rapeseed Archives - Page 3 of 3

Over the years I have had bird surveys carried out on the farm. Primarily because I find this sort of thing interesting and whilst I am no bird expert (although I have learned a lot in the last few years), I do like to know what we have and what we can do to improve the likely hood of getting more species on the farm. Local conservation expert, Dr. Mark Avery has been surveying the birds at Bottom Farm since 2003. Back then he got very excited when he found Turtle Doves on the farm, which came back each year to nest. Unfortunately, in recent years he thought they had disappeared, which is the case in much of the UK. However, I was delighted recently when I thought I had spotted them here again, the turtle doves return. An excited call to Mark, who came out and confirmed, even more excitedly, that I was right! They’re back. This is great news, especially so as it was waste seeds I scatter around the farm from Farrington Oils, that they were feeding on.

Mark has just launched a new book, ‘A Message from Martha’, which talks about the sad demise of the last carrier pigeon in America, 100 years ago and the social history around the subject. It also draws parallels with the plight of the Turtle Dove today in the UK, mentioning our farm as part of the message. I haven’t read the copy kindly given to me yet, due to harvest keeping me busy at the moment, but am looking forward to soon. Until then it looks great on the coffee table, with the cover designed by local artist, Carry Akroyd.

Harvest is in full swing, with the rapeseed nearly gathered in, giving very pleasing results following a near perfect growing season. Marvin is taking over from Father as the main combine driver this year, for which he has some big boots to fill. After over forty years experience driving combine harvesters, there is not much my Father doesn’t know and to let a new man lose on our beloved machine can’t be easy, however, Father seems reasonably relaxed, showing Marvin the finer points to help make him into an experienced operator in time.

Once we have finished the rapeseed, there will be a few days catching up on other jobs around the farm in readiness for the main wheat harvest to start in August. This is when the real fun starts and it all gets a bit hectic, so preparation is key.

www.leafmarque.com

Farming Diary

From LEAF Demonstration Farmer Duncan Farrington

Farrington’s Mellow Yellow Popularity Grows continuously.

Thanks to the increasing popularity of our Farrington’s Mellow Yellow range of rapeseed oil, dressings, and mayonnaises, we are no longer able to grow all the rapeseed we need at Bottom Farm. For some months of the year, we will need to source seed from outside farms to supplement our own.

Over the last few months, I have been looking to work with other LEAF Marque growers of Rapeseed, to supply top quality seed. I am delighted to have teamed up with Arden Farms based at Owmby-by-Spital near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire. Arden farms grow a range of crops, including wheat, barley, oilseed rape, and onions. They also take much pride in their herd of red deer, which being in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds, the land is ideally suited to deer giving them a natural diet and cover. Interestingly, venison contains less than half the fat of beef, pork, and lamb. This combined with the fact that it is a very tender and nutritious meat, supports venison in becoming increasingly popular with consumers.

We at Farrington’s are very excited and look forward to working closely with Arden Farms, who like us strive to farm their land in a way that is sympathetic to the environment in order to create a healthy and diverse range of food. To read more about Arden Farms, visit their website www.ardenfarms.co.uk

We are delighted to have won gold twice again this year in the Great Taste Gold 2011. The awards were given to our Garlic Mayonnaise which was launched last year and also to our new Balsamic Vinegar Dressing, launched earlier this year, combining Farrington’s MELLOW YELLOW rapeseed oil and British apple balsamic vinegar, garlic and basil.

The Great Taste Awards are highly regarded within the food industry, with over 7400 products being entered for judging over a rigorous two-month period. Before gold is awarded a minimum of twelve experts must discuss and agree on the winner. Consumers and retailers alike recognise Great Taste Award winners as being products they can trust.

Duncan recieved his first Great Taste Award in 2006 for Farrington’s MELLOW YELLOW cold pressed rapeseed oil and is delighted to have won the latest awards and to have Northamptonshire once again rewarded for producing great artisan food. His entire range of dressings and mayonnaises have now been individually awarded Great Taste Awards, making this year’s awards especially exciting.

We’ve been playing around with this for some time, eggs, oil and tears have literally gone into it. Eli’s been busy mixing, whilst Duncan and the rest of the team have been busy tasting. We’ve tried it on salads (of course); in sandwiches; on chips; and dipped many a spoon in. At last we now have a new mayonnaise to be proud of, and something your customers will want to buy!

This classic Mayonnaise is uncompromising on health, taste, and quality. Using Farrington’s award winning MELLOW YELLOW® cold pressed rapeseed oil as the base; which is naturally low in saturated fat, full of Omega 3 and combining British free range eggs, a hint of Dijon mustard, and a lemony sharpness, this additive free mayonnaise will brilliantly complement any food.

To celebrate the launch, we are delighted to have to have 20 FREE entrance tickets available (worth £25 each!) for the first 20 people who email us (One ticket per organisation). If you wish to book tickets online, you can get 20% off the entrance price by entering the code PH4KK. For more information on the festival please visit www.realfoodfestival.co.uk

To stock our mayonnaise or for more information, please email info@farrington-oils.co.uk or call 01933 622809