As well as rearing turkeys, the mixed farm has 360 hectares (900 acres) of arable land which is mainly used to grow wheat for Weetabix® breakfast cereal, milling wheat for Warburtons® bread, barley for Budweiser® lager and gluten-free oats for Glebe Farm.

From his years running the farm as well as a rural business diversification consultancy Antony has gained valuable experience on overcoming supply chain issues, the importance of technology in farming, and the path to sustainability through regenerative agriculture.

Like other businesses in the agriculture sector, Antony experienced significant challenges during the pandemic, particularly around the availability of spare parts for machinery, further worsened by the war in Ukraine. Reflecting on these difficulties, he highlights how businesses must take proactive measures to ensure operational stability in future.

“We’ve taken matters into our own hands rather than necessarily rely on others,” he shares. “If you know you’ve got something critical, you tend to hold it in stock yourself in order to create a buffer.”

This approach is crucial in an industry where supply chain disruptions can have far-reaching effects. In addition to maintaining key stock, Antony also points out that many of his customers have adopted similar strategies, taking control over their supply needs and relying less on external suppliers. This shift indicates a growing trend of self-reliance among businesses in agriculture.

Technology is playing an increasingly central role in modern farming. Antony is an advocate for integrating data-driven decision-making into farming practices, particularly when it comes to grain traceability and real-time data. His farm utilises "grain passports," which ensure traceability of crops from the field to the end consumer, providing an essential link in the supply chain for industries like bread-making.

However, he notes that industry-wide adoption of such technology has been slow compared to other industries where he’s seen more of a collaborative effort. Although the slow adoption of technology can be frustrating, Antony believes the benefits far outweigh the challenges, particularly when it comes to making data-driven decisions. For example, he recalls how his farm’s investment in John Deere technology revealed a drainage issue in one of their fields, which had gone unnoticed in previous years.

This allowed them to take timely remedial action and adjust planting schedules, improving crop yield despite weather-related challenges.

“We’re finding that we can utilise data more quickly. One big difference between our business and most manufacturing businesses is that our product cycles are once a year – the seasons tick by whether you’re ready or not. By utilising technology, it enables us to empirically drill down on those management decisions. We're working less on gut instinct and far more on data.”

Sustainability is a major focus for Antony, who has adopted regenerative agricultural practices at Moat Farm. “We are heavily invested in regenerative agriculture,” he says. “For those who don't understand the principles, it’s basically using plants instead of machinery.”

This transition to low-input, low-output farming has had profound effects on the farm’s operations. He emphasises the financial and environmental benefits, noting, “We are a net carbon sequester and are able to sell carbon certificates into the voluntary network. It's a significant financial contributor to the wellbeing of our business.”

While the benefits of regenerative agriculture are clear, Antony acknowledges that it can be challenging to implement these practices across a diverse team, particularly when working with individuals who may be accustomed to conventional farming methods. To help bridge this gap, he has created a local WhatsApp group for regenerative farmers to share knowledge and experiences, as well as a YouTube channel where he documents his own farming 

This is a critical issue for Antony’s business, as it is for many in the agricultural sector, which faces a significant labour shortage. He believes this challenge is rooted in outdated perceptions of farming, often seen as manual, low-skilled work. However, he emphasises that the industry is evolving, with technology and management playing a larger role. "Jeremy Clarkson has definitely raised the profile of the industry," Antony notes, referencing how the popular show has helped reshape the public's view of modern farming.

To address the talent gap, Antony's farm has long invested in training, initially focusing on Harper Adams University graduates for junior management roles. More recently, his business has expanded its focus to vocational training with local institutions like Berkshire College of Agriculture. This shift allows them to develop talent for more manual roles, offering opportunities for young people to grow within the industry. 

Ian Burrow, our Head of Agriculture, says: “Agriculture has a huge role to play in developing solutions to meet the UK’s climate goals. We think a sustainable, profitable and productive agricultural sector is possible, where productivity and sustainability are not mutually exclusive ambitions.

“We are grateful to farmers like Antony at Moat Farm for sharing their insight on how data, innovation, good leadership and diversification could help other businesses in the sector transition in line with net zero and improve biodiversity.”  

Antony’s top tips for running a sustainable and resilient agricultural business

Build self-reliance in supply chains

Relying too heavily on external suppliers can leave businesses vulnerable to disruptions. Keep critical supplies in stock and consider diversifying suppliers to mitigate risks.

Leverage technology for data-driven decisions

Invest in technologies that provide real-time insights into farm operations. Whether it's through precision farming equipment or traceability tools like grain passports, data is invaluable in optimising agricultural practices.

Consider regenerative farming practices

Sustainability should be a priority for any modern farming business. Regenerative agriculture not only improves soil health and crop quality but also offers new revenue streams through carbon credits.

Create a support network

Knowledge-sharing is essential, particularly when adopting new farming methods. Engage with other farmers, either through local groups or online platforms, to exchange ideas and learn from each other’s experiences.

Diversify for financial resilience

Antony’s strategy post-Brexit involved diversifying his farm's income streams, from agricultural production to commercial real estate. Consider exploring new ventures to increase financial stability.

Check out Antony’s YouTube channel 

By acting now to prioritise change, your business could be more ready to boost future resilience, meet market demand, reduce costs, or access capital. 

Find out about how we could support you.

For more insight on how to future-proof your business in the agriculture sector, visit our Fit for the future hub.

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