Allensmore farmer shares insight after taking over aged 17

Twenty-five-year-old Jo Lawrence is  a fourth generation farmer at Allensmore and mother to two daughters Pippa who is three and nine week old Eliza. The holding is currently 200 acres with 450 breeding ewes, 20 suckler cows and 50 reared calves and not forgetting her daughter's four pet goats.

What is the biggest current challenge for farmers?

Uncertainty in all aspects.

We are due to start lambing and calving over the next few months. We are out day and night tending to animals with no idea what problems we might be faced with and whether the end products will make a profit, a loss or break even. 

Farmers also put huge outlays into replacing stock, updating machinery and improving the environment, with no definite repayment plan. So budgeting, which is an important aspect of any business, is somewhat a guessing game.  

In addition, as we have seen the government are constantly changing the rules, laws and regulations. 

Furthermore, weather plays a huge role in the farming industry. Too wet and the animals don't thrive and farmers are unable to plant crops or crops that are planted can't be fertilised, sprayed or harvested. Too dry and crops don't yield; animals have to supplemented with feed and like we have just experienced in 2025 grass doesn't grow causing a shortage of fodder driving prices up more than usual.

We also have the continued threat of 'cheaper' imported produce. The UK welfare and traceability is some of the best in the world. The 'cheaper' imported produce is nowhere near the standards of UK produce. UK farmers are constantly inspected and monitored to ensure all produce is of the highest standards which is in the best interest to the farmers as well as the general public. Supporting local and British farmers will always be extremely important in supporting the future of British farming. 

How do you think the future of farming will look?

The future of farming seems extremely unpredictable currently. Although the government has updated the rules in the latest budget, small family farms in particular still face huge inheritance tax bills. We have seen how easy the government change the goal posts proving it hard to plan farm succession.

On paper farmers look to be well off but farming is very much an asset rich but cash poor industry. All farmers are farming their farms for the next generation and sadly soon there won't be anything left for the next generation. 

If you weren’t a farmer is there anything else you would rather be?

I always thought I wanted to travel - especially to New Zealand and Australia - but after losing my Dad and little brother home was the only place I wanted to be. 

I have always considered what else I would do. I always planned to stay within the agricultural industry some way or another but since becoming a mum midwifery could have been a possible alternative.

What is the biggest misconception about farming?

That farmers don't care. 

I appreciate some people's views on the industry - it's an extremely taboo topic. All I can say is farmers do the up most to ensure all animals, crops and the environment are tended too with care. Yes, it's a business and businesses need to make money but that is not the end goal when it comes to farming - we are preserving the land for the next generation. 

Farming is 24/7, 365 days a year, come rain or shine! It's labour intense, multitasking and problem solving constantly with little to no break ever. The lifestyle is hard but equally the most rewarding (when it's going well). You have to have a huge amount love and passion to be a farmer. 

What is your favourite aspect to farming? 

I love the livestock side of farming. The routine of checking, feeding and tending to all of the animal's needs. 

I particularly love calving and lambing time. The cows producing heifers that will potentially stay in the herd for the years to come. The sheep producing lambs that race around in the spring sun. 

Eventually, this stock will go to market to be sold. This in itself is a key part of farming. I personally love going to market it's a chance to 'showcase' the work you have put into your stock, see other farmer's produce, chat to fellow farmers, share your problems or achievements and grasp an idea of trade to plan the next step within your business.

Farming can be rather lonely and markets offer a great opportunity to come together - a problem shared is a problem halved. 

Recently, my favourite aspect of farming has been sharing my love and passion with my own little family. Watching the girls grow up on the farm together, my three-year-old already being able to name all the cows in the herd, the whole family heading out to drench a bunch of sheep together and making fond memories that stick with us all forever. The farm is truly a wonderful place to grow up.