Are 3-year farming agreements fit for purpose in 2026? Drawing on both his practical experience and insights from AF Members, AF Chief Agricultural Officer John Barrett considers whether these arrangements still serve the needs of modern farming, or whether the status quo must be challenged to support long-term viability and profitability across the rural landscape.
“Listening recently to Minette Batters talk about the investments she has been able to make to grow and develop her own lifetime tenancy made me question ‘how viable is it to invest under a short-term agreement?’
“With an estimated 468,000 hectares now farmed under “other agreements”, including contract farming agreements (CFAs), according to Defra in 2025, this is not a niche issue. If meaningful investment isn’t possible, how can a farming business genuinely succeed and thrive?”