Building a Resilient Farm Business with Tom McVeigh

• In a year when neighbouring bean crops were hit by chocolate spot, the experimental SFI field remained unaffected, delivering a 1 tonne/hecatare yield advantage – worth around £10,000 if replicated across the farm.
• Soil health improved faster than expected. Within three years, soil in beetle banks showed markedly better structure and composition than adjacent conventionally managed soil.
• Grass encroachment from beetle banks was less of an issue than anticipated; instead, spray drift damaged bank vegetation, leaving bare patches where thistles and pioneer species established.
• Cereal yields in the SFI field were similar to conventional fields. However, with unfarmed headlands, cropped areas needed to achieve about 112% of conventional yields to break even – offering no clear financial advantage for cereals alone.
• Break crops performed noticeably better under the SFI system than cereals.
• By moving to low‑disturbance establishment with a direct drill, cover crops, and starter fertiliser, Tom preserved moisture in dry springs, and avoided multiple passes (saving labour, fuel, and reducing compaction).
• The key insight: ecological practices (less soil disturbance, more biology, more habitat) currently align strongly with cost-saving measures (fewer passes, lower inputs).
• Hazelnuts present strong potential as a resilient, high-value crop, particularly as climate pressures affect overseas competitors. Success depends on suitable varieties, scale and reliable supply.

Watch the video to find out more!