History

Deal Farm is one of the most prominent farms in the ward of Bressingham, South Norfolk. Deal Farm was purchased by Dennis Roberts in the early 1950s with only 70 acres of land and is now owned and cared for by his Grandson Desmond Aves and his family, including his wife and two daughters. 

Desmond Aves now lives at The Oaks in Bressingham, an adjoining farm which was purchased in the 1930’s by his great grandfather Edwin Aves for his two sons George & Lloyd to run. In the late 50s Lloyd purchased another farm in Brockdish and left the partnership for George’s two sons Rodger and Geoff.

The Farm has undergone significant changes since the 1930s, responding constantly to changes in the local area and the demands of the wider industry. The below timeline demonstrates how the farm’s production and ambitions have changed in that time:

Deal Farm Biogas History

November 24

2016

Since 2016, Deal Farm has diversified to sheep farming, and has brought back a small-scale beef cattle herd. They continue to grow sugar beet, cereals, grass, wheat and maize across 850 acres of farmland – in the last 8 years, this has been specifically to support Anaerobic Digester plants.

November 24

2013

Des Aves starts to consider how he can futureproof the family farm, ensuring it is able to survive the period of change that the agriculture industry was entering into. With climate change concerns in mind, Deal Farm put in the first planning application for an innovative AD plant to support sustainable biogas production. You can read the full planning history to date here.

November 24

2007

Deal Farm then made the decision to finish beef production, focusing its efforts on the pigs & poultry and growing cereal, sugar beet, grass, wheat and maize crops.

November 24

2003

Deal Farm made the decision to finish Dairy Farming, but continued to grow cereal, sugar beet, grass, wheat and maize. The farm reintroduced beef cattle but continued to farm pigs.

November 24

1980’s

Mad Cow Disease (BSE) struck cattle stock across Britain, devastating the beef industry. As a result, Deal Farm moved quickly to halve their beef cattle stock and replace it with a pig fattening enterprise. Over a period of 12 years, Deal Farm removed all of its cattle and replaced them with pigs.

November 24

1950’s

Mr Dennis Roberts, Des’ maternal grandfather, purchased the neighbouring Deal Farm. The two farms were joined together to become R G Aves & Partners. At this stage, the land was primarily used to grow cereal and sugar beet, with a substantial beef cattle herd. Deal Farm was also regularly opened up to city school children from London to come and visit and learn about how their food was being produced.

November 24

1940’s

The Aves family are passionate about giving back to the community, and despite WWII, George Aves donated a barn to Bressingham Village to be used by the community as a village hall. Geoff Aves went on to donate a large piece of land to be used by local children as the playing field; and the car park was donated by Dennis’ son, Stanley Roberts. These are all still in use today, and the family continues to actively support village projects.

November 24

1930’s

The Oaks Farm was purchased by Mr Edwin Aves. At this point, it was a mixed farm with beef, dairy, a small pig unit and a small chicken enterprise. The farm also grew grass, cereals and sugar beet.

Deal Farm has been a long-standing family business in the Diss area for decades, providing local produce to the community and consistently adapting to new circumstances and pressures. The decision to deliver an AD plant represents the next necessary step in protecting the long-term viability of the farm.

Des Aves – Deal Farm