OPINION – DUNCAN HOWIE: Bringers of Change

As Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” How adaptable to change are you?

The current farming situation, particularly for arable farming, looks reasonably – if not fully – dire. Many may be doing a great job, have plenty of diversified income and are in a good place. However, many will not be and as March year-end accounts get completed for 23/24 many farming businesses will not show a great profit. As we move through this year, the situation looks no better. Do you find yourself in this situation? If so, how much cash will you let wash out of your business in the hope all things will revert to how they used to be? Your farming decisions may need to be radical (ie. wholesale system change to de-risk), as may your search for securing additional income.

At Howie, Kent & Co, we work with renewable developers, social housing developers, leisure developers, and critically we also let commercial space (sheds, offices and yards) for our farming and landowning clients. What is the one constant that links all these points of advice?

It is change and the sweating of a farming asset. Bringing people together who need land and those that have it. That may be for batteries, electric HGV charging or glamping pods, but the process is the same: change. You may love farming, but it may be fair to assume that in the years to come it may not be paying out like it did. With our insights into working with a range of developers and having our feet firmly in the world of farmers and landowners, we find ourselves in a unique position to help farmers secure their futures.

With our commercial agency work, there has been a historic lack in supply of commercial space. Farmers have been and are perfectly placed to meet this demand from the wider economy. Have we had a walk around your farm recently? If not, give us a call! There is no charge, and we may have an angle or thought that you have not considered before. Or likewise we’re always happy to review farm plans to look for any opportunity there could be. For example, what gas pipes are nearby, what electrical infrastructure crosses your land, what social housing scheme could be progressed, or what opportunity is there for leisure development?

Change is hard and uncomfortable but if longevity is sought, it is the only option.

Duncan Howie is one of the Directors and founders of Howie, Kent and Co. He advises developers, investors, landowners and farmers in relation to general rural professional matters, specialising in bespoke site-finding services for renewable and non-renewable energy clients.