NFU appoints new Lincolnshire council delegate and chairman

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The Lincolnshire branch of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has appointed a new council delegate and county chairman.

John Smith, owner of Louth Tractors, takes over from Jonathan Brant as council delegate.

His base at Belchford in the Lincolnshire Wolds, comprises owned, tenanted and contracted acres with a huge range of both soil and topography producing wheat, barley, oilseed rape, sugar beet together with an Aberdeen Angus suckler herd and a duck rearing enterprise.

John has previously been Louth, Grimsby and Market Rasen NFU branch chairman.

He said: “During my time as council delegate, I want to raise the profile of Lincolnshire at national level, ensuring that our farmers’ and growers’ voices are heard on the issues that matter to them.

Mark Leggot, an arable farmer at Holland Fen has also been appointed as the county chairman. He takes over from Minty Willoughby, who has completed her two year term of office, this month.

Currently Mark farms in partnership with his parents at Holland Fen, between Boston and Coningsby, where he produces wheat, sugar beet, potatoes, vining peas and brassicas, with land also being rented out for maize destined for a local anaerobic digestion plant.

Mark said: “One of my key aims within our own county is to develop and empower the next generation of farmers, to want to take a more active role in the running of the NFU.

“It will be a great pity, if at the end of my tenure, no young man or woman has come forward to take on an NFU county position. I feel strongly though, that the role of county chairman is a greatly rewarding one, and a wonderful opportunity to help your fellow farmers.”