Patrick Stephenson

Independent agronomist

Patrick Stephenson is enthusiasm personified. Right from the first minute of our visit the rosy-cheeked Cumbrian is holding court, entertaining, as well as informing certainly never boring.

You can understand why his 40 or so clients, who between them farm some 4800ha (12,000 acres), would want to employ him – a visit from Patrick will never be dull.

But much more than that, it is obvious that he has a significant impact on their farms.

Take David Unsworth, whose Dudley Hill farm we visited when we met Patrick in Sheriff Hutton in North Yorkshire. It’s not just that Patrick cut his chemical bill in his first year by 25% – “his crop agronomy was streets ahead” – that impresses David it’s all the other bits Patrick brings to his business.

For example, after taking on extra land, jumping from 160 to 364ha in one year, Mr Unsworth was understandably keen to see new machinery. But Mr Stephenson produced a profile of what Mr Unsworth could do with his existing equipment and found that in the vast majority of years he would have the capacity to cope. “He didn’t need to buy equipment for the one in 20 years.”

Spotting opportunities for his clients is something else Mr Stephenson tries to do. “I’m an optimist – even at £60/t there are opportunities. When corn was at that price diversification was important.”

He was fortunate to be in a tourist area, he says, which meant he could encourage local producers to set up farm shops. “I helped with grant applications.”

It also shows his influence extends beyond just arable farming and into livestock on mixed farms. For example, helping manage the organic conversion of 31ha of grass for a farm’s pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd, which are then sold in the farm shop.

Other enterprises Mr Stephenson has helped set up include pick-your-own soft fruit, “the ever-present maize mazes”, and a two-farm partnership that now employs its own butcher.

“Ultimately it is the farmers that make it work, but you tend to find that you attract clients of similar ilk, and when you push them on to do it, it is such a buzz.”

Mr Stephenson is also keen to develop his own business. “It was becoming ridiculous – I was spending all my time servicing agronomy without developing the business.”

One area of interest was biofuels. “Potentially we’re losing in excess of 30m tonnes of grain to fuel globally, which has to impact on grain prices. But I didn’t have time to become an expert, so I’ve employed an environmental chemistry graduate to become one.”

Already that expertise might be needed. A chance conversation with a fellow rugby club member has led Mr Stephenson to become involved with a project to put a biofuels plant at a haulier used by Asda. “At the moment he buys 8m litres of diesel cheaper than he can make biodiesel, but as it comes to the fore Asda is starting to ask more questions. It is all about trying to project an image – it’s an opportunity.”

Of course, top notch agronomy advice is Mr Stephenson’s clients’ bread and butter. But he is keen to emphasise clean fields are not by any means the be all and end all. “If I’ve got a farm which is 100% clean I’ve done the wrong job.”

The vast majority of his clients receive the same package of services, costing around £8.75-£11.25/ha (£3.50-£4.50/acre). It includes a fortnightly visit and advice on varieties, fertiliser, machinery, sprays and cross-compliance.