On 30th April, we were pleased to welcome members of the Shropshire Farmers Club to IEC for a farm walk; an afternoon focused on sharing ideas, opening up conversations, and giving a practical look at how our farming and renewable systems work day-to-day.
Events like this are a great chance to bring regional businesses together, swap experience, and talk honestly about what’s working on farm—whether that’s energy, livestock, cropping, or the realities of investing in infrastructure.
A quick look back: the IEC story
We kicked off with a brief outline of the history of IEC—how the business has developed, what we’ve learned along the way, and why we’ve continued to invest in integrated systems that support both productivity and long-term resilience.
Old Springs Farm: boilers, drying and the baling line
From there, the group toured key parts of the operation at Old Springs Farm, including:
- our boilers
- drying floors
- and the baling line
It was a good opportunity to talk through the practical details: system design, throughput, fuel handling, maintenance considerations, and how the different parts fit together operationally.
Tyrley: visiting our beef unit
Next, the tour moved on to Tyrley for a look around our beef unit. This stop prompted plenty of discussion around performance, consistency, and how decision-making on farm can be supported by good facilities, reliable processes, and a focus on animal welfare.
Hollins Farm: poultry sheds—including the new sheds 5–8
A highlight for many visitors was the tour of our poultry sheds at Hollins Farm, including the newly finished sheds 5–8. We talked through the thinking behind layout, workflow, and the investment in modern buildings—particularly how we aim to balance efficiency with welfare and biosecurity.
Through the miscanthus, then back to Old Springs
The group then headed back down centre track through the miscanthus crop, giving everyone a chance to see another part of the wider system and how land use ties into the bigger picture.
Finished the best way: a BBQ and Wagyu burgers
And because no farm walk is complete without food, we wrapped up back at Old Springs Farm with a BBQ, showcasing our Wagyu burgers. A relaxed end to a packed afternoon, and the perfect setting for more informal networking and conversation.
Thanks for coming
A big thank you to everyone from the Shropshire Farmers Club who joined us. We’re always happy to host visits like this, sharing what we do, learning from others, and helping strengthen the regional farming and business community.
