Fergus MacGregor: Searching for diversification inspiration
© Fergus MacGregor I’ve spent a lot of time trying to think up ideas to diversify the farm’s income streams. We already grow 10 crops, plus have cows and sheep, so you might think that’s enough.
For hours, I’ve pondered the possibilities of what to add to our mix. Nothing seems right, though. Our storage and rotation are maxed out and we couldn’t get another crop in edgeways, even a fêted niche crop such as lentils.
They seem good, until you realise you only get a handful of grains/ha and most of the time they refuse to grow at all.
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I could add value to what I already grow by creating food products and marketing to the end user, but I can’t see a way without massive up-front outlay – and then there’s a risk no one will buy it for the premium I’d have to charge to recoup the running costs.
I’ve ruled out planting vines to produce wine, mainly because I always wake up with a headache the morning after doing market research.
A friend recently acquired goats and spends most of his time collecting them from his neighbour’s garden.
Our cows already cut the line pretty fine between profit and loss; to add another species to my menagerie may be folly.
Perhaps I could build a farm shop and get some uplift that way. But the cost of building one is prohibitive, and how would I get people to visit down my narrow lanes?
I’d also have to think up more products to sell – I don’t think just my honey and compost would cut it.
So I’m stuck. I’m running out of avenues to explore. Speaking of which, what about an avenue of apple trees to make apple juice from?
Each time I come up with a new idea, it’s met with head shaking and eye rolling.
The research inevitably throws up a plethora of problems, and I’m back to waiting for inspiration.
Diversification is becoming a dirty word on my farm, even though I’m convinced something would be good… I just haven’t found it yet.