The Farmers Mart Feb/Mar 2014 - Issue 32 | Page 44

NETHER SCALES FARM DW TOPPIN Ltd Agricultural Engineers Tractor and Machinery Suppliers Are pleased to be associated with Alan and to supply him with quality tractors, we wish him continued success with his business for the future. Green Lane Workshops, Langwathby, Penrith Cumbria CA10 1NB T: 01768 881770 WH FISHER & SON AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTOR “A superior contracting Service” Pleased to be associated with Alan Dickinson and we wish him all the best INTACK HOUSE, IVEGILL, CARLISLE, CUMBRIA CA4 0QF TELEPHONE MEMBER Penrith Auction Mart wish Alan and his team at Nether Hall Farm continued success David Crowden, and his team very much pride themselves in being “Farmers working for Farmers”. Weekly sales of prime cattle and sheep are held, together with fortnightly sales of store cattle. Seasonal sales of breeding cattle and sheep are held in the spring and autumn. Penrith & District Farmers' Mart LLP Agricultural Hall, Skirsgill, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 ODN Tel: [phone] E: [email protected] 44 Feb/Mar 2014 FarmersMart 07885 055 976 01697 476 373 the NFU West Riding county adviser. They also have one full-time employee and an apprentice. Alan has two brothers who live at Bampton and Canonbie and two sisters who farm at Newlands Valley, Keswick and Wray, near Lancaster. He’s also a parish councillor, and the bio-security officer for Skelton Show held the first week of July. ‘There are many younger more youthful farmers coming through’ His two years as county chairman has given Alan a taste of something different and while he is not bothered about taking things to any higher level he is certainly interested in being involved in future. “I’ve quite enjoyed the workings and politics. In a county like Cumbria where agriculture is one of the bigger industries, if there is an issue that affects farming the county chairman is asked to comment on everything in the media. I’ve been asked about such diverse stories as Chinese lanterns and flying barn doors (birds of prey)!” Alan also believes that both the NFU and farming in general are well-placed for the future with the number of younger faces around the livestock markets and NFU meetings. “At our NFU Cumbria annual general meeting just a month ago the average age was a good deal younger than the 58 that is often touted. If you go around the livestock markets that trend is mirrored there too. The industry is certainly not full of old men, there are many younger more youthful farmers coming through and that has to be good for agriculture.” To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk