Vote for H Weatherhead in the Countryside Alliance Awards!

Carrs Billington customer R M Gray, supplies beef and lamb to the Best Butcher in the UK!

There were celebrations in the Weatherhead and Gray families when H Weatherhead and Son of Pateley Bridge were awarded the title Best Butcher in the UK and Ireland at the 2014 Countryside Alliance Awards, better known as the rural Oscars. Now they have been entered for the Champion of Champions award, where the public vote for one of the champions from the last ten years. Voting is open during November and the winners will be announced during February.

All details are on the Countryside Alliance website.

 
Robert Gray of Low Ling Park Farm has long supplied Weatherheads with beef and lamb from his 200 acre holding on the moors above Ilkley. The link between the businesses has become even closer for the last 14 years, since his daughter Sally married Andrew Weatherhead, having met whilst buying and selling at the local Wharfedale auction.

Andrew’s family has had the butcher’s shop since 1876 and is likely to continue for many more years with daughter Molly already taking an active interest at 6 years old, helping with the sheep on the farm and curing bacon in the shop! Indeed the business has expanded this summer with the opening of a new shop in Grassington on the 14th June, just in time for the Grassington Festival. The staff couldn’t fill the cabinets up quickly enough and business was also brisk when the Tour de France went past the end of the road!

Robert’s father came to Low Ling in the 1960s and today Robert manages the farm with his wife Jean, help from Sally during the week and extra assistance, when needed, from son Ed and daughter Lynne.

Robert says “One of the secrets to producing high quality meat is the lack of stress the livestock are placed under. The beef and lamb is all born and raised on the farm and the local abattoir is only 3 miles away so there is no bruising or stress from long distance travel.” There are 50 Limousin X Belgian Blue suckler cows which are also home reared and calve down at between 2 years 3 months and 2 years 6 months of age. A Limousin bull is used on the cows, currently one from the High Birks herd of Philip Summers. Robert’s looks for bulls with good length and shape, not too heavy boned and good temperament.

Cows calve all year round to generate a steady supply of beef for the shop. Calves suckle their dams during the summer and, although separated when housed, still suckle twice a day until weaned completely at 10 months of age. Creep feeding, with Carrs Billington’s Ambassador Beef diet, starts during the summer. After weaning the cattle are fed Ambassador and silage until they are finished at 15 months of age and 290-300kg deadweight.

One hundred Beltex x Swale ewes lamb in February and produce ¾ Beltex lambs for sale during the spring. In April 100 Swaledale and 70 1 -2 shear Beltex X Swale ewes lamb down and these lambs are finished steadily over the rest of the year. Carrs Billington Maze Lamb pellets are used to creep feed February lambs and finish off the later born lambs during the autumn and winter. As with the cattle, all ewes replacements are home reared.

Of the 200 acres on the farm 70 are owned and the rest rented, there are also grazing rights on the moor. Silage is made in early July, as dry as practically possible. Bulk is the main priority and Robert likes to have a good level of fibre to keep the cattle healthy. In a good year there may be some second cut taken and hay is made for the ewes. The farm is in an Entry Level Stewardship agreement and the Gray’s get much pleasure from the varied and numerous birdlife found on the farm, encouraged by their conservation practices.

The meat in the shop is sold as Sally Weatherhead’s beef and lamb. There is a very advanced storage facility at the shop, where use of UV light kills microbes and allows the meat to hang for a longer period, producing more tenderness and flavour. Typically meat can be hung for between 3 and 5 weeks depending upon customer requirements and preferences.

Customers come from far and wide, although the main catchment area is the Yorkshire Dales, customers come from London and Weatherhead’s meat has been taken around the world. The original nomination for the award came from somebody working in Afghanistan! Pies are a speciality and the business has received plaudits for the “Best Pies in Yorkshire”. Sally comments “Now the second shop has opened, there are 15 people employed in the business and we have been busier than ever since the horsemeat scandal, customers like to know what they are getting and where it has come from. There is strong demand for local produce reared in a sustainable way with very high welfare standards.” Weatherheads has Q Guild status which means higher than average standards have to be observed throughout the premises and received the award for best butcher in Yorkshire during 2013. This year’s award was the icing on the cake, with their “Rural Oscar being presented by Owen Paterson at the Houses of Parliament.

Wetherheads are still looking to take on new staff at Grassington, a skilled butcher and also an apprentice at both shops. If interested in applying send a cv to andrew.weatherhead927@btinternet.com

ANNAN OPEN NIGHT

A successful night at the official opening of our new Annan Country Store, with around 1000 farmers & visitors joining in with the celebrations. Farmers from all over South West Scotland and North West England saw a huge display of the latest farm machinery at the new complex.

The new store, which was built on a two and a half acre site on the outskirts of town, near A75 was officially opened by journalist Ken Fletcher, depute editor of the Scottish Farmer.

 “It is the start of a new era and a great day for the company and also for the area. There must have been many millions of pounds worth of machinery on display and we provided a hog roast and refreshments for around 1,000 people.”

(Ian Powley, Annan Country Store Manager)

EQUINE SQP OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to our Kendal team member, Domino Philips, who won “Equine SQP” of the year at the “Virbac 3D SQP awards at the HOYS last month. An SQP (Suitably Qualified Person) is someone who has undergone rigorous training and passed exams to enable them to offer advice based on the sound principles of worming management.

“We are delighted that Domino has been awarded the Equine SQP of the year. This is well deserved recognition for her hard work and dedication to the job and reflects the sound and professional advice she offers our customers.” 

(Paul Dinsdale, Kendal Country Store Manager)

50 YEARS OF SERVICE

We bid a fond farewell and good luck to Annan Machinery Manager David Douglas, who retired at the end of last month after 50 years of service for Carrs Billington, formally Bairds of Annan. David has been an integral member of the machinery department and has developed great relationships with both farmers and supplies throughout the years. His successor Derek Forster joins us from Scott JCB, Dumfries and has a good knowledge of the customers and machinery sales in South West Scotland.

“We would like to wish David & Isabelle all the best for the future and thank you for the last 50 years of service.” 

(Ian Gate, Machinery Director)

OVER THE COUNTER AWARDS 

Congratulations to Barry Bell on being Highly Commended for the “Agricultural Store Manager of the Year” award at the Over the Counter Awards 2014.  Barry has been part of the Carrs Billington team for over 20 years and manages Country Stores in Carlisle and Penrith.

The industry celebrated at the 10th OvertheCounter awards on the 22rd of October, at the famous and newly renovated Café Royal in central London. Compere Sean Sparling and Editor Catherine Paice were joined by David Kennard, renowned sheepdog trainer, author and entertainer, who has farmed at Borough Farm on the beautiful North Devon coast since 1992.

DON’T FORGET

We all know that when the “John Lewis” or the “Coca Cola Lorry ” adverts begin, then Christmas is not far off.

This year in our Country Stores, we are stocking a selection of DVDs, books and farming toys for those budding farmers to be. Including ranges from “Tractor Ted”, “Bruder” and “Siku”.

Pop in to your local Country Store for availability 

The exchange rate used to calculate the 2014 Single Farm Payment will be 77.73p per Euro. This is the lowest since 2007 and is 7% less than last year.

There has been uncertainty about the rates of Financial Discipline but an estimate of 1.3% is not unreasonable. If this was the case then the net payment for English lowland would be around £192/ha, £153/ha for SDA non moorland and £35/ha for moorland. In total this represents drops of between 9.6% and 10.3% on 2013.

Read more on GOV.UK

Whatever your requirements we’ve got all bases covered.
The latest maize varieties specifically selected for farms in the
Carrs Billington trading area for the 2015 season,
supplied by KWS – the UK’s No 1. maize breeder.

KASPIAN
• 93 – 100 % DM yield across all NIAB trials (2009: 100, 2010: 94, 2011: 93)
• Good early vigour on tough sites (2009: 7.6, 2010: 7.5, 2011: 8.2)
• Very high starch (2011: 35.6%) and ME content (2011: 11.5 MJ/Kg)
• Ideal shorter season hybrid especially for planting after an early cut of silage

SERGIO
• Above average yields for its maturity, similar plant type to Kaspian with
10% more DM yield (2011: 100, 2012: 104)
• Good early vigour (2011: 8.1, 2012: 7.6) for early or late drilling
• Above average starch (2011: 33.6%, 2012: 32.2%) and ME (2011: 11.2 MJ/Kg, 2012: 11.3 MJ/Kg) content

SEVERUS
• Very early hybrid giving outstanding yields for its maturity.
• Top DM yield in its class – across all NIAB trials (2010: 108, 2011: 113)
• Outstanding early vigour on all soil types (2010: 8.5, 2011: 8.7)
• Very high starch (2010: 40.3%, 2011: 39.6%) and ME content (2010: 11.8 MJ/Kg, 2011: 11.7 MJ/Kg)

Please contact your local Carrs Billington for more information.
Or call the
FREEPHONE Forage Line: – 0800 023 4416

Britain’s Sexiest Farmer 2014/15, could you fill these boots? The Original Muck Boot Company and Farmers Weekly are on the hunt again for Britain’s Sexiest Farmers.  One lovely lady and one charming chap will be awarded this accolade – winning two fantastic pairs of bespoke wellies and £100 worth of merchandise from The Original Muck Boot Company and, of course, lots of pub bragging rights! Nominate your friends, your family or even yourself and you could be in the running to take home this title.

Get involved  at www.fwi.co.uk/sexyfarmer #britainssexiestfarmer

Fertiliser prices rising, buy early for the best deals this winter.

World Oil Prices have dipped over recent weeks so why do Nitrogen prices continue to increase? There are three main reasons

1) Gas supplies remain tight because exporting nations such as Russia have limited export to Manufacturing Countries thus reducing production. Supply has been resumed but domestic use is a priority over manufacture and industry. Another example is Egypt who is a major producer of urea but has been diverting gas away from Industry & Production and towards other domestic use.

2) Over 100,000t of UK produced Nitrogen has been exported to Eastern Europe where the domestic market remains firm.

3) Currency Exchange; the GBP has been weakening against the US Dollar and the Euro over recent weeks and this makes imports of both raw materials and manufactured product considerably more expensive.

In summary, even with low crop prices around the world and lower milk prices fertiliser prices remain set to rise over the short term. There are still good deals available for delivery in December and deferred payment may be available on some products which could be beneficial.

Contact us today for a quote. 

Your Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory should be submitted on line or returned by December 31st. Remember to record the total number of animals on 1st December in you’re the Holding Register (SMR8)

On farm records (holding register)

All sheep and goat keepers are required to keep a record of the following information:

• your holding details
• tag replacements
• all sheep and goat movements on and off your holding
• date of identification and deaths
• annual count of animals on your holding as at 1 December each year
• individual records of sheep and goats born or identified after 31 December 2009

You can record numbers either manually or electronically.

You can have individual animal details recorded at approved central recording points, ie markets or abattoirs, instead of by keepers as the animals leave the holding. If you choose this option you must include the individual animal information in your holding register within 48 hours of the animals departing your holding.

You can keep the register on paper or electronically as a book, file or spreadsheet. You must record the information in the same format and order as in Defra’s downloadable register. You need a separate holding register for each different holding if you keep sheep and goats in different holdings.

Recording electronic identification numbers cross compliance (PDF, 90.5KB, 1 page) - Information on why a tolerance of incomplete EID tag numbers in holding registers is not currently permitted.

Information taken from www.gov.uk 

Some thoughts from Duncan Rose, Chief Technical Officer for Carrs Billington;

1) Grass silage is very variable but, in general, lower in energy and especially fermentable energy which will limit energy and protein supply to the cow from rumen fermentation.

2) On average wholecrop forage is pretty good this year with relatively high starch levels.

3) Maize silage is variable but in many cases the cobs and grain have been hard and less digestible when fed at the start, even where the maize was harvested early, green and wet! Some maize however is very dry with high starch levels which may ferment increasingly quickly as the winter progresses. Watch out for acidosis later in the winter, especially if large quantities are being fed.

4) Many cows looked well whilst on autumn grass but did lose condition which has to be made up. This is more difficult and takes longer on lower energy silages.

5) Cows respond to a change in nutrient supply. This autumn cows have been grazing high protein, high sugar grass that had a reasonable energy content. They have been housed onto some low sugar, lowish protein silage so the response has been lower milk yields. Milk ureas have dropped, milk quality has improved and there is more undigested fibre in the muck.

In such situations we may have to overfeed energy and protein for a short time until the rumen settles down, cows replace some lost condition and then start to milk better again.

Contact Carrs Billington for the best advice on balancing this year’s forage with our Complete Dairy Package of Products and Services.

After a gruelling 2500 km ice-journey, the Antarctica2 expedition team arrived with its MF 5610 tractor at the South Pole today. All are safe, well and in high spirits.

Immediately relaying the exciting news from the ice, the crew announced: “04.30 hours CET. This is December 9th, Camp 17. After 17 days and 2500 kilometres, we are at a red and white striped pole with a reflective ball on top, surrounded by flags. This is South 90 – as far South as anybody can go. It’s unbelievable – at the South Pole there is a red Massey Ferguson tractor! We’re all ecstatic to be here and so proud to be taking our hero shots with the tractor that never gave us cause to doubt that it would be up for the challenge. Thank you all for your support.”

The adventurous 2014 Antarctica2 mission aims to drive a Massey Ferguson MF 5610 agricultural tractor on a 5000 km round trip from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole. The quest echoes the achievement of explorer Sir Edmund Hillary who led the first mechanised expedition to the South Pole in 1958 using Ferguson TE20 tractors.

Not surprisingly, both the tractor and team were left battered and bruised by the hostile environment and ferocious surface conditions. Along the way, they tackled treacherous crevasse fields, steep climbs, punishing sastrugi (solid ice-waves as much as a metre high) and deep, soft snow. Crossing the Gabienz Mountains at 3400m altitude, temperatures plummeted to minus 56° C with wind chill. At one point a massive solar storm blacked out communications. However, man and machine rose to the many challenges, proving their resilience and reliability in this extreme environment.

(Taken from www.masseyferguson.co.uk)

www.AntarcticaTwo.com

For more information on the Massey Ferguson 5610 or other tractors please contact your local Carrs Billington Machinery Depot

Carlisle – Penrith – Annan – Hexham – Morpeth – Barnard Castle

Order half a tonne or more of

any of the

MEGASTART RANGE

and enter our competition

to win a

YAMAHA QUADBIKE

worth £5000.

For more information call (N.England & Scotland) 01228 518860 or (S.Engalnd & Wales) 01785 760535

or contact your local Country Store

CONTACT US TODAY!

1  Dry Matter Intake – aim for 11-12kg DM per cow per day

2 Diet presentation – ensure diet is well mixed and straw chopped to 2 inches (5cm)

3 Trough space- allow 0.9 – 1.0 m per head and 12m2 lying space

4 Length of dry period – aim for 6 – 8 weeks dry. Do not go below 6 weeks. 8 weeks if high Somatic Cell Count

5 Grouping – Ideally 2 groups – far off (8 – 3 weeks) and near calving (3 weeks pre calving). If only one group of dry cows, watch for poor intake and lower energy in pre calving cows.

6 Energy requirement – Far off group aim for 90 – 100MJ per cow per day

7 Energy requirement – Near calving group aim for 120MJ per cow per day

8 Forage – Minimise amount of grass silage! Feed some whole crop or maize silage if available plus 3-4kg straw.

9 Mineral balance – feed low calcium mineral. Beware of high potassium grass silage. If you are aiming for DCAB diet, it should be <200. In reality this is very difficult to achieve with grass silage in the diet. Remember it should be a transition diet. Adding 100g per head per day of magnesium chloride creates a partial DCAB and is usually sufficient.

10 Add 2-3kg extra concentrate 3 weeks pre calving. Ideally transform as minerals are included. Concentrate can be fed as a blend plus minerals. 40% of milking cow TMR plus straw 4kg also works but beware of mineral balance.

For more information or advice please contact our 

Ruminant Technical Manager, Jimmy Goldie on  07436 799569

We seem to be at a turning point in the raw material market, we’ve seen the end of a six month decline in cereal prices followed by quite a bounce. The bounce was caused by farmers storing grain rather than selling at very low prices, strong demand from the biofuels plants, possible winter weather issues in Eastern Europe and expectations of trade restrictions from Russia. The last few days have seen further volatility with prices now more than £25/t up from the lows.

US demand and strong exports have kept the soya market buoyant and prices could now go either way: if the US keeps exporting and ends up with low stocks later next year, prices could rise but plantings are good in South America and the Argentine government is encouraging it’s farmers to sell more soya. Strong demand for feed is likely to keep oilseed rape prices firm, distillers products from the biofuels producers look attractive at the moment but low forward ethanol prices could potentially result in temporary shut downs.

Retail sales of sugar beet have been less than expected so prices have not risen and although soya hulls are cheaper, the price difference is smaller than it has been for some time. Palm kernel looks attractively priced but, after a few months in the doldrums, reduced UK production has pushed the price of wheatfeed up.

With the way markets are, there seems little prospect of significant price changes as we go into the New Year. As things stand, the summer should see a reduction but it will not offset the fall in milk prices.

Taken from “Over the Counter” magazine.

Based in Carlisle, Barry Bell is branch manager for Carrs Billington’s Carlisle and Penrith country stores, and the Appleby feed store. Strongly rooted in the farming community, the stores are stocking new product lines to encourage non-farming customers as well.

Describe a typical day:

“As branch manager with responsibility for two branches and a feed store, my first task is to make sure all three are starting the day in good shape, that staff are well briefed and motivated, and that we are dealing with customer issues before embarking on farm calls, which I strongly encourage.

“We have a broad range of customers, from farmers to city dwellers, but the farming industry is central to the way we operate and market our stores and services.

“I believe in a very hands-on approach with customers, and encourage our SQPs and field sales force to keep up to date with the latest legislation and product knowledge, so we can provide the customers with the best advice possible.

“I try to lead by example, and we have regular staff discussions about how best to approach daily challenges.”

What’s hot, and why?

“It has been a strange back end to the season. The worming period has been extended because livestock were housed later than normal, so my SQPs have been very busy with worming programmes.

“In Carlisle, the clothing range is doing amazingly well. My retail team in that store has done an incredible job. I carried out a refurbishment there not long ago, and created a lot more floor space which has given us the opportunity to lift the profile of the store and attract more town/city dwellers. The clothing range has proved popular and has led to further products being introduced in store while still maintaining our farming brand”

And what’s not?

“Animal feed sales have been slower because the grass was still there for much longer, so cattle were not housed until relatively late. Now the first frosts have come, that is likely to change.

Favourite new product/innovation?

“There is quite a dramatic difference in customer base between the three stores. Carlisle has been really good for clothing, but there is more competition in Penrith, for example.

“We try to promote ourselves as a one-stop-shop but local knowledge is paramount – our staff need to, and do, know their customer base.”

Any marketing ideas that have taken off?

“As part of building up our Carlisle customer base, we carried out very successful local mailshots to bring in more non-farming customers. It brought in a lot of people who had previously thought that the store was only for farmers. Some were even asking whether they were allowed in!

“That has been good news not only for the clothing range, but also for pet wormers and feed, peanuts and fatballs etc for wild birds, and poultry feed.”

And any that have past people by?

“We haven’t managed to attract so many equine customers to the Carlisle store, I think mainly because there is strong local competition and we are just not associated with equine there.

“I only took over Penrith in June and I think our efforts will bear more fruit there.”

How do you increase profit margins?

“It is down to customer care and attention. Price is obviously important as well – we have still got to be competitive, but it is good customer care that gives us the edge.”

Worst business decision?

“I’m not telling!”

And your best?

One of the things I’ve done in trying to meet customer needs is open a couple of satellite stores. We run trading booths at local auction marts, which are staffed by SQPs and only open on auction days. This has taken our service to the customers, offering not only animal health products and advice, but also waterproof clothing, dog and cat food, and so on.”

How do you secure customer loyalty?

“This comes back to the professionalism of my team that I have working alongside me in all my stores and the good service they offer. My customers want to deal with my staff, because they share their interests and lifestyle.”

What do you think the future holds?

“The type of advice we give means that customers are coming to us for professional advice. They are not just coming in for a wormer, for example – they want to know what wormer they should be using, and how best to use it.”

Intuition or an MBA?

“Bearing in mind that I’ve not got a degree, intuition plays a very big part! But professional training is important. I encourage staff to develop their own training with a view to improving their knowledge and therefore their customer service. If a need is identified we do something about it. This benefits staff as much as customers.”

What your colleagues call you a pussycat or a tiger?

“It depends what day of the week or time of the day it is! I like to think I’m approachable, though, to all my staff.”

the ultimate nutrition for your sheep from Carrs Billington

The demand for quality protein rises quickly during late pregnancy, driven by rapidly growing lambs. Microbial protein, produced in the rumen, is not enough.

Quality DUP (digestible, undegradable protein) that bypasses the rumen from sources such as AminoMax is vital to ensure healthy lamb birth weights and good milk yields.

Concentrated DUP from AminoMax gives this nutrition, allows maximum space in our feed for energy and costs less per unit of DUP than hipro soya.

All Carrs Billington ewe feeds suitable for late pregnancy contain 150 iu of Vitamin E. This ensures your sheep get the nationally recommended level to increase lamb survival, vigour and build a strong immune system.

Overfeeding Magnesium during pregnancy means a greater risk of hypocalcaemia before lambing. Only Carrs Billington give you phased Magnesium inclusion in ewe feed; reduced levels during the winter, higher levels when it’s needed in the spring.

Specialist sheep nutritional advisors are available throughout our trading area to precision ration your ewes and balance home grown forage.

Contact your nearest Country Store for more details or customer services on 01228 518860

Please note, the Christmas and New Year Opening times for our Country Stores vary. Please contact your nearest store for more details. 

Our Customer Service Line is open until 12.30 today (Christmas Eve) and re-opens again on Monday 29th December – normal working hours resume.  They will be open on New Year’s Eve for limited hours and re-opened again on Friday 2nd January.

Apply by the 7th February for up to £5000 in funding.

Each application must be from a group of at least three farmers and the money used to investigate or trial a new idea, or method, of improving beef and sheep management and profitability. A maximum of £1000 can be used towards the cost of capital equipment.

An application form is attached and upto six farms will be selected during the spring. Successful applicants will be asked to provide reports and share their experiences via press articles and possibly farm events. Applications will be assessed on their value to English beef and sheep farmers and the level of monitoring and recording data.

Farm Innovation Grant Application Form   – EBLEX grants encourage innovation - www.eblex.org.uk

New agri-environmental programmes for England were launched recently by DEFRA. The old Environmental Stewardship agreements are to be replaced by Countryside Stewardship Schemes when they come to the end of their term.

There will be a Higher level, very similar to the current HLS agreements, which will focus on the highest priority sites and a Middle level covering wider areas. The current Entry Level Scheme will not be replaced. At least 5% to 10% of the farmland entered should be covered by CSS options for the new Higher level and between 3% and 5% for the Middle Tier; this is more than was usually needed in the past to qualify for ELS.

Middle Tier agreements will be open to anyone but applications are competitive and will be scored against certain national targets which have not yet been published. To help improve your chances of success look at options under the Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife package which is aimed at lowland farms; there is a strategy to increase the number of pollinators, especially on farmland, by means of creating and improving habitats for such insects. Water quality and biodiversity are important issues too.

Agreements will be for five years, although where more complex arrangements affecting wetland habitats and woodland are entered into, longer agreements many be considered. Applications can be made between June and September with agreements awarded during November and December. Start date will be 1st January.

When entering new CSS schemes be aware of double funding. If certain options are chosen which overlap with EFAs needed to satisfy your greening requirements for BPS arable land, then there will be reductions to your stewardship payment.

If you are not currently in ELS or entering CSS, you could apply for grants of up to £5000 under the Hedgerow and Boundaries Capital Grant. Apply between February and April. Water Capital Grants will be available in 2015 with funds of up to £10000 per application possible for measures which will reduce water pollution, apply during March and April.

For more information visit

 www.gov.uk

The frosty morning and cold winds have begun but so far in most places the weather has been mild for this time of the year. This wasn’t the case back in March 2013, when a severe snow storm hit most of Britain.

The unexpected  snow fall meant the loss of thousands of sheep and cattle for a lot of farmers including Gareth Wyn Jones, Hill Farmer on the Carneddau Mountains in North Wales.  Gareth, who was has been farming for over 30 years on his family farm, was among those farmers who were desperately trying to say their livestock by digging them out of the snow drifts, the only difference being, Gareth was being filmed (see video link below).

Since then, Gareth has used his unexpected fame to promote Welsh farming and local produce, something he is very passionate about. He has embraced the use of social media, especially Twitter with over 6000 followers, had a BBC television crew follow him and his family about for the series “The Hill Farmer” and released a book in his native Welsh.

In October this year, Gareth launched a new version of his book, “The Hill Farmer : Gareth Wyn Jones” in English, describing the highs and lows of being a Welsh farmer.  Carrs Billington are pleased to support Gareth, and his book is available to buy in a our Country Stores, with all proceeds going to a charity of Gareth’s choice.

click to follow Gareth on Twitter 

Spring Snow Disaster Video

A SUCCESSFUL open day was held at Carrs Billington in Malton.

The agricultural merchant moved its Country Store earlier this year to its current location in Horsemarket Road, opposite Cundall’s Auction Mart.

Activities included special offers, competitions, guess the weight of the sheep challenge and demonstrations. The successful estimate in the guess the weight of the sheep competition was 91.5kg, and the winner was rewarded with a £40 in voucher to spend in store.

A spokesman for the company said the firm had seen great support from the local community.

“The staff at Carrs Billington were extremely pleased with the turnout from customers and new faces alike,” he said. “Many customers enjoyed the social event which allowed them to catch up with Carrs Billington staff and other customers too.”

“The staff at Carrs Billington would like to thank all who attended for their support and wish them all the best for 2015,” added the spokesman.

Article taken from Gazette & Herald – www.gazetteherald.co.uk

Support the Newton Rigg Charity Auction

& receive extra help on your farm for a day?

The agricultural students at Newton Rigg College Penrith are doing a charity auction at Penrith Auction Mart, during the store cattle sale on Monday 19th January. Funds raised will go to the North West Air Ambulance. There will be 14 lots of students, sold in lots of 3-5 people to work on your farm/business for day. 

Student Auction Monday 19th January 2015

@ Penrith Auction. 

The First 6 teams…… 

1. Team Topside (Richard Greenbank and Matthew Powell); Good grafters, fit and strong.  Own sheep dogs – good at following instructions – (the dogs or the students?)  Full tractor licence – can drive anything (teacher mad). Good stockmanship, likeable, prepared for any job. Early risers. Clean. Ready for a good trade. 

2. The Cream of the Crop! (James, Dan, Lilly and Scott);  Great (Scott?) workers that see the jobs that need to be done. Good sheep and beef team. Tractor licenced. Full time farmers, born and bred: No pain-no gain. 4xbeef + 4xsheep = 8 good hands. Good shepherds, mint lambers. Will follow any good instruction, carefully.

3. “Jacks (and Jills) of all trades, Masters of None ” (Bradley Sutton, Hannah Storton, Ellen Elliot, Sam Blease, Tom Gorst); Local talent, smart, mainly A grade students. Heifers and bullocks.

4. “New Farmers Old Style” (Jack Bland, Jonny Higham, Will Holiday); Good sheep workers, hard working, good dairy experience. Keen. Experienced tractor drivers – licenced. All with good working dogs, fit and strong. Like an early start. Work well and respect all stock. Three good student for the price of one!

5. High Road Farmers. (Angela, Lauren, Laura, Phillipa); Reliable, hard working team of four. Over twelve years of lambing experience between them. Also able to milk and strong experience with beef and sheep. Multi-taskers.

6. Dangerous Dairy Dogs. (Oliver, Tom, Paul); Full tractor licences. Early milking, leaving plenty of time for tractor work.

6 more teams to follow……