Mountfair practises an evolved brand of contract farming.  We use our superior knowledge and experience of cutting-edge farming techniques and management to maintain and increase profitability.  We aim to foster close partnership with the farmer or land-owner that generates mutual benefit for the long term.

Below are some of the key differences between a standard contract farming approach and the Mountfair approach.

 

Standard Contract Farming

Basics

An agreement between a farmer (landowner / tenant) and a contracting farmer / company 

  • Farmer looking to cover more acres
  • Experience of Contract Farming varies - more crucial than many believe 
  • Can be a neighbour or a large organisation with central controls and restrictions

Basics

In Mountfair Contract Farming you will benefit from:

  • Over 25 years of experience 
  • Management in place for the next 20 years 
  • Attention to detail in all aspects of our farming 
  • Family business - dynamic and flexible 
  • Proven track record

Management Expertise

  • Labour & Management supplied by the contractor
  • Contract usually only 3-5 years
  • Often contractor looking for a larger area 
  • Neighbouring farm looking to expand 
  • Experience of contract farming can be limited

Management Expertise

  • Positive long term view on contracts
  • Although contract agreements based around 5 year terms - we manage the business as though it is our own and with a long term perspective 
  • With our extensive experience over 20 years contract farming we have the knowledge of how to successfully operate and manage these agreements
  • Family business - with the management team trained and experienced over many years 
  • Next generation is already involved and integrated
  • Expertise in buying / selling inputs and outputs 
  • Agronomy - understanding and ability to look at larger areas with the attention to detail
  • Economies of scale - purchasing power

Machinery

  • In some cases smaller machinery and older technology 
  • More traditional methods 
  • Less responsive to changing
  • Level of knowledge and understanding varies

Machinery

  • Aim to maintain and embrace new technology - open minded approach
  • We utilise machinery for all our contract farming clients -  bring advantages to all 
  • An Acceptance of change - understanding the need to change and develop when the economy / business requires it 
  • Very high level of technical understanding - both machinery, precision farming / GPS, computers and innovation 
  • Existing scale has allowed extensive investment in the latest technology and wide implements
  • Cultivation strategy to improve soils, efficient, reducing costs especially time, fuel, labour

Financial

  • Volatile industry
  • Fluctuating returns - unless skilled at managing these 
  • Sometimes managed by third party agents / consultants

Financial

  • Third party agent  / consultants used to oversee agreements - professional approach
  • Controlling costs and maximising income - we have the experience and proven track record 
  • We use our experience and knowledge to manage and maintain results - crucial in contract farming - output is vital 
  • Budgeting controls throughout the year
  • 20 years experience in managing budgets, cash flows and financial controls 
  • Experience of fully managed agreements can be operated between Mountfair and Farmer / landlord

Storage & Infrastructure

  • Buildings and Infrastructure provided and paid for by the farmer / landlord
  • Many contract farmers take the grain  off the farm - central store or to commercial stores (this can be an expensive option)

Storage & Infrastructure

  • We are experienced in developing & investing in existing grain storage buildings along with the farmer / landlord 
  • Utilising what is available - cost effectively
  • We like to keep the grain on farm in most circumstances 
  • However we can provide additional storage off farm when required