The Farmers Mart Dec-Jan 2019 - Issue 60 | Page 58

58 HIGH SNAPE FARM Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart Ltd LEEDS ROAD, OTLEY, LS21 3BD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - We are pleased to be associated with WD Douthwaite & Partners of Kirkby Overblow and wish them continued success for the future - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MONDAYS (Weekly) Primestock Sale FRIDAYS (Fortnightly) Store/Breeding Stock, Dairy & Calves WEDNESDAYS (Mar & Nov) Catalogue Sales of Beswick, BFA, China & Collectables THURSDAYS (Aug - Nov) Special Sales of Breeding & Store Sheep SATURDAYS (Monthly) Collective Sales of Machinery and Fur/Feather - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ON-FARM SALES, LAND & PROPERTY SALES, VALUATIONS AND CLAIMS CONDUCTED - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tel: [phone] Email: [email protected] Ian Smith FdSc FLAA (Market Manager) 07738 043771 www.wharfedale-farmers.co.uk DEC/JAN 2019 • farmers-mart.co.uk blow growing wheat, barley and oilseed rape but it is mainly a sheep concern throughout of 515+ acres. James runs an agricultural contracting business on with baling and such as lifting potatoes and w also have a livery yard.’ ‘I’ve always been a sheep man. We used to milk Holstein Friesian cows but went out of them in 2001 as they were making no money and were never my thing. I remem- ber dad used to take me out of school at lambing time and I never minded it a bit.’ ‘We buy in 60-70 Swaledale gimmers as replacements from the historic Fadmoor sale in the North York Moors, Dalesbreds from Bentham and replenish our Blue Faced Leicester tups. We also have a small EXPERT ADVICE FOR YOUR FARM BUSINESS Farming insurance solutions and advice that puts your business first. Visit jelf.com to find out more or get in contact: 01423 522 431/[email protected] flock of around 10 Teeswater ewes to produce tups. The 300 Swaledale ewes and 100 Dalesbred ewes are put to the Blue Faced Leicesters and Teeswaters respec- tively creating the Mules and Mashams.’ ‘We have around 350 Mules and Mashams both on our higher ground at Menwith Hill and on the lower land here at Kirkby Overblow, so we’re lambing over 1000 ewes with the lowland crop starting to lamb from he middle of March before moving on to lamb at Menwith. Mules and Mashams that are not sold to other breeders are put to the Suffolk and Texel to provide for the butchers’ lamb market. We’re finding the Suffolks are doing better at the moment as they are growing quick- er, longer and heavier. A few years ago if you took lambs to market without a white head butchers didn’t want to know, but it is changing.’ Chris and Alan move the Mule and Mash- am gimmers down to Kirkby Overblow and let them run on as shearlings keeping some as replacements for the lowland flock with the surplus sold on. Some of their best gimmers are sold for breeding. Chris has always liked the Masham breed. ‘I personally prefer he look of the Mash- am to Mules and when they are done well they are brilliant, but we’ve had to go more towards Mule production because that’s the commercial money end of the busi- ness. That doesn’t mean the Masham isn’t commercially viable because it is, but just in smaller numbers.’ ‘We sell the Mashams as shearlings at Wharfedale Farmers Mart in Otley where the Masham Sheep Breeders Association Annual Shearling Sale is held with a lot ending up going down south. The stock we DEDICATED TO DELIVERING A FIRST CLASS SERVICE Specialists in Accounting, Auditing and Taxation Services Whatever your needs, we can help the barker partnership are proud to be associated with WD Douthwaite & Partners Andrew Taylor Thirsk Office Tel: [phone] Stephen Kay Ripon Office Tel: [phone] Stuart Strike Pateley Bridge Office Tel: [phone] David Thomas Harrogate Office Tel: [phone] www.barkerpartnership.co.uk Fiona Wilkinson Leyburn Office Tel: [phone]