With the New Year comes a whole new list of “to dos” in 2015.
From a growing perspective I have a new site at Devereux farm that I want to establish. I have had a conversation with a German colleague suggesting that a high capital intensive site planted with Habego has produced 300 tons off 25 hectares in year 4. Clearly there are some variables to check out – numbers of plants per hectare. As ever harvesting is also an issue. If this is mechanically harvested then what are the costs of the machine/ or was the crop hand branch cut.
Costs of production are key in western Europe. We need to produce gross margin figures under different systems so that we can compare systems.
Cost brings on the subject of income. Sea buckthorn growing has costs and it is labour intensive. Like top fruit, it has a number of years of to mature before returning an income. These issues need to be considered and compared to a conventional crop such as wheat to establish the viability of the crop. Farmers as primary producers often have their income set against world prices regardless of costs of production. World prices distort value as labour costs vary. Markets and consumers also have different local demands. Consumer demand for quality is key. Tastes vary from country to country. Prices paid across the retail counter relate to market demand and development. All too often retail price seems to be detached from farm production costs. If sea buckthorn is to establish itself as a UK crop it needs to be viable to the grower. Short supply chains and direct contact with the consumer allows for an understanding of value – the value that the consumer is prepared to pay, against the costs of production. Sea buckthorn is not a volume production but heaven forbid the time when like milk, the income to farmers is below the cost of production.
Costs are an issue that I want to explore at our open day at Devereux farm on February 14th. Kirsten Jensen is coming over from Sweden as an organic sea buckthorn agronomist to provide information on practical issues. I want to explore the issues of which varieties might be best for the UK. Then there is the discussion as to what is sea buckthorn – a fruit that might compete against the red berry market, or can it establish itself on its health credentials.
If anyone reading this would like to come, email British Sea Buckthorn Co Ltd. – at my email address – cottonmist.eagle@virgin.net
Happy New Year