Time to take control of our farming future

When times are challenging, it’s important to accept that some things are largely beyond our control.

In farming, there’s much we can’t influence directly. Unpredictable weather, volatile market prices and uncertain agricultural policies to name just a few.

But by taking the emotion out of decision-making and controlling what is within our grasp, we can still build more profitable farm businesses – even amid the turbulence.

Precision farming

Harnessing technology – including advances in precision farming – is just one way we can make better decisions. And we take a special look at how to do this in this issue of Anglia Farmer (see page 39).

Technology isn’t the answer to everything. But precision farming can help us farm more efficiently. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, for example, suggests it can lift yields as much as 20%.

Improving livestock health and welfare can also boost productivity. True, there is little we can do about bluetongue, for example, but proactive herd and flock management can improve growth rates, and ultimately enhance profitability.

Profit-margins can also be increased by selecting livestock breeds and crop varieties that are more resilient to extreme weather – and tailoring farm management programmes accordingly – whether that means flood or drought.

Reducing risk

Similarly, diversification can act as a buffer against financial risk. As the Basic Payment phase-out continues, more farmers are  starting new enterprises to boost their incomes (see page 4).

More farmers expect to diversify over the next five years – embarking renewable energy initiatives like solar panels and wind turbines, agri-tourism, farm cafes and other forms of direct sales to consumers.

Diversification can provide stability, even in difficult times, allowing farmers to expand income sources without relying solely on fluctuating agricultural prices. Defra figures show farms with diversified incomes are less vulnerable to market volatility

While there’s no shortage of challenges in UK agriculture, focusing on the factors we can control does give us a better chance of thriving – not just surviving. For some of us, that might be out of our comfort zone. But building resilience from within will mean a better chance of taking charge of our future.

Johann Tasker, Editor