Category: News

Celebrating 30 Years At Siggs

Siggs & Co: Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting Farmers

In 1995, Siggs & Co was founded with a clear purpose: to provide practical, specialist advice that helps farmers thrive. Thirty years later, we remain proud to stand alongside farming families across Devon, Somerset, and the wider South West, offering guidance through changing policies, evolving markets and new environmental challenges.

Reaching this milestone is not just about longevity, but about the relationships built, the lessons learned, and the futures secured. As we reflect on three decades of agricultural consultancy, a few themes stand out.

From Local Roots to Global Experience

Although our base is in the Devon countryside, our work has taken us far beyond the West Country. Over the years, our consultants have worked in more than thirty countries, often in challenging circumstances. These experiences taught us resilience, adaptability and perspective.

What we learnt abroad has strengthened our ability to support UK farmers at home. Whether it was finding innovative ways to keep businesses running under difficult conditions, or seeing first-hand how others farm without subsidies, these insights have enriched the advice we provide to South West farming families navigating their own transitions.

Highlights Along the Way

Much of the satisfaction from thirty years in agriculture comes from people rather than policies. Working with family, colleagues and inspirational individuals across the globe has been central to the journey. Meeting professionals who overcame adversity has been both humbling and motivating.

Another highlight has been mentoring the next generation of managers. Watching young professionals grow in confidence, take on responsibility and shape businesses for the better has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.

Equally important has been helping farming companies transform. Turning around businesses that depended on smallholder supply chains, and in doing so securing farmers’ futures, stands as a reminder of the impact that sound advice and determined action can have.

Challenges That Shaped Us

No thirty-year journey is without obstacles. From market volatility to political uncertainty, and from subsidy reforms to environmental pressures, the landscape of farming is rarely predictable.

Working in different parts of the world brought its own share of difficult moments. There were times when travel was risky and operations uncertain, but every challenge reinforced the importance of preparation, teamwork and calm decision-making. These experiences have shaped the steady, practical approach that characterises Siggs & Co today.

Memories That Still Raise a Smile

Alongside the serious work, there have been moments of humour. Travelling in unusual places sometimes called for unusual solutions. A pocketful of Chelsea keyrings bearing Didier Drogba’s name once proved surprisingly effective at easing passage through roadblocks in the Ivory Coast. And one 4th of July was celebrated not in America, but sipping mojitos in the Democratic Republic of Congo!

Looking Ahead to the Next 30 Years

Agriculture in the UK and beyond is entering a period of significant change. The phasing out of direct subsidies, the increasing importance of soil health, and the urgent need to farm sustainably all present challenges and opportunities.

At Siggs & Co, we are committed to guiding farmers through this next chapter. The focus will be on building resilience without subsidies, embracing regenerative agriculture, and ensuring farming businesses remain both profitable and environmentally responsible.

Some principles will continue to define our work:
• Supporting farmers with clear, practical advice tailored to their goals.
• Helping businesses adapt to change while protecting long-term viability.
• Building partnerships based on trust, collaboration and respect.

Thank You

Reaching thirty years would not have been possible without the clients, colleagues, partners and farming families who have shared the journey. To all who have placed their trust in Siggs & Co, we extend our heartfelt thanks.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also look forward with optimism. The future of farming will be different from the past, but with collaboration, resilience and a positive mindset, it can be every bit as rewarding. Our commitment remains the same as it was in 1995: to help farmers thrive.

Farming Without Subsidy – Insights from Ukraine, Romania & Brazil

With Basic Payment on the way out, every British farmer is being nudged towards a question our counterparts elsewhere have faced for years: how do you stay profitable when there’s no guaranteed cheque in the post?

Three of the most instructive case studies span two continents. Post‑Soviet Ukraine built an export engine on minimal public support; post‑communist Romania, now inside the EU, has learned to thrive on subsidy that arrives late – if at all – under tighter environmental rules; and Brazil scaled a commodity super‑power on cheap credit rather than hand‑outs.

Their climates, soils and politics are poles apart, yet between them they offer a crash course in subsidy‑free farming that UK growers can use right now.

Ukraine – big fields, thin cushion

When the USSR collapsed, Kyiv scrapped most of the centralised support that once propped up collective farms. What emerged is a mosaic: tiny household plots, mid sized family businesses and “mega farms” that stretch well past the horizon. Direct aid today is limited to targeted grants and the odd tax break; there’s no area based payment to soften a bad year.

Instead, farmers lean on international finance. The World Bank’s ARISE facility, European lenders and global grain traders provide working capital, kit leasing and storage investment. That money flows because Ukraine’s black soils and low land rents generate competitive yields of wheat, maize and sunflower oil – and because 70 percent of the crop is sold overseas. Export orientation also creates vulnerability: ports, railheads and insurance matter as much as rainfall, as the current conflict tragically shows. Producers hedge that risk with forward contracts, dollar denominated loans and, increasingly, satellite verified crop insurance.

The headline lesson? Margins beat subsidies. Ukrainian growers obsess over cost per tonne, not support per hectare, and they build cash flow buffers through finance, not hand outs.

Romania – crisis to cash flow in 17,000 ha

Move west and you meet a different challenge: similar black soils, a continental climate and ex communist legacy, but EU rules and partial subsidy that arrives late. Siggs & Co were asked to turn round a 17,000 ha cereal and oilseed farm near the Danube that was barely covering expenses. Within two years the Siggs process – identifying low hanging fruit, backing internal winners, installing tight management systems and relentless follow up – lifted output by 45 percent, added over €5.5 million to the bottom line and left a motivated management team in place.

Key to the turnaround was liquidity: lining up credit early so seed, fertiliser and spare parts were on farm when the optimum sowing window opened. In farming, the difference between success and failure is often 15 days; by 14 September seed still wasn’t ordered and key tractors had been down for six weeks. Seven days later drilling started on time, and two harvests later the farm set new wheat (6.6 t/ha) and OSR (3.2 t/ha) records.

The Romanian take away? Even where some subsidy exists, it cannot replace working capital, timeliness and disciplined people management.

Brazil – scale powered by credit

Cross the Atlantic and you land in a different universe: tropical sun, two or even three harvests a year, and tractors pulling 15 metre drills through red Cerrado soil. Yet Brazil’s farm support budget is surprisingly lean. Direct input subsidies account for little more than 10 percent of farm receipts; the real carrot is credit.

Each June, Brasília unveils its Crop Plan: this year a record R$475 billion (about £75 billion) in low interest loans and subsidised insurance. Producers tap these lines to prepay fertiliser, contract rail freight to distant ports and invest in precision sprayers or carbon smart pasture. Our own Brazilian experience – managing 10,000 ha for the parent company of the Romanian operation via a local contractor – showed that cheap capital, not hand‑outs, is what unlocks multi‑crop systems and rapid tech adoption.

The quid pro quo is compliance with strict forest‑protection rules and, increasingly, proof of good soil management. In effect, Brazil has swapped blanket payments for conditional finance. Cheap capital doesn’t erase challenges – haulage to port can top 1,000 km – but where policy links loan rates to environmental metrics, uptake of no‑till and methane‑reducing feed is rapid. Credit turns ambition into action.

What do the two models tell us?

• Scale is relative. Ukraine’s corporates rely on vast machinery fleets; Brazil’s 2,000 ha family firms double‑crop; Romania lifted output by focusing on the timing gap, not more land.
• Finance trumps hand outs. Whether it’s a World Bank loan in Kyiv or a state backed note in Mato Grosso, ready cash replaces reliance on subsidy cheques.
• Risk is managed, not avoided. Ukrainian growers insure against wartime port closures; Brazilians hedge currency and rainfall; Romanians build spare capacity into drill fleets and labour schedules.
• Environment is commercial. Coupling finance to carbon benchmarks pulls conservation into day to day decision making more effectively than compliance inspections ever did.

Four practical take aways for UK farms

1. Court capital early. Talk to banks, merchants and peer to peer lenders about revolving credit, equipment leasing and crop backed loans. When BPS ends, liquidity will matter more than ever.
2. Package risk cover. Build weather insurance, price hedges and, where possible, foreign exchange protection into budgets. Treat them as essential inputs alongside seed and fuel.
3. Intensify wisely. Brazil’s double cropping and Ukraine’s low till drills show that more output needn’t mean more acres. Look at cover crop based successions, relay sowing and targeted nutrient placement to lift £ per hectare without battering soils.
4. Swap compliance for performance. Future public money will flow through Sustainable Farming Incentive and carbon markets. Evidence from abroad suggests that clear, measurable targets tied to finance drive faster change than cross compliance ever did.

A brief word on scale

“But I’m farming 200 acres, not 20,000 – does any of this apply?” Absolutely. The principle is the same whether you run a Cotswold estate or a Welsh upland tenancy: the market rewards tonnes, quality and verifiable stewardship, not entitlement references.

Think like a Ukrainian CFO when locking in forward grain sales; think like a Romanian turnaround team when chasing drilling windows; think like a Brazilian agronomist when asking whether a cover‑crop‑soybean rotation could trump second wheat.

Farming for the future

Subsidy free farming isn’t a distant academic concept – it’s how millions of hectares are managed right now from Kharkiv to Curitiba. Those producers stay in business through finance, focus and flexibility. As direct payments taper here at home, borrowing the best of their playbooks could make the difference between drifting with the tide and charting your own course.

The comfort blanket is going. Time to sharpen the pencil and farm for the future.

To Wool or Not to Wool? The Big Question Facing Sheep Farmers Today

For centuries, wool was more than just a byproduct of sheep farming-it was a symbol of Britain’s wealth, power, and rural ingenuity. From the days of Edward III, who had his Lord Chancellor sit on a bale of wool (the famous Woolsack), to the global wool trade that shaped empires, the fleece was once king.

But times have changed.

Today, many sheep farmers are facing a tough reality: wool prices are often so low that shearing becomes a cost, not a profit. At the same time, demand for sheep meat-especially lamb-remains steady or even growing in some markets. With these pressures, more and more farmers are turning to wool-shedding breeds like Exlanas, Wiltshire Horns, and Easycares-sheep that don’t need shearing at all.

So, is this the future? Are we witnessing the end of wool as a viable product-or can it make a comeback?

With global conversations about sustainability gaining pace, natural fibres like wool could yet find new life in eco-conscious markets. But getting there will take innovation, investment, and a serious rethink about how we add value to every part of the animal.

That’s why we’re bringing together voices from across the industry for a timely and thought-provoking panel discussion:

“To Wool, or Not to Wool? The Future of Our Flocks.”
This is an open, honest look at where sheep farming is heading. We’ll talk meat vs. wool, shedding breeds vs. traditional flocks, sustainability, profitability, and the role of farmers in shaping the next chapter of this ancient industry.

Whether you’re a seasoned sheep producer, new to the industry, or simply passionate about the future of British farming, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Wednesday 25th June

NSA Sheep South West at Weston Farm, East Knowstone. South Molton, Devon EX36 4ED.

https://sheepsouthwest.org.uk/

Join us for insights, debate, and real-world experiences from those on the ground.**

Let’s ask the big question together:

**To wool, or not to wool?**

Exciting Opportunity for Farmers: FETF Grants Now Available!

Attention all farmers! We’re thrilled to share an incredible opportunity that could help you cut costs and enhance efficiency on your farm. The Farming Equipment Technology Fund (FETF) is offering grants for machinery, equipment, and technology that can transform your agricultural operations.

What Funding Is Available?

Grants are available under three key themes:

1. Productivity
2. Slurry Management
3. Animal Health and Welfare

These themes have been designed to help you quickly identify suitable equipment for your farming needs. However, we encourage you to explore all themes, as you may discover useful items outside your primary area of interest.

Grant Details

You can apply for grants ranging from **£1,000 to a maximum of £25,000** for each theme. The funding will cover a percentage of the equipment cost, which varies depending on the item.

It’s important to note that this fund is competitive. Each theme has specific scoring criteria to ensure that public money is utilized effectively.

Application Timeline

Mark your calendars! You’ll be able to apply starting **May 29**, with the application window closing at **midday on July 10**. After the application period ends, all submissions will be reviewed and scored. Keep in mind that you may not receive all or any of the funding you apply for, as the competition is intense.

Total Funding Available

In total, **£46.7 million** will be allocated to support farmers, growers, foresters, and their contractors. Here’s how the funding breaks down:

– **£30 million** will support the productivity and slurry management themes.
– **£16.7 million** will assist with animal health and welfare initiatives.

Key Items You Can Apply For

Productivity

The productivity grants focus on improving efficiency and profitability. You can apply for funds towards various items such as:
– Electric desiccators for weed control (e-weeders)
– Robotic drills and guided hoes
– Inter-row hoes and precision farming equipment
– Rainwater harvesting tanks and robotic silage pushers

Slurry Management

These grants aim to enhance how you collect, store, test, and spread slurry. Popular items include:
– Robotic slurry collectors
– Flow rate monitoring equipment
– Low-emission slurry spreaders like dribble bars

Animal Health and Welfare

This funding helps improve livestock health and welfare. Eligible items include:
– Piglet creeps
– Mobile cattle and sheep handling systems
– Cooling systems for poultry housing

Encouragingly, your application can receive a **20% score increase** if you provide evidence of a discussion with a vet. We support these conversations as vets can offer vital insights on improving health and welfare on your farm.

Stay Updated

We’ll be updating you with links to apply once the application period is live. This is a fantastic opportunity to secure funding that can significantly impact your farming practices, so don’t miss out!

If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to reach out. Let’s take this opportunity to enhance our agricultural efficiencies together!

Farming as a Business: Moving Beyond Value Adding to Building Lasting Wealth

Podcast Summary:

In AgriCulture Live Episode 21, James Siggs of Siggs & Co. shares over 30 years of international farming insight, challenging UK producers to rethink their approach to profitability. While land values may look impressive on paper, many British farmers remain stuck in a cycle of reinvestment and poor cash flow. James urges a shift from simply adding value to genuinely creating lasting wealth by focusing on net cash flow, low-input production, and strategic use of core farm resources—land, sunlight, water, carbon, and brainpower. Drawing on global comparisons and regenerative practices, the episode offers practical guidance for breaking free from the “hamster wheel” and building a more resilient, prosperous farming business.

Here is a breakdown of the discussion from the YouTube video about UK farmers transitioning from value adding to wealth creation:

Defining Value Adding vs. Wealth Creating: Many farmers feel like they’re on a “hamster wheel,” working harder without getting ahead [06:04]. They are constantly borrowing to reinvest in the next crop [06:43]. The focus should shift from margins and profit to net cash flow [08:12].
Are UK Farmers Rich? It depends. Many enjoy their work and environment [09:14]. Tenant farmers’ wealth is mainly in livestock and assets [09:49]. Owner-occupiers have land assets, but historically, these only yielded around 2% per annum [10:11].
How UK Farmers Compare Globally: The most profitable farming is palm oil production [11:59]. In the US, many farms are part-time [13:28]. Brazil has seen land prices double, with advanced no-till and bio-control practices [14:12]. Eastern Europe has large farms with good profits [14:55].
How UK Farmers Can Create Wealth:
- Make the most of basic resources: land, sunlight, water, carbon, and your brain [18:42].
- Focus on what can be produced with minimal inputs [20:02].
- Improve soil biology [21:12].
- Consider examples like Salt Carbon Farm and Jake Freestone [20:27].
The Role of Part-Time Farming: Part-time farming is common globally and can be a way to enter the industry [22:21].
Diversification: Diversifying crops and livestock is key to maximizing the use of resources [25:00].
Attracting Young People: Address safety concerns in the industry [25:37]. Recognize the value of part-time farming [25:58].
Recruiting the Right People: It’s essential for building wealth [27:39].
Steps to Start Wealth Creation: Assess farm assets [28:46]. Learn from others and read relevant books, like “Dirt to Soil” by Gabe Brown [29:03]. Determine what the farm can produce with minimal input [29:28].
Next Big Issue: Climate change will impact what, where, and how things are produced [31:03]. Farms may need to revert to producing food, energy, fiber, and building materials, similar to 300 years ago [31:27].

The Joy of Collaboration in Agriculture: A Path to Success

In the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture, we at Siggs & Co. find ourselves fortunate and optimistic. Unlike “Cheerful Charlie” from Clarkson’s Farm, we strive to embody a positive spirit that resonates with our clients and partners. Some have affectionately dubbed me “Joyful James,” a nickname that reflects our forward-thinking approach. Our philosophy revolves around seizing opportunities while keeping a keen eye on the competition, understanding that success lies not only in individual achievement but in collaboration.

The essence of our work at Siggs & Co. relies on building strong relationships. We prioritise working alongside our clients rather than dictating terms—creating a partnership that fosters growth and innovation. This collaborative spirit enables us to harness the diverse strengths of each stakeholder, ensuring that everyone benefits from our efforts.

Having been immersed in the agricultural sector outside of the subsidised realm for many years, we’ve cultivated a disciplined approach. It’s essential to evaluate every decision on its merit, rather than solely chasing financial gain through schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). While maximizing income through SFI may seem appealing, these decisions must align with the overall vision for our farms, steering us in the right direction rather than diverting us from our goals.

Our focus at Siggs & Co. extends beyond revenue generation; we also emphasise the importance of production costs. A common refrain in our industry reminds us that “turnover is vanity, profit is sanity, and cash flow is reality.” Ultimately, the success of any agricultural endeavour hinges on maintaining a positive net cash flow. This guiding principle underpins our strategy and informs the collaborative efforts we undertake with our clients.

To thrive in this dynamic industry, we must embrace a mindset of positivity, mutual support, and strategic evaluation. By working together, we can navigate challenges, celebrate victories, and ensure that our agricultural endeavours have a sustainable and prosperous future. Let’s continue on this journey with Siggs & Co., focused on collaboration and growth, as we cultivate not just our fields, but also our futures together.

#Agriculture #SustainableFarming #Collaboration #SiggsAndCo #FarmSuccess #PositiveMindset #AgInnovation #CashFlow #ClientPartnerships #FarmingCommunity #Opportunity #GrowthMindset

The Importance of Financial Planning in Farming: A Roadmap to Success

In the world of agriculture, proactive financial planning can make all the difference in ensuring the success of your farm. A recent conversation with a farmer illuminated this idea vividly. He shared his excitement about how utilising online accounting software has transformed his business operations. No longer does he rely solely on last year’s accounts—an outdated method likened to driving a vehicle while constantly gazing in the rearview mirror. With access to real-time financial data, he can now respond swiftly to changes in his business environment, whether those trends are positive or negative.

Rethinking Financial Management

This raises an important question for farmers: How do you view financial planning and management for your farm? Is it merely an administrative task that distracts from agricultural duties, or is it an essential component of your business strategy?
At Siggs and Co., we strongly advocate that effective financial planning is a core requirement for successful farm management. Imagine trying to navigate unfamiliar territory without a map or GPS; you could find yourself lost or, worse, heading in the wrong direction. Without a clear financial plan, it isn’t easy to gauge where you stand financially or to know if you’re progressing toward your goals. In today’s lending environment—where banks focus on affordability rather than just asset value—having a grasp of your financial health is more crucial than ever.

Navigating Market Uncertainties

The agricultural landscape is rife with uncertainties. However, implementing sound financial practices can equip you with a better understanding of your farm’s economic realities. Although navigating these challenges requires foresight and a bit of “crystal ball gazing,” having an actionable plan based on accurate data can significantly mitigate risk and enhance resilience.

Since our inception in 1995, Siggs and Co. has built extensive experience in the global agricultural market, often in regions where farming is met with governmental challenges. Our mission is to empower farmers to navigate their financial journeys strategically—not by selling them farms, livestock, fertilisers, agrochemicals, or machinery but by aligning our success with theirs.

Looking Beyond the Surface

For those who are interested in taking a fresh approach to their farm’s profitability, we encourage you to dig deeper. Rather than simply addressing surface-level symptoms, let’s explore root causes through thoughtful analysis and innovative strategies. This requires not just experience, but also empathy and a genuine understanding of your unique situation and goals.

Want to start this conversation? We invite you to reach out for a no-obligation call or Zoom meeting. Let’s explore how we can partner together to help your farm thrive in today’s challenging environment through sound financial planning.

At the end of the day, the success of your farm depends not just on hard work and dedication, but also on a solid financial foundation that can guide you toward your long-term goals. Don’t leave your success to chance; let’s build a roadmap to success together.

Contact Siggs and Co.

For more information or to schedule a meeting, reach out to us at james.siggs@siggsandco.com tel: 01398 392011. We look forward to partnering with you on your journey to greater profitability and success in agriculture.

Choosing the Right Maize Variety for Sustainable Farming Incentives: A Guide for South West Farmers

In recent visits to farms throughout the South West, one question continues to arise: “Which Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) action is best suited for maize?” A highly effective and rewarding action is the planting of winter cover crops following maize harvesting. This approach not only provides excellent payments per acre but also enhances soil health and helps in managing nutrient runoff. However, executing it successfully can present challenges, particularly surrounding the timely establishment of cover crops.

The Timely Establishment Challenge

Under the SFI framework, winter cover crops must be firmly established by mid-October. This step is crucial for ensuring that ground cover is adequate from early December through late February. Yet, the overlap of maize harvesting and planting a cover crop, such as winter cereal or Italian ryegrass, before the deadline can be complicated. Key factors include:

– Weather variability that can delay harvesting.
– Harvest timing that can be impacted by soil health conditions.
– The potential for adverse conditions in autumn limiting available harvest days.

The Key to Success: Variety Selection

Choosing the appropriate maize variety is fundamental to overcoming these obstacles. Although it may be tempting to opt for high-yielding varieties, these often present significant challenges. Here’s why careful selection matters:

Late-Maturing Varieties:
High-yielding maize varieties often mature later in the season, leading to various complications, such as:
– A reduced number of daylight hours available directly correlating with the harvest window.
– Elevated crop moisture levels which can raise drying costs.
– Potentially adverse autumn weather limiting the number of harvest days.
– The likelihood of wet soil conditions, increasing the risk of compaction during machinery use.
– Difficulty in establishing cover crops due to falling soil temperatures.

Feed Quality Concerns:

Harvest delays can also mean that maize is harvested below its nutritional peak, potentially diminishing the quality of feed due to weather constraints and the busy schedules of contractors in autumn.

The Advantages of Early-Maturing Varieties

Early-maturing maize varieties can significantly alleviate many of these challenges while providing several benefits for farmers in the South West:

1. Timely Harvest
Early-maturing varieties can be harvested as early as September, providing adequate time for establishing winter cover or cash crops.

2. Effective Establishment
Harvesting earlier allows for higher soil temperatures, which promote quicker germination and successful establishment of subsequent crops.

3. Reduced Soil Damage
Harvesting during drier conditions reduces the impacts of soil compaction and erosion, minimizing the necessity for extensive soil cultivation.

4. Enhanced Feed Quality
These varieties are more likely to be harvested at their nutritional peak, leading to superior quality feed for livestock.

5. Environmental Benefits
A well-established cover or cash crop curtails soil erosion and diminishes nutrient runoff into local waters, supporting both farming sustainability and environmental health.

Striking a Balanced Approach

While early-maturing maize varieties may yield slightly less than their later counterparts, the many benefits often overshadow this aspect. This approach offers farmers increased harvesting flexibility, improved feed quality, and significantly mitigated risks related to soil health and sustainability.

Where to Begin

Unsure of which maize variety is optimal for your farm? The NIAB Maize Descriptive List for 2025 is a fantastic resource. It provides detailed insights into early-maturing varieties that are best suited for various farming needs.