Farming

Arable farming is the core business of Blankney Estates Limited. We manage over 14,000 acres, growing a wide range of arable crops for human consumption, animal feed and energy production.

Farming is centred around the villages of Blankney, Metheringham and Scopwick, as well as parcels of land north of Lincoln, and at Evedon near Sleaford. Consequently, our land embraces a variety of soil types ranging from small amounts of black fen soils, sands and well-bodied clays, through to drought-prone limestone heath.

We are committed to farming in the most environmentally responsible way possible. Our fields are surrounded by a total of 280 acres of wildlife-friendly buffer strips, and the keen-eyed rambler will frequently come across a section of ancient drystone wall overgrown with wild grasses providing the perfect haven for insects and small mammals.

We maintain 142 miles of hedgerow, as well as overseeing more than 36 acres of wild bird stewardship and conservation. A further 170 acres is dedicated to archaeological protection, species-rich grassland creation and floristically enhanced margins on behalf of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.


We grow and harvest

  • Grass for animal feed and for use by British Chlorophyll Company Limited
  • Alfalfa for the equine market
  • Sugar beet for British Sugar’s Newark factory
  • Vining peas
  • Barley
  • Oilseed rape
  • Wheat
  • Dried beans
  • Maize and Rye for supply to a biogas plant on the estate. Here they are anaerobically digested to produce both gas and electricity for our own power consumption as well as supply to the national grid.

Strong relationships

We believe in forming strong, long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with dedicated suppliers and markets. Many crops (for example milling wheat and malting barley) are grown on specific contracts.

Food Safety and Quality

All produce is fully assured and traceable to the field in which it is grown. Regular auditing ensures our crops are produced to the standards of the Red Tractor Farm and Food Assured Standards Scheme. Our barley meets brewers’ standards for low grain nitrogen levels.

Continued Investment

Blankney Estate continues to invest in its staff, machinery and buildings. We work with leading universities and consultants to ensure our use of resources (particularly fuel, water and fertilisers) is efficiently managed and optimised. As participants in a Natural England Higher Level Countryside and Environmental Stewardship Scheme, we manage all our farmland in an environmentally responsible manner, working closely with conservation bodies to ensure that farming operations have minimal impact on the environment and wildlife.

Blankney Estates - a farming estate with history.