Rain, rain, and then some more! I think we were all doing our own rain dances when it finally arrived. It has been nice to be reminded that grass is actually green, and it never ceases to amaze me how quickly it greens up after some much-needed rainfall.
While the rain is certainly welcome, we all appreciate that the damage has already been done, and it has been a tough summer across all sectors. You may have seen that one of the NFU's key asks of Government is for government-backed, interest-free loans for farmers, similar to the Bounce Back Loans scheme. We know cashflow is incredibly tight on many farms, and this support could make a real difference.
Congratulations to all our members who recently completed the NFU Rodenticide Refresher Sessions and successfully passed the Lantra examination, achieving their Rodent Management Level 2 qualification. We will be running the next course in December, so please contact the North Office if you would like to be added to the waiting list.
In mid-August, it was great to catch up with so many of our West Cheshire members during a visit to Huntington Hall Farm and Moo'trition, kindly hosted by John and Jack Allwood. From the impressive 72-point rotary parlour to the on-farm vending machines, it was a fascinating farm walk and a real credit to the whole team, whose attention to detail was evident throughout. Thanks also to Tim Dobson and his team for providing the BBQ.
Continuing the Tim Dobson theme, we held a North Livestock Board meeting kindly hosted by Tim, Marnie and their team. Following an excellent farm walk and tour of the butchery facilities, we held the board meeting on site. It was particularly interesting to learn more about the goat meat industry and the supply chain behind it. Thank you all for your hospitality.
The following day, I headed to Pye Ash Farm, Bosley, kindly hosted by the Gilman family as part of our AgriFuture Programme. For those unfamiliar with it, the AgriFuture Scholarship Programme aims to attract and support young people from racially marginalised backgrounds into agriculture through mentoring, residential experiences and work placements.
The 2026 cohort of 24 students took part in a residential programme at the end of August, and organisers were keen to give them hands-on farm experience. A huge thank you to everyone at Pye Ash Farm for hosting us. The students took part in four interactive stations, including nature walks, sheep handling, wool spinning and sheepdog demonstrations. It was a genuinely practical and engaging day. Credit must go to the students themselves. Many had never visited a farm before, yet they threw themselves into every activity, asked plenty of questions and were eager to learn.
If it is not already in your diary, please come and see us on Wednesday 30 September at the Cheshire Ploughing Match, being held at Cholmondeley Castle, Cholmondeley, SY14 8AH, by kind permission of the Cholmondeley Estate. It is always a great opportunity to catch up over a brew and a biscuit, and we will be serving cottage pie at lunchtime.
A few other projects we are currently working on, more info to follow:
- Working with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to make the rules around storing dangerous substances on farms clearer and easier to understand.
- Working with the Sutton family at Bent Farm, Astbury, to organise a Back British Farming event for Cheshire East councillors.
- Working with Reaseheath College to help organise its annual Health and Safety Day for students in November.
- Cheshire AGM with NFU President Tom Bradshaw on Wednesday 18 November 7.30pm at Bidlea Dairy.
- A brainchild of our County Chairman, Rob Brunt, we are looking to arrange a number of informal pub socials over the winter. They will provide a great opportunity to get off the farm and catch up with fellow farmers
Best wishes,
Helen Wainwright
County Adviser, NFU Cheshire