The Nuffield Beef and Sheep Group continues to thrive!
We are indebted to Ted Sclater for putting together an excellent itinerary for our 2019 trip to the Wiltshire and Dorset area. Once we had all learned to obey Ted’s sheep dog whistle, he kept us truly in line!
We visited an interesting mix of farms along with a couple of charity conservation projects.
Once again, we were joined by journalists from Farmers Weekly and Farmers Guardian. We were really pleased with the turnout of a broad age range and we also had the company of some folk interested in applying for a Nuffield Scholarship. We met up at Tony Goode’s 2000 ewe intensive flock ably run by David Barber where we were able to see their AI programme in action.
We then moved on to Helen Browning’s renowned organic unit. Unfortunately, Helen was unable to join us as she had a short notice meeting with Michael Gove MP. On reflection, some felt her time may have been better spent with Nuffield as Mr Gove had changed jobs within days! Helen’s manager Clive ably explained the rudiments of the dairy, arable, beef and pig enterprises.
From Helen’s it was on to Harnham where we had a very interesting tour of the water meadows preservation project.
Our second day commenced on the Salisbury Plain Military Range looking at the 500 cow suckler herd of Bruce and James Waite. The cows were rotationally grazed around electric fenced blocks on the range in groups of around 100 cows and their calves. Here it was plain for all to see the need for grazing livestock in enhancing and protecting the environment. Bruce and James are working closely with the army and English Nature.
We then viewed the Great Bustard breeding project on their home farm.
Our final farm was with Perin Dineley and his excellent shepherd Martin and their large flock of forage reared and finished Romneys and New Zealand Suffolks. Excellent views and a well-run unit completed our 2019 tour.
Thank you to our hosts and to those of you who came along on this year’s trip.
Please join us in 2020 and bring some potential Nuffields with you.
Our grateful thanks for sponsorship go to AHDB Beef and Lamb.
Chair John Yeomans 01938 810394 [email protected]
Vice Arwyn Owen 01766 890473 [email protected]
