Matthew Williams

M W Farming, Criddon Hall Farm, Bridgnorth, Shropshire

• Farm size: 1,100ha
• Enterprises: Cereals, oilseed rape, winter beans
• Annual rainfall: 724mm
• Soil type:  Sand to a medium loamy clay

First generation farmer Matthew Williams grows wheat, spring oats, spring barley, winter beans, rape and triticale across 1,100ha of rented or contract-farmed land.

The rotation also includes n-fixing cover crops that will be let for grazing to obtain extra income and nutrients. The land is transitioning to low-disturbance tillage methods - a process that began in 2020.

Above all, without subsidies or land of his own as a fallback, Matthew is acutely focused on cost control and marketing to ensure the business is financially sustainable.

Transition goals: 

• Improving profitability and margins
• Continuing to improve soil health
• Controlling and optimising input use