Interviews of Joan Mitchell aged 69

Interview with Joan Mitchell whose family took over Begbie farm in 1945 and which she has now farmed since 1972. Joan talks about change and also continuity in farm practice during this time frame and says she felt that the biggest period of change was in the 1970s-80s. Subjects covered include: crop rotation (hay, turnips, potatoes), the move from hay to sillage, work done by horses, the move from horses to tractors and the decline of indivdual farm dairies as milk production became more mechanised and , therefore, only suitable for large farms. The decline in the number of people employed on the farm is discussed within the context of increasing mechanisation and the move towards using specialist contractors to complete work such as dyke building. Joan notes that this kind of work would previously have been done by the farm staff during quieter times of the year.

Joan explains the practice of neighbouring, which was common during sheep clipping time in early July. The Begbie herd would go to work at surrounding farms (six named) for the sheep clipping, and then the herds from those farms would come to Bagbie to return the labour by helping with the clipping there. Only the herds did the clipping while other farm staff would help with, for example, catching the sheep. The visiting herds would need to be fed and accomodated for the duration of the clipping. Joan also talks about the herd being a specialist on farm and said they would often stay on a farm for many years, unlike the ploughmen or dairymen who would move on at term time.