Archive Article: 1997/09/20
Adopted price
savings
Philip Wynn of Aubourn Farming is to be congratulated for highlighting the comparative safety net combinable crop growers have been enjoying in recent years (Crops w/e 16 August) and for pointing out measures that could be adopted to cope with lower grain prices and area payments.
However, as an employed practical farms manager, and director of a large agri-business, I would like to say that it is precisely the measures he advocates that myself and other like-minded, innovative managers put in place five or so years ago when lower prices and downward pressure on margins were first indicated.
These measures included reviewing crop rotations and inputs but, more importantly, machinery and labour strategies which reduce the capital and financial burden on the farm business, resulting in improved margins and profit potential for our employers.
In conclusion though, articles such as these are an excellent way of judging ourselves against others thinking and it is very pleasing to see that we must be on the right track, if not five years ahead of the game!
Alasdair Lowe,
Technical sales and farms director, K * Cherry & Sons Ltd, Sutton Lodge Farm, Oxon.
Quality importance
I was interested to see your Price Watch initiative (Crops w/e 6 Sept). I am sure that it will give you some interesting information, however, I think that it is concentrating on a very small element of what the farmer believes to be important.
Many surveys have shown that as well as price, the farmer rates quality and quality of service extremely highly. Why not ask your readers to provide examples of the best (and possibly worst) level of service they have received from their supplier. This would give a much more complete picture of what is happening in the agricultural service area.
Richard Martin,
ICI Chemicals & Polymers, Wilton, Cleveland.