Diversification: Blandford

Many farmers have diversification opportunities on their farms but do they have a structured methodology to look at the financial viability? This meeting will use some redundant buildings on the farm as a case study for farmers to put their own ideas forward and then be led by specialist consultant Paul Tory to evaluate the financial assessment. He will then put the proposition to Lloyds Agriculture Manager Victoria Read who will share the Bank’s decision making process. Finally Nick Bragg will share his experiences at Frogmary Green Farm in developing a biodigester. How would he approach the diversification process now with the benefit of hindsight?

About the farm

The Cossins family have been farming at Rawston Farm since 1877. Since then the farm has expanded to 670ha with a further 385ha rented or contract farmed. The five-year arable rotation covering 600ha includes winter wheat, winter and spring barley and oilseed rape. All operations are carried out by farm staff including a combination of minimum tillage and ploughing, with grain stored on farm. The business also has 300 dairy cows and 180 head of beef cattle, the majority of which are sold through their own farm butchery. James Cossins currently runs the family business, working closely with his daughter Georgie.