More to farms than food

Wool leads the way as manufacturers turn to farmers for natural, renewable materials which can be used in a variety of industries.

THE search for cost-effective, alternative uses for agricultural commodities continues to reveal new opportunities. Once purely food producers, farmers are now open to alternative ideas. Supplying energy from crops or wind, or offering services such as leisure activities is widespread.

Once, only meat, milk or vegetables were considered, but anything goes now - turfgrass to biomass, from wormeries for composting to Christmas trees. Farmers are even getting into semi-industrial areas, with the search for natural, sustainable materials leading many manufacturers to farms.