Andy and Sue Guy – Thorney Abbey Farm, Southwell, Nottinghamshire
Andy and his wife Sue began farming in 1997 on a Gloucestershire County
Council smallholding. In 2001, following the Foot & Mouth outbreak, the couple
relocated their business to Thorney Abbey Farm. The specialist dairy farm,
home to 110 pedigree Holstein cows and 80 followers, spans over 200 acres is
located some 10 miles west of Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire. Since the
1980s the farm has been owned by Sue's family who have worked the same land
for almost 100 years.
In 2005 the farm was awarded the LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)
Demonstration Farm status and now hosts many visits to fellow farmers and a
wide range of public groups, from local schools to the Women’s Institute. Key
farming practices include a “clean grazing system” – by which young cattle eat
only pasture which was not grazed in the previous season. This helps to optimise
production whilst promoting good health for the cows and their environment and
minimizing the use of medicines. The couple grow wheat, clover and grass, all of
which are fed to the cows. Farmyard manure is used to reduce the amount of
fertiliser used on the farm and this, combined with good crop rotation, maintains
and improves the condition of the soil. The Lottabottle herd milk is sold locally
through the Dairy Farmers of Britain Doorstep Delivery service and to a Stilton
Cheese manufacturer in Leicestershire.
There are a host of stories to tell about wild flowers, owl & kestrel boxes, Brown
Hares, Tree sparrow breeding programmes, Lapwing & Skylark nesting sites...
In 2005 Thorney Abbey Farm won the Farmers Weekly "Countryside Farmer of
the Year" and overall "Farmer of the Year" award.
Andy, Sue and their daughter Lottie look forward to welcoming you to Thorney
Abbey Farm on Open Farm Sunday – 10th June 2007 to hear more about their
Lottabottle Holstein herd! For further information visit: www.farmsunday.org.
-Ends-
For further information and images or to arrange an interview with a local farmer contact:
Naomi Barry
David Gough
The Ceres Partnership
The Ceres Partnership
T: 01189 475956
T: 01189 475956
E: naomi.barry@ceres-pr.co.uk
E: david.gough@ceres-pr.co.uk
Editors notes

LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) www.leafuk.org is a national charity
that helps farmers to care for the environment and the wildlife that it sustains.

An increasing number of farmers are signing up to the LEAF scheme which
integrates modern farming know-how with conservation.

Food carrying the LEAF marque logo indicates that it has been grown by farmers
who are committed to looking after the countryside and the environment.

Open Farm Sunday on 10 June provides a great opportunity for the public to get
a behind-the-scenes look at life on a farm and the nature it sustains

The Event is organised by LEAF and hundreds of farmers are taking part by
inviting the public to visit their farm where there will be nature trails, talks,
tastings and demonstrations.

Visitors will be able to learn how farmers are encouraging natural plant species to
thrive alongside crops and can get a close up look at farm animals and wildlife.

Open Farm Sunday is sponsored by:
Home-Grown Cereals Authority, National Farmers’ Union, Natural England,
Regatta Clothing, Wiggly Wigglers, Country Living, Farmers Weekly, McDonalds,
SEEDA and Framework for Change

Open Farm Sunday is also supported by thinkvegetables.co.uk, the RSPB,
YARA, Think Farming and Food, Fair Trade for British Farmers, Produce World,
CLA, Shepherd Neame Master Brewers, Chamberlain, EEDA and the
Government Office for the East Midlands
For details on participating farms and activities visit www.farmsunday.org.or call 02476
413911.