Share farming and contract farming: key considerations
Please note that this guidance is intended to be used for general information purposes only, is not intended to be a definitive guide to the law and cannot be a substitute for independent advice. NFU members can obtain free initial legal and professional advice from NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.
Situations may arise where a landowner decides that they do not want to or are unable to work the land.
This could be because, for example, they want to reduce capital tied up in machinery or cut down on physical farm work. Alternatively, it could be that they want to expand without an ability or a requirement for large amounts of extra capital. Sometimes, it could be that there are new investors who want some involvement in and the tax advantages of land ownership, but who often do not have farming experience.
This business guide provides an explanation of the possible options of entering into either a share farming agreement or a contract farming agreement.