Sean Mitchell - "young farmers need support"

Sean Mitchell is a young farmer who works alongside his dad on his family farm, where he also runs a specialised cattle clipping service, preparing livestock for shows and sales. His journey into agriculture started after leaving school when he completed an agricultural apprenticeship at Newton Rigg College. During this time, he worked for Jonathan Watson at Bowsden Moor, near Berwick Upon Tweed, gaining invaluable experience in livestock.

His interest in pedigree livestock breeding grew from there, and today, his farm is home to a diverse range of animals, including Limousin cattle, a small flock of sheep, and a herd of pedigree Charolais cows and followers under the Huttonend prefix. 

Sean runs a dairy herd at home, where artificial insemination fits seamlessly into his system. When selecting bulls, Sean prioritises genetics that not only appeal to him aesthetically but also have the potential to produce high-quality calves that will thrive and sell well. For him, it’s about breeding cattle that will stand out in the ring and deliver strong results on the farm.

Sean has a passion for Charolais cattle. This passion was rewarded in 2023 when he won both the Overall Champion and Female Champion titles at the Royal Welsh Show with Harestone Rapunzel—an achievement that Sean describes as a fantastic milestone in his young farming career.

For Sean, the most rewarding part of breeding is staying connected with those who buy his stock. He’s proud to say that all his buyers have stayed in touch and are seeing success with the bulls they’ve gotten. 

As a Young Farmer, he acknowledges that one of the biggest challenges is getting into the farming industry and believes that young farmers need support to get started and that success doesn’t happen overnight. He’s learned that farming is a journey of continuous learning, dedication, and patience. Every day on the farm is a new lesson for him, and he’s committed to growing both his business and his knowledge in the years ahead. 

If you are struggling to get started with your farming career, there are many options for you which don’t require prior experience such as courses, online courses and voluntary work.