The Farmers Mart Dec-Jan 2019 - Issue 60 | Page 45

AIREDALE HOUSE 45
• DEC/JAN 2019
Proud suppliers to David Isherwood wishing him continued success
‘The only time we ever have to buy in is
if demand exceeds our supply and that can
reach about 10 beasts per year as it did in
2017. That’s where knowing my fellow Angus
breeders through the society comes in. You
can’t start changing the breed you have
available and we want to keep our custom-
ers happy being as consistent as possible.’
Looking after the shop customers is
paramount in David’s mind and the family
host an annual open day at the farm when
customers can spend the afternoon looking
at what is produced from Airedale House.
David also tells of how major events in live-
stock farming that were tough at the time
have all had an overall positive effect.
‘We lay on refreshments and take
everyone on a tour around the farm using
a tractor and 32-seat trailer. It’s a free event
and everyone talks about it in the shop
beforehand and in the weeks following.’
‘Mad Cow Disease, Foot & Mouth Disease
and the Horsemeat scandal were three
things you would have thought would be
detrimental to us as a small village shop, but
they have all enhanced our trade because
of our own supply chain, low food miles,
provenance and traceability.’
‘When FMD hit we were fortunate that
we had a young cow herd and we hardly
missed a beat. Ours were already going
straight to Rowland Agar in Ilkley.’
‘Lambing is mid-March to the end of April
and we supply all the lamb in the shop as
with the beef. As with the cattle we may
buy-in stock from similar breeders to make
up any shortfall.’
‘It’s beef that leads the way in the shop
accounting for 40 per cent of our sales.
Pork and chicken go well too.’
‘Getting back into farming having grown
up helping my father and grandfather was
the fulfilment of my ambition. It’s definitely
a drug, but it’s also definitely not a profit
making enterprise as I’m sure many others
will agree, but we enjoy it.’
Dalziel - Serving
the Food Industry
We are pleased to be a long standing supplier of
ingredients and packaging to David Isherwood
of Airedale House & wish them continued
success for the future.
Promoting product concepts – created for craft butchers
Dalziel Ltd, Unit F1 Summit Park, Whistler Drive, Castleford WF10 5HX
01977 605 590