Organic Farmer wins Caltech Hampshire Down Flock Award 2012
25 July 2012
The Soil Association would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Simon Bainbridge on winning this award.
Simon manages a 1,600 acre organic farming business registered with Organic Farmers and Growers, the majority of which is in the SDA and carrying 1,400 ewes, a mix of Swaledales and North of England Mules, plus 140 cow suckler enterprise with all progeny taken through to finishing.
We contacted Phil Stocker, Chief Executive at the National Sheep Association to make some comments on this prestigious award and its worthy winner:
"It was an honour to be asked to judge this competition on behalf of the National Sheep Association. I chose Simon as the winner of the Hampshire Down Breeders Society/ Caltech commercial terminal sire competition because of attention to detail in recording his flock, his understanding of costs of production and identification of where the farm needs to focus to improve the system further. The use of FECounts, blood analysis and targeted trace element use was also evident. Simons understanding of how soils function, the relationship between soils and grass and forage production, and how this relates to health and efficiency of the sheep was exceptional. – this is a farmer who is facing the challenges of food security, resource availability, and climate change head on.
The use of Hampshire Down rams was very much focused towards the ability to finish off forage, on farm rather than having to sell as stores, and to finish at relatively young ages. Vitality of lambs at birth, the ability to get up and suckle, and to cope with rough weather, are all part of the Hampshire’s attributes. It was a privilege to meet Simon and see him questioning the norm, taking trouble to research and seek out new ideas and approaches, and then able to put all this ‘vision’ into practice” - Phil Stocker
Congratulations again to Simon!
Click here to find out more about this award.
