Fresh face for Lincolnshire’s Monitor Farm network

A Lincolnshire family farmer with 647ha of land running up to the banks of the River Ancholme has been announced as the most recent addition to the AHDB Monitor Farm network.

Colin Chappell, who runs Gander Farm near Brigg, at the northernmost tip of the county predominantly grows wheat, peas, and oilseed rape.

He has recently opened up his rotation by adding spring cropping to help with blackgrass control, and maize on his lighter land.

He will be replacing fellow Lincs grower Mike Daniells, farm manager at Louth Farm, near Swaby who completed his three-year stint in the Monitor Farm network this spring.

See also: Move to strip-till halves establishment costs on Essex farm

Minimising fertiliser and pesticide run-off into watercourses is a particular focus on Gander Farm already, and Mr Chappell hopes to continue targeting the issue throughout his time in the scheme.

He is also investigating succession, joint venture farming, and how farms can survive in a post-EU Britain.

“I’d like other farmers’ suggestions as to how I can improve my business. Like other farmers, there are a lot of challenges on the horizon for me, so I want to absorb practical and independent information in order to push the farm in the right direction,” he says.

The launch event will take the form of a presentation on the business and a farm walk and it will be held on Friday 23 June at Gander Farm, Hibaldstow, Brigg DN20 9PJ at 10.00am.

More information is available on the AHDB website.

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