I went to University at Reading and completed a degree in Agricultural Economics. Following this I worked in London, for the Economics Intelligence Unit. I then bought a farm and following a few courses in welding, I started adapting basic equipment for the farm and this was when I had the idea to set up my business.

"I honestly think, if you want to get on in life, what you have to do is find a job – it doesn’t matter if your parents are millionaires, you have to get up, get off the computer and get the whole ball rolling. The sooner you do that, the sooner you are on your way to running your own business."

Mike Donovan - MIDO Productions

 

In 1992 I produced the first copy of the magazine Practical Farm Ideas, and it’s in circulation throughout the UK and in some locations across the world. It specialises in providing a more real account of farming that relates better to the active farmer.

I realised that farming magazines were so product orientated that the technical side of their editorial was based on product endorsement. However as a farmer, I was more interested in saving money, and wanted to read about these sorts of matters. Therefore I was motivated by a gap in the market and by the desire to produce a magazine that was better suited to farmers needs.

Practical Farm Ideas relies entirely on readers.  Workshop projects, practical farm management, arable, livestock, dairy, financial, soil management, international farm news.  We visit innovative farmers across the country and overseas.  Arable and livestock, complex and simple, one off ideas modified and built from scratch.  Farming ideas which readers will not have seen before.