Jack Frater: Most value ag consultants despite the doubters

The next eight weeks or so is arguably the most arduous time of year for me as an agricultural consultant, especially when it comes to the work I am involved with in Scotland.

Entitlement transfers need to be submitted by the start of April, Basic Payment Scheme forms have to be submitted by the middle of May, and Agri-Environment applications, along with all the various supporting documents, need to be in by the middle of June.

I have a sense of envy towards farmers and consultants south of the border who no longer need to submit their forms annually.

See also: Jack Frater – Scottish policy vacuum causing planning headaches 

About the author

Jack Frater

Jack Frater is an agricultural consultant based in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. He graduated from the Royal Agricultural University with a degree in agricultural management in 2013, having grown up on a family farm near Alnwick.

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Add to the mix the last-minute queries and the inevitable call from my brother wanting a hand with his lambing, or a friend needing me to sit on a cultivator for a day to allow him to catch up with spring drilling.

But I enjoy this time of year, and the variety of work.

What frustrates me is when people question the value of independent consultants.

I was told recently that getting a consultant to assess a farmer’s business was equivalent to them paying me to tell them the time, but that I use their watch to do so.

I have also had a farmer dismiss the report I prepared just because I am in my early 30s and he didn’t think I had enough experience to justify my conclusions.

There can be significant value gained from good professional advice, however.

I am lucky to be involved with a variety of businesses across a range of sectors, so see first-hand how different methods and alternative ways of thinking can lead to significant positive changes.

Consultants, therefore, are often in a better position to advise on improvements, especially when they are looking at a business with a fresh set of eyes.

Like other professionals such as accountants and solicitors, consultants share the same aims and want to assist farmers where they can to improve farming businesses, increase their performance and generate good returns.

Although there will always be a small minority that just don’t want to be helped, most farmers thankfully welcome independent advice.