Costs and efficiency in the spotlight with cultivations
Reviewing cultivation strategies and selecting actions for individual fields, is just one of the
steps that farmers can take to tackle rising costs and tight margins, attendees at a recent
Hutchinsons cultivation day near York have heard.
The event, held at Little Grange Farm, Pocklington, by kind permission of H S Thirsk & Son,
attracted around 200 farmers, and featured a range of machines working in the field,
alongside practical advice about soil health, cultivation strategy and cost management from
Hutchinsons technical experts.
Working plots featured machines from Sumo, including a direct drill, close-coupled toolbar,
T-Press high speed tine press, and Multipress tine cultivator. There were also tractors from
Wilfred Scruton Ltd, ranging from 140-500 hp, and a soil pit to illustrate the structural
characteristics of the sandy clay loam over chalk.
“It was a really good event, and great to see so many people in attendance,” Hutchinsons
agronomist, Sam Hugill, said. “The recent increase in wheat prices, meant there was
generally a more positive feeling among many farmers, but everyone remains well aware
that the impact of higher oil prices on fuel and fertiliser costs could soon eat into that.
“We all need to continue doing everything we can to ensure that farm businesses remain
profitable in what is an increasingly unpredictable economy and climate.”
Given the pressure on farm margins, Hutchinsons farm business consultant Tom Hind urged
all farmers to take time to identify any areas where small improvements could be made to
reduce costs and improve output.
While marginal gains seem small individually, collectively they could have an exponential
impact on profitability, he said. “That’s how we can bring profitability into an enterprise
where margins are very constrained.”
Mr Hind cited the example of a hypothetical 400 ha arable farm, making a net profit of just
£16,800, based on standard industry costings. Here, a 5% increase in output, and 5%
reduction in both fixed and variable costs, increased net profit by 166% to £44,600.
“The question for any farm business is, how and where we find these marginal gains? That
varies for every business, but the key is to consider every aspect, from the farm
management system you use, and cultivation strategy, to soil health, variable inputs, and
even your insurance renewal.
“The easiest money to make is the money you don’t spend.”
Targeting cultivations carefully to soil requirements was just one example of where marginal
gains might be possible, he continued. “What’s the point of subsoiling to 12” if the
compacted layer is at 6”? It won’t fully rectify the issue and will cost more money in fuel and
wearing parts. Understanding where the issue is and addressing it efficiently may save time
and money.”
Think carefully before big changes
Mr Hugill recognised that more farmers were considering the zero-tillage option within the
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) as a way to reduce costs, improve soils, and gain
additional income, but said it was vital to consider how realistic a no-till system was before
making any big changes.
“Again, it all comes down to understanding your soils, and how they behave, as well as the
implications a no-till strategy has for crop rotation and other aspects, such as weed control.
“You might use 50% less fuel under a no-till system compared with the plough, but if crops
don’t establish as well because the soil isn’t ready for it, or there are increased grassweed
issues that need addressing, those savings could soon be lost.”
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