Valtra: A Trusted Choice for Norfolk Pig Producers

Valtra tractors form the backbone of the tractor fleet relied on by Rob and Helen Mutimer, for their Norfolk-based Swannington Farm to Fork pig breeding, fattening and butchery enterprise.

“We bought our first Valtra in 1998, when it was selected for its sturdy build quality and the brand’s reputation for reliability,” explained Rob. “The generous ground clearance was attractive too as some of our pigs grazed in woodland. Now, 27 years later, three Valtras including two G125s and an A115 operate full time across our pig units, and with back-up from the Thurlow Nunn Standen team at Fakenham the tractors are ideal.”

Focus on livestock

The pigs, predominantly Large White X, are bred outdoors at the Mutimer’s Woodland Farm base, and at 8kg the progeny are moved to other locations within a 20-mile radius for fattening. They are finished at 115kg, when 90 per cent are destined for Waitrose. The rest are sold through the Mutimer’s award-winning butchery to restaurants and farm shops across East Anglia, along with a wide range of other locally produced meats including beef, pork and game, and lamb which is from local farms and the family’s own hobby sheep flock.

Two tractors spend most of their time at the breeding unit and the third transports pigs in trailers between the satellite locations. Seven farm employees regularly use the fleet. “We need simple and reliable tractors that are comfortable and safe for the operators,” continued Rob. “Looking after the livestock is our team’s priority; we don’t need complications and extra tech, and it helps having three tractors of the same brand with similar controls so that everything is immediately familiar.”

Costs are reasonable

The tractors are bought with a four-year warranty. “We tend to run them for the four years, then update them,” continued Rob. “Strong demand for used Valtras means they hold their value well, and costs to change are usually quite reasonable. When updating, we check what else is available and, on a couple of occasions, the deals we were offered persuaded us to try other brands. However, for most of the past 15 years our three main tractors have been Valtra, and another much smaller tractor of another brand is solely for yard work.

“The Valtras work seven days per week in all weathers including long periods of very wet and muddy, or dusty conditions. Reliability remains good and most issues we’ve had have been minor and quickly sorted by the TNS team.

“When we need anything then our first call is always to Area Sales Manager, Paul Defew. “He understands our business and if tractors are out of action and we are busy, then loan machines have always been quickly available.”

Loaders provide effective back-up

Telehandlers at all the sites do most of the handling tasks, but two of the Valtra tractors have factory-fitted front loaders and provide a convenient back-up. Approximately 7,000 large square bales are used annually for bedding. These are transported from fields to the fattening units and stored in protected stacks ready for use. If the telehandlers are out of action or in use elsewhere, then the tractor loaders are used instead. “We can quickly drive a loader tractor to any of our locations to move a few bales, or to unload goods such as pallets of starter feed from delivery lorries,” stressed Rob. “The loaders don’t do a lot of work, but they are always available and, without them, we would be completely stuck when the telehandlers aren’t available.”

Busy fleet

One of the Valtras is used mainly for transporting pigs between the base and satellite units in a large livestock trailer. The other two operate most of the time at the rearing unit. Sows are fed outdoors in troughs, filled by trailed pneumatic feeders. The tractors and feeders travel on semi-permanent tracks between the pens and feed is electronically metered and blown through tubes over the electric fences into the troughs. The feeders rely on PTO-driven fans, with the tractor hydraulics and controls used to adjust the discharge chute position.

All the tractors were specified with optional cab suspension upgrades. “A lot of travel is on uneven farm tracks and bumpy rural roads, so ensuring the tractors are safe and operators are comfortable is a priority,” confirmed Rob.

Operator view

Dry Sow Unit Manager, Charlotte Hurst says the Valtra A115 is the ideal tractor for her outdoor pig unit. “An extremely tight turning circle helps when manoeuvring the feed trailer,” she explained. “There is good access to the cab through wide opening doors on both sides, and the steps provide plenty of grip in the wet. Those are important features as I get in and out many times during a typical day, checking livestock and fences.”

She said the large windows and short bonnet provide a good view from the seat. “I count and check all the livestock every day, and while pigs are lined up along troughs during feeding is the best opportunity to do it. Looking down at them through the large side window there is a great view, while the smaller rear corner window is perfect for monitoring the feed chute position.”

Charlotte commented that although during feeding the delivery chute requires a constant high fan speed, the Valtra four-speed, semi-powershift 16×16 transmission makes it easy to match the travel speed to the feed delivery rate and different trough lengths. The forward and reverse shuttle is in constant use and direction changes are smooth. “I really like the A115. It’s got the features I need without being over complicated,” she confirmed. “There are just two things I would change if I could, and these include the cup holder which is too small for a flask or standard-size cup, and the passenger seat which tilts down so users have to push themselves back onto it, especially on bumpy ground.”

Helpful dealer team

Rob says he remains happy with the Valtra tractors as well as the dealer back-up. “It’s not just the consistently good service from TNS, but we notice how helpful and friendly everyone there is too. This became especially evident when we tried other brands over the years, as those dealers seemed much less interested. We take biosecurity seriously, so prefer it if service technicians are willing to visit our farm to carry out work, rather than the tractors going to the dealer. We have got modern, well-equipped workshops, and TNS service team members are always happy to oblige.”