Native sire experiment paying off for Yorkshire suckler farm
- BWCS
- Apr 17
- 5 min read
Based near Ripon, North Yorkshire, third-generation tenant farmers Andrew and Jenna Lane Falshaw run a 90-cow continental-cross suckler herd on the Swinton Estate. The tenancy, which has been held by Andrew’s family since 1937, currently consists of 450 acres, 250 of which is permanent pasture, with the remainder growing maize, barley, grass fodder and forage crops, all of which is used to feed to the cattle and a flock of 90 breeding ewes.
The suckler herd typically runs a mix of four stock bulls to produce well-grown fattening bulls and heifers, reared on the farm’s home-grown ration and sold either finished into Northallerton mart, or as stores to Leyburn and Pateley Bridge. The older cows in the herd are split between two Charolais and the younger cows run with an easy-calving Limousin, leaving the incoming replacement heifers to run with a bull of another breed. In 2022, the family opted for the first time to trial a British White on the heifers, which has so far yielded excellent results.
Having just weighed the current group of fattening bulls approaching 12 months old, Andrew says of the British White crosses in the bunch: “Because they’re a native breed, they’re used to growing with less food, and they’ve proved it when we weighed them that living in the same pen and on the same ration as the Charolais and Limousin crosses, they’ve kept up with the group and even exceeded some of the continentals. The ones we finished and put through Northallerton last year averaged well too, particularly for being out of first-calved heifers.”
With a background interest in livestock genetics and a keenness to support less well-known breeds, it was Andrew’s wife Jenna who had suggested trying something a bit different. Jenna says: “The thing that drew me to the British White was that they had a good covering of beef but they also had plenty of milk, and they could do well on pasture. The fact that I liked genetics and tracing lineage meant that I liked the idea of supporting a rarer breed over something that everybody had, and that was the driving force behind it. Andrew’s grandfather [George Falshaw, a well-known cattle dealer who traded cattle nationally 5 days a week] once bought and fattened a load of British Whites from a nearby farmer many years ago, and he had said what a good suckler cow he thought they were, so I think that helped my case when I was trying to persuade Andrew into buying a few for ourselves.”
Prior to the arrival of a British White bull in May 2022, the couple had initially purchased a handful of pedigree females from a local breeder the previous autumn, with those cows put to the British White to produce purebred calves. A selection of the homebred pure and crossbred British White heifers were retained for bulling in 2025, and the family are now looking forward to seeing those genetics adding to the maternal side of the suckler herd.
Andrew and Jenna also recently found success at the BWCS Spring Sale, with the first pedigree British White bull produced under the Swinton prefix being sold at Melton Mowbray Market’s Premier Pedigree multi-breed event on 22 March, where they topped the British White prices at 2,800gns with the two-year-old Swinton Banksy.
As demonstrated by the Falshaw family, incorporating British White genetics into a crossbred suckler beef system can bring advantages to feed efficiency, calving ease, and suckler cow output. Added benefits, such as the quality of the beef texture and taste, may also be of interest to those selling beef direct to the consumer. To learn more, visit: www.britishwhitecattle.co.uk.
Herd Profile: Shaws Farm, Swinton
Andrew and Jenna Lane Falshaw are the proud third-generation tenant farmers at Shaws Farm, nestled in the scenic Burn Valley near Swinton, Masham in North Yorkshire. The farm is part of the stunning Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a region renowned for its natural beauty and biodiversity. The farm, with its diverse landscape and rich agricultural history, is also home to the Swinton pedigree herd of British White cattle, a central feature of the operation.
Shaws Farm is a mixed farm which Andrew runs alongside his father, continuing a legacy of farming that has been passed down through the generations. The farm is a hub of activity, with a variety of livestock and crops making up the core of the business. This includes the 90-cow beef suckler herd which form the backbone of the farm’s livestock enterprise, as well as a pedigree Ryeland flock including both the traditional white and coloured Ryelands, alongside some Lleyns, and a breeding herd of pedigree Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs.
One of the most unique and important aspects of the farm is its focus on the British White cattle breed. Andrew and Jenna have chosen to use a British White sire for the first-calving heifers in the main suckler herd. The British White is a hardy, dual-purpose breed, well-suited to the challenging conditions of the Burn Valley and the wider Yorkshire Dales. Known for their ease of management, disease resistance, and ability to thrive on a grass-based system, these cattle are particularly suited to the farm’s sustainable approach. The British White breed is also well-known for its ability to produce high-quality beef, making it an excellent choice for improving the overall quality of the herd and meeting the demands of the marketplace.
In addition to livestock, Shaws Farm runs a robust arable operation, producing 200 acres of crops. These are not only used to feed the farm’s own animals, but are also sold to local feed mills, supporting the local farming economy. This focus on producing homegrown animal feed allows the farm to maintain its sustainability, reducing the reliance on external feed sources and ensuring that the animals are fed high-quality, locally sourced nutrition.
Andrew and Jenna’s approach to farming is rooted in a deep respect for both tradition and innovation. While they continue to run a diverse, multi-generational farm, they also embrace modern farming techniques that allow them to thrive in an ever-changing agricultural environment. They understand the importance of maintaining the farm’s natural surroundings and work diligently to balance productivity with environmental stewardship.
The British White cattle, alongside the other breeds and practices on the farm, are a testament to the Falshaw family's commitment to producing sustainable food of the highest quality, whilst maintaining the health and vitality of the land. When it comes to their pedigree livestock, their crops, and their approach to farming, Andrew and Jenna Lane Falshaw are dedicated to ensuring that Shaws Farm continues to be a thriving and responsible part of the local farming community for generations to come.
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