In this episode we talk to David Jones of JH & MM Jones. Based near Stratford Upon Avon in Warwickshire, David’s family have farmed in the county over several generations. Today, the business is spread across 1100 hectares, growing predominantly group 1 milling wheat and peas, as well as barley and spring beans.

We hear David’s early recollections of working alongside his father in the family’s land drainage business. Surrounded by a gang of no-nonsense practical jokers, David learned the ropes the old-fashioned way: by getting stuck in.  

For David, it starts with the soil. If the ground’s not right, nothing else will be. Getting the basics right can be traced back to David’s early career. David explains how his experience in land drainage, followed by working for a forward thinking farmer helped his understanding of the land. This was to prove vital when the family came calling with an offer David couldn’t refuse.

Engineering has always been an equal passion for David. He talks about honing his technical skills at an agricultural engineering college, where he learned the hands-on expertise required to develop machinery tailored to the specific needs of modern farming.

Beyond the world of agriculture, David’s enthusiasm for engineering spills over into his impressive success in tractor-pulling, a sport that combines mechanical knowledge with raw power. His ability to fine-tune engines and push machines to their limits is testament to the deep understanding and dedication he brings to everything he does.