Calling Northern Ireland's arable farmers

The next AHDB Monitor Farm meeting in Downpatrick will look at how you could save money by better understanding your farm machinery.

Richard Orr, the host of the project, recently carried out a machinery review and he will go through his figures in detail at the Monitor Farm meeting.

The meeting takes place at 10:30am on 19 February 2019 at Quoile Bar & Bistro, 2b Strangford Road, Downpatrick BT30 6SL.

 “In doing the process of the review I learnt as much as the result,” Richard said.

“Now we’ve got to narrow down the variety of running costs in our machines. It made me think a bit more about what I’m going to do with them and how I’m going to progress.”

In recent months Richard and his father have been moving towards reduced tillage, to try to cut out some of their running costs.

During the meeting in February, Richard and machinery guru Harry Henderson from AHDB will lead discussions around how to understand and reduce farm machinery costs.

Richard said: “I think a lot of farmers wouldn’t have any idea of what the cost of running some machines is. They just go on the cost of diesel or machinery, but don’t take into consideration what it costs to do each job on the farm.

“Subtle differences can, long-term, affect the whole running cost of your business.”

To find out more, contact Michelle Nuttall, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager for Northern Ireland on michelle.nuttall@ahdb.org.uk or 07778 143404.