Initial situation
The increasing networking of markets requires more information, for example when assessing the competitiveness of farms and locations in different regions or with regard to the effects of changing economic, technological and political conditions on farms, farm structures and agricultural production. However, due to the different definitions of key figures and the methods used, international calculations are often difficult or impossible to compare. For this purpose, international networks have been established in which experts from the fields of science, consulting and practice work together on the basis of standardized methods, thus enabling international comparisons of profitability.
Objective
The aim of this project is to collect and prepare data for international farm comparisons (concept of typical farms), to discuss the results in an international context and to contribute to the methodological and organizational development of the concepts of the two international networks IFCN (International Farm Comparison Network) and agri-benchmark (for cash crops). This means, among other things, to collect, plausibilize and provide Austria-specific data according to the specifications of the project management. Subsequently, the existing data sources are to be used for own scientific work, for example in the context of production cost comparisons. In addition, the networks offer a platform for professional exchange and points of contact for further research work and research cooperation.
Status of the project
The Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics and Mountain Farming has been part of the IFCN network for milk production for several years and was thus one of more than 40 scientific partner institutes in 2023. In 2023, data was also collected on selected dairy farms using a standardized questionnaire and the data collected was checked for plausibility and discussed with experts. The evaluation of the transmitted data was carried out uniformly by the IFCN central office using the TIPI-CAL farm model. In addition, the IFCN network submits a questionnaire every year regarding the development of important sector-specific data, which must be completed. The evaluation results were also discussed at the IFCN annual conference in Berlin and form the basis of the annual IFCN Dairy Report. In 2023, the annual conference took place from June 10 to 13 in Riga/Latvia on the topic of "Energy Crisis in Dairy: Challange or Opportunity?". Online webinars on specific topics or countries are held at regular intervals. On March 29, 2023, the BAB hosted a webinar; the presentation "Dairy farming in Austria - Insights from an economic perspective" focused on the presentation of Austrian milk production from an economic perspective.
As part of the agri-benchmark network led by the Thünen Institute, data was once again collected for a typical farm in Austria's drylands in 2023. The aim was to comply with the network's specifications both in terms of the selection process for typical farms and the key figures to be collected. The Thünen Institute provides a program based on MS Access for uniform data collection. Based on various data sources (e.g. working groups, expert surveys), the typical farm of the previous year was used as a basis and the data was updated or compared with official statistics. Following a plausibility check of the results, the data will be transferred and entered into the network's database in spring 2023. The annual conference took place between June 18 and 24 in Naivasha, Kenya. In addition to the network's evaluation results, the discussion focused on current developments and strategic challenges in global cash crop production.
Work 2024
For 2024, the IFCN network is again planning to collect farm data on selected farms. This data will be collected in the first quarter, coordinated with consultants, checked for plausibility and entered into the network's data pool. Participation in the annual IFCN conference is also planned for 2024. The 2024 conference is expected to take place in Japan. The offer to participate in workshops and webinars will also be used again.
With regard to the agri-benchmark network, it is planned to define a wetland farm in addition to the dryland farm, collect data and enter it into the joint database. This project was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim is also to use the network data for various analyses and to publish specialist articles. Once again, participation in the annual conference and specialist workshops is planned.
