2:41pm Friday 8th March 2013
ARABLE farmer Fred Ollerton is the new chairman of Lancashire County NFU.
He has succeeded dairy farmer Graham Young, of Greenhurst Farm, Samlesbury, Blackburn.
Mr Ollerton grows potatoes, cereals, oilseed rape, fodder beet and grass are all grown on his 1,800- acre Home Farm in Standish, Wigan.
The family has been there since 1970 and he has agreed to be chairman for a year, at a time when his son, Antony, and nephews Christopher and Robert, are getting more actively involved in the business he shares with his brother George.
Married to Denise, their daughter, Catherine, works in a firm of solicitors and is due to marry dairy farmer Tom Riley, of Heath Charnock, this year.
Mr Ollerton is a dedicated supporter of the Young Farmers’ Club organisation.
He was YFC Lancashire county chairman from 1982-1983, county president 2003-6, and YFC Northern Area President 2006-7.
He said: “I’ve always wanted to be NFU Lancashire county chairman so couldn’t pass up this opportunity because I’m sure I wouldn’t get this chance a second time.
“I’m a strong supporter of the YFC and I’m passionate about young people coming into agriculture and being given a chance to flourish.
After all, they are our future.”
He added: “Farmers and growers in all sectors have increased costs to bear, and during my time as county chairman, I will be working hard for a fairer margin for each sector.”
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