Introducing three new Monitor Farms

AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds is launching three new Monitor Farms this summer.

• Beverley Monitor Farm - Hall Farm, Beverley, East Yorkshire
• Norwich Monitor Farm - Crown Point Estate, Norwich, Norfolk
• Bingham Monitor Farm - Manor Farm, Bingham, Nottinghamshire

AHDB Monitor Farms

Totalling 16 farms, each in a three-year programme, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds’ nationwide Monitor Farm network offers support and guidance to growers looking to improve their businesses and learn from others.

Regular open meetings (summer farm walks and winter discussion groups) are led by each monitor farmer, for other local farmers to attend, learn best practices from industry experts and share their knowledge on key topics, such as soil health, grain markets and farming policy.

The new Monitor Farms will launch this summer, opening their farms up on the following dates:

• Beverley Monitor Farm - Hall Farm, Beverley, East Yorkshire – 31 May 2023
• Norwich Monitor Farm - Crown Point Estate, Norfolk, Norwich – 23 June 2023
• Bingham Monitor Farm - Manor Farm, Bingham, Nottinghamshire – 5 July 2023

Introducing Beverley Monitor Farm, East Yorkshire

Hosted by farm manager, Harry Huddart, Hall Farm in Beverley, East Yorkshire, is holding its first Monitor Farm open day on 31 May 2023.

Part of the Albanwise Farming Group, the 2,000ha arable rotation at Hall Farm comprises winter wheat and barley, oilseed rape (OSR), spring barley and beans, peas, forage maize and potatoes.

As a young farmer in his first year working at Hall Farm, Mr Huddart is keen to share his ambitions to build a profitable and future-proof business during a time of rising costs and market volatility, while also learning from other local farmers as he embarks on his Monitor Farm journey.

Mr Huddart says: “Hosting an AHDB Monitor Farm will not only allow us to share what we’re doing on-farm with other like-minded people, but we’re also hoping to take away new ideas that may help us improve. I believe the farm is set up in a way that we’ve enough flexibility to trial and explore new practices for the benefit of our farm as well as the wider farming community.”

Book your place and learn more about Beverley Monitor Farm.

Introducing Norwich Monitor Farm, Norfolk

Crown Point Estate in Norwich, Norfolk, will host its first open day on 23^rd June 2023, which will be led by farm manager, Michael Balls.

During his Monitor Farm tenure, he aims to maintain financial margins by improving current techniques and incorporating new practices on-farm.

Mr Balls manages a diverse 1,200ha arable operation, comprising winter wheat and barley, OSR, spring oats, triticale, peas, potatoes, maize, and mint, along with integrating livestock. New ventures also include pick-your-own sunflowers, pumpkins, and sweetcorn.

Mr Balls says: “This is an exciting but challenging time for agriculture. I’m always keen to learn how other farmers approach things and trial elements in our own farming system. Equally, I’m an open book and would like to share my experience of what’s worked and not worked so well, with others.”

Book your place and learn more about Norwich Monitor Farm.

Introducing Bingham Monitor Farm, Nottinghamshire

On 5 July 2023, Manor Farm in Bingham, Nottinghamshire, will host its open day which will be hosted by farm director Joe Fisher.

During his time in the Monitor Farm programme, Mr Fisher aims to build a more resilient and diverse farm enterprise, while striving to reduce environmental impact. The 560ha operation comprises an arable rotation of winter wheat, oilseed rape, beans, quinoa, and maize.

Mr Fisher says: “Having been regularly involved with my local Monitor Farm meetings, I’ve seen the group evolve and I value all the learnings we take from it.

“I’m looking forward to hosting over the next few years and taking others on our journey in trying to reduce inputs and maintain margins, while aiming to meet environmental targets and working towards achieving net zero.”

Book your place and learn more about Bingham Monitor Farm.

To view the full list of AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Monitor Farm meetings, learn more and book your place, visit: Farm events and agricultural shows | AHDB.

Six Monitor Farms finish the programme in 2023: Diss, Hale Village, Huggate, Loppington, Saltash and Vale of Belvoir.

Harry Huddart, Hall Farm in Beverley, East Yorkshire

Micheal Balls, Crown Point Estate, Norwich

Joe Fisher, Manor Farm in Bingham, Nottinghamshire