Growers across England and Wales have the opportunity to become one of the new AHDB Monitor and strategic farm hosts as the cereal and oilseed scheme looks to expand next year.

The AHDB is looking for hosts to learn, share and create new ideas that can help drive innovation and increase productivity within the farming community.

The programme is farmer-led and farmer-driven, so as a host you will help put research into practice and play a part in setting the agenda for future focus topics.

See also: Trial shows how to establish a good cover crop before harvest

Monitor Farm Hosts

The Monitor Farm network consists of working farms and communities committed to testing and sharing information, ideas and best practice.

They lead discussions supported by industry experts and scrutinise aspects of a farm business to improve decision making.

The programme usually runs for three years.

Although all interested farmers are encouraged to apply, the AHDB is primarily looking for arable farms in the following areas:

• East Midlands: Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire
• South East: Surrey, Sussex, Kent
• South West: Devon, Somerset
• East Anglia: Essex
• West Midlands: Shropshire, Staffordshire
• North West: Cheshire, South Lancashire, Merseyside
• North East

Strategic farm hosts

Testing and demonstrating practical research in a commercial farm setting is the role of a Strategic Farm host which runs for six years and is supported by industry experts.

The farm host will share their experiences and farm-performance information through both on-farm and virtual events. The programme is designed to develop and share knowledge to benefit farm businesses.

The AHDB is looking to recruit farmers with an open mindset and who are up for a challenge in East Anglia, the West Midlands or Wales.

If you are interested in getting involved, applying or nominating a friend, the deadline for both applications is 10 February 2023.

To find out more contact philip.dolbear@ahdb.org.uk or judith.stafford@ahdb.org.uk