FARMING brothers Brothers Derek and Arthur Woodvine have expanded their holding at Kings Farm in Fordingbridge, by 25per cent from 390 acres of arable land to 488 acres.
Additional land will be used to increase the farm’s production of winter wheat, winter and spring barley, beans and peas.
Over the past 30 years the brothers have continued to grow their business, building their own farm sheds and grain drying complex, on top of managing a herd of cattle which at one point reached 500 head cattle.
Derek’s previous experience includes working up to 3 farms a day in his youth and in later years working night shifts at a local feed blending plant. That has proved especially valuable as he utilises his blending knowledge to benefit the thriving farm.
Derek currently manages the land and cattle and now boasts his own blended feed enterprise with Arthur providing crucial support where required. Arthur also runs his own venture in the form of a business threshing straw for thatching.
Clydesdale Bank has provided the business with 100 per cent of the purchase cost. The 488 acre farm, situated on the outskirts of Salisbury, has been a customer of the bank for almost 20 years.
As well as the funding for the land purchase, Clydesdale Bank assisted with the swift acquisition of a new tractor for the farm.
The funding for the development was organised by Justin Hayward, Relationship Manager for Agribusiness at Clydesdale Bank’s Business and Private banking centre in Oxford.
Derek Woodvine, Partner of A & D Woodvine said: “Running a farm is all I ever wanted to do from the moment I helped my dad drive the tractor at the age of five.
“We’re thrilled to have received the funding from Clydesdale Bank to purchase new equipment and make this opportunity for growth become a reality. As a bank, they’re always there for us, as they have shown throughout the land purchasing process”
Mark Laughlan, Head of Clydesdale Bank’s Reading and Oxford Business and Private Banking Centres, said “We are pleased to have assisted Arthur and Derek Woodvine with the growth of their business and look forward to working with them going forward.
“Clydesdale Bank remains focused on supporting the growth ambitions of local businesses”
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