Summer Meeting 2024

Linch Farm, Bepton, West Sussex

Locks is a sheep and beef enterprise run by the Hodgkins family, spread across three rented farms. The enterprise covers just over 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of predominantly chalk grassland. The farm winters 3,000 ewes, 1,200 ewe lambs, 600 ram hoggets and wethers. Cattle numbers are being reduced, but there are 50 Sussex and 25 Belted Galloway spring (May) calving suckler cows. All three farms are part of higher level stewardship schemes, with a range of species-rich grassland, low input grassland and herbal leys. The sheep are run on an extensive system, with everything lambed outside in April. Sheep graze rotationally on permanent pasture on the South Downs. Post weaning, lambs move on to herbal leys. Sheep are outwintered, with concentrates only being fed in extreme conditions. Stock are  wintered on vineyards and neighbouring arable ground cover crops, with all lambs and steers being finished and sold wholesale and via farm shops. The business is predominantly based around selling breeding stock. All stock is fully performance recorded and DNA tested with rams flown over from New Zealand and breeding stock sold throughout Great Britain, Ireland and Europe.