A SURVEY which reviews and assesses the performances of shoots across the UK is now open for submission.
The 2018/19 Game and Conservation Benchmarking Survey, organised by Savills and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), compares a shoot’s operation against similar shoots and highlights the areas in need of improvement and refinement.
In return for completing the survey by 24th May 2019 (the deadline), contributors will receive a detailed report only available to participants, with benchmark figures for small, medium and large-sized shoots.
Past participants in our free shoot benchmarking exercise have successfully used their reports to revise their charges and control their costs.
The report allows them to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses in their performance against the ‘benchmark’, so corrective action can be taken if needed. It can answer questions such as: Are your poult or feed costs too high or charge rates per bird too low? Are your permanent and casual staff rates of pay competitive to attract the best people? How do your percentage returns for the season compare against other shoots?
The 2017/18 Benchmarking Survey was based on 130 shoots in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. They shot over 2,900 days in the 2017/18 season, put down more than 1.6 million birds and employed more than 200 staff, generating a turnover in excess of £15 million.
Some of the key findings from last year’s survey include;
Cost per bird put down - £12.41
Price charged per partridge shot - £35.81
Beat keeper’s average pay - £17,600
Each participating shoot receives a detailed report from Savills’ research team. It is totally confidential, and no shoot is identifiable in the published results.
“I would encourage as many shoots as possible to take part in our free game and conservation benchmarking exercise – regardless of their size and commerciality. Our bespoke reports, which each participant receives, will clearly show where shoots are over or under performing against their peers - appropriate corrective action can then be taken, which is especially important given the increasing financial pressures which most shoots now have to operate under,” said Savills director David Steel.
Roger Draycott, GWCT head of advisory services, said: “The Game and Conservation Benchmarking survey also collects a lot of useful information about the environmental work that shoots are involved with. As rearing and releasing attracts more criticism, the collection and analysis of these data take on greater importance.”
Anyone wishing to complete this survey should visit https://www.gwct.org.uk/game/game-and-conservation-benchmarking-survey/
For more information, contact David Steel on dsteel@savills.com or call 01904 617 814.
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk