Exmoor Hill Farming Network is holding a Next Generation Group Meeting on Wednesday, 26 June.

Under 30s and young farmers are invited to join the network at Oaremead Farm, Oare Lynton which is home to Tom and Sarah Burge. Tom is the fourth generation farmer of the Burge family to farm in the Doone Valley.

Their farming enterprise consists of 1,500 Romney x Highlander ewes and 500 Scotch Black face ewes within a closed flock. Selling the majority of lambs as stores at Blackmoor Gate Market. In early 2018 Tom designed and made a hydraulic caged dipper making it easier for the welfare and management of the flock.

The cattle enterprise consists of a 100 head of Hereford x suckler cows moving to an Aberdeen Angus x. The bulls used at Oaremead are Charolais x and Aberdeen Angus. The suckled calves are sold at Cutcombe in the autumn. The Angus steers are kept until around 18 months as they are used to graze moorland under a conservation scheme.

Tom is keen to progress with a solid grassland management system that works for him. He works with a consultant from Precision Grazing and is moving to a rotational grazing system. They are installing a cell grazing system which is ongoing. Tom regularly soil tests and has his own faecal egg counting equipment on farm which he uses regularly for his flock management.

The event is to run from 7-9pm and visitors with a 4WD are asked to bring it along for the farm tour.

Following this there will be a BBQ provided, weather permitting.

Booking is essential for catering purposes by Monday, June 24 by calling 01643 841455.