As farmers and contractors, we are not afraid of a challenge or two, but last autumn and winter, coupled with low commodity prices that do not reflect the global situation, have taken things to the limit.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is throwing a lifeline to many who have struggled with the high input prices, low sale prices, weather conditions and other strains on businesses over the past couple of years.

It is a very useful scheme alongside farming for food. However, I am sceptical of the sense in putting whole farms down to the scheme.

See also: How to tackle hefty spring arable workloads after wet winter

About the author

Matt Redman

Farmer Focus writer

Matt Redman farms 370ha just north of Cambridge and operates a contracting business specialising in spraying and direct-drilling. He also grows cereals on a small area of tenancy land and was Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year in 2014.

Contact:

Email: office@mattredmanag.co.uk

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@redmanmatt

Read more articles by Matt Redman

What happens when machinery is sold off and funding has significantly reduced in three years’ time so that whole farm schemes aren’t economically viable? What happens to the wildlife they supported?

On the farm things are still very steady – I am glad we had the opportunity to get more winter wheat drilled in December and January and pleased with how 90% of it looks.

We are slowly making a tentative start to fertiliser applications. The mild weather is starting to have an impact on disease levels with spray plans arriving.

Like many, I am concerned about the latter. Spring drilling windows are narrowing and there is a high possibility that once it stops raining, we will go from too wet to too dry within a week.

Here’s to the challenge that will be spring drilling, fertiliser application and spraying, all in the same two weeks, while watching grain markets refuse to rally and we all scratch our heads and wonder why we love the job so much.

Having said that, I’ve found most of the time the opposite of what I write here seems to happen. So, no need to panic just yet – a wheat price rise and perfect weather could be upon us.

I am also proud to have been elected chairman of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) at the beginning of March.

Hopefully, this time I won’t be confined to Teams and Zoom meetings or the restrictions of a pandemic and can actually get out and see members and continue the work the NAAC does for contractors.