Finding a partner

It is vital to chose partners with a similar mindset, who are flexible and trustworthy and who are willing to offer a high level of commitment to the partnership. The number and size of farming partners is also important; they do not necessarily have to be the same, but it is important to ensure sufficient economies of scale are achieved and the business structures and objectives are compatible.

It may be that you already know of a potential partner. If not, there are several ways of breaking the ice and taking the first positive steps towards finding one. Getting in contact with neighbouring farmers is a good place to start. This is how one of the partners at the Lowbrook Farm case study example joined the partnership.

Alternatively your bank manager, accountant, vet, farm consultant, feed representative, farmer discussion group or local farmer controlled businesses, may also be able to recommend farmers who are also looking to collaborate. Alternatively you could try advertising in local, regional or national press.

It is essential to assess the geographical distance between your farm and those of prospective partners. It would not be practical to share machinery and equipment with anther farm too far away from your own.

Finally before approaching other farmers it is important to understand what you aim to achieve out of the partnership, whether it be to reduce your production costs, supply into a new market or to allow yourself with additional time to develop other interests off the farm. This would allow you to look for a partner whose objectives match your own.

Once you have identified a person or persons you think you could share with, it is important to ensure that their personal and business objectives tie in with your own.