Over the farm gate with... Rosey Dunn

NORTH Yorkshire farmer Rosey Dunn spent many hours of her childhood helping on a great uncle’s farm before she became “a proper farmer” exactly 30 years ago.
Rosey DunnRosey Dunn
Rosey Dunn

As well as being the regional board chairman of National Farmers’ Union, she runs North Carlton Farm in Stockton on the Forest, York.

Her mixed farming operation comprises of beef, sheep, arable and contract work, with suckler cows and breeding sheep, and runs to 235 acres.

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Another 100-plus acres are rented annually for grazing. She also farms another 150 acres on a stubble-to-stubble contract basis.

1) What do you enjoy most about farming?

Everyday is different, I enjoy being my own boss and in particular calving and lambing – hard work but very rewarding.

2) What would you say is the biggest challenge you face on your farm at the moment?

Profitability, despite a good year for the farm, we along with other farmers appear to be in a farming recession with poor returns at the moment.

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3) If you could change one thing about how the farming industry worked, what would it be?

In the short term I would like to see an end to supermarket price wars, it is a race to the bottom which is devaluing Great British food and squeezing suppliers.

4) How do you ensure high welfare standards of your animals?

We have been Red Tractor Farm Assured since inception, it’s good on welfare standards but we also like to give our animals the best life possible.

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5) Describe your own favourite dish of farm-produced food...

Sunday lunch, it’s got to be a roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with lots of vegetables, i.e. roast potatoes and parsnips, swede and red cabbage.

6) How can I go about eating the food that is produced on your farm?

Our beef and lamb is sold through York Auction Centre and is sometimes bought by local butchers who have shops at Escrick and Huntington.

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