A FERMANAGH farm business is to significantly expand after landing a contract with the ABP Food Group.
John Egerton runs the 74-acre Lisnavoe Farm near Rosslea with his three sons.
He recently invested in a new standalone calf rearing house to diversify his business interests and generate additional income. The move has been backed by Ulster Bank.
It helped the business secure a lucrative blade farming contract with one of Europe’s largest food processors, the ABP Food Group.
Blade farming has been described as an innovative calf rearing model that was established in 2001.
Developed in consultation with vets and nutrition consultants, it ensures maximum calf growth rates while minimising health challenges.
As part of the contract Lisnavoe Farm rears calves for 12 weeks and receives a management fee plus bonuses for rearing calves to the highest standards.
The farm business expects to rear 450 calves in its first year of the contract.
It marks a significant expansion on the farm’s 90-head suckler cow herd.
“Turnover at Lisnavoe Farm is substantially improved, and the model ensures a steady and stable income,” said Mr Egerton.
“All three of my sons – William, Samuel and Robert – want to farm. It’s a family business I also inherited from my father. By introducing calf rearing, which is a completely new area for us, we’re setting out a plan for a farming business with three distinct areas of focus for each take responsibility of and develop further.”
Two of John’s sons work on the farm, one full-time and the other part-time. His third son is involved in farming in Scotland.
“We’re investing now to make the business sustainable for all three sons, and to bring them all back to the home farm full-time,” added the farmer.
Business development manager at Ulster Bank, Peter O’Hara said: “John is an extremely driven businessman, committed to building solid foundations for the future of the business.
“The investment in the calf rearing shed, which paved the way for the securing of a much sought-after rearing contract, is one of many examples of how he has continually reinvested in the farm to diversify its interests.”
