Tools to improve sustainability and profit

This winter CAFRE are launching a new ‘Business Challenge’ initially aimed at farmers with ruminant livestock. The programme aims to help producers assess business performance and identify ways to develop their business, increase profit and plan for a sustainable future.

The ‘Business Challenge’ consists of three central units of learning with a fourth selected from either ‘Cooperation and Marketing’ or Effective and Efficient Labour use’. Each unit consists of one or two evening sessions delivered either on a Focus Farm or meeting room in your locality.  

In the central units producers will be given the opportunity to benchmark their business. Areas for development will be summarised and the finance required to implement the change determined. The   farm finance unit will be delivered by an Agricultural Bank Manager assisted by a CAFRE Development Adviser so that the best type of finance for a range of investments can be identified. This information will then be built into your own business plan with assistance from a CAFRE Development Adviser.

The NI Red Meat Task Force identified the need for a reasonable scale of enterprise to realise profit in beef and sheep enterprises. This can be difficult given the current high cost of land to either purchase or rent. However benefits of scale can also be realised through effective co-operation. Cattle and sheep producers can learn from Mark Hawe CAFRE who will summarise the key points to the success of NI pig groups in both marketing pigs and obtaining value for money inputs. Charlotte Moore, Supply Chain DARD, together with a successful farmer/retailer will outline how to add value pre and post farm gate in ways that don’t ‘cost the earth’.

As dairy herd size increases with limited labour it can be difficult for dairy farmers to get sufficient time to plan their business and develop themselves. A session on ‘Effective and Efficient Labour use is on offer within ‘Business Challenge’. In addition a seminar delivered by the Labour Relations Agency is available for those who wish to keep abreast of employing labour from within or outside the EU. Failure to get it right can cost your business up to £10000 per person employed.

Those successfully completing the ‘Business Challenge’ will be invited to a taxation seminar delivered by some of the foremost tax accountants in Northern Ireland. These experts will focus on topical issues such as conacre, flat rate VAT, capital allowances and HP/finance for machinery purchase.

Focus Farms will be used to assist with presentations. The Ulster Bank has agreed to sponsor a competition for the best business plan, in all making the CAFRE ‘Business Challenge’ an opportunity not to be missed this winter.

Allister Calvin a CAFRE Beef/Sheep Development Adviser explains bench marking figures to Eoin McCambridge a North Antrim Focus Farmer.