The Farmers Mart Oct-Nov 2019 - Issue 65

SPRINGHILL FARM 37 • OCT/NOV 2019 and New Zealand. His work enabled he and his parents to buy a block of land and build Springhill in the mid-90s. His grandparents were from Leicester and his grandfather had a pig farm. Andrew’s parents Roger and Shirley moved to Yorkshire, firstly to the Wetherby area and then Thoralby before coming here.’ Roger worked in livestock markets. Nicola’s father was also involved in livestock markets. Stuart Bell was an auctioneer with Harrison & Hetherington in Cumbria. So why the Romneys? Having both spent time in New Zealand it is perhaps no surprise they have opted for the Kiwis’ favourite breed. ‘It is a breed that looks after itself, has strong maternal traits and finishes off grass. They are all bred pure and we have 150 elite Romneys fromwhich we breed and keep replacements to maintain the flock’s quality. Last year everything was tupped by a Romney tup.’ ‘The reason for that was the Romney wether lambs were outperforming those we were crossing with, they were finish- ing faster and were ready to go straight off grass whereas it was costing more to keep the others. We lamb from April and our fat lambs go at 38-42 kilos.’ ‘We also run MV accredited ped- igree Texels for two main reasons – to breed Texel tup shearlings for others and for Aaron and I to show them. My prefix is Riverdale and Aaron’s is Yorkshiredale. We’ve been showing Texels for 10 years and show at North Yorkshire County, the Great Yorkshire, Ryedale, Trawden, Wensleydale and Masham Sheep Fair. I also show my Swaledales at North Yorkshire, the Great Yorkshire and Masham, while Luke has started showing his Beltex flock with his godfather Richard Lancaster of Clitheroe.’ ‘Aaron’s high point so far was having champion Texel with a tup lamb at Wenseydale Show in 2015. Both he and his brother are regulars in young handlers competitions and halter train their sheep. I’ve had champion Swaledale at the Great Yorkshire with a gimmer shearling in 2007, three reserve Texel champions at Ryedale, champion Texel with a gimmer shearling at Masham Sheep Fair and a first in the Interbreed class with a Texel.’ ‘In September this year we had champion Texel that went on to take reserve interbreed on our first appearance at Nidderdale Show.’ Dexter beef is much in demand right now. Andrew and Nicola didn’t realise how succulent and tasty it was until they tried it them- selves. That’s one of the reasons behind Springhill Beef and Lamb as a new enterprise. ‘We had bought in stores to produce Dexter beef and when we first tasted it we thought wow! It is something really special. We started Springhill Beef & Lamb in January last year as well as supplying my brother Ian’s JR Middleton & Co Darrington 01977 795241 Leyburn 01969 621369 Masham, Ripon ‘Covering all Yorkshire’ Keighley 01535 632661 Ottringham 01964 622351 Ripon 01765 692255 Tadcaster 01937 835454 Stockton 01740 630254 Brigg 01652 650600 CONTRACTORS Quality reliable service at the right price • Grass / Wholecrop / Maize Silaging • Ploughing / Sowing • Lime Spreading • Muck Spreading / Tanking • Combining • Square Baling & Wrapping • Hedge Cutting Proud suppliers to the Bell family at Springhill Farm John Marsden 0773 6397574 John Middleton 0780 1010231 whole ox roast catering business Abbotside Events in Askrigg. We set off rearing Dexters four years ago and calve from January to March.’ ‘Our boxed meats go out in 5 or 10 kilo boxes with McIntyre Meats handling the production process. We pride ourselves on naturally reared stock from low input grass pastures.’ Nicola and Andrew’s farming background also extends to young farmers clubs. Nicola was a member of Winton YFC in Cumbria that is now Pennine YFC and Andrew was involved with Wetherby, Boroughbridge and Wensleydale YFCs. He is pres- ently a club leader at Masham YFC where Aaaron is a current member. Luke has another 4 years before he will no doubt follow suit. Middleham Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5HD Modern, progressive and dedicated farm animal department based at Hollin Rigg, Leyburn Friendly service from your local practice; medicine collections also available from High Burton (Masham) and Bedale Herd and flock health plans to boost profitability while complying with farm assurance requirements Health schemes available with discounts on veterinary medicines Competitive prices for wormers and vaccines Proud suppliers to Nicola Bell of Springhill Farm, wishing her continued success One of the largest John Deere and agricultural machinery dealers in the North of England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Louth Market Weighton 01507 617588 01430 872421 Malton 01653 695094 Retford 01777 704823 Advanced breeding services including embryo transfer, in partnership with Castle Vets (Barnard Castle) For farm animal enquiries please call Hollin Rigg on 01969 623 107 www.yoredalevets.co.uk/farm

The Farmers Mart Oct-Nov 2019 - Issue 65 | Page 37