Eggsell News
August 2008
York Farmer diversifies
As we enter a difficult economic period, the innovative East Yorkshire cooperative, EggSell is helping more farmers to diversify and make the most of what is available to them.
Organic farmer, Richard Hudson is the latest producer to branch out and join the EggSell project. He runs Green Farm at Barton-Le-Willows, a few miles outside York and has just invested in a shed to house 4,000 free range hens.
Until recently, he spent most of his time running Paradise Farm, an organic farm at nearby Howsham but he realised that free range egg production was too good an opportunity to miss.
Mr Husdon said: “It was a no-brainer really. Eggsell made it so easy to move into hen farming, the risk to Green Farm was virtually non-existent and I could only see the move being beneficial to us. I had lots of personal contact with them and they were there whenever I needed them, they really helped things along. ”
It’s only been a month since Green Farm began its free range set-up but after a few teething problems early on, it’s now beginning to pick up.
“I ran into a few difficulties at the beginning, the hens were laying far too many floor eggs but with the help and advice that EggSell gave, it meant that I was able to overcome the early challenges. They provided a real safety net”
Mr Hudson is now intending to diversify even further. Green Farm has just received planning permission to build a café, a children’s play area and a farm shop selling local produce from Paradise farm. It will be a welcome addition to Mr Hudson’s portfolio and he is relishing the chance to make further links with the local community.
“I love farming and I want to be able to bring it to the local community. It should provide me with the opportunity to show people what farming is all about”
Richard Hudson is the third generation of his family on the 260-acre Green Farm. He returned from living overseas four years ago and has been active at the farm ever since.
Stewart Elliot from Eggsell said: “We are very to happy to be able to welcome Mr Hudson to EggSell. What this shows is that in a difficult and unsure time economically, farmers still have options open to them.
"Diversification is one way that farms can make the most of what is available to them. We are always looking for new members and can offer guidance and support to anyone who wants to get involved."
July 2008
Farmer’s green plans for eggs
The innovative East Yorkshire egg marketing company EggSell has recruited an environmentally aware producer to its growing co-operative.
Matthew Green is a recent member of EggSell’s egg marketing co-operative and has announced plans to extend his flock whilst reducing his carbon footprint.
Matthew keeps 20,000 free range hens at Watton Carrs in East Yorkshire and intends to double his flock in the Autumn and house them in mobile sheds that are powered by renewable energy. “It’s an innovative approach that has been driven by environmental concerns coupled with rising fuel costs” explains 45 year old Matthew.
EggSell’s Ian Sinkler applauds Matthew’s plans, “We welcome members with Matthew’s drive and vision. He is our first producer with plans to run the sheds using renewable energy and we hope that other members will follow his lead.”
Matthew concludes; “I joined EggSell because I know and trust the founders and their payback strategy is favourable. I’m very pleased with the outcome so far and am looking forward to the next exciting phase.”
EggSell welcomes enquiries from producers who already keep hens or from farmers who may be thinking about diversification (a free advice service is all part of the co-operative’s commitment to its members). Please call Ian Sinkler on 07932 691307 or Stewart Elliott on 07976 731070 for more information about EggSell Producers Ltd or Barry Jackson on 07743 877971for EggSell Ltd Sales and Marketing.
May 2008
New sibling venture joins East Yorkshire egg co-operative
EggSell has recruited a new East Yorkshire family business to its growing co-operative.
Fourth generation farmers and new free range egg producers Claire and brother Robert Hunt have just invested significantly in a shed to house 12,000 birds at their Seaton Ross farm. Claire, 24, explains why they decided to keep hens “Robert and I were looking for a business that we could run together after I graduated and it was our 
bank manager who suggested free range eggs. Given that consumers are more ethically and welfare aware than ever before, we knew that it was a good idea and have spent the last year researching and planning the business.”
The Hunts are now six weeks into their venture and are very pleased with the progress that they have made. 26 year old Robert continues “Thanks to all of the support and advice that we’ve had from EggSell, the shed’s up and the birds are housed, happy and healthy and we’re on track to reach our egg projections.”
EggSell Producers Ltd is an enthusiastic co-operative of egg producers that aims to build a new relationship between the farmer and the retailer whilst reducing food miles and ensuring a good return for everyone and providing the public with wholesome and tasty eggs from chickens that are free to roam. EggSell’s Stewart Elliott welcomes the keen and knowledgeable pair to the growing egg marketing co-operative, “The industry needs people like Claire and Robert. They have been a delight to work with and we look forward to helping them to grow their business.”
May 2008
EggSell announces non exec appointment
Growing farmer’s co-operative EggSell has strengthened its team with a key appointment.
Former Central Egg Agency chief John Battell has been appointed as a non executive director to the board of EggSell Ltd.
John, who joins founders Ian Sinkler and Stewart Elliott and Managing Director Barry Jackson on the board, is delighted with the appointment “I’ve got many years of egg industry experience and I look forward to advising the team on policy and direction. It’s a very exciting time to be joining a young and dynamic company that has achieved great success in a very short space of time.”
EggSell Producers Ltd is an enthusiastic co-operative of egg producers that aims to build a new relationship between the farmer and the retailer whilst reducing food miles, ensuring a good return for everyone and providing the public with wholesome and tasty eggs from chickens that are free to roam. Sister company EggSell Ltd is the sales and marketing arm of the co-operative.
EggSell welcomes enquiries from producers who already keep hens or from farmers who may be thinking about diversification (a free advice service is all part of the co-operative’s commitment to its members). Please call Ian Sinkler on 07932 691307 or Stewart Elliott on 07976 731070 for more information about EggSell Producers Ltd or Barry Jackson on 07743 877971for EggSell Ltd Sales and Marketing
March 2008
Monmouth egg producer joins East Yorkshire egg co-operative
The innovative East Yorkshire egg marketing company EggSell has recruited more members to its growing co-operative.
Monmouth free range egg producers Val Barrell and Gerard Davies 
have 22,000 birds and have been keeping hens for over 18 years. Gerard explains why they decided to join EggSell “We were attracted by the idea of belonging to a co-operative where we have a voice and know that our efforts will be rewarded.”
The hens are kept in two sheds at Old Hendre Farm at Wonastow with Val and Gerrard assuming responsibility for one each. There is a gentle rivalry between the two in terms of egg production and at the time of writing, Val thought that she had the slight edge!
EggSell Producers Ltd is a new and enthusiastic co-operative of egg producers that aims to build a new relationship between the farmer and the retailer whilst reducing food miles and ensuring a good return for everyone and providing the public with wholesome and tasty eggs from chickens that are free to roam.
February 2008
East Yorkshire egg co-operative helps North Yorkshire farmer’s wife raise thousands for Yorkshire Cancer Research
The innovative East Yorkshire egg marketing co-operative EggSell lent its support to a North Yorkshire charity fundraiser that raised over £4000 during Farmhouse Breakfast Week.
EggSell Producers Ltd delivered 30 dozen of its best free range eggs to Patricia Knox at Mill Close Farm near Bedale for a 2 day fundraising event that saw 140 people tuck into a hearty farmhouse breakfast in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Caroline Elliott from Bewholme is one of the founders of EggSell Producers Ltd and is delighted with the outcome; “We have all been touched by cancer in some way and it’s great to be able to reward an initiative for cancer treatment in our region and support Yorkshire’s farming community at the same time.”
EggSell Producers Ltd is a new and enthusiastic co-operative of egg producers that aims to build a new relationship between the farmer and the retailer whilst reducing food miles and ensuring a good return for everyone and providing the public with wholesome and tasty eggs from chickens that are free to roam.
Egg co-operative seeks new members
An innovative egg marketing co-operative is seeking new members throughout the UK.
EggSell Ltd is the brainchild of two Yorkshire farming families who became disillusioned by supplying free range eggs to a major packer for dwindling returns.
One of the founders, Ian Sinkler explains “We set up EggSell Producers Ltd because we want to see an egg industry where producers and retailers work together in order to sustain our livelihoods and satisfy the consumer’s desire for local produce with exemplary welfare credentials.”
It’s a refreshing back to basics approach where producers pay just £1 for a share with full voting rights. EggSell Ltd Sales and Marketing will market and sell the egg and will make payments to the co-operative. Ian continues “Not only do we intend to be able to pay producers a better price all year round, but we will make an annual additional payment relative to production of flocks and to the type and number of large eggs sent to our packers. A lean and mean approach to cost control will mean that producers will benefit from the best possible returns”
EggSell welcomes enquiries from producers who already keep hens or from farmers or small holders who may be thinking about diversification (a free advice service is all part of the co-operative’s commitment to its members). Please call Ian Sinkler on 07932 691307 or Stewart Elliott on 07976 731070 or more information about EggSell Producers Ltd or Barry Jackson on 07743 877971for Eggsell Ltd Sales and Marketing.