Outsourcing of General Contract Work
Over recent years the number of dairy farmers has decreased while the average herd size has increased. Dairy farmers are now looking after many more cows per labour unit than in previous generations. At the same time agricultural machinery has become much more expensive. This makes contracting of machinery work an attractive option for dairy farmers.
The farmer generally has a relationship with one main contractor (although other contractors may be used for more specialist operations).
The main tasks carried out by contractors are: Silage making (mowing, tedding, raking, harvesting and ensiling). Some farmers may do some of these operations themselves (most likely mowing)., Spreading of organic manures., Tillage work (e.g. ploughing, soil cultivation and sowing of grass reseeds and forage crops)., Application of plant protection products., Hedge cutting., Land maintenance and improvements (digger work).
Contractors can justify and afford much larger and more advanced machinery than the farmer, meaning that these tasks are completed faster and more efficiently that the farmer could with his own machinery.
It is vital that the farmer and the contractor maintain good and respectful communications.
Agree rates in advance and whether the contractor will use his own fuel or the farmer’s fuel.
The advantage of contracting is that it does not require investment by the farmer.
Contractors will tend to have much larger machines so the farmer may need to improve turn
Resilience for Dairy
Completed | 2021-2024
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, Slovenia, Netherlands, Northern Ireland