Brian Richardson, UK Head of Agriculture, Virgin Money
Over the last year the farming press has made sobering reading for farmers. Inheritance tax changes, the suspension of support payments and the bluetongue worries have all added to a growing sense of negativity in the sector.
Watching the latest series of Clarkson’s Farm may have provided some light relief but there is a pessimism hanging over the industry which perhaps goes beyond the usual farmers’ general view that the glass is half empty rather than half full.
Which is strange because despite the headlines, there is a lot in farming that is positive and does provide some confidence when you look forward. Better output prices have been seen in many sectors, led by beef and sheep but also in milk, poultry and vegetables. Supply and demand has played its part but we are also seeing supermarkets taking a more far-sighted look at their supply chains, locking into supply and giving longer term contracts at a price that farmers can operate on for once.
Farming returns overall post Covid have improved, and while prolonged dry weather is affecting cereal growers, those returns are still better too. Given the challenges after Covid, farmers have reduced investment and as a result debt in the sector is at lower levels not seen since 2016. That lack of investment may give cause for concern, but the sector is well positioned to look forward with a little more confidence and invest appropriately to support improved productivity and efficiency – with an eye on reducing its carbon footprint at the same time.
Given the ongoing negative headlines about agriculture, I worry that the general public might well feel farming is a basket case and not be clear on what the challenges really are. Farmers being more positive about their own industry may just help nurture wider support for the sector and help keep the UK’s historic goodwill for farming in place for the future.
Entertaining as Clarkson’s Farm is, it is not a reflection of the realities of UK Farming, and perhaps we need more stories of the good work being done by farmers who don’t have Amazon’s cheque book in the background subsidising the muddles they get into.
As I travel about the country visiting farms, I feel very proud to see an innovative farming sector rising to the challenges and producing fantastic quality food at incredible value for money. If we all shouted a bit louder about those positives and the wonderful work involved the public might understand the value in supporting farmers and possibly be prepared to pay more for the food they enjoy.
Of course, farming will always have its challenges, but it is resilient, and our farmers are good at adapting. It is hugely encouraging to see a younger generation pushing forward and making great use of new technology, while understanding the long-term nature of farming and its relationship with the environment.
These are tomorrow’s farmers who will carry farming forward, and we need to make absolutely sure they see a positive and rewarding future in their industry.
UK farming is worth shouting about and it’s well poised to move forward in a positive way, so let’s not be afraid to get a glass half full message out about farming in 2025.