The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2020 - Issue 69 | Page 46

46 THORNGARTH HOME FARM JUN/JUL 2020 • farmers-mart.co.uk and Twitter. Social media is used to promote the farm, the milk vending and the cheese. ‘We’re looking for a smaller volume of milk produced per cow that is high in butterfat and protein content. We get that by giving every cow the right care and attention.’ It is a flying herd with heifers bought-in each year as replacements rather than breeding their own. Years ago David would have bred for replacements. Milking is twice daily at 5am and 5pm. ‘We believe we have an excellent story. We have zero food miles. Our milk goes 5 metres to the cheese building and still doesn’t have more than nine miles to go if it is destined for Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes. Our milk processed here on the farm is all natural. We only produce pasteurised milk. It is lovely and creamy. And we are 100 per cent traceable.’ The Spences are also involved in an HLS scheme and woodland regeneration. Old Roan is an artisan cheese using unpasteurised milk. It is clothbound and ages in a maturing room for 3-4 months. ‘When we decided to start making cheese we approached Wensleydale Creamery to make sure they were happy, as they were also buying our milk. David Hartley was very helpful, as was Richard Clark who added his knowledge of cheese making.’ ALAN TUER TRAILERS www.alantuertrailers.co.uk Pleased to be associated with Ben Spence & wish him all the luck in the future New and Used Trailer Sales • Trailer Servicing An extensive range of spares and trailer parts Contact us on 01228 674717 Leyburn Livestock Auction Mart Richmond Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 5DP Tel: [phone] Leyburn Mart sell on Friday’s: • Weekly: 100 – 150 Rearing Calves & Stirks. • Fortnightly: 100 - 400 store and Breeding Cattle. • Autumn/Spring: Breeding Sheep. • Fortnightly: Store lamb sales. Wednesday’s: Primestock day for • Prime Cattle • Cast Cows • Sheep & Lambs Leyburn Auction Mart are pleased to have Ben Spence & family of Thorngarth Farm, Aysgarth as valued customers. Email: [email protected] www.leyburnauctions.com Auctioneer/Manager: Stephen Walker 07866 358 130