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A meeting was held today in Downpatrick, Co Down, on the farm of Richard Orr focusing on machinery costs. Richard has been reviewing all aspects of his machinery outfit on his 75ha tillage farm.
“In doing the process of the review, I learnt as much as I did coming out of the far end, which was very interesting,” Richard explains.
In a preview of the meeting, Richard said that based on his review, some recommendations include getting rid of his sprayer as he was deemed to be over-mechanised.
However, his response was that this is necessary as due to the weather windows he contends with, in some cases he has to be over-mechanised to allow him to get the work done.
He concludes by saying that it is important to be able to justify machinery for your business and your farm needs and also to see how it affects your bottom line and whether it is a sensible investment.
See this week’s Irish Farmers Journal for a full report from the meeting.
Northern Ireland's fist AHDB monitor farm
Richard Orr is Northern Ireland’s first AHDB monitor farmer. He grows winter wheat and spring and winter barley on 185ac as well as potatoes, turnips and grass. His soil is predominately dry, free-draining medium, stony loam with good organic matter. Richard is in year two of the AHDB programme and there have already been multiple events on his farm.
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