 An Arable Business Group is a group of growers that want to:
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Improve Business Management skills
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Understand costs of production
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Investigate pricing strategies
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Share information
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Focus on relevant issues affecting their business
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Make efficient use of industry experts
Arable Business Groups often consist of existing agronomy or discussion groups that want to benefit from using Business Management tools. Alternatively if you want to set up a new group, this is also possible.
Being part of an HGCA Arable Business Group will give you, the grower access to CropBench. This will be the initial focus of your group meetings and will allow you to make confidential cost comparisons to group, regional and national data.
Groups can benefit from free expert advice on topics raised by the CropBench exercise. Group meetings will give you the opportunity to discuss issues with other members of the group, which will enable individuals to learn from each other.
As an HGCA Arable Business Group you will also have access to group sessions covering marketing issues relevant to your group and Price Risk Management training. Groups choosing to take advantage of this training will recieve a specically tailored workshop to meet the needs of the group and to consider individual circumstances.
 Each Arable Business Group is required to have a group facilitator / chairperson. The group facilitator has a number of key roles to play, which include:
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Bring the group together for meetings
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Set goals for the group prior to the next meeting
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Liaise with the HGCA regarding topics to be addressed using outside speakers
The role of the facilitator is usually taken on by a key member of the group whether it be an agronomist, consultant or a grower member.
Each facilitator is required to download and complete the Arable Business Group Feedback Form after each group meeting. This enables HGCA to ensure groups receive relevant and useful training and information. The feedback form should than be send to harm.dewilde@hgca.com
Click below to download the Arable Business Group Feedback Form.
Arable Business Group Feedback Form  (322kb)
Groups who wish to register as an Arable Business Group and should phone 020 7520 3964 or email cropbench@hgca.com along with the group name, members list and contact details. Following registration a representative from HGCA can come talk to the group about what is involved.
For further information on Arable Business Groups please see the grower and facilitator guides below.
Arable Business Groups: Growers Guide  (1125kb)
Arable Business Groups: Facilitator guide (951kb) | 
