HJ Lea Oakes

09/09/2026

🐮🐮🐮

Only One Week to go until UK Dairy Day 2026

📢FREE Entry, no pre-registration required
📅 Wednesday 16th September 2026, 8am to 5pm
📍 Telford International Centre, TF3 4JH

The team will be on site this weekend to start preparation for build up!!

✅ Trade Stands
✅ National Shows for Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Dairy Shorthorn and Holstein, alongside dedicated classes for Guernsey and Jersey breeds
✅ Practical Demonstrations
✅ Industry Panels and Seminars

09/09/2026

🇬🇧🌾 SUPPORTING BRITISH FARMING DAY – 9TH SEPTEMBER 2026 🌾🇬🇧

At HJ Lea Oakes, we’re proud to support the NFU’s Back British Farming campaign today! 💚

🇬🇧 We’re proud to stand behind the British farmers who dedicate themselves to producing the high-quality food we enjoy every day, while protecting our countryside, caring for their livestock and supporting our environment. 🚜🐄🌱

As an agricultural business, we know just how important it is to support British farmers and champion British agriculture. By choosing British where we can, we’re helping to support farming families, rural communities and the future of UK food production. 🇬🇧

This 9th September, let’s show our support and Back British Farming! 🙌

🇬🇧🌾

07/09/2026

🎉 Happy Retirement, Dave! 🎉

After an incredible 27 years of dedicated service at Congleton Mill, Dave Buckley retired at the end of August — and what a well-deserved retirement it is!

Dave finished his career as Congleton Mill Production Manager, overseeing our dedicated Organic Feed Mill, where complete integrity and traceability is a major part of the role. Dave started his career working on the Mill control panel, and progressed to become Assistant Manager to Martyn Gunby.

Throughout his 27 years with us, Dave has shown exceptional commitment, knowledge and dedication to the mill, and we are incredibly grateful for everything he has contributed along the way.

Outside of work, Dave is a keen Crewe FC fan and is looking forward to enjoying more time with his family. ⚽

Thank you for everything, Dave, and congratulations on your retirement! 👏

From everyone at HJ Lea Oakes, we wish you all the very best for the next chapter — enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Dave. You’ll certainly be missed! 💚

01/09/2026

These photos were taken just 5 days apart… 🌱🌧️

Aren’t we glad the rain has finally arrived! 🌧️

We can all agree that the countryside is already beginning to look a little greener, and we’re all hoping to see a quick recovery across all types of grassland. However, it’s worth keeping a close eye on Dry Cows during this period.

Many autumn block calvers will be keeping close-to dry cows on bare pasture feeding hay and haylage. In current conditions these bare pastures will be growing but the cows will be keeping on top of the growth. Fresh grown young grass will be making up more of the forage portion of these cows diets, and could cause issues after calving.

Make sure your magnesium levels are correct and that the hay/haylage on offer is palatable to make sure the cows still eat plenty of the long fibre.

It will be important to keep the close-to group fully stocked too, to keep the pressure on the “bare pastures” 🌱🐄

17/08/2026

🚛 Bridging the gap between the mill and the farm! Another delivery on its way… 🌾💚



📸 Photo by Toby Weaver

04/08/2026

Oswestry Show 2026 🏆🐮🐑🐷

04/08/2026

🎨🐄 Thank you to everyone who entered our colouring competition at The Nantwich Show and The Oswestry Show!

A huge congratulations to Isla and Elsie, our lucky winners of the cuddly cows! 🥳🐮💚 Thank you for taking part! 🖍️✨

03/08/2026

After 38 years of dedicated service at Aston Mill, Friday marked Sharon's final day with us as she begins her well-earned early retirement and an exciting new venture.

Sharon's journey has seen her take on a variety of roles throughout her career. She began in the Accounts Department for Dalgety, before returning to the Customer Service team for HJ Lea Oakes, after having her two children. She then moved into the Bag Transport Department before becoming our Transport Manager.

Throughout her 38 years with the business, Sharon has always gone above and beyond in every role she has undertaken. Her dedication, hard work and commitment have made a lasting impact, and she will be greatly missed by colleagues and customers alike.

Thank you, Sharon, for everything you have contributed over the years. We wish you every happiness and success in your retirement and your new venture. Good luck – and we miss you already! 💚

31/07/2026

We are looking forward to The Oswestry & District Agricultural Society tomorrow! Come and see us 👋

29/07/2026

Thank you Nantwich Show for a great day 🐄🐑🏆☀️