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Performance Analysis

In today’s challenging agricultural environment, shaped by volatile input costs, unpredictable weather and evolving market demands, understanding how your farm is performing is vital. Performance analysis helps identify what’s working, what needs attention and where improvements can be made.

At The Andersons Centre, we provide farmers with clear, independent insight to support long-term business resilience.

What Is Performance Analysis?

Performance analysis is a practical assessment of how your farm business is performing. It is not about overcomplicating things. It’s about using reliable, consistent information to support better decisions. It typically considers:
1

Financial returns (profitability, input costs, yields)


2

Operational efficiency (labour use, machinery hours, field timings)


3

Land and stock performance (crop quality, stocking density, animal health)


4

Benchmarking against your own past results or industry averages


Why It Matters

Farming has always required long-term thinking. But today’s pressures demand greater precision. Performance analysis can help:
A

Cut unnecessary costs and waste


B

Highlight weaker areas in the business


C

Plan investments more confidently


D

Support succession planning with evidence and clarity



A Sensible, Grounded Approach

The key to effective analysis is using accurate information that adds value to your business. Digital tools can help, but they must suit your system, skills and scale. Many farms benefit from simple records and observations, such as:

  • Comparing field yields year-on-year
  • Recording calving intervals and weights
  • Reviewing fuel and fertiliser usage by crop
  • Tracking monthly costs in a spreadsheet or ledger

For those open to adopting technology, tools such as farm management software can save time and provide valuable insights, provided they inform decision making and do not distract from focusing on the key principles of good agricultural management.

Good performance is about more than short-term results. It supports sound management and long-term stewardship, helping to ensure that the farm is in good shape for future generations.

Small changes can make a big difference to farm performance. Often, it begins with a clear look at where things stand. If you’re considering where efficiencies or improvements could be made, we’re happy to offer a no-obligation initial discussion to explore how we might help. Get in touch with The Andersons Centre to take the first step.

grass border with a chicken and cow sillouette

Key Contacts

Joe Scarratt

Partner & Head of Farm Business Consultancy

Qualifications & Experience
  • 2018 to date - Head of Farm Consultancy at The Andersons Centre
  • 2018 to date - Partner of The Andersons Centre
  • 2009 - 2018 – Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre
  • Delivers business advice to a wide range of farming businesses, focusing on the arable and dairy sectors
  • Oversees the operation of a number of Contract Farming Agreements across all sectors
  • Approved deliverer under DEFRA’s Farming Advice Service delivering group advice to farmers and agricultural professionals
  • Approved deliverer under the Welsh Assembly’s Farming Connect Scheme, delivering advice to farmers across Wales
  • Undertakes commissioned research projects
  • 2005 - 2009 – Harper Adams University College. First Class BSc Hons Business Management with Marketing. The course focused upon the agri-food industry
  • 2000 to Present – Working in and developing the family farming business. The farm is predominantly arable with a small beef enterprise
Areas of Expertise
  • Farming Joint Ventures and Contract Farming
  • Farm Business Management
  • Technical Farm Business Advice
  • Farm Strategy and Succession Planning
  • Farm Investment Appraisals and Loan Applications
  • Farm and Rural Grant Applications
  • Farm Business Tenancies
  • Farm Business Administration
  • Farming Connect (FC) accredited

Oliver Hall

Partner & Senior Farm Business Consultant

Qualifications & Experience
  • 2021 - Partner, The Andersons Centre
  • 2017- Senior Farm business consultant, The Andersons Centre
  • 2014 –ILM- Lean Management In Dairy Farming
  • 2010 - Co founder of Evolution Farming – Multi Site Pasture based dairy business
  • 2009-2010 – Farm business consultant, The Andersons Centre
  • 2008- Family farming partnership, West Yorkshire
  • 2005-2008 – The Royal Agricultural College – Bsc (Hons) Agriculture
Areas of Expertise
  • Farming Joint Ventures, Contract Farming and Share Farming
  • Farm Business Management and budgeting
  • Farm Strategy and Succession Planning
  • Farm Investment Appraisals and Loan Applications
  • Grassland management
  • Practical knowledge of farm management

Anna Bowen

Farm Business Consultant

Qualifications & Experience
  • February 2022 to Present Day – Farm Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre
  • Previously worked as a farm business consultant in West Wales
  • Contract farms a 300- cow spring block calving herd in Ceredigion
  • FACTS qualified
  • RoMS accredited mobility scorer
  • Approved Mastitis Control Plan and QuarterPro deliverer
  • 2021 Nuffield Scholar- “Can the UK improve the ethics of its dairy calf management whilst retaining profitability?”
  • 2019 Entrepreneurs in Dairying course
  • 2017 Richard John Memorial Trust Scholarship, studied the sustainability of the Australian dairy industry
  • 2016 MSc Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (Royal Agricultural College)
  • 2014 BSc (Hons) International Equine and Agricultural Management (Royal Agricultural College)
  • Fluent Welsh speaker
Areas of Expertise
  • Farm business consultancy and budgeting
  • Business reviews and strategic planning
  • Practical experience of farm management
  • Dairy farming, particularly spring block calving
  • Nutrient management planning (Farming Connect approved)
  • Herd health

Kerry Jerman

Farm Business Consultant

Qualifications & Experience
  • December 2014 – BIAC Rural and Agricultural Consultants Foundation Course
  • August 2013 to Present Day – Farm Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre
  • April 2013 – July 2013 - Lambing assistant and sheep worker for a local sheep and beef farmer
  • July 2012 – April 2013 - Assistant Dairy Herdsman on 450 cow herd near Hamilton, New Zealand
  • 2009 - 2012 – Aberystwyth University. 2:1 BSc Hons Agriculture with Business Studies. The course focused on the UK agricultural industry with business principles built in
  • 2006 to Present– Working in the family farming business. The farm is predominantly sheep along with a small suckler herd which sells offspring as forward stores
Areas of Expertise
  • Farm Consultancy
  • Farming Connect (FC) accredited

Edward Calcott

Farm Business Consultant

Qualifications & Experience
  • Joined The Andersons Centre in January 2019
  • BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management (2:1) Harper Adams University (2016 Graduate)
  • Part of the winning team for the Institute of Agricultural Management Farm Planner competition whilst at Harper Adams.
  • Placement year was spent with a large UK integrated poultry company. Time was spent on various breeder farms; the hatchery; and commercial farms for broiler chickens and turkeys.
  • Part of the 2017-18 NFU Poultry Industry Program (PIP).
  • A continued involvement with the mixed farming family business in Staffordshire. The farm enterprises include combinable crops, sucker cows, sheep and some agricultural contracting.
Areas of Expertise
  • Experience in most aspects of lowland agriculture including arable, beef, sheep, dairy and potatoes.
  • On-farm diversifications including direct sales; marketing and holiday lets.
  • Practical experience within the UK poultry sector, including layers, broilers, turkeys.
  • Business consultancy advice, budgeting and financial planning for agricultural, food and rural businesses.
  • Accounts analysis; investment appraisals; business reviews; strategic planning and enterprise costings.
  • Contract farming and joint ventures.
  • Practical knowledge of farm management.
  • BPS, grant applications and farm assurance.
  • Farming Connect (FC) accredited.

Amelia Rome

Farm Business Consultant

Qualifications & Experience
  • Joined The Andersons Centre in November 2020
  • BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management (2:1) Harper Adams University (2019 Graduate)
  • Placement year was spent with Andersons Northern in Edinburgh
  • Delegate at the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth 27th Agricultural Conference
  • A continued involvement with the family farm business in Cambridgeshire. The farm enterprises include combinable crops, sheep and beef
Areas of Expertise
  • Experience in most aspects of lowland agriculture, but specialising in arable systems
  • Practical knowledge of farm management
  • Farming Joint Ventures and Contract Farming
  • Technical Farm Business Advice
  • Farm Strategy and Succession Planning
  • Farm and Rural Grant Applications
  • Business consultancy advice, budgeting and financial planning for agricultural businesses
  • Accounts analysis; investment appraisals; business reviews; strategic planning and enterprise costings