Q: Can you outline your farming setup?
A: I'm a sixth-generation farmer running around 280 beef cows, alongside roughly 60 acres of arable land. We grow all our own barley and carry out all tractor work in-house, which gives us a fair amount of control over timings and workload.
Q: Do you carry out work beyond your own holding?
A: Yes, during the summer months I do some contracting work for other farmers, which fits around our own workload and I've recently passed my Class One driving test, so I'm also driving lorries for our family haulage business.
Q: What does a typical working day involve?
A: No two days are ever the same. Most mornings begin with feeding and bedding the cows, then the rest of the day depends on priorities. Tuesdays are spent separating cattle for market, as we sell on Wednesdays. At the moment, there's also a focus on tidying and cleaning up the yard.
Q: What are your current priorities on farm?
A: We're trying to get concreting and infrastructure jobs completed before conditions deteriorate. There's also still fieldwork to finish, alongside the usual repairs and maintenance that come with running a farm.
"In winter I just layer up – the waterproofs do the rest."
Q: Do you have anything exciting projects coming up?
A: Yes, we've got an upcoming project with Severn Trent and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The plan is to replace old fencing and plant new hedgerows to improve habitats and increase biodiversity around the farm.
Q: How long have you been using Kaiwaka clothing?
A: I've been wearing it for a few years now. It's been consistently reliable, which is why I was happy to be involved in the campaign.
Q: Where can people follow your farming journey?
A: I share what I'm doing day to day under Alice Farms on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. The content reflects whatever work is happening on the farm at the time.
Alice has been wearing Kaiwaka for years and has been consistently impressed with its reliability, so when Farmers Guardian got in touch with her about the exciting rebrand that was hitting the UK she was really keen to get involved. FG asked for her opinions on the Kaiwaka gear and why it helps her on the farm.
Q: How important is reliable workwear in your role?
A: It's essential. I need clothing that can cope with a full day outside, whether that's feeding stock, washing trailers or handling cattle, without having to change throughout the day.
Q: What stands out to you about Kaiwaka waterproofs?
A: Their versatility. I can put them on first thing in the morning and wear them right through until the end of the day, whatever the job. They're also very durable, which is important given the conditions they're used in.
The magnetic strip on the coat is a big plus. When your hands are cold after working in the rain, it's far easier than dealing with buttons or fastenings.
I wear them daily through winter. I layer up underneath when it's cold, but the waterproofs do a good job of keeping both moisture and dirt off. Outside of winter, I can usually get away with just a T-shirt or light jumper underneath.
Q: Do you have any practical advice when it comes to farm workwear?
A: Always keep food in your pockets. Jobs can overrun, and it's easy to get caught out with no access to food when you're busy.
To find out more about Kaiwaka and how you can get hold of their new range, visit their website.
Follow Alice to find out what she gets up to day-to-day @alice.farms
