Editor’s view: Which of farming’s camps do you sit in?
© Duncan Andison/Adobe Stock Here’s one to ponder as you let your belt out another notch and go valiantly back to the fridge for more leftovers: How many factions are there in farming – and which one do you belong to?
Much merriment has been had in the mainstream media in relation to the “five families” overlapping on the right of the Conservative Party that emerged during the recent spat over the Rwanda bill.
See also: Editor’s view: Reasons farmers can be cheerful this Christmas
About the author
You can split it several ways with farming of course, including simply along enterprise lines, but here’s my tongue-in-cheek thoughts on the four overlapping segments that currently make up the farming industry.
The traditionalists
First up, we have the traditionalists. They’re the ones who place great importance on carrying on the traditions of those who came before them – perhaps even by maintaining the breeds of livestock or trusty tractor that was bought by the previous generation.
You’re more likely to get a cup of tea if you call in on these folk than those in some of the other categories to follow, but they may use the time to regale you with a moan about how the number of things that make sense nowadays are in rapid decline.
The lifestylers
Next up we have the lifestylers. These can range from captains of industry on lavish estates to smallholdings nestled into the side of a steep hill.
What unites them is a joy in using agricultural property relief to its full extent, as well as the fact they are making, or have made, a bob or two elsewhere, which enables them to farm with a bit more freedom.
Like the traditionalists, some use that external funding to insulate themselves from change, while others will use it to take punts on new enterprises and novel ways of doing things, safe in the knowledge that it presents less of a risk to them.
The regenners
No essay on farming’s factions in this decade would be complete without a nod to the regenners.
Some of them certainly overlap strongly with the lifestylers, as the larger landowners of that type appear to be well represented in their ranks.
As well as adherence to regenerative agriculture’s principles, it is their enthusiasm for experimentation that unites this faction best of all – coupled with a desire to hand over as little money as possible to any farm supplier except drill manufacturers.
The expansionists
And last, but by no means least, we have the expansionist category.
These are the flinty-eyed and restless crew who start plans for another shed as soon as the last one is up.
Of all the categories, these farmers are the most likely to have a very sharp understanding of their cashflow and the general financial health of their business, mostly because their bank manager demands it.
This means you’ll see them well represented at benchmarking groups, but they’re less likely to be found leaning for too long on a hurdle at market – although they’ll certainly be the topic of conversation.
If I have missed any factions then please do let me know with a submission to the letters page.
To my mind, each of the four are well represented, with no dominant single entity at the moment, and criticisms and positives for all of them that help make up the unique fabric of UK agriculture.
So, if you are feeling restless as you contemplate the outlook for farming in the Business section, perhaps consider whether 2024 is the year you will shift from one farming philosophy to another.
Happy new year.