The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2019 - Issue 63 | Page 57

CASTILES FARM 57
• JUN/JUL 2019
‘We now milk 200 and have moved
towards a New Zealand Holstein Friesian
cow through Livestock Improvement
Company genetics that is slightly smaller
but suits our land as it is better grazing,
longer lasting and has an average yield of
7500 litres without all of the other prob-
lems. We’re still in transition but it is going
well.’
‘ The cabins are kitted
out with memory
foam mattresses,
feather duvets and a
log burning stove
’
Sean now has a team of Stuart Clapham
as herdsman and a part-time lad called
Ricky. Colin is still involved too, but with-
out the pressures of years ago.
‘We don’t push the cows for productiv-
ity,’ says Sean. ‘And we’ve gone to block
calving in the autumn and block grazing.
We are also ploughing out fields to im-
prove the grasses.’
Milk goes to Arla on a Morrisons con-
tract for their branded Yorkshire Milk.
Sean and Joanne had dated in 6th form,
gone their separate ways, but had stayed
in touch. They married in 2011 and have
two sons Jacob and Rufus. Joanne works
in Leeds but has also set up a new venture
on the farm called The Little Seed Field. It’s
a glamping site with presently five octag-
onal cabins, two with en-suite bathrooms,
and had its first full year last year.
‘The plan is to try and contribute to the
overall business so that I can have a role
at home rather than being away from our
family,’ says Joanne. ‘Sean’s grandma used
to run a little Caravan Club site, and Sean
and Colin had talked about the possibil-
ity of log cabins. I was aware of a grant
scheme available for supporting women
in rural enterprise and we were fortunate
enough to be successful. The Little Seed
Field is predominantly glamping with a
small camp site also. The cabins are kitted
out with memory foam mattresses, feather
duvets and a log burning stove. They have
a panoramic view of Dallowgill Moor. We
had a great first year and have planning
permission for another 5 cabins. We’re also
looking at opening a little café in future.’
Colin won several NMR Milk Recording
Herd competitions and has three other
sons Matthew, Gary and Robert.