Nottinghamshire grower T Hammond Farms is celebrating 125 years of operation with a new Fendt 620 Vario, purchased from dealer B&B Tractors.
Jon and Andy Hammond, co-directors of the business, are the fourth generation of the family business, which started farming in 1900 and has always specialised in vegetables.
“We recently bought our 50th Fendt tractor from B&B, having bought our first in 2000. The farm has grown from 1100 acres to 2750 acres in 25 years, and we have only added two members of staff, which is testament to how technology is improving farming efficiencies,” says Andy.
Potatoes, parsnips, carrots, beetroot, brassicas, rhubarb and squash make up the vegetable rotation, with cereals, maize and oilseed rape also grown. The machinery fleet is headlined by 10 Fendt tractors, which handle cultivation, planting and harvesting.
“We have five Gen 6 720 Vario tractors that clock around 2,000 hours each a year. The Gen 6 is out of production, so we tried the 62,0 and it is every bit as good and has proved better for our work because it is lighter, more economical and has a tighter turning circle than the 720,” adds Andy.
Colin Blood from B&B Tractors reflects on the long relationship with the farm: “T Hammond is a thriving business and a valued customer which wants to use technology to improve its farming efficiency. We have always looked to offer the best fit of tractor for their needs, and today the farm runs Fendt 300, 600, 700 and 900 models, which have all been supplied and serviced by us.”
The farm will now look to the 620 Vario to replace the outgoing 720 models, as per its replacement policy.
“We run a mix of leased and owned tractors, and B&B has always been responsive at keeping us moving. The leased tractors are run for 6000 hours, and it’s not uncommon for the ones we own to surpass 11,000, which is testament to the quality of the machinery and the backup we receive. The 620 is likely to be a mainstay in our fleet as we strive to produce the best crops in the most efficient and sustainable way,” concludes Andy.
