Jill Hewitt
Incoming Chief Executive Officer, NAAC
As we teeter on the edge of a technological agricultural revolution, with massive challenges of feeding an increasing population in a sustainable way, it is time to take a long, hard look at how farms are managing both machinery and staff.
A substantial number of farms have excess machinery in their inventory and, as we move into a (possible) post-Brexit era with a declining single farm payment, there will no longer be the option to hold extra kit or staffing capacity. Streamlining will be vital to drive profitability and survival.
Environmental conscience will be a source of farm income
Soil management, biodiversity and ‘public money for public goods’ are all now intertwining into farm management and an environmental conscience will not only be a moral responsibility but will be a source of farm income.
Excess capital costs can be rapidly swept out of the business, particularly for specialist operations that can leave kit stood idle for months off-season.
Outsourcing is increasingly becoming a route to minimising capital outlay and coping with the headache of finding reliable staff. With over 90% of farms already using a contractor, it will become increasingly important that land managers and contractors work together to build sustainable partnerships for everyone’s benefit.
If a good relationship can be built with a professional contractor, this can empower the farm business to focus on internal structure and rationalisation, leaving the contractor to focus on providing a reliable and innovative service, taking pressure off farm time and overheads.
Implementing innovative advancements to access expert services
Excess capital costs can be rapidly swept out of the business, particularly for specialist operations that can leave kit stood idle for months off-season. In addition, innovative, technical advances can be fast-tracked, with boundless options to access expert services that can assist in soil protection, environmental management and reduction of inputs.
To engage in this sustainable and professional model it takes the commitment of both land managers and contractors to agree a sensible pricing structure that allows the contractor to achieve longevity and investment in the business, while being able to offer the customer a timely service, with the necessary insurance and safeguards – providing both partners permanence and security to invest.
Find out more at www.naac.co.uk
