Collaboration: We are stronger together

If you’re new to collaborations, where do you start? “Always concentrate on the outcome you want,” advises Mr Christie.

“Understand your dreams and start to enable them.” As a first step, gather a group of farmers to go and learn something together, he suggests.

Then sit down and talk about what you have learnt and what you could do differently.

Research what existing groups are out there, such as marketing co-ops, benchmarking and discussion groups.

Try to join a smaller co-op first, as you are likely to be closer to the decision making. Bear in mind that the value is not just in the end price you get.

Consider pooling resources. For example, collectively pay an expert to look at your milk contracts, or opt to buy machinery together.

• • Benchmarking

Leave your baggage behind and go in with an open mind. Be respectful. Whatever state your business is in, bring it to the table.

• • Discussion groups

Employ a facilitator to help generate meaningful conversations. Always maintain respectful dialogue – everyone’s opinion is valid and should be considered. Listen properly, pause, then ask.

• • Collaborative enterprises

If you own your products end to end, you retain the value. If you just grow oilseed rape, then you sell oilseed rape. But if you have a plant to process it, then you sell rapeseed oil.

• • Equipment sharing

See what machinery rings are around you. Go to their AGM and find out what they have and how it operates.

• • Co-ops

If you join an existing co-op, make sure you understand its power. The key thing is to understand your rights and power.

• • Data

The biggest collaboration opportunity is on data. Data is in your soil, your beef cattle, your dairy cows, everywhere. If you own your data, everything has value.