The Farmers Mart Oct-Nov 2018 - Issue 59 | Page 38

38 R.D. ANDERSON
OCT/NOV 2018 • farmers-mart.co.uk
A hoof trimmer who knows his animals
On a bright sunny autumnal morning in the picturesque North Yorkshire town of Middleham near
Leyburn I met up with Richard Anderson who is RDA cattle services and his 16-year-old son Tom.
RICHARD has had the business for 12
years. He initially bought it as a much
smaller concern and has worked hard to
build up his number of customers to such
a level that he is usually working flat out 6
days a week, allowing him one day a week
to spend with his pedigree commercial
cattle herd.
Richard has spent all his working life
amongst animals, working locally as a stock-
man for David and Bruce Greenwood at
Walburn Hall farms for 17 years looking after
a 200 head herd of Limousin Cows, prior to
that he started at 18, happening on a job by
chance whilst at Carlisle selling bulls.
Richard worked for 2 years with
Mike and Peta Keeble - the Bur-
ton Herd of pedigree limou-
sins, where he developed his
passion for limousin cattle
and cattle showing. He then
heard of a job down south,
so off he went to work with
an amazing character called
Gordon Rugg, one of the most
adept farmers he’s ever met
and although he only worked
herd once he had de-
with him for 10 months, Richard learnt
cided to take on the Hoof
so much. Not only was Gordon a skilled
Trimming business.
carpenter and could make almost anything,
Today the herd is now 100 head strong
he was amazing with a chisel and taught
and he has around 50 cows which means
Richard the whole art of hoof trimming
he sells as stores about 50 head a year
and handling cattle without the benefit of a
mostly at Leyburn and some at Kirby
modern crush! Gordon could also amongst
Stephen. Richard takes a great pride in
many things completely strip a tractor down everything he does, not least his commer-
and rebuild it.
cial herd and is a keen showman, enthu-
On taking the stockman job back in North siastically joined by his son Tom. Together
Yorkshire Richard initially bought four cows they make a great father and son team.
as a hobby and kept them at a local farm
Richard enjoys the preparation, Tom really
run by David Bolam. Unfortunately, David
steps up to the plate when it comes to
decided to reduce his workload and left
showing the herd in the ring. Indeed, Tom
the way clear
for
Richard
to
expand
his
has already won the prestigious accolade
76123 - NormanIvesonSteelProductsLtd - 16TH.pdf 1 08/10/2018 16:19:13
of Young Stockman at the Great Yorkshire
Show. Tom was also reserve champion
young handler at the Country side live
in October this year .They’ve won many
prizes for their herd including 1st place in
class at Countryside Live and supreme
Champion at Wensleydale and Stokesley
shows to name but a few. However, Richard
and Tom both know showing takes a lot of
work, time and commitment but remains
a largely subjective thing when it comes to
judging and whereas you can win Supreme
champion one week, you could walk away
with nothing the following week.
I asked if they get attached to any par-
ticular members of the Herd. Richard said
they try not to however they did recently
lose one of their champion heifers during
calving which was a wrench as she had
been with them for some time and was a
favourite
You might ask how at only 16 Tom has
achieved so much, this is largely due
to Richard’s encouragement and Tom’s
inherited love of animals but also the very
forward-thinking Head teacher at Wens-
leydale school who allows Tom time off to
pursue his agricultural duties, however on
the provision that his school work doesn’t
suffer. Richard is also keen for Tom to excel
at school as well as the show ring as he
recognises
the need for a strong education
75832 - Phillip Holden (Rural) Limited - 16TH.pdf 1 12/09/2018
PHILLIP HOLDEN
(RURAL) LTD
C C
M M
Y
CM
MY
CY
N.Iveson Steel Products Ltd.
Finghall, Leyburn
Y
CM
Agricultural steel fabricators, supplying & erecting CE approved
Steel Portal Framed Buildings, as well as manufacturing livestock
handling, feeding & penning equipment.
MY
CY
Proud to be associated with RD Anderson & wish him success.
CMY
K
Tel. [phone]
Agents for
CMY
K
Harmire Enterprise Park, Harmire Road,
Barnard Castle, Co Durham DL12 8XT
[phone]
Also at Townfoot, Hawes Leyburn Farmers Auction Mart
[phone] (01969) 622718
A friendly local supplier
for all your animal health
needs and advice.
“Proud supplier to
Richard Anderson of Leyburn,
North Yorkshire”
10: