The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2018 - Issue 57 | Page 49

PROSPECT FARM 49 • JUN/JUL 2018 73244 - Preston Steel Structures -16TH.pdf 1 12/06/2018 12:06:15 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Manufacturing & supplying Structural Steel for 25 years We are proud to be associated with the Houseman family of Prospect farm. Tel: [phone] Email: [email protected] www.prestonsteelstructures.co.uk Ryecroft, Newby, Clapham, Nr Lancaster, LA2 8JD 72999 - Colman Tyres of Otley - 16TH.pdf 1 06/06/2018 12:20:33 C M Y Colman Tyres OF OTLEY DEDICATED TO PUTTING YOUR NEEDS FIRST CM MY CY CMY K Proud Suppliers to the Houseman family at Prospect Farm Call us on 01943 466 626 Email [email protected] www.colmantyresotley.co.uk Nick has been on the sheep committee of Otley Show for many years and completed his three year stint as show president at this year’s show in May. He’s also previously been show chairman and vice chairman. ‘Otley Show is the first in Yorkshire’s agri- cultural show summer season and this year we had glorious weather. That’s not always the case. I always feel that for exhibitors to get livestock in tremendous condition by then is a real achievement and they do. I don’t show livestock but my grandmother Hilda House- man once won the butter classes.’ ‘ Julie has been in the catering business for 29 years and still goes at 120mph 23 hours a day ’ Farnley Estate YFC is another mainstay of the Houseman family. ‘I’ve been chairman and president as well as having been heavily involved as a member. Julie is a vice president and John was very involved too. It’s a fabulous movement.’ The Housemans’ latest challenge is how the rerouting of the A59 that is planned to scythe through their farmland will affect their land and farm enterprise at Hall Farm. ly. When the price goes down you just save on anything you can.’ One of the biggest pressures always faced by farms of any size regardless of a family farm or huge scale operation is the weather. Nick believes the past year’s inclement condi- tions have been unsurpassed in his career. ‘We had such an evil lambing time. It’s the worst I’ve had in 51 years and was relent- less. We’ve had it colder and wetter in short stints but what we had through until April and May from last August was just evil. We had the parlour freezing up while we were milking, we had rain when snow was on the ground. We couldn’t get a third cut of silage here last year or a second cut at Blubber- houses, which has meant increased cost in buying in maize silage.’ ‘We have 220 Swaledale ewes that we put to the Blue Faced Leicester tup producing Mule lambs and then a small flock of 60 Mule ewes. There are also 110 Mule hoggs we lamb and 70 we don’t, but age is taking over and I’ll be stopping with them in a few years as John hasn’t the same interest. He’s also busy enough with ensuring the rest of the farm runs smoothly. We sell the majority of our fat lambs at Wharfedale Mart but I took some to Skipton as stores during the last back end.’ ‘Julie has been in the catering business for 29 years and still goes at 120mph 23 hours a day. I couldn’t do what we do without her and how she manages everything is still beyond me, but she does.’ WE COVER SMALL FARMS, LARGE FARMS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN From sheep farmers to arable farmers. Flower growers to poultry farmers. We are the UK’s leading rural insurer with our Farm Select insurance. But we want more farms to benefit from our great cover and local service. That’s why we’ve introduced Farm Essentials insurance – designed to meet the needs of smaller farms. We pay 98% of all farming claims † As your local agent, I’m close by and can provide expert advice and hands-on support when you need it. Call the Boston Spa & Harrogate Agency on 01937 844869 NFU Mutual Office, The Coach House, 42 High Street, Boston Spa, LS23 6EA † 98% of farm insurance claims paid based on annual settled claims 2014 – 2016, excluding claims not pursued by the customer. Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited.