I am passionate about farming, particularly arable and have gained many skills over the years. I am happy to carry out ploughing, cultivating (including disc cultivating), rolling, tedding, rowing up, baling, stubble-raking, mowing, topping, sub-soiling, drilling, corn-carting, muckspreading, slurry spreading and can use mounted post bangers. This summer I have had the sole charge of the chaser bin for the harvest and would like to progress to a combine in the future.

I have driven many vehicles over the years, including John Deere (JD) with Guidance Generation 3 and Generation 4, JD6R (all gear boxes), JCB Forklifts, JCBTM and have towed up to 16t corn trailers. I have carried out many tasks at the farms I have worked at, including 360 diggers, JCB Telehandler, JD6M, JD4050 and the JD3650. I have experience of driving both modern engines and those with old transmissions. I also use a front-loader Massey Ferguson and a JD6R with a front loader. I have used a Merlo and a Claas Scorpion Telehandler, and have driven using quadbox, CVT/IVT and direct-drive transmission.

I have carried out many arable tasks, as I have at times, been the only employee for several years. I have driven machines such 360 diggers, when helping him build his new grain store, JCB Telehandler, JD6M, JD4050 and the JD3650. I have experience of driving both modern engines and those with old transmissions.

Over the years, I have experience of using quadbox, CVT/ IVT, and direct-drive transmissions.

I have various experiences with livestock. Growing up on a beef farm and with my family having a small flock of sheep, approximately 200, I ensured to increase my experiences of other livestock whilst at college and during the half terms supporting a National Trust beef farm. I also completed a two-week work placement at a well-established dairy farm, in Brize Norton.

Working at a beef and arable farm near Wheatley, Oxfordshire for eight months, I fed and bedded up the cattle daily during the winter months. I supported the loading of cattle when preparing for market and played a key role during TB testing. I have experiences with all areas of care for beef cattle and understand the importance of careful feeding regimes. I am capable of bedding up, feeding (using cattle-specific machinery such as feeder-wagons and shear-grabs) and am aware of the importance of high hygiene standards when the cattle are indoors over the winter period.

I have experience of giving injections myself and worming cattle, and spend much of my college time with the beef herd.

Sheep: Over the years, I have supported my father with many different aspects of sheep husbandry. I have been involved in vaccinating and worming for example, as well as foot trimming. I have assisted with shearing but am find wool rolling more appealing! I have also assisted with fencing, pen building, loading and moving the sheep, including the rams at tupping.

I have great pride in ensuring the lambs remain healthy and enjoy looking after the cades. I understand the precision needed when making their milk, and the importance of routine. I also understand the importance of introducing hard feed and grass.

Dairy: I have undertaken all aspects of dairy work including milking, feeding (as with the beef herd) and assisted in identifying animals that require intervention, including mastitis. I have also been fully involved with scrapping out and bedding up. I have experience, at both college, my dairy placement and with my godfather, of preparing and feeding milk to the calves. I have limited experience of calving however, so did not highlight that on the options above.

For both beef and dairy, I have been involved with the muck cart and am capable of both muck and slurry spreading. For feeding, I am used to, and capable of, safely moving bales around a site.