The balancing act of Exmoor farming

21 August 2025

Chris Webber standing in front of a tree

Exmoor farmer Chris Webber

The September issue of your British Farmer & Grower magazine features uplands farmer Chris Webber talking about balancing livestock production and the environment

Becoming a farmer was not part of Chris Webber’s original career plan.

Born in Basildon and brought up in Porlock in Somerset, he first embarked on a military career, but after a couple of years injury forced a rethink.

He began working in a leisure centre where he met Emily, now his wife. 

After the leisure centre closed he was looking for work and Emily’s father offered him a few hours a week on his farm just outside Minehead.

Taking over the farm

Having always wanted to do outdoor work, Chris found he enjoyed farming, and after taking a couple of years to go travelling, he took over the farm in 2014.

A National Trust tenant, Chris runs two herds of cattle, Aberdeen Angus and Belted Galloway – about 100 sucklers in all – along with a small flock of sheep, across 2,000 acres. 

The lambs are sold to be finished for Waitrose, the Aberdeen Angus are sold to a finisher for Riverford. 

His father-in-law helps out during the week, still enjoying the tractor work, but the rest is down to Chris.

Read more on NFUonline


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