AHDB to launch new cereals and oilseeds monitor farms

The cereals and oilseeds department of the Agriculture and Horticulture Growth Board (AHDB) is ready to launch three new monitor farms within the coming weeks.

AHDB’s monitor farms every undertake a three-year programme and, throughout this time, purpose to supply assist and steering to growers trying to enhance their companies and be taught from others.

These information farms in Yorkshire, Norwich and Nottinghamshire will be part of the group of 13 current AHDB cereals and oilseeds monitor farms in internet hosting common open conferences

The purpose of those conferences is to share finest practices from business consultants and share their data on key subjects, corresponding to soil well being, grain markets and farming coverage.

The three farms will likely be internet hosting open days all through the summer season, the dates and places of that are under:

• Beverley Monitor Farm, situated on Corridor Farm, Beverley, East Yorkshire, will host an open day on Might 31, 2023;
• Norwich Monitor Farm, situated on Crown Level Property, Norfolk, Norwich, will host an open day on June 23, 2023; 
• Bingham Monitor Farm, situated on Manor Farm, Bingham, Nottinghamshire, will host an open day on July 5, 2023. 

The free-to-attend farms and their open days might be registered for by way of the AHDB occasions web site.

AHDB head of engagement for cereals and oilseeds, Ana Reynolds, mentioned: “We’re actually excited to be launching three new monitor farms to our established programme.

“On the coronary heart of the monitor farm programme is the demonstration of trials of latest cropping or strategies in ‘actual farm’ conditions.

“Whereas we encourage attendance in any respect monitor farm open days, the launch of latest farms is a superb time to get entangled within the programme, affect the discussions and watch progress first hand.”

Reynolds mentioned that, because of the “tempo of change” that the agricultural sector is experiencing, there has “by no means been a greater time to get entangled” with AHDB’s monitor farms.

“With every farm internet hosting common open conferences throughout the size and breadth of the UK, there’s a various array of experience, farm varieties and methods represented.

“There actually is one thing for everybody, and as a free programme centred on peer-to-peer data change, the dialogue and unbiased outcomes may help form the way forward for your farm, as a part of the broader business.”

Three new farms

The Beverley Monitor Farm will likely be hosted by farm supervisor Harry Huddart on the two,000ha arable rotation at Corridor Farm.

The land includes winter wheat and barley, oilseed rape (OSR), spring barley and beans, peas, forage maize and potatoes.

“Internet hosting an AHDB Monitor Farm is not going to solely enable us to share what we’re doing on-farm with different like-minded individuals, however we’re additionally hoping to remove new concepts that will assist us enhance” Huddart mentioned.

“I consider the farm is ready up in a approach that we’ve sufficient flexibility to trial and discover new practices for the good thing about our farm in addition to the broader farming neighborhood.”

The Norwich Monitor Farm, hosted by arm supervisor Michael Balls, will concentrate on sustaining monetary margins by bettering present strategies and incorporating new practices on-farm.

The 1,200ha arable operation, comprising winter wheat and barley, OSR, spring oats, triticale, peas, potatoes, maize, and mint, together with integrating livestock, additionally contains new ventures like pick-your-own sunflowers, pumpkins, and sweetcorn.

“That is an thrilling however difficult time for agriculture. I’m at all times eager to learn the way different farmers method issues and trial parts in our personal farming system,” Balls mentioned.

“Equally, I’m an open e book and want to share my expertise of what’s labored and never labored so properly, with others.”

Bingham Monitor Farm in Nottinghamshire is to be led by farm director Joe Fisher.

Throughout his time within the monitor farm programme, Fisher goals to construct a extra resilient and numerous farm enterprise, whereas striving to cut back environmental affect.

The 560ha website includes an arable rotation of winter wheat, oilseed rape, beans, quinoa, and maize.

“Having been frequently concerned with my native monitor farm conferences, I’ve seen the group evolve and I worth all of the learnings we take from it,” Fisher mentioned.

“I’m wanting ahead to internet hosting over the subsequent few years and taking others on our journey in attempting to cut back inputs and keep margins, whereas aiming to fulfill environmental targets and dealing in direction of reaching web zero.”