Yorkshire farmer, Richard Raper was this week presented with a special award as top barley grower from farm-supply company, Dalgety Kenneth Wilson.
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Raper – who farms 240 hectares (600 acres) near Thirsk – was singled-out from farmers across the north east region because of his outstanding success in growing a new barley variety, Siberia.
He said: “This is the first year that I tried the variety, so it was a bit of an experiment. But I was absolutely delighted with the results. At 10.9 tonnes/hectare – about 7% above the average for winter barley – I could hardly believe the final yield and had to double-check it by putting it over a weighbridge.
“With all the recent changes in farming, I’ve had to adapt by getting rid of the potato-growing and pig-rearing sides of the business and concentrate on arable. If things improve I’d like to expand this enterprise in future. In the meantime, though, I want to carry on with what we’re doing but do it better, so this award is a great boost.”
Nigel Britland, from Dalgety Kenneth Wilson, added: “It’s great to meet pioneering young farmers such as Richard – they really are the future of the industry. Since taking over the farm five years ago he’s completely restructured the business and we wish him every success for the future.”
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