Geoff Spence at Lowfields Farm
Down on the farm
Sheep farmer Simon Stott
Meet some Asda producers who’ll be taking part in this year’s event. Visit farmsunday.org for details Roger Hildreth, Curlew Fields Farm, Hessay, York This family-owned farm is run by Roger Hildreth, his wife Judith and son Thomas. They own more than 160 Holstein cows Award-winning Roger Hildreth
that produce over 14,000 litres of milk a week. Roger has lived at the farm all his life and is the holder of the 2012 Asda DairyLink Farm of the Year award, which recognises animal welfare and environmental performance of farms. Open Farm Sunday activities: Watching cows being milked, feeding calves, farm tours and machinery demonstrations.
DAIRY FARMER Geoff Spence, Lowfields Farm, Northallerton, North Yorkshire Geoff Spence is the third generation of his family to work the farm and is no newcomer to industry success – Lowfields is the only farm to have won both the Gold Cup award for the Best Dairy Farmer (2009) and the Farmers Weekly British Dairy Farmer of the Year award (2007). The North Yorkshire farm is home to 340 Miresdale pedigree Holstein milking cows, which produce more than 90,000 litres of milk every week. Open Farm Sunday activities: Watching cows being milked and the chance to feed calves – and if you’re lucky you might see some calves being born! 64 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | JUNE 2013
SHEEP FARMER Simon Stott, Laund Farm, Preston Third-generation farmer Simon Stott and his father John have 400 dairy sheep, including Swaledale and Bluefaced Leicester breeds. John was the winner of the British Sheep Farmer of the Year 2011, and has been working their 500-acre hill farm in Lancashire for over 50 years. In addition, Simon and John originally set up Sheep Milk UK, a co-operative of local sheep milk producers. Sheep milk is supplied by members of the co-operative to 11 dairies in the north of England, where it is made into cheese. Open Farm Sunday activities: Sheep milking, sheep clipping, dog trials and cheese-making demonstrations throughout the day.
WORDS: NICKI MCINTYRE
DAIRY FARMER