Harvest Preview


How to save fixed costs at harvest M


aking savings by reduc- ing fi xed costs can feel like a daunting task for


many growers, but it can be easier than you think to identify where costs should be trimmed. Strutt & Parker will be using the 2019 Cereals event to discuss smart ways for arable farmers to save money on their overhead costs. The two-day show takes place on 12-13 June at Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire. Benchmarking fi gures show


that the total labour and pow- er costs on the top-performing units are under £300/ha, while they can be almost double that on the highest-cost farms, says Strutt & Parker farming consult- ant and senior associate director George Badger.


“This suggests that there is scope to reduce fi xed costs on many holdings by £100/ha or more,” he adds. Mr Badger says it is often pos- sible to fi nd areas where savings


can found without the need to go forensically through the business accounts. An easy starting point is for growers to look at their ma- chine capacity.


Good indicator For example, a good indication of the right size of combine required can be obtained by dividing the number of hectares harvested by the header width in metres. “A farm with a well-utilised combine will cut some 70ha per


metre of header width, with a 10m header managing at least 700ha. An under-utilised ma- chine might cut less than half of that so, in that sort of situation, it might be worth looking at shar- ing with a neighbour.” Mr Badger says sharing a ma-


chine with a neighbouring farm does not have to involve a com- plicated joint venture. Collabora- tion can come in different forms and can be done informally, he explains.


>>


Combine harvesters can be shared informally – without a written agreement


“


There is scope to reduce fi xed costs on many holdings by £100/ha


HGV ACCESS TRACKWAY & TURNING PADS.


WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER?


HEAVY DUTY TRACKWAY FOR HIRE OR PURCHASE W / all-weatheraccess.co.uk T / 01371 700 510


JUNE 2019 • ANGLIA FARMER 51


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92