Richard Findlay / William Wardman
...away wintering to reduce fixed costs
Richard Findlay runs 170 suckler cows at Quarry Farm in Westerdale, whilst his farming partner William Wardman winters his commercial cattle at nearby Redcar Farm.
The need for significant investment in farm buildings was the limiting factor stopping Richard from expanding his cow numbers. Away wintering his cows with William has given Richard the opportunity to increase his herd size and also look at other ways in which they can work together.
Key learning points
The partnership has allowed Richard to double his cow numbers and reduce costs from decreased machinery depreciation and fuel charges. This growth has been achieved whilst controlling fixed costs thus reducing his fixed costs per unit produced.
Richard has also benefited from greater spare time to devote to his family, to improving the natural environment and landscape on his farm and to consider additional business enterprises.
Income streams from Agri-environmental schemes and a new venture producing honey now make a valuable contribution to the business.
William has benefited from reduced unit costs by making better use of farm buildings and labour at Redcar Farm. He has achieving greater economies of scale in bulk purchasing of inputs such as feed and medicines.
Richard and William have known each other for 18 years. There is no formal agreement between them - the relationship is based purely upon trust.
The success of this arrangement has now prompted them to look at other ways they could collaboration to reduce costs.
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