NFU’s new Lancashire County Chairman is organic dairy farmer Tom Rigby of Johnson’s Farm in Warrington.
Tom who is 54 years old, is married to Julia and has an eight year old son called James. He milks 50 traditional Friesian cows on an organic system and sells the milk to the organic milk suppliers cooperative (OMSCO). Tom owns the 153 acre Johnson’s Farm where he also grows a mix of potatoes, vegetables and fodder for his cows. He sells the potatoes and vegetables into outlets in Manchester, various box delivery schemes and local food hub, Northern Harvest.
When asked why he’d taken on the challenge, Tom said: "I enjoy talking farming and to farmers. I’ve been very impressed by what the NFU has achieved during the last two years. Every farmer should witness the great work that goes on at the NFU’s headquarters in Stoneleigh. Perhaps arranging a trip for Lancashire members should be my first job as chairman.
"I was a conventional farmer for more years than I’ve been an organic one so I’d also like to assure all Lancashire members that I’m knowledgeable and appreciative of the challenges they face.
"I hope to make a real difference. There are going to be many challenges and opportunities during the next two years. Bovine TB is spreading fast through Cheshire and is coming close to the Lancashire border. And then there are the issues surrounding bluetongue disease, NVZs and flooding. More localised issues include problems with travellers. The damage they cause in such a short space of time is huge. Members can rest assured that I’ll try my utmost to represent them on all these issues and more."
Tom officially converted his farm to organic on the day of his marriage to Julia – the 2nd of May, 1999.
"Since turning organic we’ve had good years and bad years," explained Tom.
"The milk price has held up well but the price of organic cereals has increased. We try to be self sufficient but still have to buy some fodder in."
