Dales farmer needed for project on best practice (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Dales farmer needed for project on best practice

12:16pm Friday 5th February 2010

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A LIVESTOCK farmer from the Teesdale/ Weardale area is being sought to take part in a new project.

The plan is to set up a “monitor”

farm to explore best farming practice and become a beacon for others to follow.

A business group of about 12 farmers will also be appointed to work with the farm and benefit from what is learnt.

The English Farming and Food Partnerships (EFFP) has received more than £195,000 from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) to establish this farm and another in Northumberland.

Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Society, XL Vets, North Northumberland Agricultural Training Association, Eblex and EFFP are also involved.

The monitor farmer will receive a nominal fee for taking part in the programme.

Once chosen a comprehensive review of the farm will be held and a business plan developed and managed for four to five years.

It will focus on improving the profitability and viability of the farm, tackling topics such as farm business competitiveness, nutrient management and animal health and welfare.

Monitor farms have thrived in Scotland for more than four years and the farmers most involved achieved have a ten-year benefit to their businesses in just three years.

The Dales farm will stage six events a year for the group to monitor progress and an annual open day for other farmers.

The chosen farmer benefits from the skills and experience of the group which can also draw on the advice of other professionals.

Adrian Sherwood, RDPE manager at One North East, said: “This project will develop a partnership of likeminded individuals who can work together exchanging expertise and essential knowledge, creating greater collaboration between farmers with an aim of improving their businesses.”

Debbie Brown, of Barnard Castle Vets, said: “The aim is to open up a forum that will demonstrate to farmers that by changing and monitoring their farming practices there are opportunities to increase productivity and profitably and that there is real potential for more output from less input.

“We are looking for in the region of a dozen farmers to work together. We will use one farm as a base for discussions and practical work. Other satellite farms may also be incorporated when appropriate.”

The group will see the actual cost of farming in their area – real market prices, accurate fixed and variable costs, the true profit or loss and the benefits of a penny or a pound saved here and there.

Neil Thomson, of Caverton Mill, near Kelso, said his three years as a Scottish monitor farm had been “a fantastic experience”.

He said: “It has helped us improve our farming practices and brought many benefits to the business.

“My advice to anyone thinking about becoming a monitor farm is to go for it and give it 100pc commitment.”

Anyone interested in being the monitor farm or part of the group should contact Doug Gray on 07525-299243 or dgray@effp.com.

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