Cereals & Oilseeds Monitor Farm Network

The Monitor Farm Network is a group of levy-paying farms that work together with AHDB. These farms take part in different levels of activities and involvement to share ideas, improve farming practices and learn from each other.

Monitor Farms focus on three key principles:

Building strength and stability – helping farmers improve understanding, resilience and long-term sustainability in their farming practices
Learning and educating through problem solving and actionable insights
Engaging with other levy payers to encourage event attendance and knowledge sharing

Each Monitor Farm is shaped by its region and guided by our knowledge exchange managers (KEMs). This flexibility allows consideration of local priorities and real-life examples of innovation, business improvement and the value of the levy.

Levels of participation

We offer two levels of participation, tailored to different needs:

Level one (One year)

Level one Monitor Farms are for regions where a traditional Monitor Farm model might not be possible.

These farms focus on community, connection and collaboration through peer-to-peer learning, offering local events and engagement activities without the commitment of research trials or in-depth business management work.

Activities might include:

Farm walks and open days
Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing
Demonstrations of current practices and crop performance

Level two (One to three years)

Level two Monitor Farms go deeper into practical farm challenges.

These farms explore topics suggested by farmers, AHDB research projects or wider industry needs, from soil health to crop performance, business efficiency and sustainability.

Each farm will work closely with our KEMs to:

Investigate new approaches and test on-farm solutions
Share learnings and outcomes through events and reports
Demonstrate value for levy payers regionally and nationally

Topics are chosen by the farmer with guidance from AHDB.

How to become a Monitor Farm

Any levy payer can apply to become a Monitor Farm.

We’re looking for farmers who are open, curious and passionate about improving the industry through shared learning.

Our aims:

Broaden engagement with levy payers and stakeholders across all regions
Provide a wider network of Monitor Farms to demonstrate the value of the levy
Develop and share practical solutions to common challenges with other levy payers

We ask prospective farmers:

Do you want to help the industry?
Do AHDB research themes or industry topics resonate with you?
Are you willing to make changes and share your experiences?
Can you commit to a minimum of one season (up to three)?

We provide on-the-ground support through KEMs, as well as products, tools, services and funding to improve your practices and develop a sustainable business aligned with our strategy.

Apply now

To apply, please contact your regional KEM.

Current Monitor Farms

Podcasts

The Farm Excellence Network

The Farm Excellence Network keeps past and present monitor and strategic farmers connected through ongoing support, communication and collaboration.

The network brings farmers together through peer-to-peer learning and events, demonstrating the innovative work happening across the Monitor Farm community and helping members continue to learn from one another.

Key highlights include:

An annual conference – bringing the network together to share insights and experiences
An end-of-year update – a yearly wrap-up email summarising activities from that year across all Monitor Farms

Together, we’re building a lasting community of knowledge, innovation and shared success.