Tough times tend to bring about more changes than when everything is running along nicely and John Branton, who farms at Winsetts Farm, Skeffling in Holderness believes that can work in his favour.

John has spent all of his working life as a farm contractor, with crop spraying being one of his specialist areas. For a while he moved away from general farm contracting but he has returned to it in recent times.

He tells me why. 'Farmers have been, and are presently going through tough times. I've always found that it's better for contractors when it's tougher for farmers because they look more closely at costs when margins are tight'. In reality they can make substantial savings on labour and machinery costs most of the time.

John has in recent times started working with Richard Croft of Park Farm, Winestead and although they operate as two separate businesses they work alongside each other.

They are both particularly excited about their own new machine, a Simba Solo ST, which they are pictured with here. 'It's a very expensive machine that can cut a lot of cost for farmers.

We reckon that it can save most farmers between £10-£20 per acre on their seed bed preparation. It does so many operations in one go and it is out of reach of most farms up to 1000 acres. But it's very much in reach when we're brought in as the contractor.

One pass with it is the same as a flat lift, ploughing and pressing and gives the same effect. Its cost saving potential is enormous.' As well as the general contracting side John also rears pigs for DRS, makes haylage from the grass on his 10 acre holding and still contract sprays over 20,000 acres per year, and has recently splashed out on a brand new Matrot sprayer. He has also started up with Agricycle and works closely with the Couzens boys in collection of farm plastic.

John and Richard's relationship goes a little further too as John's daughter Rosanna and Richard are partners having met at Patrington Young Farmers Club. Last year Rosanna and Richard opened up a new livery yard at Park Farm, completely renovating and refurbishing what was once a large courtyard stabling block.

The three have now returned it to its former glory and today it stands once again magnificent with 14 horses stabled at present, with a view to growing to 22 in the future. They've also built a menage and Rosanna sees the yard being used as an equestrian centre more for livery and competition than a riding school.

Rosanna has always had horses and competed herself in working hunter classes and pony club competitions. Richard's family have farmed at Winestead for four generations and he is delighted with the way the livery yard is going.

Park Farm runs to some 300 acres and also offers plenty of off-road hacking for its customers. All in all, between John, Richard and Rosanna there seems to be a great deal of work going on at Skeffling and Winestead, but John is quick to point out that two other people need a mention too.

Partner Elizabeth works full time for Hull city council but still finds time to do the bookwork, whilst her son Paul in his G.C.S.E. year at school helps with the pigs and horses at home.

John tells of his own philosophy in keeping in work. 'If I get a lead on any job, not particularly farming but any job I investigate it and take it as far as I think it is possible. If it's viable I do it. You shouldn't just rule something out because it's not traditionally what you've done. I spend hours analysing things and if it fits I do it.'