Blog: Using the wealth of information from AHDB

Tony Bell farms 265 all-arable hectares in North Yorkshire in partnership with his wife. His wide span of experience includes commodity purchasing and feed production. He began his career in technical and commodity purchasing roles, including time in Rotterdam in the Netherlands buying oils and fats in the Unilever head office.

Tony has found that the more he has put into AHDB the more he has got back, and that being a Sector Council Member has been very enjoyable and informative. With his background in commodity buying and practical farming, he feels he has a breadth of experience to share with the Sector Council to address issues that are important for levy payers, and investment priorities, which give value for money.

We caught up with Tony just as he begins the harvest for 2022:

Why did you want to join the council?

After serving the first term as a council member I found the old adage of the more you put in, the more you get out, to be very apt.  The more I became involved in AHDB, the more I benefited from the work that AHDB produces. The major outputs such as the Recommended Lists, and daily market reports are well known, but there is wealth of information available that is coming from an independent source.

What are you looking forward to over the next few months?

On the farm, I am looking forward to getting the harvest completed, but concerned over the effects of the weather on our light land, which is suffering from a lack of rain. With AHDB, I’m looking forward to progressing the recent vote on Shape the Future. We need to take on board the responses we have had, and create within the AHDB team an environment to deliver the requirements of levy payers.

What areas/workstreams are you particularly interested in?

With my background in buying commodities, I am interested in AHDB’s analysis of world markets. On my farm, I have moved to minimum cultivations and I’m looking at the effects on soil health. This area particularly interests me; how we can farm more sustainably, improving soil health and carbon capture.

Do you have any specific or professional experience that you can share/draw on e.g. trained accountant, HR advisor, agronomist, IT specialist?

I have more than 40 years of experience working in raw material management for commercial businesses. Starting with Unilever, which included working in Rotterdam, and being a board member of BOCM PAULS after the business was sold by Unilever. I was also a board member of AIC, the UK Agricultural Trade Association, and Vice President of FEFAC the European Feed Trade Association. 

How will you represent the interests of your fellow cereals farmers?

I can offer my experience in the animal feed business in the UK and Europe, and now as a full-time hands-on farmer, I also understand the requirements of the grower levy payers. I am a keen attendee at AHDB Monitor Farm and Strategic Farm meetings.

What do you see as being the biggest challenge facing your sector?

I feel the biggest challenge facing the sector is the increased volatility and risk growers are seeing. With the increased price of cereals and oilseeds, income is significantly higher but all the costs have also increased with fertiliser, chemicals and fuel all up by a significant factor. The risk of growing crops has significantly increased, maybe also the rewards, but the risks involved are now very high.

As a member of the council how do you think we will be able to address these challenges?

In times of volatility, the need to be well informed is greater. AHDB provides an independent analysis of information, including market analysis. To reduce the risks, growers need to understand the risks and develop strategies to reduce risk areas. Whether that be looking at crops grown, varieties of crops that can withstand various stresses, marketing strategies for selling, or buying inputs.