Former shipbroker sets sights on increasing potential through Farm Excellence network

The latest farmer to join AHDB’s Farm Excellence network in the South West at Salisbury Monitor Farm, Ben Jeans, is a former London shipbroker who hopes to learn how to increase his business’ potential.

Having returned to Wiltshire in 2014, Ben now runs the family’s mixed 830-hectare Chalk Pyt Farm, near Salisbury, alongside his father Andrew, which will become Salisbury Monitor Farm as part of AHDB’s Farm Excellence programme.

The business, which is in a Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme, produces wheat, spring barley, winter barley, oilseed rape and maize across two rotations and 530 hectares of arable farmland. The farm also has a dairy enterprise consisting of 180 Holstein cattle plus youngstock, 350 ewes for gimmering and both residential and commercial property for lease.

During the course of the three-year programme, Ben hopes to critically analyse the business in order to improve areas that are not achieving their potential while also focusing on soils and dealing with a decreasing chemical armoury.

Other items on the agenda include maintaining employee engagement and motivation, personal development and diversification of the business.

With AHDB’s Farm Excellence programme being both farmer-led and farmer-driven, Ben is looking forward to having the opportunity to discuss challenges and share expertise on topics that are of interest to the group. He said: “I spent nine years in London after university so I still have a lot to learn.

“Being part of the network will therefore provide a great opportunity to tap into the knowledge of industry professionals and fellow farmers from the area, many of whom will be vastly more experienced than myself.

“I’m particularly interested in soil health and how it can be improved in an economically sustainable manner, so I am really looking forward to discussing that with the group in the coming years.”

Philip Dolbear, AHDB Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager for Cereals & Oilseeds, said: “Ben is a great addition to the Farm Excellence network.

“Having returned to farming six years ago following a business career, he will provide a different perspective to farming which will be invaluable to the Monitor Farm network.

“With a focus on increasing potential and soil health, I’m sure Ben will have three successful years at the helm of Salisbury Monitor Farm.”

Part of AHDB’s Farm Excellence programme, Monitor Farms bring together groups of farmers interested in improving their businesses by sharing best practice around a nationwide network of host farms.

Although there will not be any meetings at Salisbury Monitor Farm in the short term due to coronavirus, Ben will be taking part in the South West Monitor Farm summer meeting webinar on Tuesday 16 June. For more information on this webinar, Salisbury Monitor Farm or the Farm Excellence network in the South West, contact Philip Dolbear.