Death of Herefordshire potato pioneer Charles “Michael” Mercer (From Hereford Times)
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Death of Herefordshire potato pioneer Charles “Michael” Mercer
12:09pm Thursday 29th March 2012 in Farming
Charles “Michael” Mercer
ONE of the first farmers in Herefordshire to start large scale production of potatoes has died peacefully at his home, aged 83.
Charles “Michael”
Mercer and his wife Avril moved down to Yazor Court from Lancashire in 1963 before establishing the farming enterprise C M Mercer at Bowley Court Farms.
Over the years he bred and established awardwinning cattle herds, most recently winning the Simmental Herd of the Year.
Mr Mercer, who died on March 20, also set up with his friends the agricultural merchants Farmwell, specialising in cereals, potatoes and agrochemicals.
He was involved in other family businesses such as Miedema Mercer Machinery and Bowley Storage and Marketing.
His son Jonathan runs the family business along with Michael’s grandchildren Samantha and Charles.
His daughter Jane is a housemistress at Rossall School in Lancashire.
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