CEREAL GROWERS are being encouraged to take part in a new benchmarking service set up by the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA).

The service, called CropBench, will be formally launched at this year’s Cereals Event, although the HGCA is looking for interested farmers to come forward now, explained project officer, Jenny Searle.

The web-based tool will allow groups of producers to compare their crop enterprises with production costs and business performance of the sector average, minimum, maximum and top 25%.

“We have had a lot of interest so far, as it is an independent benchmarking service open to all producers – you don’t have to be tied to a particular advisor or company,” she said.

Each group will consist of around 10 producers, plus a professional facilitator to co-ordinate its activity. CropBench is part of the Cereals Industry Forum and has received funding for three years, she said.

It is hoped that over the three years the project will attract around 50 producer groups, totalling some 500 farmers, she noted.

Membership of benchmarking groups can also help improve crop marketing, added the HGCA’s senior economist, Julian Bell.

“Improved marketing starts with knowing your production costs. CropBench will enable you to track your sales performance against the marketplace and against your peers. This phase of the project is still under development.”

For details on how to get involved with CropBench, call the HGCA on 020 7520 3926, or visit www.hgca.com.