Outlook good for old-style veg
A Midland grower is banking on the British weather to help him get an early summer crop of carrots – and beat off competition from elsewhere in the country. A Midland grower is banking on the British weather to help him get an early summer crop of carrots – and beat off competition from elsewhere in the country. Ross Howard, together with brothers Max and Andy, helped pioneer the resurgence in the popularity of Chantenay carrots which first became popular in the 50s and 60s. The small and sweet-tasting carrots went out of favour with producers because of their demanding growing conditions. Not only do they like the very best soil and farming practices, but they are also fussy about water and need just the right amount. Now Ross, who has helped pioneer their return to the supermarket shelves, hopes the conditions on the land on the outskirts of Kidderminster near Stone remain right as he eagerly awaits his summer crop in the next four weeks. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Ross Howard, together with brothers Max and Andy, helped pioneer the resurgence in the popularity of Chantenay carrots which first became popular in the 50s and 60s.
The small and sweet-tasting carrots went out of favour with producers because of their demanding growing conditions.
Not only do they like the very best soil and farming practices, but they are also fussy about water and need just the right amount.
Now Ross, who has helped pioneer their return to the supermarket shelves, hopes the conditions on the land on the outskirts of Kidderminster near Stone remain right as he eagerly awaits his summer crop in the next four weeks.
Weather permitting, his Chantenay fields will produce the first of the new season's crop, ahead of the country's other growing regions, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
Ross and his brothers Max and Andy began growing the vegetable seven years ago when consumers were complaining they could not find any that tasted "like they used to do".
Now the Howard brothers grow several hundred acres each year, working with farms such as Andrew Symonds in Worcestershire.
Here he has 20 acres of Chantenay growing, which will supply major supermarkets and independent stores up and down the country.
Ross, aged 44, said: "We have had some fabulous sunshine over the past few weeks but our carrots do need water. If this mix of weather keeps up we can forecast a good crop by mid-June.
"The race is now on to see which county will produce the first crop and I would really like to see Worcestershire come out on top," he added.
While Ross now concentrates on the carrots, brother Max, 48, is responsible for wheat, barley, oats, sugar beet and salad potatoes.
He is also in charge of handling the farm's Aberdeen Angus herd and Andy, 37, for all the business administration.
Ross believes the carrot crops have a good future and he intends to extend the acreage to meet ever-increasing demand in the future. He added: "Although we had big ideas at the time it was a tricky ambition but one that has thankfully paid off."
