Author Archives: Becky Wilson

End of Year Director’s Message from Dawn Wilson: The Journey to Sustainable Farming

The forthcoming year on the farm for the 2024 harvest is looking to be another tricky one following on the back of a poor 2023 harvest year, hot on the heals of a record-breaking harvest in 2022, due to exceptionally high commodity prices caused by the war in Ukraine. The current volatility of commodity prices and higher costs together with more extreme weather conditions of wet and dry periods is making arable farming very difficult to budget for with any certainty. The basic payment we get annually from the government as a subsidy to allow us to break even in bad years, is reducing substantially each year aiming towards zero payment by 2028. 

Sustainable farming initiatives

To some extent we are compensating for this loss of income through the countryside Steward ship scheme payments and now the Sustainable Farming incentive another recently introduced environmental scheme by the government as part of their policy of public funds for public good both of which we have signed up for. This requires a lot more input on behalf of the farmer encouraging a change in the way we farm to be more sustainably friendly and to encourage us to use natural capital assets such as soil to improve the organic matter in it by farming in a regenerative way in order to sequester greater quantities of carbon, also to look at planting more woodlands to soak up carbon & create environmental habitats in areas on the farm to counteract natural habitat areas destroyed by property developers. All this will help towards our national journey to meet net zero by 2050 and these are topics we are actively looking into.

Natural Capital

I fully support this policy, but the transitional period is difficult for us to keep the business profitable, as before we can benefit from the additional income streams like selling carbon credits or benefitting from biodiversity net gain deals for part of our land, there are sizeable setting up costs for these projects when our overall income from combinable crops is reducing. It is all potentially very exciting these new income streams but it is all new & pioneering for landowners to go into with no certainty at these early stages that the income levels being quoted to us in the industry will be achievable, so the down side to these new markets need to be properly considered alongside the tempting high returns! We also need to ensure that we get our farming business to net zero in addition to selling the carbon credits, so lots to think about & further research.

We will be installing 15 leaky barriers this winter in our ditch/small stream that runs down through our farm at Pickwell to slow down the flow of water during torrential rain periods so acting as a flood mitigation project for the village of Whissendine downstream. This is being done in partnership with The Trent Rivers Trust. The wood for these barriers will be supplied off the farm from thinning’s of Ash taken from one of our woods.

We will also be planting over a km of new hedges on the farm & planting 55 hedgerow trees during the next 12 months.

The future of farming

So, the future on the farm is undergoing a big change with more emphasis on farming in a more environmentally friendly way, reducing our input costs which makes economic sense as well as better for our climate.  We are restructuring our two farms, which make up the wider estate, to accommodate the new emphasis on producing income from natural capital & trying at the same time to introduce a bit more certainty to our cash flow with letting out one of the farms. So, it is a BIG year for this side of the business which I am approaching with a mixture of trepidation & excitement!

Dawn Wilson
Director

dawn@burroughcourt.com

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End of Year Director’s Message from Fred Wilson: A Hopeful Look to 2024

Looking ahead to 2024 with unwavering optimism, it’s only natural that we reflect on the year that has passed, especially with the exciting additions that have enriched our community.

In stark contrast to the uncertainty of the past, we find ourselves in a time filled with abundant reasons to celebrate. The only bubbles on our minds are the ones found in our favourite beverages, not the ones that used to define our social circles!

Natural world publicity

We’ve witnessed a remarkable connection with the natural world, with shows like Clarkson’s Farm and the mesmerizing narratives of David Attenborough guiding us towards more informed choices. But that’s not all! The arrival of The Larder at Burrough Court, the sister cafe to The Larder in Oakham. This addition takes our catering offering up a level, treating our community to even more culinary delights and putting us on the local map.

Resilience from recession

Contrary to the media’s gloomy predictions, we stand resilient and far from a recession. Forward-thinking businesses have boldly charted their paths, demonstrating unwavering commitment to a brighter future. It’s as though the long-awaited changes, previously simmering on the backburner, have finally found their moment to shine.

Hybrid working model

The concept of working from home has evolved into something more enchanting – a hybrid model that seeks “premises with benefits.” Businesses are increasingly drawn to commercial spaces that offer not just functionality but a profound sense of place, with a strong focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

At our business park, the sense of community, both big and small ‘c’, is palpable. People greet each other with warm hellos, share their time generously, and embrace a true neighbourhood spirit. And now, we’re excited to introduce Paws in the Park at Burrough Court – a 2-acre secure dog field where people can exercise their dogs with total peace of mind. It’s yet another way we’re fostering a sense of belonging and community within our grounds.

Full commercial occupancy

Moreover, as we toast to a very happy and healthy New Year, we are overjoyed to share that we’ve achieved full occupancy across our commercial properties. It’s a testament to the vibrant and thriving environment we’ve cultivated here at Burrough Court, where businesses find their perfect home and flourish.

With the echoes of Brexit and the pandemic slowly fading into the past, the present feels comfortably stable and sustainable. The whispers of an impending election may arise, but they are overshadowed by those who believe that commercial life persists, resilient in the face of political complexities.

A hopeful look to 2024

In 2024, we anticipate a future filled with hope, even as external support appears to wane. Particularly in the East Midlands economy, the outlook for our services shines bright. We can only hope that more will share the sentiment expressed earlier this year: “Why work from home when you can work at Burrough Court? I love it here!” It’s truly heartwarming to witness customers forming emotional connections with commercial property – a sentiment we could not have anticipated!

As we raise our glasses to a joyful and healthy New Year, we eagerly welcome the possibilities that 2024 holds. Cheers to an extraordinary year ahead, filled with the delicious offerings from The Larder, the joyful playtime at Paws in the Park, and our commercial properties buzzing with vibrant businesses!

Fred Wilson
Director

fred@burroughcourt.com

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