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🇬🇧 Increasing farm efficiency in a changing landscape

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It has been an interesting few years: Brexit and a paucity of trade deals, a global pandemic and now the crisis in Ukraine. The agricultural industry continues to face momentous changes. And it feels that now, more than ever, farmers and their hard work are key. So, we need greater efficiency and sooner.

As the conversation around Brexit, feeding the growing population, trade and protecting the environment continues, it sometimes feels that farming isn’t that supported.  

Subsidies that we rely on as farmers, are starting to disappear. In England, payments are set to be phased out by 2028 – with larger operations being effected already.

Future government grants in England will be tied to environmental outcomes – the Environmental Land Management (ELM) –  scheme aims to support the rural economy and the government’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. While the ELM is in its pilot phase, there is still confusion around what it will mean for farming practices. Even UK Government’s Committee report from January this year suggested there are still question marks over how it will work.    

Regardless, it’s clear that farmers across the UK will need to increase efficiency across their operations. Here are some tips and techniques to help you navigate this new era.

Control inputs for a more effective operation

With farmers often at the mercy of the market, it’s important to have tight and efficient control over inputs. Look across your whole operation to find out where you can cut costs. Either on your mobile or computer, look at how much medication to use and the cost per head through treatment and inventory records. Understand wastage or get better prices by knowing in advance how much you need to order. That in turns helps to identify practices to reduce waste and be more efficient. Reducing chemical inputs will make your farm more sustainable, both financially and environmentally.

Review your pasture efficiency

According to AHDB, “Improved pasture in most of the UK is capable of growing over 12 tonnes of dry matter per hectare (t DM/ha). However, the current average is around 8t DM/ha.” That leaves a lot of room for improvement. A rotational grazing strategy can see you making more from your forage. Improved grass quality and quantity means higher, more efficient, animal performance per hectare. And, of course, extended grazing periods lead to reduced housing costs.

Review your farm as a business

The most successful farmers bring a clear-eyed business perspective to farming, and are willing to make hard choices. It might mean changing the livestock you farm. Taking on more land or alternating the usage of that land. Or diversifying into new agricultural ventures. Along with budgeting and financial planning, consider business practices like goal setting to ensure ongoing financial efficiency for your farm.

Trial farm management software to boost efficiency

The right farm management software can help you save time (and money) across your operation. No longer is there a need for paper-based record keeping and searching for where which sheep came from where. Now it is where you have your mobile phone. From the palm of your hand get all you need for stressful farm inspections and manage staff tasks and workloads. AgriWebb’s task management feature means there is a single point of truth for everyone.

Leverage data for better livestock management

There are troves of data available in livestock operations, but few farmers make the most of it. AgriWebb makes it easy to turn data into actionable insights and drive efficiencies. Looking to be more efficient in grazing or weight gain of livestock, AgriWebb helps reach those goals.

Today, more than 12,000 farmers are seeing livestock production performance increase by up to 20%, thanks to AgriWebb. To learn what farm management software can do for your operation, request a demo today.

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