Page 80 - British Blue 2025 Yearbook

Geoff says: “We have always usually sold bulls privately
from home, mainly to repeat customers, but we have
started taking a few to pedigree sales.
“It is a balancing act deciding if to take them to auction in
the hope of getting a bigger price or maintaining that
good average from home.”
The family recently hosted at British Blue Cattle Society
open day which attracted a big crowd and including stock
judging and a charity auction which raised £6,000. They
also auctioned the choice of four British Blue heifers with
the chosen heifer making £4,200.
Most of the moor is in the Higher Level Stewardship
scheme and some of the in-bye land is now in SFI.
Geoff says: “We can only get a tractor onto some of the
lower ground but we have done some reseeding. We have
started using rotational grazing and more recently have
started using electric fencing to make smaller paddocks,
with the aim of producing more from forage.
“We only use a minimal amount of fertiliser as it is only
allowed in certain places. The river runs right through the
Rob says: “In this day and age, you have to have an online
presence otherwise you miss out, as so many people do.
“We have a lot of followers on Facebook and it is good for
farm-to-farm sales as well before auction mart sales, but
you have to have good photos.
“You do get quite a few time wasters and it does take up
quite a bit of time to manage, but it creates a lot of interest
and has definitely resulted in some new customers.”
As to the future, the family plan to continue aiming to
produce the best quality stock they can to maximise
returns.
“Geoff says: “It is a slight concern that with less suckler
cows about and some people moving to AI, there could be
less demand for bulls. But on the other hand, there is a
shortage of cattle so I think the market will remains strong,
so we are optimistic for the future.”
By kind permission of Farmers Guardian
middle of the farm, so we don’t spray but use a weed wiper
where we can.
“We have also planted trees on some parts of the
riverbank.”
With livestock sales such a key part of the business
marketing is important and.
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