James MacCartney

Flitteriss Park Farm, Braunston, Oakham, Rutland 

  • Farm size: 160ha 
  • Annual rainfall: 720mm 
  • Soil type: Heavy clay 

James MacCartney is a third-generation beef and sheep producer and studied for a degree in rural land management at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. He has run the family’s sheep and beef enterprises for 10 years in partnership with his mother, Lesley, and sister.  The 160ha farm is home to 600 breeding ewes and 150 cattle, which are purchased as calves and then fattened.  

Transition goals: 

  • Reducing carbon footprint 
  • Reaching disease-free status 
  • Establishing herbal leys 
 

All articles featuring James MacCartney

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Transition farmer achieves closed sheep flock goal

Achieving his goal of running a closed sheep flock to improve ewe health has been a slower process than James MacCartney anticipated, involving three years of breeding replacements and screening…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

How farm collaboration can cut costs and increase efficiency

Farmers looking to exploit new opportunities, introduce greater flexibility and make their businesses more resilient should consider collaborating as a route to a more productive future. Joining forces with other…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

One in three farmers unprepared for BPS withdrawal

Farmers are being urged to ensure their businesses can survive without the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), which is due to be phased out in England. Some 36% of farm income…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

How one farm hopes to balance finance and environment

Transition Farmer James MacCartney says the size of his farm is the main challenge he faces in his quest to secure a sustainable future for his business. A third-generation beef…

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