The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2019 - Issue 62 | Page 60

60 CROFTBANK FARM APR/MAY 2019 • farmers-mart.co.uk RED POLLS AND FARM SHOP ADD TO LAND ROVER SUCCESS AT WESTWOODSIDE Chris Berry talks with Gerrad & Verita Farmer at Croftbank Farm. WHEN Gerrad Farmer – probably the farm- er with the most apt agricultural surname ever – fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2004 by renting 15 acres and starting his fledgling herd of Red Poll cattle, at what is now Croft- bank Farm and home of the Farmers Farm Shop and café/restaurant, he didn’t take long in establishing a reputation for stock at Westwoodside between Doncaster and Scunthorpe; just down the road from his already successful independent Land Rover Garage, Maltings Off Road run in partnership with Andrew Smallwood. ‘I’d been looking at both the Red Polls and Herefords,’ say Gerrad. ‘The Red Poll fieldswoman at the time, the sadly now passed but wonderful Diana Flack, was quite persuasive and recognised a vulner- able new cattleman when she saw one! I’m quite a traditionalist and would always ELECTRICAL SERVICES COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL & DOMESTIC INSTALLERS Proud to be working with Gerrad Farmer & wish him continued success 07879 285192 // 07768 467814 // 01427 753072 Email // [email protected] support native breeds rather than conti- nentals which is why we also now have a herd of Aberdeen Angus. I also like having something a bit different and the Red Poll’s provenance, aesthetically pleasing look and colour, low maintenance, easy calving and production rate of grass to meat make them ideal for me. I bought nine Red Poll cows to start the herd.’ Gerrad wasted little time in fulfilling another livestock ambition when he started showing his cattle in 2006 and with amazing results. ‘Looking back I really had no idea what I’d let myself in for when I entered my bull Captain Kirk into the Royal Show. I’d halter trained him and thought showing was sim- ple but I was very wrong. Fortunately, I met Tony Barrett who looks after the Queen’s Red Polls who gave me some useful point- ers. Captain Kirk was Supreme Champion.