John Best
John Best farms 320ha
(791 acres) from Acton House
Farm, Pointspass, Co Down.
Wheat, conservation-grade
oats and potatoes are main
crops on his 220ha (544 acres)
of clay loam arable land
John Best
MUCH of the past month has been spent in the office, including analysing the impact of last harvests poor yields on the accounts.
While variable costs were cut by up to 25% on wheat, experience shows yield is always the main factor determining profitability.
On the positive side, potato prices leave me with no regrets about my decision to stop growing them. I am also relaxed when I look at the empty sheep house as lamb prices in the Province have eased considerably since December.
Public debating has never been my favourite pastime but recently the Ulster Arable Society prevailed on me to oppose a motion on organic farming. As might be expected at a gathering of conventional arable farmers, the motion was defeated. But, more importantly, there was a useful exchange of ideas and both sides agreed we face many common problems – strong £ attracting imports, subsidies distorting production and the powerful influence of the supermarkets in dictating the price and quality of produce.
On a study trip organised by Keenan to a number of beef enterprises in Southern Ireland we saw much use of cereals and straw in feed rations. Grass silage was seen as one of the more expensive ingredients. It is a worry that similar increases in whole crop and maize silage area here in Northern Ireland would put our base area under pressure.
The quality and uniformity of the cattle on display were excellent and had been bought with an end market in mind and fed accordingly. There was good evidence that partnerships between producers and processors are working, something the "Vision Group" report on the future of the Northern Ireland agri-food industry highlighted a need for here. However, the rewards must be shared.
Congratulations to the England rugby team, and their supporters, on an awe-inspiring performance last Saturday. "What goes around comes around," as they say. Thanks to the hospitality of my English relations we managed to leave Twickenham with pride dented, but in good spirits. *
Yield, as always, was the determining factor on profitability, says John Best after doing the accounts.