Agricultural Contracting Services Across Teesdale and the Durham Dales
For over 65 years, we've been supporting farms across Teesdale with reliable agricultural contracting. Our VALTRA and New Holland tractors, operated by experienced local drivers, handle everything from silage and baling to muck spreading and drilling. We understand upland farming and work around your seasonal needs.
Our Agricultural Contracting Services
Baling Services
We handle both round baling and big square baling across Teesdale farms. Whether you're making hay or silage, our modern equipment and experienced operators work efficiently to get your crop baled in good weather windows.
Round bales or big squares - we'll discuss which suits your storage, handling equipment, and feeding system best.
Grass Cutting and Silage
Timing matters with grass. Our experienced operators understand when conditions are right and work quickly when weather windows open. We cut for both hay and silage production, working around Teesdale's changeable weather patterns.
Muck Spreading
Winter work keeping fields fertilised and ready for spring growth. Our equipment handles farmyard manure and organic materials, spreading evenly across fields of all sizes. We understand which fields can take heavy equipment in winter conditions and which need to wait.
Grass Seed Drilling
Spring drilling to establish new leys or overseed existing pasture. Proper seed establishment matters in upland conditions, and our drilling equipment gives you even coverage and good germination rates.
Straw Services
We bale straw and deliver both hay and straw to farms across the area. Whether you need bedding material or fodder, we can supply what you need when you need it.
Year-Round Agricultural Support
Everything Done In-House
Summer Work (Hay and Silage Season)
This is the busy time. Grass cutting, hay timing, and silage making all happen when weather allows. Our equipment is serviced and ready before the season starts, so we're not letting you down when good weather arrives.
We work long days in good weather because we know you can't afford to miss the window. Teesdale weather doesn't give you many chances.
Autumn and Winter (Muck Spreading Season)
Through autumn and winter, we handle muck spreading when ground conditions allow. Getting organic matter back onto fields before spring growth matters for fertility and yields.
The Reality of Farming
We don't do combining - that's not the type of farming we have in Teesdale. We focus on what we call "upland farming" or "hill farming" work. Grass, livestock, and the services that support that type of agriculture.
Spring (Drilling and Ground Work)
Grass seed drilling happens in spring when conditions are right for establishment. We work with you to get new leys established or improve existing pasture.
Our Machinery and Equipment
VALTRA Tractors
Modern, reliable tractors suited to the varied terrain across Teesdale. Our VALTRA fleet handles everything from grass cutting to heavy muck spreading work.
New Holland Tractors
Proven reliability for agricultural work. Our New Holland tractors are maintained to high standards and operated by experienced drivers who know the equipment inside out.
Specialist Equipment
- Round balers for traditional bale production
- Big square balers for efficient large-scale operations
- Grass cutting equipment for hay and silage
- Muck spreaders for winter fertilising work
- Drilling equipment for grass seed establishment
Annual Servicing
Every piece of equipment is serviced annually before the main season starts. We can't afford breakdowns during critical weather windows, so maintenance happens when equipment is idle, not when you need it working.
Understanding Teesdale Farming
Upland Conditions
Farming in Teesdale isn't like lowland arable work. Steep fields, changeable weather, shorter growing seasons, and challenging access all factor into how we work. Three generations here mean we understand these challenges intimately.
Ground Conditions
Knowing which fields can take heavy equipment and when is something you learn over years. Our operators understand Teesdale ground conditions and won't damage fields by working when it's too wet.
Local Knowledge
We know the farms, the fields, and the access routes across Teesdale. If you're near Middleton-in-Teesdale, Mickleton, or anywhere across the upper dale, we've likely worked there before.
How We Work with Farms
Seasonal Planning
Contact us before the season you need work doing. We'll discuss your requirements, schedule approximate timing (weather dependent), and make sure you're on our list when the weather window opens.
Flexible Response
Farming doesn't work on fixed schedules. When you need work doing urgently because weather is changing, we respond as quickly as possible. That flexibility has kept Teesdale farms moving for three generations.
Fair Pricing
We price work fairly based on field size, access, and conditions. After 65 years, we've built our reputation on honest dealing with local farms.
Long-Term Relationships
Many of our agricultural customers have worked with us for decades. Some farmers worked with our grandfather, then our father, now us. Those relationships matter and keep our standards high.
Who We Work With
Teesdale Farms
Local farms across Barnard Castle, Cotherstone, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Mickleton, and throughout Upper Teesdale are our core customers. This is home, and supporting local agriculture is what started our business in 1958.
Hill Farms and Upland Holdings
The challenging conditions of upland farming need contractors who understand the terrain and weather. We've been working these conditions for three generations.
Livestock Farmers
Grass production, silage making, and bedding supply all support livestock farming. We understand the timing pressures and quality needs for feeding systems.
Mixed Farms
Whether you need one service or multiple support throughout the year, we work with farms of all sizes across the Durham Dales.
Ground Preparation and Requirements
Before We Start
Ideally, ground should be sorted, stabilised, and levelled before we arrive to lay tarmac. If you're having kerbs or edging installed, these should be in place first. However, we can advise on preparation requirements and may be able to handle certain groundwork depending on your project.
Drainage Considerations
Proper drainage prevents water pooling and extends surface life significantly. During the site visit, we assess drainage and recommend any adjustments needed. In Teesdale, where we get substantial rainfall, drainage isn't optional.
Access for Equipment
Our equipment needs reasonable access. Most domestic properties present no problems, but narrow lanes or challenging terrain may affect scheduling and costs. We discuss access during the site visit to avoid surprises.
Why Choose Our Agricultural Contracting
Machinery with Experienced Operators
We provide tractors with skilled drivers, not equipment hire. Our operators know the machinery, understand farming, and work efficiently to get jobs done properly.
Local Contractors You Can Rely On
We're not from outside the area coming in for seasonal work. We live here, farm alongside you, and our reputation depends on doing good work for neighbours.
Equipment You Can Trust
Breakdowns during critical weather windows cost you money. Our annual servicing schedule and equipment maintenance means we're reliable when you need us working, not broken down in your field.
Understanding Farming Pressures
We know you can't afford to miss weather windows. We know silage quality drops if you're waiting days for contractors. We know muck needs spreading when ground conditions allow. Three generations of agricultural work means we understand these pressures.