ANDREW Charlton is hitting the road to recruit beef, lamb and pigmeat producers into a benchmarking scheme that can have immediate benefits on the bottom line. Andrew has joined the Red Meat Industry Forum to roll out the Farm Financial Benchmarking project which is fully funded by a Defra grant. The scheme was piloted last year and there are already more than 200 participants.
The RMIF has a target of 2000 beef and sheep producers and 500 pig producers to be participating in the scheme by the end of 2005. Andrew is a part-time producer and is well experienced in working with farmer groups given his previous job as a senior supply chain advisor with the East of England Development Agency. His role is to be on the road meeting as many producers, producer groups and allied industry groups as possible to maximise recruitment into the benchmarking scheme which is open to beef and lamb producers in England and pork producers in Great Britain. He will have a key role in supporting the formation of farmer groups to use the benchmarking data to improve individual business returns. Andrew is currently setting up regional meetings for the SW of England, Yorkshire and East Anglia in conjunction with the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) and the British Pig Executive (BPEX).
He said: "I believe my experience will help me deal with farmers on a one to one basis as I am a producer myself and can see the potential benefits of benchmarking. "I believe the Forum's project is very worthwhile as I am convinced it will help producers see more profit for their work." He can be contacted by email, andrew_charlton@rmif.org.uk., or by telephone on 07973 701209.