smiles on the faces of those around
the ring. Thats the way we want it
to be all the time.
Brian has worked at the mart since he
left school in 1974. He tells of how
the mart has survived in the past.
Our previous halcyon period was
in the 1980s when we peaked at
500 fat cattle every week. Over the
years we have diversified. We were
one of the pioneers of furniture and
antique sales; farm machinery sales;
and opened an estate agency as
well. All of those things helped us
particularly during the Foot & Mouth
year in 2001.
We are in a strong position
financially. We own the livestock
market, the buildings and the car
park. We also own our offices in
the High Street and land around
the town. Northallerton Auctions
has always been well-run and
well-managed. Now with Giles we
are moving forward as a livestock
market again.
The mart hosts fatstock sales every
Tuesday and stores every Wednesday.
There is a sow collection service
once every 3 weeks, with pigs going
to Cheale Meats in Essex.
Northallerton Auctions is largely
farmer-owned with Tommy Hugill
of Danby Wiske their Chairman for
the past decade; other Directors
include Alan Watson who farms at
Snilesworth; Michael Duffus who
farms at Flintoft; Martin Harland
who farms at South Otterington;
Mark Corner, another local farmer;
and Alan Harrison, a local property
developer.
The mart caf has recently been
taken over by farmers wife Marie
Alderson of East Cowton. She has
taken over from Ann Newcombe
who ran it for over 30 years.
nortHaLLerton aUctionS
applegarth Mart
northallerton DL7 8LZ

tel: 01609 772034
giles Drew: 07876 696259

www.northallertonauctions.com
giles.drew@northallertonauctions.com
info@northallertonauctions.com
talk around the ring - With andreW heaton giles dreW - auctioneer
Watching intently
daiRy
Lelys Benchmark programme has
highlighted Stephen Smith from
Fryup near Whitby as having the
highest producing Lely Astronaut
Robot in the UK. Stephen currently
milks 73 cows through his Astronaut
A3, each averaging 36.1 litres (as
at 05th February 2012) which is
2600 overall per day.
The cows are housed in cow kennels
through the winter and grazed using
the Lely Grazeway
System through the summer. The
Grazeway Gate System allows
the cows 24/7 access to pasture
and works by recognising the
cow by the responder worn on
her collar as she approaches the
gate, which allows her access to a
designated paddock. The collar is
also programmed through the T4C
management system.
The Benchmark programme is a
social networking site similar to
Facebook but solely for the use of
farmers with Lely Astronaut Robots
Benchmark shoWs highest
producing lely astronaut
with the Lely Time4Cows version 3
Management System.
First the farmer logs-on to the
Benchmark system and creates
a profile. The profile shows their
general information and long and
short term goals, then there is a
dashboard facility which allows
the farmer to list more in-depth
information and add reports
from T4C3 such as yield, feed
consumption etc. They can then
start searching for other robot farms
and send friend requests.
The main focus of the site is to
allow farmers to share and compare
information with other Lely robot
users, for example if you own one
robot and wish to compare with
some one else with one robot you
can or you could compare with
whole of the UK so long as your
friends with them! It is up to the
farmer how much information they
choose to share.
Mr Smiths Astronaut A3 Robots are
maintained by Lely Center Bedale.
www.lely.com
faRmstaR
January just wouldnt be the same
without Farmstars annual open day
at their Grove Farm headquarters in
Marr. Ideally situated close to the A1
this event has become the biggest
farm machinery open days in South
Yorkshire in fact one of the the biggest
one day farm machinery shows in the
whole of the county.
This years show was blessed with
the best weather it has had for many
a year and being a regular visitor over
the past 20 years I know what Im
talking about. Hail, snow, rain, sleet,
wind, often all together and invariably
with at least three of these, has
become the norm, but this year it
was different. Sunshine at Farmstars
open day! I could hardly believe it.
Everyone was in good spirits and
hundreds were there to take a look
at the ever-expanding Farmstar
business. All of their manufacturers
were present including Case tractors,
one oF the Biggest one day
machinery shoWs in yorkshire
chris Berry talks With andreW Waddington oF Farmstar
combines and harvest equipment;
Manitou; Kverneland, Vicon, Richard
Western, McHale, KRM, Bomford,
Kongskilde, Quicke, Chillton, Kubota
and the increasingly successful, local
manufacturer Philip Watkins.
Farmstar has steadily built its
reputation over the past three
decades and now has Andrew
Waddington at its helm. He was
particularly pleased
with the numbers
attending, both
manufacturers and
farmer customers.
We always like to
put on a great show
and thats why our
customers keep
coming back year
after year. We take
immense pride in
looking after them
throughout the year
offering the best in
service and repairs.
What we do is all
about ensuring
success for our
farmer customers,
because that is what
in turn determines
our own success.
In terms of growth
Farmstar recently
added their new
Long Bennington depot to their
existing branches at Marr, Brigg and
Market Weighton; extending their
coverage into Nottinghamshire.
We want to continue growing and this
shows our continued commitment to
agriculture. The Case tractor brand
is one of the leading brands in the
world and we are proud to play our
part in maintaining its position. The
time to chat
faRmstaR
range has continually been improved
and added to over the years and we
feel that Case tractors offer the best
value for money of any manufacturer
around today.
The Case tractor range stocked by
Farmstar includes everything from
the Farmall, Quantum, JXU, JX and
CS PRO, through to the Maxxum,
CVX, Puma and Magnum. Farmstar
also provide the Steiger and Quadtrac
models.
The open day has become a very
important part of our calendar
and offers our customers a great
opportunity to simply come and
have a look around, as well as being
a truly social occasion. We are proud
of it and what we have achieved so
far in our short history; and I am
particularly proud of all the team in
the way they rise to the challenge
of getting this show together every
year. It takes quite a bit of putting on
but we know it is worth it.
Who knows, maybe Andrew will also
get sunshine at the 2013 open day!
FarMStar
grove Farm, church Lane,
Marr, nr Doncaster Dn5 7aU
tel: 01302 786786

Bridge Street, Brigg Dn20 8nF
tel: 01652 654944

Becklands Park industrial estate,
York road,
Market Weighton Yo43 3ga
tel: 01430 875900

White House Farm, Valley Lane,
Long Bennington,
newark ng23 5ee
tel: 01400 283818

www.farmstar.co.uk
you cannot Be serious lad - never that much
all smiles in the sun
open day 2012 With Brian Bannister
oF Farmstar market Weighton (Far right)
mitchells auction maRt
With over 50 years
road haulage
experience Stampers
offer a comprehensive
range of haulage
services including:
Livestock transport
Fertilizer
Machinery
Straw & Hay
General Haulage
Bulk Haulage
R. I. Stamper Haulage Ltd
Livestock and General Haulage
Mitchells Auction Mart and wish them
continued success for the future.
A1 Hangar, Kirkbride, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 5JZ
Tel: 016973 51251
Fax: 016973 51999
Mobile: 07860 294687
When the all-new Mitchells Lakeland
Livestock Centre at Cockermouth
opened its doors in 2002 it was just
after farming had reached its lowest
point. Foot and Mouth Disease had
decimated the cattle and sheep
population.
This was never more true than in
Cumbria, which was hit hardest of
any county in the UK. Funeral pyres
raged, huge burial grounds were
shown on TV and it appeared, to
many in the agricultural world, that
the future of livestock markets was
very much at risk.
Ten years on from the lifting of
quarantine regulations and livestock
farming is in a far different state.
Prices are healthy and the feelgood
factor is back. The Mitchells
Lakeland Livestock Centre is
recording healthy prices, in line
with the rest of the UK, and it is
experiencing an unprecedented and
unremitting increase in throughput.
The move from the town centre to
an all-new purpose built site has
gone better than they could have
great prices -
great livestock
chris Berry talks With andreW Wright at mitchells lakeland livestock centre
hoped and smiles are back on the
faces of farmers who attend.
Andrew Wright and Anthony Skelton
are the two main auctioneers.
Andrew is Operations Manager and
has been here just over a year, whilst
Anthony who is Livestock Market
Manager arrived two years ago.
Its very upbeat at the moment,
says Andrew. The atmosphere in
and around the mart couldnt be
better. Prices are strong and seem
annual shoW & sale oF mule gimmer lamBs
Feeds
Fertiliser
Menerals
Crystalyx blocks
Grass seeds
Oil and diesel tanks
Animal Health
Small Machinery
And much much more
Cockermouth Branch
Tel: 01900 824105
cockermouth@carrs-billington.com
Right on
the doorstep
Carrs Billington are proud to
support Cockermouth Auction
throughout the year
For friendly professional advice
and outstanding service,
Step into our branch
to be keeping at this new level
they have reached, and we are still
expanding. Throughput has increased
dramatically in the past two years
and the livestock market is now
leading the way on price. A number
of farmers who went deadweight
have now come back to the market
because they can see that we are
attracting both a better price and
competition around the ring.
Lakeland Livestock Centre sells
primestock every Wednesday and
stores, fortnightly on a Friday.
The Wednesday sale includes prime
cattle, bulls, cull cows, cull ewes,
prime hoggs and dairy cattle. Weve
just moved the dairy cattle from a
Friday to a Wednesday because it
suits our customers more that way.
Our fortnightly stores sales include
sheep, cattle, feeding cows, calves
and stirks.
The beauty of our location here
in Cockermouth is that we attract
buyers and sellers from throughout
the county. We cover the whole of
the lowland plains of North Cumbria;
down the west coast and also the
high grounds of Lakeland, thats
why we offer such a good trade
and variety at the market. Theres
something for everyone no matter
where you are based.
As well as being the renowned
centre for Lakelands own Herdwick
sheep, Andrew tells of producers of
another breed that they have been
particularly pleased sale-wise with
the market in the last few weeks
prior to this publication of Farmers
Mart.
We recently held a Limousin sale
where the top price was 7000. We
had over 70 Limousins from mostly
local breeders and the reaction to
it was very positive. We are known
for supplying good stock from these
parts to other parts of the country
where farmers can buy and take
them on.
We attract some really good buyers
of stores. This area is predominantly
a good stores area for breeding and
rearing and other farmers are really
starting to realise the quality that
comes out of here. We had a buyer
from Clitheroe last year who came
back recently singing the praises of
what he had bought and as a result
he purchased again. Thats what
were all about and thats why we
are attracting the buyers. The level of
continues page 30
auction on a primestock sale day
herdWicks From messer harrison Brotherelkeld
ian armstrongs pedigree limousin Bull
A new scheme is in place, and
available UK-wide, that offers
reassurance to both buyers and
sellers of cattle that livestock is
free of respiratory viruses and
Bovine Viral Diarrohea.
The Surecalf Scheme involves
pre-sale vaccinations which help
to protect calves during sale and
transportation, as well as providing
a further 6 months of protection
through the winter housing period.
Rod Welford MRCVS, veterinary
surgeon at Millcroft Vets and a
member of the Board of Directors
at Mitchells Auction Mart, gives his
view on the new scheme available
at Mitchells, Pneumonia has long
been the number one challenge
to calf health in Cumbria. The
new generation of medicines have
improved our treatment options but
the role of the modern farm vet is
more about optimising performance
than fire-fighting disease. We have
a toolkit of multivalent vaccines
that, used in conjunction with
astute stock husbandry, relegate
pneumonia to the bottom of the
league tables.
The problem with pneumonia
is that it always leaves a legacy
of lost production. The buyer of
store beast is actively seeking to
avoid the cost associated with
an extended time to finished
weight. Surecalf helps the vendor
to differentiate his store beast in
the sale ring. It demonstrates that
pneumonia protection is in place.
Store trade at Mitchells is thriving,
and buyers are seeking assurance
of health status. I believe that
Surecalf will grow to become the
health stamp of store sales. It all
comes down to the old adage that
it is better to invest in health than
to pay for disease. The Surecalf
brand takes this philosophy to the
market-place.
For more information about
Surecalf visit www.surecalf.co.uk
or call 0800 668 1886
surecalF oFFers
peace oF mind
animal husbandry throughout this
area is outstanding and we are now
in a position where we can make the
most of it for our farmers.
In addition to the livestock sales
Lakeland Livestock Centre also has a
land agency business, offers support
regarding environmental stewardship
and has a fine arts department that
is also well respected.
We are in a strong position just at
the moment and we fully intend to
carry on making the most of it. Prices
are remaining high and we hope that
this situation is sustainable. It has
certainly brought a good feeling into
the market on the back of all of the
hard work we do here, as well as the
hard work put in by our farmers.
Andrew and Anthony also have Geoff
Walker as part of their team. Geoff is
a Field Officer and is an auctioneer.
Hes a local man, farming at nearby
Mockerin and has been with the
mart since its reopening in 2002.
MitcHeLLS LaKeLanD
LiVeStocK centre,
cocKerMoUtH,
cUMBria ca13 0QQ

tel: 01900 822016

anthony 07739 479914
anthony@mitchellslivestock.co.uk

andrew 07920 460004
andrew@mitchellslivestock.co.uk

www.mitchellslivestock.co.uk
mitchells stand at cockermouth shoW
Sheep Farmers, while enjoying better
prices, continue to have the EID
cloud of uncertainty hanging over
their heads. The complexity of new
rules and changes in interpretation
adds to the general confusion and
farmers concerns.
It is therefore welcome news that
major Agricultural retailers Carrs
Billington, with their 19 branches
throughout northern England and
the southern Scotland, after detailed
market research, have decided to
join forces with EID specialists
- StockTrace. This farmer based
company has developed a range
of reader printers and software
options that allows farmers using
their systems to be totally confident
that they are meeting all rules and
regulations.
This development is most timely
since English sheep farmers have
recently received letters from
DEFRA, reminding keepers that if
they move individually electronically
identified sheep they must record
their individual tag numbers in their
holding register and movement
document. If they rely on CPRCs
(auction marts) to read tags it will
not always be possible for them to
read every tag so the information
they supply will be incomplete
and where individual identities are
not recorded at all or are recorded
inaccurately in holding registers
then keepers are warned that they
run the risk of a cross compliance
reduction to their Single Farm
Payment if that is found during an
inspection.
cars Billington
and stocktrace
Join Forces
StockTrace offers two solutions.
Their BASIC package comprises
a robust reader and printer
allowing you to read all
electronic tags as sheep
leave or enter your farm.
Uniquely the printed
list is in number order
and any unread tag
numbers can be
keyed in or you can
retag the animal.
The full printed list
can then be part of
your records. The
PREMIUM package,
either bought initially or
a later upgrade from Basic,
comprises the same reader
printer PLUS the easy to use
Linx software which automatically
produces movement
forms, updates
holding registers
and supplies
other management
i n f o r m a t i o n
including medicine
and drug records.
Your local fully trained
Carrs Billington team
will be happy to answer
your queries and ensure
you have the best
solution for accurate
and worry free record
keeping.
www.carrs-billington.com
www.stocktrace.co.uk
the stocktrace
reader and printer
LEMKEN is pleased
to announce retail
finance can now be
offered on all new
LEMKEN machines
sold throughout the UK
and Ireland. LEMKEN
Finance is available,
exclusively, through
De Lage Landen (DLL)
leasing, as from 1st
March 2012.
This agreement allows
LEMKEN to offer retail
finance options on any new
machine sold in UK and Ireland,
but excludes the Channel Islands.
From March to May, inclusive,
two key products are offered with
finance at 0% interest rate. All
new sprayers can be purchased
on 3+33 monthly payments, at
0% interest rate. New Rubin disc
harrows can be purchased on 1+2
annual payments, at 0% interest
rate. In both cases, the offer is
available for business purposes
only (applicants must be 18 or
older), up to a maximum of 50%
of RRP (excluding VAT), subject
to DLL terms and conditions, and
credit approval. Standard fees
apply.
Further information is
available from Lemken UK
Ltd or De Lage Landen.
lemken and de lage
landen team up to oFFer
retail Finance options
annas happy tRotteRs
Proud to support Annas Happy Trotters and
wish them continued success for the future.
A Traves & Sons Ltd
Meat Wholesalers
Main Street, Escrick, York YO19 6TP
Tel: 01904 728246
Not many people achieve in a lifetime
what Anna Longthorp has achieved
in just four years. The 28 year old
pig farmer from Howden has not
only set up her own successful free
range farming business, but has also
won many awards along the way.
Having grown up on her parents,
Richard and Dianas, farm, Anna
has been involved in the farming
industry all her life. Ive always
been around pigs, they are part of
who I am, Anna explains. My
mum originally grew speciality veg,
but having studied pig nutrition she
took on some sows when I was
eight. We still do arable farming
as well as pig farming they tie in
well together. My brother, Jonathan,
works on the arable side of the
business. He much prefers farming
crops to pigs whereas Im the
complete opposite!
Annas Happy Trotters, which was
given its name by local school
children, is Annas own business
that she started in 2008. With a
passion for local produce and free
range farming, Anna decided she
wanted to farm free range pigs to
build on the family business.
Before Annas Happy Trotters the
Longthorps produced pigs that were
Outdoor Bred, meaning they were
bred and born outside and fattened
inside. 4 years ago decided to start
fattening outside too so that the pig
would be fully free range. This is
when we thought we could get some
real value out of direct selling, says
Anna. I was running the outdoor
fattening unit and decided that
Annas Happy Trotters was the way
forwards. Annas Happy Trotters is
a brand I created to add value to
the farming we were doing already
and to add value to the product
by altering our customer base from
going the Whole hog
kate cragon meets anna longthorp oF annas happy trotters in hoWden, east yorkshire
anna With her lovely trotters
Tel: 01430 872 435
Fax: 01430 873 057
Camp Farm, Market Weighton, York, YO43 4LB
We are pleased to be associated with Annas Happy Trotters
and wish her continued success for the future
GRASBYS OF HULL LTD
LivesTOCk HauLiers
supermarkets to direct sales to
butchers.
There is no doubt that free range
pigs make for better tasting meat.
They are free to roam in large fields
with open gazebos filled with straw
to shelter in. This makes for happier
pigs that are slower grown.
Kept on some of Burland Farms
1,800 acres of land, the pigs are
a cross breed of Landrace, Duroc
and Pietrains. Weve changed
the breeds over the years and
experimented with different cross
breeds. As the pigs are always
outdoors, they need to have certain
traits to thrive in these conditions.
The Duroc in the cross means the
pigs have hardier skin to keep them
warmer in the winter, and stop them
getting sunburnt in the summer.
All of Annas Happy Trotters are
produced by artificial insemination
and for this Anna uses PIC. We find
the genetics of the 337 that PIC
provide us with give us a fantastic
end product in relation to carcass
quality. It gives us low levels of back
fat but intramuscular fat so the meat
is succulent and full of flavour. It
also produces large muscles so for
instance our pork chops have lovely
big eye muscles.
When the pigs reach the age of 5
and a half months they are sent to
slaughter. We select 250 pigs per
week. Of these 150 go out as full
carcasses and 100 come back to the
butchery to be processed into cuts
of pork, cured into dry cure gammon
and bacon or mad into sausages.
As well as employing 29 people on
the farm, Anna employs 6 people for
the butchers, but she is not afraid of
getting stuck in herself
I like to be hands on, but I generally
work on the running of the business.
I do help out with the artificial
insemination and on the farm when
we are particularly busy. I almost
enjoy it when pigs get out by
accident as it gives me an excuse to
be hands on! Fortunately I live about
20 yards from the pigs so at least
I can see their gorgeous faces from
my doorstep.
As well as being involved in both the
office and farm based work, Anna is
keen to teach children about where
their food comes from and regularly
visits schools to talk about farming
and the industry. I think it is
important that we educate children
about the food on their plate and
where it has come from. I also
like to tell them about farming and
working in agriculture, encouraging
children who arent from a farming
family to become farmers.
continues page 34
Annas Happy Trotters also go to
shows to promote their products
and farm. The next show they will
be attending is the Food and Drink
Expo at the NEC on the 25-27th
March.
The Happy Trotter products are
stocked both locally and further afield.
The products, including sausages and
bacon, are used in local restaurants,
pubs and hotels. Their pork can
also be found in butchers across the
country and is sold though Waitrose
and selected Tescos who stock ready
meals containing Annas Happy
Trotter pork.
As well as being stocked in butchers
and farm shops, Annas Happy Trotter
products can be bought online,
including hog roasts and hampers.
New products for the hampers
include black treacle bacon and Anna
has just bought a new smoker for the
butchers, now making apple smoked
bacon.
We make a variety of sausages
and started making our own recipe
sausages made with Yorkshire
Terrier bitter, called Porkshire Terrier
sausages. We started making the
Porkshire Terrier recipe about a year
ago and they are by far our strongest
selling sausages.
The Longthorps award winning pigs
have just scooped two gold and
two silver awards, as well as the
championship for their dry cured
gammon steak at this years BPEX
Roadshow. Other prestigious awards
they have won include the Supreme
Champion at Deliciously Yorkshire in
2011 for their belly pork.
Not only have the pigs won awards,
Anna has also picked up awards along
the way for the work she has done
including being titled Pig Producer of
The Year in 2010. In addition Annas
Design
Installation
Commissioning
Refrigeration
Maintenance
F-Gas Registered Air Conditioning Engineers
Specialist Air
Conditioning &
Refrigeration
Services
Wish Annas Happy Trotters all the very
best with her successful business now and
in the future.
Contact Alex: 07933 333 543 / Email: alex@icoolyou.com
Happy Trotters have been featured on
the Alan Titchmarsh Show, as well
as being photographed for Rosemary
Shragers new cook book, Yorkshire
Breakfasts.
Having not had the most usual of
starts to her farming career, Anna
went to university, lived in Australia
and became a tennis coach before
returning to her farming roots, she
now has no plans to stray from the
Happy Trotters.
I took a gap year in Australia before
going to university, but I found
that studying wasnt for me. I then
returned to Australia for a few more
years before coming back to the UK
to be a tennis coach. Each time I
returned back to the farm my dad
would always tell me to try other
things, as he only wanted my brother
and I to go into farming if it was what
we really wanted to do. I knew that
there was a reason I kept returning
to the farm and Im so glad I decided
to become more involved in farming.
Now I couldnt imagine working
anywhere else!
www.annashappytrotters.com
tel: 01430 433 030
willie seels
BRITISH BLONDE
Tel : 024 7641 9058
Fax : 024 7641 9082
Why use a BLONDE Bull?
Easy Calving
Length and confrmation
High Killing Out %
Improved Grades
Hardiness
Entries on our website
www.britishblondesociety.co.uk
Spring Sales
Worcester 21st April
Moira - 27th April
Carlisle 12th May
Beeston 19th May
Carlisle 26th October
National Show 2012
At the Three Counties Show,
Malvern
15th 17th June
Judging Friday 15th June
www.allotts.co.uk
We are pleased to be
associated with the
Seels Family
and wish them continued
success for the future
Specialists in fnancial, taxation and wealth preservation
services for farming enterprises.
Doncaster
Sidings Court
Lakeside, Doncaster DN4 5NU
Tel: 01302 349218
Email: donc@allotts.co.uk
Rotherham
The Old Grammar School
13 Moorgate Road, Rotherham S60 2EN
Tel: 01709 828400
Email: info@allotts.co.uk
Please contact Steven Pepper or Neil Highfeld for your initial free consultation
Mention the name Willie Seels to
a British Blue or Blonde farmer, or
in fact any farmer, and there will
be few who have not heard of the
prize winning cattle breeder. Many
will also know that Willie sadly lost
his daughter, Becky, who helped
win many of the Seels awards, to a
fight against cancer in 2011 age 34.
Leaving one last wish that her father
must carry on showing the cattle,
Willie had an impressive year in the
2011 shows in Beckys honour.
Willie, one of the first two people to
introduce Belgian Blues to England,
farms at Home Farm in Burghwallis
near Doncaster. He moved to the
farm over 45 years ago after he
moved out of the family farm in the
nearby village of Hooten Pagnall.
He farms in partnership with his
brother Michael who is still based
at the original Seels family farm,
Manor Farm. Willie and Michaels
sister, Dorothy, also lives with
Michael at Manor Farm.
Together Willie and Michael farm
the Hooten pedigree British Blue
herd and the Burghwallis pedigree
British Blonde herd, as well as
a commercial suckler herd with
stores bought in to fatten. Part of
the Seels farming is also arable,
growing oats and barley which is
fed to the cattle, oil seed rape and
milling wheat.
Manor Farm was originally a dairy
and sheep farm. Willie started
competing in sheep shearing
competitions, representing the
country in international sheep
sheering competitions at the age of
18. As the farm moved away from
dairy farming and began rearing
Willie seels keeps on
Winning For Becky
Farmersmart visits Willie seels at home Farm in BurghWallis, south yorkshire
Willie seels at the great yorkshire shoW 2008 Just some oF Willies trophies
willie seels
and finishing cattle for beef, Willies
interest in cattle grew.
Having studied cattle for a number
of years Willie took a trip to visit the
Belgian Blue breed in their home
country of Belgium in the 1970s.
After seeing many impressive herds
he decided to import two heifers
to the UK to start his own herd.
These two heifers were to be the
second batch of Belgian Blues to be
imported into the country.
Using imported semen, Willie grew
the herd to produce many show
winners including the bull, Hooten
Foggy. Foggy went on to win 38
consecutive county shows.
Having been brought up on the farm
by her father, Beckys interest in
farming quickly grew and she began
attending shows at just 4 years
old. At age 12 Becky won her first
championship at the Newark Show.
This was to be the beginning of her
successful showing career.
Becky was always at the farm. At a
young age she showed a real love of
animals, Willie explains. As I was
raising Becky and farming she would
come with me to all the shows she
was part of the outfit! She was a
very determined person and had
such an interest in the cattle it was
never a surprise that she became so
involved in showing.
Being a farmer, accidents and
injuries are all part and parcel of the
job. Willie, however, has suffered
more than his fair share of injuries
throughout the years, one of which
nearly ended his farming career. In
2009 Willie suffered a serious fall
whilst in a pen bedding up some of
his bulls. I was accidently knocked
over by one of the bulls and the
straw bale I was using managed to
roll on top of me. I broke bones in
my neck and badly damaged my
back. Doctors warned me I may
never walk again.
As well as physical damage, Willie
also suffered memory loss due
to the accident and doctors told
him he would be in hospital for at
least two years, with a further year
of rehabilitation. I only stayed in
hospital for a few months as Becky
was ill with cancer at the time and I
needed to be at home to look after
her. We both helped each other to
overcome what had happened.
Willie had started the 2009 show
season, by winning reserve Inter-
Breed Champion at Newark and
Nottingham Show, just before
his accident. Becky took over the
reigns and showed for the rest
of the summer to achieve one of
the Seels most successful show
seasons whilst Willie recovered
from his injuries.
In Beckys last year of showing in
2010 she competed in 18 shows
with her British Blonde cattle and
won Champion of the breed at all
but one of the shows. Determined
to carry out Beckys wishes, Willie
competed in 19 shows in 2011, in
Beckys honour, and was Champion
at 17 of them.
Willie also presented the Rebecca
Seels Memorial Trophy at the Great
Yorkshire Show last year for the Best
Female British Blonde. The trophy
was won by none other than Beckys
own two year old Blonde, Burghwallis
Diva. The cup will be returning this
year to be awarded at the Great
Yorkshire Show in July.
Becky was such a kind person.
She often made friends with her
competitors in the classes and could
be seen lending a spare white coat
or other bits of equipment to people
she was showing against. There
isnt a day that goes by that I dont
think about her and miss her but I
make sure I get on with farming and
showing as this is what she would
have wanted.
Becky, Willies daughter, With another Winner
at the driFField shoW 2009
Willie With hooten Foggy Who Won 38 county shoWs a neW seels hopeFul
lamma Review
lamma 2012 a
great success
The open weather, combined with a
record number of over 750 stands,
played their part in attracting the
largest crowd in the more than
thirty year history of the LAMMA
Show. Over the two days, more
than 40,000 visitors from all parts
of the UK, and much further afield,
were able to browse around the
very impressive volume and wide
range of farming equipment and
services on display, with many new
products making their debut on the
UK market.
In addition, to the major multi-
national manufacturers represented at
the show, there were a large number
of innovative ideas and products
from the many small manufacturers
and service providers who were
able to take the increasingly rare
opportunity to display their products
to a national and rapidly growing
international audience.
This big increase in the number of
exhibitors over the past two to three
years has brought with it a much
greater diversity of products, which
in turn means that there is something
to interest arable, livestock and
mixed farmers alike. In fact, reports
from exhibitors in the fencing sector
indicated that good business was
done on both days and many leads
for future follow-up were collected.
In general, I am a firm believer
in the old maxim If it isnt broken
dont try to fix it, says LAMMAs
Sales & Marketing Director, Cliff
Preston. The founding principles of
the LAMMA Show have remained
the same throughout its thirty year
history; low costs for exhibitors, free
entry and free parking for visitors.
However, we are also acutely aware
of the need to manage traffic flows
and it is the growing attraction
of the Early-Bird Breakfast offer,
first introduced for LAMMA 2010,
together with the decision to officially
open the Show at 7.30 am., on both
days, which is helping to smooth out
traffic flows during the local home
to work peak travel period.
The original ethos of the event
has changed little over the years.
However, the growth in exhibitor
numbers and diversity of products on
show has resulted in much greater
numbers of exhibitors and visitors
placing the LAMMA Show very
high on their list of favourite Shows
for the agricultural and associated
industries. Long may that continue!
The Organisers would like to thank
all visitors who contributed to the
charity collection for the Lincolnshire
& Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.
The helicopter was based at the
Showground for the two days of
the event and the frequency of
its departure to attend incidents,
over both show days, highlighted
the important contribution Air
Ambulances across the country
make to the response times of the
accident and emergency services,
particularly in time critical or remote
situations. The collection raised a
sum in excess of 18,600 once
again a big thank you to all who
made a contribution.
The thirty-second LAMMA Show
will take place at the Newark
Showground on Wednesday 16th &
Thursday 17th January 2013.
www.lammashow.co.uk
RickeRby
live and let Farm
Farmersmart visit the rickerBy spring shoW at their carlisle Branch this march
Once again Rickerby opened their
doors for their annual Spring Show,
showcasing the very best in farm and
professional grasscare machinery
with a 007 twist .
This year saw their 11th open day, on
the 7th and 8th March, with guests
treated to a James Bond themed,
two day event. The Rickerby staff
donned their suits and bow ties
for the show and in honour of the
theme, two Aston Martins took pride
of place in the undercover area. The
show was the busiest on record,
with over 4,000 visitors attending
on both days and more exhibitors
than ever before.
New to this years show was an
outdoor Kramer Allrad demonstration
area, showing first hand the
capabilities of their loaders and
handlers, as well as new exhibitors
including, Bryce Suma, Tanco and
Quadex.
Visitors were treated to a wide
range of stands including, Claas, GT
Bunning, IAE, JFC, Lemken, KRM,
Fleming, Kawasaki and McConnell
showcasing their new lines for 2012.
A main attraction for the show was
Claas new range of tractors, the
Axion 920-950 range, offering
FPT Cursor 9 engine with Tier 4i
SCR technology, 320-410hp (ECE-
R120), new 4 post suspended cab,
both manual and cruise control drive
mode, 50kph continuously variable
transmission and an automatic fuel
saving mode.
Attracting both old and new
customers, special show offers were
available to customers for two days
only, making the Spring Show the
place to be to see and buy new
machinery for 2012.
Martyn Henderson, Western Area
Sales Manager for Rickerby, says,
We are thrilled with how the
Spring Show went. What started
as a small event has grown over
the years to become an increasingly
popular show that kick-starts the
new year. It has been a big team
effort to get the depot ready for
the event and for it all to run so
smoothly. I would like to thank
all of the Rickerby staff who have
helped to make the show possible
and who have come from other
depots to lend a hand - we couldnt
the rickerBy team
RickeRby
have done it without them.
As well as their Spring Show,
Rickerby have opened a new depot
in Dunbar, as well as refurbishing
their Alnwick depot. A new depot
is also underway, being built near
Canforth, in Lancashine, in a prime
location at junction 35 of the M6.
The new Depot is set to open in
Autumn this year.
With such a successful event, the
ever popular Northern machinery
dealership has shown that 2012 looks
set to be a busy and fruitful year.
www.rickerby.net
tel: 01228 527521
the kramer allrad demonstration old vs neW
shaken not stirred
RickeRby
a guiness World record holder - the lexion 770
RickeRby
martyn henderson - the man With the golden gun
haxton
E
a
s
t
g
a
te
Veterinary
C
e
n
t
r
e
24 Hour Emergency Service 01751 472204
Office Hours 9am7pm
Tel: 01751 472204
Fax: 01751 477489
133 Eastgate, Pickering,
North Yorkshire YO18 7DW
Small and Large Animal Practice
Established 20 years
Team of dedicated large animal vets
offering excellence in livestock care
Modern equipment including ultrasound
scanner and full in house laboratory
Fully qualifed to perform Bull
breeding soudness examinations
Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons accredited
Consultation by Appointment
MondayFriday 9am11am,
23pm and 56.30pm
Saturday 9.30am11.30am www.eastgateveterinarycentre.co.uk
A farm between Malton and Pickering
is running an innovative scheme,
allowing people to rear their own rare
breed pig for meat without having to
do any of the work.
James and Lucy have been farming at
Habton House Farm in Little Habton
for over 2 years. Lucy is a farmers
daughter from Lincolnshire and James
is a farmers Grandson from Yorkshire.
Both knew, having worked away from
farming for a number of years that
they wanted to return to their roots.
James and Lucy began keeping a few
pigs as a hobby to provide meat for
themselves. Lucy said When Habton
House Farm came up for sale we both
fell in love with the place and were
lucky enough to be in a position to
buy it. James and I both have a love
of rare breed pigs and knew that we
wanted to keep a rare breed at our
farm. The Oxford Sandy and Black
breed are renowned for having a great
personality, theyre docile and easy
to handle, which make them great
animals to look after.
Habton House farm is made up of 7
acres of land and James and Lucy
keep 25 Oxford Sandy and Blacks.
They breed their own pigs and also
buy in 8 week old weaners from a
neighbouring farmer when needed.
Shortly after moving into Habton
House the unusual company, Yorkshire
Meats, which had been started by
Duncan Turnbull, went up for sale.
We saw that Yorkshire Meats was for
sale in the Yorkshire Post and thought
it would be the perfect business to run
through our farm. Local farming and
food provenance is very important to
us so Yorkshire Meats was a business
with a lot of our values at its heart.
The idea behind Yorkshire Meats
is that people can track their meat
completely from field to fork, knowing
exactly what they are eating. With
this idea Duncan created a scheme,
aptly named Adopt-A-Pig, which
allows people to adopt their own
piglet, follow its rearing at Habton
House with farm visits, e-mails and
photos, then after roughly 6 months
of adopting the customer can decide
how they want their meat back from
their very own pig. Customers can
choose roasting joints, belly pork,
back bacon, streaky bacon, 9 flavours
of sausages, gammon, loin pork chops
or even a hog roast.
We get people adopting pigs from
all over the UK; from as far north
as Inverness and many customers
from London. We recently had one
go down to Devon, which has been
adopted as a 90th Birthday present.
A big surprise for James and Lucy
was a visit from Antonio Carluccio,
a cooking legend, last October when
he came to adopt his very own pig as
part of Maltons Food Lovers Festival.
Antonio came to visit the farm and
the pigs, adopting an Oxford Sandy
and Black piglet that he named Sophia
Loren, because of her beautifully long
eyelashes!. We cooked him some of
our sausages which he said were very
nice. It was a very surreal moment
to have Antonio stood in our kitchen!
If all this wasnt enough to keep the
Haxtons busy, included in the sale of
Habton House Farm was a 200 year
old, grade II listed farm house, which
James and Lucy have converted into a
luxury, 5 Star bed and breakfast.
We opened the B&B in June 2011, it
was something we had both wanted
innovative Farming
at haBton house
kate cragon visits
James and lucy haxton
oF haBton house Farm
in little haBton, malton
to do and thought would work well
alongside farming the pigs. The B&B
also allows us to offer accommodation
for people wanting to visit their pigs
who live further away. Since opening
James and Lucy have been awarded
an Enjoy England Breakfast Award
and are featured as one of Alistair
Sawdays Special Places to Stay.
James also runs his own bathroom
business, Chapel Bathrooms,
specialising in building bespoke
bathrooms. James designed, built
and fitted all of the bathrooms for
Habton House Bed and Breakfast.
The bacon and sausages used for
the breakfasts at the B&B are from
our own pigs and we even have a few
chickens which provide the eggs.
A new addition to Habton House farm
is a small flock of Ryeland Sheep. We
have 6 ewes and lambed for the first
time last spring and are lambing again
this year in March. A few weeks ago
we had our first sheep butchered. The
meat from the Ryelands is excellent
and has attracted a lot of interest
from our existing Yorkshire Meats
customers.
Having achieved so much in such a
short space of time, you would think
that James and Lucy have few plans
for any new ventures in the near future,
but they do have one or two ideas
up their sleeves. Building up the
Ryelands and the Oxford and Sandy
Blacks, we are working towards being
able to show some of the livestock. It
is something we have wanted to do
for a while now. We are also working
towards being able to supply local
pubs and hotels with our meat.
www.yorkshiremeats.co.uk
www.northyorkshirebedandbreakfast.co.uk
tel: 01653 669707
James, lucy and soW in Front on haBton house Farm
secuRity
Quickfencer revealed
their newest product
on offer at LAMMA
Show this January.
Visitors were able
to see the SDS Drill
attachment in action
and were impressed
with its ability to both
insert and remove
staples from fence
posts.
The SDS attachment
will knock staples in,
even in a knot and
the extractor unit pulls
staples out easily, even if buried in
the post. The SDS attachment also
includes an Ogre 22mm drill bit
which you can drill gate posts with.
The SDS attachment is available
to buy with or without a drill. The
SDS 24 volt cordless drill comes
with charger and you can also
buy an additional inverter, from
QuickFencer launches
their neW sds drill
attachment at lamma
such suppliers as Machine Mart,
which means you can charge one
battery whilst using the other for
continuous use.
For more information contact go
to www.quickfencer.com or e-mail
johnquickfencer@yahoo.co.uk
Farm security does not
have to cost the earth
sergeant neil perkis provides an update on the FarmWatch scheme
When I chat to farmers about
increasing security around the farm
yard their immediate reaction tends
to be that financially they cannot
afford it. It does not generate
money and what they have is better
spent elsewhere. Rural crime could
be largely solved in an instant if
everyone had state of the art CCTV
systems, security barriers, vehicle
tracking systems fitted but let us
face facts, no one likes to spend
money unless there is a financial
return.
That is why I have been promoting
a more basic and less expensive
approach to the security issue.
Our Farmwatch scheme has recently
taken possession of forty alarms each
costing the grand total of 6. Easy to
fit they are activated by movement
such as the barn door being opened.
Will they stop someone coming on to
your land? No. Will it stop someone
entering the
barn? No. Will
it give the
thief a fright
of their life
when they
activate it?
You bet. And
in the early
hours of the
morning sound
carries. The
criminals know
this because
they listen out
for the sound of
approaching police
vehicles. The chances are, once
activated the thief will head off in to
the distance. All for 6.
The point is security does not have
to be an expensive thing. Your local
Neighbourhood Policing Team should
have someone available to visit and
advise you. My last visit to
a farm started with me
removing the keys from
the John Deere tractor,
Honda quad bike and
a pick up truck before
standing at the open
rear door of the farm
house and calling out
for the occupant. Im
thinking of introducing a
fine system for each of
my Farmwatch
me mb e r s .
1 for
each key
left in the
i g n i t i o n
of unattended
vehicles. I have
calculated that I could
retire in five years!
If you have a Farmwatch scheme
operating in your area then join it.
Its FREE! I regularly send out text
messages about suspicious vehicles,
crime happening in the area and
who and what to look out for. All we
ask for in return is information about
what you see and hear which again
costs you nothing. I have a good
two way flow of information from
my Farmwatch members. They will
also soon benefit from our security
alarms. With luck my night time
patrols through the countryside will
not be disturbed with the sound of
ear piercing alarms sounding!
PS neil Perkis
north West outer nPt,
otley Police Station,
Bridge Street, otley LS21 3Ba

tel 01274 471468 ext 26268
Robson tRactoRs
Opening their doors to customers old
and new alike, Robson Tractors held
their annual open day at their Malton
branch this January.
Robson Tractors saw over 1,000
visitors throughout the day, one of
their busiest open days on record,
proving that people are gearing up
for a busy year ahead.
Guests were treated to a tasty hog
roast whilst they chatted to Robson
Tractors staff and reps from the
likes of Massey Ferguson, McHale,
Teagle, Fleming, Dal-Bo, Wold
Trailers, Pottinger, Marshall, Quicke,
Kongskilde and many more about
what they have to offer for 2012.
The highlight of the show were the
new Massey Ferguson 5400 and
7600 series tractors on show.
Mark Curtis from Robson Tractors
says, It was a brilliant day, one of
our best open days weve had. We
took a lot of orders and many of
the visitors thanked us for putting
on the event. Its fantastic to get
great feedback and see that people
are positive about the new year. We
would like to thank all those who
supported us and look forward to
seeing you all in the future. We will
be attending the North Yorkshire
County, Driffield and Ryedale
agricultural shows this summer.
roBson tractors
kickstart 2012
Robson Tractors was established in
2004, selling new Massey Ferguson
Tractors. Today they are one of
the major tractor and machinery
distributors covering North and East
Yorkshire through their two branches
at Thirsk and Malton, selling both
new and used machinery.
As well as showcasing new
machinery, Robson Tractors also
held a collection for the Yorkshire
Air Ambulance on the day. Robson
Tractors would like to thank their
visitors for their generous donations,
having raised over 300.
New for 2012, Robson Tractors
have launched their online store,
allowing customers to shop for
machinery from the comfort of
their own home! The store, which
went live this January, is a one stop
shop for used machinery, providing
machinery specs and prices of used
machinery they have to offer. Go to
www.robsontractors.co.uk for more
details.
Keeping you up to date with their
very latest news, Robson Tractors
also have their own Facebook page,
regularly updated with news, photos
and up and coming events. More
photos of the open day are available
on their page.
www.robsontractors.co.uk
Malton Branch:
Beansheaf industrial Park,
Kirby Misperton, Malton,
north Yorkshire Yo17 6Bg
tel. 01653 668501
Fax. 01653 669530
thirsk Branch:
new Manor Farm, carlton
Husthwaite, thirsk, north
Yorkshire Yo7 2BP
tel. 01845 501602
Fax. 01845 502019
peaRson
Many farms over the years have
diversified to keep the family
business running. Lovesome Hill
Farm is no exception yet little did
John and Mary Pearson know they
would become as well known for
their bed and breakfast as they are
for their family run farm.
Greeted with a large pot of tea
and home-made apple cake and
biscuits, it is clear to see why
guests are drawn to the picturesque
farm based on the route of the
famous Coast to Coast walk.
Offering luxurious accommodation,
and sumptuous food, Lovesome
Hill farm invites guests to see first
hand the day to day running of a
livestock and arable farm.
Lovesome Hill, in Northallerton,
was originally part of the Hutton
Bonville Estate. In the 1940s
Johns parents began farming at
Lovesome Hill as tenant farmers and
when the farm came up for sale in
the late 1950s they decided it was
the perfect time to buy. Having
grown up on the farm, John began
farming at an early age, helping to
rear the cattle and sheep, and has
continued working at the farm ever
since.
John and wife Mary run the farm
together and have two sons, Simon
and Matthew, who have grown up
on the family farm. Simon is a
plasterer by trade and lives locally
in Northallerton. As well as running
his own joinery business, Matthew
helps his father with the livestock
and arable work on the farm.
Originally from Lincolnshire, Mary is
also from a farming background and
now runs the farms very popular
bed and breakfast. Mary worked
as a primary school teacher part
time and ran the B&B alongside her
job for a number of years, before
running the bed and breakfast full
time in 2000.
John and Matthew farm a mix
of arable and livestock over 165
acres of land. Their livestock
includes 125 Continental cattle,
120 Masham and mule breeding
sheep, 400 bed and breakfast pigs,
10 Aberdeen Angus sucklers and a
brood of chickens.
The Pearsons pride themselves on
feeding their livestock with their
own grown barley, What is grown
here is fed here, John explains.
The beef, lamb and pork we
produce are all served at the B&B,
as well as using our own free range
eggs. The livestock has not only
been reared locally but also has
been fed by crops grown on the
farm. You cant get much more
local than that.
The Angus suckler herd is a
relatively new part of Lovesome Hill
Farm. John bought three pedigree
Aberdeen Angus heifers a few years
ago, which they have put to a hired
Angus bull to each year. The herd
has steadily grown in numbers.
B&B and Farming go
hand in hand
kate cragon visits John and mary pearson oF lovesome hill Farm in
northallerton, north yorkshire
John and Matthew want to increase
the herd to be able to supply nearby
businesses with locally reared meat.
The Aberdeen Angus is a well
known breed and produces prime
meat. We knew that they were
the best breed to take on if we are
to supply local business with good
quality meat.
Lovesome Hill B&B was opened in
1990 and since its opening John
and Mary have won numerous
awards for their hospitality and
food including Enjoy England 4
Stars and Silver Award, as well as
an Enjoy England Breakfast award.
Lovesome Hill is also a former Les
Routiers B&B of the North award
winner and their breakfasts won
the Flavours of Hambleton Award
in 2007. Mary has also won two
silver awards for her Marmalade
at the Worlds Original Marmalade
Awards in 2010.
I had wanted to run my own B&B
for a long time, Mary explains.
We have always enjoyed meeting
new people and I love to cook.
Opening a B&B was something
that we could base at the farm
John, mary and mattheW
peaRson
Agronomy Advice
Agrochemical Sales
Contract Spraying
Liquid Fertilizer Sales & Application
9 Greenmount Road, Darlington
Co.Durham DL3 8EP
Mobile- 07595 895448
Home- 01325468327
Fax- 01325 286266
E-mail- david.coates48btinternet.com
Pleased to be
associated with
Mary and John
Pearson and
wish them
continued success
for the future
Grain Drying & Storage Facilities
Buyers of Grain OSR & Pulses
Suppliers of Seed Fertilisers & Blended Animal Feeds
Contact Raskelf : 01347 822322
Contact Leemingbar : 01677 424172
We are pleased to support Mary & John Pearson
and wish them future success
and added an extra income. It also
meant that I could carry on teaching
and allowed me to put my love of
cooking and baking to good use.
Shortly after opening, Lovesome
Hill was inspected to become part
of Farm Stay UK and has just
hosted the annual Farmhouse Big
Breakfast, raising over 5,000 for
three different charities.
Lovesome Hill has attracted guests
from as far afield as the Bahamas,
Canada and America. We have
had guests stay at the B&B from
all over the world. Many of the
guests have become friends of
the family and we have even been
lucky enough to visit them! Three
generations of one particular family
have stayed at Lovesome Hill and
a lot of our guests come back for
another visit.
Being located side by side with the
farm, Lovesome Hill B&B offers
farm tours and lambing breaks to
guests interested in the workings
of a farm. The lambing breaks
provide guests with first hand
farming experience, helping John at
one of the farms busiest periods.
Before helping with farming duties,
guests are provided with Marys
hearty cooked breakfast, which will
set them up for a day of feeding
the sheep and other farming duties,
hopefully being able to see the birth
of a lamb or two along the way!
We had a couple stay during our
lambing breaks who got engaged at
Lovesome Hill, says Mary. The
lady loved lambs, so her partner
decided to tie her soon-to-be
engagement ring around a lambs
neck, before taking her to see
them. It was quite a unique way
to propose!
Mary also offers apple juicing
breaks in October where guests can
create their very own apple juice
from scratch. We have our own
crusher and juicer that we use to
make the apple juice. The guests
stay is also themed with apple
recipes such as apple cake and, of
course, apple juice. We had a trial
run last October with some of our
guests and the idea proved to be
very popular.
Having seen such a success since
diversifying the farm 22 years ago,
you would expect there would be
little left to change in the future
at Lovesome Hill Farm, yet John
and Mary are constantly improving
both their farm and B&B. We
understand that guests expectations
are constantly changing. To provide
guests with their perfect stay we
always need to be improving what
we do. With the farms name being
what it is we are thinking of starting
to hold Valentines breaks starting
next year. John and Matthew are
also hoping to keep expanding the
Angus herd so there will be plenty
to keep us busy!
Lovesome Hill Farm,
Lovesome Hill, northallerton,
north Yorkshire DL6 2PB

tel: 01609 772311
www.lovesomehillfarm.co.uk
guests enJoying their apple Juicing
Break With John and mary
Ripon faRm seRvices
When Ripon Farm Services and
Ripon Land Rover made the decision
to take their two-day show to the
Great Yorkshire Showground they
cannot have imagined just how
popular a move it would be.
This annual event is now second only
in terms of farm machinery show size
in the north of England to LAMMA
a remarkable achievement for one
company. It attracts thousands over
the two days and this years show
was no exception. Held on 11-12
January this year at the Yorkshire
Event Centre on the showground it
saw farmers attending from right
across Yorkshire, as well as County
Durham, Lancashire, Lincolnshire
and Nottinghamshire.
Coach parties are organised from
East Yorkshire where the company
has a branch at Ottringham, between
Hull and the east coast.
Ripon Farm Services rightly lays
claim to being one of the UKs
leading John Deere dealers and has
When ripon came
to harrogate
chris Berry visits one oF the largest Farm machinery shoWs this side oF lamma
thats interesting!
look at that!
Ripon faRm seRvices
won several awards over the years.
They stock all tractors and combines
in the range, including the 8R Series
and 5R Series tractors, as well
as the 7430 and 7530 Premium
tractors designed to fully exploit the
enhanced power and performance of
the new Powertech Plus engine.
The Yorkshire Event Centre was
once again transformed into a
mini-Paris Show style event with
all of the manufacturer companies
present. Those include Kuhn,
Sumo, Vicon, Foster, Ritchie, Bailey,
Bunning, Keenan, Teagle, Simba,
TFM Engineering, Bomford, Arctic
every time we hold it. Its a tribute
to Geoff and his team.
Ripon Land Rover, based on the
outskirts of the town, has recently
opened a new service centre
on the Harmby Road Business
Park at Leyburn. It offers full
servicing of the Land Rover range
which includes Range Rover,
Range Rover Sport, Range Rover
Evoque, Discovery, Freelander and
Defender. Land Rover loan vehicles
are available as well as a collection
and delivery service.
Its all a further commitment to our
customers, says Willie. We fully
realise that events such as this are
all very well but it is service and
looking after our customers that is
paramount.
riPon FarM SerViceS
Dallamires Lane, ripon Hg4 1tt
01765 646464

York road, tadcaster LS24 8eB
01937 835454

great north road,
Darrington WF8 3BW
01977 795241

Dalesgate Works,
Kildwick BD20 7BX
01535 632661

Station road,
ottringham HU12 0BJ
01964 622351

www.r-f-s.com
riPon LanD roVer
Hutton Bank, ripon Hg4 5Dt
01765 646464

Harmby road Business Park,
Leyburn DL8 5BF
01969 623344

www.riponlandrover.co.uk
Cat and Polaris.
We are really pleased to see all our
manufacturers and so many of our
customers here once again, said
Geoff Brown, Managing Director. We
are all looking forward to another
successful year.
Willie Houseman, another of the
Directors of the company, was also
present:
Its great to see everyone coming
along to support this event. It takes
a lot of putting on each year, but it
seems to becoming more popular
doing Business
John deere Fashion shoW
news
OKeeffes Working Hands is a new
hand cream that will bring welcome
relief to farmers who suffer from
severely painful and debilitating dry
hands that crack, split and even bleed.
Its unique super-concentrated
formulation of moisturising ingredients
ensures fast acting, effective relief for
people who rely day-to-day on their
most valuable tools their hands.
OKeeffes Working Hands is
chemically different from any other
hand care products on the market,
which due to oils and other chemicals
just sit on top of skin and only provide
temporary relief.
Working Hands draws moisture into the
skin, and in just days, the odourless,
oil free, hypoallergenic formula deeply
hydrates and guarantees to improve
the long-term health of skin.
OKeeffes Working Hands super-
concentrated formula stimulates
the skins natural repair process by
hydrating skin, adjusting pH balance
and retaining moisture.
neW hand cream For Farmers
hands From okeeFFes
We put Verney Carrons new Calypso
Country Boot to the test
With the FarmersMart team spending
many an hour in farmers fields, we
decided to try the French company,
Verney Carrons, new line of wellies
out for ourselves.
Neil Bairstow put the Calypso Country
Boots to the test on a local sheep farm
in some rather muddy conditions this
winter and was more than impressed
with how the boots performed.
Although they are very sturdy boots,
they are surprisingly lightweight and
are flexible to work in, says Neil.
The thermal lining make the boots
very warm to wear a big advantage
over normal wellies and the tread on
the sole is very thick, providing a lot of
grip even in the muddiest of fields.
The Calypso boots are made out of
natural rubber and feature instep
reinforcement, crampled walking
lowered soles and watertight gussets.
They area available in green in sizes
39-47, priced at 71.45 SRP.
For further information and details
of your nearest stockist, contact
garlands on 01827 383300 or
email info@garlands.uk.com or
visit www.garlands.uk.com.
www.verney-carron.com
Farmersmart tried and tested
We (at Farmermart) put okeeFes Working hands to the test With a
local Farmer Who said, the cream Worked really Well and i could
see the diFFerence overnight. it made my hands very soFt.
A number of our readers have been
the victim of Sponsorship Advertising
Scams, paying up front for magazine
adverts that are never published.
It was third time unlucky for Marion
a former librarian. Her story starts
in the Cumbrian community she
and her husband made their home.
The Foot and Mouth outbreak
of 2001 devastated the farming
community. We decided to help
local farmers and began the Brough
Farmers Mart, said Marion. I
was delighted to see the Advertising
Scam article in Farmers Mart, I
realised there was something we
could do.
Over the last 4 years Marion has
received two phone calls trying to
sell her advertising in publications.
The caller withheld their telephone
number and wanted payment up
front. Marion was suspicious and
declined the offers.
But in 2010 Marions usual
shrewdness let her down. This time
I did agree to an advert in a national
tourism guide. She was e-mailed
screenshots of the front page. With
hindsight anyone could have made
those up and I very much doubt a
publication was ever produced, I
think I was conned. She received
an invoice but not one, a second
invoice arrived for the same advert
appearing in another publication
that she is certain she never agreed
to.
Philip Medhurst, Head of Client
Services with The Advertising
Protection Agency (TAPA) told
Farmers Mart, it is not uncommon
for unscrupulous support publishing
firms to re-approach their victims in
an attempt to deceive them again.
Marion said, The company said
they had taped all my telephone
calls and I definitely agreed to two
adverts, She contacted Trading
Standards but quickly realised it
would be cheaper to settle the
invoices and write off the costs.
Philip said, We believe some
firms are recording and re-editing
telephone conversations to make
it sound as though businesses
have agreed to things they actually
havent.
Victims have not been able to
convince either the police or Trading
Standards to take up their cases.
Philip explained more, these
matters are classed as civil disputes
and Trading Standards have difficulty
intervening.
Philip continued, Trading Standards
do not help victims with their
individual cases who often expect
Trading Standards to take their
complaint as evidential fact and
reprimand the firm they have
complained about. Victims only
options are to either deal with these
matters themselves in the civil
courts, or instruct The Advertising
Protection Agency which is the only
organisation in the UK that practices
solely to assist businesses involved
in contractual disputes with support
publishing firms.
Philip urges victims of scams to
contact TAPA who will provide
assistance, counselling and
representation. TAPA acts as a
conduit to channel bulk complaints
to investigators within Trading
Standards and the Police.
readers with concerns can contact
taPa on tel: 0844 357 3311

TAPA are currently monitoring the
following companies that Farmers
Mart readers have complained about.
sponsorship advertising scams
a readers tale
marion Williams oF Brough Farmers market tells hoW she Was scammed
oKeeffes Working Hands
retails at just 7.99.
For more information
and stockists call :
0844 745 5868 or visit
www.okeeffescompany.com
fRank hill & son
When Beverley Market disappeared
and Foot and Mouth Disease was
at its height in 2001 it looked like
being the end of the road for livestock
markets in the East Riding.
Driffield Livestock Market and Hull
Livestock Market had both closed
never to reopen; and it seemed a
similar fate lay in stall for those who
had supported Beverley.
Ten years later and Dunswell Livestock
Market, situated between Hull and
Beverley and sometimes regarded as
either of those two, is going strong.
Run by the Patrington-based company
Frank Hill & Son the market is
blossoming on the back of good
prices and strong support. This part of
Yorkshire isnt over-run by livestock as
it is prime arable land, but the mart
has been successful in reattracting a
large proportion of the local farmers as
well as those from further afield.
Auctioneers Ralph Ward and Phil
Mortimer are at the helm on sale
days, ably supported by fellow
Director Charles Hill, who farms in
done Well at dunsWell
chris Berry talks With philip mortimer auctioneer at the east ridings last livestock market
Holderness.
In our part of the world there are not
a lot of cattle and sheep men, but
we have created useful competition
around the ring with a number of
buyers. Farmers will always bring
stock if a market has a good trade
and our prices have been amongst the
best in the country for a long time.
We get around 40-50 store cattle
each fortnight and between 50-150
fat sheep each week, going up to 300
at times. We also have a strong trade
in fat cattle.
Whilst the pig population of the East
Riding is vastly reduced from what it
was twenty years ago Dunswell still
leads the way in the cull sow market.
We trade the biggest weekly number
of any livestock market in the
country with over 100 every week.
The pig company ACMC, owned by
Stephen Curtis, is a good supporter
of the mart.
Amongst our cattle vendors we attract
farmers from right up the coast to
Flamborough and Bridlington, as well
as a significant trade from Lincolnshire,
as far over as Grimsby. Brocklesby
Estates over on the south bank of the
Humber is another big supporter.
Its not all been plain sailing for
Dunswell Market though. There was
a time since the reopening when
Ralph Ward issued a use it, or lose
it ultimatum. It seemed to do the
trick with farmers in Holderness and
the Wolds realising that their closest
market would be over thirty miles
away if they didnt support.
At the end of the day livestock
producers will go where they want to
go. The livestock market world may
have thinned out a little but it contains
healthy competition. We are attracting
some really good buyers of stores and
prime cattle, as well as good sheep
buyers. Thats what is attracting our
philip mortimer
taking another Bid
ralph Ward (leFt)
takes another Bid
vendors back to the market.
Well respected sheep and cattle
producer Geoff Riby of Fraisthorpe
makes regular visits to the market
with his stock:
I like Dunswell. Its a good market.
They get good buyers, particularly
buyers of bigger lambs. It is well
worth supporting.
Its surroundings may be somewhat
humble, nothing like the larger marts
in Yorkshire with their purpose-
built enterprises, but after making
its livestock comeback ten years
ago Dunswell has firmly established
itself as a market that looks after its
vendors and always brings about a
good price.
Farmers Mart wishes Dunswell
Livestock Market every success in the
future.
DUnSWeLL LiVeStocK MarKet
Frank Hill & Son 01964 630531

contact Philip Mortimer
07968 614948 or ralph
Ward 07980 864909
fRont Row agRicultuRe
ash farm barns
enquiries@ashfarmbarns.co.uk
Tel: (01673) 838 272
Luxury self catering cottages in the Lincolnshire Wolds
www.ashfarmbarns.co.uk
Front Row Agriculture and wish
them continued success for the future
Providing farmers with advice on
environmental matters has never
been more important. Words such
as cross-compliance can strike fear
into those who worry that their
Single Farm Payment may be at risk
if they dont follow guidelines.
The loss of FWAG, which went into
administration in November last
year, was a body blow to many who
had sought advice and assistance
in entering stewardship schemes
and improving their environmental
concerns.
Launching this month is a
new company FRONT ROW
AGRICULTURE which aims to
provide not only the support that has
been missing since the demise of
FWAG, but also a good deal more.
At its helm is Louise Charman who
was previously a farm conservation
adviser with FWAG in Lincolnshire.
If youve heard of a similar business
name previously it will probably have
been FRONT ROW FENCING run by
Charlie Wright of North Willingham.
Charlie and Louise are a couple
neW Business is on the Front roW
chris Berry talks With louise charman oF north Willingham
and also partners in FRONT ROW
FENCING of which FRONT ROW
AGRICULTURE is now a subsidiary.
I have always enjoyed being out
and about on farms, helping farmers
with their environmental schemes
whether that is bringing them into
the ELS or moving on to the HLS,
says Louise. But FRONT ROW
AGRICULTURE will be so much
more than that. Farmers need help
managing schemes once they are
up and running, both in the office
and in the field. One of the many
services we will offer will include
inspections, ensuring that all cross
compliance issues have been
undertaken properly. That way each
farmer will have peace of mind prior
to a Defra visit.
It is so easy to think that youre
doing everything right and then not
realise that some of what you are
doing is at odds with what is laid
down. One of the issues that often
crops up is that of the 2 metre
margin. You might well have been
okay at first, but if you have perhaps
had someone else working your land,
and they havent been aware of the
scheme you are signed up to, you
could find that your 2 metre margin
has been nibbled at. Its important
to ensure you get everything right.
Louise thoroughly enjoyed her 12
years she spent with FWAG, which
saw her work with all size of farm
through from a smallholder with a
few acres right up to an 8500 acre
estate.
In my experience most farmers are
aware of the environmental side
of their farm even if they are not
involved in a stewardship scheme.
The latest figures I am aware of
stated that around 60% of farms are
now in some form of stewardship
scheme, but even if they are not that
doesnt mean they are not concerned
with the environment. For some
being involved with the schemes
is an economically sound idea,
particularly those in the Lincolnshire
Wolds, but I can understand its not
for everybody.
Louises undoubted experience
gathered over a dozen years with
FWAG and her studies at Riseholme
College (Honours Degree in
Landscape & Ecology), where both
she and Charlie studied, means
that FRONT ROW AGRICULTURE
can offer a considerable amount of
advice and support in a number of
areas (see panel).
louise charman
fRont Row agRicultuRe
I am FACTS qualified, which means
I can assist with anything regarding
nutrient planning and manure
planning; and Im also a chartered
environmentalist and a member
of the Institute of Agricultural
Engineers.
Since leaving FWAG, just prior to it
entering administration, Louise has
been working with Louth Tractors
whilst working part-time on the birth
of FRONT ROW AGRICULTURE.
Now she is wholly committed
to the future of FRONT ROW
AGRICULTURE and looking forward
to the challenges ahead.
Id reached the stage where I
needed to concentrate fully on the
farmers who have followed me from
when I was with FWAG, and give
myself enough time to look after
those others who I hope will join me
in the future. Working with Louth
Tractors was wonderful and Id
like to thank everyone on the team
there. Ill always get stuck in to
whatever job Im doing and already
FRONT ROW AGRICULTURE has
an established client base. Id very
much like to hear from any other
farmers who need help with any
environmental matters.
One of the farmers Louise advised
whilst with FWAG, Chris Dowse,
won the Countryside Farmer of the
Year Award in 2011. Chris (now
retired) was the Estate Manager
on Sir Richard Suttons Settled
Estates at the time and Louise
helped him through management
and implementation of both the ELS
and HLS schemes. Thats not a bad
recommendation is it!
Front roW agricULtUre
ash Farm cottage
north Willingham, Market rasen
Lincolnshire Ln8 3rJ

louise@frontrowagriculture.co.uk
www.frontrowagriculture.co.uk

tel: 01673 838186
Mob: 07850 775372
Front roW agriculture oFFers the FolloWing services:
entry level & higher level steWardship scheme applications
Woodland grant scheme applications
cross compliance advice
audits to ensure paperWork and in-Field management is carried out as it should Be
scheme managing planning and implementation
soil management plans
nutrient and manure management plans
Whole Farm plans For supermarket assurance
stephen dodswoRth
When we last visited Stephen
Dodsworth in 2007 he had won
a string of awards at a number of
agricultural shows for his pedigree
flock of Jacobs and had begun
farming a flock of North Country
Cheviots. Five years on, not only
is he still winning awards for his
Jacobs, Stephen is also making a
name for himself with his flock of
Cheviots.
Based at the same location in
Nawton, Stephen farms 25 acres of
his own land and rents a further 50
acres for his Jacobs and Cheviots.
Not satisfied with just keeping the
one award winning flock, Stephen
began his own flock of North Country
Cheviots in 2006.
Our Jacobs are a 2nd generation
flock, so they are well established,
Stephen explains. My mum and
dad kept Jacobs for over 30 years,
passing on their knowledge of the
breed to myself and my sister. I had
friends who kept Cheviots and they
looked like interesting sheep to keep.
In 2006 I decided to buy my first
few ewes and the flock has grown
from there. Stephen now keeps
100 North Country Cheviots, as well
as his 50 Jacobs.
Successful Stephens Jacob, Hope
Lady Gaga, was Champion at
Newark and Ryedale Shows last
year. His Jacobs also took home
Reserve Female Champion at the
Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire
Shows. Not stopping there,
Stephens Cheviots won two second
places at the Royal Highland Show
and took home Reserve Champion
at Ryedale.
If farming two prize winning flocks
aWard Winning still a doddle
kate cragon revisits stephen dodsWorth to catch up With his
shoW Winning JacoB and north country cheviot Flock
was not enough to keep Stephen
busy, he also runs E Dodsworth
and Sons, a 3rd generation livestock
haulage company that was founded
by his Granddad. The nature of
the business has always gone hand
in hand with farming. I run the
business alongside looking after the
sheep and employ John full time
who works for the haulage business
and has done for over 30 years.
Although Stephen farms the sheep
singlehandedly, his sister Emma
helps out at the busier times of the
year, as well as running her own
photography business. Emma is a
great help. Showing takes a lot of
work and there is a lot of preparation
needed to be done before the sheep
are ready for the judges. Emma
comes with me to the shows and
helps get the sheep looking their
best. She is also a great help at
lambing time.
Stephen lambed his Jacobs during
February, lambing at 170-180% and
is currently lambing his Cheviots
this month with a predicted lambing
percentage of 150-160%. The
lambs so far look very promising
stephen With one oF his prize cheviots
stephen dodswoRth
Pleased to be
associated with
stePhen dodsworth
& wish good luck
to the show team
dP swift
AgriculturAl contrActor
tel - 07967 742409
GRAHAM & CO
Accountants
East View, Page Lane, Wombleton YO62 7SE
Telephone: 01751 432888 e-mail:tiger.graham@virgin.net
Andrew, Carol, Val & Amy are proud to be associated
with STEPHEN DODSWORTH and we wish him
continued success for the future.
and Im looking forward to selecting
the next show winners of the flock.
Stephen has a keen eye for what
judges look for in a prize winning
sheep, having been a judge at the
Royal Welsh Show last year and
judging at the Royal Bath and West
Show this summer.
With so much success it is no
surprise that Stephen spends little
time away from his prize winning
flocks. The shows are my holidays,
so whenever I go away the sheep
are always with me. The Jacobs
are part of the furniture! When he
does manage to find time between
farming and running the haulage
business Stephen plays cricket and
also plays billiards for his local
league.
This year I will be going to the
Newark, Royal Highland, Ryedale
and the Great Yorkshire Shows.
Winning with the Cheviots on their
home turf at the Royal Highland was
a great achievement last year. I am
hoping for success again with them
this year.
Stephen admits that taking on the
North Country Cheviots was a big
change but one that he is very
happy about. Im still learning as I
go with the Cheviots and it is great
to see the flock becoming more and
more established each year. They
will never replace the Jacobs though
they are pretty much part of the
family!
Stephen Dodsworth
07778 737431
tWo oF stephens prize Winning JacoB tups
shoW Winner hope lady gaga
and her tWo lamBs
Riby
Aschel House, Haisthorpe,
Driffeld, East Yorkshire YO25 4NT
Tel: 01262 490281
Fax: 01262 490611
Email: ostler981@btinternet.com
Agricultural Contractors
We are pleased to be associated with Geoff Riby
& wish him continued success for the future.
All Agricultural Work Undertake
JC Robinson Ltd
Queripel & Kettlewell
Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisors
The Barn, Hall Mews
Clifford Road, Boston Spa
Wetherby LS23 6DT
Contact Paul Queripel
Tel: 01937 541770
Fax: 01937 541631
We are pleased to be
associated with Geoff Riby
and wish him continued
success for the future
Out on Yorkshires east coast, where
the corn grows high and proud, is
one of the countrys leading pedigree
livestock farming families. Geoff Riby
and his family picked up yet another
major award last year when they
brought the Suffolk Sheep Societys
national award for best large flock
(over 100 ewes) back to Low
Stonehills Farm at Fraisthorpe, near
Bridlington.
We have run a pedigree Suffolk flock
for over 20 years and in that time we
have had some wonderful occasions.
Weve had championship successes at
the Great Yorkshire Show, Lincolnshire
Show and Driffield Show. Last years
large flock award was particularly
pleasing.
Geoff is a council member for the
Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Lancashire
area and is currently Vice Chairman of
the breeds Northern Counties Club.
He has been a member of the clubs
committee for the past 10 years.
The breed had a slight downturn in
popularity about three years ago when
they had become a little too rangy.
Suffolk breeders had put great effort
into reducing fat levels, but perhaps
they had got a little too lean. The
breeders have spent more time on the
carcase since then and they are now
regaining the breeds popularity.
The Suffolk, because of its growth
rate and ease of management, has
always been a top breed. All breeds
have a purpose, but the Suffolk is
extra-useful. It is a good breeding
sheep as well as being able to breed
good half-breds and prime lambs.
As well as attending the shows we
also sell at the society sales. The
main one in our area is at Carlisle
on 10 August. We also go to sales at
Stirling, Shrewsbury and Kelso. One
of our biggest
successes in
recent times
was when
we won with
a Suffolk shearling ram at the Great
Yorkshire Show in 2008. We also
took the reserve overall interbreed
championship.
Geoff has a flock of 110 Suffolk
ewes. Christoper, Geoffs son, also
has a flock of 50 Texel ewes. Hes
had success with them too, winning
with a ram at the Northern Area Texel
Breeders Show in Skipton in 2010
and the English National Show in
2008.
The livestock make-up of Low
Stonehills has changed somewhat in
the past decade. Lleyn sheep are no
longer a feature. Geoff tells why:
They were a very good commercial
flock, but that was in the day when
we employed a shepherd and had
top suFFolks From east riding
chris Berry talks With geoFF riBy at Fraisthorpe
christopher, Jackie & geoFF riBy at loW stonehills
Riby
500 Lleyn ewes. We are now aimed
more at producing pedigrees than fat
lambs.
Just a year after Foot and Mouth
Disease raged in 2001 Geoff came
out of dairying. Hed taken his
Ayrshire herd up to 140 milkers, but
had pegged back to 90 by the time
he finished. Today the cattle enterprise
on the farm is taken up with Beef
Shorthorns of which he has a herd of
35 cows.
I miss dairy farming desperately. I
milked cows from 1969 until 2002.
I dont miss getting up early in the
morning but I do miss the contact with
the cows. Its a very close relationship
with your herd when youre with them
twice a day every day. If you have an
eye for where your next good one is
going to come from, as I like to think I
had, you spend a lot of time watching
them. In the end we took the decision
to go out of milking because the
money wasnt in it.
Unsurprisingly the Ribys have
had success with their Beef
Shorthorns too.
They have been going fairly well. We
sell pedigrees at Stirling and Carlisle
and at Skipton with our steers. They
are another easy to manage breed.
We took the breed title at the Royal
Highland Show two years ago, where
the Beef Shorthorn World Conference
was also held. It was the biggest show
of Shorthorns since the 1940s and
we won! Then we came down to the
Great Yorkshire and won there.
Christopher, Geoffs son, also adds
that they have just made their first
sale of Shorthorn semen into Austria.
The farming operation at Low
Stonehills now runs to just over 1000
acres of which the largest proportion
is tenanted. The Ribys grow winter
wheat, winter barley, oilseed rape and
spring barley.
We try to keep up to date with cereal
varieties and grow as much seed of
our own as we can. This years wheat
varieties include Alchemy, which we
have gone for in the main, along with
some Scout. Were also trying Diego
and Santiago.
Geoff and Christopher work together
on the farm, and they also employ one
arable operator, Steve Harrison. They
run Massey Ferguson tractors and
combines, with the 6499 and 6480
tractors and the 7280 combine,
which they source from Northfield
Agricultural Services of Halsham, near
Withernsea. Christopher also utilises a
Sumo Trio for tillage work.
We are all rigged up with GPS and
Ive been impressed with it, says
Geoff. The time it saves is well worth
it and it is making our operations more
precise.
Geoff is also an ardent reader of the
books of agricultural essayist AG
Street, who wrote about farming in
the 1940s and 50s.
Its amazing how many of his writings
are relevant today on a different scale.
The debates of those years ago,
regarding how big farms should be,
are still going on. Small farms today
are what would have been big farms
back then. And even in those days
there was talk of how big tractors
ought to get. There was also the talk
of being free of subsidies and farming
completely on our own. It seems that
today talk is more about size of Single
Farm Payment than anything else.
The Riby family is made up of Geoff,
his wife Jackie, Christopher and their
two daughters Rosemary, who works
for Farmway covering the North York
Moors and parts of East Yorkshire;
and Bridget who is about to become
a farmers wife in Hereford.
Geoff is also a keen supporter of
Dunswell Market. You can read more
about Dunswells 10 years since their
comeback in this current issue.
geoFF riBY
01262 673043
geoffriby@btconnect.com
stonehills x Factor
BeauFort Button kings parade
gRipple
Gripples revolutionary, unique
fencing products are simply the best
way to fence they perform quickly,
easily, with no ties or contractors
required!
The iconic, world-beating Gripple
Plus range has played the starring
role for many years. Now, the T-
Clip is supporting and the all-new
Contractor tool is tightening up the
show.
The easily maintained, corrosion-
resistant Gripple Plus, available in
three sizes, will join and tension
plain, barbed wire and stock fencing
more than four times faster than
outdated ways. Offering a simple,
push fit mechanism, a high load hold
and an adjustment feature, every
Gripple retains the wires natural
strength and allows re-tensioning
year after year!
Gripples ground-breaking, award-
winning T-Clip, offered in two sizes,
is designed specifically to secure
stock fencing or barbed wire fences
to end posts five times quicker
than knotting, even in tight spaces.
Employing a simple twist and push
fit, the T-Clip finishes a fence neatly
and professionally.
The newest addition to the Gripple
range, the Contractor tool, has
been welcomed enthusiastically
gripple -
simply the
Best Way
to Fence!
by contractors and farmers alike.
They greatly appreciate its all-metal
construction and gear-driven, long
handles, in addition to its 10:1
mechanical advantage, meaning that
the same tension can be applied
with a lot less effort. Farmers
particularly value not having to call
in a contractor for installation or
repairs its DIY time!
Michael Stoker, a Norfolk fencer,
commented: The Contractor
tool is excellent; its what weve
been crying out for years, ever
since the plastic one came out. A
great product, robust, marvellous
leverage, meaning I dont have to
exert myself too much!
The Gripple fence products team
has already been on stage again this
year at the Lincolnshire Agricultural
Machinery Manufacturers Association
(LAMMA) show where the reception
was equally appreciative after hands-
on testing. The same is confidently
anticipated from end-users during
more repeat performances at this
summers largest agricultural shows.
For more information visit
www.gripple.com
secuRity
Without doubt the biggest number
of claims received, relate to theft of
equipment, machinery and livestock
and especially tractors, teleporters,
Land Rovers and 4 x 4s.
It is interesting to note that certain
banks are pushing the sales of a
branded tracking device. Could it
be because they own that particular
company, or are they are looking for
another income stream? Maybe they
realise that clients have to protect
their assets.
Some might say they should
concentrate on screwing up the
economy!
I am not sure if the bank staff have
detailed knowledge of what type of
tracking systems are best for each
type of asset or if they have any idea
how to configure a system, to ensure
maximum protection is achieved.
Some of the tracking systems have
been around for some time and
are perhaps only activated after a
telephone call has been made to
the provider, then in the hopes that
devices are tracked by the Police,
assuming they have a car anywhere
nearby and have the reading device
fitted to that car.
After a recent conversation with
a Deputy Chief Constable, I was
advised that new police cars
ordered have not been fitted with
the individual tracker decoder. They
rely more on the number plate
recognition technology, so when a
vehicle has been reported stolen,
the police car system automatically
recognises that vehicle.
We have consistently recommended
one particular tracking device
manufacturer, plant-i. After serious
research over 2 years, we found that
where vehicles have been stolen,
they have been recovered in a very
short space of time. The equipment
being protected is monitored 24/7.
The customer receives a telephone
call to advise that the vehicle is being
moved and that the equipment is
then being monitored live. The client
can look on their own computers
to witness the equipment and its
journey.
I have to say that the 460 clients
who have devices fitted to their
machinery, there has been a 99%
recovery, when any vehicle is
stolen.
The real question we need to address
is would you spend 65,000 on a
piece of equipment, be it a tractor
or a Range Rover and just leave it in
the street or alternatively in the farm
yard or field unprotected?
It could be perhaps likened to a
lady who has a very nice diamond
engagement ring worth circa 7,000
then leaving it on the kitchen
window sill, where even a magpie
could see it!
We have noticed more to the west
of the country, there has been a
huge increase in theft of luxury
cars particularly Range Rovers and
BMWs. We understand that thieves
have now been able to download
key codes, so they no longer need to
steal the keys from the farm house
to actually steal the vehicle. If you
have that type of vehicle, there is
a device available to attach to the
OBD socket, which should solve that
problem.
We must assume that one of the
well known, major farm insurers
has increased their motor premiums
substantially, purely by the number &
volume of enquiries we have received
and the subsequent solutions found
for those new clients.
Please remember if you love it, lock
it and secure it otherwise somebody
else will lift it!
Harold e Woolgar Director

Harold Woolgar Farm
insurance Brokers
Doncaster Dn9 1eP

tel. 01427 873388
theFt on
Farms -
still a maJor
proBlem
As well as Life-Gard Colostrum
powder, Minexcel now offer
Life-Gard Colostrum Paste. The
colostrum paste is ready to be
fed, as the colostrum is already
mixed and is supplied in ready to
use syringes. These syringes can
be kept with you whilst lambing
so the paste is always to hand.
The Life-Gard Colostrum Paste is
available in 60ml syringes which
are capable of treating up to 15
lambs with a cost price of under
80p per feed. Minexcel also
stock Life-Gard fe, a colostrum
paste for piglets.
Minexcel are now looking for
new stockists for the Life-Gard
range. If you would like to know
more about becoming a Life-
Gard stockist please contact John
McCarter on 01964 542518 or
07776194155 or e-mail john@
minexcel.com.
the Life-gard range, as well
as Minexcels other products,
can be bought online at www.
minexcel.com. the pastes are
available direct to your farm
or at selected stockists.
a neW colostrum
paste For lamBing
this spring
making sure that lamBs manage to suckle
once Born can Be a diFFicult task. liFe-gard
colostrum products can make this proBlem
a lot easier to manage, providing a Back up
For lamBs Where there is an inadeQuate
supply oF colostrum.
guy machineRy
When the weather becomes warmer
and the lambing season starts it is
a sure sign that Spring is upon us.
To mark the first day of Spring this
year Guy Machinery held their open
day on Tuesday 20th March at their
branch at Skipton Auction Mart.
The open day, which was the first
to be held in the new depot, was as
busy as ever, highlighting the very
best machinery that Guy Machinery
have to offer.
We moved into the new building last
March, having previously been located
in a different building at the auction
mart. This is the first event weve
held at the new building, explains
Graham Guy. The open day gives
customers a chance to see what we
are doing and what new machinery
we have to offer.
A main attraction for the open day
was the Valtra driving experience on
offer. Putting the try before you buy
idea to the test, customers had the
chance to test drive Valtras Third
Generation A, N and T series tractors
for themselves.
The new Valtra series include
modified engines to meet with the
change in emission laws, says
Graham. Giving customers the
a spring spectacular
For guy machinery
Farmersmart visit guy machinerys open day in skipton
chance to test drive these new
tractors meant they could try out the
new engines on the market.
Both Guy Machinery staff and reps
were on hand to show visitors the
new machinery available for 2012
with plenty of refreshments to keep
everyone going.
guy machineRy
Progress in action
Specialist Forager Centre!
Big X M- Big Pack
Unit 21 Auction Mart,
Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1UD
Skipton Tel: 01756 799184
Lyndale Works, Gisburn,
Lancashire BB7 4ES
Gisburn Tel: 01200 445555
ThE NorThS
No.1 For
MAChINErY!
Sales Service Parts Hire
www.guymachinery.co.uk
A wide range of Krone machinery
was also on display, from mowers
right through to forage harvesters.
As the Norths number one Krone
dealership, Guy Machinery pride
themselves on stocking Krones full
range of products.
Being Krones third largest dealership
in the UK, we are able to cater for
customers wanting to buy anything
from a 2,000 machine, right up
to a 200,000 machine, and they
are all available to view here at the
depot.
Other exhibitors at the show included
Can-Am, Polaris, Schaffer and Joskin.
For the first time, Ifor Williams
products were also available at the
Skipton depot for the open day. Their
products can now be purchased from
the Skipton branch.
Having been established at Skipton
Auction Mart since October 2005,
taking over the franchise and
customer base of Gibsons Tractors,
Guy Machinery have since opened
another branch at Lyndale Works next
to Gisburn Auction Mart. The new
branch opened in February 2010.
Guy Machinery specialise in sales
of new and used tractors, trailers,
agricultural vehicles and machinery,
ATVs and quad bikes, cranes, loaders
and handlers. They also offer short or
long term machinery and equipment
hire which can be arranged at very
competitive rates.
It was fantastic to see so many of
our customers, both new and old.
The open day was a great way to
celebrate our first year in the new
premises and to highlight what we
have to offer for 2012.
guy Machinery Ltd
Skipton auction Mart
gargrave road, Skipton BD23 1UD

tel: 01756 799184
sales@guymachinery.co.uk

www.guymachinery.co.uk
machineRy
Bryce Suma has won another major
award at this years LAMMA Show
which is acknowledged as the premier
agricultural event in the UK.
The award was given for the Bryce
Powershift HD180. This one man
fencing machine has a host of novel
features which clearly caught the eye
of the judging panel.
This compact machine with zero
tailswing, has the ability to rotate
through 180 degrees, has a side shift
and a unique back shift arrangement
which can be rotated to allow posts
to be driven left or righthanded
anywhere including in the most
inaccessible areas, whether it be on
steep, sloping ground or amongst
trees or buildings. Another of this
machines attributes is that the post
driver is mid-mounted which results
in a well balanced outfit offering
uncompromised safety and stability.
The HD180 also features a unique
slew on the move arrangement. This
allows the mast to be slewed uphill
on the move whilst driving on any
slope, offering a high degree of safety
and stability, unmatched by any other
machine of its type on the market.
Provisions are made for carrying a
chainsaw and handheld tools with a
removable front cradle for stakes and
strainers as standard, as well as a
built-in rock spike.
Bryce Suma, Linton Hill
Morebattle, Kelso tD5 8ae

tel: 01573 440314
Jock: 07970 730567
or andrew: 07901618479
email: Brycescotland@aol.com
www.brycesuma.co.uk
Bryce suma
Wins maJor
aWard
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 e engines
with Generation 2 Selective Catalytic
Reduction. These provide maximum
powers of 185hp to 235hp, as well
as Power Management.
As well as the launch of the
completely new MF 7600 Series,
the Massey Ferguson MF 7624
Dyna-VT has won the coveted
Golden Tractor for Design award in
the prestigious 2012 Tractor of the
Year competition.
All of the Massey Ferguson team
are delighted and proud the Tractor
the Year jury has recognised the MF
7624 Dyna-VT with this prestigious
award, said Richard Markwell,
Massey Ferguson Vice President
and Managing Director, Europe,
Africa and Middle East. We would
like to thank the jury for hard work
they put into this very worthwhile
competition.
Please visit our website at
www.agcocorp.com and
www.masseyferguson.com
massey Ferguson launch
neW mF 7600 series and
Win top design aWard
mF 7600 series
bReeds
FOR PROTECH SALES
PLEASE CALL
ANDREW HOOPER
ON 07971079751
WOOLRIDGE FARM, GLOUCESTER ROAD
HARTPURY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, GL19 3BG
e-mail: protechmachinery@yahoo.co.uk
fax: 01452 700983
www.protechmachinery.co.uk
PROTECH MACHINERY
P300S+ Tele maST POST DRIVeR
STANDARD SPECIFICATION INCLUDES:
400 KG DRIVING WEIGHT
REMOTE LEVER CONTROL VALVE
HYDRAULIC SLEW WITH 120 DEG WORKING AREA
HYDRAULIC MAST CROWD
800MM TELESCOPIC SLEW ARM
35 DEG EITHER SIDE MAST ANGLE TILT
3.2M MAST WORKING LENGTH
QUICK RELEASE 300MM THROAT WIDTH
1 METRE TELESCOPIC MAST ExTENSION,
GIVING 13.5fT fROM GROUND TO UNDERSIDE
Of GRIPPER PLATE
HYDRAULIC REAR LEG
MAINTENANCE fREE ROPE PULLEYS
CLOSE COUPLED TRANSPORT POSITION
ROCK SPIKE AND ExTRACTOR KIT
HYDRAULIC COUNTERWEIGHT
INDEPENDENT HYDRAULIC fRONT LEGS
Ninety-three per cent of Limousin bull
buyers will definitely purchase further
Limousin bulls at future Society Sales.
Thats the headline figure following
an extensive buyers survey carried
out by the British Limousin Cattle
Society (BLCS) of over 1,500 pedigree
Limousin bulls sold at official Society
sales throughout 2008 & 2009. The
survey received a response of just
over 40% per cent and returned a
strong endorsement of the breeds
commercial abilities and performance.
Bull buyers in the period, from across
the United Kingdom, were 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 asked purchasers
on the all-round working abilities
of the bulls including calving ease,
docility of bulls and progeny, fertility,
quality and performance of progeny,
including food conversion and growth
rate, through to marketing. Additional
questions asked of the importance
placed on areas such as pre-sale
inspections, herd health information,
Bull Buyers survey gives a 93%
approval rate to the limousin Breed
and performance figures.
Of the characteristics of the breed
most important to buyers, ease of
calving ranked first; with carcase
traits and conformation second; and
marketability of progeny third.
A highlight of the survey, 85%
percent of respondents recorded no
calving problems from their bulls at
all. The breeds benchmark traits of
carcase qualities, feed efficiency and
feed conversion also produced an
excellent satisfaction rating. Good
food conversion, 95%, was singled
out along with the breeds ability to
produce good calves from a variety
of crossbred cows. 93% percent
responded that the progeny had been
up to the standard they had expected
with 94% percent also commenting on
good growth rates. 90% confirmed
in all that the bulls had been good
workers.
In commenting, BLCS Chief Executive
Iain Kerr welcomed the figures and
said that feedback from the buyers
survey was just one element of
longer term breed planning and
development. The survey returns
represent an excellent approval rating
of the breeds performance across the
traits of economic and management
importance, he said. In addition to
the bull buyers survey the Society will
also be seeking the views of breeders,
processors and retailers, on the
performance and future priorities of
the breed. The forward aim is always
to keep the breed focused and relevant
to the needs of the market place, and
to maximise returns at every level. In
providing choices and directions for
the future it is important to have the
input of Limousin users at every level
of the industry.
www.limousin.co.uk
bReeds / news
John Ireland ran one of Yorkshires
most successful agricultural
contracting and haulage businesses
from the 1960s to 1990s. He
also traded as JD Ireland Tractors
selling the Marshall and SAME
brands. But his story is much
more than that.
His father ran off with a teenage
girl, leaving John to run the farm.
He then came back and ordered
John to leave the farm. John
was later the prime suspect in
the murder of his father and his
fathers new wife (the girl he ran
off with), which was carried out by
his step-brother Charles. This was
front page news in The Sun when
Charles was freed by the judge.
Despite inheriting nothing John
built up his own business and is
well respected in the Malton area
where he has lived all his life.
neW Book - John irelands story due
to Be puBlished in april 2012

if you would like to purchase
a copy of Johns book tHe
JoHn ireLanD StorY send
a cheque to the value of 10
(incl p&p) marked payable to
John ireland to: tHe JoHn
ireLanD StorY, 2 elmete croft,
Scholes, Leeds LS15 4Be.
Commercial sheep farmers using
recorded Texel sires to produce
prime lambs will see an increase
in the lean meat yields in the most
expensive primal loin cuts in their
lambs in their lambs thanks to some
recent adjustments to the Signet
Texel index.
The Societys Performance Recorded
Texel Committee (PRT) asked Signet
to review the weightings within the
Texel index due to a very small
number of sheep with low Muscle
Depth EBVs appearing higher than
expected within the overall ranking
of Texel sheep.
As a result of this Signet has reviewed
the weightings within the index to
establish whether greater influence
could be placed on muscle depth
EBV without having a detrimental
effect on the other growth and
carcass traits.
The previous breeding index was
targeted at optimising meat yields in
the carcasses of Texel sired lambs.
Penalties also continue to be applied
to animals with low fat depth EBVs
to ensure sires are not rewarded for
being over lean, further rewards are
given to animals with superior gigot
EBVs to balalnce the weightings of
the index for this important terminal
sire.
In adjusting the index Signet will be
maintaining these objectives, but
placing a much higher weighting on
the Muscle Depth EBV.
Commenting on the changes to the
index British Texel Sheep Society
chief executive John Yates said
it was important to continually
review the Signet Texel index in line
with industry needs. As a breed
we have to reflect and respond to
commercial sheep farmers needs.
Texels naturally have a high meat
to bone ratio, especially within the
loin area and the new index will
help breeders ensure this remains
the case while also continuing the
massive improvements in growth
achieved by recorded flocks.
At an overall population level the
new index has a relatively small
impact, increasing muscling across
the loin with little impact on other
traits, adds Signet breeding services
manager Sam Boon. This will
enable breeders to continue to make
major gains in the economically
important carcass and meat yield
traits. However, there will be some
significant changes to the indices of
individual animals.
For more information on the texel
breed contact the British texel
Sheep Society on 02476 699 629
or email office@texel.co.uk

Follow the British texel Sheep
Society on twitter @Britishtexel
and find the British texel Sheep
Society on Facebook by searching
for British texel Sheep Society
British texel Breeders drive
toWards increased loin muscling
Russells
Providing farm machinery operators
with the best possible support
has always been a priority for the
Russell Group. Advanced technology
has brought about an even greater
emphasis on ensuring every machine
performs to its optimum all the
time. In order to ensure that their
customers are receiving the best
advice and professional expertise
the Russell Group have recently
appointed John Croot as Group
Service Manager.
These are exciting times in the
industry and it is vital that the
growth the Russell Group has made
in sales in recent years is mirrored
by our ability to look after those who
are now our customers. We need to
ensure that we are offering every
service available from all of our
franchises from extended warranties
to service contracts, says John.
Cost of ownership has become a
phrase that most operators are now
familiar with, calculating the price
per hour of operating each item of
equipment. It is an important facet
of getting the most out of every
machine, whether it is a combine,
tractor or any other item.
Making sure your machine is
maintained to manufacturers
guidelines is vital, as it makes a
machine more reliable. Servicing,
utilising a trained technician, is
paramount to getting the best result
and we will always ensure our
technicians are bang up to date with
the latest developments.
We already pride ourselves on
what we believe to be the best
apprenticeship scheme in the UK,
supported by New Holland, with our
technicians attending Reaseheath
College. The dedicated programme
benefits both the individual and the
company and the farmer!
Todays farmers are becoming
much more conscious of maximising
returns and satellite technology is
one area in which we believe we can
help. New on-board PLM guidance
assists the farmer regarding land,
cultivation and making the best of
his crop. We are also getting close
to the time, using telemetry whereby
we can calculate whether a farmer
has a fault on his machine without
him knowing, but having called it up
on screen, and then turn up in his
field to fix it without him ever having
contacted us. Now that is service
and thats where we are heading at
Russells!
John Croot was previously Service
Manager UK and Ireland with AGCO,
for the Fendt and Valtra brands. He
has also held senior positions with
McCormick and Case. He started
his working life with Platts Harris.
He hails from Doncaster.
here to help, even iF you dont
knoW theres a proBlem!
chris Berry talks With neW russell group service manager, John croot
John croot
Russells Group has recently
relaunched its website with a brand
new look. It now offers the most
comprehensive guide to what is
happening throughout the various
sites. It also provides the most up-to-
date listing of used farm machinery
available and is updated daily.
Agriculture, Groundcare and
Construction all have their own
individual pages so that you can get
to exactly what you want quicker
than previously. There are also
sections for Special Offers, updated
regularly, the latest news in after
sales and precision farming.
And coming soon there will be a full
Rural Store page where you will be
able to buy direct. Its well worth
taking a look!
Visit www.russells.uk.com
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
neW WeBsite Better than ever!
sewaRds
Wilberfoss is the place to be on
Wednesday 28 March. Following on
from last years massively successful
Open Day farm machinery company
Seward are hosting another.
This time its going to be even
bigger, says Gordon Cummings.
It sees the launch of the all-new
Claas 900 Series tractor; plus we
will have over 3m worth of used
combines on show; plus other new
Claas products; plus all of our other
franchises will be present including
the likes of KRM and Gregoire
Besson.
The Open Day will also be an Open
Evening as Seward take advantage
of the greater daylight hours around
this time of year.
We will be open for business and
refreshments from 2pm right through
to 8pm. Theres a free bar throughout
the day and bacon butties; plus we
will have a hog roast from 7pm. We
are hoping that should give all our
customers chance to really relax and
enjoy their time with us.
The Claas Axion 900 Series
Big day at WilBerFoss - 28 march
chris Berry talks With gordon cummings oF seWard
encompasses four models from 280
to 400hp and complements the
Axion 800 (180 -260hp) and Xerion
(330-525hp). The preproduction
machines have been tested on farms
throughout Europe for over a year
and were officially sneak-previewed
at SIMA in France earlier this year.
This will be the first time a Claas
tractor has featured the 24 valve
8.7 litre Cursor 9 engine from
FPT which has been adapted to
meet requirements of the very
latest emissions control legislation
(Tier 4i) and also features
integrated SCR (selective catalytic
reduction) technology. In addition
it encompasses the latest version
of CMATIC continuously variable
transmission. The ZF Eccom unit
has great potential for reducing fuel
consumption as a result of its four
range design.
We would be delighted to see all our
customers and potential customers
of the future at Wilberfoss on
28 March, says Gordon. There
will be plenty to see, good food,
something to drink and you never
know, you might just end up buying
something!
WiLBerFoSS is situated
on the a1079 Hull-York
road, near Pocklington.
claas axion 900 series
pRopeRty
Whilst forecasters remain generally
downbeat about the outlook for
the UK mainstream residential
market for 2012, the prospects for
agriculture are generally good but
tempered by increasing volatility,
rising input prices and the future
CAP reforms causing some
uncertainty. On the one hand, the
opportunities presented by good
quality large commercial farms
(income generation and capital
appreciation) are highly attractive;
with a shortage of this type of farm
ensuring prices achieved are often
significantly above the average
figures reported. Conversely,
amongst buyers there is a
resistance to poor quality farmland
and to smaller farms where the
residential aspect dominates.
Sensible guide prices and realistic
vendor expectations are key to
securing sales in these sectors of
the market during 2012.
We expect increased competition
for the best commercial farms,
which will further widen the price
gap between the best and poorer
quality farmland. Values for arable
land are now typically in the range
of 4,000 - 10,000 per acre.
Our research indicates that the
present day turnover in agricultural
land remains at historically low
levels and is a tiny proportion of
the total area farmed amounting
to just 0.5% in England and only
0.25% in Scotland. As you can
see from the graph the amount of
farmland publically marketed has
reduced from in excess of 400,000
acres in the mid 1970s to 155,500
acres advertised last year, which
is just 1% less than during 2010
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: ablack@savills.com
Sarah Hinchliffe
BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV
Tel: 01904 617819
07870 999441
E: shinchliffe@savills.com
and is still a long way short of the
600,000 acres traded in the mid
1940s to early 1960s.
However, looking at England
alone, our research recorded an
11% increase in the volume of
publicly marketed farmland last
year compared with 2010. Closer
analysis reveals the increased
activity was mainly concentrated
in the Eastern regions of England
with rises in the East and South
East of 42% and 35% respectively.
The supply of publicly marketed
farmland fell by 3% in the North
of England and in Scotland activity
fell by 14% with just 31,400 acres
marketed during 2011.
Savills Farmland Value Survey
shows the average value of grade
3 arable land across Great Britain
rose during 2011 by 6.5% to
5,612 per acre. This follows
an increase of 11% in 2010 and
7.2% in 2009. Much of this
growth occurred in the first three
quarters of the year, with prices
losing some momentum in the late
autumn. As already noted the top
performer of the 2011 market was
quality commercial arable land
our research confirms the strength
of this sector with average prime
arable values increasing 8.9% in
England, 5.5% in Scotland and
4.7% in Wales.
2012 started positively for Savills
with the sale of two premium rural
properties totally over 11 million.
However, following this promising
start to the year there has been very
little offered to the market and 2012
looks like being characterised as a
year of low supply across our region.
The small blocks of land which have
been sold have been well received in
the market and have reached a good
price, showing no indication of a drop
in values. We believe 2012 will be
dominated by low supply therefore
well marketed good commercial farms
will benefit from the low stock levels
creating competition and potential
premium prices.
despite the diFFicult economic
climate in the uk and overseas,
the Farmland market shoWs
signs oF remaining more roBust
than other markets
pRopeRty
A Highly Desirable and Beautifully
Situated Small Dairy Farm
with Outstanding Views over
Nidderdale
Extending to 71.15 Acres (28.79
Hectares). For Sale As A Whole
Or In Two Lots. Lot 1: High
Pasture Farm Steading, including
Farmhouse, range of Traditional
and Modern Farm Buildings,
planning permission to convert
traditional Barn into 4 Bedroom
Dwelling together with 57.15 acres
(23.13 hectares) of Grassland and
Amenity Woodland. Lot 2: 12.75
156.96 acres (63.53 ha)
approx oF prime
agricultural land,
Formerly part oF coWton
grange, north coWton,
northallerton
Ten years! It doesnt seem that long
since we started. But on 1 May
thats exactly what it will be for Robin
Jessops Land and Estate agency
practice which opened for business
in Bedale; and now includes another
office in Leyburn.
It was a leap of faith at the time. I had
trained in County Durham from 1976
before coming back to my homeland
in North Yorkshire in 1981, but setting
up business in 2002 was my biggest
move. We have worked hard for our
clients in attaining the best possible
prices and giving professional advice
in that time, and I believe the team
we have built up here is the best in
North Yorkshire.
Tim Gower heads up the Leyburn
office and the residential sales and
valuations, his particular expertise
is in compensation and taxation
valuations; Andrew Dickins specialises
in all aspects of agricultural and
land agency work and is particularly
involved with Single Farm Payment
issues; Robins daughter Sarah
works with Tim on the residential
side and is also the main contact
regarding marketing, advertising and
promotion; Robins wife Valerie looks
after the accounts. The rest of the
team includes June Webster, who
has worked with Robin for 25 years;
Carey Bennett and Jayne Carnley.
After starting in a small office above
an accountancy practice Robin moved
the business over the road to North
End, subsequently developing the
offices in Bedale. The new office in
Leyburn opened two years ago, just at
the time when the residential sector
across the UK was at rock bottom.
It had peaked in 2005-06 but the
past two years, during the recession,
have been the most challenging for
that sector during the past decade.
We are finding that there are still
buyers who want to move to this area
but frustratingly some vendors are
looking for prices that are unrealistic.
We are still selling residential property
though. Last year we sold a property
in Thoralby to a couple in New York
and one in Grinton to a chap from
Hong Kong.
Robin specialises in farm and land
sales and valuations, including
country houses. He has many years
of experience as an auctioneer and
the firm regularly holds property
auctions.
The farm and land market is strong.
There is confidence in farming at the
moment on the back of healthy prices
for livestock and crops. As a result
we have not seen as many farms
or parcels of land come on to the
market, but where they have demand
has been high. Interest rates are at a
historic low and banks are still willing
to lend against land. In 2005-6 there
was a time when the lifestyle buyer
was often outbidding the farmer but
now we are seeing farmers back
competing against each other. Last
year saw the widest spectrum in the
price for agricultural land in North
Yorkshire. Ive never seen anything
like it in my career. We sold land from
3000/acre to well over 10,000/acre
and that is commercial agricultural
land, not paddocks that can make
anywhere between 15,000 -
30,000/acre. The value of anything
is always determined by the amount
of competitive demand. Within a 10
mile radius of Thirsk in the Vale of
York I sold land from 5000/acre to
over 9000/acre. It is all to do with
what the land is, where it is and who
wants it. It provides a dilemma to
a certain extent in the valuation of
particular parcels of land.
Robin was recently appointed
chairman of the Northern Group of
the Central Association of Agricultural
Valuers and will chair the annual
conference later this year, to be held
in either York or Harrogate.
Its a tremendous honour. The
heres the neWs... at 10!
chris Berry talks With roBin Jessop in Bedale
high pasture Farm
summerBridge
pateley Bridge
acres (5.12 hectares) of Pasture
and Amenity Woodland.
Joint Selling Agents:
Ernie Sherwin Ltd
guide Price Lot 1
750,000 - 850,000
guide Price Lot 2
100,000
Lot 1 : 44.44 acres
Lot 2 : 37.33 acres
Lot 3 : 43.04 acres
Lot 4 : 32.15 acres.
For Sale By Informal Tender Best and
Final Offers By 20th April 2012. Offers
In Excess Of 6000/Acre.
organisation is looked upon as one
of the leading professional authorities
on land agency practice. Ive been a
member for a number of years and
the chairmanship is a two-year term.
Robin was born at Carthorpe, near
Bedale where his parents farmed. He
attended Scorton Grammar School.
He studied at Durham University
where he met his wife-to-be Valerie.
They have 3 offspring Sarah, Lucy
and Michael.
roBin JeSSoP LtD
4 north end, Bedale DL8 1aB
01677 425950

info@robinjessop.co.uk
www.robinjessop.co.uk

Marwood House, railway Street,
Leyburn DL8 5aY
01969 622800
roBin Jessop
young faRmeRs
Former Bishop Burton College
agriculture student Seth Blakey of
Clitheroe in Lancashire has just
returned from Suffolk after filming
the final of the BBC Three talent
show Young Farmer of the Year.
Young Farmer of the Year is part of
the Young Talent of the Year strand,
which in turn is part of a BBC Three
series celebrating young trade talent
across the country.
The series is now in its third year.
He was put forward for the show
after the BBC contacted his tutor
Helen Martin to ask if she had any
students she would like to nominate
for the programme.
The BBC asked if I had anyone I felt
would be suitable for nomination,
said Helen. In the end I put forward
eight of my students, of which Seth
was one.
Seth comes from a farming background
his family have an upland beef and
sheep farm and he has just completed
a National Diploma in Agriculture at
Bishop Burton.
Unfortunately Seth was beaten to the
title by 24 year old Reiss Lewis from
Neath in Wales.
www.bishopburton.ac.uk

Eds note: Well done.
Former Bishop Burton college student seth
makes it through to Final oF BBc talent shoW
Yorkshire Young Farmers are
gearing up to celebrate the tenth
annual Yorkshire County Show.
The show which is organized by
the federations membership has
proven a huge success and the
2012 event held on 3rd June is
all set to be the biggest and best
yet.
After foot and mouth had hit
YFC membership badly early last
decade, members realised that
they needed a shop window to
promote all that was good about
the Young Farmers movement to
the public. The Yorkshire County
Show was born and has been held
the first Sunday in June at the
Niddlerdale Show Ground, Pateley
Bridge ever since.
Yorkshire YFC County Chairman
Darren Coates has been involved
from year one and has seen
attendances grow each year.
Darren said , Our ethos is to give
the public a great day out at low
cost and send them home with a
high opinion of YFC.
This years main attractions
include professional lawnmower
racing, mascot 5 a side football
and lamb racing. The added
presence of a food hall, trade
stands and childrens activities
makes this a show with something
for everyone.
For more information on
attending with trade stands,
craft stands and Food hall goers
go to www.yorkshirecountyshow.
org.uk or call 01423 865870.
young Farmers celeBrate
set to celeBrate the 10th
yorkshire county shoW
Young Limousin Breeder Richard
Priestley of Cracrop Farm, Brampton,
represented the British Limousin
Cattle Society at the Canadian
Western Agribition Show held in
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, 18-
28th November 2011.
Having qualified by placing highest
in the 17-21 age group at the Young
Limousin Breeders Club (YLBC)
Annual Stockjudging Competition
Richard joined a multi-breed group
of young breeders in a British Team
to take part in the 4H International
Judging Competition the Canadian
equivalent to Young Farmers.
The stock judging competition itself
set the challenge of selecting the
best out of 12 different classes of
stock. This was quite a test, says
Richard. The most I have ever
judged at YFC is four classes in a
day. We also had to give eight sets
richard priestley represents
limousin Breed at canadian
agriBition
of oral reasons on the classes.
At the Awards Breakfast the following
day, Richard was placed a very
creditable sixth out of 59 entrants
in the individual competition, the
best a UK young breeder has
ever achieved. A clearly delighted
Richard said: This was much
better than I was expecting given
the fact the cattle are so different
to what we have in the UK.

Eds note: Well done.
Cumbria Young Farmers had 150
young people and 7 Clubs in their
District Pantomime Eliminators.
The top 5 Clubs then competed at
the Theatre by the Lake in front of
judges Hirelle Macleod and Peter
theres no Business like shoW Business
Brown in an attempt to win the
coveted NFU Trophy.
After 5 hours of fun and laughter,
nasty villains and magnificent
dames, Grayrigg were place fifth
with their production of Ali the
Barber and Sedberghs Wizard of
Oz was fourth. Crooks Nigel and
the Muskateer-ettes were praised by
the judges as having variety and a
really good dame in Tom Redmayne
and Vicci Neil as villain. They were
placed third.
In second place, Kirklintons Murdo
Laurie and Graeme Clapperton were
excellent ugly sisters in Snow
White and the Seven Dwarves.
Anna McGregor, the scary Queen
Gaga, created a good character
and won the best actress award.
The judges loved all seven dwarves
and the accordionist James Laurie.
Drigg YFC won the competition with
their production of Jack and the
Amazing Multi-Coloured Beanstalk!
Praise went to the villain Baron
Smug played by Dan Buchanan
who was presented with the best
actor award.
Daisy the Cows, performed by John
Nichol and Thomas Simcock was
also highlighted and the judges were
please to see so many youngsters
on the stage.
seth Blakey
kirklinton cast
Willie McElroy, Aughnaskeagh Road,
Dromara, Dromore, Co Down,
Northern Ireland has been elected
as the new Chairman of the Young
Limousin Breeders Club (YLBC).
The 27 year old took over from
Rob Kirton, Bewdley, Worcs at the
recent YLBC AGM held in Carlisle
and will serve a two year term of
office. Well-known in Limousin and
Blonde pedigree circles, Willie is
a former Secretary and Treasurer
of the vibrant Young Limousin
Breeders Northern Ireland (YLBNI)
having been on the committee
since its formation. Earlier this year
he played an important part in the
Organising Committee of their 10th
Anniversary Moira Calf Show held in
the autumn.
Commenting on his new role, Willie
McElroy said: Im delighted to have
been elected and look forward to
my time as Chairman. Over the
next couple of years I hope to forge
strong links with Young Breeders
throughout the UK and continue
to move the YLBC forward and
encourage those young people to get
involved with what is a great Club.

current YLBc officials:
chairman
Willie Mcelroy, northern ireland
Vice chairman
Kirree Kermode, isle of Man
Joint Secretaries
Sarah & richard Priestley, n Yorks
President
James cooper, n Yorks
faRming people
A new agricultural club is providing
farms and rural businesses from
across the region with networking
opportunities since its launch at
Bishop Burton College.
The Bishop Burton Agricultural
Club has been formed from a
merger between the Bishop Burton
Farmers Club and the Bishop Burton
Machinery Club.
Steering group member Richard
Megginson explains, The aim of the
new group is to promote agriculture
and rural affairs regionally and to give
members the chance to network,
listen to some knowledgeable
and experienced speakers and to
socialise.
It will definitely be a social as well
as an educational experience for
members and will give them the
chance to share ideas, offer support
and enjoy themselves.
The Club will meet at Bishop Burton
College on the first Thursday of
every month. The first speaker was
Raymond Twiddle OBE, President
of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society
and founder of Twydale Turkeys.
We are also looking forward to
welcoming John Hurst, Robert
Goodwill MP, Adam Collier and Sally
Robinson.
For further information please contact
Peter Roustoby at roustobyfarm@
hotmail.com
www.bishopburton.ac.uk
rural Businesses across
yorkshire & the humBer set
to BeneFit From neW Bishop
Burton agricultural cluB
ken richardson,
richard megginson and
peter roustoBy
Kirklees butcher, farmer
and grazier J Brindon
Addy has been named
the best in the North of
England after proving itself
a cut above the rest in the
annual Butchers Shop of
the Year Awards 2011.
Addys shop in Hade Edge,
Holmfirth, impressed
the judges from awards
organiser Meat Trades
Journal as it scooped
the prestigious prize in
the annual awards at
The Landmark Hotel in
London.
The judges were particularly
impressed with how the village
butcher had not rested on its
laurels, with a host of new initiatives
underway, including a new range
of hampers, developing local
internet sales and attending the
local farmers market. The business
is also planning an extension to the
existing shop.
They added: The present shop is
an oasis of butchery delights with
J Brindon addy is Best
Butcher in north oF england
clearly defined rooms for the sale
of fresh meats and delicatessen
products.
Brindon Addy has been sourcing
meat and poultry from local farmers
since establishing the business in
1993. In fact, all beef and sheep
farmer suppliers are located within
15 miles of the shop and Addys
own farm business is growing and
set to expand further.
www.jbrindonaddy.co.uk
Auctions of both pork pies and
fodder hay staged in conjunction
with Skipton Auction Marts annual
Christmas primestock shows and
the Great Northern Pork Pie Fest
last November raised 1,680.50 for
Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in
Oxenhope, Keighley.
The cheque was presented to
Manorlands fund raiser Matthew
Binns by Craven Cattle Marts
General Manager and Auctioneer
Jeremy Eaton at the weekly produce
sale of hay and straw.
They were joined by John Duckett,
who regularly sells small bale hay
at Skipton and supports the charity
fodder auction. John saw his load
sell for a top price 3.80 per bale.
Jeremy thanked all farmers and
butchers who had supported the
charity auctions. Butchers from both
Yorkshire and Lancashire who took
part in the Great Northern Pork Pie
Fest donated both their entries and
additional pies for the annual fund-
raiser.
ccm pork pie and
Fodder auctions raise
cash For charity
Manorlands Andrew Wood said:
Charity pork pie and hay auctions
are among our more unusual fund
raisers and we again thank the
regional agricultural community for
their generosity.
www.ccmauctions.com
hey up! manorlands Fund-raiser
mattheW Binns makes hay as he
receives the cheQue From ccms
Jeremy eaton (leFt) & John duckett
Willie mcelroy takes reins
as the neW young limousin
Breeders chairman
Willie mcelroy,
neW ylBc chairman
Brindon and ainsley
faRming people
West-Yorkshire based Keelham Farm
Shop in Thornton, Bradford, has been
crowned Yorkshire Food Champion in
the 2011 Countryside Alliance Awards
and now stands to win a national
title.
The Countryside Alliance Awards,
nicknamed the Rural Oscars, are now
in their seventh year of celebrating
the characters, skills, traditions and
enterprise of the countryside through
the people who work so hard to make
it tick.
The awards are public-nomination led,
meaning Keelham was put forward
by supportive customers keen to
see them recognised for their work.
Keelham beat competition from shops
in York and Helmsley to claim the
regional title.
The awards run over four categories,
with the food category being the
most fiercely contested. The Keelham
team will now travel to the Houses of
Parliament for a winners reception in
March, at which the overall British and
Irish champions will be announced.
Countryside Alliance North of England
regional director Simon Hamlyn
commented: Keelham Farm Shop
has won this title for the simple
reason that they go above and beyond
in their support of Yorkshire produce,
supporting a breathtaking 250
Yorkshire producers.
www.countrysideallianceawards.org.uk
www.keelhamfarmshop.co.uk
rural oscars 2011 -
keelham Farm shop
scoops yorkshire title
yorkshire Food champions. With locally sourced Food to the Fore,
memBers oF the keelham team celeBrate their success in the countryside
alliance aWards.
Lantra Sector Skills Council has
appointed Alastair Johnston as the
UK Agricultural Manager while Laura
Biddick-Bray is on maternity leave.
Alastair has a lifetime of experience
in the agricultural sector and has
been involved in both employee
training and business development.
For six years he served as the
Livestock Advisor for the National
Farmers Union and then worked
with a Cheshire-based agricultural
consultancy firm.
As the Industry Manager, he will
engage with agricultural businesses
and Government in relation to skills
funding, continued professional
development of the current workforce
and the cultivation of future
employees and industry leaders.
Alastair said, I am delighted to take
on this challenging role, and look
forward to working with the industry
neW agriculture
manager at lantra
on a number of key developments.
There are many challenges and
opportunities facing agriculture in
the near future so I will utilise my
skills and professional experience to
serve this industry which has such a
vital role in the UKs economy.
www.lantra.co.uk
Charity raffle held on the
companys stand at LAMMA kick-
starts Spaldings fundraising for
2012.
Spaldings have announced that
they have raised 508 for RABI
from a raffle held on their stand
during LAMMA. Tickets were sold
at 1 each and prizes included
a GYS welding inverter, STIHL
vacuum shredder and a Cooper
Pegler knapsack sprayer. The
money raised is used to provide
support to struggling members
of the farming community who
require practical and financial
support.
Spaldings Agricultural Sales
Director, Roger Chase, says, Last
year RABI became our charity
partner and it was without question
that we would partner them again
in 2012 as the support they
provide the farming sector really is
invaluable he says.
The prizes on offer for the raffle
were donated by Spaldings and the
winners were drawn at random.
spaldings raises
over 500 For raBi
in charity raFFle
the neWest memBer oF
the Farmersmart team
Our Sales and Subscriptions
Manager, Ben Walton, and
his wife Rachel are pleased to
announce the arrival of their son
Archie Wright Walton, born on the
23rd January 2012 at 5:52am,
weighing 6lbs 8 ounces.
Simone and team send
them their love, joy and
happiness for the future.
The full list of winners are:
1st prize STIHL Vacuum Shredder
Mr. J. Harris from Peterborough
2nd prize GYS Welding Inverter
Mr. M. McDonald from Arbroath
3rd prize Cooper Pegler
Knapsack Sprayer Mr. L. Jermey
from Norfolk
www.spaldings.co.uk
www.rabi.org.uk
faRming people
OPICO has promoted David Day into
the new role of Maschio Product
Manager to support the sales and
marketing of the Italian manufacturers
power harrows, rotary cultivators,
drills, and flail mowers in the UK.
David is already well-known to many
machinery dealers and their customers
having worked for OPICO for the
past seven years as a sales territory
manager covering the south east and
then southern central area of the UK.
Prior to working for OPICO, David
gained practical experience working
on arable farms in the UK and
Australia, and worked for a machinery
dealer specialising in arable drills.
David adds: With my experiences to
date, Ive gained a good understanding
of soil types and farming practices
across some key arable areas. Now Im
looking forward to working with dealers
and farmers to grow the Maschio brand
across the whole of the UK.
David retains some of his territory
manager role and responsibilities,
and will continue to support dealers
in East Anglia.
For any Maschio enquiries,
David Day can be contacted
on 07860 335228 or email:
davd.day@opico.co.uk
neW product manager appointed to
support maschio machinery range
2012 brings a fresh start for
Northumberland based PR company,
Glendale Communications. The
company has taken on new clients
H&H Group PLC.
Barbara Huddart, Managing Director
of Glendale Communications, says,
Having been approached by H&H
Group PLC I feel it is time to take
on some new challenges and new
opportunities. We look forward to
working with H&H Group PLC this
year.
H&H Group PLC is made up of eight
successful operating companies
ranging from Financial Consultants
to Agricultural Auctioneers and
incorporates including H&H Land and
Property, Harrison & Hetherington,
H&H King, H&H Reeds Printers,
H&H Auction Rooms, H&H Motor
Auctions, H&H Insurance Brokers
and H&H Finance.
Glendale Communications
will continue to look after the
communications for Doddington
Diary Ice Cream, Doddington
Cheese, Sunny Hill Free Range
Eggs, Northumberland Monitor
Farm, Matfen Hall, Doxford Hall and
Eshott Hall.
www.glendalepr.co.uk
www.hhgroupplc.co.uk
neW year, neW clients For glendale communications
The Singing Farmers, who have
raised over 100,000 for charity
in the past 8 years, may soon be
singing their last tunes together.
On the eve of this years concerts
Chris Berry, who is one of the
six performers and the organiser,
believes that next year may see
the last of their concert tours that
have become part of the Spring
calendar.
All good things have to come to an
end sometime and we dont want to
get to the stage where we are not
wanted. Weve had eight good years
and in the next couple of weeks
we will once again be performing
four concerts throughout Yorkshire.
Wed like to go out with a bang next
year and as it will be our 10th year
we are hopeful that the shows will
all be sell-outs.
Getting us together back in 2003
when we started planning the first
concerts for the following year was
quite a challenge. None of us really
knew each other, but the Singing
Farmers troupe has developed into
a family all of its own. Tony, Ken,
Charles, Phillip, Lloyd and I have
thoroughly enjoyed entertaining our
audiences and we will all still be
performing as we do presently
separate from each other, but
there has been something really
special about bringing together the
rural community everywhere we
have played.
We were honoured last year by the
RABI for our efforts in raising funds
and that was most welcome, but
really were just six guys who want
to put smiles on our audiences
faces. Having said that the RABI
needs every help it can get to raise
awareness of its work and we are
delighted to play our small part in
what they do.
This years SINGING FARMERS
concerts are shown in the panel
below. If you would like to attend
there are still some tickets currently
available at three of the venues,
although the Kirkbymoorside concert
is sold out. If you would like to keep
in touch with any news regarding
the SINGING FARMERS you can do
so by sending an email to: chris@
chrisberry.tv or visiting Chris Berrys
Facebook page, which also has a
page for SINGING FARMERS.
and noW, the end is near!
the singing Farmers may Be coming to an end make the most oF them While you can!
upcominng
singing Farmers
concerts 2012
HoLMe on SPaLDing Moor
ViLLage HaLL
Friday 30 March starts 7.30pm
taDcaSter
riLeY SMitH HaLL
Sunday 1 April starts 2.30pm
Tickets 12 you can pay on
the door. If you are in time to
send a cheque please make it
payable to RABI and send details
of which concert you require
tickets for, plus a stamped
addressed envelope to: Singing
Farmers Tickets, 2 Elmete Croft,
Scholes, Leeds LS15 4BE.
HotLine nUMBer to check
on availability:
chris Berry 07855 992834
Ritchie
We are more inclined to treat our
cattle regularly and at the right time
of their development with our Ritchie
cattle handling system, as it is easy
and safe to use and the animals just
flow through it! says farmer Nick
Keenlyside. Nick handles his stock
monthly to assess weight gains
and health and the vet reckons his
Blonde/Angus suckler heard is one
of the healthiest in Northumberland.
The vets comments are most
welcome as Nick set out five years
ago to achieve a closed herd with
low disease status and the level of
stockmanship introduced is obviously
working.
North East Mason Farm is a 300
acre all grass farmstead. Grass
forage is used extensively to feed the
80 cow suckler herd, with some hay
being produced to feed a 26 horse/
on farm livery unit. Sheep graze
the fields during winter months on
a grass let tenancy arrangement,
which Nick believes benefits his
pastures.
Operating the farm with himself,
a full time worker who has been
with him for over 20 years and
a farm student, Nick was looking
for efficiency improvements in
stock handling and safety; and
whilst investigating American cattle
squeeze crate systems he came
across the Ritchie unit. A show
model on Ritchies stand at the
Highland Show in 2008 was exactly
what he was looking for.
Ritchies staff were all very helpful
when I asked them to view my site
and advise me on what I needed
as youd expect! comments
Nick. Id asked a number of other
manufacturers to help but they
werent as interested. The Ritchie
team were better than I had ever
hoped for!
Nick makes the point that the Ritchie
trombone cattle handling system
was not the cheapest, but you get
what you pay for and both Ritchie
and its products performance have
been absolutely brilliant.
With a farm apprentice (Askham
Bryant student) working alongside
him, Nick is very much aware of the
need for both staff and stock safety.
The college regularly carries out farm
inspections for student involvement
and Nick is pleased that the cattle
healthy stock happy Farmer
crush ticks all the boxes for improved
operator safety standards.
The various side and rear opening
gates allow the stockman to safely
handle the stock. Ritchies staff also
included additional improvements,
which Nick suggested, to the unit
once it was installed and fully
operational. Something Nick was
very impressed with.
In todays busy farming environment
Nick is confident that his Ritchie
squeeze crate will play a harmonious
tune from his trombone cattle-
handling system for many years to
come.
www.ritchie-d.co.uk
competition
For one issue only we are holding a competition to win
a 100 Years of Farming book by Lorna Jenner. For your
chance to win, answer the question below and send
your answer to simone@farmers-mart.co.uk by Monday
30th April.
What is the name of Willie Seels 38 consecutive
show winning bull?
Win 100 years oF Farming
kids corner
another issue, another hidden animal!
For your chance
to Win 50 Worth
oF m&s vouchers
Just ansWer
the FolloWing
Questions
1 How many years has
Northallerton Auction Mart been
running?
2 What breed of pigs does Anna
Longthorp Farm?
3 What was the name of Stephen
Dodsworths Champion winning
Jacob who won at Newark show
and Ryedale show last year?
Send your answers to
simone@farmers-mart.co.uk
by Monday 30th april.
congratulations to Harold Smith
of Carlecotes, Sheffield, who won
last issues M&S competition.
The correct answers were:
1 What model number is Massey
Fergusons new tractor? 7600
2 At which show were the
Cravens awarded 1st, 2nd and
3rd place at this years show?
Halifax Show
3 How old was Brindon Addy
when he first started working at
a butchers? 11 years old
50 m&s voucher competition
Somewhere inside this issue hides Bertie the Sheepdog.
For your chance to win a Case Puma 225 and a New
Holland T7060 model tractor supplied by Britains,
simply tell us which page you have spotted him on!
get all your entries in to simone@farmers-mart.co.uk
by Monday 30th april.
a Final congratulations
goes to BenJamin elgie
(age 5) Who Won our
last kids corner, sheila
Was Found on page 59.
contractorS gUiDe EARLY SPRING 2012
Chris Smith Agri Services
Specialising in:
- Min-Till, Combi-Drilling
- Ploughing using a 300 Horsepower Track Machine
- Combining using a Claas Lexion 570 with vario header
Tel (Mobile): 07734 443301
Sutton Farm, Sutton-on-Derwent, York
For Further inFormation please call
0777 4775031
Alan Fish Fencing
All Types of fencing
AvAilAble
If you would like to be included in our next Guide please contact Ben Walton on 01274 610101.
TEL: 07595 070 834 OR 01904 738 245
RICHARD BURNISTON & SON
AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS
ROUND & SQUARE BALING & WRAPPING SUGAR BEET DRILLING
6 ROW HOLMER TANKER BEET HARVESTER STUBBLE TO STUBBLE
DEUTZ FAHR TRACTORS & TELEHANDLERS
McHALE ROUND BALERS & WRAPPERS
MUCK SPREADER HIRE
16 TON MODELS FOR CHICKEN / COMPOST SPREADING UP TO 24 METRES
Also: 10 and 12 ton vertical beater models
SPREADING GANG AVAILABLE
Contact: Phil 07850 701448 or 01377 267253
Also: POTATO PLANTING AND LIFTING
TB Clappison Ltd, Cowlam Grange, Cowlam, Driffield
Tom Dirom
Tel: Tom on 07787 565298
Agricultural Contractors Ltd
240HP Tractor hire with driver, Ploughing, Maize Drilling,Trail forage harvesting,
Complete rear discharge muck spreading, Slurry injecting
Using all new up to date fuel efficient machinery
Quality work guaranteed!
C o v e r i n g a l l a r e a s o f
N o r t h & E a s t Yo r k s h i r e
HESSTON SQUARE BALING
MINI, MIDI, or BIG
GRASS TEDDING
AND RAKING
Moor Lane, Full Sutton, York, YO41 1HX
Tel: 01759 373062 / 01759 368563 (evening)
Fax: 01759 372929
Web: 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
TracTors, combines, Trailers,
Ploughs, ride on mowers,
hedge-cuTTers, sPreaders,
sPrayers, mowers, drills,
Telehandlers, rollers, discs
case ih - Manitou - Kverneland - Kubota
Mc hale - rau - richard Western - vicon
cousins - boMFord - PhiliP WatKins
main dealer

Farmers Mart - Early Spring 2012

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Farmers Mart - Early Spring 2012

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The NorThs Number oNe FarmiNg guide Issue 25 | Early Spring 2012

Now available with Bryce and Protech Post Driver

You might also like