'Made it Myself' projects that cut costs, increase efficiency
Soil+ Cover Cropping has over 120 pages featuring no-till methods used by experienced farmers
Is benchmarking and costing the answer?
Can they integrate the way-of-life of farming with hard business management?
Talks and Workshops
Editor Mike Donovan has been talking to audiences throughout his business career. In London with the Economist Intelligence Unit and Financial Tines, and more recently as founder editor of Practical Farm Ideas. As a journalist his aim is effective communication
Evening talks for farmers
Normally lasting around an hour but stretching longer with a keen audience. Ask for a quote.
Making a booking
Email the details to mike(a)farmideas(dot)co(dot)uk giving your possible dates. We will reply in a couple of days, so if you hear nothing, please try again.
Talks for agricultural college students
Younger audiences need a presentation which keeps up a good pace, and a contents that is understandable. When it comes to machinery many students benefit from some basic economics being included in the session. We also are keen to get over the 'soil story'.
Professional and motivational
Farming is on the cusp of a technical revolution which will have a major impact on suppliers of machinery, chemicals, finance. Agri-business needs to be aware of the challenges and opportunities, and understand how to embrace change, and major agri companies are invited to engage with Mike.
Workshops
There's often very little conferring at farming conferences. Workshops provide a greater opportunity for participants to find answers to difficulties.
Conferences
Mike is an experienced and lively conference chairman.
Speech writing
Fed up with the speech you have been giving audiences over the years? Too busy to find the time to write something fresh? Use the contact details below.
Reviews
From: Becky Willson
Subject: RE: FCCT Conference
HI Mike,
Thank you very much for chairing the day yesterday, you did a fab job and really
added to the day. I will of course keep you in mind for similar events and that subject
area is something that we are planning on running an event on in the near future.
Practical Farm Ideas is a great publication and hope that the sales continue to increase!
With kind regards, Becky
Hi Mike
Thank you so much for coming last night. It was great to meet you and the feedback on the talks has been fantastic. I hope you got back safe last night.
I will have a check with the venue regarding the box of cards and let you know. In the meantime, I would really like to keep in touch and hopefully meet up again.
Thanks once again for a fun and informative talk.
Best Wishes
Steven Jones BSc (Hons)
Business Development Director
Ballard Dale Syree Watson LLP
Contact: Mike Donovan, Practical Farm Ideas, 11 St Mary's St, Whitland, Carmarthen, SA34 0PY
Email mike@farmideas.co.uk or call/txt 07778 877514 or 01994 240978 so he can see if he can fit you into the diary.
ABOUT Mike Donovan
- Reading University: BSc (Hons) Agricultural Economics
- The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and editor Retail Business 1969 - 75
- Contributor: UNCTAD Conferences in London, Geneva, Madrid and Istanbul 1972 - 77
- Author: 'Consumerism' Encyclopaedia Britannica 1972


- Financial Times, London 1974 - 77
- Dairy farmer, West Wales 1977
- Winner: Bath & West Show Farmers Brainwaves 1991
- Created Practical Farm IDEAS magazine 1992
________________________________________________________________________________
2017:
Monday, August 7 BBC Farming Today (2nd part)
August 2 Cardigan Show: Sponsor of Commercial heifer class. click
October 1, BBC Radio Wales,
October 11, Gloucestershire Grassland Society Evening talk
October 30, Farm Safety Day, Stareton Hall, Stoneleigh Park
November 8 and 9 Farm Business Show, NEC Birmingham
November 15 Evening speech to BDSW Accountants, Worcester
November 22 Herefordshire Rural Business Hub
December 6 East Radnor Grassland Society
December 11 Huers Farm Discussion Group, Bodmin, Cornwall
2018:
February 13 Evening talk at Harborough Magna, Rugby
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