Bradworthy YFC had a busy weekend recently, with a group from Yorkshire’s Tadcaster and Wetherby YFC coming down to stay on an exchange weekend.

A few club members had the young farmers from Yorkshire stay with them over the weekend and did lots of activities to show them around the beautiful area.

The weekend started off with a cream tea at 13th Century Rectory Farm Tearooms in Morwenstow, followed by a tour of Rothamsted Research’s North Wyke farm research station near Okehampton. The farm is a research farm which measures all inputs and outputs of different farming systems. On the tour there was a great talk about the sensors used to measure greenhouse gases, and how this information can be used to help us rethink how we farm for the better. This was followed by a tasty burger and some great views at The Tors Inn in Belstone.

The day ended with a tour of Elston Farm at Copplestone. Andy showed the group around his farm, which he has implemented lots of forward thinking ideas, such as tree planting, herbal lays to reduce fertiliser usage and game farming. He also showed his many diversifications including the M C Kelly meat business and dog food business, including the worlds first mobile abattoir. As well as a quarry, house heated by excess heat from his butchery refrigerators and his many other plans.

On the second day, YFC members from both clubs had a tour of Scadghill Farm near Bude. Bob Priest demonstrated how cell grazing can really improve pasture land and cattle growth rates, especially in this year’s drought. Afterwards, there was surfing followed by some well-deserved fish and chips from The Mermaid on Widemouth beach.

In the evening the guests came to Bradworthy YFC’s annual foam party, which was a great success.

On Sunday, Bradworthy members showed the guests from Yorkshire around Clovelly, before having a lovely carvery at the Bradworthy Inn.

Members from Tadcaster and Wetherby then headed off for their six-hour journey back home before several members from Bradworthy will head up to Yorkshire later this month.

They have lots planned, including a visit to the Great Yorkshire Show.