Advisors provide turkey farm with food for thought

THE third generation of a family-run turkey farm in Warwickshire is heading into its 55th festive season boosted by a series of growth initiatives.

Adlington Ltd, in Balsall Common, has been managed by Rod Adlington since 1989 after his grandparents started farming turkeys for Christmas as a hobby in 1956 when they got the idea from a relative in New Zealand.

The company has grown to house up to 12,000 turkeys – across two sites – and it is taking possession of its 2011 birds shortly.

However, the family were quick to realise that they would need other produce to sustain as 12-month operation.

The farm has invested in producing high quality, traditionally reared British premium foods and its produce is now in demand throughout the year and customers include a string of top London restaurants.

Mr Adlington said: “The year-round trade began to suffer due to foreign imports and this made producing turkeys ‘all year round’ unviable. As a result we were looking to diversify into other areas and the cooking and smoking of chicken as well as turkey seemed a perfect fit.

“What makes us stand alone is that we still adopt a traditional approach to turkey farming. Half the turkeys will be reared in open barns and the other half are free range.

“As well as this we have also launched a range of value-added products that fit with our niche in the market. These include apple-fed cockerels, smoked turkeys and chargrilled products. The ideas keep coming – it is just a case of making them work commercially and finding the time to implement and develop them.”

The farm enlisted the help of Coventry based advisors Harrison Beale & Owen to devise its new strategy.

“The traditional farmer will probably go and see their accountant once a year, now we have weekly budgets meetings, set targets and strategise,” added Mr Adlington.

“The industry is always changing and we are proud that we have been able to consistently adapt with the times.”

Andy Farren, from HB&O, said: “When you think of turkey farming you just think of them being busy at Christmas but Adlington Ltd has developed into a lot more than that.

“We primarily worked with them to set up this brand and it has been a real success.

“Their value-added products have gone down really well with a number of outlets and we have seen the company develop in different directions.”