As reported
AHDB launches first NI arable monitor farm" target="_blank">here, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has set up its first monitor farm in NI.Funded by levies from farmers, the AHDB remit is to deliver research and knowledge transfer programmes across various sectors. However, its remit and scope differs depending on the sector chosen. For pigs, beef and sheep, it operates in England only. For potatoes, horticulture and milk, AHDB has responsibility across Britain. Only in the cereals and oilseeds sector does it have a UK remit, and it takes a levy from arable farmers in NI.
As reported AHDB launches first NI arable monitor farm" target="_blank">here, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has set up its first monitor farm in NI.
Funded by levies from farmers, the AHDB remit is to deliver research and knowledge transfer programmes across various sectors. However, its remit and scope differs depending on the sector chosen. For pigs, beef and sheep, it operates in England only. For potatoes, horticulture and milk, AHDB has responsibility across Britain. Only in the cereals and oilseeds sector does it have a UK remit, and it takes a levy from arable farmers in NI.
Surely there is an argument that by allowing AHDB to come into NI, it has actually made it easier for the top brass in AFBI and CAFRE to justify even less resources being put into the arable sector
Therefore, it is reasonable and understandable that some leading growers from NI, along with the Ulster Farmers’ Union, have been lobbying for AHDB to provide on-farm support to farmers here.
It is also important to note the frustration felt within the sector that arable research at AFBI has been significantly cut in recent years, while CAFRE has gradually reduced its complement of crops advisers. The sector is not as well served as it once was, and lags behind the support available to livestock farmers in NI.
However, surely there is an argument that by allowing AHDB to come into NI, it has actually made it easier for the top brass in AFBI and CAFRE to justify even less resources being put into the arable sector going forward. The argument goes – if AHDB are doing it, then there is no need for us to be involved.
Principle
That would be a perverse outcome from this latest monitor farm initiative. The principle behind it is sound. But fundamentally, it should be for local advisers to help deliver knowledge transfer to local farmers.
It is a worrying trend of recent years, that research and advisory support in NI seems to be increasingly targeted at some sectors over others. Not every farmer in NI wants to, or can, milk cows.
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