Sale sees end of 60 years of growing potatoes

The dispersal sale is a result of a change in farming policy by Nick Johnson whose family has grown potatoes at Sandwath House, Forcett, near Richmond, since 1937.

The family is one of the longest-established potato producers in the North of England and has supplied McCains since 1975. However the general squeeze on the market and pressure on growers made Mr Johnson decide to quit potatoes and concentrate on contract farming.

It was not an easy decision, particularly as it meant redundancy for two loyal, long-serving employees.

He still plans to grow wheat and barley on the 900-acre tenanted farm but is waiting for full details of the mid-term CAP review before making any other decisions.

After the Second World War Mr Johnson's grandfather was part of the Government's big push to get people to plough out the land. Now Mr Johnson, who is married with two sons, is considering Countryside Stewardship and the environmental schemes farmers are being steered towards.

The sale is being handled by George F White's machinery auctioneer, Tom Oates, who said such an extensive sale of potato and arable machinery was well-timed.

"There is a full specification of modern machinery for sale, it is high quality and is coming on to the market at the perfect time of year for the arable and potato farmer, the time of year when they most need it," he said. "We are anticipating a huge interest, as farm sales like this in the North-East are extremely few and far between especially during the summer months."

Almost all the machinery has been on Sandwath House Farm from new and has all been extremely well maintained.

The Sandwath House Farm dispersal sales start at 11am on Saturday, July 19th. The farm will ben signposted and is on the B6274 which is a right turn off the westbound A66 Scotch Corner to Penrith road.

A full list of machinery is available on the web site, www.georgefwhite.co.uk, or from George F White offices in Bedale, Wolsingham and Alnwick.