Clarkson’s Farm star discusses the farm app which has revolutionised her farming practices!
Ellen Helliwell is a contract shepherdess and farm worker living in the Cotswolds with her partner, Rob, and their young daughter, Hetty. Originally from the Peak District, Ellen grew up on a National Trust hill farm rearing sheep and pedigree Belted Galloway cattle, alongside her parents and sister. While the farm wasn’t passed down through generations, it instilled in Ellen a passion for hill farming and conservation, a balance she strives to maintain in her own work.
Ellen’s passion for livestock farming is evident in her diverse experience. While she currently works primarily with sheep and beef cattle, she’s no stranger to other types of farming. Over the years, Ellen has worked on dairy farms, helped with pig care, and even done some grain carting during harvest. This wide-ranging experience has shaped her into a well-rounded and knowledgeable farmer.
In a somewhat unconventional move, Ellen purchased a small flock of sheep while pregnant with Hetty, driven by a desire to stay busy during her maternity leave. Currently, she rents 30-40 acres of land, which is no small feat in the highly competitive Cotswolds region. Her flock is a mixed breed, primarily Swaledales, along with a few Lleyn crosses and a Norfolk Horn. Ellen’s choice of breeds reflects her practical approach to farming, opting for hardy, low-maintenance sheep that thrive on outdoor lambing and poorer-quality ground. Her sentimental attachment to hill breeds shines through, with Swaledales proving to produce strong, healthy lambs.
Ellen’s careful management allows her to sell lambs between July and October, while also purchasing additional stores to sell around Christmas. Her small flock may not be massive in scale, but it’s a well-thought-out operation that reflects her deep knowledge of the land and livestock.
As a contract shepherdess Ellen works on various farms, helping with tasks like vaccinating, lambing, shearing, and more. This work has given her a unique perspective, allowing her to observe different farming practices and learn from them. Her love for sheep began at a young age, helping her parents on their farm. Over time, she has specialised in sheep and beef, further honing her skills through college and involvement with the National Sheep Association (NSA).
Looking ahead: plans and advice
Given that Ellen rents her land, there are limitations on the improvements she can make. However, she remains optimistic, with many plans and dreams for the future that she hopes to turn into reality one day.
For Ellen, farming success hinges on understanding and optimising your own system. She advises other farmers to focus on what works best for their unique situation rather than trying to replicate others. Whether it’s the choice of breed or farming methods, the key is to be content with your decisions and enjoy the results of your hard work.
Sharing the realities of farming
Ellen also known as Shepherdess23 on Instagram, has become a familiar face in the farming community on social media. Ellen’s journey into the digital world began on Twitter, inspired by her involvement in the NSA Next Generation group. Seeing other young farmers sharing their stories, Ellen realised the potential of social media as a tool to connect, learn, and find work, especially during quieter times. She started her Instagram journey with a challenge from a friend to post consistently, which gradually led to her channel’s growth.
Ellen’s Instagram account is a platform for education and connection. What she loves most about Instagram is the diversity of voices from all walks of life, united by their passion for agriculture. Ellen values the platform’s ability to showcase the full spectrum of farming – both the highs and lows. She believes that by showing the reality of farm life, including the struggles, she helps build respect and understanding between farmers and the general public.
The farming community on Instagram is also a source of support for Ellen, especially during tough seasons. During challenging times, like the rain-soaked lambing season of 2024, Ellen found comfort in seeing that others were facing similar difficulties. For someone who often works alone, the online community provides a sense of camaraderie and reassurance that she’s not facing the challenges of farming by herself.
The Clarkson’s Farm effect
Ellen’s appearance on Clarkson’s Farm had a significant impact on her social media following. Overnight, her follower count skyrocketed, bringing her work and skills to the attention of a much larger audience. While her career was already thriving, with regular work on several farms, the exposure from the show boosted her profile even further. More people now recognise the hard work she puts into her role as a contract shepherdess, and her social media presence has grown accordingly.
How Herdwatch has transformed Ellen’s farming practices
Ellen has been using Herdwatch for approximately 4 years. She first explored the app when it was initially designed for cattle, before it included a sheep management section. Since then, it has become an indispensable tool in her day-to-day farming operations.
Setting up Herdwatch was straightforward for Ellen, “Like anything new you have to find out where everything is but, in my experience, there has always been someone at the end of the phone if you’re stuck or quick to reply to messages if you have a query.” One of the main reasons Ellen chose Herdwatch over other programs was its accessibility – she loves that it works seamlessly on any smartphone without needing additional equipment.
One of the biggest improvements Herdwatch brought to Ellen’s farm was in managing and recording medicines. Before, she used to track treatments on two different calendars to avoid missing important dates. Now, Herdwatch allows her to log treatments easily and check withdrawal periods with just a few taps on her phone.
“Herdwatch is a massive help when it comes to inspections. Everything you need is all in one place. You can look back at dates or run a report. It’s so much easier than going through folders of paper to try and find what the inspector needs – it’s also legible, there are no coffee marks on the paper or if your anything like me there’s no dodgy spelling in there!”
Lambing season can be hectic, but Herdwatch has streamlined the process for Ellen. Before using the app, she would jot down notes in her phone, often leading to confusion or missed details. Now, she can record lambing events, track any issues with ewes, and manage adoptions or fostering all within the app. This organised approach not only saves time but also helps her make better-informed decisions for her flock.
“Herdwatch has helped me to streamline my breeding ewes and make sure that I remember any issues that have arisen throughout lambing or during the year, making my flock run more efficiently.”
For Ellen, the biggest benefit of Herdwatch is having all her farming information consolidated in one place. This not only simplifies inspections but also makes decision-making quicker and more informed.
Given her positive experience, Ellen frequently recommends Herdwatch to other farmers. In her words, “it’s a great app that has significantly enhanced her ability to manage her farm effectively.”