Potato farmer is new NFU chairman

POTATO farmer Colin Bradley has been appointed as the NFU's (National Farmers' Union) new Lancashire County Chairman for 2016 and 2017.
Colin Bradley, New county NFU chairmanColin Bradley, New county NFU chairman
Colin Bradley, New county NFU chairman

Colin, who grows potatoes on 1500 acres of land spread over three counties, lives at Stanley Villa , Weeton and says his priority will be to help create a profitable ind ustry for the next generation of Lancashire farmers.

He took over from Lancaster sheep farmer John Taylor.

The 61 year old former dairy farmer said: “There is a generation of Lancashire farmers who do not have a vocal platform at a time of huge volatility in agricultural markets. With the power of social media, I believe there are a lot of opportunities these young farmers can grab with both hands.”

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He continued: “Social media is so powerful and by using it to their advantage the next generation of farmers can do far better in business than my generation has. Young people need to be helped onto the business ladder and for that reason I’ll be championing farm business tenancies, share farm options and limited liability partnerships.

“There are people out there with money and land who need the energy and skill sets that our young people have. It’s the NFU’s role to bring these two sets of people together.”

A keen cyclist, Colin has ridden from Land’s End to John O’Groats and recently completed the 560 miles between Bangkok and Phuket on his bike.

He started his farming career as a dairy farmer but when quotas were introduced he sold the cows and started growing potatoes, becoming a major producer for McCain.

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Colin then formed Fylde Fresh and Fabulous processing business with three partners – peeling potatoes for ready meal makers as well as fresh chips for fish and chip shops.

The potatoes are grown in Lancashire, Cumbria and Northumberland.

He was officially inaugurated at the NFU’s county branch annual dinner at the Samlesbury Hotel in Preston.