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FOUR in ten respondents1 ( 40 %) to a survey conducted by the leading rural insurer said supporting farm income was the main driver for providing agri-contracting services . For a quarter of respondents ( 25 %), the reason for going into contracting was to get a step on the farming ladder .
Charlie Yorke , Agri- Contracting and Technology Specialist at NFU Mutual , said : “ There has been considerable growth in the agricultural contracting sector over the last few years . With the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme ( BPS ) and as farmers look to new ways to operate in the future , contracting is only going to grow in its importance .
“ Our latest survey provides clear evidence that contracting now provides a crucial contribution to many farm incomes in today ’ s highly-competitive marketplace . The growth in contracting also makes it
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possible for modern , high-tech equipment to be used to get time-sensitive jobs done safely and efficiently .
“ In an era where many farms struggle to support the younger generation , our research found a quarter of respondents saw contracting as a route into agriculture . Contracting is not only providing an opportunity for young farmers to plough their own furrow in the industry but also gives entirely new entrants a chance to start a farming career .”
Almost a fifth of survey respondents ( 18 %) said contracting offered a way to
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‘ as farmers look to new ways to operate in the future , contracting is only going to grow in its
importance ’ |
develop expertise in a chosen field , while 17 % said it offered a way to invest in modern farm machinery .
NFU Mutual research conducted earlier in 2020 found the vast majority2 of farmers ( 60 %) employed some form of
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contractor although the insurer says the figure is probably far greater when all services carried out by contractors are taken into account .
Charlie Yorke explains , “ As well as having strength in the crop support and maintenance sector , agricultural contracting spans a wide range of livestock and land management services which are vital to the industry . As farm support changes to a system based on enhancing the environment , we also think it ’ s likely that contractors will play an increasingly important role in providing services and skills to enable farmers to qualify for payments .”
To help new and existing contractors develop their thriving businesses , NFU Mutual has enhanced its contractor insurance . The policies now provide more flexible cover to cater for a wider range of contracting businesses . Optional extensions are now available which cover damage to another farmer ’ s crops from spray drift and protection if contractors ’ activities inadvertently result in a reduction in farmers ’ payments from the Basic Payment Scheme – or its future replacement .
A separate survey3 looking at the criteria farmers use to select contractors revealed that farmers are less likely to compromise standards and
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‘ it is reassuring to see that farmers now put ‘ getting a job done well and safely ’ as their first priority when choosing
contractors ’ safety over speed . Getting the job done safely and well was the first choice for over half of respondents ( 51 %), followed by contractor expertise ( 19 %), while value for money took third place ( 18 %) and lastly – getting work done quickly ( 12 %).
“ It is reassuring to see that farmers now put ‘ getting a job done well and safely ’ as their first priority when choosing contractors ,” added Charlie Yorke .
NFU Mutual ’ s contractor insurance is available through the insurer ’ s 300-strong network of local offices – and more information is available online from www . nfumutual . co . uk / agri-contractor . The insurer also offers specialist risk management though NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Limited and plant inspection services with its partner Vulcan Inspection Services .
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