| On Topic
Farming is not so different across the channel
A group of 15 farmers in the AHDB Monitor Farm programme crossed the channel to visit French farmers – and discovered the grass isn ’ t greener on the other side .
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HDB Monitor Farms bring together groups of farmers who want to improve their businesses by sharing performance information and best practice around a nationwide network of more than 30 host farms . Monitor Farms are part of AHDB ’ s wider Farm Excellence Platform , which works with the industry to improve performance through knowledge exchange and benchmarking .
The farmers from the west of England and Wales toured cereal growers and co-operatives in the northern French wheat belt to find out about their challenges and share experiences .
Martin Williams , one of the hosts of the Hereford Monitor Farm , said : “ If you feel the issues are easier or the profits greater on the other side of the channel then think again . Apart from language , the conversations held could have been in any farming group in Britain .
“ The costs of production on a 10t / ha wheat crop are identical , the cost of chemicals too are near identical , which was surprising when we are told the pound / euro situation is the cause of our prices .
“ This was a fascinating cultural exchange of knowledge . A superb visit .”
AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager
Richard Meredith led the Monitor Farm group visit to Normandy and Picardy .
He said : “ After the poor harvests of recent years the farming community seemed to be looking for answers and quickly . We wanted to find out what the similarities with our own farming were .”
The group heard how French cereal production is undergoing huge change . In particular , farmers are facing reduction in chemical availability , more greening and environmental work coupled with recent low yields and low quality harvests .
Black-grass is a huge problem in France and new legislation means that chemical use in
08 | Farming Monthly | December 2017 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk