The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2018 - Issue 56 | Page 36

36 HALL FARM
APR/MAY 2018 • farmers-mart.co.uk
DIVERSIFICATION FOR LONGEVITY
MARK Coulman’s family have farmed at
hall farm in Eastoft,Lincolnshire for some
180 years. Mark is now 5th generation. His
father sold the farm to the British Airways
pension fund in 1969 as he happened to
know the agent for the Fund . They then
subsequently sold to the now owners St
Johns Colledge Cambridge. The farm has
always been mixed, Marks father had Aber-
deen Angus in the 80’s and 90’s going into
pigs in the 90’s.
The Coulman family are both diverse and
talented. Mark’s Wife Martha is a Registered
Nurse and Health Visitor and has a senior
position in the NHS. Martha’s daughter
Caitlin 23 graduated with a degree in Jour-
nalism, but enjoys being in the countryside
and caring for the animals much more so
and is now an integral part of the Farm, her
sister Amy 25 is a nurse. Mark’s children
Oliver 23 a Reading graduate loves farming
and currently works for JBS Global, Hannah
22 di a sociology dgree at leeds and works
part time on the farm as well as teaching,
Charlotte 20 the youngest is currently at
UCL.
Mark like many modern farmers picked
up valuable qualifications and knowl-
edge and experience before returning to
the family farm. He studied at Newcastle
University, following graduation worked for
Deloite’s in Cambridge on the agricultural
side then moved on to Farmplan software
for 5years.
In 1997 he took over the tenancy from
his father. However, Mark has continued to
use his considerable knowledge and skill
outside the farm doing valuable consultan-
cy work with JH Walter helping with grant
funding for farms and enjoys the job of
hard-working vice chairman of the Tennant
Farmers Association.
Today Hall farm has some 600 acres of
Arable currently growing Wheat, Rape and
sugar beet. Land is also let out for potato
production. They produce all their own
straw which is used for pigs. Recently the
farm has been extended to increase the
pig capacity and they now have 2000 pigs
on B and B for Ian Mosey whom they have
had a strong working relationship for the
past 6 years. The reason that it works well
is, Mark and his team are very committed
to animal welfare which suits the Mosey’s
as most of their production is for the high-
end supermarket market. The Mosey herd
is known for its quality so any pigs who,
become ill, are runts of the litter or bullied
etc are immediately put in separate pens
and given the opportunity to increase to
desired weight and looked after separately
then returned to the main herd when up to
weight or sent for kill.
Being a tenant farmer Mark has always
believed in diversification so as not rely
on single revenue streams, and with Brexit
looming large he feels the whole future and
shape of subsidies is in question.
Hall farm has already successfully diver-
sified previously as they established, devel-
oped and subsequently sold a cut flowers
and plants business.
As I set off on a stroll around the farm
with mark I was greeted two very cute
members of the small herd of Alpacas