The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2013 - Issue 30 | Page 39

JAMES PRATT farming, maybe things would have turned out differently,” he explained. “We restocked in 2002 and the major purchase we made at the time was 50 cows from the Tarnbrook herd in Lancashire, many of them being of the Dream family. That was our foundation and we have added select families since then. The following year we relocated from our village setting to a greenfield site where we are now. “Our herd average is 10,384kg with 4.28% fat and 3.31% protein. We don’t push them. They are fed on TMR and enjoy summer grazing. At the moment we are happy around the 100 mark and that is our capacity. The problem around here when expanding is being able to find the land. “Both Richard and I studied at Askham Bryan College’s centre in Bedale on day release before finding jobs elsewhere in addition to running the herd. When Richard left school he worked for Dalesend Farm at Newtonle-Willows. He was there until he was 21 and now works at Simpson’s beef and sheep farm at Marske. “I left school and worked for Chris Iveson on his dairy farm at Myersgarth. When Chris sold up in 2003 I took up with Metcalfe Farms where I worked until January this year. I now combine my time with working here at Studdah and building up business with a new Cheshire-based AI company Kingstreet Sires.” The demise of Dairy Farmers of Britain in 2009 has provided them with a few hard times but James believes they are finally getting through it. “We lost a lot of money,” he admitted, “and ironically we were signed up to leave, but we didn’t quite make it before it went bust. It put us under a lot of pressure, as it did for many of our dairy colleagues, but we saw that there was some light at the end of the tunnel. We’re now with Wensleydale Creamery.” Pedigree breeding has been a major part of the enterprise for 40 years. The Studdah Holsteins herd was first registered in 1973 and both Alan and his father James were instrumental in providing the grounding from where James and Richard keep up the momentum. 2013 saw the launch of the BRS Bainbridge Rotary Sweeper This powerful bucket mounted sweeper converts a material handling bucket into a versatile sweeper collector unit. BAINBRIDGE ENGINEERING are independent feeder specialists and proud to be the Yorkshire dealers for the RS AGRIMIX EVOLUTION RANGE. Sales, Repairs, Relines of most makes of Feeders. Parts sent out daily. Fabricators of Buckets (all CE approved). Boron (hardened steel blade edge). Strengthened bands are placed where brackets are fitted. Brackets to suit your needs. NEW DESIGN MUCK FORK Solid steel back to stop muck from pushing into loader back plate. Strength and durabitlity from 5’. White Cross Farm, Cold Kirby, Thirsk, YO7 2HL | Tel:- 01845 E.mail: [email protected] or Web: To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk British Made Bainbridge Engineering are pleased to be associated with The Pratt Family at Studdah Farm and wish them continued success for the future 597655 or mobile:- 07831 425056 www.bainbridge-engineering.com FarmersMart Oct/Nov 2013 39