project - Innovative project
Foresight Farming
Foresight Farming
Objectives
Foresight Farming is a benchmarking project which identifies opportunities to deliver quality and economic benefits by applying ‘lean management’ principles to existing data sets. The project has brought together two key approaches to help farming businesses in Scotland: 1. Fixed cost benchmarking and 2. Lean manufacturing tools. Benchmarking is a systematic approach to a business improvement where best practice is sought and implemented to improve the process beyond the benchmark. Lean Management or Lean Manufacturing is a methodology originally derived from the car manufacturing company Toyota, are principles that focus on minimising waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously maximising productivity, improving value to customers and continuous improvement. These approaches provide important tools for a strategic business decision, enable knowledge and innovative solutions to be shared and discussed.
Objectives
Foresight Farming is a benchmarking project which identifies opportunities to deliver quality and economic benefits by applying ‘lean management’ principles to existing data sets. The project has brought together two key approaches to help farming businesses in Scotland: 1. Fixed cost benchmarking and 2. Lean manufacturing tools. Benchmarking is a systematic approach to a business improvement where best practice is sought and implemented to improve the process beyond the benchmark. Lean Management or Lean Manufacturing is a methodology originally derived from the car manufacturing company Toyota, are principles that focus on minimising waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously maximising productivity, improving value to customers and continuous improvement. These approaches provide important tools for a strategic business decision, enable knowledge and innovative solutions to be shared and discussed.
Activities
The benchmarking process involved the comparison of actual farm businesses fixed costs. The first step of the project was to define and agree on the scope of the costings to be assessed. A series of engagement events were conducted by project partners/facilitators prior to data gathering to ensure members fully understand each cost heading and its implication as well as the methodology of data gathering. This also allowed members time outside their busy operation to collect the data as many conventional methods of collecting data are through business’ supplier invoices, which could be a lengthy process. The facilitators provided guidance of data gathering best practise, guided group discussions, stimulated ideas amongst members and seek innovative solutions. The facilitators also introduced lean principles and demonstrated success stories of adopting this best practice along with data gathering. In summary, the project held over 10 meetings across Scotland, with two on-farm demonstrations to help members understand the data best practice and lean management tools.
Activities
The benchmarking process involved the comparison of actual farm businesses fixed costs. The first step of the project was to define and agree on the scope of the costings to be assessed. A series of engagement events were conducted by project partners/facilitators prior to data gathering to ensure members fully understand each cost heading and its implication as well as the methodology of data gathering. This also allowed members time outside their busy operation to collect the data as many conventional methods of collecting data are through business’ supplier invoices, which could be a lengthy process. The facilitators provided guidance of data gathering best practise, guided group discussions, stimulated ideas amongst members and seek innovative solutions. The facilitators also introduced lean principles and demonstrated success stories of adopting this best practice along with data gathering. In summary, the project held over 10 meetings across Scotland, with two on-farm demonstrations to help members understand the data best practice and lean management tools.
Project details
- Main funding source
- Rural development 2014-2020
- Agricultural sectors
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- Cereals
- Other arable crops
- Protein crops
€ £95,880
Total budget
Total contributions including EU funding.
€ £95,880
EU contribution
Any type of EU funding.
Ressourcen
Contacts
Eric Anderson, Director, 01577 862759
Project coordinator
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Scottish Agronomy
Project coordinator
Project partners
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Scottish Agronomy
Project partner
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Urban Foresight
Project partner
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SAOS
Project partner
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EQ Accountants
Project partner
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Jane Craigie Marketing
Project partner