Wainfleet Monitor Farm Launch

Introducing the Wainfleet Monitor Farm

Primrose Farm near Skegness Lincolnshire joins AHDB's Monitor Farm network (part of the wider Farm Excellence programme).

Farmer Gary Willoughby, together with his wife Debbie, begin a three year programme asking fellow growers to scrutinise his business to help them make improvements.

This webinar introduces the farm, explains Gary's approach to business and asks attendees what topics he should focus on for the winter meetings.

Based 7 miles inland from the coast, Gary grows wheat, barley, oilseed rape, peas and beans on mainly clay and marshy soils. As well as arable cropping, Gary has contracted spraying and combing operations.

Gary is interested in improving soil health, reviewing his cultivation techniques, discussing the government's new farming policy and, with a young family to look after, talking sucession planning.

Join us to learn about Gary and his business and help shape the Wainfleet Monitor Farm programme over the next few years.

Programme

• 9:00: Welcome and introductions - Judith Stafford, AHDB
• 9:05: Brief introduction to the AHDB Monitor Farm Programme - Judith Stafford, AHDB
  • What is a monitor farm?
  • The AHDB Farm Excellence Platform in the East Midlands
  • How you can get involved
• 9:07: Introduction to Wainfleet Monitor Farm - Gary Willoughby, Wainfleet monitor farmer
  • Location
  • Soils, rotation and cropping
  • Machinery and cultivations
  • Overview of business aspects including benchmarking
• 9:20: Wainfleet Monitor Farm – Priority areas - Gary Willoughby, Wainfleet monitor farmer
  • How to create a sustainable farm business
  • Soil health
  • Cultivations and making changes to improve soil health
  • Use of technology
  • Investing in infrastructure
  • UK farming policy
  • Succession planning
• 9.40: Questions and discussion - opportunity for attendees to:
  
  • Ask questions and offer suggestions
  • Comment and offer views on priority areas 
  • Shape the monitor farm programme
• 10:00: Close - Judith Stafford, AHDB

Recordings of pervious webinars are available at: https://ahdb.org.uk/cerealswebinars 

Learn more about Wainfleet Monitor Farm