Meet the first farmers chosen to benefit from the Louise Hartley Fund

JESSICA SIMMS, 21, NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE

Inspired by her family’s pedigree Limousins, Jessica Simms has developed a strong interest in bovine genetics and their increasing significance in livestock production. She embraced the chance to produce, show and judge cattle and co-owns the Jessie G Limousin herd with her brother Edward.

As a final-year student at Harper Adams University, she is focusing her research project on genomics in the beef industry. She says: “I feel such advances will be of great significance and a key driver for efficiencies.”

Travel

Since starting at Harper Adams University in 2013, one of her aims has been to travel to leading countries in genetic biotechnologies. “I believe the US and Canada are two of the leading countries in terms of beef and dairy genetics and I can gain the most from visiting these countries.”

A member of Middlewich Young Farmers, Jessica has taken various roles, including stockjudging captain and chairman. She has also been a member of the Young Limousin Breeders Club since the age of 15 and won at various national stockjudging events. Showing is a big part of her life and her proudest achievement to date is winning supreme Limousin champion at the Royal Welsh Show last year.

After leaving Harper Adams she wants to focus on breeding, specifically in the beef sector. “I want to expand my small Limousin herd with the hope to one day work on the family farm with my younger brother.

This would give me the opportunity to put some of the practical and technical knowledge I have learned in my degree and travelling into practice.” While she concentrates her efforts on completing her degree, she plans to travel to the USA next year, visiting farms, feedlots, conferences and genetics companies with the intention of implementing the best practice she sees in developing her own herd.

“I feel delighted and privileged to be a successful candidate of the Louise Hartley Scholarship Fund. It is a fantastic opportunity for a young person starting out in the agricultural industry.”

Judges comments

“Jess’s level of ambition, focus and motivation was evident from the minute she walked into the room and she is a testament to the legacy Louise has left.” Danusia Osiowy, Head of features, Farmers Guardian

“Jess had an impressive grasp of livestock farming from an early age but has started to contribute to the whole supply chain. We hope Jess’ trip to the USA will furnish her with the knowledge to keep improving quality and consumer relations with UK beef.” Ben Hartley

RORY GREGOR, 25, INVERURIE, ABERDEENSHIRE

Rory Gregor, 25, has a wise head on young shoulders and when you listen to his journey so far, it’s easy to understand why. In March 2015, 31 of his pregnant Beltex sheep were stolen from Cairnton Farm, Kemnay, a loss costing about £80,000.

It was a devastating blow for the new entrant who is still working with the police in their ongoing investigations which saw a 29-year-old from Alford charged with multiple thefts last month. The batch of first-cycle lambers was the backbone of the flock, which he had built since he was 10.

Successes

But Rory did not give up. Instead, he rebuilt the flock, achieving showing successes in the pedigree Beltex sector. Working under the Gregor’s Beltex prefix, he now runs 30 ewes, 40 Beltex cross Texel ewes and 80 Mule ewes. Last year, he was involved in a serious road traffic incident, suffering a double skull fracture and bruising to the brain.

His sixmonth recovery affected his business as he was not allowed to drive and his livestock are kept on areas of rented land up to 30 miles from his home. The experience prompted him to finish full-time employment as a senior structural engineer after nine years and focus on farming. He says: “I decided life was too short and could be taken from me at any point, so it was time to follow my passion.”

After attending a sheep pregnancy scanning course in November, Rory invested £15,000 to start this sector of his business, running it alongside self-employed farm work including lambing and contract shearing. Having started scanning in December, he finished in March and believes he has had a successful first season.

“There is a shortage of scanners in the area. The other two local scanners each scan up to 100,000 sheep so I felt there was a chance for a younger person to do it. I have had good feedback from the first season and will advertise more next year. Hopefully word of mouth from good results will expand my client base.” The funds will be spent on developing a prototype to improve sheep welfare.

Rory will be developing his idea and researching it in trials through summer. More details will be revealed once the idea is patented. “When I applied I didn’t think I had a chance of winning, so I was over the moon when I won. “I enjoyed the interview process and meeting Louise’s family and the other judges.”

In the meantime, Rory will continue to increase his flock and work self employed with the eventual aim of securing a farm tenancy of his own.

Judges comments

“The judges felt Louise would have loved Rory’s fresh, enthusiastic and positive vision for the future, something we all had in our minds as we interviewed the candidates.” Philip Halhead, Owner of Norbreck Genetics

“Rory demonstrated an unmatched will to succeed. After 10 years without the capital of a family farm, Rory has had to be innovative and resourceful to establish his flock.” Ben Hartley