The farm through the seasons – January

This year, Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil celebrates its 15th year (something we’re very excited about!), but we have in fact been here on the farm for much longer. Adam has been running the farm here on the Yorkshire Wolds for over 20 years having taken over, following in his grandfather’s footsteps, back in 2000.

As we head into our 15th year, we thought it would be an excellent opportunity to share a little more of our story here, and about the farm behind the business. After all, with no farm there would be no Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil.

So, we hope you enjoy this little seasonal insight into what we do here, our passion around British agriculture, and a little behind the scenes action too.

Typically, a quiet month, January is the time for catching up with jobs - both on the farm and in the oil production unit. Machinery is repaired, washed and checked ready for seasons ahead. Livestock sheds are mucked out and cleared down when the opportunities arise. Whilst the sheep quietly do their thing on our dale sides. Wagons drop in to collect loads of rape meal, a bi-product of our pressing of the oilseed rape crop. This is sold for animal feed as it still holds a good amount of nutrients and a high percentage of oil.

The crops, drilled last year, are in the ground and have lay dormant through the winter months. They are now green in the fields but will show little sign of growth until the weather starts to warm up. Our rapeseed crop lays low, with the green leaves at ground level proving to be a magnet for pigeons! Keeping them off the crop is one of the biggest challenges at this time of the year!

So, for now, some stillness and quiet on the farm. We’ll make the most of it for now!