Did you know? AHDB Strategic Farms

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Rick Davies is one of the latest to join the AHDB Monitor Farm programme, where farmers meet at a host business to share ideas and expertise and learn from experts.

He said: “There is a lot to be learned from other farmers. It will be good to get a group together to talk openly. “I want to dig deeper into our business, to focus more on my costs.” During the three years of the Monitor Farm programme Rick hopes to increase his business resilience, reduce fixed and variable costs while maintaining crop quality, and improve soil health for a healthier crop.

Rick is holding his first event on 4th July – you can find out more details on how to attend here – https:// cereals.ahdb.org.uk/northampton

About the farm

Rick Davies farms 404ha at MTH Davies, between Northampton, Bedford and Milton Keynes. He grows milling wheat, malting spring barley and HOLL oilseed rape, all for premium markets. The soil is a mixture of sandy loam, corn brash, silt and heavy clay loam. Crops are currently established with a Claydon-based direct drill and Rick would like to look at other systems of establishment. As a family-based business, MTH Davies has a number of diversification activities to spread risk, including boxed beef, office and industrial units and residential lets.