Melanie Hall, a Cornish dairy
farmer’s
daughter, is the current
regional
director
of the National
Farmers’ Union in the
South West
Is there a brighter future for farming in the Westcountry in 2007? No doubt farmers ask themselves the same question every year, but 2007 really does suggest that fortunes might well be on the up.
At the time of writing the industry has just had the total incomes from farming published, with sources highlighting that for many last year income was significantly up – of course with the caveat alongside that it is starting from a very low base. However, there is still good reason to feel optimistic as a result, and that the tide is turning for agriculture.
For the arable sector the market opportunities offered to it by the climate change and energy agenda via renewables, using crops already grown for animal feed such as grains and oilseeds, maize and grass forages, as well as biomass (miscanthus, short-rotation coppice) offers farmers more outlets for their products in the future. Not only in terms of the ability to provide the country with biofuels, heat and power, but also to cut input costs for their own businesses (this applies across all sectors) – individually and collectively – giving producers the ability to create greater efficiencies. Of course, there must be a decent return on their products in the first place to allow investment in new technologies.
For the livestock sectors the forecast looks slightly more mixed. With the beef sector able to export again we have seen improvement in the marketplace, but prices need to increase to ensure a sustainable industry going forward, following decoupling of the support system, increased input costs, regulation and the restrictions of bovine TB. Poultry and dairy markets remain a challenge, with continuing unsustainable prices below the cost of production and all the other issues mentioned previously that apply to these sectors too.
What is encouraging is the growth of the local and regional food agenda – both in terms of quality conventional and organic produce, including the opportunities available for farmers to supply into public procurement contracts or market direct through farmers markets, farm shops, and more commitment being made by the retailers to secure more local produce.
What the industry needs is good, long-term supply-chain relationships with both processors and retailers, with decent contracts and sustainable prices, which take account of the fact that for any sector in farming not only is investment, and re-investment, crucial but that the lead-in time can be anywhere from one to three years – whether that be in terms of planning, growing or rearing. This is where farming is different from many other businesses – production cannot be just turned on or off – not to mention the unpredictability of the weather.
Perhaps the most exciting trend emerging for new entrants and young farmers is the ability to secure land via rents or contract farming arrangements as a result of landowners choosing to exit the industry through retirement following the changes to the support regime. This is giving bright young things the opportunity to enter the industry without the massive capital investment required to purchase land, at reasonable rental rates (especially if the owner is claiming the support payments) and build up, or extend, their businesses and production.
Land-based colleges in the region are reporting a significant increase in students applying for agriculture and food-related courses and this is indicative of young people seeing farming as a positive future career prospect.
So all in all things are really looking up in farming, not withstanding the ongoing challenges, and with the Year of Food and Farming initiative due to start in September, and the NFU’s Why Farming Matters campaign, we have a great opportunity to showcase the region’s fantastic farming industry that underpins the economy, landscapes and communities.
Are you doing your bit to support Why Farming Matters? Readers can easily show their support by logging on to the campaign website and signing the Why Farming Matters E-petition. Campaign packs containing leaflets, posters, postcards and car stickers may be ordered through the website. Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, The Black Farmer, is the latest celebrity supporter of the campaign and his quote, along with other supporter’s quotes, can be viewed at www.whyfarmingmatters.co.uk.
