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AG R I C U LT U R E A N D H A R N E S S R AC I N G

Forestry and renewable
energy driving growth

Major fluctuations in the market during the year, in combination with
emphasis on rationalisation, meant that Mellby Gård continued to work
for profitability and sustainability. New woodlands and investments in

renewable energy will drive the farm forward.

In 2019, Mellby Gård made the decision to conduct a major “We’re considering more investments in photovoltaic systems, on our
transformation in order to optimise operations and profitability. land as well as on buildings.”
This work continued in 2021, and as a result the farm discontinued
its multiplier production during the year, at the same time continuing Mellby Gård no longer grows grain of any kind, so this land can be
its annual production of about 17,000 pigs for slaughter and 200 used to set up more solar panels.
suckler cows. This was due to a need for major investments on the farm
and reduced profitability towards the end of 2021. MELLBY FREE FINISHES ON A HIGH
Mellby Free completed her final competition season in 2021, and she
“Both energy and feed have gone up massively in price over the year, did so with enormous success. She was way out in front in her last start
and we’ve been unable to compensate for this,” says Petter Beckman, at Solvalla, and she crossed the finish line several lengths ahead of
inspector at Mellby Gård Jordbruk. the other teams. In her career, Mellby Free has won more than SEK 10
million in prize money and she’s ranked as the ninth most successful
The last few years have been turbulent for the farm, with major mare of all time in terms of prize funds won – but now retirement and
fluctuations in the market, just as for many other businesses foals await her.
and industries. Demand was good in early 2021, but profitability
deteriorated significantly as feed and energy prices spiralled. “Mellby Free has really finished on top. We’re hoping now that
she can produce lots of fine foals, and she’ll be mated to the stallion
GROWTH WITH EMPHASIS ON FORESTS Calgary Games in spring 2022,” says Jan-Olov Alfredsson, harness
Extended forestry is part of the Mellby Gård strategy for growth. Its racing trainer at Mellby Gård.
objective is to have viable forest units. Forests adjacent to the farm’s
land in Skåne and Småland were acquired in 2021. Mellby Gård is focusing on breeding its own horses instead of buying
them. The stables are home to 77 horses – it’s not a huge facility, but
Timber prices remained stable throughout the year. Initiatives a lot of our horses win races. Mellby Free’s successes are like a quality
implemented and adverse weather conditions for the bark beetle hallmark for Mellby Gård.
meant that the infestation wasn’t as extensive as in previous years, and
the harvest was mainly on plan. “At Mellby Gård, we’ve chosen to go the hard way about things by
breeding our own horses. It can take a long time to produce good
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SUPPLY WITH horses that win prizes. But there is potential, that’s for sure. Mellby Jinx
SOLAR PANELS performed really well in 2021, winning SEK two million from nine starts.”
Mellby Gård is assessing opportunities for a sustainable transition
and how the farm can contribute to the circular cycle in its efforts to
optimise operations and profitability. The energy supply is one success
factor in this initiative. The farm invested in solar panels on one of its
buildings in 2021, and this now generates energy covering one-third
of the electricity needed by the unit. The farm is assessing further
investments in renewable energy.

Inspector Petter Beckman and harness
racing trainer Jan-Olov Alfredsson

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