WHEN Mark Crapper of New Grange Farm in Billingley near Barnsley was announced as having picked up the Silver Award as Beef Innovator of the Year his brother Matthew was quick to come up with a title for himself that wasn ’ t as wholesome , although it was funny . I ’ ll leave the family to tell you the wording but think of a female dog and you won ’ t be far wrong !

The fact is that it is a whole family affair with brothers Mark and Matt working together alongside their parents John and Sue on what is a farm of getting on for 900 acres with 700 acres combinable , which sees close to 1900 cattle finished each year and around 900 sheep .

‘ We ’ ve taken a step back and left it to Mark and Matthew ,’ says Sue , who has worked at Selby Mart for 31 years . She started the same day as auctioneer Chris Clubley on November 1 , 1989 .

‘ They now make their own decisions , but we all talk together especially first thing each morning when we sit down , have a cup of coffee and talk about what we are all doing , who wants to do what and who needs help with anything . John and I are happy to let them go forward because that ’ s the only way to learn these days , and we are here to help with anything .’

John was born at what was Grange Farm in the middle of the village in 1960 . His father Gerald Crapper had moved up from Thurnscoe .

‘ John ’ s dad was a big cattle man ,’ says Sue . ‘ It ’ s a shame he ’ s not here now to

see how the boys have grown into the farm and how we ’ ve expanded it . I ’ m sure he would have been very proud .’

The reason behind Mark picking up the award is that it is he who has main responsibility on the cattle and sheep side , with Matt more on the arable operation although all four get involved with everything .

‘ We ’ ve always been about cattle and sheep ,’ says Mark . ‘ We ’ re now pushing 1900 cattle throughput a year , that are all generally bought in at 20 months-plus to finish anywhere between six weeks to three months later dependent on the animal . We also purchase what we believe to be the best equipment both for the stock and the arable to make the farm more efficient . I ’ ve recently been

really impressed with the hydraulic cattle crush we have purchased from Wise Agriculture .’

‘ We buy stock out of several marts in the north including Penrith , Lancaster , Otley , Skipton and Selby . They are usually dairy bred or Angus cattle and we look for them to reach around 700-750 kilos liveweight , which should then achieve 400 kilos deadweight which is what the market is looking for . There ’ s no set rhyme or reason to why some achieve it and some don ’ t . Each beast is just ready when it is ready .’

Continued on page 56

LEEDS ROAD , OTLEY , LS21 3BD www . wharfedale-farmers . co . uk

We are pleased to be associated with the Crapper Family of New Grange Farm , Billingley , Nr Barnsley & we wish all of them continued success for the future .

ON-FARM SALES , LAND & PROPERTY SALES , VALUATIONS & CLAIMS CONDUCTED

T : ( 01943 ) 462172 E : wfam @ auctionmarts . com

Ian Smith FdSc FLAA ( Market Manager ) 07738 043771