New farmstock faces

Harrison & Hetherington’s farmstock board has some changes. Michael Scott has been appointed vice-chairman while Kirkby Stephen farmer John Dargue joins the board.

Michael Scott

Michael Scott and his brother Robert farm 1,250 acres in partnership with Michael’s son, also Robert, at Thirlwall Castle, Greenhead with Michael’s son Ian and Robert’s son David also involved in the business.

They run 400 Limousin cross suckler cows which are crossed with the Limousin bull, selling suckled calves twice a year at the spring and autumn continental store cattle sales in Carlisle where they have been selling since moving to Thirlwall Castle in 1963.

Thirlwall Castle also carries 1,500 Swaledale ewes, three quarters of which are crossed with the Bluefaced Leicester with the remainder bred pure. There are a further 600 Texel cross ewes which are either put back to the Texel or crossed with the Beltex and prime lambs are finished off the farm. Mule gimmer lambs are sold at the annual Carlisle Luke Fair sale in September.

Michael Scott is a staunch supporter of the live auction, with testament being during foot and mouth year when he was selling lambs for £21 a head deadweight when he would have received £25 a head if they went onto the welfare scheme.

“Live auctions are the only way of setting the trade. Even people who sell privately have to have a benchmark to work to.

“Harrison & Hetherington continues its success as the country's leading auction company which is reflected in the number of buyers and quality of cattle entered at the special two day continental store sales, thanks to a very good team from senior and junior auctioneers through to support staff.”

John Dargue

John Dargue is a regular vendor at Kirkby Stephen and Lazonby marts with cattle and sheep from the LFA farm Smardale Hall where the family has farmed for 46 years.

Mr Dargue and his son Stephen farm a total of 1,000 acres, all but 80 acres of which are owner occupied. They also have a full time man, Ian Walton.

They run 900 sheep including 450 Swaledales, 250 Rough Fells and 200 Mules, the latter being crossed with the Texel or Charollais and lambs finished off the farm and sold through Kirkby Stephen.

The hill flock replacements are home bred and the best Mule gimmer lambs are sold at Lazonby. The farm also has a herd of 110 Limousin cross suckler cows put back to the Limousin bull with calves sold store from October at 14 to 15 months old.

Half the farm is in Countryside Stewardship and it is bordered by the Smardale Ghyll nature reserve. It has a number of ancient monuments.

Mr Dargue’s wife Pat and daughter Joanne run an outside catering business started two and a half years ago.

The farmstock board is chaired by Michael Cowen, of Thursby.

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