Landowners must cut tenant farmers some slack at this difficult time
Tillage farmers in particular need reduced rental rates and perhaps deferred payment dates as they face into a tough year – otherwise landowners risk killing the goose that laid the golden egg
The weather is making this year particularly hard for farmers across all sectors. Photo: Andy Gibson
The viability of most tillage farms, and many dairy and beef farms, relies on rented or leased lands, because of economy of scale.
Scale costs money and requires larger machines and farmyard facilities. When those investments are made, the farmer becomes locked into continuing to farm the increased land area.
