I graduated from Bristol University with a history degree, before deciding that I would be better working in the countryside. I trained at Sparsholt Agricultural College and went on to work as a herdsman with the famous Critchel herd of pedigree cows. It took nine months and three new exhaust pipes for my elderly MGC sportscar, broken on cattle grids and rough farm lanes, before I found an affordable farm. I moved to West Hill Farm, high on the North Devon Coast, in 1984.

For 16 years I've been developing a pedigree, high yielding, Holstein herd which I'm now blending with traditional breeds including Ayrshire and Dairy Shorthorn.

In 1999 I was fortunate to be awarded a Nuffield farming Trust Scholarship to study the management of organic dairy cows. My travels took me to Canada, the U.S.A., Sweden and the Netherlands. My resulting report has happily caused a great deal of interest. I regularly lecture on organic farming topics as well as provide organic consultancy and training for Marden Management.

I am currently chairman of the North Devon Grassland Society, and I hope that I can provide this year, as informative and entertaining a program as those which I have enjoyed in previous years.