Greystones Farm
‘ The fertiliser spreader is on variable rate P & K , which saves a lot of money and we use a hire tractor that has autosteer .’
The Bainbridges are now 90 per cent one-pass mintill using a Sumo Trio .
‘ We like to keep with the plough in the rotation for barley establishment but one-pass has saved us time and diesel .’
Les is the cattle man and buys Limousin X stores from Hexham that are destined for top quality butchers ’ heifers .
‘ The quality is brilliant and Les regularly tops the market at Northallerton where we sell . We will turn over around 500 a year and at any one time we will have around 200 . They ’ re really smart looking cattle that we feed with ad-lib barley that we mill ourselves , and silage to complement it .’
Free range hens producing eggs for the Happy Egg Co . have been added to the farm mix in the past decade .
‘ We started our poultry enterprise around nine years ago and have 9000 free range hens that come in at 16 weeks and go right through to 76 weeks . We keep them a little longer than we used to and that helps with profitability . We buy pullets and feed from Noble Foods and they take away the hens when they are finished .’
The sheep sector has been the family ’ s latest move .
‘ Jonathan has gone into partnership with his fatherin-law Steve Coulson who is full-time shepherd for Robert Campbell at Oneholmes Farm nearby . They ’ re two years into their new flock and they are now lambing 400 ewes using a Mule X Texel tup with lambs destined for Northallerton Mart . They ’ re really keen to expand further .’
A new Allmet grain dryer installed by JW Installations of Cowton and a new weighbridge are firm indications of the family ’ s commitment to its future in farming .
‘ We ’ re always looking at what we should be doing next . If any land comes up to rent I ’ m the first out there to try for it . The way to drive our business further forward is to farm more land and I like growing crops .’
James is 36 , he ’ s married to Sam ( nee Bradley ) whose parents farm in Ellerker , East Yorkshire . They met at college . The couple have three children , Holly , Jack and Chloe . Jonathan ’ s partner is Claire ( Mitchell ) and they have a son Robert . James ’ mum is Jean and his auntie , Les ’ wife , is Karen .
When James is not on farm organising their next move or on NFU duties he enjoys riding his trails bike , a Gas Gas TXT 280 .
‘ I ’ m not brilliant but it get me off the farm and it ’ s my escape . We go up to Reeth , Guisborough and Northallerton .’
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DEDICATED SUPPORT FOR EGG PRODUCERS
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JAMES BAINBRIDGE HAS been an egg producer for Noble Foods Ltd for seven years . Throughout that time he has been primarily producing eggs packed into the brand , the Happy Egg Company . This means that James maintains the highest welfare standards for his hens and he continuously ensures that all requirements for both Noble Foods and industry are met . A support network is provided to help all Noble Foods contract producers , including James , with the day-to-day and larger industry challenges that all laying hen producers face .
Six dedicated regional managers cover the UK supporting the producers in maximising productivity and efficiency , and advice and guidance is given on all areas from housing pullets to egg quality and assistance with industry audits . The aim is to provide a high degree of support to our producer base , therefore helping to make the day job just that little bit easier .
Alongside the producer team there are a number of knowledgeable feed representatives , which supply a range of feed rations which are designed and formulated to realise the tremendous genetic
potential of the modern layer breeds . The Noble approach has always been to use carefully sourced , consistent , highly digestible raw materials producing a high-density diet which will not only give good levels of egg production but also exceptional feed efficiency .
There is increasing scrutiny on all agricultural industries , and the laying hen sector is no exception to this . Noble Foods has dedicated employees that can help producers navigate this minefield , and ensure all requirements are met , and any retailer specifications can be completed promptly . To keep ahead , Noble Foods says it needs to work together with the whole industry and this will always remain a priority .
Lastly , the business would like to congratulate James on his appointment as chairman to the local NFU branch – it is sure he will do a great job being the voice of the local farmers .
www . farmers-mart . co . uk Summer 2017 87