Farmer Focus: Poultry planning approval means new grain outlet

January brought a rather substantial 120mm of rainfall, and unfortunately, the rain has continued almost without pause since.

Ground conditions are far from ideal, with winter ploughing still to be completed and fertiliser applications ready to go as soon as land travel becomes possible.

We know we are not alone in facing these challenges, and our thoughts are very much with those whose ground conditions are even more difficult than ours.

See also: Home-grown pulse incentive required to replace soya imports

About the author

Annabel Hamilton

Annabel Hamilton farms 1,030ha of arable in the Scottish Borders with her parents. The arable area grows 65% winter and 35% spring crops. She is Basis and Facts qualified and runs a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. The farm finishes more than 300 Limousin cattle a year.  Follow Annabel on Twitter @annabelhami11

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On a much more positive note, we have received planning approval for our free-range egg unit after a 49-week process with our local planning department.

Securing this permission marks a significant milestone for the business and allows us to now move forward with the project.

Due to my mother being a local councillor, our application was referred to the Planning and Building Committee, which meets monthly.

Dad and I were given six minutes to address the committee and explain, in our own words, why this development is important for the future of our business.

We were greatly encouraged that all nine councillors unanimously supported the application, recognising that local economic and rural development sits firmly at the heart of the council’s remit.

This approval comes at an important time for us.

With grain prices remaining low, we have been considering how best to use that challenge as an opportunity.

Rather than selling our cereals into a difficult market, this new enterprise allows us to add value within our own business.

We will now move ahead with milling and mixing our own feed for the hens, creating a consistent, high-quality ration while strengthening the overall resilience and sustainability of the farm.

Our grain shed is also under way. All of the steelwork and purlins have been erected.

The shed spans 80x220ft. Currently, it reminds me of Noah’s ark as it stands tall in the pouring rain.

Work began on this while Mum and Dad were away on holiday.

They returned home to an enormous steel structure not too far away from the farmhouse.

It is safe to say Mum was quite unimpressed, but I think she has forgiven me, just.