Hosts Tim and Marnie Dobson welcomed members to their 70-acre farm, which has a goat meat enterprise and arable production growing wheat and maize and has established itself in the county and further afield. This year, Tim and Marnie are celebrating 20 years running the goat enterprise, following their switch from dairying.
The NFU North Livestock Board joined other members on farm to see their herd and find out more about their work selling high-quality goat meat directly to customers through their website and on-farm butchery.
The Dobson family also support other businesses providing butchery services to neighbouring farms and welcome visitors to their on-site café.
NFU members heard about the couple's farming journey from milking to selling goat meat and leather goods, the butchery and their award-winning bacon and sausages that are produced on site.
The group also saw the work being done on farm to boost habitat, species and support the environment. This includes the creation of new wildlife ponds working with Cheshire Wildlife Trust as well as hedgerow planting to support biodiversity.
The latest North Livestock Board meeting was incorporated into the visit, and attendees were given an update on key industry issues by NFU Chief Livestock Adviser John Royle and a bluetongue disease update by NFU Acting Livestock Board Chair and North Livestock Board Chair Clare Wise.
Insight into policy
Host and NFU North Livestock Vice-chair Tim said he was pleased to host the 20-strong group on farm to see the family business and also talk industry business at the same time. He said: “It was great to host the livestock board meeting on farm and share what we're doing here at Chestnut Meats. We always enjoy welcoming visitors, and it was wonderful to have members join us from across the region. It was worthwhile to get the latest updates on bluetongue as the disease continues to spread at an alarming rate and is causing great worry in the industry currently.”
NFU York East county adviser and livestock lead Poppy Smith said: "A huge thank you to Tim and Marnie for hosting us. It was inspiring to hear how they have developed and diversified their business over the past 20 years while continuing to invest in sustainability and environmental improvements.
"The sector boards are a great way for NFU members to gain insight into policy developments, discuss issues such as bluetongue and help shape the future of farming.”
