Agriscot shows all best ways to stay ahead of the field
lection? What election? Oh, that election. Well, as we now have several years of suck it and see ahead of us and many other commentators still keen to analyse where it went wrong/right and what the future might hold, let’s make this a politics-free zone.
Come to think of it, let’s make it a Christmas-free zone too. So much hype and exaggerated expectations, rather like the election. But I found diversion from both election and a “festive” season that starts much too early in an unlikely place at the end of November when three farmers of the year awards were made at Agriscot, Scottish farming’s winter fair held at Ingliston.
Of course such awards are subjective and not everyone agrees with the judges’ decisions, particularly and usually those who are runner-ups, but when I saw this year’s winners I felt more optimistic about the future for the best of Scotland’s farmers.
That optimism is because the best farmers will have successful and profitable businesses regardless of the result of the election or whatever trade deals are finally reached with the European Union and the rest of the big wide world as, copyright Prime Minister Boris Johnson, we “get Brexit done.”
Financial surveys of any sector of farming confirm that. While the farmers’ unions have to argue the case for subsidies on behalf of the lowest common denominator among their members and do so well and conscientiously, the top third of farmers continue to make profits.
These might vary year to year not least because of the kind of lousy weather we have had this autumn, but the top third will consistently make money, the middle third will soldier on bravely and the bottom third will struggle even with the help of subsidies.
It follows that by natural selection some of those in those in the bottom third will drop out every year and the bar will be raised for those still in business. Think of it like a football league table and note the consistently high performers, the mid-table toilers and those in danger of relegation.
A comparison that has been around a long time, with credit due to its anonymous originator, still holds good, namely that farming and every other business sector comprises three types – the planner, the plodder and the plonker.
The planner consistently asks: “I wonder what would happen if .. ?” The plodder says: “I wonder what’s happening?” The plonker says: “What the hell happened?”
The farms of the year that cheered me up are, among other qualities, clearly planners.
The beef farm of the year award was won by Kingan Farms, Dumfries and Galloway, producing more than 1,400 beef cattle a year. Most supplies for the cattle are home-produced and the farm has close links with meat buyers and processors. Electronic ear-tagging and feedback on carcases is a vital part of producing what processors, and ultimately shoppers, want. Kingan, and four other farms on the shortlist, were praised for showing “business acumen, commitment and dedication”.
Kevin Stewart, Sharpitlaw, Kelso, won sheep farm of the year. His three mainly-hill farms carry more than 3,000 sheep at peak times, using the most up to date sheep genetics. Most breeding ewes are Highlander, a breed developed in New Zealand. Feeding is home grown. Recording is an integral part of the system as is health planning and investment in young staff.
John Weir, with 300 hectares at Lacesston, Fife, won arable farmer of the year. Firm financial control and energy-saving technology were listed as outstanding, with 60 hectares of pre-pack potatoes the hub of the business.
Lessons can always be learned from contemporaries, as the success of monitor farms in Scotland has shown. Regular meetings hosted by the brave monitor farmer allow open discussion of its management system, how to do things better, when and how to change.
Every farmer involved has the chance to improve performance. “Learning all the time” is a good motto, whether it’s from a neighbour or a farm of the year. It certainly makes me feel better about the future of farming.