AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Monitor Farm network is holding 26 open days throughout the UK this summer.

From the first meetings at the very newest Monitor Farms to open days at well-established projects nearing the end of their three years, every single one of the Monitor Farms is opening its doors between now and harvest.

Tim Isaac, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds, Acting Head of Regional Development, said: “This is the first time we’ve had so many summer open days at Monitor Farms in so many places in the UK. It’s a fantastic opportunity for farmers throughout the country to find out more about the Monitor Farm programme.”

The open days are designed to give an insight into the Monitor Farm programme and the work done on each farm, and are also an opportunity for local farmers to help set the agenda for meetings in the coming year.

Monitor Farm open days this summer:

Royston – 31 May 2016
Cardiff – 1 June 2016
Warrington - 1 June 2016
Leicester - 7 June 2016
Leamington Spa – 8 June 2016
Bridgnorth – 9 June 2016
Stowmarket – 10 June 2016
Wantage – 14 June 2016
Louth – 21 June 2016
Truro – 21 June 2016
Huntingdon – 23 June 2016
Sittingbourne – 23 June 2016
Bath – 28 June 2016
Colchester – 28 June 2016
Hereford – 28 June 2016
York – 28 June 2016
Newark – 29 June 2016
Driffield – 30 June 2016
Winchester – 30 June 2016
Northampton  - 1 July 2016
Blandford – 4 July 2016
Dereham – 6 July 2016
Crediton – 7 July 2016
Berwick-upon-Tweed – 8 July 2016
Fife – 13 July 2016
Black-Isle – 14 July 2016

For more information about any of these meetings, visit cereals.ahdb.org.uk/monitorfarms

The Monitor Farm programme so far

Over the last 12 months, approximately 3,000 people have attended Monitor Farm meetings throughout the UK.

Mr Dennis, who attends the Crediton Monitor Farm, said: “I got involved with the Monitor Farm to improve my knowledge and understanding of issues affecting the farm business, in the company of other farmers and specialists. It is important that the farm is local to our business, as the environmental challenges of the south west influence our farming practices and management decisions.”

In a survey conducted of English and Welsh Monitor Farm participants, 94% valued the opportunity to share experience and openly discuss issues in a non-commercial environment. Two thirds of participants reported an improvement in their business decision-making as a direct result of the Monitor Farm project.

The three most important aspects of the project for participants were:

1. Farmer-led agenda
2. Locally relevant
3. Independent

Ed Lawton from Lea Farm near Bury St Edmunds said: “I think you get the most out of meeting up with like-minded farmers and gain a lot from the discussions.”

Farmers participating in the Monitor Farms have identified important changes made on farm as a direct result of being part of the programme. These include:

• Benchmarking
• Looking deeper before making strategic decisions
• Revisions to machinery strategies, rotations and crop treatments
• Co-operation with neighbours
• Improving soil management for better soil health

After two years of Monitor Farm projects in England and Wales, the levy organisation is launching the third tranche of new Monitor Farms across the country.
“These new farms will help us to fill geographical gaps in the Monitor Farm network, and allow more levy payers to benefit from the programme,” said Tim Isaac.

Project expanding in Scotland

In a joint project with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds will be looking for new Monitor Farm hosts in Scotland this summer.