Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
However, as a result of several external and internal factors, including the financial
crisis and problems with the way that the collaborative model worked, from mid-2010
onwards, group activities declined. In March 2012, a new meeting was held, re-starting the
sequence of regular informal meetings and a number of new members joined whilst several
older members left.
Formalized machinery and labour sharing: Machinery rings in Scotland (UK)
The Scottish machinery rings developed on the basis of successful implementation of the
concept in other European countries, such as Germany and France. Facilitated by the
Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), machinery rings evolved from small-scale local
discussion groups and have become an established actor in the context of rural areas. The
first ring was established in the Scottish Borders in 1987 as a means for farmers to reduce
their fixed costs by sharing machinery and labour. Over the past 25 years, they have
broadened their membership (to include trades, commercial companies, other organizations,
and households) and evolved to include a range of additional functions, including training
provision, commodities trading and support for renewable energy development. There are
currently nine rings in existence across Scotland. Since they were established, membership
numbers have grown (and fallen) at different rates in different regions based on a variety of
factors, including increased awareness, introduction of new services and amalgamations/
expansions of area. Members interact with the machinery ring organization on a more or
less frequent basis as services are required or desired, predominantly by telephone or email.
Annual general meetings are held, providing members with an opportunity to interact with
the organization and the board.
Key features that contributed to the progression (and success) of machinery rings as an
emerging niche include specially developed computer software and early adoption of direct
debit technology. Both technological advancements brought increased ease and efficiency
to new transactions in the agriculture sector. Processes instituted by the rings have also
resulted in greater capacity for supply-demand relationships in agriculture to be managed in
a more strategic way at a regional level. Through creation of an extensive membership
base, and in some instances formalizing existing relationships between farmers, increased
formal collaboration has been an important societal process. Leadership by, and within the
rings, is also a significant contributing factor in the rings' progress, and includes good
management provided by staff, and strategic direction provided by boards of farmer
directors. A further defining factor in the success of machinery rings relates to providing a
mechanism for farmers to collaborate in a way that is ultimately voluntary (unlike other
forms of agricultural cooperatives in Scotland), so they can also retain a desired level of
independence and autonomy in their farm business.
While niche actors sought to introduce machinery rings to Scotland, there is no
suggestion that their intention was to initiate a regime-level transition at the outset and the
unpredictable nature of transition has entailed elements of success and failure during the 25
years since their introduction. Many of the seven 'lessons' Roep and Wiskerke (2004)
associate with stabilization can be related to machinery rings in Scotland and can often be
associated with their leaders' awareness and tenacity. For example, connections made by
machinery ring managers and board members with actors and processes in the wider
regime, are significant in terms of securing their position within it. Appreciation that
machinery rings are involved in a continuous process in terms of aligning strategies and
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