Archive Article: 2000/02/04
Almost 80 years of cauliflower growing came to an end at
Nether Hale Farm, Birchington, Kent, last week. Repeated
price cuts inflicted by the supermarkets finally forced
Messrs A J W Smith & Son to stop harvesting
Caulis grown for this packing line – sold for £50 – were selected on frost hardiness, size, colour, firmness and taste. "Supermarkets no longer want some of those characteristics," says Mr Smith.
Richard Kelsey of Wilmington loads up a spare cauli rig chain. The remaining land at Nether Hale Farm will be put down to cereals and staffed by family labour. "Its an absolute relief to be out the rat race," said Mr Smith.
Reel bargain… Vegetables need plenty of water. This irrigation unit made £120.
Right: With up to 360ha (900 acres) of caulis, this Opico four-row module planter with water and granular fertiliser applicator was kept busy. It made £640.
Peter and Jill Smith have almost 90 years combined experience at growing cauliflowers and selecting seed for follow-on crops. "The supermarkets have a tendency for escalating costs and diminishing returns. It was get out or go bust. The decision was relatively easy, but making 34 regular staff redundant hurt," said Mr Smith.
This Belarus-mounted Burdens cauli-harvesting kit reached £6000 under auctioneer James Linington of GW Finn & Son.
A frosty morning stopped picking elsewhere and helped swell the sale crowd, including some from Ireland