Featuring in the Farming Matters section of Farmers Guardian on Friday 6th February, Fevara CEO Joshua Hoopes shares his perspective on the resilience of UK food production and the challenges facing livestock farmers.
“It is no surprise to me that confidence is being tested on farms across the country. The uncertainty of climbing costs, unpredictable seasons and shifting markets is impacting day to day farm life as well as chipping away at the resilience of UK food production.
Against this backdrop, the Farming Profitability Review led by Baroness Minette Batters has reinforced what farmers already know: resilience is only possible when there is profitability. This is particularly relevant in the livestock sector, which often faces the greatest pressures when it comes to on-farm margins.
Livestock farming also underpins rural jobs and businesses, keeping land productive in a way that fits much of the country. About 58 per cent of the food we consume is home-producedi, and that home-grown capability matters more when the world feels less predictable.
Grass is the quiet constant in all of this. It’s the most common ‘crop’ on farms across the UK, accounting for 71 per cent of all utilised agricultural areaii. We know UK farmers are very good at growing grass, and this is the backbone of the ruminant sector.
Being able to turn grass into high-quality protein, farm income and environmental benefits is a superpower our farmers have and one of the sector’s greatest strengths. Protecting and improving effective grazing systems on farm is central to both profitability and sustainability.
Profitability
The market picture, though, is full of contradictions. On paper, the demand and value are there: beef prices, for example, rose by 27 per cent in 2025, adding about £1.1 billion in revenueiii.
Yet the frustrating truth is that strong prices do not always translate into strong margins or the confidence for farmers to invest, and that is where the pressure really shows.
In 2023–24, a third of farms made a lossiv and while support schemes and environmental payments can play a role, they are not reliable enough to sustain long-term planning. Set that uncertainty against higher input costs and it is easy to see why many farmers feel they are running flat out just to stand still.
Agri businesses
That’s why I think farmers are justified in expecting more of the supply chain. In an uncertain market, farmers need businesses they can rely on, who are transparent and consistent through the good and bad.
Suppliers also need to understand that farm profit is built on the day-to-day controllables, and managing livestock nutrition at grass is a good example of how that plays out in practice.
When margins are tight, the aim is not to spend more but to get more from what you already have. Improving forage utilisation and getting more output from grass, is often the most efficient way to maximise performance and protect margins for farms.
All of this is why I believe specialism matters more than ever. When the outlook is uncertain, broad promises from businesses can feel thin. Farmers are best served by advice, products and services grounded in evidence, practical understanding and a clear appreciation of how UK livestock systems actually work.
That is why we have made business changes to just focus on agriculture and nutrition that supports sustainable farming. And while our name has changed from Carrs Group to Fevara, we remain committed to showing up consistently for UK livestock farmers, particularly in a period where certainty has been hard to come by. Farmers can expect continuity from our established brands, like Crystalyx, that they already rely on.
If UK food production is to remain resilient, confidence has to be rebuilt at farm level. That will require steadier economics, more predictable policy frameworks, and a supply chain that behaves as a partner, rather than another source of uncertainty.”
“If UK food production is to remain resilient, confidence has to be rebuilt at farm level.”
