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EDITOR ’ S INTRO
Welcome to the Aug / Sept issue of The Farmers Mart , we are still playing catch up on our publishing times due to the current situation . Many businesses are now bringing people back to work full time . Farmers , whilst keeping a watch on COVID-19 , are now wrestling with the challenge of the great British weather .
IN this issue read about another business that has had to drastically adapt earlier than planned and embrace the online marketplace . Lake District Farmers have done an amazing job . As a business they focus heavily on both animal welfare and breed conservation . As a first , once you have read the feature on Lake District Farmers you can then move on to read about one of their prime breed conservation farmers , Robin and Andrew Mackay of High Hurst Farm on page 46 .
Read about Andrew Walker and Kyle O ’ Connell of Magson House farm in the Calder Valley who produce some of the finest haylage money can buy .
This issue sees the beginning of our focus and celebration of women in agriculture . Both Robin Mackay of High Hurst Farm and Heather Whittaker of Coley Walks Farm have really built something significant from scratch .
Farmers Mart is looking to write features on women in the farming industry from new ventures to well established farms and businesses , so do contact us if you know one of the many women blazing the agricultural trail . I am also keen to focus on the many female graduates leaving college and starting farming . I know there are a lot of young female farmers achieving fantastic results at college and afterwards .
Chris Berry has been to see Andrew Moll who is a partner at Wictsun Vets in Market Weighton . The group have just had built a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital . An amazing building which must be one of the best in the UK .
Diversification is often at the forefront of farms securing a successful future . Chris has been to see the Fosters of Field House Farm , Sewerby near Bridlington , who combine arable farming with superb holiday cottages and also Robert and Hannah Scaling of Cliff Farm , Sinnington on the edge of North Yorkshire who have arable and beef as well as a choice of a caravan site , glamping or holiday homes .
Do enjoy the many interesting features in the magazine and hopefully by our November issue life will be closer to normal once again .
Ian Wilkinson , Owner
AUG / SEP 2020 • farmers-mart . co . uk
Cross-sector support for Low Carbon Agriculture Show
LOW Carbon Agriculture Show ( LCA ) has attracted cross-sector backing since announcing its launch in June this year , with global sustainable farming organisation , LEAF ( Linking Environment And Farming ) coming on board as the latest event supporter .
Taking place on 9-10 March 2021 at the National Agriculture and Exhibition Centre ( NAEC ), Stoneleigh and held in association with the NFU and its founding partner , Energy Now , Low Carbon Agriculture has also attracted support from a host of organisations , including Fram Farmers , Woldmarsh Producers , British Hydropower Association ( BHA ), Ground Source Heat Pump Association ( GSHPA ), Bioenergy consultants , the NNFCC , Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership ( LowCVP ), and Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association ( ADBA ).
Experts from each organisation will be speaking in the event ’ s multi-streamed conference , including Caroline Drummond MBE , LEAF chief executive , who will also be presenting in LCA ’ s first Digital Insights webinar , on 16th September , to discuss ‘ Reaching Net Zero in Agriculture ’, alongside Dr Jonathan Scurlock , chief advisor , renewable energy and climate change , for the NFU and David Jacobmeyer , Low Carbon Agriculture show organiser . This session is part of a series of topical webinars taking place on the run up to the show .
Caroline Drummond MBE , is positive about the partnership between LEAF and LCA . “ LEAF is delighted to support Low Carbon Agriculture Show and looks forward to taking part in both the event and its ‘ Digital Insights ’ webinar series , helping to create a sustainable future in farming , at
a key time of transition in British agriculture . LEAF works to inspire farming that ’ s prosperous , enriches the environment and engages local communities , and Low Carbon Agriculture is very much in line with our Integrated Farm Management ( IFM ) principles .”
David Jacobmeyer , show organiser , said that the interest he has seen in the event so far has been unprecedented . “ We are attracting more industry support and have had a lot of interest in our first Digital Insights seminar in September . The agricultural industry is going through huge changes and we hope that our event will help farmers and rural businesses to make informed choices for a sustainable future .”
Formerly Energy and Rural Business Show , the event has rebranded , relocated and reasserted its focus to ensure that practical solutions to tackling climate change through the generation of renewable energy , the implementation of low carbon initiatives and best practice in both environmental and carbon management , take centre stage .
To register for Low Carbon Agriculture Show ’ s Digital Insights , visit https :// lowcarbonagricultureshow . co . uk / lca-digital / and to find out more about the event , visit www . lowcarbonagricultureshow . co . uk .
ISSUE 70 • AUG / SEP 2020
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