In this article, Jo Edwards explores what's next for agriculture in our ever-changing world.
As we are all fully aware the world is currently facing interesting and pretty unprecedented times. The UK agricultural industry is also facing upheaval that it hasn’t seen for many decades. It would be easy to look at the negatives, the lack of a trade deal at the time of writing, cheap imports and tariffs on exports, falling BPS payments, but these are things over which you have no control, so it is pointless using up vital resources and emotional energy worrying as they are outside of your control – yes you need to be very aware of these things, but do not get bogged down in them.

British agriculture is facing huge opportunities, and this is the time to take stock of your own business, and look to control those things into which you have an input.

This is an ideal opportunity to look at your business to manage risk and to look to maximise any opportunities which present themselves.

There are positives to look to – the removal of the Greening rules under BPS will allow more flexibility, livestock prices are holding up at present, a lot of the general public have seen British farming in a new light during the Covid pandemic and many people have been shopping locally, so it is not all doom and gloom.

During times of change those who are at the top of their game are always looking at their businesses to see where there are opportunities, and what cost savings and efficiencies can be made. With the reduction in BPS and possible tariffs on exports, all businesses need to be looking hard at their overheads and direct costs to see if there are any savings to be made in order to streamline their enterprises to ensure a viable future.

The face of farming is going to have to change, with the now well heard phrase of “public money for public goods” being here to stay. Farmers need to think outside the box as to what their farm holding has to offer – be it areas of upland hill with peat soils which capture carbon, less productive land which could be planted with trees, which benefit not only the environment but also benefit to the farm, rotational grazing with benefits both to grass production and soil health. None of these ideas are new or ground breaking, but now is the time to look at your business in light of future changes so that you are ready for whatever the next few years has to throw at you.

As the world changes PFK Land Agency believe it is vital that farm businesses seek professional advice and guidance to help them through the maze of what is to come, and sometimes a fresh set of eyes can see something which those who are immersed in the business have missed.

Jo Edwards MRICS

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