The Red Meat Benchmarking deadline is fast approaching and we encourage you to complete the online questionnaire as soon as possible, or you could miss out on £1,000 and a bespoke assessment of your own business data.
Red Meat Benchmarking is being delivered by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) with support from Farming Connect, and eligible businesses have until 10 December to complete the online questionnaire.
But before you begin, you must meet specific eligibility criteria, including registering your business with Farming Connect. You must be registered in order to gain access to the system and begin recording your data.
It is important to note that the Farming Connect Service Centre is not open at weekends, so you must begin the process immediately to avoid any potential barriers such as difficulties logging in. We urge you not to leave it until the last minute.
If you are not registered or need help logging into the questionnaire, contact the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000813 or e-mailfarmingconnect@menterabusnes.co.uk. All other queries on this project can be directed to HCC on 01970 625050.
Eirwen Williams, director of rural programmes with Menter a Busnes, who delivers Farming Connect, said: “Red Meat Benchmarking is your opportunity to gain a better understanding of how your business is performing and help to create a strong and confident red meat sector for future generations.”
It is available to 2,000 businesses who keep sheep and suckler cows, but please ensure that you are aware of the number of animals needed to be able to participate. Remember also that participation is on a first come, first served basis. You will need to complete an online questionnaire in order to submit financial and physical details about your farm.
John Richards, industry development manager at HCC said: “This is a red meat producer’s opportunity to increase their understanding of their costs of production and the performance of their farm business. With Brexit just around the corner, it is crucially important that our businesses are financially fit.
“There will be direct benefits for farmers who take time to participate in the project; not only will they receive £1,000 but they will also be armed with knowledge to make informed changes to their businesses, leading to improved productivity and efficiency. This could result in more confident and competitive businesses in the future.”
