The South West Times

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Business Focus

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Food And Drink

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Home Improvements

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Motoring Matters

Need an MOT? Whether it is your car, van or motorhome that requires an MOT we’ve got you covered.

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2021 Weddings

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2021 Weddings

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2021 Weddings

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Autumn Care

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Local Business

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Education And Training

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Business Development

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Recruitment Now

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Farming Focus

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Farming Focus

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Farming Focus

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Farming Focus

How the right tools drive profitability for diversified farm businesses during Covid-19 Covid-19 has sent shockwaves throughout UK agriculture, as it has through all sectors and across the world. What the pandemic will ultimately mean for the industry as a whole is currently uncertain.

and derive the most value out of the circumstances. Those businesses were able to offer something that consumers need at the time they needed it the most.”

However, it’s clear that those farming businesses which have a consumer food related diversification have managed to succeed in weathering the storm and maintain greater financial stability as a result. Farms that have adapted their business offering, taking advantage of the right tools and opportunities to do so, have often been able to maintain cashflow via their supplementary businesses.

The figures demonstrate this to be the case. A June poll from the FRA found that 79% of farm retailers have been able to introduce a click and collect service in light of the pandemic, with many even offering contactless collection options.

A further 67% have introduced home deliveries. The result? UK Farm shops have received more than 1.4 million estimated orders for home delivery or collection since lockdown began.

It is unfortunately true that many diversified enterprises – including accommodation, leisure, events, catering, and sport – have suffered huge financial losses due to lockdown. However, the coronavirus has reinforced the importance of a robust food supply chain for many consumers, with an increased focus on purchasing local produce. Now more than ever, the provenance of our food has become a household issue.

It is clear that those businesses which have engaged with tools that allow them to track and use all of their data and analytics have been able to provide a more sophisticated offering to customers – and customers have responded to that upgraded service offering. This is reflected in the recent operations of those businesses: 73% of farm shops have furloughed fewer employees than expected, with many even hiring extra staff as a direct result of their success.

Research by the Farm Retail Association (FRA) has shown that 92% of surveyed farm retailers reported a significant rise in new customers since lockdown began, with farm shop businesses successfully positioning themselves as a reliable and convenient alternative to supermarkets, offering a different shopping experience around quality and provenance.

Farmplan have reported great success among those in their customer base using their suite of business and accounting software. Although known for its farming-related functionality, tools allowing analysis of income and expenditure, better handling of invoicing, recording purchased and sold stock, monitoring payrolls, and automation are all invaluable for diversified extra businesses.

Kantar’s recent survey showed that independent and local grocers have seen a sharp rise in sales of 69% between March and July. It’s clear that farmers have demonstrated significant innovation and capitalised on providing what the consumer needs in a way that is convenient to them: diversified businesses have leveraged their digital tools in order to offer home delivery, online ordering, and bespoke services that meet shoppers’ most pressing requirements.

What differentiates those diversified farm businesses that have managed to stay productive and profitable during the coronavirus?

“The pandemic has been a dreadful thing, but it has led to people considering the provenance of their food,” says Piers. “Support for locally-produced food has never been higher, and many businesses have seized the opportunity to meet that demand.

“Innovation is the lifeblood of agriculture. Farm businesses that have, where possible, diversified in order to meet consumer requirements during incredibly challenging circumstances should be applauded. It’s clear that this innovation and embrace of smart data solutions will drive the industry going forward, both in the wake of this crisis and as we move into a more market-focused trade environment in the years to come.”

According to Piers Costley, Director at Farmplan, leading provider of farming software for UK agriculture, having robust and flexible systems in place made all the difference. “Lockdown instantly created an extremely challenging How can smart software drive greater value in your diversification? Contact environment for all diversified farming businesses,” he says. “For those that Farmplan on 01594 545000 or via email at sales@farmplan.co.uk to find out were able to stay open and offer a service – like the farm shops mentioned – it’s how can help your business. clear that those with the right tools already in place were able to act quickly

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Farming Focus

Gumleaf provide comfort, warmth, durability and value Gumleaf boots are manufactured in Europe, at a traditional boot factory. They still hand make the boots using natural rubber. Every boot is then pressure tested before leaving the factory.

Having our factory in Europe allows us to fully involved in every stage of the production process and allows constant product development and supply.

Gumleaf boots come from a farming background where wellies are a necessity not an option, you need to look forward to putting boots on every day. Comfort, warmth, durability and value, these are all things that we look for when designing our boots.

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Farming Focus

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Farming Focus

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Farming Focus

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The best kept secret? smaXtec This innovative technology sets a new standard in preventative health monitoring, precise calving detection and best oestrus management. Ambitious farmers improve herd reproduction metrics, health and performance figures while saving on labor and costs.

How smaXtec works Understanding their cows even more, enables dairy farmers to make informed, data-based decisions earliest possible. smaXtec generates unique data at the most accurate point in the body: directly inside the reticulum. Michael C., smaXtec customer from the UK: “With smaXtec, it’s like having an extra person watching the cows. It has reduced stress – on us and the cows!”

The award-winning cow understanding system continuously measures inner body temperature, activity and recently launched its unique TruRumi™ technology measuring rumination. The bolus system offers highest levels of safety while guaranteeing top quality data due to highest precision and robustness.

Setting a new standard in early detection and prevention smaXtec already looks back at a history of revolutionary product innovations, such as measuring body temperature inside the rumen. Now they have successfully added an additional parameter to their unique system - rumination. The unparalleled TruRumiTM technology by smaXtec measures rumen contractions with highest precision and unrivalled accuracy.

Increasing animal health and welfare with smaXtec Animal health is key to increase productivity and secure efficient farming. The sooner health problems in dairy cows are identified, the faster measures can be taken to reduce the rapid spread of diseases resulting in serious illnesses. Due to early treatment antibiotics can be reduced significantly, up to 70% in intensive farming environments.

Only smaXtec continuously measures inner body temperature with the necessary accuracy to enable early detection and prevention. Immediate notification at first signs of illness – at that point a small temperature increase inside the reticulum - allows farmers to perform tests early and act before the disease breaks out. Due to the unique parameter combination of the smaXtec system, diseases such as mastitis can be detected an astonishing four days before clinical symptoms become visible.

Most precise and reliable reproduction management Farm profitability is significantly influenced by the reproduction status of a dairy herd and closely correlates with animal health. Continuous monitoring, detecting calving early on and heats reliably is key.

Therefore, smaXtec not only detects when a cow is in heat but automatically calculates the right time for successful insemination. This is a significant easing of the workflow and contributes to the profitability of farms. Well Park Farm, UK, reports: “Since using the smaXtec system our pregnancy rate has increased by 20%.”

As mentioned, the bolus technology detects the onset of calving: based on the characteristic decrease in inner body temperature, smaXtec informs farmers on average 15 hours prior to calving. This enables preparation, attendance and timely intervention if necessary.

Many can observe, only few can understand. With smaXtec farmers take better care of their dairy cows by gaining data-based increased understanding for every individual animal and the herd. This significantly improves both economic success and work-life balance for farmers while improving animal health and welfare of the cows.

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Farming Focus

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