New monitor farms appointed

Collaboration, productivity, soil health and business resilience are likely to feature strongly during the three years of the programme as they are all hot topics identified by the new hosts.

AHDB’s Richard Meredith, who co-ordinates the Monitor Farm programme for arable farmers, said: “What makes this batch of Monitor Farmers unique is that their term will cover Brexit. Over the next three years it is likely that the farming industry will experience large changes in policy and trade. Monitor Farms are a vital part of the UK farming’s toolbox, helping the industry not just to survive, but thrive.

“We know from our annual Monitor Farm survey that those who attend the meetings find the programme helps them to improve their business decision-making. By being involved at this crucial time farmers can gain independent expert advice as well as sharing knowledge and experiences with their local peers.

“It has been a fantastic four years where we have seen the Monitor Farm programme go from strength to strength. The Monitor Farm ethos of ‘farmer-led, farmer-driven’ is still key to its success. Farmers who get involved in their local Monitor Farm programme have the opportunity to help drive and direct their industry into a successful future.”