Future Farm Business Models - CLA Wales
02/02/06

Younger farmers looking for a start in the industry will be guided through the options available at seminars organised by CLA Wales. The events have been arranged in response to a request by Wales YFC Chairman, Dafydd Lewis, to the Welsh Assembly for help with regard to share farming arrangements.

They will be offering expert advice on the various options available to younger people against the background of an ageing farming population and a scarcity of opportunities. A range of alternative farm business models will be reviewed by the CLA’s tax and consultancy staff.

CLA Wales Policy advisor Sue Evans says young people should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of share farming, contract farming, and farm business tenancies. There was no such thing as a single solution, given the many different types of arrangements that could be made between landowners and young people coming in to the industry.

“It’s so important that each prospective applicant and landowner looks at the best possible agreement for them and takes expert advice”, she adds. “They shouldn’t assume that share farming is the best possible arrangement just because the person next door has an agreement that works for them.

“But what is exciting is that young farmers are keen to investigate all possible areas and are looking for assistance in this. We will be able to help them to refine their ideas. But there is no magic answer and it’s always best to devise a tailor made agreement for each situation.

“It’s important that both sides take the right advice. We all have a strong interest in keeping the countryside farmed and alive. And new ventures are all the more important now that production subsidies have gone and agriculture is increasingly having to compete in the global market against businesses where economies of scale are paramount”.

Wales YFC has welcomed the initiative. Chairman, Dafydd Lewis of Lampeter said the organisation was pro-actively seeking new opportunities for its members.

“We’re really pleased that CLA Wales has taken the lead”, he added. “It’s virtually impossible for a young person to get a fresh start in farming. One of the ways is to form some sort of partnership with a landowner or older farmer.

“It’s great to get some specialist advice on the various ways that this can be done. We also hope that the initiative will encourage landowners to make more opportunities available - it can only be of benefit to both parties and to the industry as a whole”.

The first Future Farm Business Models seminar will be held in the Castle of Brecon Hotel, Brecon on Thursday 2 March 2006 at 1.30pm. The second will be held at the Talardy Park Hotel, The Roe, St Asaph, on Monday 6 March 2006 at 1.30pm. Tickets are £10 each and available from CLA Wales, Hoddell Farm, Kinnerton, Presteigne, Powys LD8 2PD.

A Family Succession & Inheritance, Pensions & Tax Planning seminar will follow at the St Asaph venue on March 6 at 5pm. Tickets are £5 each.

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