Farmers Club SUMMER 2017 • ISSUE 268
www.thefarmersclub.com
INSIDE Members on Brexit p6,7,10 New Zealand p8 Farm labour p10 St George’s lunch p11 Leadership project p12 Pinnacle award p14 Drones lift-off p16 VI/BCPC seminar p18 Under 30s innovate p21
INSERTS Annual Report & Accounts AGM luncheon Arable Brexit seminar Committee nominations Statoil tennis Summer shows
Defra’s Brexit perspectives Exclusive briefing on Defra vision for Club members p6
www.thefarmersclub.com for the latest Club news
Contents
Farmers Club Serving the farming industry for 175 years 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL Patron – Her Majesty The Queen
FRONT COVER Defra Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom attended the Club for an exclusive Brexit briefing and Q&A session with members. Photography: Tim Scrivener scrivphoto@btinternet.com www.agriphoto.com Disclaimer: The articles published in The Farmers Club Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of The Farmers Club. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in the magazine can be accepted by the publisher. Advertisements are included in good faith. All rights reserved.
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3 Chairman’s Comments
Response to ‘fake news’ concerning Restaurant’s Club table
4 Club News
Events aplenty, staff updates, and IT developments
6 Defra’s vision
From trade to animal welfare, and crop protection to support payments, Defra Secretary addresses it all at Club event
8 New Zealand insight
NZ Agriculture Minister takes a global view of farming
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10 Farm labour fears
Too little, too late is cause for workforce worries
11 St George’s luncheon
Admiral Sir Jock Slater delivers a rousing speech as a record 132 members and guests enjoy lunch in the Club
12 Farming leadership
Farmers Club Charitable Trust initiative boosts leadership skills across the farming industry
14 Pinnacle Award
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Enthusiastic, innovative and skilled – farm business management students offer hope for the future
16 Drones take off
Sponsored article considers the practical role of drone imaging in today’s crop production systems
18 Sustainable statistics
Farming figures highlight LEAF Marque’s success
18 Brexit arable seminar
Voluntary Initiative and British Crop Protection Council event to consider Brexit implications
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19 Chef ’s page
Food sourcing under scrutiny, plus Conference & Banqueting opportunities at the Club
20 Under 30s Spring Event
No-till expert shares soil management advice
21 Under 30s innovation Farming family’s ice-cream venture 22 Club Information and Contacts 02 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
Chairman’s Comments • Tim Bennett St Martin-in-the-Fields church for the concert. Lisbeth had procured amazing seats near the front and the Mozart programme was wonderful, particularly the requiem – a real favourite of mine. The event was well supported and enjoyed by all judging by the feedback.
Chairman’s Comments “When the weather is fine the Club Terrace is one of the best places in London and just one of the reasons why the Club is so popular.”
West Wales Tour Carmarthenshire in wonderful West Wales is the focus for a Club Tour of farming, food and cultural interest around the historic town of Llandeilo – 5-7 June 2017. Contact Administrator Anita Kaur administrator@ thefarmersclub.com 020 7930 3751
I AM writing this piece on the Terrace at the Club, with the sun shining, enjoying an afternoon cup of tea. When the weather is fine it is one of the best places in London and just one of the reasons why the Club is so popular. New Zealand insights My year as Chairman is proving busy, but enjoyable, and is going quickly. Since my last contribution to the Journal there have been many events in the Club, including the opportunity to hear the New Zealand Minister of Primary Industries the Honourable Nathan Guy. From a farming family himself he gave a talk and answered numerous questions, the latter inevitably focussed on agriculture policy after we leave the European Union. Nathan provided insight and realism about the challenges. But as you would expect from someone from a trading nation like New Zealand he talked about the opportunities too, including the potential for partnership with the UK, in developing and maintaining markets. He used the sheep industry as an example, where he thought collaboration, including exchanging good practice and developing products for the modern consumer, could enhance value for both countries. We were delighted to also welcome the new UK High Commissioner from New Zealand, particularly as he had only been in post for three days, together with a number of his officials who had been extremely helpful in arranging for the Minister to attend. I thank all who attended at relatively short notice, including a good representation from our thriving Under 30s. Great Club event Sue and I very much enjoyed the Club’s Mozart event, with dinner in the Club before walking to
Elusive TB vaccine In my capacity as Chair of CIEL, the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock, one of the four Agri-tech centres, I chaired the morning session of an excellent outlook conference at the AgriFood and Biosciences Institute in Northern Ireland recently. There was a large attendance, including John Henning, a fellow CIEL board and Farmers Club member from Northern Ireland. We listened to presentations on animal health, precision agriculture and delivering sustainable intensification. AFBI is investing in research and transferring knowledge to farmers in Northern Ireland as a key part of the supply chain in an economy where food production is very important. One question posed was: “We are improving animal health through rapid advances in science, and we can monitor nutrient requirement for land, including grassland, by GPS, but why is a vaccine for TB in cattle still elusive and seemingly years away?” Campbell Tweed, a friend since his time as President of the Ulster Farmers Union and also a Club committee member, took me on a tour of the area near his farm, which reinforced to me just how important farming still is to the local economy, despite a lot of diversification. Club at Summer Shows The show season is almost with us and I am looking forward to meeting members in all parts of the UK. Sue and I are also looking forward to welcoming Club members to Carmarthenshire in early June, when we have an interesting schedule lined up, based around the historic town of Llandeilo. At home the first swallow arrived on 11th of April. We are lucky to have large numbers return every year. I think the farm comes alive when the swallows return, and I love to see them, even though they obviously use our vehicles for target practice! The ground is drying up and the grass is growing well, with just enough rain falling – and the sun shining! I hope this pattern continues for the next few months, though I notice some parts of the country already need rain after a dry winter. The traditions of the Club are important; one of them is the “Club table” at breakfast, lunch and dinner, where members staying alone can join others if they wish to. I mention this, as I have had some communication suggesting this may be stopped. I can only describe this by using the new phrase that has emerged recently as “fake news”. I always try to sit at the Club table and will enjoy meeting members as usual as we maintain this popular tradition.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 03
Andrei Spence • Club News
Club News Club increasingly busy as CREST benefits felt
We have been very busy with events, including a trip to St Martin-in-the-Fields for Mozart’s Requiem, which was greatly enjoyed judging by the feedback. We hosted the Farmers Club Charitable Trust leadership initiative in the Farmers Suite (see p12), had an unexpected but hugely interesting opportunity to hear from the Hon Mr Nathan Guy, New Zealand Minister for Primary Industries, host the St George’s Day lunch with Admiral Slater, and judge and present the Pinnacle awards. And we just had time before Easter for the U30s Spring Dining evening. We are now looking forward to the full Summer programme, including the agricultural shows and associated dinners and receptions. This is in line with the Committee’s aspiration to continue (and expand where possible) to take the Club to the country. The receptions this year will start with a short talk from a guest speaker and a short update from me on Club matters. We already have some interesting speakers booked (see insert). Please support these events if you can, as they are a vital and important part of Club life. The Chairman is now fully into his stride and is very busy balancing the needs of his business, government commitments and other related interests, and his role as Club Chairman. He is very much looking forward to welcoming members to his part of West Wales in June (see back cover).
A vibrant pace continues at the Club in just about every way possible, writes Club Secretary Andrei Spence. Bedroom occupancy rates are above those expected, use of the Bar and Restaurant is at levels rarely seen for many years, and the number of functions we are catering for is increasing rapidly. This is a really exciting time for the Club and its use at this level is fantastic to see. In my humble view it fully vindicates your collective decision to improve the fabric, layout and potential uses of the Club through Project CREST. We have also completed the refurbishment of five bedrooms on the upper ground floor, which also included some unplanned, unwelcome, but absolutely essential re-wiring. I took the opportunity to re-design the layout of the linen and housekeeping store too, to create extra space for Angela and her team, and
04 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
the thousands of items of linen we use, but also to slightly expand our ability to launder small items of tableware/linen in-house. We have also presented and signed off the 2016 accounts, following audit by our accountants, and analysis by the Finance & General Purpose Committee (see Annual Report). The Club retains a strong and stable financial platform, despite many challenges, including rises in food inflation, building service charges and business rates. The Club has been able to add modestly to its investment portfolio, even after the significant use of cash-flow to fund Project CREST last year. This was due to very good results in the last three months of the year. It has given me a platform on which to develop plans to overhaul the Clubs’ increasingly outdated, and fragile, IT infrastructure.
As members ready themselves for perhaps the busiest time of the year, I hope to see as many of you as possible around the UK as we visit the showgrounds, but may I extend our hope for a good growing season, fair weather and the hope that as many of you as possible can come to the Club events around the UK and abroad, or seek some respite, enjoy sunshine on the Terrace and watch the Thames flowing effortlessly by here at the Club.
CLUB AGM The Farmers Club will hold its 175th Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 4th July at 12 noon in the Farmers Suite of the Club. All Club members are invited to attend. After the AGM a luncheon will be held in the Club, with Mr Terry Jones, NFU Director General as our guest speaker. Application form enclosed.
Club News • Andrei Spence
Recycling at the Club We have recently been asked what recycling we carry out at the Club. Whilst we are somewhat restricted by our “shared building” status and health and safety issues, our efforts include: • Kitchen oil collection for conversion to bio-fuel • Inverawe (fish supplier) sends a return bag with each order to return their packaging • Batteries collected and recycled • Electrical supplier collects all fluorescent and LED lamps • General unwanted items collected by recycling firm • Cardboard, bottles and all electrical items recycled by Whitehall Court • Waste paper used as scrap or printed double sided where possible • Shred It collect all unwanted paperwork • Large containers of some cleaning products used to re-fill smaller containers
Staff changes As happens every year the Club has seen some staff changes. We have been very keen to welcome our new IT Manager, Jesus Merchan Reina, after some time with the post vacant. Jesus has already set about rationalising what we have, appraising what we need, and planning for what we will have in the future, all designed to improve the efficient running of the Club by the staff for the benefit of members. As mentioned in a recent e-mail Newsletter the Club will also say farewell to Lisbeth Rune, who has been your Events Manager for the past four years. Many of you will know Lisbeth well, as you have shared many cultural, sporting and farming/agricultural trips around the UK and Europe together. We wish Lisbeth and her family well for her future, on her return home to Denmark. She will be handing over to Anita Kaur, Administrator and Under 30s Secretary.
Club Calendar See Events section of Club website (www.thefarmersclub.com) for more details, or contact Administrator Anita Kaur 020 7930 3557 extn 103 e-mail: administrator@thefarmersclub.com JUNE 2017 West Wales Visit Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th June Agriculture, horticulture and culture around Llandeilo. Contact Administrator Anita Kaur
West Wales Visit
Dinner at RBS Conference Centre Gogarburn, Edinburgh, 7pm for 7.30pm. Guest speaker, Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive, James Hutton Institute. Application form with Spring Journal
JULY 2017 Henley Royal Regatta Sunday 2nd July Highland Show Dinner
A quintessentially English summer’s day in Club pavilion beside the rowing. Application form with Spring Journal
AGM Luncheon Tuesday 4th July Lunch in Club with guest speaker Terry Jones, Director General NFU. Application form enclosed
Great Yorkshire Show Reception Tuesday 11th July Highland Henley Royal Show Regatta Dinner
Speaker Adam Bedford, NE Regional Director, NFU. Application form enclosed
Royal Welsh Show Reception Monday 24th July Speaker Aled Jones, Asst Chief Exec, RWAS. Application form enclosed
SEPTEMBER 2017 Westmorland Show Reception Thursday 14th September Royal Welsh Show
Alastair Wannop, High Sheriff of Cumbria. Application form enclosed
OCTOBER 2017 Harvest Festival Service Tuesday 10th October
Mr George Douglas It is with great regret that I have to inform members of the passing of Mr George Douglas on 15th March 2017. Mr Douglas had a long and illustrious association with the Club, being a committee member before becoming President and Chairman in 1991, and latterly as an Honorary member. Much respected and well known, he was a member here for 55 years. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Highland Show Dinner Wednesday 21st June
Trip to Portugal Monday 16th – Thursday 19th October Harvest Festival
Tour based in Oporto, taking in wine, food and farming. Contact Administrator Anita Kaur
DECEMBER 2017 Statoil Masters Tennis Friday 1st December Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall. Application form enclosed
Farmers Club 175th Anniversary Dinner Friday 8th December Trip to Portugal
Not yet open for booking
www.thefarmersclub.com • 05
Charles Abel • Farm policy Her mantra of Defra overseeing a UK growing more, selling more and exporting more, was reiterated, as well as being the first generation to leave the environment better than it found it. “I am also very clear about our ambition to give continuity to farmers, and am really proud that we secured the continuation of pillar one and good value pillar two scheme funding to 2020. I am absolutely committed to continuing to support UK farms, in a more selective, focused, productive way than in the past.”
Leadsom’s Defra vision Defra Secretary Andrea Leadsom spent over an hour with Farmers Club members discussing Brexit, and much more. Charles Abel reports and international members have their say on Brexit, here and on page 10
General Election 2017 Links to all the main party manifestos for the 8 June 2017 General Election, where comments on the possible shape of future UK farm policy can be found, are available at: www. thefarmersclub.com/ news
Scan QR code with smartphone QR reader to access on-line content
THE Farmers Club has a rich tradition of farming ministers and secretaries of state briefing members and this year was no exception, with Defra Secretary Andrea Leadsom spending over an hour discussing a broad range of issues with members at a special briefing in the Club’s new Farmers Suite. Breaking into a hectic pre-election schedule she updated members representing a wide cross-section of the industry on current Defra objectives, before fielding a whole gamut of questions and staying after to continue discussions over light refreshments. From the outset she was typically upbeat. “Defra is the 100% go-to place on Brexit, we are recruiting the brightest and best from across the country. Of all government departments Defra is the most prepared, the most fired up and the most talented project team to help with leaving the EU.” Department of EU implementation Over 80% of Defra policy was determined by the EU, making it effectively the department of EU implementation. Indeed, a quarter of all the EU law that would be rewritten as the UK left was within Defra’s remit, creating 40% of the Government’s total Brexit workload. “It’s a fascinating challenge, compared with doing what we’ve been told for decades. We now have a clean sheet of paper to define our own future.”
06 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
Five Defra priorities Her five priorities remained: trade, productivity and competitiveness, sustainability, promotion of the trusted British brand, and resilience. On trade she aspired to raising exports from £20bn in 2016 to £23bn by 2020. Whilst anxieties were expressed about trade negotiations she was optimistic that minister to minister negotiations would ensure a smooth transition. EU Commissioners may have a different view. But ministers in France, Germany and Poland, for example, all felt the same way, she said. Indeed, a smooth transition was a Defra priority. “There will be no cliff edges, on tariffs, quotas or subsidies.” She recognised that productivity demanded innovation, hence the £160m AgriTech research project. It also needed a skilled workforce. “I am absolutely committed to making sure the industry has the workforce it needs.”Defra had requested a full investigation by the Home Office to establish the sector’s true needs by the end of the year, she said, inviting further representation from the industry. On sustainability she said work on the natural capital provided by farmers was pivotal, and commended the pioneering work of some farmers already collaborating to deliver local wildlife and environmental benefits. Quality food Britain held an enviable reputation for food quality, and was ranked third in the world for animal welfare, often leading the EU, and Defra would maintain if not enhance that. “That’s because those standards matter and because they make us more competitive,” she asserted. “We will not import produce with lower standards or cut our own high standards.” “On bovine TB I am personally completely committed to our 25 year strategy. I have seen the incredible stress it causes to farmers and their animals and I am absolutely rock solid on this, and you can absolutely count on this government.” Asked when policies required to meet the needs of EU requirements like the Water Framework Directive would end, Ms Leadsom answered that the Great Repeal Bill was required first, to nationalise all EU directives, from 29 Mar 2019, and only then could work begin to look at a UK approach.
Farm policy • Charles Abel
Are we destined for a UK-only CAP Mk II? Let us not lose focus. The looming General Election, Brexit and Article 50 negotiations, however tough and uncertain, are just part of a bigger picture. Farming’s key challenge is what policy regime the UK puts in place. Six areas are worth considering: 1. Farm support payments: changing the basis of farm support will unleash turmoil for many. Disruptive policy change will very quickly crystallise crippling losses for many farmers, before longer term gains are available, yet alone realised. 2. International trade: the potential generosity of any new UK trade regime may not only embrace low tariffs, but also exclude numerous non-tariff measures, such as produce quality, agrochemical use and animal welfare. 3. Sustainability: this term litters policy conversations, yet its ambiguous meaning covers all things to all people – increased scale and intensity, higher environmental protection and conservation, or natural capital? A policy chasm could open as all sides use the same language to describe different things. 4. Geographic indicators: WTO rules could see mutual tariff-free trade in GI products between the EU and the UK flourish. But what of commodity products? For most farmers GIs
mean a continued shift of economic power from farm to food and drink manufacturers and retailers. 5. Productivity: the lynch pin of the policy debate; or maybe the poisoned chalice from which all will be forced to drink! How will farmers produce more, of higher quality, with fewer inputs, lower costs, and better used or even more capital? 6. Transition: ‘periods of implementation’ will be needed. Their nature and duration will perhaps be the most significant outcome of the Article 50 negotiations.
Further Brexit comment can be found on pages 8, 9 and 10, and at greater length at www. thefarmersclub.com/ news
It all points to the need for radical change to farming practices, and greater participation in ‘downstream’ activities, for better and more reliable farm-gate revenues. For some farmers, however, the question will simply be how to increase productivity without devoting even more hours of unpaid labour and unrecognised toil. The ultimate irony, of course, could be that CAP in the UK, doomed by the Brexit vote, returns under a final Article 50 deal, with the UK deploying its very own CAP Mk2… Howard Williams Farmers Club member, France
Fair trade? How can free trade agreements with major agricultural exporters like the USA, Canada, New Zealand or Australia help UK agricultural exports, and not result in lower cost imports of cereals, beef, lamb or dairy products? Bill Taylor Farmers Club member, Switzerland
Dear Editor, She said there would be no rowing back on climate change and renewable energy obligations, and the UK would continue to seek to provide global leadership. The issue of licensing crop protection products was less straightforward, given the need to access overseas markets. “But we will always be driven by the science not EU diktats.”
Mr. Deighton’s letter in the Spring issue does not represent the majority farmer, or more importantly, voter’s view. The majority want our laws to be made in the UK – we want to offer temporary work for workers world-wide and not rob the supplying country of its trained and essential workforce. 2020 was always an unknown crossroads for Rural Support and most efficient businesses should be planning for that time. We need to present a positive “non-whingeing” face of farming to the country.
On devolution no powers would be taken back, and more devolution was possible, but the bottom line of preserving internal markets was important. Similarly, Northern Ireland’s land border with the Irish Republic would be resolved. “We have the commitment, if not the means to deliver it just yet.”
David Steed Kent farmer and second generation lifetime Farmers Club Member • Letters to the Editor editor@thefarmersclub.com or post to 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL
www.thefarmersclub.com • 07
Charles Abel • Farm policy
Message from
NZ “With smartphones consumers will soon be at the farm gate, by simply scanning a bar code, pulling up details of a producer and their explanations of what they do.”
Mr Guy, whose dairy and beef family farm is near Palmerston North on New Zealand’s North Island, has held Ministerial responsibility for Primary Industries since 2009, including pastoral agriculture, horticulture, biosecurity and agricultural exports. He was accompanied by the very recently installed New Zealand High Commissioner, His Excellency The Right Honourable Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO, KStJ. On the day Prime Minister Theresa May triggered EU Brexit negotiations, through Article 50, Club Chairman Tim Bennett hoped members would hear useful tips, as UK farming looked for new ways of working after two generations of operating within the EU. Minister Guy did not disappoint. His inspiring vision of farming’s future within a global trading system was delivered with a cheerfully disarming self-deprecation. And beneath the pro-NZ gloss numerous comments resonated deeply with the UK farming audience. His over-arching message was that dramatic subsidy change could not only be survived, but would drive technical and marketing innovations that would transform the sector. Pursuing premium markets globally, with quality products and wellexplained provenance, was the key to profitability. He reflected on a two-year working holiday in the UK in the late 1980s, when he spent time near Paignton in Devon and also shearing sheep in Scotland, including black-faced rams with “horns like Honda handlebars”.
New Zealand Farm Minister Nathan Guy shared his thoughts on UK farming post-Brexit with Farmers Club members. Charles Abel reports from the exclusive briefing AN unexpected but hugely interesting opportunity for the Club to hear from the New Zealand Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon. Nathan Guy, recently emerged, with a vibrant group of members and guests enjoying a fascinating evening in the new Farmers Suite. The evening took the form of the Club’s increasingly popular Monday Evening Lecture series, with attendees meeting in the Hudson Room at 17.30 for tea and coffee, ahead of a lecture at 18.00 followed by a wide-ranging Q&A session until 19.00, with drinks and canapes after.
08 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
Smithfield market More strikingly he recollected a visit to Smithfield meat market at the time, where he saw carcases of NZ lamb stacked high on old-fashioned wooden gurneys. “When a carcase fell off, onto the sawdust covered concrete floor, I was fascinated to see what would happen. It was casually brushed off and returned to the gurney! How things have been transformed in a very short period of time.” Since New Zealand’s over-night plunge into subsidy-free farming in 1984 the country’s agriculture had also been transformed, and continued to change very rapidly, driven by a clearly articulated Government policy. “It’s 132 years since the first shipment of New Zealand frozen lamb to the UK. Back then New Zealand was the UK’s farm. The Common Market changed that, and then when subsidies came off almost over-night in 1984 it was a massive impact. But farmers didn’t all leave. One percent left the land by the late 1980s; we had anticipated 10%. And land values rebounded as it was seen that adding value to farm products was better than chasing volume.
Farm policy • Charles Abel “It was a really difficult period, and painful, but no-one would want to go back to how it was. Now we’re one of the most efficient producers of protein in the world and thirsty for new information.” But challenges continued, not least in securing trade agreements, addressing climate change issues and cutting farming’s impact on water quality. On the very day the UK triggered negotiations to quit the EU, Mr Guy had come from negotiating a free trade agreement to give New Zealand better access. It was one of just six members of the World Trade Organisation without such an agreement. 56 countries already had one.
He countered concerns about consumers demanding ever cheaper food, by noting that a global population of 9 billion would require 60-70% more food than now, and targeting the most affluent was the key. New Zealand, with a population of 4.5 million, and 350,000 involved in farming, fed 40 million people. But not any 40 million. The target was the 40 million most affluent. “With a growing middle class of 250 million in China we are very fortunate to have a free trade agreement there.”
Import tarrifs NZ farm products currently face EU import tariffs averaging 31%. But after years of work that looked set to end. He acknowledged the UK’s strong support for the process and noted that New Zealand aimed to secure free trade agreements for 90% of all its exports by 2030. It has reached 52% so far. US President Trump’s withdrawl from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (T-TIP) was a blow, but negotiations were on-going with the Gulf states, India and a better deal with China. “The UK says trade deals with Australia and New Zealand are early priorities, but that’s going to take a year or two to get started, because we can’t really negotiate until the UK’s position is clearer.” Mr Guy said he had a “very constructive” meeting with Defra Secretary Andrea Leadsom, who he felt saw opportunities to incentivise farmers better than under the current CAP regime, particularly given that for each £1 paid in support farmers lost £1 and more. “There is an opportunity to transform the UK industry, through science, innovation, precision farming and smart agriculture,” he noted. Being more sustainable was key. “We’re lucky, because we grow grass well, but we have also just been kicked by the OECD, on water quality, particularly around E.coli contamination from livestock entering waterways.” The goal now is to ensure 90% of New Zealand sea water, rivers and lakes are swimmable by 2040, compared to 72% now. That will mean 56,000km of fencing – equivalent to flying from London to Auckland three times. “But our farmers are up for it, because they know consumers – be they in London, Birmingham or Paignton – are demanding more from all farmers.” Double exports NZ’s government also had an explicit goal of doubling the value of exports by 2025. “Not volume, we did that in the 1970s and 80s, and it was disastrous. We can’t double from 5 million dairy cows to 10 million, but we can increase sales values, by story-telling and exceeding minimum quality standards and being innovative.”
Minister Guy samples fine British fare from Chef’s kitchen.
Lamb sales Co-operation between UK and NZ food producers could bring mutual benefit. “The challenge is that lamb is not first preference for consumers, so working strategically to give consumers ready-meal packs, because they want meals in 20 minutes, and collaborating on generic promotion, makes sense,” Mr Guy suggested.
Young farmers With NZ farmers averaging 58 years of age, as in the UK, younger farmers are needed. “We have some very successful share-farming, especially around dairy farms, moving from 19-20% of the milk cheque for doing the milking, to a 50:50 split where cows are provided,” said Mr Guy. Joint venture beef and sheep enterprises were also growing. “It’s not about owning land, but owning a share in the farming business.”
www.thefarmersclub.com • 09
John Hardman • Farm policy
Farm labour melt-down MARK the date, 29 March 2019 – the date for labour Armageddon.
John Hardman, HOPS Labour Solutions
As a director of a company who has recruited temporary and seasonal labour since 1989 from predominantly abroad, I have seen many changes and indeed patterns as countries have joined the EU, potential employees aspirations have changed, and workers’ domestic economies improve, giving better opportunities at home where they can be near friends and family. We have supplied up to 12,000 staff on over 200 holdings throughout the UK, and worked closely with the Home Office when the SAWS scheme was in place, a scheme which had almost no effect on net migration figures, which was hugely effective and economic to run. This Government has made it clear that it considers there are no issues in regard to seasonal agricultural labour currently, and this frankly beggars belief. During 2016 the industry experienced shortages of staff for soft fruit picking at peak season, something I anticipate will happen again in 2017 and 2018, as it becomes increasing difficult to recruit the right calibre of staff. For quite some time Government has emphasised the number of migrants coming to the UK from Bulgaria and Romania since they became full members of the EU in 2014 and this is why we don’t have a labour shortage. They do, however, seem to have missed the fact that much of the issue we face is not quantity, but quality and suitability. Potential workers choose to work in alternative and possibly more attractive industries, such as hospitality. Picking cabbages, in December, in
darkest Lincolnshire at -4C with sideways sleet is somewhat less attractive than being a barista at Pret or Costa. By far the largest concern is 2019. The industry will need well over 80,000 workers, which we start recruiting in autumn 2018. That’s 18 months away. If there were a scheme implemented, the Home Office will want to tender for permit operators, audit them for suitability, and those operators will then have to develop an office, or commission an agent, to recruit in the countries we have arrangements with, and apply for the appropriate licences to operate. I suspect that may take longer than 18 months! It is abundantly clear that there is no succession planning for temporary and seasonal labour in agriculture. March 2019 may well be the date for Labour Armageddon in our industry. John Hardman – Farmers Club member Director HOPS Labour Solutions, Stoneleigh Park
International members Brexit views German trade queries The UK is one of the most important trading partners within the EU for German agribusiness. In 2016, German exports to the UK were worth € 4.7 billion (meat, bakery and dairy products,) with UK imports of €1.5 billion (primarily spirits). Prime Minister Theresa May said that the post-Brexit UK will be more open to global trade. Does this also apply to agriculture, or is there a specific agenda for agribusiness? Does the UK plan to replace the Common Agricultural Policy and EU subsidies with national funding? And is the protection of the UK agricultural market from the EU a possible scenario? Dr. Horst Reinhardt – Rentenbank, Germany
Italy on Brexit All the Italian farmers I have spoken with said farmers in the UK were almost certainly treated better than farmers in Italy, as the latter had to spend far too much time dealing with a slow and inefficient bureaucracy, coupled with offers to speed matters up if they were prepared to pay a fee…..The troubles in Italy are the spoils system, who you know or who you are, and a perception that many large agricultural groups can do what they like when they like. Michael Drewitt – Italy
Brexit down under Perhaps new visions with old friends might be the way to go? Negotiations won’t be easy but, as they say ‘Down Under’, ‘Let’s give it a go mate’. Caroline Nixon – Western Australia
10 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
Historic St George’s Luncheon
Saint George’s Lunch MEMBERS enjoyed the fruits of the £1.2m Project CREST refurbishment as 100 sat down for a St George’s Day luncheon in the Farmers Suite, with 32 more dining in the Restaurant, including a 200th anniversary lunch for the Auctioneers Association. Chairman Tim Bennett paid tribute to the staff who made this the biggest single kitchen service in the Club’s history, all thanks to the decision to invest in the future of the Club to benefit all of its members. Guest speaker Admiral Sir Jock Slater GCB LVO DL, held the audience spell-bound as he delivered a rousing, witty, apposite talk, landing line after line with precision before a final salvo drew a standing ovation and rapturous applause. Hailing from north of the border he trod a skilful line of self-deprecation, reflecting on an English education singing “Cry God for Harry, England and Saint George” without the slightest qualm – “may St Andrew forgive me”. He admitted to being a proud Scott, but a staunch Anglophile, “except at Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup.” He lauded England’s patron saint, and all he stood for, but noted the irony of his origins as a fourth century Roman soldier, and role as patron saint of numerous nations, who was only appropriated by Richard the Lionheart during the crusades. Interestingly, George in his parent’s Syrian language was Georgios, roughly translating as god of crops and farming – fitting for the Farmers Club. As a former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff he paid warm tribute to the armed services, noting the value of a global sea-borne reach, independent of shore support, in volatile times, with the Russian bear growling, China growing, the Korean peninsula frighteningly unstable, Middle East imploding and a worryingly unpredictable and divisive US president.
“We should be proud of our achievements and can-do attitude…” “It is no time to drop our guard.” Whilst the services had always been pressured, in reality there was much that was good and very impressive indeed. “We should be proud of our achievements, and can-do attitude, but should never take the services for granted.” The aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales were a major step forward in the UK’s defence assets. Moving to a hilarious rendition of a modern St George he considered how computer modelling would be required before setting off to tackle any dragon or rescue a damsel, using a horse procured through a PFI, with Whitehall-approved armour, a lance from ebay, rations approved by the Food Standards Agency, and an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing upon his return, or even the Graham Norton Show. “How wonderfully uncomplicated life used to be!” In conclusion he paid tribute to all St George stood for. “Let us give thanks that we live in a great country, with history and traditions to be proud of. We must live up to that inheritance and ensure we have the confidence, courage, qualities, and strong sense of purpose and leadership to make an influential impact on the world stage in the 21st Century.”
Lunch was served to 100 members and guests in the new Farmers Suite, and a further 32 in the Restaurant – the biggest lunch service in the Club’s history.
• Photos from this and other events can be viewed and downloaded from the club website: www.thefarmersclub.com
Fine lunch menu Asparagus, pheasant egg, truffle cream and pumpernickel crumb starter was followed by Hereford beef, then Champagne rhubarb and strawberries. In the Restaurant diners enjoyed a special St George’s Menu, while the auctioneers association enjoyed a menu based on their organisation’s inaugural luncheon two centuries earlier.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 11
Charles Abel • Leadership
Developing leaders in agriculture Developing farming leaders for the future is a priority – one being met by the Farmers Club Charitable Trust. Charles Abel reports Alison Nimmo
“We all have different styles of leadership, there’s no one particular style that we must all follow. Your way is the best way as it is authentic to you.” Caroline Ratcliff, S G Ratcliff Ltd
CONCEIVED five years ago and financed by two generous Farmers Club members the FCCT Leadership Development Programme has seen 17 beneficiaries from the farming industry attend the Windsor Leadership Trust’s Emerging Leaders Programme so far. Earlier this year a fresh drive for funding, applicants and ambassadors was launched to a group of over 70 of the industry’s key influencers, who gathered in the Club’s new Farmers Suite to hear from course participants, and a stimulating keynote speech from Crown Estate chief executive Alison Nimmo CBE, who had benefitted from the WLT programme in the past. West Country farmer Nick Green, one of the WLT’s 17 farming participants and a Farmers Club member, introduced the evening. “As the alumni of the Farmers Club Charitable Trust’s Windsor Leadership Trust programme we want to work with the farming industry to develop a sustainable group that sits at the top of the leadership ladder. To do that we need two pipelines – one for potential participants and one for funding. This is for the benefit of the industry, so it really does need the industry to help finance it.” FCCT chairman Stephen Fletcher stressed that the trust, whilst strongly linked to the Farmers Club, was a stand-alone charity. The FCCT WLT programme had been championed by former Farmers Club Secretary Stephen Skinner, with very generous funding from two Farmers Club members. But those monies were now spent, so new funding was needed.
12 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
Leading businessman Iain Ferguson, formerly of Unilever, president of the Food and Drink Federation, CEO of Tate & Lyle plc and now lead non-executive board member at DEFRA, had chaired a meeting to devise a formula for the initiative to continue, and FCCT trustee James Cross was heavily involved in driving this forward. “With all that is happening in farming there has never been a more important time to demonstrate leadership,” Mr Fletcher stressed. Ms Nimmo, a former surveyor, commented that whilst not everyone was a potential leader, neither did anybody ever quite perfect leadership. “It can be developed and learned, but it takes a lot of time and effort. Leaders come in many shapes, sizes and genders, and from many different routes. But it all comes down to potential, and unlocking it in a business, an individual or a team.” A better appreciation of purpose, people and performance had helped her take the Crown Estate from being a landed estate to a world class business, with assets worth an estimated £10bn, significantly outperforming its peers. Windsor Great Park, for example, was now in profit and beating the French at their own game with its own sparkling wine. WLT participant William Haire, a self-confessed agriculture addict now working with the East of England Agricultural Society, admitted he returned from a fascinating Nuffield Farming Scholarship feeling UK farming had all the tools it needed to succeed, but instead preferred to blame others.
Leadership • Charles Abel
Charitable Trust Educator Awards Three excellent UK farming educators have been selected to receive special support from the Farmers Club Charitable Trust in 2017 to undertake novel research to further their careers in education
Dr Aidan Cushnahan, CAFRE Northern Ireland – visiting North America, the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland to examine the opportunities to increase the lifetime performance of dairy cows by optimising heifer rearing and transition cow programmes and cross breeding towards a 500,000 litre herd production average.
Philip Wrigglesworth, SRUC, Aberdeen – travelling to New Zealand to investigate truly extensive low input beef and lamb production systems, novel approaches to monitoring costs and raising efficiency, and how the attitudes of producers can best be influenced.
Dr Karen Rial-Lovera, RAU, Cirencester – a detailed evaluation of the use of robotic technologies in crop production in the UK, and what can be learned from experiences in the US, with particular reference to barriers to adoption and the way producers decide whether to take up such technologies.
For more details see: www.thefarmersclub.com/awards
“Windsor helped me be more decisive, to see that I could shape my experiences into something valuable.”
are more intelligent and who value teams highly, she advised. And it needed a strong focus on performance.
Marketing and communications consultant Jane Craigie, a WLT attendee in 2016 and OECD rural leadership advocate, commended the breadth of experience of the course. “I love farming, but sometimes we can be incredibly parochial, talking amongst ourselves about what we do, and where we are heading. We need to appreciate society’s needs much more, and the opportunities those give us.”
“Farming has a once in a generation challenge at the moment, and if it gets it right it could not only survive, but thrive. But most importantly it needs to equip the next generation of leaders, the farmers of the future, to be entrepreneurs, experts in global trade, sales and marketing, all with a passion for food production and our countryside.”
Ms Nimmo explained that the big benefit of the WLT programme was the very honest conversations it facilitated, which empowered individuals to realise their full potential as leaders. It was more about how to ‘be’ as a leader, rather than a series of skills or techniques to be learned. She commented that in her career she had experienced good, bad and downright ugly leaders. The good had been visionary, and incredibly effective at putting together and supporting and empowering teams. The bad had failed to get everything right, but had operated at incredible pace, which in modern business was paramount. By contrast the ugly had created a very toxic culture of fear around a very big ego. She had come to recognise that leadership required a strong sense of purpose, with a clear vision and strategy, and a clear picture of what success looked like. It required good people, so hire slowly and hire better than you are – people who
WLT participants Andrew Brown, Alastair Butler, Adrian Cannon, Jane Craigie, Lyndon Edwards, Alex Godfrey, Nick Green, William Haire, Alan Laidlaw, Sarah-Jane Laing, Peter McDonald, Matthew Naylor, Emily Norton, Ian Pigott, Charmay Prout, Caroline Ratcliff, Ian Tremain.
“Windsor restored my love of farming, my curiosity, my energy, and helped me deal with the ups and downs of daily life. Windsor changed my life!” William Haire, East of England Agricultural Society
More about the Farmers Club Charitable Trust can be found at: www.thefarmersclub.com/the-charitable-trust For those interested in supporting the FCCT WLT contact: generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com
www.thefarmersclub.com • 13
Charles Abel • Pinnacle Awards
Pinnacle Awards Farm management excellence was in the spotlight as judges quizzed students in 20th Pinnacle Awards. Charles Abel reports ONE of the most keenly contested Pinnacle Awards for farm business management expertise in recent years saw students from Orkney to Somerset compete for top honours in the prestigious 2017 award run by the Farmers Club and ADAS, with generous sponsorship from the Cave Foundation.
Guest speaker – Richard Park of Low Sizergh Farm.
“So often it is by addressing the many small changes staring you in the face that performance is improved and the overall business transformed.” Tim Bennett, Chairman, Farmers Club
“The award is well named, because all eight students really are the pinnacle of business management proficiency and excellence in the UK,” commented chair of judges Prof Bill McKelvey OBE, Non-Executive Director of Scotland’s largest farming business, Glenrath Farms, and a member of the Board of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency amongst many other appointments. “They had thought about Brexit, and recognised things were likely to get tougher, but were determined to fight it, and make it work, and not roll over. With such enthusiasm, knowledge and confidence they are going to add real value to the farming industry.” The Pinnacle Awards, now in their 20th year, assess the business management skills of finalists by scrutinising a course-work project, before a panel interview and a formal presentation at the Farmers Club in London. “This was the tightest year for a decade, with the candidates all very closely matched,” commented ADAS judge Tony Turner. After due deliberation the judges awarded top honours to Hannah Davis, a final-year student at Bridgwater College in Somerset. Her project had tackled floundering profitability on a mixed farm by addressing each enterprise in turn, suggesting small but realistic improvements that would add-up to an overall boost in farm profits. “Management acumen is often the weakest link in UK agriculture and Hannah demonstrated
14 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
its value very clearly,” noted judge and Farmers Club Chairman Tim Bennett. Honorary guest Richard Park of Low Sizergh Farm in Cumbria recalled the time he delivered a project plan in similar circumstances at Shuttleworth College. His idea was to grow pickyour-own strawberries, in the Lake District. Two years later he planted three acres, people started visiting the farm, and today’s successful diversified farm business was born. But not every enterprise will succeed, he noted. “Some fail. So start small and at low cost. No matter how much research you do, you might still be wrong, or the market might change.” At Low Sizergh unpasteurised milk had been a great success. Customers bought bottles from one vending machine and filled them with milk from another. “It creates a bit of theatre, together with the viewing gallery over the milking parlour,” Mr Park enthused. He urged finalists to seek inspiration from others, in the UK and around the world. He had travelled widely and always found farmers to be very welcoming. “In no other industry will you find such a willingness to share facts and figures. But you do have to be nosey too,” he said. Books provide a rich source of advice too. “They’re very relevant, especially the early post-war ones, before we entered Europe. The problems they were talking about are the ones we are facing now.” He particularly recommended ‘The Farming Ladder’ by Cotswold farmer George Henderson. Finally, he urged finalists to promote themselves, work hard and recognise that 50% of doing something is getting started. “And above all, enjoy what you do!”
Pinnacle Awards • Charles Abel
Meredith Hoskin, Harper Adams University Pinnacle Silver Award and a cheque for £1000. A bold step to invest heavily in converting redundant farm buildings into three holiday lets geared to the fast growing market for disabled tourism was justified by extensive research, including competitor evaluations, assessment of occupancy and rental rates, and sensitivity analysis to identify break-even returns. An all-terrain buggy to enable disabled users to access the surrounding countryside would provide a USP. The project was underpinned by strong overall asset growth
Hannah Davis, Bridgwater College Robbie Stevenson, SRUC Aberdeen
Pinnacle Gold Award, Nickerson Cup and a cheque for £2000. Numerous efficiency improvements and dropping under-performing enterprises would boost profits on a busy 153ha mixed farm, without major capital expenditure. Rather than add cows to the dairy, greater attention to detail and record keeping would improve productivity and reduce calf losses. Rigorous analysis of costs, equity, liquidity and gearing showed the need to drop several crops, and grow more feed wheat, barley, maize and protein-rich leys to enhance dairy and beef rations instead. Readying the dairy for contract/share farming fitted the owners plans.
Pinnacle Bronze award and a cheque for £600. Adding a simple bed and breakfast beef fattening unit to an existing livestock farm near a key auction mart and slaughterhouses would create stable cashflow and utilise existing labour well. A keenly priced singlespan building with straw bedding for 120 head every 6 months was sourced for under £80,000, and on-farm and bought-in feed fully costed. Market research suggested a rate of 42p/day/head.
Runners-up: Will Ayre, Harper Adams University:
Laura Davidson, Newcastle University:
James Davis, Nottingham University:
Craig McCulloch, SRUC Ayr:
Rupert Turnbull, Royal Agricultural University:
A three Safari tent glamping enterprise in rural Shropshire, with hot tub, pizza oven, barbecue and coop of chickens for each unit differentiating from similar ventures. Careful consideration of opening dates and occupancy backed by research showing ‘staycations’ rising as Brexit loomed.
New buildings on a greenfield site for a suckler cow enterprise expanding from 100 to 150 cows plus followers, specified in meticulous detail to ensure optimum use of space, performance monitoring for efficiency, and high welfare, to meet anticipated consumer demands despite Brexit imports.
A plan to take over a 160ha arable farm tenancy included a move to direct drilling using second-hand kit to cut establishment costs, introduction of heifer rearing, and caravan storage, business unit lets and trailer advertising beside the M1 to ease early cashflow and ready the business for Brexit.
Producing a distinctive Ayrshire potato vodka from Epicure early potatoes grown near Girvan, with market research suggesting strong demand for craft spirits with a local provenance, hence the targeting of sales through local high-end pubs and restaurants, driven by ‘brand ambassador’ staff.
Business plan for first three years of 10 year FBT on 387ha mixed farm in Cotswolds would see a move away from organic, but retention of some principles for sustainability and focus on ‘outcomes not just outputs’. Spring lambing and crop rotation reflected challenges of an exposed site.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 15
Agrovista • Sponsored Article
Drones are increasingly helping farmers target spray applications more accurately.
Drones take to the skies Precision farming technology is pushing forwards, as Agrovista explains in its 2017 sponsored article MAKING the most of precision farming opportunities is a challenge for arable and livestock farmers alike. One company championing the appliance of science in the arable sector is Agrovista, which is launching a new service at the Cereals Event in Lincolnshire on 14th and 15th June this year. The aim is to make the best use of imagery collected from drones flown over a farmer’s fields, whether the drone is flown by the farmer himself, his agronomist, or a third party. In future farmers will want agronomists to be much more IT savvy, to help them reap the full benefits of the technological revolution that is now underway, Agrovista believes. Helping growers make sense of the mountain of data derived from drones, satellites, tractor-mounted sensors and data from other sources, to turn it into practical farm information, will be essential. Bringing new technology to the industry that is easily transferable onto farm in one or two seasons is its aim. The key to success is to be able to handle the vast amount of data that is generated, explains Lewis McKerrow, head of precision technology.
16 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
With drone-mounted cameras capturing vast amounts of data, with resolutions as fine as 1cm for each pixel comprising the image, and collected in near infra-red, red-edge and multi-spectrum formats, each field can generate giga-bytes of data, equivalent to hours of HD video. What’s more precision farming encompasses a host of other areas of technology, with a wealth of data capture, from yield maps, soil sampling and green area index recorders, as well as drone imagery. It all has to be managed, stored and made accessible to those needing to evaluate and use the data. “Our cloud-based IT system, Axis, allows agronomy and precision farming data to be uploaded and shared in real time with advisers, agronomists, operators and contractors, to improve business flexibility and efficiency as a result,” Mr McKerrow says. Users have instant access to crop management information, from the time of recording the data in the field right through to the yield maps that come at harvest, and beyond. The aim is to use that to underpin more timely decisions to drive efficient, cost-effective farming.
Sponsored Article • Agrovista Axis integrates with Greenlight Grower Management, so growers can add information which will immediately synchronise with the agronomist, effectively creating an electronic library of new and past recommendations, cropping information, nutrition and agronomy reports, technical and trials information, detailed weather reports and account updates. “Axis allows all that information to be accessed from any device connected to the internet, anywhere,” Mr McKerrow notes. “We recognise that modern technology should be easy to use and access on the go. Recognising that many of the key data requirements happen out-with the confines of an office environment, we have worked closely with our partners to provide offline smartphone and tablet apps to ensure that you can capture and record data wherever you are.” Field mapping The new drone service, available through Axis MapITPro, allows the farmer, or their advisor, to select the accuracy of drone data required, maybe something between 2cm and 20 cm, and upload it into their data library, ready to be used to generate variable rate plans for crop inputs, including seed and fertiliser, for example. It uses a Google-based mapping system to establish field boundaries and is complemented by an iPhone/iPad app.
offer growers a modern package tailored to their needs. The data collected is used to help manage every field in an efficient manner, allowing cost and time saving by utilising variable rate applications. Plantsystems has supplied and operated professional automatic weather stations in the UK and Ireland since 1996, providing easy access to real-time weather data in a user-friendly format. Daily Weather Forecast is tailored specifically for agriculture and Daily Forecast Xtra includes a disease risk prediction, based on the weather forecast and local weather data collected from weather stations. • See www.plantsystems.co.uk 07919 078 690
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The field mapping function overlays maps created from drone data with yield maps, a soil map, and maybe crop information added from mobile sensors. Each map layer can be seen on the field map, to visualise performance, and allow a variable rate application plan to be created manually. Zone maps can be created and variable rate plans produced to automatically guide drills and fertiliser spreaders fitted with variable rate systems. Indeed, generating maps for variable rate seed drilling, or variable rate fertiliser application, is a popular way of using such data. But Mr McKerrow believes much more will be possible in future. Weed patches “A drone map might suggest a weed infestation, of sterile brome, for example, and after truth testing it by field walking, it can be possible to generate a ‘heat map’. By using a mapping application on a smart phone glyphosate could be applied to identified patches, before seed set, or those areas could be targeted for stale seedbed treatment, or higher seed rates at drilling time to increase competition.” Weather Stations and Environmental Monitoring From high tech soil analysis systems, on-farm weather stations, to the yield map at the end of the season, Agrovista’s Plantsystems division aims to
Visual image indicates brome infestation (1), NDVI confirms patches (2), glyphosate application map is prepared (3), end result shows targeted brome removal (4).
Cereals 2017 Now in its 40th year the Cereals Event has almost 500 exhibitors attracting over 24,000 visitors a year to its annual hotspot of arable innovation. Agrovista is on stand 333. www.cerealsevent.co.uk
Sponsored article This article is produced in collaboration with advice and supply company Agrovista, sponsor of the Farmers Club Journal envelope in 2017.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 17
Stephen Howe • Club Event
Farming Figures A quick look at… Linking Environment and Farming progress… told through a few key statistics
1 in 3 Hectares of UK fruit and vegetables grown to LEAF Marque Standard
194,441ha
LEAF Marque crop area producing cereals
90%
Leeks, by area, LEAF Marque certified
44%
LEAF Marque certified businesses with some form of renewable energy generation
163,317
Visitors to LEAF Marque certified business events (on- and off-farm)
Arable Production: Science and Compliance Preparing for an uncertain future
Monday 10 July 2017, The Farmers Club, London AFTER the success of the Farmers Club’s Brexit Debate last April the Club is working with the British Crop Production Council and the Voluntary Initiative to stage a oneday conference to highlight the practical considerations and possible solutions to remaining profitable once farming leaves the CAP. “Many of you attended the Club’s Brexit Debate last year and while much remains uncertain it’s clear that science and stewardship are key to the success of British arable production as we leave the EU,” says Richard Butler, VI Chairman, farmer and past Chairman of the Farmers Club. “It’s unlikely there will be any relaxation in environmental
regulations, so I’m delighted the Voluntary Initiative for pesticide stewardship and the British Crop Production Council, who promote science, best practice and innovation in agriculture, have come together with the Farmers Club for this follow-up event to help shape the future of British Agriculture.” Colin Ruscoe, BCPC Executive Chairman adds: “Farmers, their organisations and suppliers, including the UK’s excellent R&D and educational sectors, must now convince consumers and the UK government that its agricultural industry is worth supporting as the Battle of Brexit gets underway.”
1,103 Total LEAF Marque businesses, in all sectors across the globe
6,000,000 metres
Hedges on LEAF Marque farms, more than enough to stretch from Paris to Moscow and back
342,738 In-field trees
13%
Land of LEAF Marque certified businesses currently used as habitat for wildlife including hedges, trees and ponds
596,620
Animals reared to LEAF Marque Standard Sources: LEAF Marque
18 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
PROGRAMME 10:45-11:15 Registration and Coffee 11:15 Introduction Stephen Howe, BCPC 11.25 Planning for 2020 and Beyond Time for change – Will Gemmill, Head of Farming, Strutt&Parker DEFRA’s Response – Mike Rowe, Head of Future Farming Policy, Defra Political Opportunities – Julie Girling, MEP SW England & Gibraltar Reaching out to Global Grain Markets – Cecilia Pryce, Head of Research, Openfield Agriculture 12.35 Questions and Discussion 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch 2:00 The Farmers’ Perspective Chairman’s introduction – Richard Butler, VI Chairman, farmer and past Chairman of the Farmers Club Profiting from Rotations – Jim Orson, BCPC Profitable Farming while caring for the Environment – Chris Musgrave, Musgrave Management Systems Delivering Environmental Benefits – Andrew Pitts, Northants farmer 3:30 Discussion 4:00 Close Full programme at www.thefarmersclub.com/events The seminar will be held in the Farmers Suite of the Club. Dress for gentlemen is lounge suit. Cost is £35/head including coffee and lunch. Book on-line or use Application Form enclosed with this issue.
Chef • Paul Hogben
Food for thought THE guest speaker at this year’s City Food Lecture was Professor Chris Elliot of Queen’s University, Belfast. Although unable to be there in person his talk – Does it matter where our food comes from – was delivered by colleague Michael Bell, who made three key points. 1. Does it matter where our food is produced? l am very passionate about where the foods we serve at the Club are produced. ‘Simply Cooked, Seasonal Quality British Food’ is what we aim to serve. I cannot guarantee 100% is produced in the UK, but l make sure my suppliers know my commitment to British & Irish produce and I am a great believer in following the UK seasonal trends with our menu changes. Farm-sourced fruit and vegetables from counties around the country, for example, allow us to follow the seasons, so we can offer the freshest, tastiest foods for you to enjoy. 2. Does it matter how food is produced? As you can see from the Provenance listings within our menus, we source as much of our food as possible from British and Irish producers. I continue to visit new farms and hear from producers keen to be on our menus. These are exciting times for me and my team, working with high quality produce from Club members. Apart from the USA the UK spends the lowest percentage of income on food – less than 12%. France spends 16% and Japan 18%. Quality food is important in their societies. A clear farm-to-fork journey may have cost implications, but the quality from independent farms where livestock wellbeing is paramount, or vegetable and fruit producers who focus on quality and flavour, is well worthwhile. 3. Does the disconnect between citizens and their food matter? At the Farmers Club we are fortunate. The members know so much about food, and where and how it is produced. This keeps me and my team on our toes, reviewing what we offer, learning more about its production, and where it comes from. It’s a shame more and more of our population has little or no idea where bacon comes from, or where milk originates. Hopefully, this can be addressed through more involvement in schools (see next Journal) and social media. On a personal note it was interesting to see the number of non-British, non-seasonal foods included on the City Food Lecture Buffet Supper menu… clearly food for thought! Paul Hogben Head Chef chef@thefarmersclub.com
Conference & Banqueting Functions and meetings are becoming increasingly popular at the Club, with the arrival of The Farmers Suite and members wanting to hold a variety of functions, including Birthday and Anniversary parties and industry events. To help your planning Liza Keoshgerian, Conference & Banqueting Sales Manager, can explain what is possible. Our food is sourced in an ethical and sustainable way from British suppliers, with Chef creating a range of menus offering simply cooked, seasonal, quality British food to suit your occasion. We have also launched a Day Delegate Rate, as per member requests, offering a daily rate per person, including tea and coffee on arrival, midmorning and mid-afternoon refreshments, lunch, room hire, a screen and flipchart. This enables you to budget for your meeting. Liza can advise minimum numbers required.
A flavour of what Conference & Banqueting can offer • Start the day with a delicious Breakfast offering, ideal for business meetings • Cocktail bites can accompany drinks prior to a lunch or dinner, or provide that ‘little something’ during a stand-up Drinks Reception • Sandwiches and Ploughman’s Lunches are perfect for a working lunch, enabling you to carry on discussions • Sit down three- or four-course Lunch or Dinner menus are available. • Fork buffets and Bowl Food are popular for more informal functions, and a great way to taste the variety of food we serve Conference & Banqueting Info Contact: Liza Keoshgerian 0207 925 7100 functions@thefarmersclub.com See “Book A Function” page on website (www.thefarmersclub.com) for room details, Seasonal Menus and Wine List
www.thefarmersclub.com • 19
Charlotte Harris, Chairman; Emily McVeigh, Vice Chairman; Anita Kaur, Secretary • U30s
Chairman’s Jottings
It is a great privilege to have been elected Chairman of the Under 30s for 2017. I grew up near Dedham on the Essex/Suffolk border where my family ran an arable farm, a rare breeds family farm and a dairy farm. My mother encouraged me to join the U30s, as she had enjoyed it so much during her time, and my uncle, John Harris, was U30s Chairman exactly 30 years ago – so this is very poignant for me.
No-Till farmer inspires at Spring Dinner
It has been a pleasure working with my predecessor, Mary Tait, and I must take this opportunity to thank her for all the hard work she put in last year. The U30s Committee has planned an exciting and action packed calendar of events. Nuffield Scholar Russell McKenzie gave us a fantastic start at the Spring Dining Evening with a passionate talk about no-till (see right). The Spring Farm Walk will take us to the fruit farms of Kent, whilst the Autumn Farm Walk will take us to Edinburgh (6-8 Oct). In addition to our regular Pimms, Autumn and Winter Dining evenings (14 Jul, 15 Sep, 24 Nov), we will be hosting a range of new events, open to all Farmers Club members, regardless of age. The first is a late-lunch reception at the Cereals event on 15th June, kindly hosted by Dow AgroSciences. Do come along, whether you’re in the U30s or not. I would really appreciate your support; more details to follow. Other new events include ‘Film on a Farm’, which will be coupled with a hog roast and is sure to be fun for all the family. Many U30s members will also be attending the main Club’s Henley event. Whether you have been a long term member of the U30s, are newly joined or just have an interest in our activities, I look forward to welcoming you to the U30s events.
Contact Charlotte for more information: Charlotte Harris U30 Chairman Job Title: International Operations Manager Where: The Coconut Collaborative, Westminster, London charlotte.harris90@gmail.com 07766 954 718
20 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
THE Spring Dining evening proved to be another fascinating and well attended Under 30s event, writes Under 30s Committee member Eleanor Kay.
In his quest for knowledge he visited Australia, USA, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand and Argentina. Along the way he met a diverse array of farmers and regaled us with tales of contour banks in Melbourne, soil organic matter in Canada, cover crops in Brazil, crocodiles and the difficulties of a one-year tenancy for planning in the USA.
It was fantastic to see so many new faces amongst the familiar as the evening began with drinks in the Cumber Room, where we were introduced to our speaker for the evening, Russell McKenzie, an arable The clear message was that farmer from Cambridgeshire. regardless of country or climate the most consistent crop performance An excellent three-course meal was seen under no-till. Rotation was enjoyed in the Farmers Suite, choice and drill selection are the starter being salt roasted crucial, but patience is a valuable beetroot, poached quails egg and commodity, albeit the most difficult honeycomb, followed by braised to manage. pork belly with pig ear crackling, and baked cheesecake and candied As an AHDB monitor farmer Russell pear to finish. admitted he’s opened himself up for criticism, by allowing fellow farmers Russell, who farms 995 hectares of access to usually highly secretive predominantly heavy clay soil with data. However, it has also helped a rotation of wheat, oilseed rape him compare his farm’s performance and spring beans, took us through more effectively. his experiences as an AHDB Monitor farmer and the key drivers behind Rounding off a fascinating talk his decision to undertake a Nuffield Russell introduced us to the Scholarship. #soilyourundies project, which involves burying cotton pants Following two highly contrasting (clean obviously) in the soil for autumns he decided to focus his eight weeks, before digging up to Nuffield Scholarship on no-till in show how active the earth worms any weather, to better understand are. After questions the lively the parameters of success with conversation moved to the Bar with no-tillage, and how the best no-till some members enjoying the mild farmers benefit in both dry and wet evening on the Terrace. climates.
U30s • Charlotte Harris, Chairman; Emily McVeigh, Vice Chairman; Anita Kaur, Secretary
The Coolest Family Business Under 30s member Cleo Sadler traces the development of a thriving family business
the Managing Director, which suits the eldest sister down to the boots. Kitty, is Director of Sales and Marketing, with her flawless looks and fabulous personality she can sell a fine few tubs. Then there’s me, Cleo, Production Director, able to make fabulous ice cream and carry some very heavy buckets. We make all our ice cream on site, and all sorts of wonderful inclusions too, ranging from our rich chocolate brownies, to almond and beetroot, and our Christmas pudding, made with a Delia Smith recipe. We go the extra mile; we could just buy the brownie, we could just buy the cookie dough, but this is what makes us different. When I attend events at the Farmers Club, I love hearing how other family businesses are getting on. From the triumphs to the struggles, they are often very relatable. As a second generation family business there are three things we are very cautious of. First, we were very aware of the first generation struggling to hand over the responsibility of their business baby. This took a business plan and a lot of talking. We defined roles within the company, so we had structure. Mum and Dad are still involved with the big decisions moving the business forward, but we sweat the smaller stuff.
“I love hearing how other family businesses are getting on. From the triumphs to the struggles, they are often very relatable.”
Second, we had to learn how to talk to each other. It may sound obvious, but when you have three girls, aged 30 and under, trying to get their point across, well, what do you expect. It’s a work in progress. I have 23 years’ experience being a sister and 1 year as a business partner.
IN 1983 my parents, dairy farmers Chris and Cheryl Sadler, set up a small farm shop in Hurleston, Cheshire, having always wanted to diversify. They started by selling milk, cream, potatoes and eggs, but the dairy products had a short shelf life, so Mum made ice cream, and Snugburys Ice Cream was born. Mind you, today’s product is very different to my first scoop of Snugburys. The original recipe used raw eggs and raw cream, enough to send the EHO man comatose! However, with a quick telling off and three-month deadline to correct things, Mum and Dad headed to The University of Ice Cream, otherwise known as, Reading Uni. And so the Snugburys I know and love continues today. Last year my sisters, Hannah, Kitty and I, took over the reins and became directors. Hannah is
Third, keeping it fair. It’s not always easy keeping things fair. But from holidays to ideas, communication is key. When we communicate and discuss, generally problems are resolved and holidays are booked but every now and again a googly can be thrown at you, and if it’s swept under the carpet you’re leaving everything open to interpretation. Now, by no means do I think I have this family business thing sussed. I can’t even begin to imagine the hurdles we have yet to face. But I do know I have my family to face these hurdles with, along with very tasty ice cream, which is very reassuring to know!
Snugburys Icecream • Started 1986 • 200,000 visitors/yr • 40+ flavours • Wholesome natural • Also wholesale home-made ingredients
www.snugburys.co.uk
www.thefarmersclub.com • 21
The Farmers Club • Club Information
Club Information
020 7930 3557 • www.thefarmersclub.com Summer Shows
Office Holders Patron – Her Majesty The Queen HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS Peter Jackson CBE, Roddy Loder-Symonds, Sir David Naish DL, John Parker THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB 2017 VICE PRESIDENTS Barclay Forrest OBE, Mark Hudson, Norman Shaw CBE, Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN Tim Bennett TRUSTEES Jimmy McLean, Mrs Nicki Quayle, Julian Sayers (Chairman), Paul Heygate VICE-CHAIRMAN Peter Jinman OBE HONORARY TREASURER Richard Maunder IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Richard Butler CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY Andrei Spence CLUB CHAPLAIN The Reverend Dr Sam Wells COMMITTEE Elected 2015: Tim Bennett, Matt Dempsey (Communications Sub-Committee), Richard Maunder, Gerald Osborne Elected 2016: Robert Alston, Andrew Brown (Membership Sub-Committee), Lindsay Hargreaves, Nick Helme (House Sub-Committee), Peter Jinman OBE Elected 2017: Kevin Beaty, John Lee OBE, Karen Mercer, Keith Redpath, Christopher Riddle, Allan Stevenson (re-elected), Campbell Tweed OBE (re-elected)
What better way to benefit from your Farmers Club membership than to join us for a Reception at the Great Yorkshire, Royal Welsh or Westmorland Show this summer. Great Yorkshire Show Council Lawn and Dining Room, Tuesday 11th July 2017, 4pm-5.30, with a short talk from Adam Bedford, Regional Director North East, NFU, and a five minute update on what is happening at the Farmers Club from Secretary, Andrei Spence. Royal Welsh Show Vice President and Governors Pavilion, Monday 24th July, 4.30pm-6pm, with a short talk from Aled Jones, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, RWAS, and a five minute update on what is happening at the Farmers Club from Secretary, Andrei Spence. Westmorland County Show Members Terrace, Thursday 14th September 2017, 4pm-5.30pm, starting with a short talk from Alastair Wannop, High Sheriff of Cumbria, and a five minute update on what is happening at the Farmers Club from Secretary, Andrei Spence.
Statoil Masters Tennis Friday 1 December 2017 Watch the greatest players on the grandest stage! Grand Slam Champions, former World Number 1s and national icons return to the Royal Albert Hall for a dazzling display of high quality tennis and entertainment during the festive season. Now in its 21st year, Champions Tennis is the season-finale to the ATP Champions Tour. Our programme starts at 5.00pm with a two-course supper with wine in the Club, before departing by coach for the Royal Albert Hall at 6:20pm, ready for the tennis starting at 7:30pm. After the tennis ends, at 10.15pm (approx.), the coach returns to the Club. This event is limited to 40 places. Cost per person is £120.00. All applications should be received by 23rd June 2017. If oversubscribed places will be decided by ballot. Booking form enclosed with this issue. Please only book accommodation when your place has been confirmed.
Please do support us in Harrogate, Builth Wells and Crooklands. Cost, including wine, soft drinks and canapes, is £5.00 per person. Booking form enclosed with this Journal.
Co-opted: Charlotte Harris (Chairman Under 30s), Emily McVeigh (Vice Chairman Under 30s) THE FARMERS CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES Stephen Fletcher (Chairman), James Cross, Vic Croxson DL, The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Club (ex officio). Patron Mrs Stella Muddiman
Golf Fixtures – 2017 (remaining dates) Month Date
Match/Competition
May
Thursday, 25th Friday, 26th
v The New Club, Edinburgh @ Luffness Links, East Lothian v Farmers Members of HCEG @ Muirfield, East Lothian
June
Sunday, 11th Dinner with XL Club @ Royal St. George’s, Sandwich, Kent Monday, 12th v XL Club @ Royal St. George’s, Sandwich, Kent Monday, 26th v West Riding NFU @ Woolley Park GC, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
July
Wednesday, 5th Club Golf Championship @ Blackwell GC, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Sept
NEXT ISSUE The Harvest issue of the Farmers Club Journal arrives in mid-July, with all the latest Club news, including a report on work by the Country Trust to educate the UK’s schoolchildren about food, farming and countryside issues.
22 • The Farmers Club Summer Journal 2017
Friday, 1st v Worshipful Company of Farmers @ Badgemore Park GC, Henley-onThames Thurs/Fri, Autumn Mixed Meeting 28th / 29th @ Knole Park GC, Sevenoaks, Kent @ Wildernesse GC, Sevenoaks, Kent October
Tuesday, 3rd Thursday, 26th Friday, 27th
v Bath Club Cup @ Woking GC, Surrey v HCEG @ Alwoodley GC, West Yorkshire v HCEG @ Seaton Carew GC, Hartlepool, Teeside
Any member who is interested but does not usually receive correspondence please contact Golf Secretary martin.edwardswale@gmail.com
Club Information • The Farmers Club Deaths It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members: Mr W Blessley France Mr R Burrows MBE Norfolk Mr J Campbell Hertfordshire Mr G Douglas Lincolnshire Mr R Gregor Midlothian Mr A Hitchcock CBE Hertfordshire Mr R Leggett Suffolk Mr J Purling Norfolk Mr B Rawson Warwickshire
Mr H Mason Miss J Maude Miss E Mee Miss H Mitchell Mr R Padley Mr A Peal Miss V Russ Mr A Stovold Miss A Walters Mr J Whyman Mr F Wilson-Haffenden Miss S Wilson-Haffenden
Norfolk Yorkshire Cambridgeshire London Lincolnshire Norfolk Lincolnshire Surrey Warwickshire Suffolk London London
New Members The following were elected: UK Members Mr R Alexander Mr S Allan Mr A Bambridge Mr R Batchelor Mr K Bitar Mr M Budd Mr I Carlson Mr C Clayton Ms L Closs Mr J Crow Mr A Darby Dr A Dashfield Mr R Etchell Mr D Exwood Dr D Flanders Mr J Gilmour Baroness A Goldie Mr J Gray Mr R Hare Mrs S Hawkins Professor P Herne Mr J Hodge Mrs M Jennings Ms J Jessen Mr M Knight Mr R Marjoram Mr L Matthews Mr B McNulty Dr G Parker Mr N Paske Mr M Peake Mr G Sayers Mr J Small Mr M Stevens Mr P Stuart Mr J Symonds V. Revd M Tavinor Mr A Turnill Mr T Wade Mr R Wain Mr S Walker
Associate - Forty Club Mr M Hannaway
London
Overseas Mr J Moller Under 30s Miss R Alexander Mr E Allen Mr J Clark Mr T Ebdon Mr R Harlow Mr W Helme Mr F Lechmere Mr L Mackay Mr C Marshall
Buckinghamshire Norfolk Norfolk Yorkshire Surrey Gloucestershire Somerset Nottinghamshire Norfolk Shropshire Norfolk Isle of Man Lincolnshire Sussex Cambridgeshire East Lothian Renfrewshire Hampshire Yorkshire Herefordshire Hertfordshire Sussex Down Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Norfolk Surrey Staffordshire Oxfordshire Northamptonshire Shropshire Devon Somerset Sussex Gloucestershire Surrey Herefordshire Kent Wiltshire Staffordshire Surrey Norway London Oxfordshire Lincolnshire Lincolnshire Suffolk Herefordshire Worcestershire Dorset Lancashire
Mobile Phones, Briefcases and Business Meetings Mobile phones must not be used in the Public Rooms (except the Shaw Room). Briefcases should be left in the Cloakrooms and Business meetings must be conducted in the Shaw Room or designated and pre-booked meeting rooms. Members should speak with Liza Keoshgerian ext 109 or direct line 020 7925 7100 or meetings@thefarmersclub.com Parking The Club has no private parking at Whitehall Court. However, the Club is pleased to be able to offer all its members discounted parking with Q-Park, our preferred parking partner. Discounts of 20% are available on the day and on prebookings. The nearest Q-Park is situated in Spring Gardens off Cockspur Street, approximately 5 minutes walk from the Club. Details of this can be obtained by phoning the Club Reception on 020 7930 3557 or by visiting the website at: http://www.thefarmers club.com/news/parking -5-mins-from-club
Dress code • Gentlemen should wear formal jackets and ties in the Bar, Lounge and Restaurant during the week. Ladies should be dressed conventionally, trousers are permitted. • There are Club jackets and a selection of ties at Reception, which may be borrowed in an emergency. • Members must advise their guests of the dress regulations. • Children should conform to the above guidelines as best they can. • Smart casual dress is allowed from 6pm on Friday until midnight on Sunday. Smart jeans and trainers are acceptable during this period.
Club Contacts THE FARMERS CLUB
Serving the farming industry for 175 years 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL
Chairman 2017: Tim Bennett
Chief Executive and Secretary: Andrei Spence
Club Number 020 7930 3557 Reception ext: 200/201 reception@thefarmersclub.com Bedroom Reservations ext: 204 reservations@thefarmersclub.com Restaurant Reservations Option 3 restaurantmanager@thefarmersclub.com or asstrestmanager@thefarmersclub.com Conference & Banqueting Liza Keoshgerian ext: 109 or direct line: 020 7925 7100 functions@thefarmersclub.com Administrator and Under 30s Secretary Anita Kaur administrator@thefarmersclub.com General Manager Virginia Masser ext: 102 generalmanager@thefarmersclub.com Head Chef Paul Hogben ext: 111 or direct line: 020 7925 7103 chef@thefarmersclub.com Financial Controller Zarreena Neeson ext: 106 or direct line: 020 7925 7101 financialcontroller@thefarmersclub.com Membership Mark Fairbairn ext: 107 or direct line: 020 7925 7102 membership@thefarmersclub.com PA to Secretary Claire White ext: 104 or direct line: 020 7930 3751 generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com Bedrooms ext: 3+ [two digit room number] eg. ext 301 for Room1 Whitehall Court Porters 020 7930 3160 Fax 020 7839 7864 Website: www.thefarmersclub.com THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Editor and Advertisement Manager: Charles Abel 07795 420692 E-mail: editor@thefarmersclub.com Designed and produced by: Ingenious, www.ingeniousdesign.co.uk No film or film processing chemicals were used. Printed on Lumi Silk which is ISO 14001 certified manufacturer. FSC® Mix Credit. Elemental chlorine free (ECF) fibre sourced from well managed forests
• Between 1 June and 30 September gentlemen need not wear jackets at breakfast.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 23
Wonderful West Wales 5th to 7th June 2017 Join Club Chairman Tim Bennett and his wife Susan to visit some of the farming and cultural highlights of West Wales this June, based around the Cawdor Hotel – a charming boutique hotel in the pretty market town of Llandeilo, with its multi-coloured Edwardian and Georgian houses, beside the River Tywi, east of Carmarthen. Monday 5th June Arrive in Llandeilo for lunch at the Cawdor Hotel. Afternoon visit to Gelli Aur agricultural college for talks on eradicating BVD, slurry de-watering and entrepreneurs in dairying, plus farm walk. Afterwards travel to Aberglansey mansion to tour heritage gardens with head gardener, followed by drinks on the terrace and dinner in the marquee. Tuesday 6th June Visit to Delaucothi Estate to see how sheep farmers cooperate to produce quality lamb for Sainsbury’s. Lunch at Carreg Cennan Castle, a spectacular ruin in Brecon Beacons National Park. Bernard Llewellyn MBE, former NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board Chairman, will explain how he combines farming with a thriving tourism enterprise and showcasing rare breeds, including Longhorn cattle. Dinner at Cawdor Hotel with guest speaker Andrew Slade, Welsh Government Director of Agriculture, Marine, Environment and Forestry. Wednesday 7th June Visit 18th century Dinefwr landscape park for tractor ride of medieval deer park and rare White Park cattle, before a tour of Newton House, a ‘handson’ mansion giving an atmospheric experience of life in 1912. Finish with lunch before members make their own ways home. Cost is £340 per person, for two nights of hotel accommodation, three lunches, two dinners, all visits and coach on first two days. £70 supplement for single occupancy To register for this Tour contact Administrator Anita Kaur administrator@thefarmersclub.com 020 7930 3751