county farms winter 2013 newsletter

Dorset County Council
County Farms Newsletter
Winter 2013
Welcome to the Winter 2013 edition of
the County Farms Estate newsletter.
THE BRITISH FARMING AWARDS
CONGRATULATIONS TO JONATHAN STANLEY FOR WINNING THE
NEW ENTRANT AWARD
It seems that County Farms are again
coming into the public spotlight.
Recently BBC1’s Countryfile
programme highlighted the national
Estate, whilst our Estate was the
subject of a very positive article in the
December issue of the Dorset Life
Magazine. County Farms also feature
strongly in Defra’s Future of Farming
review. The review looks at future
requirements of the industry and how
to promote agriculture as a career
choice for young people.
Once again we must congratulate
tenants on the Estate for successes in
various competitions. This time it is
Jon Stanley and Kevin and
Ed Goodfellow. Although these
tenants have deservedly won national
accolade, congratulations must go to
you all in surviving what has been one
of the most difficult 18 months in
agriculture in living memory.
Finally as Christmas draws near I
hope that you all can spend some time
with family and friends over the festive
period. On behalf of the Rural Practice
Team I wish you and your families a
very merry Christmas and a happy
and peaceful new year.
Ben Lancaster
Senior Land Agent
(Team Leader)
Pictured are (left to right): Emma Penny, editor of Farmers Guardian,
Jonathan Stanley and Steve McLean, head of agriculture and fisheries at awards
Sponsor, Marks and Spencer
Dorset County Council tenant Jonathan Stanley won the New Entrant Against the Odds Award at the recent British Farming Awards, held in
Worcester and organised by Farmers Guardian, Dairy Farmer and Arable
Farming publications.
The award, sponsored by Marks and Spencer, was to recognise farming’s
new entrants who have overcome challenges to set up a successful
business. In its article about Jonathan, Farmers Guardian said:
“If there is one quality Jonathan Stanley has in abundance it is resilience.
The new entrant has had his fair share of bad luck and tough times to get
to where he is today, but the Yorkshire-born farmer still manages to
possess a good sense of humour and the determination to carry on.
Jonathan does have a tangible link with farming but his farming enterprise
is the result of his own ambition which stemmed from his upbringing.
All in the
Rural Practice
Team
would like to
wish you a
Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year
Although growing up on the family farm, his parents were forced to cease
farming in 1980 following the death of his grandfather with whom they
farmed in partnership with and a subsequent battle with the landlord who,
in short, wanted them off the land.
But Jonathan continued milking on the local estate and worked on local
farms until he decided to attend Harper Adams to study agriculture.
More farm experience followed, as did several job roles in the industry,
until he landed a job at the Food Standards Agency as a dairy inspector, a
post he held for 11 years.
Front cover photograph by Kevin Westmancott
Enabling communities in Dorset to thrive, now and for the future
Continued over…….
Jonathan, 39, says: “While I worked I always wanted to farm on my own and so I applied for any opportunity I could
until I was successful.”
And apply he did, not just for various county council tenancies in
Somerset, where he then lived with his wife Clea, but also advertising
privately for a starter dairy farm.
After a number of setbacks they finally won a 10-year FBT tenancy in
2011 for a 108-acre Dorset County Council starter dairy farm and with a
sound business plan in place, Jonathan bought 80 pedigree Jersey
cows of varying ages.
But challenges soon set in and unexpected costs and circumstances
halted the progress of the farm in its first year.
A deteriorating parlour prompted huge repair bills, a broken dirty water
pump and the complete destruction of 25 acres of reseeding grassland
following the issues with contractors, all feature in the mix.
He says: “We had a belly full and things we have done in good faith had
gone against us. Clea fell ill and we had a young child to look after and
it was just getting more difficult. Then we got hit by TB and lost
26 animals.”
It was a major blow to a very young business, not least because Defra
changed the movement rules two days before the farm was tested which
prevented any stock from being bought in.
While currently being TB-free, the cattle have tested clear in the last two
tests and will be tested again before Christmas. Jonathan is now
rearing as many replacements as possible in case of further outbreak
and plans to have surplus stock to sell.
While his yearly projections are inevitably down, according to the Kingshay Jersey costing service, the farm boasts
the second highest margin per litre of 28.62ppl compared with the national average of 22.02ppl. It is also the highest
milk from forage at 58 per cent, compared with an average of 33 per cent. A yield just short of 6,000 litres at 5.4%
butterfat and 3.84% protein.
The 100-strong herd will increase to 115 by next Spring thanks to homebred heifers now entering the system.
Looking forward, Jonathan has recently acquired a further 12 acres of land to continue growing forage, but would like
to secure more land so more replacements can be reared. The plan is to increase numbers to 130 pedigree cows
and youngstock.
(Photograph and editorial kindly provided by Emma Penny, Farmers Guardian)
GOLD AND BRONZE FOR ED AND KEVIN IN THE NATIONAL
HEDGELAYING CHAMPIONSHIP
TRADITIONAL Dorset skills have not only
been recognised but will be preserved and
formalised for future generations.
And that is thanks to a dedicated group of
West Dorset hedgelayers. For the first time
a Dorset class was included in the 35th
national hedgelaying championships held
on Lord and Lady Rothschild’s land at
Waddesdon Manor in
Buckingham.
Getting the recognition was thanks to the
commitment and lobbying of West Dorset
hedgers, led by Tim Frampton, Russell
Woodham, Nigel Dowding and
Kevin Goodfellow.
Pictured from left to right: Russell Woodham (2nd), Ed Goodfellow (1st) and
Kevin Goodfellow (3rd)
They are all members of the Melplash
Agricultural Society who organise, judge
and compete in the society’s annual
hedgelaying match.
They run training sessions throughout the year to teach people the Dorset-way of hedgelaying and also run a free
training day for novices prior to the society’s annual competition to encourage new and young hedgers to take up
the skill and learn how to lay a hedge the Dorset-way.
As a result the numbers of competitors competing each year in the match is on the increase, as is the interest in
the Dorset style. There were more than 100 hedgers from all parts of the country competing at the National
Hedgelaying Championship. The counties represented were the Midlands, Wales, Derbyshire, Lancashire,
Wiltshire and Hampshire, West Moorland, Yorkshire, North Somerset, Devon and this year Dorset. Each hedger
had to lay a hedge of 10m in length made up of 90 percent maple and 10 percent hawthorn.
The Dorset class had six entrants: Chris Claxton, Russell Woodham, Ed Goodfellow, Kevin Goodfellow,
Tim Frampton and, Malcolm Dowling. The judges were Kevon Rendell, Henry Selway and the Steward
Jon tockwell from Yarcombe, Devon.
The Dorset winners were, first Ed Goodfellow, second Russell Woodham and third Kevin Goodfellow. Judge
Mr Rendell said: “The Dorset-style hedgelaying which uses no crooks, no string or wire caused a lot of interest
and many questions were asked about the system and the style.”
Mr Rendell has now agreed with the National Hedgelaying Society to champion the style and will be arranging a
meeting in April next year for any interested parties to discuss and formalise the Dorset hedgelaying style for
perpetuity.
Anyone interested should contact Kevin Rendell on 01308 862538.
Editorial Courtesy of Rene Gerryts, Bridport and Lyme Regis News
GENERAL ESTATE UPDATE
As you may be aware we have now sold Thurnwood Dairy Farm and the remaining land has been amalgamated
with the neighbouring holding.
In 1954 The County Council took the lease of 600 acres of land in the Purbecks. After many years of negotiation the
County Council has now agreed terms to surrender the majority of this lease back to the Scott Estate. It is on this
basis that we bid a fond farewell to Rodney Parker, Phillip Green, David Dicker and Kevin Hobbs and wish them
continuing success with their new landlords. Keith Bower and Michael Murray remain as our tenants at Verneys and
Greyseeds Farm.
WIND AND RAIN PERSIST BUT CANNOT DAMPEN SPIRITS
AT THIS YEAR’S FARM WALK
On a wet September morning in a big barn at Shortwood Farm, Buckland Newton we held this year’s farm walk. It
was originally planned to be held in Richard and Wendy Ford’s beautifully kept garden where vegetables and
flowers grow happily side by side but with the forecast of bad weather we had a quick rethink and it was held in
the cubicle house where Richard and son Tim had prepared an area for the tables and some hay bales were
strategically placed to rest one’s weary feet!
It was nice to see so many tenants who travelled from various parts of Dorset. We like to hold our farm walk
annually as a get together for tenants, the county farms team, councillors and guest speakers. From an admin
point of view, it is lovely to put faces to names and to spend some informal time talking with our tenants, we feel
this makes for a better working relationship.
Ben Lancaster welcomed everyone, especially Debbie Ward, our new Chief Executive at Dorset County Council.
Ben invited all to enjoy the buffet, look at the photographs of Shortwood Farm before and after works were carried
out, and to help themselves to leaflets from Dorset Police who have launched a new initiative to prevent theft on
farms. Ben also thanked Richard and Wendy for hosting the event and their generous contribution of cider and
soft drinks which they kindly provided.
Ben introduced Katy Fox, who is an adviser with the Tenant Farmers Association. Katy and her husband William
are one of Hampshire County Council’s farm tenants, and William is the TFA South East Regional Vice Chairman.
The TFA is an
organisation dedicated to the agricultural sector and is the authentic voice on behalf of tenant farmers. The TFA
seeks to support and adhere to the landlord/tenant system. Katy gave a balanced talk from the perspective of her
professional role as well as from the tenant side. Katy also answered a number of questions which were asked.
Rupert Lloyd, Dorset County Council’s Climate Change Adaptation Officer funded by the National Lottery gave a
talk about the CLS project (Climate Living Sustainability Initiative) and the work that he is involved in with farmers
in the Bridport and Dorchester areas. Dorset Community Action is leading a local partnership facing a whole host
of environmental challenges due to the mix of rural communities, high levels of farmland and coastal fisheries.
Rupert explained that one in four residents in Dorset are over 65 years of age, many of whom can be particularly
isolated as well as being vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather and at risk of falling into food and fuel
poverty.
Debbie Ward said that this event was a ‘first’ for her. In Debbie’s blog at the end of the week – for all DCC staff to
read – she said that she very much enjoyed the event and the chance of meeting farmers and their families who
live on the county farm estate. She had learnt a little about starter farms and the income generated, and also the
contribution to our rural economy and the quality of our environment. It was much appreciated that Debbie found
time in her diary to attend.
Councillor Hilary Cox ended the proceedings and thanked all for attending. The rain hammered down on the farm
building roof, which was unfortunate as the walk and tractor ride around the farm had to be cancelled, but
everything else went to plan, was well supported and that’s all we could wish for. Thank you to all tenants who
attended and supported the event and let’s hope the weather will be a little kinder next year.
By Carole Knight
Improving the quality of life for people in Dorset, now and for the future
The County Farm Estate is featured in the December issue of Dorset Life magazine. The author of the feature,
Mr Harry Bucknall, shares his experiences of his research with us.
REFLECTIONS ON THE DORSET COUNTY ESTATE BY by Harry Bucknall
In a diverse year that has seen me, courtesy of my next book, spend
more time than normal at home here on the top outside Blandford,
I have found myself being sent on assignment the length and breadth
of our great County – in the footsteps of Daniel Defoe, interviewing
artists, top eventers and even learning to love spiders. Strange then
that amongst all this I should be asked to write about the Dorset
County Estate; given the wide green open spaces, otherwise known
as farmland, which we all enjoy and take for granted living in this
great part of the country. People surely would be writing about it all
the time, I reasoned; evidently not.
And here’s the thing, of all that I have written this year, the Dorset Life
article was the one that folk mentioned to me more than any
other - why so, I wondered?
Harry Bucknall
In the 19th century agriculture was the principal industry in the County. With improved farming methods, fewer and
fewer of us are involved with the land and indeed today, Dorset’s principal employment sector is now the banking
operations based in Poole and Bournemouth. So, the green spaces I mentioned are just places that people speed
through on their way to work these days. They have little or no understanding of the enormous amount of effort that
goes into managing, maintaining and keeping the County Estate in profit which, amid the economic mayhem of the
last six years, is a success story that Dorset can justly be proud of.
The moment I called the Estate Office I was immensely impressed at the efficient, understated and wholly
professional manner the operation was run, at every level; from meeting the champion of the cause, the
indomitable Councillor Hillary Cox to dealings with the ever diligent Ben Lancaster and his welcoming team to going
out on the ground to meet the tenants responsible for the actual running of the various farms and outlets. I felt
privileged to be associated with what was clearly a well-run and highly motivated team.
And within that team there are of course mini-teams, by which I refer to the all-important families who run the farms
themselves, without whose tireless efforts, we might as well pack up and live off vitamin pills for the rest of our days.
Brave people who have done the sums, raised the capital and taken the enormous leap of faith to go into farming
and, contrary to the wide held belief that it is not possible, made a success of it. Not overlooking the enormous
benefit to the wider community too, from jobs to investment in the land or education. And here, I would like to pay
tribute to a very special place that I was not able to write about in my article - Holtwood Community Farm outside
Wimborne, run by the great Nigel Pritchard and his team of volunteers who work so selflessly on behalf of those
with learning difficulties and other disabilities. To see at first hand the great joy and purpose those thirteen acres
bring to so many less fortunate than the rest of us was humbling Indeed.
There is no other way of life I can think of that can consume a whole family nor one that has to operate year round
other than farming. It takes a special kind of person. It is you, our hard-working farming community, the champions
of fresh food, who are the unsung heroes of this county – I salute you and wish you a very Merry Christmas and all
good fortune for 2014!
The Rural Practice Team
Email: countyfarms@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Ben Lancaster
Senior Land Agent (Team Leader)
01305 221952 B.lancaster@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Team Leader and Estate policy
Responsible for the management of the Estate
including routine building repairs
Jenny Stubbs
Project Support Officer (Rural)
01305 221948 j.stubbs@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Administrative support
Neil McWilliam
Senior Land Agent
01305 221953 n.a.mcwilliam@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Responsible for capital re-investment
Carole Knight
Estate Assistant
01305 221942 carole.knight@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Administrative support