• AUG / SEP 2021
MARR GRANGE FARM 57
YORKSHIRE BASED ACCOUNTANTS
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rackhamsaccountants . co . uk
A NEXT GENERATION ACCOUNTING FIRM
‘ Wishing the Hardcastle family continued success ’
Years of experience with the farming community
bred from them and kept the heifers , initially using AI from top class bulls . The herd now stands at around twenty-two , with nine cows plus followers and two stock bulls . The intention is to keep the herd that size for now , but the plan is to retire from the fish business in two years ’ time to concentrate on the shorthorn herd and to both expand the herd and do a lot more shows . Recent success was achieved in the 2020 North of England Beef Shorthorn society herd competition being overall winners of the small herd category . They had two cattle that were overall winners of all herd categories . Marr Grange Noble – a fifteen-month-old bull and Marr Grange Lucy a 3-year-old in calf cow . Marr Grange was the only farm to have 2 overall winners .
I asked Stuart the secret of his success . “ It starts with good breeding ; you have to be selective and use good cows . I have always bought well and had good foundation cattle , makes the job much easier . The care of the herd is next , they need good grass to graze on , good shelter is importantas well , I have built the barns myself , so they achieve maximum fresh
air and shade when needed . When it ’ s hot , they often all come and lie down in the barn . You have to maintain the herd health , we are in a high health scheme , all our cattle are tested for BVD , IBR and Johne ’ s disease . This means farmers can buy with complete confidence . It costs more but is worth it . We have their feet trimmed regularly as well as being regularly wormed .”
All the herd are halter trained and of great temperament , which stands them in good stead at both shows and sales . Sue does tend to get attached to them , as she brings them up and when they get big , she hands them over to Stuart . She is not a big fan of bulls though .
The quality of the herd is now at such a level they are now producing cattle mainly for breeding stock bulls and heifers . All the cattle sold to date have gone as breeding stock . They have sold through markets at society sales at Skipton and Carlisle as well as selling privately ex farm ..
The quality of the Marr Grange Shorthorn herd is well established and recognised and will no doubt go from strength to strength .
WE COVER SMALL FARMS , LARGE FARMS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
At NFU Mutual we offer tailored insurance and a local , personal service . We cover all farms – from sheep and livestock , to arable and horticulture .
To see how our policies and services can benefit your farming business , contact Howden Agency on 01430 430500 , email howden _ agency @ nfumutual . co . uk or search NFU Mutual farming .
E J Richardson & C A Patton is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited ( No . 111982 ).