The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2020 - Issue 69 | Page 56

56 ANNA’S HAPPY TROTTERS JUN/JUL 2020 • farmers-mart.co.uk
‘The idea of having the pigs on separate
sites was Jon’s and although he’s
not one for taking the spotlight himself
he deserves the proper credit and
recognition for everything he does for
me and my business.’
‘We have increased our pig herd
health and also reduced massively our
usage of antibiotics due to having pigs in
different batches and at separate sites.
We now have batches of 600 all-female
pigs arriving every three weeks,
purchased as weaners from Jon that
are then taken through to 85-90 kilos
deadweight.’
Anna has developed her business with
the addition of her butchery that she is
currently seeking to extend.
‘I wanted to offer everything from a full
carcase to every cut possible and I was
fortunate to receive a government grant
towards the set-up costs at Kilpin. We
were looking at increasing the capacity
before lockdown and with the increased
demand we saw during recent months
there is now even greater need to
expand.’
Online, farm shop and local butchers
shops’ sales have seen Anna’s business
reach new levels.
‘Our online sales through Anna’s
Happy Trotters are up 500 per cent this
year and sales through online butchers
Farmison based in Ripon are up 400 per
cent. Bert’s Barrow Farm Shop used to
take 16 packs of sausages every week,
they now take 600! I have all the respect
in the world for those who run farm
shops and particularly Charlotte and
Jason at Bert’s.’
And it’s not just the UK that has realised
the quality of Anna’s Happy Trotters
produce. Anna recently picked up a contract
to supply 40 pigs a week to Dubai
following a visit from the buyer who was
impressed by her set-up and high health
status.
Running and organising her pigs
operation and butchery of Anna’s Happy
Trotters, the café/restaurant at Anna’s
Happy Kitchen and bringing up her
6-year old son Richard as a single mum
doesn’t faze this determined and successful
young lady who still enjoys her
pigs.
‘It’s great to get the opportunity to
spend time with them and see the
happy lives they lead living outdoors.’
Anna has more recently become
involved with the Yorkshire Women in
Farming organisation which she has
found a refreshing and supportive
place.
‘I was initially invited to speak at
one of the meetings and have since
attended a number of meetings. I
have been pleasantly surprised at
just how it helps to share experiences
with other women in the farming
world.’