Our congratulations to Adrian Ivory, who runs the 35 cow pedigree Charolais Cardean herd at Meigle, Perthshire on being awarded the Farmers Weekly’s Farmer of the Year 2008, as well as the title’s Young Farmer of the Year title.

 

 

Adrian was described by Farmers Weekly’s editor Jane King as an inspiration for all young farmers. “He has a simple business approach that balances the demands of farm and family very well. He sets himself tough targets and he is completely focussed on achieving them.”

 

A stint on the London money markets has clearly had a lasting impact on the 34-year.

 

The expansion and market focus of the farming business at Strathisla Farms in Perthshire are certainly in line with a City high flier; a 15% return on his operating assets at Strathisla Farms and `a farm rate of return exceeding those of the average supermarket.’  

 

He achieved a 40% return on sales of £870k last year. This is a man who quite happily talks about `return on employee.’

 

Strathisla Farms is an operating partnership for the various farms owned by the Ivory family. In addition, Adrian runs arable contracting operations on 600ha for two neighbours on a stubble to stubble contract, which gives him the scale he needs to keep operating costs down.

 

When Adrian returned to the farm, he worked under a farm manager for five years until he retired. The business then was 240ha with 120 cattle; it’s now 1,000ha with three times the number of pedigree and commercial Charolais and Simmental cows. He sells finished cattle on a deadweight contract to ABP for Sainsbury’s. He dropped second wheats from the arable rotation and now focuses only on first wheats, potatoes, peas and grassland.

 

The pedigree cattle side, in which he has notched up first prizes at the Royal Highland and Royal Show, is my `shop window’ explains Adrian. He has invested in the genetics to deliver top pedigree cows, but for the commercial side is using breed performance figures to shorten calving patterns and produce more consistent batches of cattle for marketing.

 

He has invested in a bespoke cattle handling system designed on the principles of a leading American animal welfare expert. Ease of handling and minimal stress has more than paid for the new curved race system, says Adrian.

 

Adrian endorses the objectives of the European Water and Soils Directives, supports the LEAF audit to help deliver environmental and wildlife conservation and is also exploring ways to reduce the farms’ carbon footprint.

 

The business is focussed on being globally competitive so subsidies are factored out of the arable and beef production costs. Diversification is limited to activities which do not require considerable time or investment and capitalise on the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape. Surplus farm cottages have been converted and now generate 12% of the farm’s income.

 

Adrian is proactive in forging links industry wide – and across the whole food chain – from breed societies to processors and retailers. He played a hand in organising the 2008 Beef Expo in Scotland, works alongside processors ABP and is the youngest person to sit on Sainsbury’s steering group.

 

He was also one of McDonald’s first Scout with a Clout farmers – giving him a unique insight into the whole burger chain from production to processing and into the restaurant.

 

Visitors are welcome to Strathisla farms – from farmers to children, processors to retailers. He is happy to share his business ideas with others. It’s little wonder that the SAC has picked him for its leadership programme. You cannot help but feel that his profile and influence in the industry are just beginning.

 

Farm facts

Strathisla Farms, Meigle, Perthshire

537ha of wheat, potatoes, peas

189ha of grassland

230 Charolais and Simmental cows

5 staff

 

What makes him a winner

• Business and market focussed
• Close links with supply chain
• Building a sustainable business for the next generation
• Industry leadership
• Willing to share his vision

 

 

What the judges said

 

Sir Don Curry: “Adrian is a rising star. He’s a highly professional young businessman taking an impressive commercial approach to his enterprise.”

 

Farmers Weekly Farmer on the Year 2007, John Geldard: By focusing on improving the farms’ profitability in such an effective way, he is creating a sustainable business for future generations.”

 

NFU chief executive, Richard MacDonald: Adrian is innovative and market focused realising that connecting with the food chain is the way to drive his business forward.”

 

Farmers Weekly editor, Jane King: Adrian is an inspiration for all young farmers. He has a simple business approach that balances the demand of farm and family life very well. He sets himself tough targets and he completely focused on achieving them.”

 

Farmers Weekly’s Debbie Beaton: “His 34 years belie the canny business head and farming vision, on this Scotsman’s shoulders.”