The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2018 - Issue 56 | Page 53

• APR/MAY 2018 THE HOWARTH FAMILY 53 71448 - PJ and DA Norman - 8TH.pdf 1 24/04/2018 12:19:10 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 71799 - Cundalls - QUTR.pdf 1 25/04/2018 15:27:20 ESTABLISHED 1860 part of Sam Smith’s Brewery in Tadcaster.’ ‘ARLA then does a milk swap with the Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative (OMS- Co) so the milk has a fair old ride to get to its market place. It is processed in either the Muller factory in Somerset or at ARLA in London.’ ‘The pedigree British Friesian suits our way of farming and our organic system. There are less herds totally, but the breed is experiencing a bit of a comeback nu- merically and through export of semen to 20 countries. We’re finding that a lot of Holstein breeders are now using Friesians to reduce the size of their cows, improve longevity and provide a more easy-care cow. It’s what’s called the invisible cross as the Holstein can still be registered pedigree yet provide greater sustainability.’ ‘Friesians were on the slide until a num- ber of breeders got their heads together 28 years ago. The problem was that with the rush towards Holsteins there weren’t suf- ficient good bulls to use in the late 80s and early 90s. That’s now been rectified, and AI companies have seen increased demand for Friesian bull semen. We were running our own bulls with the herd until five years ago. We now mostly use AI.’ ‘Our British Friesian cows offer great longevity averaging 6-7 lactations and we have quite a few old girls between 8-10 lactations. Wendy and I had tried going with the flow years ago and moved to Holsteins from Friesians for 10 years but when we bought Wendy’s dad’s (Ernest Lunn) herd we went back to British Friesian and that’s where we’re staying. So, we’ve gone full circle.’ The present milk price and the future for organic milk looks set fair at present, but Sam won’ t get too carried away. He recalls C M CHARTERED SURVEYORS • AUCTIONEERS • VALUERS LAND & ESTATE AGENTS • FINE ART & FURNITURE AGRICULTURAL SERVICES Y CM MY CY CMY K • Farm Sales & Purchases • Valuations • Lettings & Contract Farming Agreements • Farm & Estate Management • Planning, Diversification & Development • Compensation Claims • Single Farm Payment & Grant Scheme Advice • Live & Deadstock Auction Sales 15 Market Place, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7LP T: 01653 697820 E: [email protected] We are pleased to be associated with Sam & Wendy Howarth at Hollies Farm Reagarth Farm, Helmsley, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 5XH Tel: 01439 772000 E: [email protected] 40 Burgate, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AU Tel: 01751 472766 E: [email protected] WWW.CUNDALLS.CO.UK 72132 - Coars Ltd - 8TH.pdf 1 30/04/2018 11:36:52 C M THE AREAS PREMIER FARM STORE Y CM MY CY CMY K COARS ARE PLEASED TO SUPPLY SAM AND WENDY HOWARTH OF HOLLIES FARM AND WISH THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE! Leeming Bar Ind. Estate, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, DL7 9UL www.coars.co.uk | Tel 01677 424727