Nine new Monitor Farms have joined AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds’ innovative knowledge exchange programme in England and Wales. The aim of the expanded network, to be launched in June, is to enable more farmers to take part in the programme and to benefit from the discussions.

Tim Isaac, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Interim Head of Regional Development, said: “These new Monitor Farms will fill the gaps in our geographical coverage, making it easier for more growers to get to meetings near them. Businesses across the country have already benefited from the existing farms, but growing the network to 24 will allow the programme to better reflect a range of localised conditions and help a wider cross-section of growers.”

From Dereham in Norfolk to Truro in Cornwall, the hosts represent a range of local farm sizes and enterprises. There are family farms at just over 200ha and estates of over 1,000ha. Some have other enterprises, while others are solely arable. Establishment techniques in the new tranche of Monitor Farms include ploughing and combination drilling (Warrington), strip till (Kent), and a variety of approaches to min-till.

The new Monitor Farms are:

• Blandford (Dorset): James and Georgie Cossins, Rawston Farm

• Bridgnorth (Shropshire): Adrian Joynt, Apley Estate

• Dereham (Norfolk): Simon Brock, Swanton Morely Farms

• Leicester (Leicestershire): Jack Smith, Stoughton Estate

• Newark (Nottinghamshire): John Miller, Manor Farm

• Northampton (Northamptonshire): Tom Banks, Courteenhall Estate

• Sittingbourne (Kent): Mark Bowsher-Gibbs, Hempstead Farm

• Truro (Cornwall): Howard Emmett, Tregaire Farms

• Warrington (Cheshire): Robert Cross, Clifflane Farm

Howard Emmett, new Monitor Farm host in Truro, said: “I’d been interested in the Monitor Farm scheme from the word ‘go’ and got involved with the Crediton group last autumn. I saw how everyone was there to increase their knowledge. If I can help in this process in our area I will be very pleased.

“My own business aim is to sustain the profitability of my farm in the current economic climate. I’m hoping that the meetings will be useful to others.”

AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Monitor Farms bring together groups of like-minded farmers, who wish to develop or expand their enterprises, in an environment which encourages them to share critical performance details. This information is discussed and evaluated by the group, encouraging and facilitating business improvement through the adoption of new technology and practices.

The programme of meetings at each of the farms will be driven by farmers participating in the Monitor Farm groups. In the first 12 months of the Monitor Farm project in England and Wales, over 2,400 people took part, with the majority reporting benefits to their business. Of those surveyed in April 2015, more than nine out of ten valued the opportunity to openly discuss issues and share experiences and 75% improved their technical knowledge.