Paul Proudley

Farmer Paul Proudley is a pioneer - swapping traditional cattle for Luings from the west coast of Scotland. Now he plans to abandon his Mule and Texel crosses to introduce Easycare sheep. By mid-April his ewes will be lambing outdoors at Hall Farm near Whitby - saving time and money.

Paul Proudley

“It doesn’t feel like training and you’re not preached at. This is a two-way exchange…”

 

LandSkills-funded events and meetings provided the research for his new new sheep project.

Paul has farmed New Hall for 19 years, with his parents and wife Angie. Today he has 100 Luing suckler cows and 800 ewes.

He moved to pedigree Luings when headage payments were replaced by the Single Farm Payment.

Paul said: “Now they are increasing in popularity and the prices they’re making are very good. Luings are an up and coming breed and people are cottoning on to what they can do, they are bred for hardiness, efficiency, docility and functional correctness living outside all year. And they’re a good balance for the Easycare sheep.”

In 2009 Paul tool advantage of LandSkills-funded knowledge transfer provided by Lenn Cragg - visiting a farm running Easycare sheep.

Paul said: “We’ve increased the sheep from 300 last year to 800, they’re outside and the lambs would not usually be sold until November and on into February, but with this system we want them gone by the middle of October.

“They’ll be finishing on grass so we will save buying extra food, and you don’t have to ring the tails on Easycares’ because they don’t have problems with fly strike with having short hair instead of wool. Male lambs are usually left entire so they gain more weight quicker. And if you’re saving money, you’re making money.”

Asked what he would say to other farmers yet to be tempted by LandSkills-supported training or events: “Ultimately the funding is your money, so get something back.

It doesn’t feel like training and you’re not preached at. This is a two-way exchange, it’s social too and you get fresh ideas.”