2017 FW Awards: Farm Adviser of the Year finalists

Blessed with a wealth of specialist knowledge, the finalists in this year’s farm adviser of the year category are all contributing massively to their firms’ and clients’ businesses. 

The judging team visited each of the finalists and one of their selected clients for a three-hour interview and tour.

Ainsley Baker

Partner with Kite Consulting, The Dairy Lode, Dunston, Staffordshire

Ainsley Baker © Richard Stanton

Impact

Ainsley joined Kite Consulting in 2004, having previously worked for Genus, then Promar, and his dedication and professionalism have seen him rise to become a partner in the firm.

Developing the Co-op Dairy Group is a particular source of pride. “This group was the first that the Co-op established and its success has led to the creation of supply groups for beef, lamb, pork, chicken, farmed fish and more,” he says.

“The success has meant the Co-op has now committed to buy all British pork and bacon, and British lamb all year round. Hopefully other supermarkets will take note and follow.”

Ainsley is also involved in the Co-op Pioneers young farmers’ programme, helping to develop 100 of the next generation of farm leaders.

Ever eager to develop new knowledge, Ainsley recently travelled to China to study the dairy industry in the Far East.

“Upon my return, I have fed back knowledge to our business, and have undertaken a series of talks for farmer groups, banks and even the Welsh government.”

Achievements

Improving animal welfare on many of the farms he advises on has been a particular achievement for Ainsley who, having been brought up on a small county council holding and now farming in his own right, has a close affinity with grassroots agriculture.

A focus on cow comfort has also led to reduced levels of lameness and mastitis on many of his clients’ farms, benefiting both the animals and the profit and loss accounts.

This has contributed to reduced antibiotics use on individual holdings, though Ainsley says he has achieved “amazing results” by working with vets and groups of farmers, too.

Client case study

Helping a Welsh dairy farm expand to provide a sustainable living for two families has been a rewarding piece of work for Ainsley.

Huw and Clwyd Williams run the family dairy farm near Ruthin, Denbighshire – but it has been clear for some time that the single 80ha unit was not big enough for the two of them.

The family therefore bought another holding further north, producing forage and housing the followers. But the family is now working to establish milk production on that site, so Clwyd has his own enterprise.

Ainsley has been involved with the business for several years, helping to restructure debt and present business plans to the bank, as well as providing technical advice.

“It’s always good to have a fresh pair of eyes to overlook what we’re doing,” says Huw. “Ainsley is always coming up with good suggestions, both technical and strategic.

“He’s always available on the phone. And he is good at preparing our budgets – then making sure we stick to them.”  

Richard Gooding

Growing farms manager with British Quality Pigs, Stradbroke, Suffolk

Richard Gooding © Tim Scrivener

Impact

Having grown up on a small Suffolk farm rearing pigs, the transition to breeding and contract growing business British Quality Pigs as a trainee fieldsman in 1992 was a natural progression for Richard.

Initially responsible for 12,000 pig places, it was not long before he started to climb the company ladder, eventually becoming growing farms manager.

Richard is a naturally ebullient character whose enthusiasm for the pig sector rubs off on anyone who meets him – in particular new entrants, thinking of starting out in pig production. 

He has encouraged many of his clients to expand their businesses, and pushed for improved animal welfare and quality assurance at every stage.

Richard has also taken his knowledge beyond the bounds of BQP, delivering a series of lectures on pig husbandry at Harper Adams University and providing training on behalf of AHDB Pork.

“I’ll talk to anyone about anything,” he says. “A lot of our farmers are quite isolated so I ensure they get a visit at least once a week from our fieldsmen.”

Achievements

Richard has achieved a huge amount in his 25 years with BQP, helping the company quadruple in size and ensuring contract producers are also on an upward trajectory.

But one of the things he is most proud of developing a “new build pack” in 2005.

It offers producers a five-year deal and includes all aspects of finance, building design, feeding systems and animal welfare, enabling suitable individuals to start up from scratch in the pig industry.

Richard also helped develop the BQP Fresh Start Pig Academy in 2011. Providing six sessions over six weeks, it is designed to give prospective new entrants an understanding of what is involved in setting up in commercial pig farming.

Client case study

Pigs had always been part of the farming scene for Paul Howland, having grown up on a small pig farm, then keeping some himself when he moved to Shingle Hall Farm near Beccles in Suffolk in 1987.

Problems with PDNS (Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome) in the early 2000s forced him to give up and concentrate on arable – but only for a while. “I missed the pigs and the guy I was selling straw to put me in touch with Richard – and the rest is history.”

Paul says Mr Gooding’s advice has been invaluable – from building design and budget preparation, to helping install a computerised general alert system that tells him when anything is going awry with water, feed or temperature.

“Richard is always available at the end of the phone. In the first three years he’d call me two or three times a week. He still comes out quite often and uses my farm as a showcase for retailers and others in the industry. Sometimes we conduct trials together.”

Andrew Jenkinson

Partner with Robinson and Hall, Buckingham, Bucks

Andrew Jenkinson © Richard Stanton

Impact

Delivering value for money and serving clients to the best of his ability are key drivers for Andrew, who joined Robinson and Hall after leaving Reading University 12 years ago.

“It would be all too easy to spend my time trying to drum up new business, but for me it’s more important to serve my core clients and that inevitably leads to other things anyway,” he says.

Andrew’s intervention often makes a difference. In one case, a client was in danger of losing five years’ worth of BPS claims, but negotiation with the Rural Payments Agency led to corrections being made and the penalty waived.

Based on reputation, Andrew has seen his BPS client base grow from 50 to 108 in recent years.

He has also helped farmers evaluate Countryside Stewardship options, which has often led to better land management practices and higher, more stable returns.

Achievements

Andrew has achieved much in expanding the firm’s business, developing his own expertise and helping farmers run their businesses better.

But he is particularly proud of the work he has done in the wider industry, including his role as the youngest ever president of the Herts, Beds and Bucks Agricultural Valuers’ Association.

He also attends numerous Young Farmers’ Club rallies, giving talks on matters such as succession and planning.

“I carry out a number of public speaking engagements each year, including our autumn conference, which I started with Ellacotts accountants and Barclays Bank six years ago.”

He is also an agent for the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, being the top performer in the eastern counties last year.

Client case study

Like many farmers in their 60s, Chris Hilsdon is getting to a stage when passing the business on to the next generation is uppermost in his mind.

Having initially used Mr Jenkinson to help with the farm’s BPS application, he has made great use of him in recent years to sort out the succession arrangements.

This has involved selling off a 97ha block of land from the 263ha holding in Buckinghamshire, using the proceeds to reduce borrowings and purchase a farm in Australia for one of his three children.

The family partnership has also invested in a wedding business, run by younger son Henry, and holiday lets, while another plot of land is let out to an equestrian centre.

The result is a smaller farming operation, a more diversified business and a lifestyle improvement.

Andrew has been involved in much of this, advising on the new business structure, helping with planning permissions, valuations and land sales.

“I have always liked his personal approach,” says Mr Hilsdon. “Succession was the ‘elephant in the room’ for us before, but it’s not taboo any more. We really appreciate Andrew’s expertise in this area.”