The Farmers Mart Oct-Nov 2018 - Issue 59 | Page 28

28 SKIPBRIDGE INN FARM OCT/NOV 2018 • farmers-mart.co.uk Scanning man looks into farmers’ future – and has visitor from the past on farm tailed, but luckily I had an eye for the job and settled Green Hammerton. into it really quickly.’ Little did a then fresh out of college ‘Going back a few years student know that the role he took on back the hill men always won- in the winter of 1984/85 would become his dered why the lowland lifetime career alongside running Skip- men scanned and the bridge Inn Farm at Green Hammerton, but same was true the other way such has been the case for respected sheep round. Now 90 per cent of the scanner of 34 years John Barnes. pedigree farmers scan, 70 per cent ‘I’d finished studying for my OND in of the commercials and 50-60 per cent agriculture at the Welsh Agricultural College of hill men and women. The hill farmer uses in Aberyswyth where I majored on grass- it so he can get the twins off the hill. It’s one land, beef and sheep and came out with a of his or her best management tools. distinction,’ says John. ‘My father was more ‘The farm today wouldn’t be viable terrified I’d come back with a Welsh girl. without my scanning work which takes up Sheep scanning was still being trialled at the the lion’s share of my time. It has expanded time but in the winter of 84/85 companies to cows, goats and alpacas over the years such as Scanman who I was with for seven and my cattle scanning work is two days a years were expanding and I was looking week foe 10 months of the year and would for winter 75578 work. I hadn’t known what it en- be all 12 but sheep scanning starts in Sep- - Richard Burniston & Son - 16TH.pdf 1 06/09/2018 10:23:06 tember and hits peak in January and Febru- ary. I average around 150 ewes scanned per hour and can get up to 200. The business has been very good to me.’ ‘I visit around 300 farms in peak season and my customers are very well organised setting up the race before I arrive and have their ewes ready. For those who have never had their sheep scanned the process AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS works best if scanned at the right stage of AND ENGINEERS pregnancy and hey are neither stressed no Thanking John & Sue of Skip Bridge Inn Farm & full of food. The scanner won’ be able to wishing them continued success for the future. work well if they are all gassed up.’ Working for John & Sue doing their baling, wrapping, One of John’s best ever moments while manure spreading, reseeding & hedge cutting. scanning came last year when he scanned his first ever triplet in a cow. Tel: [phone] or 01904738245 For contracting enquiries contact Edward on 07719788683 ‘I said I’d retire when I got one but I’m still going and the Limousin X cow that 75987 - R F Broadley Insurance Brokers - 8TH.pdf 1 20/09/2018 10:39:50 CHRIS Berry talks with John Barnes at RICHARD C M Y CM MY CY CMY K C M Y CM MY CY CMY K BURNISTON & SON MASHAM FOR SHEEP WENSLEYDALE FOR CHEESE BROADLEYS FOR INSURANCE For all your general and personal insurance requirements contact St. Nicholas House, Market Place, Masham, HG4 4DZ Chapel House, Railway Street, Leyburn, DL8 5AT 01765 689263 / 01765 689520 01969 623687 Proud to be associated with John & Susan Barnes Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority was 12 years old gave birth to three live healthy bull calves the size of twins. It’s always good to find twins but to scan for triplets and them to come out healthy is all the more reason why scanning can be important because the owners were able to look after her by being aware of her condition. 90 per cent of the cattle I scan are from suckler herds, dairy farmers tend to stick with their vets.’ Scanning technology has changed as have the farms John has visited since he started four decades ago. ‘You never stop learning and some of the good things I’ve seen happening on others’ farms I’ve taken home and applied to ours or I’ve spread the word to others. Doing this job opens your eyes, you see different breeds, different people and I’m never short of story.’ On the farm at Skipbridge John fattens cattle and has breeding ewes. He buys in mainly Charolais X bullocks and heifers to grow on and send to ABP on Murton. The ewes are Texel X from Mules put back to Charollais X Beltex tups or Texel X Beltex tups aiming for the top of the market at Leyburn. ‘Stephen Walker the auctioneer a Ley- burn has always encouraged me and my breeding sheep come from that area. They suit my system.’ ‘The farm runs to 175 acres and our family has farmed here for the past 100 years. The land is mixed with heavy clay typical of the Vale of York and good light land through the middle of the farm. We have 30 acres by the River Nidd that floods regularly. It is all down to grass. The farmhouse goes back to the late 1600s when this was a coaching inn on the York to Edinburgh run. The old blacksmith’s shop, stabling and steps to get on the horses are all still here.’ John’s father Peter passed away 16 years ago. His mum Elizabeth lives in Green Ham- merton and brother Steven farms at Moor Monkton on the original family farm that dates back to the 1700s. John married Sue a Whitby girl who was a nurse in Scotland. Sue has always carried out the secretarial role for John’s scanning busi- ness. They have three children – Sarah, Peter and Edward who plays for Yorkshire CCC Sec- ond XI. John is self-confessed cricket mad and played to a high standard. He has coached for nearly 30 years and helps with the Lords Taverners and the Joe Lumb organisations. ‘I keep telling Eddie he’s my pension pot. He’s played for England U19s and if he can keep himself reasonably injury free he should have a good chance.’ Leyburn Livestock Auction Mart Richmond Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 5DP Tel: [phone] Leyburn Auction Mart are pleased to have John & Sue Barnes as valued customers. Leyburn Mart sell on Friday’s: - Weekly 100 – 150 Rearing Calves & Stirks Fortnightly Wednesday’s: - Every Wednesday is primestock day for prime cattle, cast cows, sheep & lambs. 100 - 400 store & Breeding Cattle & Store lamb sales Email: [email protected] Autumn/Spring Auctioneer/Manager: Breeding Sheep Website: www.leyburnauctions.com Stephen Walker 07866 358 130