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 Back Issues |  Volume 18 , 19 (Latest issues) | | Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4 (1992-1995) | | Volumes 14, 15, 16, 17 (2004-2008) | | Volumes 5, 6, 7, 8 (1996-1999) | | Volumes 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (2000-2004) | | Back issue bundles | | Binders | | Introductory Offers - back issues build your knowledge | | Latest Issue | | Special Subjects |  | | Products | | Tools | | | Reports | | Financal REPORTS | | Practical REPORTS | | Published reports | | | Subscriptions | | Annual |
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A sensible approach to farming
Farming efficiently does not necessarily involve using the biggest machines and the greatest numbers of acres. Nor does it mean never spending on equipment. We show how organic, conventional, low and high input farmers improve performance through modifying methods and work routines.
Whether specialist livestock or arable, any farmer will find at least half a dozen new ways of improving their farming in the copies they receive, and if they have a mix of enterprises the value of the magazine becomes even greater.
Each year's magazines show readers more than 200 ways that farmers, just like themselves, have devised to make their work easier and more profitable. Over the course of a year I visit a great many farms to find out about the innovations they have devised. These aren't model farms, but are businesses where the bottom line, the financial surplus they make, is not just important, but vital for survival.
Progressive farming for these people means taking regular steps to make the business better, and that's often got little to do with getting the cheque book out and adding to farm debts. A fundamental part of the process is seeing what other farms or businesses are doing - and you'll be surprised and amazed at the innovation which is employed on farms throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe and beyond.
Farming may not be entering an era of prosperity
At a recent Pesticides Conference Prof Beddington, the Chief Scientific Officer, described how the world was facing a food crisis - a 'Perfect Storm' was how he described it. The farmers in the audience visibly slumped in their seats - their role and incomes were assured. What need is there to think about making efficiency changes when we are doing okay at present, and when a starving world will be beating a path to our door in the future?
Our analysis shows there to be many serious reasons to suggest that the next ten years in farming might not be as easy as some think, and you'll find in each issue not only the reasons for thes forecasts, but practical steps farmers can take to reduce the impact on their businesses.
Do farm businesses need goals?
'Achieving goals' is the topic of a popular session I give to farming clubs and conferences. Goals determine policy, which leads to planning which provides a framework for the thing that farmers are so good at - capital spending. But for more than a few farmers, the goal is to get through the day without incident - no breakdowns, no dead livestock, no emergencies. The deluge of daily toil can force the farm's longer term goals to disappear.
Practical Farm IDEAS magazine has shown how farmers have achieved targets, be it expansion, debt reduction, smooth succession for the next generation. One near constant ingredient is keeping a control on farm spending - cost cutting - which is the basis of the programme I am offering you today.
FAQs Q "If the magazine is so good, why is it not more expensive?" A I want everyone, students, farm workers, farmers with loss-making businesses to be able to afford to subscribe. Also, British farmers, unlike many in other countries, have been brought up on free and low cost information. The free ADAS service, the subsidised ATB, agronomic advice from chemical companies etc Q "Why do you not carry advertising like other magazines?" A Because advertisers influence editorial. Also, advertising is expensive to sell, would need staff, a substantial budget as it's a competitive market.
Q "Who reads Farm IDEAS and where do they farm?" A The 20,000 or so regular readers stretch from the Shetlands to the Channel Isles, from the west of Ireland to East Anglia, and there are more overseas in Europe, Canada, the USA, Africa and even a few in Japan. ********** |
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Problem: We need a flexible 3-pt mounted one-pass subsoiler and cultivator which has a packer that can thrown off when it gets wet to rapidly prepare OSR ground for drilling
Solution: Modify a commercial 5 leg subsoiler by adding heavy tines on an adjustable frame, fit a unique drawbar that tows a trailed set of packers
.... and see close-ups of how it's made
Problem: Nozzles on the plasma cutter quickly burn when using a straight edge for cutting
Solution: Always use a wooden edge - a steel one deflects the gas stream and so wears the nozzle sides
Problem: You want to get some early fertiliser on your productive land, but the tractor cuts it up
Solution: Build a 4 wheel frame for the spreader and adjust hopper to load 600kgs. Fill in field and you'll spread more than 20 tons/day - between milking!
Problem: You've been using the loader bucket as a work platform for years, but know it's unsafe
Solution: Make a detachable frame, with a kick-guard at the bottom to stop things rolling off, that you can rest a ladder against
Problem: Feeding two days silage with no nudging would save many hours in the year
Solution: This home built barrier has been in use for more than 10 years, and the sections roll forward to provide fresh silage
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Arable / Livestock / Grassland / Muck & Slurry / Workshop tips / Financial / Health / Children on the Farm Plus a Complete Index of all main articles.
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- For your business: cut costs to make more money
- Your children: great material for reluctant readers
- Your farm: increased efficiency
- Safety for all: numerous ideas for tractors and machinery
- The farm staff: better methods reduce effort and danger
- Farm visitors: fewer farm crises
- The livestock: better handling, loading, treating equipment
- The vet: faster working, less chaos
- Local community: jobs for welders, helpers, inspirational projects
- The environment: on-farm recycling, positive impact on soils, help in woodlands
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A complete issue for you to download. PDF format. Read and share with friends and colleagues. download
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