Whole Farm Plan

You can receive confidential technical advice and business planning on a wide range of issues from our approved list of mentors.  

Simply choose the options you want to meet your specific requirements including for example:

• Feeding and breeding for improved performance
• Reducing feed costs by growing more grass or supplementary crops
• Making better use of fertiliser and farm manures
• Improving animal health  
• Financial planning to forecast cashflow and profit
• Environmental protection and enhancement
• Succession planning
• Farm diversification
• Woodland management
• Energy conservation and generation
• Climate change

Invest in a Whole Farm Plan – run your business more efficiently

Working with your mentor, you will produce a comprehensive business plan which will include a summary of recommendations along with a set timescale for their achievement.  

Our Farming Connect Regional Co-ordinators will be on hand to guide you through the process.  You can have up to five days subsidised support towards the Whole Farm Plan.  

You can also have an extra three days for diversification support.  This support would involve help with a new business venture on your farm or forestry business such as a farm shop or holiday cottage.  We can help you create a marketing plan, create detailed financial forecasts and give you advice and support on regulations and legislation.

Contact your Farming Connect Regional Co-ordinator for more information:

Mid and South East Wales

Gwenan Ellis:
Telephone no: 07866 547894 
Email: gwenan.ellis@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: Montgomeryshire

Deian Thomas:
Telephone no: 07772 694952 
Email: deian.thomas@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: South East and Valleys

Chris Davies:
Telephone no: 07917 895255 
Email: chris.davies@lantra.co.uk

Geographical Area: Brecknock and Radnorshire

North Wales

Elliw Evans:
Telephone no: 07772 694116  
Email: elliw.evans@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: Pen Llyn - Gwynedd

Guto Owen:
Telephone no: 01248 672672  
Email: guto.owen@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: Ynys Mon, Eryri & Meirionnydd

Lowri Williams:
Telephone no: 07772 694098 
Email: lowri.williams@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: Wrexham and Flint

Eryl Roberts:
Telephone no: 07917 895253 
Email: eryl.roberts@lantra.co.uk

Geographical Area: Denbighshire and Conwy

South and West Wales

Rhodri Jones:
Telephone no: 01970 636286 
Email: rhodri.jones@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: North Ceredigion

Gareth Griffiths:
Telephone no: 07772 694112 
Email: gareth.griffiths@menterabusnes.co.uk

Geographical Area: Carmarthenshire

Sarah Lewis:
Telephone no: 07827 956765
Email: sarah.lewis@lantra.co.uk

Geographical Area: South Pembrokeshire

Dylan Sandbrook:
Telephone no: 07772 694958 
Email: dylan.sandbrook@menterabusunes.co.uk

Geographical Area: North Pembrokshire/South Ceredigion

Eligibility

The Whole Farm Plan service is open to all businesses registered with Farming Connect who meet the following criteria:

• a County Parish Holding (CPH) number;
• a Customer Reference Number (CRN) and;
• working in excess of 550 hours per year.  
• forestry businesses must have a current Better Woodland for Wales (BWW) number.  
   
  For the business to qualify for Young Entrant status:
   
  • At least one partner must be under the age of 40 at the date of application;
  • The business must meet 550 hours per year within three years;
  • The business must have a CPH and CRN

Joint venture / contract farming arrangements will be judged on a case by case basis.

All eligible businesses can apply for up to 80% funding towards a Whole Farm Plan

Businesses with Young Entrant status can also apply for up to 80%.

To register for the Whole Farm Plan service, please contact the Farming Connect Service Centre on  08456 000 813.

Farm Business Benchmarking

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has developed an on-line tool which you can use to benchmark your farm’s performance against similar farms based on results from the Farm Business Survey.  

This handy system allows you to compare your profit and loss account, gross margins, balance sheet and performance measures.  To access this system go to: Farm Business Survey - benchmark (external link)

You can also read the guidance on using this system from the link to the right of your screen.