The history of The Conant’s farming in Rutland
Farming Deep-Rooted Traditions
In 1949 The Conant Family began mixed farming in Rutland with 80ha at
Hambleton and a further 40ha taken on shortly afterwards at Lyndon. Despite
losing land to Rutland Water in the mid-70s, the home farm expanded to over
300ha as the various tenancies were given up and taken back in hand.
Post-war agriculture reacted rapidly to the country's needs, transforming beyond
recognition primarily via mechanisation; this, combined with equally swift
advancements in crop sciences, resulted in increased yields, collectively allowing
farmers to tend to greater acreages and produce more food than ever before.
A scanned map from the 1600s documents the
allocation of agricultural land around Lyndon.
Some lots have since merged, but many names
remain in use or appear on estate property.
Contract Farming
The arable contracting business was established in 2003 as it became clear that economies of scale,
technological investment, and increased knowledge were critical factors for the renewed future of farming,
not only for the Lyndon Estate, but also for several similar surrounding landowners. Activities gradually
increased as suitable opportunities arose, with the company recruiting and investing where appropriate.
Many of the farms have been transformed with significant increases in output resulting from the
CFCO collaboration. A number of original alliances remain strong today as the enterprise continues
evolving, delivering sustainable and productive farming solutions to satisfied customers across the
current operational area, which is actually slightly more focussed than it once was.
Many of the farms have been transformed with significant increases in output resulting from the
CFCO collaboration. A number of original alliances remain strong today as the enterprise continues
evolving, delivering sustainable and productive farming solutions to satisfied customers across the
current operational area, which is actually slightly more focussed than it once was.
Presently working over 2,800 hectares (nearly 7000 acres) of arable land with locations at Bulwick,
Rockingham and Boughton (Northamptonshire), Gunthorpe (Rutland) and the home farm at Lyndon
(Rutland). In addition, Conant Farming manages two family-owned units in Lincolnshire & Bedfordshire,
which, by having them contracted, provides a true appreciation of landowner/supplier relationships.
Looking Forward
With uncertainty surrounding agricultural policy, climate change, loss of biodiversity, restricted pesticide
use, pesticide resistance, automated technologies, and geopolitics, who knows how farming will look in the
years ahead, let alone in another quarter century. One certainty is the population requires nourishment, and
Conant Farming wishes to be a part of that: growing crops whilst managing the landscape for the future.
Having successfully established longstanding relationships aligning with the requirements of an array of
landowners, including larger-scale estates, the business now has an intent for further development and growth.
Approaches are welcome from farmers interested in exploring initial contracting opportunities, or those already
working within an agreement looking to switch to a more comprehensive, assured, and capable provider.
Larger machinery, more diverse crop rotations, and greater yields necessitated new buildings
at Lyndon and Bulwick, with the old farmyards since redeveloped into business premises.
Looking at a selection of the combine harvesters utilised by Conant Farming across thirty years provides insight into how farm machinery has evolved, with technological advances also
delivering comparatively increased output and economies. Similar innovations in cultivation and application equipment have made working efficiently across extensive areas standard practice.
The history of The Conant’s farming in Rutland
Farming Deep-Rooted Traditions
In 1949 The Conant Family began mixed farming in Rutland with 80ha at Hambleton and a further
40ha taken on shortly afterwards at Lyndon. Despite losing land to Rutland Water in the mid-70s, the
home farm expanded to over 300ha as the various tenancies were given up and taken back in hand.
Post-war agriculture reacted rapidly to the country's needs, transforming beyond recognition primarily
via mechanisation; this, combined with equally swift advancements in crop sciences, resulted in increased
yields, collectively allowing farmers to tend to greater acreages and produce more food than ever before.
A scanned map from the 1600s documents the
allocation of agricultural land around Lyndon.
Some lots have since merged, but many names
remain in use or appear on estate property.
Contract Farming
The arable contracting business was established in 2003
as it became clear that economies of scale, technological
investment, and increased knowledge were critical
factors for the renewed future of farming, not only for
the Lyndon Estate, but also for several similar
surrounding landowners. Activities gradually increased
as suitable opportunities arose, with the company
recruiting and investing where appropriate.
Many of the farms have been transformed with
significant increases in output resulting from the
CFCO collaboration. A number of original alliances
remain strong today as the enterprise continues
evolving, delivering sustainable and productive
farming solutions to satisfied customers across the
current operational area, which is actually slightly
more focussed than it once was.
Presently working over 2,800 hectares (nearly 7000
acres) of arable land with locations at Bulwick,
Rockingham and Boughton (Northamptonshire),
Gunthorpe (Rutland) and the home farm at Lyndon
(Rutland). In addition, Conant Farming manages two
family-owned units in Lincolnshire & Bedfordshire,
which, by having them contracted, provides a true
appreciation of landowner/supplier relationships.
Larger machinery, more diverse crop rotations, and greater yields necessitated new
buildings at Lyndon and Bulwick, with the old farmyards since redeveloped into business premises.
Looking Forward
With uncertainty surrounding agricultural policy, climate change, loss of biodiversity, restricted pesticide use,
pesticide resistance, automated technologies, and geopolitics, who knows how farming will look in the years
ahead, let alone in another quarter century. One certainty is the population requires nourishment, and
Conant Farming wishes to be a part of that: growing crops whilst managing the landscape for the future.
Having successfully established longstanding relationships aligning with the requirements of an array of
landowners, including larger-scale estates, the business now has an intent for further development and growth.
Approaches are welcome from farmers interested in exploring initial contracting opportunities, or those already
working within an agreement looking to switch to a more comprehensive, assured, and capable provider.
Looking at a selection of the combines utilised across thirty years provides insight into how machinery has evolved,
with technological advances also delivering comparatively increased output and economies. Similar innovations in
cultivation and application equipment have made working efficiently across extensive areas standard practice.
The history of The Conant’s farming in Rutland
Farming Deep-Rooted Traditions
In 1949 The Conant Family began mixed farming in Rutland with 80ha at
Hambleton and a further 40ha taken on shortly afterwards at Lyndon. Despite
losing land to Rutland Water in the mid-70s, the home farm expanded to over
300ha as the various tenancies were given up and taken back in hand.
Post-war agriculture reacted rapidly to the country's needs, transforming beyond
recognition primarily via mechanisation; this, combined with equally swift
advancements in crop sciences, resulted in increased yields, collectively allowing
farmers to tend to greater acreages and produce more food than ever before.
A scanned map from the 1600s documents the allocation of agricultural
land around Lyndon. Some lots have since merged, but many names
remain in use or appear on estate property.
Contract Farming
The arable contracting business was established in 2003 as it became
clear that economies of scale, technological investment, and increased
knowledge were critical factors for the renewed future of farming, not
only for the Lyndon Estate, but also for several similar surrounding
landowners. Activities gradually increased as suitable opportunities
arose, with the company recruiting and investing where appropriate.
Many of the farms have been transformed with significant increases in
output resulting from the CFCO collaboration. A number of original
alliances remain strong today as the enterprise continues evolving,
delivering sustainable and productive farming solutions to satisfied
customers across the current operational area, which is actually
slightly more focussed than it once was.
Presently working over 2,800 hectares (nearly 7000 acres) of land with
locations at Bulwick, Rockingham and Boughton (Northamptonshire),
Gunthorpe (Rutland) and the home farm at Lyndon (Rutland). In
addition, Conant Farming manages two family-owned units in
Lincolnshire & Bedfordshire, which, by having them contracted,
provides a true appreciation of landowner/supplier relationships.
Looking Forward
With uncertainty surrounding agricultural policy, climate change, loss
of biodiversity, restricted pesticide use, pesticide resistance, automated
technologies, and geopolitics, who knows how farming will look in
the years ahead, let alone in another quarter century. One certainty is the
population requires nourishment, and Conant Farming wishes to be a
part of that: growing crops whilst managing the landscape for the future.
Having successfully established longstanding relationships aligning with
the requirements of an array of landowners, including larger-scale estates,
the business now has an intent for further development and growth.
Approaches are welcome from farmers interested in exploring initial
contracting opportunities, or those already working within an agreement
looking to switch to a more comprehensive, assured, and capable provider.
Repurpose - Build - Automate
Larger machinery, more diverse crop rotations, and greater yields, necessitated new buildings at Lyndon and Bulwick, with the old farmyards since successfully redeveloped into business premises.
21st Century Mechanisation
Looking at a selection of the combine harvesters utilised by Conant Farming
across thirty years provides insight into how farm machinery has evolved, with
technological advances also delivering comparatively increased output and
economies. Similar innovations in cultivation and application equipment
have made working efficiently across extensive areas standard practice.
The history of The Conant’s farming in Rutland
Farming Deep-Rooted Traditions
In 1949 The Conant Family began mixed farming in
Rutland with 80ha at Hambleton and a further 40ha
taken on shortly afterwards at Lyndon. Despite losing
land to Rutland Water in the mid-70s, the home farm
expanded to over 300ha as the various
tenancies were given up and taken back in hand.
Post-war agriculture reacted rapidly to the country's
needs, transforming beyond recognition primarily
via mechanisation; this, combined with equally swift
advancements in crop sciences, resulted in increased
yields, collectively allowing farmers to tend to greater
acreages and produce more food than ever before.
A scanned map from the 1600s documents the allocation of
agricultural land around Lyndon. Some lots have since merged,
but many names remain in use or appear on estate property.
Contract Farming
The arable contracting business was established in 2003
as it became clear that economies of scale, technological
investment, and increased knowledge were critical
factors for the renewed future of farming, not only for
the Lyndon Estate, but also for several similar
surrounding landowners. Activities gradually increased
as suitable opportunities arose, with the company
recruiting and investing where appropriate.
Many of the farms have been transformed with
significant increases in output resulting from the
CFCO collaboration. A number of original alliances
remain strong today as the enterprise continues
evolving, delivering sustainable and productive farming
solutions to satisfied customers across the current
operational area, which is actually slightly more
focussed than it once was.
Presently working over 2,800 hectares (nearly 7000
acres) of arable land with locations at Bulwick,
Rockingham and Boughton (Northamptonshire),
Gunthorpe (Rutland) and the home farm at Lyndon
(Rutland). In addition, Conant Farming manages two
family-owned units in Lincolnshire & Bedfordshire,
which, by having them contracted, provides a true
appreciation of landowner/supplier relationships.
Looking Forward
With uncertainty surrounding agricultural policy,
climate change, loss of biodiversity, restricted pesticide
use, pesticide resistance, automated technologies, and
geopolitics, who knows how farming will look in the
years ahead, let alone in another quarter century. One
certainty is the population requires nourishment, and
Conant Farming wishes to be a part of that: growing
crops whilst managing the landscape for the future.
Having successfully established longstanding
relationships aligning with the requirements of an
array of landowners, including larger-scale estates, the
business now has an intent for further development
and growth. Approaches are welcome from farmers
interested in exploring initial contracting
opportunities, or those already working within an
agreement looking to switch to a more
comprehensive, assured, and capable provider.
Repurpose - Build - Automate
Larger machinery, more diverse crop rotations, and greater
yields necessitated new buildings at Lyndon and Bulwick, with
the old farmyards since redeveloped into business premises.
21st Century Mechanisation
Looking at a selection of the combine harvesters utilised across
thirty years provides insight into how machinery has evolved,
with technological advances also delivering comparatively
increased output and economies. Similar innovations in
cultivation and application equipment have made working
efficiently across extensive areas standard practice.
The history of The Conant’s farming in Rutland
Farming Deep-Rooted Traditions
In 1949 The Conant Family began mixed
farming in Rutland with 80ha at
Hambleton and a further 40ha taken on
shortly afterwards at Lyndon. Despite
losing land to Rutland Water in the
mid-70s, the home farm expanded to over
300ha as the various tenancies were given
up and taken back in hand.
Post-war agriculture reacted rapidly to the
country's needs, transforming beyond
recognition primarily via mechanisation;
this, combined with equally swift
advancements in crop sciences, resulted
in increased yields, collectively allowing
farmers to tend to greater acreages and
produce more food than ever before.
A map from the 1600s documents the
allocation of agricultural land at Lyndon.
Some lots have since merged, but many names
remain in use or appear on estate property.
Contract Farming
The arable contracting business was
established in 2003 as it became clear that
economies of scale, technological
investment, and increased knowledge were
critical factors for the renewed future of
farming, not only for the Lyndon, but also
for several similar surrounding landowners.
Activities gradually increased as suitable
opportunities arose, with the company
recruiting and investing where appropriate.
Many of the farms have been transformed
with significant increases in output
resulting from the CFCO collaboration. A
number of original alliances remain strong
today as the enterprise continues evolving,
delivering sustainable and productive
farming solutions to satisfied customers
across the current operational area, which is
slightly more focussed than it once was.
Presently working over 2,800 hectares
(nearly 7000 acres) of arable land with
locations at Bulwick, Rockingham and
Boughton (Northamptonshire), Gunthorpe
(Rutland) and the home farm at Lyndon.
In addition, Conant Farming manages two
family-owned units in Lincolnshire &
Bedfordshire, which, by having them
contracted, provides a true appreciation
of landowner/supplier relationships.
Looking Forward
With uncertainty surrounding agricultural
policy, climate change, loss of biodiversity,
restricted pesticide use, pesticide resistance,
automated technologies, and geopolitics,
who knows how farming will look in the
years ahead, let alone in another quarter
century. One certainty is the population
requires nourishment, and CFCO wishes
to be a part of that: growing crops whilst
managing the landscape for the future.
Having successfully established
longstanding relationships aligning with
the requirements of an array of landowners,
including larger-scale estates, the business
now has an intent for further development
and growth. Approaches are welcome from
farmers interested in exploring initial
contracting opportunities, or those already
working within an agreement looking to
switch to a more comprehensive, assured,
and capable provider.
Repurpose - Build - Automate
Larger machinery, more diverse crop rotations,
and greater yields necessitated new buildings
at Lyndon and Bulwick, with the old yards
since redeveloped into business premises.
21st Century Mechanisation
Looking at a selection of the combine
harvesters utilised by Conant Farming across
thirty years provides insight into how farm
machinery has evolved, with technological
advances also delivering comparatively
increased output and economies. Similar
innovations in cultivation and application
equipment have made working efficiently
across extensive areas standard practice.