Derek's ready to sell herd

A North Shropshire farmer is preparing to sell his entire herd of suckler cows, which has won awards at livestock markets across the county.

Derek Jones, 72, of Hill Farm, Moreton Wood, near Whitchurch, says he will be sad to sell his suckler herd but the time has come to take things a little easier.

After 19 years of farming at Hill Farm, he plans to surrender the tenancy and move to his 250-acre hill farm at Llanbrynmair, near Machynlleth in Mid Wales, where he will keep a flock of about 1,000 ewes.

He and his sons, Adrian and Nigel, also rent around 70 acres of land in the Bridgnorth area.

Mr Jones, whose family roots are in the Welsh borderlands, first started his suckler herd around 49 years ago.

His closed herd now comprises 35 Aberdeen Angus cross Limousin cows and an 11-year-old pedigree Limousin bull, which will be sold at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on Thursday, February 22.

All the cows are in-calf to the Limousin bull and are due to calve in April.

"They are good cows that have done well for us over the years," he said. "But, due to my age, I need to take life easier, although I shall still have an interest in farming and the markets when we move to Wales."

A loyal supporter of Shrewsbury livestock market for 45 years, he added: "I have always said that if you can't sell an animal in Shrewsbury you will not sell it anywhere. I think the new market in Shrewsbury is very good because it's all under one roof and you can get around it easily."

Allen Gittins, a director and auctioneer with Halls, who run Shrewsbury Auction Centre, said: "Derek has built an excellent reputation for breeding good quality cows and suckled calves over the years and the sale of his closed herd is certain to attract great interest from buyers.

"He has been a great supporter of our store cattle sales and we shall certainly miss him in the future."

For more information about the sale, contact Mr Gittins at Halls' Ellesmere office on 01691 622602 or Shrewsbury Auction Centre on 01743 462620.