Waitrose supplier wins quarterly prize draw

for FWAG Environmental Health Check clients

The quarterly prize draw for Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) Environmental Health Check customers has been won by Henry and Esther Rudge of Ballingham Court near Hereford.  Their winning prize was 10 oak saplings, stakes and tree guards donated by "Trees Please" of Northumberland.

Henry and Esther Rudge run a 320 acre mixed farm on the banks of the River Wye.  They have a 70 cow suckler herd with the finished stock being sold both to private customers and Waitrose under the Hereford scheme.  The 400 ewes produce lambs for the spring market with a small Lleyn flock kept to breed replacements.  Recent investment has seen the planting of 30 acres of orchards; 22 acres of apples are grown under contract for Copella and an 8 acres organic pear orchard producing desert fruit.  The Rudges have always had a strong commitment to developing their business whilst also improving the habitats on the farm and this was recognised last year when they were awarded the Wye Valley Farm of the Year by the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Andy Ormiston, Managing Director of FWAG said "The FWAG Environmental Health check is a service which takes farmers and landowners through the requirements of Cross Compliance, identifies where they have concerns about meeting the regulations and sets out an action plan by which they can ensure compliance.  It also raises awareness of how Environmental Stewardship can be effectively deployed to help both the environment and a farm business.    To find out more about FWAG services come and visit our stands at the Royal Show and Game Fair"