'Our kids don't want to farm, so we're selling up'

Michael Read, 79, has been farming for more than 60 years

A farmer and his wife are to auction off the country’s most successful herd of Lincoln Red cattle after their children decided not to follow him into farming.

Michael and Sheena Read said it would be a “very sad day”, but he “can’t go on forever”.

The farm, in Hemingby, Lincolnshire, was started by Mr Read's late father in 1941, but their four children have careers outside of agriculture.

Like Mr Read, the majority of farmers are over 65, according to government data, and many work beyond retirement age because of a lack of people willing to succeed them.

Mr Read, who has been farming for 62 years, described his pedigree herd as his “lifetime’s work” and “pride and joy”.

The family's animals have won more than 540 first prizes at county shows across the UK, and have been exported to countries including Brazil, Argentina and New Zealand.

It is the most successful herd on record, according to the Lincoln Red Cattle Society.

Mr Reed with his wife Sheena, left, and their four children, who are "happy and settled" in careers outside of farming

Mr Read was 18 when his father fell ill and he had to step in to help run the business.

"In these enlightened times, you give the option to your children, whereas when I was a boy, you were a farmer," he said.

"Your father's a farmer, so you're a farmer, even though I didn't particularly want to do it."

He added: "Our four children are scattered around the world, doing things that they love, and not really into farming."

Cattle from the "Hemingby Herd" have been used to start farms around the world

His succession dilemma is a sign of changing times, according to Jayne Borrows of the Lincoln Red Cattle Society.

Only 15% of farmers are under 45, government figures show.

“The problem is the younger generation is not encouraged into farming because of the difficulties they will face,” Ms Borrows said.

These include unpredictable weather and the phasing out of EU subsidies, according to a survey this year by the National Farmers Union, which found that confidence among farmers was at an all-time low.

It will be the second closure of a cattle farm in Lincolnshire since June. The first was due to the death of an owner who had no relatives wishing to continue in farming.

However, Ms Borrows said the sale of the herd would offer “an opportunity for new members to invest in the Hemingby blood line”.

Michael Read's father Frank, right, started the farm in 1941

The auction will take place on Friday at Louth Livestock Market, when 110 animals and a quantity of pedigree bull’s semen will go under the hammer.

Ed Middleton, the auctioneer who will oversee the sale, said it had received “phenomenal” interest.

He said the “very poignant sale” offered breeders a chance to own the genetics as well as the animals themselves.

While Mr Read is selling the herd, the farm itself will stay in the family under the management of his cousin's grandson.

"There comes a time when you've got to pull back and do other things," Mr Read said.

"I want to enjoy, with my wife, a long retirement."

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