Farming Opportunity Sparks Considerable Interest

A significant level of interest has been received and many strong applicants submitted for the farming opportunity at Green Hammerton which has been publicly marketed with tenders received last week. Given uncertainty in the agricultural sector post Brexit and pending changes under the Agriculture Bill we were encouraged by the number of applications and the time, effort and thought applicants had made in their tenders. Applicants were encouraged to present rotations that increased soil health and soil organic matter. A range or rotations were put forward, a number of which would suit the clients long term vision.
Contract farming agreements have grown in popularity over the past decade as farm profit margins have become tighter due to changing farm support levels, decreasing market prices and increasing costs. This trend looks set to continue.
Contract farming essentially involves having work carried out on a pre-arranged basis by a professional contractor or local farmer, helping them to spread their fixed costs, such as labour and machinery, across a larger acreage. The benefits for the farmer and landowner include access to modern high powered equipment, the latest cultivation practices and indirect savings in labour, machinery and operating costs, the effects of which are often difficult to analyse effectively.
There are a number of flexible arrangements that can be set up to suit a wide range of farm types and sizes, including Contract Milking and Share Farming arrangements for livestock farming. Lister Haigh can offer a range of professional services to suit your needs, from formalising an “over-the-hedge” agreement through to a fully managed scheme where we can assist with all day-to-day management, book keeping and payment scheme claims.
Contact Andrew Hardcastle or Will Foyle at our Knaresborough office 01423 860322.