My wife Marnie and I, both Nuffield Scholars, have been farming together near Nantwich, Cheshire, since 2000, when we bought the business from my parents.
In 2006, we made the decision to swap dairy cows for goats, establishing a niche business selling goat meat directly to customers through our website. Today, Chestnut Meats sources kid and adult goats from around 25 farms across the UK. Don’t be surprised if I turn up to a meeting in a cattle wagon. In addition we butcher beef, pork and lamb for farmers, helping add value to their business as well as running a Hog Roast business.
Cheshire County Adviser Helen Wainwright encouraged us to join the NFU six years ago, one of our better decisions. I firmly believe that if you want to influence decisions affecting agriculture, you need to have a seat at the table.
The challenges that have affected our sector this year, from bluetongue and drought to Red Tractor and falling prices, TB, fewer abattoirs and rising input prices are nothing new - challenges to be turned into opportunities to improve our sector making beef and lamb businesses sustainable and profitable without the need for subsidies. The need for the farmer to work to retain a larger slice of the pie has never been greater. We will only achieve this by working together.
We need to create an environment that encourages youngsters from all backgrounds to join our industry, then give them time to grow and develop, pay them fairly, not over face them with long, unsociable hours.
Farming can be a very isolated profession and we need to work to improve this along with the FCN and the wider agricultural network. Farmers need work to be a happy place.
There is a lot of goodwill in the community at large for what we do, it is up to us to work with our customers, industry partners and the wider public to promote red meat and the good work we all do.
Our meetings are open to all members and it’s important that you come along and have your say and help us to help you. With the North being such a large patch I’m keen to move our meetings around the region to ensure all members have the opportunity to attend. Keep an eye on your email inbox and NFU North social media for upcoming regional livestock board meeting dates.
