AN organisation run by farmers holds its first in a series of specialist meetings next week.

The Yorkshire Dales Farmers Network (YDFN) was launched in February and has 30 members, with expressions of interest from 200 more.

It is based on the successful Cumbria Farmer Network which, within four years, has 550 members.

The YDFN demonstration days for members and potential members are at James Butcher’s Fleet Farm, Rylston, Skipton, next Wednesday, and JR and A Blades, Brown Moor Farm, Hawes, on Thursday, August 12. Both run from 4pm to 9pm.

They will explain the latest on EID from tag manufacturer Ritchey; ram MoTs and lamb selection from Eblex; winter beef feed rations from local feed specialists; and faecal egg counts and worming policy from a local vet.

The network philosophy is that local farmers benefit by working together, especially when facing changes in input prices, regulations, environment and the market place, which may involve changes to management practices.

Members will get professional advice on key input/services and the network has already negotiated some good deals on the disposal of waste plastic, electricity, fuel and UELS advice.

They also receive a regulation checklist and updates to help cope with inspections.

Chris Clark, who farms 400 acres in Wharfedale, is the YDFN manager.

He said: “YDFN is owned and run by farmers for farmers.

It is a not-for-profit organisation.

“Farmer groups in Cumbria have not only reduced input costs but increased profits, improved their knowledge, saved time, reduced bills and sourced funding to share new equipment.”

The network was launched after extensive consultation within the community, and with support from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the Carnegie UK Trust.

It is serviced by the company office in Penrith and has five co-ordinators in Yorkshire who are managed by Mr Clark.

The annual membership of £41.50 – reduced to £35 if paid by August 31 – is open to farmers and farmer-controlled businesses in the Yorkshire Dales Leader area.

Contacts for the network’s three groups are: Chris Clark, Nethergill Farm, Oughtershaw, Buckden, 01756-761126; Michael Barker, Abbey Farm, Ellerton Abbey, Reeth, 01748- 884472; Nick Townley, Burnt House, Westhouse, Ribblesdale, 01524-241345; and Andrew Hattan, Low Riggs, Middlesmoor, Nidderdale, 01423-755122.