The Red Meat
Benchmarking project, supported through the Welsh
Government’s EU Transition Fund, will support 2,000 farmers
to better understand the technical and financial
performance of their business and ensure their
competitiveness in a changing market.
The project is managed by Hybu Cig Cymru enabling farmers
to input their business data from today. The project will
remain open for two months, closing on 10 December.
Eligible producers across Wales are being encouraged to
participate on a first come first served basis by
completing the online questionnaire on the financial and
physical performance of their business from the 2016-7 or
2017-8 financial years.
In return, participating farmers will receive a bespoke
assessment of their business and productivity which will
include anonymous comparisons with similar businesses
within the sector. Participating farmers will also
receive a compensatory payment of £1,000 for the time and
effort of taking part.
The Cabinet Secretary said:
“It is now less than six months before the UK leaves the
European Union and the prospect of a no deal looms large.
The need to prepare for a post-Brexit world has
never been more essential.
“As a Government, we have always said we will do all we
can to support our agricultural sector to help them
prepare and adapt to the challenges and opportunities
Brexit presents. Earlier this year I announced a
£2.15m new red meat benchmarking project to help beef and
sheep farmers do just that.
“Building on the successful work of our Dairy Conditional
project, the system will support two thousand beef and
sheep farmers benchmark their financial and technical
performance and identify areas of their business which
could be improved.
“From today beef and sheep farmers can input their data
and in return receive a bespoke assessment report on
their business. This system will remain open for
two months and I urge all eligible producers to find out
more and take part in the project.
“This is crucial investment for the sector at this
difficult and challenging time. It will enable beef
and sheep farmers to maintain their competitiveness in
changing markets, maximise any emerging opportunities and
ensure they are able to thrive in a post-Brexit world.”
Hybu Cig Cymru’s Industry Development Manager, John
Richards said:
“This is a red meat producer’s opportunity to step back,
assess the financial status of their business and take a
really good look at how it’s performing. With Brexit just
around the corner, it is crucially important that our
businesses are financially fit. Now’s the time for our
sector to raise its game and contribute towards the
bigger picture.
“There will be direct benefits for farmers who take time
to participate in the project; they will be equipped with
knowledge and information to make informed changes to
their businesses, leading to improved productivity and
efficiency. This could result in more confident and
competitive businesses in the future.”
