The Farmers Mart Dec/Jan 2016 - Issue 43 | Page 48

Marsden Farms Ltd

Marsdens
Farms goes
from Strength
to Strength

HONLEY NFU OFFICE
IS PROUD TO BE
ASSOCIATED WITH
BEN MARSDEN OF
MARSDEN FARMS
Taking the time to offer you attentive,
personal, local service for your insurance,
pensions and investments.
Call 01484 664 119
for a quote or pop in
1st Floor Cowley House,
Queens Square Business Park,
Honley,
Holmfirth,
HD9 6QZ

»»It is always good to
catch up with the people
who have featured in FM. Ian
Wilkinson met up with Ben
Marsden of Marsden Farms,
whose farm we featured in 2013
and whom he has since met at
numerous shows.
Back in 2013, Ben had not
long converted from pigs to beef
going for the premier breed of
Aberdeen Angus. I recalled his
purchase of Rawburn Edith in
October 2012 for a then record
of 24,000 guineas. In 2013 she
already had delivered good
returns and has continued to
do so.
Ben’s plan then was
continually to grow the herd
which he did, going to well over
150 plus; however, Ben is not
only a good farmer, he is also a
good Yorkshire farmer and so is
“careful wi t’brass”! Joking apart,
he is as much a businessman
as a farmer and he became
increasingly aware that the
quality of the herd was the way
forward rather than numbers.

He told me, “If you’re not
careful you can end up working
much harder for very little extra
gain.” So he gave back his rented
land and reduced the herd
size which really has helped to
build on the quality rather than
quantity.
Ben has a modern approach
to farming and knows to the
penny what each animal costs
and its potential value. The main
thrust of the business is now
selling his breeding stock and
to keep the best of animals,
not only requires a good eye
for stock but also the right
feed mix coupled with a good
environment. He has bought
in embryos to help breeding
for the commercial Bull market
and he will always flush his
best heifers. Ever keen to
experiment, Ben now beds his
main stock on silica sand rather
than the traditional straw which
proves easier to manage , keeps
the animals much cleaner their
feet right and apparently more
content.

LOWER YOUR VET BILLS

WITH WASHED SILICA SAND CUBICLE BEDDING

* Helps to eradicate mastitis problems and
lowers your milk count
* Equestrian sand also available
Proud Suppliers to Ben Marsden

Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited.
For security and training purposes calls may be recorded and monitored.

48 Dec/Jan 2016 www.farmers-mart.co.uk

Ian W Bentley Bulk Transport Ltd
Tel [phone]