In your field: James Robinson - "At least I can pretend that I know how to grow something other than grass"

James farms Dairy Shorthorns east of Kendal, Cumbria, with his parents Kathleen and Henry, wife Michelle and sons Robert and Chris. The fifth generation to farm at Strickley, he is also vice-chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network

James Robinson
clock • 3 min read
In your field: James Robinson - "At least I can pretend that I know how to grow something other than grass"

We are well-staffed this morning, so while Dad and Robert are getting on with milking, I have nipped back inside to write this column. Early morning is supposed to be the most productive time of the...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on In your field

In your field: Kate Rowell – "It's definitely brought home to me just how much we rely on our family to get things done on-farm"

In your field: Kate Rowell – "It's definitely brought home to me just how much we rely on our family to get things done on-farm"

Kate is a fifth-generation farmer running the 750-hectare (1,853-acre) Hundleshope Farm on the Haystoun Estate, Peebles, where the family have been tenants for 150 years. She runs the hill unit with her husband Ed and their four children. She is also a vet and chair of Quality Meat Scotland

Kate Rowell
clock 23 March 2026 • 3 min read
In your field: Emma Robinson – "We are not due to start lambing until March 25, but thanks to a neighbouring farm's ram lamb, we have started sooner. Good job we are not pedigree"

In your field: Emma Robinson – "We are not due to start lambing until March 25, but thanks to a neighbouring farm's ram lamb, we have started sooner. Good job we are not pedigree"

Emma and her family farm in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, milking 100 pedigree Holsteins and selling raw milk from the farmgate. They also run 300 North Country Mules. Emma volunteers with the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and is chair of RABI Monmouthshire

Emma Robinson
clock 22 March 2026 • 3 min read
In your field: Alan Carter – "Calf prices still seem very good, which shows there must be confidence in beef production"

In your field: Alan Carter – "Calf prices still seem very good, which shows there must be confidence in beef production"

Alan Carter farms in partnership with his parents, Paul and Christine, on a 162-hectare (400-acre), 400-cow dairy unit at Constantine, Cornwall, with 130 milking cows, supplying Saputo. Alan, also a Parish Councillor, and his wife Sarah, have two children, Ross and Dana

Alan Carter
clock 15 March 2026 • 3 min read