That was the message from the new senior team leading Norfolk-based agricultural purchasing group AF, in a year which has illustrated the significant financial challenges facing the industry.

This year's patchy harvest - with many arable yields hit by drought and heatwaves - is one example of the impact of factors ranging from extreme weather and volatile commodity prices to government policy upheaval and subsidy withdrawals.

To cope with this, collaboration and diversification are among the key strategies being promoted at AF, based in Honingham Thorpe outside Norwich.

Helen Whittle, chief executive of agricultural purchasing group AF, with chief agricultural officer John Barrett (Image: Chris Hill) Chief executive Helen Whittle was appointed in April after stepping up from her previous role........

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