ABOVE LEFT The family grow 35 acres of early potatoes to supply a niche market for local shops with the first potatoes planted on 9th
February this year.
ABOVE RIGHT Alongside the 100 head dairy herd Robert’s brother Tim runs 180 breeding ewes.
RIGHT The Heathleigh herd has won the Western herd competition on the only two years entered.
While not a showman, Robert has entered the Western Club’s herd competition twice in recent years after much persuasion from past classifier Phil Arrell. “In 2011 we won champion small herd and overall champion herd and three years later in 2014 were delighted to win overall champion herd again. “It has been a great way to promote the herd and get the prefix recognised, people now recognise the herd in the auction since winning.”
On the milk front Robert and Tim benefit from a Muller Wiseman Tesco contract, and Robert says any extra work required to meet the contract is recouped in the additional milk price.
And in line with the support he received from his father when moving to pedigree status the business is still very much family orientated with Robert doing most of the milkings and a relief milker works every other weekend, while brother, Tim, helps with the feeding. Robert’s daughter Emma helps with the passports and paperwork in between her studies and son, Tom, helps at weekends. In 2014, Robert installed new
& 40VG COWS
20EX
cubicles and mattresses to improve cow comfort and Heat Time Collars to improve the herd`s fertility. Away from the cows, Robert and Tim are the third generation to grow potatoes and benefit from being one of the earliest growers in Cheshire achieving a premium price. “We grow five varieties of potato, including Rocket and Maris Piper, with the first eight acres planted under fleece to give them a good start. Planting started this year on 9th
February in order for
potatoes to be ready to pick from early May onwards to supply local farm shops and stores.
“This specialist market has competition from two other Horton families in the Little Leigh area and we pick seven days a week from 7.30am to fill orders.” On the sheep front the flock consists of
Texel, Mule and Suffolk crosses bred to Charollais or Texel tups. The flock is lambed in two groups, one in January and one in April with all lambs finished and sold at Chelford Market, with a further 100 store lambs bought in each year.
THE JOURNAL APRIL 2015 65
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