'Business succession has become more difficult'

Farm succession has never been easy. Today, however, it is more difficult than ever, especially for smaller companies. Almost the only way is to look for alternative crops or income. They know all about this at the Riepma family's arable farm in Middenmeer.

The Riepma partnership consists of Klaas (58) and Lian (53) Riepma and son Jits Riepma (24). Klaas and Lian took over the company from Klaas' father in 1990. At that time, there was still work for about 40 men on the approximately 2,5-hectare company. That is no longer the case for a long time now. Klaas Riepma currently works full-time at Eurofins Agro, as a district manager, and also runs the company together with his wife. She works in education for 3 days.

to expand
This is how it went for the Riepma's. At a certain point, the decision was made not to invest, but to expand the company. At that time, for example, the potatoes were left out of the building plan. "After I took over the company, we started looking at how we could keep the company profitable and we looked for a second branch. For example, we grew sprouts and dried flowers for a while. We also tried it with ostriches for a while," says Klaas Riepma .

Always want to farm
"We have always wanted to continue as farmers, especially because the farmer's blood has been in the family for generations," he continues. "Also because it later became clear that Jits, the only one of 4 children, wanted to continue as a farmer. But it is a challenge to keep a company of 40 hectares healthy. In 1998 I got the opportunity to work for Eurofins (then BLGG ) to go to work. It turned out to be a memorable year because of all the wetness. The potatoes stayed in the ground. Before that, we always said 'we'll get them out', but that was no longer possible after that year. BLGG also ran a falling behind, which made work available for me.”

“At first I worked there part-time, but that became more and more. On the one hand, this was because at a certain point we saw that this job offered security. It was a choice: either invest, for example in seed potato cultivation and soil, or keep the job. Ultimately, that resulted in the business being expanded.”

Job necessary
This means that the company now grows wheat, grass seed, sugar beet and onions. Part of the land is rented out for potatoes and bulbs. It also means that it is not easy for the intended successor Jits to take over the company. "I can't live off it as the company is now. I will have to look for something where I partly do other work and partly manage the company," says Jits. "An alternative cultivation, or a switch to organic cultivation, for example, could be an option. An advantage is that our company is a lease company, so I only have to buy the yard and the buildings."

Jits is currently still studying at Wageningen University. There he is involved in agrotechnology, something that has fascinated him from an early age. "I would therefore also like to do something with precision agriculture on the farm. However, that is difficult on a smaller farm. It can be scaled on a large farm, but for smaller companies it often means major investments. In the long run I would like to combine a job in precision agriculture with the company, so that I can use the company as a test farm."

Investing is difficult
Precision farming is an interest for Jits. He is often more progressive than his father in that respect. "An interest may cost money, but my father also wants to try to keep it profitable. He is a little more careful and applies the brakes. However, my father is certainly not against every change. For example, we have invested in a less turning tillage by buy a spader and sell the plow."

Another difference between Jits and his father is that Jits is more technical, while he has slightly less knowledge of the arable markets. "I think it's a great slogan that determining the right sales moment can sometimes yield more than producing a ton more. But, if you produce an extra ton and have the right sales moment, it's even better," says Jits.

Although Jits is not often on the farm because of the distance between Middenmeer and Wageningen, the company always keeps him busy. However, he and his parents agree that the takeover can wait for the time being. "My parents say: you are still young. Focus on your studies and it will come naturally. For me it is also a hurdle that I have not done something like the HAS. In Wageningen you are educated a bit more theoretically and not for practical business."

Arable farming is uncertain
Father Klaas recognizes that uncertainty. “I remember 30 years ago I said to my father: what shall we do? My father then said he didn't know it all. Experience is important, but as an arable farmer you remain dependent on, for example, the weather." The fact that Jits can now help out in part is nice, Riepma thinks. "He sees the work. And the 2 jobs that I combine sometimes feel like having 2 legs in 1 trouser leg." Lian Riepma also agrees that it is sometimes very busy. As the daughter of a bulb grower, she has always run the company together with Klaas. "Despite that it's busy, we're thankful we're still here."

The recent protests have not left the Riepmas cold. "As a sector, you should not just let them walk all over you. We support the campaigns. I visit many companies, and in recent months I have noticed that more and more younger farmers are doubting whether they want to continue. At first it was mainly the farmers without successor who were a bit older. Now also the younger farmers and that is also because of everything that comes at them from politics. The policy that is constantly changing does not make it easier for Jits to take over the company."

Harvest 2019 completed
The Riepma's already have all the products in the country at the moment. "We got the sugar beets off the land just in time. It was wet, but we are happy that we persevered and immediately sown the land afterwards, because it only got wetter after that," says Klaas.

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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