Hereford farmer achieves optimum balance through a mixed farm enterprise
Mixed farming has traditionally been the way to keep your business options open – the theory being that if some sectors are having it tough, others may be turning in a profit.
Continued investment in a mixed farm enterprise has certainly been a sound business choice for Hereford farmer, Mark Roberts, who is enjoying the benefits of a successful diversified range of core farm incomes.
The 470-acre Bromley Court Farm in Hoarwithy, Herefordshire is the family home of Mark and Madaleine Roberts, and their four children. With farming at the core of all their activities, they have made the most of their West-Midlands location.
Around 100 acres is used to grow cider apples on long contracts to three local suppliers – Bulmers and Westons - and also Magners in Southern Ireland. The Roberts use 240 acres of the farmland for wheat and oilseed rape. The Roberts also have a 60-cow suckler herd and now keep 80,000 broilers to supply chickens to Sun Valley. To further supplement their income they have also converted a redundant barn into two long-term lets.
“We have made some fundamental changes to the farm during 2007. With the support of AMC we have invested quite heavily and also taken the opportunity to restructure all our finances. We are now seeing the real financial benefits from having such a mixed enterprise,” said Mark.
“We used to keep 48,000 turkeys but took the policy decision earlier this year to convert to chickens. The turkey market is seasonal and we could see that the turkey sector was depressed. We researched the market and knew with our location that we had a ready market for chickens with Sun Valley so close.
“We have spent £70,000 this year upgrading the site, converting the feeders and water system and ultimately turning 50,000 sq ft of turkey sheds into up-to-date poultry units. We have invested a further £160,000 in converting a redundant farm building into two properties, one two-bedroomed and one three-bedroomed, which are now rented out as long-term lets. Finally we have purchased some land adjacent to the farm and invested in a new irrigation system and orchard.
“We already had a couple of loans outstanding with AMC, the second of which had been arranged through AMC Agent Richard Williams of R. G. and R. B Williams in Ross-on-Wye. As we were borrowing a larger amount this time it made sense to combine all our borrowing, although we have not extended the time frame. 
“Martin Waite, AMC Regional Manager for South Wales and the South Midlands, has been closely involved in our plans and arranged this for us. I have always been more comfortable with borrowing on a variable basis, but because we have increased the borrowing and combined it all into a single loan, we have chosen this time to fix 50% and leave the other 50% on a variable basis. Martin has been a great help and we have been very pleased with how quickly this was approved and arranged,” said Mark.
The right balance
It is crucial with a mixed farm enterprise to get the right mix and Martin Waite feels that Bromley Court Farm is very well balanced.
“This is a very sound business with protected income streams. The poultry business, with its seven week cycle, and the three cider apple crops, provide a very regular and stable income.
“Mark and Madaleine grow all their own wheat, which is fed back to the poultry, and they sell the oilseed rape. There are no plans to change this. They have reduced the size of their suckler herd from 100 to 60, which are all finished on the farm, and this is still a viable enterprise.
“The balance of farm enterprises means that Mark and Madaleine always have options. This is a farm business that AMC is very happy to support,” said Martin.