Farming Editor
Arable farmers should assert themselves and ensure they are paid realistically for their grain, according to a Westcountry-based industry leader.
Mike Hambly, who farms near Callington in South East Cornwall, said a better balance in the chain would sow seeds for success.
He called for a "grain chain" that rewarded risk-takers and farmers who invested in the future.
Mr Hambly, who is the vice chairman of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) combinable crops board, was speaking yesterday at Cereals 2013, the major national event for arable farmers. Speaking at the conference that opened the show, he argued that, while extreme weather, politicians and merchants all had the ability to affect the grain chain, producers held the ultimate power because global demand for food would continue to rise, and said positive relationships were key to ensuring successful businesses.
"Who calls the shots in the grain chain?" he asked. "The extreme weather events we have witnessed in the last year, drought in America and flooding in the UK, has demonstrated just how vulnerable we are to Mother Nature.
"But while we cannot influence the weather, and we don't have enough of the market to make a significant impact on world prices, we can make sure that processors, food manufacturers and our grain merchants see us as important, valued producers.
"We need to cultivate those relationships, which will lead to greater opportunities to build our businesses.
"It's about getting a better balance in the chain that repays investments made, and risks taken."
His comments came following the release of statistics from an NFU member poll which revealed this year's wheat harvest is likely to be much smaller than last year, while short-term confidence among arable farmers was at a new low.
The poll showed the overall harvested area on the farms involved was on course to be almost 30% lower than in 2012, following on from official figures which showed that winter wheat planting area was 25% down. It came following a year of unprecedented extreme weather which battered crops.
In a separate NFU survey, 45% of arable farmers interviewed were less confident about the prospects facing their farm business in the next 12 months compared to last year.
Mr Hambly said: "Our poll is a snapshot, but it is extremely worrying. If this plays out nationally, we shall be below average production for the second year in a row.
"If the experts are to be believed and extreme weather is to become more frequent over the coming years, we must look at ways of supporting the industry. After lower volume and quality from the 2012 crop put pressure on cash flow and profitability, the signals we are getting indicate these difficulties will continue after 2013."