David Elgin
David has kept a number of sheep breeds over the years, including Bleu du Maines and later Poll Dorsets, but his real interest is in Charmoise, sparked by buying two ewes in 1997. A trip to the Paris Show followed, buying the stock which became the foundation of his Bramain flock there. He has visited France every year since, up until the pandemic, buying rams to keep improving the flock and introduce new bloodlines. The flock now stands at more than 300 ewes and is performance recorded as David is a strong believer in the value of figures for continual flock improvement.
Most progeny is sold as breeding stock and David has developed a regular clientele, particularly for rams and this year he will be holding an on-farm sale for the first time. He believes the Charmoise is ideal for any farming system, saying: “Why have a big sheep when a small one, a Charmoise, which is easy lambing, will increase income due to low concentrate bills, but still produce a 21kg carcase lamb and reduce methane emissions?”
Alongside the sheep business David has also developed a number of diversification enterprises, the main one being caravan storage. David says: “We are planning to increase the caravan storage area but, as part of the new Environmental Land Management scheme, we will create strips of wild flowers and grass leys to increase biodiversity which can also be grazed at specific times with sheep.”
Future proofing the business
The site has an 80-metre borehole, making it self-sufficient in water
Solar panels have been installed with surplus electricity sold back to the grid
No chemical fertiliser has been used for 10 years
More than 4,000 trees have been planted
Strips of land, already home to a number of beehives, have been planted with wildflowers to increase biodiversity
Angela Calvert
Angela started working for Farmers Guardian in 2003 on a freelance basis. She joined the staff in 2011 and is currently acting head of livestock, covering maternity leave, and also head of livestock sales and markets.
This involves attending conferences, technical events as well as shows and sales to source the content for these sections to ensure that readers are provided with the most up-to- date information to help them run their business and news about what is happening in the sector.
She says the best part of the job is getting out on-farm and meeting farmers who are passionate about what they do.
When not working Angela spends time on the family’s small farm in Yorkshire with her own sheep and horses.
Phil Stocker
Phil joined NSA in 2011, taking the role of Chief Executive and leading the UK’s specialist membership organisation for those interested in sheep and sheep farming.
Previous to that he spent well over 20 years in practical farming and farm management, followed by 15 years leading the Soil Association’s support for its farmer and grower members.
Phil’s vision for the NSA an influential and respected organisation leading the UK sheep industry, which is forward-thinking yet maintaining the traditional and cultural aspects that are so valued.