Customer Focus – F. Andow & Son
Five Generations of Farming
F. Andow & Son is a fifth-generation farming family based in Swettenham, Cheshire, with a mix of enterprises and a long-standing relationship with HJ Lea Oakes Ltd.
Today, the farm is home to 90 milkers, supplying Meadow Foods. All Friesian heifers are reared as replacements, while all beef animals born on the farm are finished. The family also grows potatoes, which are sold directly to the public as well as to other local businesses.
Selling produce from the farm gate has always been an important part of the business. It started with eggs and potatoes and has continued to grow. In May 2026, the family opened a self-service fruit and vegetable shop on the farm, selling their own produce alongside a wider range of fruit and vegetables. They also have a regular market stall at Congleton Market, giving them another opportunity to sell directly to local customers.
A Relationship with HJ Lea Oakes spanning generations
F Andow & Son could be one of HJ Lea’s longest-standing continuous customers!
Gordon, the farm’s third-generation farmer, remembers that his grandad was buying from HJ Lea as far back as the 1930s.
The family believes they may even have had the first load of bulk feed out of HJ Lea’s Wheelock Mill. At the time, it was all new technology, yet even with the help of their feed rep, Basil Clewes, and the delivery driver, it took most of the day to blow off the nutty blend, which was fed in the parlour.
Over the years, the family has bought almost everything from HJ Lea, including animal feed, seed potatoes, grass seed and even fertiliser, back when HJ Lea used to supply it.
The Andows have been farming at Hall Farm for five generations. Gordon’s mother was farming there when she met Fred, who was in the RAF and lived in Bollington. They later married, and Fred joined the farming business.
The farm was originally rented from the Swettenham Estate before the Andow family purchased it in 1985, bringing the farm firmly into family ownership.
Today, the family continues to run a commercial Friesian herd, feeding grass silage alongside a high-energy blend during the winter months, with an HJ Lea Oakes dairy nut fed in the parlour.
During the summer months, the herd makes the most of the grass and grazes outside. The beef cattle are started on Megagrower Flakey Coarse Mix as calves, before moving onto Elite Beef Nuts and eventually having rolled barley mixed in during the finishing stage.
Away from the farm, the Andow family are also active members of their local community. The family are keen bowlers, with Gordon serving as Chair of Swettenham Bowling Club.
From dairy cows and beef cattle to potatoes, a farm shop and a market stall, F Andow & Son have built a business with plenty of eggs in different baskets. After decades of farming and working with HJ Lea Oakes, the next generation looks set to continue the family tradition.
