|
05/01/07
Milk producers attending the 2007 Semex Dairy Conference (14-16
Jan) will receive a much-needed New Year vote of confidence when
keynote speaker Charles Dudgeon of leading international property
consultancy, Savills, takes to the floor.
Charles Dudgeon
 |
Reporting renewed buoyancy within the UK agricultural
property market with land prices on the rise and the majority of
properties being bought as going concerns by “coalface producers”,
including dairy farmers, Mr Dudgeon states that despite the current
gloom in the industry the market is showing that there are reasons
to be more optimistic.
“Property trends, such as the volume of land moving, the
purpose it is bought for and the value it is realising, are key
indicators of the strength of the agri-industry and currently the
signs are of an agricultural industry enjoying renewed optimism,
confidence and anticipated profitability,” he said, speaking
ahead of the Semex Conference, at which he will address some of
the UK’s most progressive dairy farmers.
“We are seeing real growth in demand for land parcels and
working farms including dairy farms and, significantly, this is
from practicing producers wanting to grow their existing businesses
and secure land for succession. In addition to domestic buyers,
there is a lot of interest from international buyers, particularly
Danish and Irish producers, for whom the availability in the UK
of sizeable ring-fenced properties at good value and with less
red tape is proving an attractive proposition.
“Ultimately, the fact that UK land is now being strongly
competed for by existing farmers against the strategic investor
and returning much better prices is evidence of a palpable new
confidence in British farming, with experienced producers optimistic
that there are returns to be made now and in the future.”
In addition to signalling greater positivity within the industry,
in line with the Semex Conference’s ‘no spin’ approach
to informing and supporting its profit-focused delegates, Charles
Dudgeon will also focus on advising farmers on how to maximise
non-farming development opportunities on their land.
Peter Arthur, Marketing Manager of Semex UK, said that this year’s
Conference would very much focus on ‘keeping it real and
relevant’. “Our delegates want sound business advice
and the opportunity to get answers to tough questions. The reality
is that, as support is further withdrawn from farmers through EC
policies, there is a need to look closer to home for solutions.
Better real estate management by, for example, capitalizing on
unused or unmanaged parcels of land and buildings, has the potential
to release £hundreds of thousands of capital to augment low
product price returns. This is an area that we know farmers will
be keen to learn more about and in Charles Dudgeon from Savills
we have undoubtedly one of the industry’s best experts on
hand to outline the realities and opportunities.”
The Semex Dairy Conference, now in its 17th year, will take place
from the 14th to 16th of January in the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel
in Glasgow.
 Support Invoicing Campaign, Urges Potter
Harbro Poised for Expansion in Southern Half of Scotland
Holstein Sire Jardin Makes Impressive Rankings Debut
Dairy UK in drive to promote exports
|
