Popular local Christmas turkey farm announce closure due to infection.

Pattocks Farm has announced the difficult decision to stop producing Christmas turkeys and close its Christmas Shop following the loss of its entire turkey flock to blackhead, an infection for which there is currently no effective treatment. The decision brings to an end more than 80 years of Christmas turkey production across three generations of the Barron family.

Pattocks Farm has announced that it will no longer produce Christmas turkeys or operate its Christmas Shop, bringing an end to a much-loved tradition that has been at the heart of the farm for more than 80 years.

The decision, described by the Barron family as "incredibly difficult", follows the loss of the farm's entire flock of turkeys, which arrived in June, after the birds were affected by blackhead. Despite seeking specialist veterinary advice and taking extensive measures to tackle the infection, the farm has been unable to overcome the problem.

Blackhead is a serious infection that can be particularly challenging to manage once it becomes established on a farm. According to the Barron family, even stringent biosecurity measures and expert veterinary guidance cannot guarantee that the infection can be eradicated. With no effective treatment currently available, the family has concluded that it is not economically possible to continue rearing Christmas turkeys until a viable treatment is developed.

The financial impact of the losses has also contributed to the decision. With no insurance or compensation available to cover the losses suffered, the family says that continuing turkey production would not be sustainable, with a potential solution to the disease possibly still years away.

The closure marks the end of an era for Pattocks Farm and the Barron family. Christmas turkey production has been a central part of the business for more than eight decades, spanning three generations of the family.

For many customers, the farm's turkeys have also become an important part of their own Christmas celebrations and family traditions.

"We know they have also become part of many of your own Christmas traditions, and we are deeply sorry to disappoint you," the Barron family said in a message to customers.

The family expressed its heartfelt thanks to customers who have supported the farm over the years, saying it had been a privilege to provide the centrepiece for so many Christmas tables.

The Barrons also paid tribute to the Christmas staff, past and present, whose work helped make each festive season possible. Many members of the team had worked at the farm for several years, while others had been involved for decades, dating back to the time when George Barron was running the farm.

The family said it was particularly grateful for the dedication, kindness and good humour of its local Christmas team, recalling the familiar stories and traditions that had become part of the Christmas season at Pattocks Farm.

While the decision closes an important chapter in the farm's history, the Barron family says it is now considering what the future may hold for Pattocks Farm.

"We will always cherish the memories and friendships that have come from supplying Christmas turkeys to so many wonderful customers," the family said.

After more than 80 years of supplying Christmas turkeys, the family has thanked customers once again for their understanding, loyalty and support, describing the goodwill shown over the generations as something that "has meant more to us than words can express."

The announcement brings to a close a significant chapter in the history of Pattocks Farm — one built around family, farming, community and the Christmas traditions shared by generations of customers.

The Barrons added that, they hope to be in touch again.