8 Farmers SPRING 2018 • ISSUE 273
Club
www.thefarmersclub.com
INSIDE Policy pointers p6 Brexit tax breaks p8 Education key p9 Ag-chem pipeline p10 Natural capital p11 Tractor tech p14 Roy Walker obituary p15 Clean water p16 Horsemanship p17 Farm safety p18 Chef on salt p19
Under 30s at OFC p20 Veganism p21
INSERTS GDPR request Norway Tour Isle of Man Visit Balmoral Show Dinner Highland Show Dinner Summer Shows
Gove’s grand plan Green demands, natural capital and British-Best campaign (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 Michael Gove MP outlines plans for rural support post-Brexit, with environmental issues and productivity dominating, but promotion of British food mentioned too. Pic: www.ofc.org.uk 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.
10
3 Chairman’s Comments Public money for public goods
4 Club News
Update on all that’s happening at the Club
6 Gove’s grand plan
Environmental delivery is now key, but what of production standards, productivity and trade? Defra secretary explains
8 Brexit tax breaks?
Smart tax changes could bring a post-Brexit boost
11
9 Education pitch
Farming needs skilled workers. But where from? Our latest Monday Evening Lecture provided some timely pointers
10 Ag-chem pipeline
Far from being completely blocked by Brussels bureaucrats the Ag-chem pipeline is set to offer some promising products
11 Natural capital
Everyone’s using the term, but how is it made a reality in the countryside and on farms?
12 Club Visits - Norway and Isle of Man
14
Two Club tours – one to investigate Norway’s farming fortunes outside, yet closely linked, to the EU; the other to a world-class dairy herd and added-value food business on the Isle of Man
14 Farm technology
Methane-powered tractors and autonomous control
15 Roy Walker RIP
Obituary for former Club chairman
16 Clean water
On-farm clean water boosts livestock productivity
17
17 Horsemanship
Game show wonder proves a hit with the crowds
18 Farm safety figures
Farming has failed to improve its safety record over 30 years
19 Chef ’s salt
Visit to rural Shropshire to discover an on-farm salt producer
21 Veganism in perspective
Vegan threat, or vegan opportunity? A choice to ponder
22 Club Information and Contacts 02 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
Chairman’s Comments • Peter Jinman Natural capital, two words that would not have come together at Oxford in years gone by, were falling from the lips of the Secretary of State, as indeed they did later from one of the principle advisers, Professor Dieter Helm. Politicians and ‘gurus’ see investment, technology transfer and scientific innovation as the passport to the opportunities that are ‘out there’, post-Brexit, whilst many of those in the seats listening were talking later in the coffee breaks about the ‘here and now’ of survival, and making a profit to invest, whilst still wondering as to the brave new world post the Basic Payment Scheme. Public money for public good The mantra of ‘public money for public good’ has still to be converted to a practical workable programme, that can ensure a future that is not just an existence for those who work the land, but a life worth living.
Chairman’s Comments “The mantra of ‘public money for public good’ has still to be converted to a practical workable programme, that can ensure a future that is not just an existence for those who work the land, but a life worth living.”
I HAVE attended the Oxford Farming Conference in the past with a sense of duty, that as a veterinary surgeon I ought to be listening and more in-touch with what the agricultural world is thinking and doing. This time as Chairman of the Club it was an added pleasure to meet so many members and hear views on their Club, the food, accommodation and of course dress code! In the past the Conference has centred around production and land management. But over the years the ‘food to fork revolution’ has meant that what happens off the farm when the agricultural crop or product has been sent on its way has become increasingly important to the producer. This time the message had gone one stage further, in that ‘soil to sewage’, or less polite ways of expressing the same journey, had become centre stage as the environment and public money for public good held centre stage. Natural capital Whether David Attenborough and his world reverberating message on plastics from his Blue Planet series, or the Secretary of State’s Farming for the Next Generation speech, it is hard to ignore the ever-increasing realisation that food production, land management and how we use, but at the same time protect, our environment is at the forefront of political and media discussion. Rarely in recent years has DEFRA or its forebears received so much press coverage.
As ever at Oxford the inventiveness and sheer determination of some fascinating farming diversification entrepreneurs showed what can be done with the backing of a farm-based asset. Professor Elliot reminded the assembled audience that even though the farm may have jumped through various farm assurance hoops, and the output had little Red Tractor labels applied somewhere, the world of food fraud is a massive multi-million pound one. The technology race between the criminals and those determined to protect the probity of the product is becoming just as complex as that experienced in other areas of modern living. That DNA markers will be added to food and hand held molecular analysers will be required to protect the consumer is a sad indictment of what a successful farming industry can expect as the product of its labours moves from farm to fork and beyond. Norway & Isle of Man The coming months will see further discussions and revelations as to the future of agriculture and food production post-Brexit, and to that end I am looking to the two Club visits to see just how others cope. A trip to the Isle of Man will remind us of how a small, separate but connected, country can live and thrive close to a larger neighbour, and the trip to Norway will provide insight into a similar situation with regard to the EU. It is always a good idea to see how others are coping. I was always told that was why farmers had Land-Rovers – so they could see over hedges to assess what the neighbour was doing or growing…
www.thefarmersclub.com • 03
Andrei Spence • Club News
Club News Farming family values at heart of Club activities
latterly member of the Communications Sub-Committee, whose place on the Communications Sub-Committee has been taken up by newly elected member, Ian Bell OBE. Our first Committee meetings were held in mid-January, which followed the first of our Monday Evening Lectures for 2018, when members heard from Professor Joanna Price, Vice Chancellor of RAU Cirencester, who talked and took questions on the topic of ‘Challenges and Opportunities for landbased education post Brexit’ (page 9). At the end of January a group of members had an early supper in the Club followed by a trip to the Royal Albert Hall to see the latest Cirque du Soleil show. This was so popular, and over-subscribed, so our Club Administrator Anita secured a second date in mid-February for a second party to enjoy the same evening. Early February saw the first of our artsbased events take place, with a large group of members enjoying lunch in the Club before receiving an, as usual, excellent talk from Anne Howarth on Charles I prior to a visit to the Royal Academy of Arts’ Charles I exhibition.
After the feverish pace of events and very heavy use of the Restaurant and Bar during the winter, culminating in the New Years’ Eve Dinner, the start of the year is usually a little slower, and it was very good to see a number of parents/children staying at the Club in January. It is wonderful to see the Club being used by the widest possible cross section of its members, encapsulating one of our core values, which is to place family values highly. By the second week in January, the pace had picked up significantly, with many of our function/meeting rooms booked by the
likes of the NFU, AIC, AHDB and United Oilseeds, to name but a few. The year had well and truly started! By 15 January we had welcomed our new Chairman, Peter Jinman and his wife Gill, for an in-depth tour of the Club and to meet the staff. This was followed by a similar cycle for new Committee members. Some minor changes have been made to the sub-committee structure following Nick Helme’s election as Vice Chairman for 2018. His place as House SubCommittee Chairman has been taken by Lindsay Hargreaves, past Chairman of the Membership Sub-Committee and
Later in February the Under 30s were scheduled to hold their new members dinner, followed by their AGM and Winter event. The U30s AGM marked the end of the Chairmanship of Charlotte Harris, who has been an excellent leader of the U30s, ably supported by her Vice Chairman. Work on the Old war Office has now been ongoing for several months and the scale of work is ramping up. Fortunately, thus far, there has been little, if any, impact on the Club or its operation. Changing tack, we are awaiting confirmation of a couple of details regarding the new Whitehall Court entrance project. I shall inform members of any temporary entrance and route changes, and the dates this will take place.
Malcolm ‘Roy’ Walker
Christmas Card raised over £4300 for charity
I regret to inform the membership that a number of their fellow members sadly passed away over the winter period. Those of whom we have been notified have been included in the obituary column (page 22). However, I must highlight the very sad news that Malcolm ‘Roy’ Walker passed away on Boxing Day 2017. Roy was a prominent member of The Farmers Club for 52 years and Chairman in 1997. He was a very well-known figure in agricultural circles and beyond. I represented the Club and some members who were unable to travel to his funeral on 22 January. Full obituary page 15.
I am very pleased to inform members that sales of the Club Christmas card last year raised a total of £4,321.56 for RABI and RSABI. On your behalf, I am sure you would wish me to extend our collective thanks to my PA Claire White who organises the artwork, production and sale of the cards.
04 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
Club News • Andrei Spence
GDPR Members attention is drawn to one of the inserts in this Journal titled General Data Protection Regulations. As the insert explains, this is a legal requirement placed on all organisations holding personal data on a third party. It is of vital importance that all members complete, sign and return the letter to the Club asap, and in any event, by 17th May 2018. Thank you for your co-operation.
Club Calendar Diary Dates Here are just some of the Club events planned for the coming months. More event details can be found on the back cover of this Journal, at www.thefarmersclub.com/events, in Club e-newsletters, or from Club Administrator Anita Kaur (020 7930 3751 extn 103) e-mail: administrator@thefaremrsclub.com
MARCH Under 30s Spring Dining Evening Friday 23rd March
Agricultural shows in 2018 Members will find a number of inserts to sign up for the various shows at which the Club will be holding events in 2018 (an ambitious seven this year!). Among them are pre-show dinners at the Balmoral Show (at the Titanic Belfast) and the Royal Highland Show (at the New Club Edinburgh), as well as afternoon receptions (with speakers) at the Royal Welsh Show, Royal Norfolk Show, Royal Three Counties Show, Devon County Show and a breakfast gathering at the Suffolk Show (with speaker). I hope as many members who are able to come will do so, and not only support their local show, but also support the Club in its efforts to reach out beyond its London base.
Dinner in The Club Speaker: Emily Norton, Norton’s Dairy Under 30s
APRIL Easter Club Event Dinosaurs in the Wild Thursday 12th April Greenwich Peninsula, please contact administrator@thefarmersclub.com or on 020 7930 375 to book your places
Dinosaurs in the wild!
Monday Evening Lecture Monday 16th April Speaker: Mr Stan Philips, Agricultural Counsellor, US Embassy
Churchill War Museum & The Household Cavalr y Museum – FULL Friday 20th April Churchill War Museum
St George’s Day Lunch – FULL Tuesday 24th April St George’s Day Dinner – FULL Tuesday 24th April Lunch/Dinner in The Club with guest speaker Henry Blofeld of Test Match Special fame.
St George’s Day
See p12-13 for full details. Application form included with this Journal
Father’s Day Fathers Day is Sunday 17 June this year, so why not thank your Father by bringing him to the Club for Lunch or Dinner in The Restaurant during the week commencing 11 June. Alternatively, the Club has a fantastic selection of Club merchandise that will make the perfect gift. See www.thefarmersclub.com click “About the Club” then “Club Merchandise.”
Isle of Man
Balmoral Show Dinner Tuesday 15th May The Farmers Club Dinner to take place at The Titanic Museum, Belfast. Application form included with this Journal
Balmoral Show Dinner
Under 30s Spring Farm Walk Weekend to Suffolk Friday 18 – Sunday 20th May JUNE Club Visit to Bergen, Norway Monday 11th – Thursday 14th June
AGM Calling Notice The Farmers Club will be holding its 176th Annual General Meeting on Thursday 5th July 2018 at 12 noon in the Farmers Suite. All Club members are invited to attend.
MAY Club visit to the Isle of Man Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th May
See p12-13 for full details Application form included with this Journal Norway
• More Event details on back cover
www.thefarmersclub.com • 05
Charles Abel • Farming policy
Farming’s future Embracing change is the only path to a sustainable farming future. Charles Abel reviews Defra’s preparations for the upcoming Agriculture Bill
that automatically complete tasks in seconds that took ‘thousands’ of man hours previously, biotechnology, environmental pressures, regulation, market forces – the list goes on. “Without action we face the progressive loss of the natural capital on which we all depend, so the imperative to protect the environment has to be at the heart of any plan.” A Command Paper to drive consultation on the upcoming Agriculture Bill was due in “a week or so”, he told the NFU Conference. So too was news on a possible 2018 Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme, plus changes to public food procurement, agricultural education and tougher fines for criminal fly-tippers. Slamming CAP as a relic from a bygone age Mr Gove said it was “unjust, inefficient and drives perverse outcomes”. “It gives the most from the public purse to those who have the most private wealth.” Pillar One funding had achieved “scarcely any environmental benefits”, while “dizzyingly complex” bureaucracy needed to end too. Announcing a comprehensive review of farm inspections, to be led by Dame Glenys Stacey (former CEO of Defra’s Animal Health agency), he said better co-ordination needed to cut duplication of farm inspections, and the focus needed to shift from field boundary box ticking to assessing actual environmental impacts. New Countryside Stewardship applications should be possible to complete in a working day. Farm inspections were happening “too often, for far too many things”.
“The reality of our times is not just change, but accelerating change, as the new normal.” More online: Gove’s speech: www.gov.uk/ government/ speeches/ a-brighter-future -for-farming Recipe for Change NFU Conference: www.nfuonline. com/news/nfuconference-2018 Embracing Change OFC Conference: www.ofc.org.uk
FARMING needs to accept constant change as the new normal. Policy change, technical change, regulatory change, marketing change and – yes – Brexit change. Fail to accept change as inevitable, and to engage in addressing it, and there is no sustainable future. So Defra Secretary, Michael Gove told the Oxford Farming Conference in January and expanded upon at the NFU Conference in February. He agreed with out-going NFU Presidents Meurig Raymond that future EU trade should be as frictionless and tariff-free as possible. “There is more changing than just our relationship with the EU,” he insisted. Disruptive change is coming from the growing global demand for food, rapid urbanisation, a rising affluent middle class, technical developments
06 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
“Gold Standard” UK Food Food production is at the heart of most farms and underpins the food and drink sector, the UK’s largest and fastest growing manufacturing sector. But it needs to be seen as part of a whole supply chain, where provenance, quality and sustainability are key – and where those strengths are fully leveraged, so people know when they are buying British they are buying food which is guaranteed to comply with the highest quality and environmental standards on earth. A new Government-backed Gold Standard is to embrace the best of Red Tractor, LEAF Marque and other schemes, creating a single brand to win global recognition for UK food and farming as the “best of the best”. It would provide a single scaled measure to show the world-leading quality of UK food and farming, including soil health, animal welfare and water quality. To strong applause, he told the NFU Conference: “we won’t be signing trade deals that mean British producers are undercut on animal welfare or environmental standards. We will succeed in a global marketplace, because we are at the top of the value chain, not trying to win a race to the bottom.”
Farming policy • Charles Abel Preparing for change To help farmers prepare for the new approach transition arrangements would give farmers five years of stable funding to March 2024, albeit with a cap, or sliding scale, to reduce the largest claims. The basic payment scheme would end by 31 March 2021, or 31 December 2020 to align with the EU’s budget.
the drive for reliable 5G broad-band across all parts of the UK would be intensified. Natural-capital thinking “We need to build natural capital thinking into our approach to all land use and management, so we develop a truly sustainable future.” Indeed, natural capital, taken overall, is worth more than its economic value alone, he concluded.
Comparable UK payments would continue until March 2024, with the lion’s share focused on environmental enhancement. “With soil degradation costing the UK £1.2bn/year we need to invest in halting that, but farmers do need the support of public funds to do so,” Mr Gove explained. But cross-compliance rules would be UK-directed. Government would also support farmers looking to leave the industry. Public money for public goods Spring 2018 would see proposals for the new Agriculture Act, including a strong shift to the new principle of public money for public goods. “We do not want to insulate farming from change, but to facilitate innovative and dynamic change to meet society’s needs.” From 2024 farmers would be rewarded for boosting wildlife, voluntarily improving animal welfare and improving water quality. “I see no inherent tension between efficient farming and environmental protection. New support will be for choosing to farm in the most soil protecting way, for example, to deliver ecosystem services, as well as for collaborating to make improvements at a landscape scale.” But the environment is not the only public good delivered by farmers, he stressed. Productivity, rural resilience and public access are also important. Proposals for reform of land-based education would be announced in the spring, and
PRODUCTIVITY KEY Improving UK farming’s productivity – the efficiency with which outputs are produced not the overall quantity – demands a step-change to be competitive post-Brexit and raise environmental standards, says the AHDB. Its Horizon report shows the UK falling significantly behind its competitors, with productivity growing at just 0.9% a year, compared with three times that in the USA and Netherlands (3.2% and 3.5% respectively). The result is a productivity gap worth over £4.3bn in lost GDP between 2000 and 2013. The report blames a strong skew in the £490m spent on research and development towards “blue sky” rather than “near market” research. Research is also too fragmented. But a lack of skills is also implicated, with British farmers and growers underinvesting in skills, compared with competitors. The AHDB wants a “revolution in agricultural productivity”, based on: • Prioritising near-market R&D • Establishing a “What Works” centre • Co-ordinating knowledge exchange • Creating a national skills framework for farmers, with career-long CPD • More farmer-to-farmer learning, especially through benchmarking
Glyphosate future Could the EU’s ‘shambolic’ fiveyear extension of glyphosate approval be avoided by a more science-based UK regulatory system post-Brexit, asked Andrew McShane of agronomy firm Hutchinsons.
Mr Gove felt it could. He agreed glyphosate was an ‘invaluable tool’ to support more environmentally sustainable cultivation practices, to protect and enhance soil quality, and that technology might enable such materials to be used with an even lighter touch.
To compete with lower prices UK farmers could seek to tighten margins and cut corners on environmental regulations. Equally, an EU-focused drive to enhance compatibility of regulations could make it very difficult for the UK to improve standards on animal welfare, food safety and pesticide use and residues.
Food Security Post-Brexit trade deals could pose the biggest peacetime threat to the UK’s food security, warns an All-Party Parliamentary Group. And a simple failure for the UK to align with EU standards could hamper trade with the EU-27, a senior EU official adds. Trade deals which permit imports of food produced with lower health, welfare or environmental standards could undermine UK farmers, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Agroecology warns.
The AAPG report comes amid concerns a trade deal with the US could let in chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-fed beef. But Ted McKinney (left), Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs to United States Department of Agriculture, warned the UK not to erect sanitary or phyto-sanitary barriers, branding them “unjustified roadblocks”. Problems could be compounded if UK and EU trade standards fail to align, added Paolo de Castro MEP, vice-chairman to the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and former Italian Minister for Agriculture. It’s a sensitive issue for consumers, which could see UK producers disadvantaged, not due to any technical inability to meet standards, but simply because standards had not been coordinated, he warned.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 07
Charles Abel • Brexit Ireland leads the way A recent Irish study showed that putting land into the hands of trained farmers increased output by 12%, more than the increase achieved by passing land onto the younger generation. The successful introduction in Ireland of rent relief from Income Tax, geared to length of tenancy, has encouraged more letting of land over longer time periods.
Tax to drive productivity Charles Abel reports
“The first year of that Irish relief saw a 30% increase in the number of landowners offering tenancies for five years or more.”
OVERHAULING tax legislation offers a key way to promote greater productivity in the farming sector post-Brexit, the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers believes. “Brexit offers the greatest opportunity to determine agricultural policy since 1947, providing the chance to improve the sector that provides much of our food, environment and landscape,” explains Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the CAAV. One of the key factors that needs addressing is access to land, he explains. This involves freeing up more land for rent, as well as ensuring that land farmed in-hand is passed down to the next generation who will farm it best. “Agriculture, short of physical investment in recent years, is on the cusp of a major technological revolution,” he adds. “And with many keen and skilled potential entrants, it is at a point where an improved tax system could yield real dividends.”
“The first year of that Irish relief saw a 30% increase in the number of landowners offering tenancies for five years or more,” says Mr Moody. “A similar measure here, in conjunction with the UK’s new Residential Nil Rate Band Amount for Inheritance Tax - which gives relief on a home passed down the family - could have a powerful stimulus as a retirement package, with land made available for others to farm, providing a secure income and protecting many houses.” While Government tax policy has favoured companies under Corporation Tax this has left farming’s sole traders and partnerships behind. “Businesses should be treated equally for what they do, not discriminated against for the way they are structured.” Greater investment and innovation will be key to future productivity and resilience, and the CAAV is arguing for the reinstatement of Agricultural Buildings Allowances to encourage such investment. “To help farmers embrace new technologies there should also be a £2.5m capital allowance for automation and digital technologies over five years.” While boosting agricultural productivity is one aim post-Brexit, it’s also important to consider the wider rural economy, and the value of diversification, warns Mr Moody. “Diversifying can be a risky move, so it’s vital that support is available.” This includes providing tax relief for abortive proposals, and the ability to write off losses against the other part of the business. When it comes to environmental measures, we need to explore how taxation can encourage private investment in land management to boost soil carbon, water storage, and ecosystem health, explains Mr Moody. Answers may lie in a model in the United States or some form of Natural Capital Allowance enabling businesses to claim tax relief on expenditure that enhances the environment.
The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers is a specialist professional body representing, qualifying and briefing over 2700 members practising in a diverse range of agricultural and rural work. Its members are agricultural and rural valuers who provide professional advice and valuation expertise on tenancy, sales, purchases, taxation, compulsory purchase, auctioneering, conservation and farm structures.
08 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
The CAAV discussion paper Brexit - Agricultural Tax Policy can be supplied by emailing jeremy@caav.org.uk
Education • Charles Abel
STEM for farming “This has left UK producers severely disadvantaged, when compared with competitors in the USA and Netherlands in particular”
FARMING, to be successful in uncertain times, needs a constant influx of appropriately educated people. However, unless it explains more clearly to the political establishment what these educational needs are, it is unlikely to receive them, and the sector will struggle to adapt.
There was also a perception that agriculture was not a career for those not already associated with the land to aim for. “Other countries, like the USA, Australia and New Zealand, have fought hard to overcome this, and are succeeding. It is a cause that the industry needs to adopt”
Such was the under-lying theme of January’s Monday Evening Lecture delivered by Prof Jo Price MRCVS, vice-chancellor of the Royal Agricultural University at Cirencester.
She advocated a united pitch to Government; to the Department of Education and Defra. “If not united then we should be like a swarm of horse flies, constantly making the point.”
“The productivity of UK agriculture is a longstanding problem, and Brexit will have a major impact,” she said. The industry not only needs to up-skill itself, but estimates suggest it also needs 60,000 new entrants by 2020. At the same time only 40% of employees in the land-based sector undertake training annually, the worst record of any industry.
A lack of applied research capability compounded the problem, with Universities by necessity pursuing fundamental research and thus ignoring more practical translatable topics. This has left UK producers severely disadvantaged, when compared with competitors in the USA and Netherlands in particular, where Universities had adjusted ‘extraordinarily quickly’ to meet practical research needs.
Technical skills alone would not be enough, she stressed. “Business skills will be key, as well as influencing, negotiating and communication, the sorts of things needed throughout a whole career.” • The next Monday Evening Lecture is scheduled for Monday 16th April – speaker Mr Stan Philips, Agricultural Counsellor, US Embassy.
Prof Jo Price, ViceChancellor at RAU Cirencester
STEM accreditation She argued for the industry to do more to put its case to Government. Agriculture was not classified as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subject, and so misses out on a lot of support, since Government saw STEM subjects as key to its industrial strategy, and productivity in particular.
“We are in a challenging situation, because many of the industry-facing Institutes have closed. The Industry now needs to help shape new research, education and knowledge transfer programmes if it is to make the most of the Government’s fresh focus on market-orientated support.” Life-long learning, via dip-in-and-out ‘snacking education’, would also be needed. “We need to create courses and programmes that connect with real jobs at the end.”
www.thefarmersclub.com • 09
Charles Abel • Crop protection
Ag-chem pipeline AFTER the good news of glyphosate’s extended authorisation (albeit for just five years), further good news from the NFU suggests over a dozen promising new pesticides are due to be launched in the UK soon.
Emma Hamer, NFU senior plant health adviser
“Getting new products through registration costs over €250m, takes 10-12 years and involves increasing regulatory challenges,” says NFU Deputy President Guy Smith. “That is why stewardship initiatives, like Get Pelletwise for slug pellets and Think Water for oilseed rape herbicides, are so important to maintain the use of the active ingredients the industry is left with.” Non-chemical controls will increasingly have a role to play too, he says. Robotic mechanical weeding and laser ‘zapping’ of camera-spotted weeds just need time to scale-up and become affordable, especially in high-value crops. But the conventional chemistry pipeline has much to offer too, says Emma Hamer, senior plant health adviser at the NFU. She expects over a dozen new products to arrive in UK chemical stores over the next few years: Inatreq – cereal fungicide from Dow offering Septoria control with no resistance issues. 2018 launch due. Will need careful resistance management. Revysol – new class of azole cereal fungicide from BASF, with no endocrine disruptor issues. A new residual blackgrass herbicide from BASF for use in cereals. Whilst not a new pendimethalin, it will extend options, provided it is used wisely to prevent resistance developing. Expected 2018/19.
10 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
Isoclast – aphicide from Dow, (sulfoxaflor) controls aphids in potatoes, brassica vegetables, salad crops, peas, beans, cereals, ornamentals and protected crops. No cross-resistance to other insecticide groups like pyrethroids or neonicotinoids. Fast knockdown reduces risk of virus spread. Ideal for IPM programmes. Expected UK sales in 2018. Conviso Smart – a system for using a broadspectrum herbicide from Bayer in herbicide-tolerant (non-GM) sugar beet varieties, expected by 2020. Conviso comprises a highly effective herbicide and ALS tolerant varieties, developed by Bayer and KWS using conventional breeding technologies. Currently being evaluated by CRD, authorisations awaited. Zorvec – potato blight fungicide from DuPont, with significant protectant as well as curative activity. Sivanto – flupyradifurone-based aphicde from Bayer, offering environmentally friendly pest control in potatoes and other crops. New aphicide from new chemical group. Anticipated uses in brassicas, pulses and potatoes to begin with, and extension into a range of crops. Expected authorisation late 2019/early 2020. Spirotetramat – aphicide from Bayer already holds emergency authorisation for use in the UK, and is expected to secure authorisation for further crops. Full authorisation hoped for in 2018 for apples, pears, outdoor cherries and plums and protected and outdoor strawberries, and post-harvest blackcurrants. Fluopyram (AR83685) – a new nematicide from Bayer, expected in 2019, offering a very exciting opportunity to reduce reliance on other nematicides in integrated pest management programmes. Arylex Active – post-emergence broad-leaved weed control in oilseed rape from Dow, based on the same chemistry as Pixxaro for use in cereals, with a very wide window of treatment from September to Christmas. Already registered in Denmark it is hoped for in the UK in 2018. Aclonifen – a linuron alternative for weed control in vegetable crops from Bayer, already widely available in the EU and expected in the UK within 18 months. New potato herbicides from Bayer using existing active ingredients from Liberator (diflufenican + flufenacet) + potato herbicide metribuzin. Coformulated product launch expected Autumn 2018.
Farm policy • Charles Abel FIRST it was Government adviser Dieter Helm, then Defra Secretary Michael Gove and Prime Minister Theresa May, and now anyone with a view on farming seems to be stressing the importance of ‘natural capital’ – the nation’s land, soil, ecosystems, air and clean water. The mantra is clear – the worth of the countryside goes beyond its economic return. But it raises one crucial question: how can land use be valued in a way that prioritises sustainability and rewards the stewards? Or, put another way, how do farmers and landowners calculate the ROI of good land management?
Valuing ‘Natural Capital’
“The problem is that we are losing natural capital year on year, with soil being one obvious example,” says Professor Paul Leinster, a member of the Government’s Natural Capital Committee and Professor of Environmental Assessment at Cranfield University. “But how do you incentivise management practices that provide a public good, but little immediate financial return to the farmers?”
“How do you incentivise management practices that provide a public good, but little immediate financial return to the farmers?”
He cites changing land management to reduce the risk of downstream floods. “Water is of increasing concern and water company water resource management plans will be coming out for consultation soon. In addition, if you were to pay land owners to accept flood waters on their land in certain circumstances then you can reduce downstream flood risks. But there needs to be a clear economic case to support this or some other way of valuing the benefit. “There is also a lot of work looking at the valuation of the benefits offered by different types of land use. For example, woodland may provide timber, act as a windbreak, trap particulate air pollution, or sequester carbon. It may also provide a space for recreation with associated health and wellbeing benefits.” Measurement key David Burton, Senior Advisor (Supply Chain Partnerships) at Natural England, agrees that measuring the benefits gained from nature is complex. Natural England has been working with Agrimetrics to create the ‘Natural Capital Explorer’, a proof of concept dashboard to bring together datasets on a variety of environmental and socio-economic variables, to make it easy to view graphically for a particular farm or landscape (see example graphic above right). “Being able to agree a set of linked metrics, such as measures of water quality, soil health, habitat quality and access to green space for local people, would make it clearer how to assess and invest in natural capital and create a common language for describing ecosystem services. This is a pre-requisite for creating farm, estate and parish plans that share common objectives in a particular landscape,” he explains.
David Burton, Natural England
Agri-Tech East
Agroecology Soil fertility is often highlighted as a particular asset that is being degraded. Increasingly farmers are encouraged to feed the soil not the plant. Alice Midmer, Integrated Farm Management manager for LEAF, explains: “By emphasising the application of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of agricultural systems, agroecology attempts to reconcile environmental, sustainability and production goals. “Studies have shown that creating a better balance can reduce the use of inputs, creating benefits for the bottom line in the longer term. To encourage adoption it may be necessary to develop a system of certification to gain a premium for products, or payments for ecosystem services where farmers gain little financial return.”
Counting the Cost, Value and Benefits of Natural Capital in Agriculture was organised by Agri-Tech East – an independent, business-focussed organisation, to improve international competitiveness and sustainability of plantbased agriculture and horticulture, bringing farmers and growers together with scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs to create a global innovation hub. www.agritech-east. co.uk
www.thefarmersclub.com • 11
Anita Kaur • Norway and Isle of Man
Club tour to Norway 11th to 14th June 2018 The Club is pleased to be able to offer a fascinating visit to Norway in June, organised in conjunction with specialist operator Field Farm Tours
Itinerary for a group of 20:
Monday 11th June Early afternoon arrival at Bergen Airport to meet English-speaking guide for executive coach transfer into Bergen. Panoramic sightseeing tour of Bergen’s cultural treasures, including visit to Mount Floyen or guided walk along the Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check into Radisson Blu Hotel for 3 night stay. Dinner in the hotel and talk by guest speaker (tbc).
Club visit to Isle of Man 9th to 11th May 2018 Join Club Chairman Peter Jinman and his wife Gill to visit the Isle of Man this May, to investigate its farming, economy, heritage and culture
12 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
Tuesday 12th June Breakfast in hotel. Departure by boat to Baroniet Rosendal for a guided tour of Scandinavia’s smallest “palace”, famous for its magnificent Renaissance garden. Lunch at Baroniet Rosendal followed by free time. Return to Bergen by boat, arriving in time for individual exploration. Dinner in the famous Bryggen Tracteursted on Bergen Wharf.
Wednesday 13th June Breakfast in hotel. Departure to Hardanger Aqua Centre, Kvam for an insight into aquaculture at one of the world’s most beautiful fjords. Salmon lunch at Aqua Centre. Continue to Ulvik to visit Hardanger Juice and Ciderfabrikk, on a fruit farm on Hardanger Fjord, producing apple juice, ciders and spirits – products with a long tradition in the Hardanger area. Travel to Voss to visit sheep producer specialising in “smoked head of lamb”, or more correctly “sheep head” being the direct translation of “smalahove”. Dinner at farm and return to Bergen.
Thursday 14th June Breakfast in hotel. Train to Myrdal and onto the famous Flambanen, one of the world’s steepest railway lines on normal gauge tracks. Nearly 80% of the route – through stunning Nordic scenery – is on a 55% gradient. Visit and lunch at AEgir Brewery’s AEgir BrewPub, Flamsbrygga, one of Flam’s biggest attractions. The building is inspired by Norse mythology, with the exterior reminiscent of a stave church, and driftwood halls and dragon heads inside. After lunch depart for Bergen Airport for early evening flight to London.
Itinerary for a group of 21:
Wednesday 9th May Arrive on the Isle of Man and transfer to Regency Hotel, Douglas. This morning we enjoy a full lap of the Douglas Promenade by private horse-drawn tram, before visiting the Manx Museum, for an introductory film on the Isle of Man and buffet lunch. Private tour of the famous Tynwald building, home of the Isle of Man parliament. Dinner at the Tynwald.
Thursday 10th May Ride Manx Electric Railway from Douglas to Laxey and visit the amazing Laxey Wheel – a huge 22m waterwheel built into the hillside. Laxey to Ramsey by tram. Farm walk at Smeale Farm, a conservation award winning producer of quality lamb, cereals and fruit for over 400 years. Lunch at Cook Shack. Tour of Peel Castle, followed by a visit to Manx Kippers, based in the historic fishing port of Peel. Scenic drive to Douglas via Niarbyl and Slock with viewing points. Drinks reception followed by dinner at Regency Hotel.
Norway and Isle of Man • Anita Kaur
Norway Tour Cost £1753.00 per person (double/twin occupancy). This includes, accommodation in a four-star hotel with continental breakfast, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, some with wine/beer or soft drinks, technical and tourist entry as per the itinerary and return flights and taxes from Gatwick Airport. £330.00 single occupancy supplement. Flights Dep. Gatwick 10.50am, Arr. Bergen 13.45pm, Dep. Bergen 19.10pm, Arr Gatwick Airport 20.10pm. To secure a place please complete booking form enclosed with this Journal or contact Administrator Miss Anita Kaur administrator@thefarmersclub.com 020 7930 3751 by Wednesday 21 March 2018. Photos: sverrehjornevik.com, Jonny Akselsen, Marte Kopperud, m_dickson, Visitnorway.com
Friday 11th May Visit Sandisfarne Herd Farm, the original home of ‘long lived cows’, 110 of which have achieved 100 tonnes of milk each in the past 13 years, the third highest recorded internationally. Steam train from Douglas to Port Erin for lunch at Sound Café. Visit Castletown – free time (Castle Rushen, Nautical Museum). Return to hotel for supper, before 19.45pm departure to Isle of Man Airport and evening flight to Gatwick.
Isle of Man Tour Cost £595.00 per person (double/twin occupancy). This includes, accommodation in a four-star hotel with breakfast, lunches, dinners, all visits and return flights from Gatwick Airport. £30.00 single occupancy supplement. Flights: Dep. Gatwick 08.00am, Arr. Isle of Man 09.20am, Dep. Isle of Man 21.05pm, Arr Gatwick 22.20pm. To secure a place please complete booking form enclosed with this Journal or contact Administrator Miss Anita Kaur administrator@thefarmersclub.com 020 7930 3751 by Wednesday 21 March 2018.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 13
Virginia Masser • Conference & Banqueting
Farming Snapshot A thumbnail insight looking at…
New-tech tractors LAMMA 2018 was the first opportunity for UK and Irish farmers to see New Holland’s next generation methane-powered tractor and NHDrive technology. The second-generation methane-powered concept tractor (below right) has matched the performance and durability of its diesel equivalents, but costs 30% less to operate and produces just 20% of the pollution emissions of a conventional diesel-powered tractor. New Holland also showcased a T8 tractor fitted with its NHDrive autonomous tractor technology pack, designed to makes supervised automation possible (below left).
Host your function at The Farmers Club WHY not hold your forthcoming function in one of the Club function rooms, or make use of The Terrace, depending on availability. Whether it be a Wedding Reception, Anniversary, Birthday Party, Christening celebration or the next company meeting – we can meet your needs.
Member feedback speaks for itself.
“It was excellent and the staff looked after us very well. 10/10!”
Farmers Suite laid up for a major function
The impressive Farmers Suite
First shown at the Farm Progress Show in Iowa, USA in 2016, NHDrive can undertake a wide range of farming tasks, in theory driving to the field autonomously, via private on-farm tracks, to work with other autonomous or traditional operator-controlled machines. NHDrive can be monitored and controlled via a desktop computer or portable tablet interface, with a path-plotting screen showing the tractor’s progress, and another its live camera feed. A further screen enables monitoring and modification of parameters such as engine speed, fuel levels and implement settings, including seeding rate or coulter downforce.
• LAMMA 2019 will be indoors at NEC, Birmingham on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 January 2019. Day 2 of this year’s outdoor show at Peterborough was cancelled due to storm damage to some of the 900 exhibitor stands. Day 1 saw an estimated 20,000 visitors.
14 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
“The function on Monday was very well received and the party send their thanks for the service and the food.”
“The attention to detail and enthusiasm from everyone that looked after us was a credit to The Farmers Club.”
The elegant Hudson Room
“We had a very enjoyable Trust lunch. The food was excellent and the service outstanding.” Farmers Suite ready for standing event
Whatever type of function it may be, the team are here to assist, so please contact Liza on 020 7925 7100 or email functions@thefarmersclub.com
Obituary • Andrei Spence NFU roles During this time Roy held a number of prominent agricultural positions at local and national level. He was, for almost 20 years, Director of West Midland Farmers and a Board member of Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset Seed Growers Association. His wider involvement also included a stint as Chairman, and then later, as President of the Wiltshire branch of the NFU, and the national NFU Council. Roy was also a member of the Home-Grown Cereals Authority (later to become the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Research and Development Committee. He represented the interests of farmers and landowners on the Wiltshire Rural Forum, was a Trustee (Grants) for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution for many years and was a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farmers. Giving something back Roy was a prominent member of the Farmers Club, being a member for over 52 years. Always one for wanting to ‘give something back’, he sat on several of the Club committees, was Chairman of the Membership sub-committee and became Chairman in 1997.
Malcolm ‘Roy’ Walker FORMER Chairman, Malcolm ‘Roy’ Walker passed away on Boxing Day 2017 aged 87. He was a former Chairman of the Club, a successful farmer and a keen supporter of the industry’s various organisations. Above all he was a true gentleman, with gentle determination and an encouraging word for all those he met.
On his retirement to Stanford in the Vale, Oxfordshire, Roy was a keen participant in local affairs, particularly those involved with St Denys Church in the village. This also marked a time for him to transform his new garden into the fabulous showcase it became. He was also the driving force behind the planning, design, erection and funding of a permanent war memorial now located in the grounds of the local church. Roy was a Trustee of the Cave Foundation, whose generous grants supported the Farmers Club͛ Pinnacle Awards for entrepreneurship and business innovation amongst agricultural college and university students, a cause very important to Roy. His funeral service on 22 January 2018 was held at a very full St Denys church and eulogies and reminiscences were given by his sons and friends alike. Roy was pre-deceased by his wife Judith in 2010 and is survived by his daughter Clare and sons Jonathan and Richard. A memorial service at Dorchester Abbey, Dorchester-on-Thames, will be held in July 2018. Andrei Spence Club Secretary
Roy’s first farming business was at Manor Farm, Chittern near Warminster, which he held in partnership with his brother which started in the 1950s, before moving to Whitefields in 1962 where he farmed 1000 acres on the Marlborough Downs until his retirement.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 15
Charles Abel • Clean water
Clean water on farm Cleaner water means higher productivity from healthier livestock. Photo: www.agriphoto.com
CLEAN water is at an increasing premium, but a new technical solution launched onto the UK market at the LAMMA event in Peterborough aims to help farmers gather water on their farm to create a clean supply that brings positive benefits to livestock at minimal cost. Using filtration, ozone and ultra-violet cleansing, similar to the systems used by water companies to cleanse human consumption water, Xylem’s new HydroInfinity system can process 21,000 litres/day from water collected and stored on the farm. The chemical-free purification system inactivates all pathogens, including E. coli, Salmonella, Legionella and Campylobacter bacteria, and Cryptosporidium oocyst. It gives scope to eliminate antibiotic and probiotic treatments to livestock without any negative effects, says Xylem.
Terrace at the Farmers Club
Considered better than tap water, since it contains no chlorine or fluoride, the treated water can enhance livestock performance, with on-farm studies showing a 37% drop in somatic cell count on one 500-cow dairy unit, and improved feed conversion and lower bird mortality on a large poultry farm. Water can be sourced from wells, surface water, boreholes or rain-harvesting and the pure drinking water is said to stay fresher for longer than mains supplies. Xylem is a world leader in fluid technologies, with a turnover of $7billion and 16,000 staff. Plug and play units cost around £4500. www.xylem.co.uk
ON New Year’s Eve we were reminded how lucky we are to have a Club Terrace, with beautiful views of the London Eye, the River Thames, and the fireworks of course. This wonderful outside space never ceases to wow – not only visitors to the Club, but those of you who frequent the Club on a regular basis too. It is quite simply, stunning! As we move towards the summer months, The Terrace will once again come into its own. The trees will have wonderful green foliage and Embankment Gardens will boast beautiful new seasonal planting. The hum of the traffic on the Embankment will still be heard, but beyond that you’ll likely forget you are in the middle of the busiest and some would say, the greatest city in the world. Why not come and enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or simply a glass or two and enjoy the oasis. Virginia Masser General Manager
16 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
Horseback falconry • Charles Abel
Showground magic TAKE a country show, an enthusiastic rural audience and modern social media and what do you get? For horseback falconer Jonathan Marshall the result has been spectacular, leading him to wow crowds at over 132 country shows and game fairs across the UK last year, with his world-class display. At the South of England Autumn Show and Game Fair in late September Jonathan paid tribute to an appreciative rural community. “Since featuring at last year’s show we’ve been catapaulted to an unbelievable level, with half a million on-line views and amazing social media – all from last year’s autumn show.” “I’ve ridden for the Saudi Royal family, for the King of Bahrain, and have a 12-date tour of the USA later this year,” he explained. All thanks to a game fair – and social media. Why such interest? For starters, nowhere in the world will you see a peregrine fly between the legs of the horse on which its costumed falconer is sitting – all following a stunning display of free flight to wonderfully atmospheric music. That’s worth a Facebook post or Youtube clip – especially when the falcon was just an egg nine weeks ago and trained in three short weeks. Jonathan’s act features a nostalgic reprise of horse-themed shows of the 1970s and 1980s, including Black Beauty, Champion the Wonderhorse and the Horse of the Year Show, before a tantalising display of dressage moves, in which the fine-boned Andalucian stallion reveals his
dextrous bull-fighting pedigree through finely executed moves including passage, Piaffe and passo Espagnol – true poetry in motion. If the black stallion, La Colonel, looks familiar there’s a reason – he starred in Lloyds Bank’s iconic TV adverts recently. Jonathan and his horses have been on BBC Countryfile and recently secured a key role in the hugely popular TV series Game of Thrones. Watch this space! Jonathan has a simple mantra: “If you love something, stick to your dreams and keep doing it, because one day it will come good.” From carefree childhood days galloping across the Lancashire moss to organising a busy schedule of displays from his farm near Clovelly in Cornwall he has lived in the moment, living life to the full.
“Social media and rural events catapaulted Jonathan Marshall’s career forwards.”
Agriultural & Rural Shows The UK has over 400 days of agricultural and rural shows a year, says the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (www.asao.co.uk). The South of England Agricultural Society showcased farming and the countryside through four key events, attracting a considerable audience in 2017, its 50th year since amalgamating a number of county show societies which dated back to the 1830s.
Display falconry See more including photos and videos at: www.jonathanmarshallshows.com
www.thefarmersclub.com • 17
Anita Kaur • Club Event
Farming Figures A look at... farm health and safety .....told through some worrying statistics
27
Fatalities in 2016-2017 – 23% struck by moving vehicle, 18% fall from height, 15% animal linked
30 years
Period in which fatality rate in farming has shown no significant change
£0.25 billion
Economic impact of workplace injury (£162m) and new work-related illness (£84m) (2015-16)
Circus success x 2!
7.61/100,000 Fatality rate – highest in UK compared with 0.43 in all industries, 0.88 transport, 1.37 construction and 6.64 water/sewage
13,000
Estimated injuries – 23% lifting/handling, 20% slip, trip, fall at same level, 14% animal related
124
Improvement notices served by HSE, plus 41 prohibition notices. Inspections rising in 2018
£713,000
Fines brought by HSE, averaging £34,000 each
1.5%
Share of UK workers in farming/forestry/fishing
4.4%
Rate of self-reported work-related illness in ag/ forestry/fishing. All industries ave 3.1%
15,000
Estimated number of workers suffering workrelated illness each year – 46% musculoskeletal Sources: HSE, NFU, NFU Mutual, Safety Revolution, www.yellowwellies.org, #SeeItChangeIt, www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/agriculture NB: Year to April 2017 unless stated otherwise
18 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
CLUB members enjoyed a wonderful evening of extraordinary circus entertainment in the company of Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall in February. So popular was the event that two visits were organised to meet demand from members.
Our programme started with a two-course supper with wine in the Club, before transfer to the Royal Albert Hall and return to the Club afterwards by coach.
Club member Bill Marlow was a definite fan. “We enjoyed an excellent pre-show supper, the show The colourful ‘OVO’ carnival of itself was splendid, our bedroom crazy crickets, amazing ants and first class, and breakfast delicious. It flexible fleas transported visitors headlong into an ecosystem teeming was good to see the newly extended Restaurant so busy at the weekend. with life. A veritable riot of energy And a special mention for the and movement featured many of charming and efficient Anita Kaur, Cirque du Soleil’s signature acts, including a stunning 14m high flying who chaperoned us throughout trapeze act – the biggest of its kind! most professionally.” • Keep up to date with new events at www.thefarmersclub.com/events
Head Chef & Director of Food • Paul Hogben IN early January, on a misty morning, l set off from Kent to visit a very special place in Worcestershire. I was met by Will Kerton, and his wife Gillian, the daughter of Michael Davies – the fourth and fifth generation owners of Churchfields farm. A hundred years ago Churchfields Farm, within the Salwarpe Valley, was bought by Thomas Davies. He paid £1460 for 45 acres and a herd of 15 dairy shorthorns, which sent milk by horse and trap to the local town of Droitwich Spa. I was told the farm had a lovely rural location, with breath-taking views on all sides – but the mist shrouded all the day I visited.
What a Difference a Farm Makes! “In the mid19th century Droitwich Salt won international recognition and was awarded a ‘Premier Class No 41’ designation.”
The farm is mainly dairy, predominantly Holstein with some Belgium Blue, Hereford and Shorthorns. Milk, cream, butter and ice cream are produced in the micro-dairy and sold in the farm shop and café, or at local outlets, including a milk dispensing machine selling to customers directly. Investing in future generations is very important, so there is a real effort to minimise environmental impacts, protect and enhance the farm’s biodiversity, and cut its carbon footprint. Hot water and heating comes from a bio-fuel system using local timber and a 120kw solar panel system in a nearby field powers the pasteurisers, dairy heaters and cafe cookers, cutting the farm’s carbon footprint by 38.5 tons of carbon dioxide in nine months. Droitwich salt My main reason for visiting Will was to witness the production of Droitwich salt. Will’s father-inlaw convinced him to leave his job in real estate and join the farm to oversee salt production after securing a 200 tonne annual licence. On 4th September 2017, after almost a century, the world’s first and only known salt made from pure brine springs, once again went into production. Droitwich Salt is sourced from one of the oldest and purest brine springs in the world, historically, and justly, celebrated for its great purity. Today this pure and natural flavour still comes through. The salt is harvested by hand after a gentle process of crystallising brine using renewable energy. The brine springs have existed beneath Droitwich Spa for millions of years and were an internationally valuable resource in Roman, Anglo Saxon and Norman times, and led King John to grant the town a Royal Charter in 1215. Today, this unique resource is once again being used.
“Having both grown up in Droitwich, we are immensely proud to be part of a product revival with such local and international importance,” Will and Gillian enthuse. “While we are a family farming business located in the heart of England our vision is to become a major player in the wider UK gourmet salt market and firmly position Droitwich Salt as a delicious natural alternative.” With my eyes open to bringing new British foods to the Club for members to enjoy and talk about l am very pleased to say we will be using Droitwich Salt at the Club in the new season menu. Your Club is probably the first establishment in London to support this venture. Chef www.thefarmersclub.com • 19
Charlotte Harris, Chairman; Emily McVeigh, Vice Chairman; Anita Kaur, Secretary • U30s
Chairman’s Jottings
OFC Report 2018
I AM writing my final Chairman’s Jottings from Singapore after visiting coconut plantations in Indonesia and the Philippines. It has been fascinating seeing how the farmers use every part of the coconut; the shells with the meat and water are sold on, whilst the husks are smoked to break them down and then added to the base of the trees, returning nutrients and preventing trees from being swallowed by the peat soil into the canal system. The smoke also deters the weevils and beetles that can destroy the trees! I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as Chairman of the U30s and hope the U30s members have enjoyed hearing from speakers such as AHDB monitor farmer and Nuffield Scholar Russell McKenzie, as well as visits to fruit and arable farms in Kent and Sir John Campbell’s egg farm near Edinburgh. I feel very lucky to have joined the Main Club Committee for the past two years, which has taught me a great deal about how our Club functions and all the work of the staff and Committee to make this Club such a fantastic place to be. The new U30s Committee will be announced at the AGM on our New Members Weekend. Bradley Etchell, Jonny Hawking and Alexandra Day will be stepping down from the Committee and I would like to formally thank them for all the time and effort they have given to make the U30s events a success over the past few years. I look forward to continuing to be a part of the U30s as well as going to the events that bring all the Club members together.
Contact Charlotte for more information: Charlotte Harris U30 Chairman 2017/18 Job Title: Head of International Supply Chain Where: The Coconut Collaborative, Westminster, London charlotte.harris90@gmail.com 07766 954 718
20 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
IT was a privilege to be The Farmers Club Under 30s scholar at the Oxford Farming Conference 2018. It gave me a huge insight into the future of agriculture, centred around the theme ‘Embracing Change’. My conference began with a scholars briefing from OFC director Matthew Naylor, followed by a brief market research task, the AHDB fringe meeting focussed on increasing productivity and a talk from McDonalds, affording great networking opportunities. The first full day both challenged my approach to the future of agriculture, and gave confidence in light of uncertain times, with DEFRA Secretary Michael Gove addressing the protection of natural capital and how support payments would change post-Brexit. I enjoyed Thursday’s technical speakers, especially the ‘Hands-FreeHectare’ talk, offering a glimpse into future production, using un-manned tractors and drones. After lunch Tim Papworth gave an extraordinary account of his journey back to health after a life-changing injury on the farm. Duncan McConachie, an entrepreneur from a family farm in Scotland, tackled succession head on – a fantastic,
incredibly refreshing talk, as this important and emotional issue is all too often avoided. The Oxford Union Debate considered whether eating meat would become a thing of the past by 2100. Ultimately, the motion was opposed, but the issues raised led me to question whether we will need to change our methods of food production to better protect the environment and tackle climate change. The final day included botanist James Wong’s exhilarating talk on the types of crops we could grow in the future, followed by The Frank Parkinson Lecture, by Eve Turrow Paul, explaining how the millennial generation could change the future of food production and consumption. Attending OFC 2018 was one of the best experiences I have had. The vast amount of information and positive attitudes of the speakers gave me inspiration for the next stage of my career. Thank you to The Farmers Club for sponsoring me and I would encourage all Under 30s to apply for future scholarships. Andrew Whitlow Under 30s member
U30s • Charlotte Harris, Chairman; Emily McVeigh, Vice Chairman; Anita Kaur, Secretary
Vegan?
Let’s talk… Charlotte Harris addresses the elephant in the room
The pinnacle of the vegan argument no longer lies in the conservation of water and crop land for human consumption instead of animal feed, rather the focus is now around the treatment of the animals. This is a low blow for many farmers who care deeply for their animals and go to significant lengths to care for them. In particular vegans argue the dairy industry is cruel: slaughtering male calves seen as a wasteful byproduct, and distressing cows when their calves are removed. So, what can be done? Although the movements are still small and billions of people will continue to enjoy eating meat, eggs, honey and dairy, adaptability and evolution are key to the industry’s long term sustainability. Three key areas deserve attention: communicating with the public, adding value at source, and diversifying. Social media has allowed people to access more information than ever before, but our industry has largely been left behind. The lack of transparency is creating extremist views, which can circulate with little opposition. Could you create an Instagram account like Daylesford Farm to explain your day to day farming life, or encourage sons and daughters to create blogs?
Livestock food products remain central to most diets. But farming should not ignore the rising interest in alternatives.
THE rise in veganism (the total removal of animal products from the diet) and the more recent flexitarianism (a largely plant-based diet with occasional meat-eating) over the past few years is becoming a huge concern to dairy, egg and meat farmers. Whilst official figures say just 1% of the population follow a vegan diet, the shift in eating habits and its increasing popularity is putting additional pressure on a system where margins are small and supermarket contracts are a volume game.
Plant-based alternatives to livestock food products are attracting growing interest globally.
CONTACTS Vegan Society: www.vegansociety.com/ Farmer Tom: www.twitter.com/Farmer_Tom_UK/ Face Time a Farmer: www.leafuk.org/news-and-media/news/ facetime-skype-a-farmer-farmingfriday Daylesford Farm: www.instagram.com/daylesfordfarm/
Cambridgeshire farmer Tom Martin has taken this one step further, starting his own initiative “FaceTime a Farmer” - where he streams live into schools from his farm and so connects his farm with the topic the students are studying. Another option is to add value at source. I grew up on a dairy and arable farm, so it may surprise you to hear I now run the operations for a plant-based yoghurt company. Our yoghurts are produced by a dairy farmer in Yorkshire using the yoghurt machinery on his farm, and similarly we work with a dairy farmer in Cheshire who produces our ice cream for us. I am content knowing we’re helping two farmers grow their businesses. The old adage “If you can’t beat them, join them” is apt. Could you use your machinery in tandem with plant-based businesses to increase your output? A major change is to diversify. Looking at the U30s, the McVeigh family farm Longhorn cattle and run a cookery school and glamping site. The Vegan Society has even launched its Grow Green campaign, aiming to help farmers convert from livestock production to growing crops for humans. I am in no way condoning veganism. However, I think it’s important to address the shifting food habits and consumer demands that directly impact us. We need to put farming back in the positive light and ensure families can continue farming for generations to come.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 21
The Farmers Club • Club Information
Club Information
020 7930 3557 • www.thefarmersclub.com 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 2018 VICE PRESIDENTS Barclay Forrest OBE, Sir Mark Hudson, Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN Peter Jinman OBE TRUSTEES Jimmy McLean, Mrs Nicki Quayle, Julian Sayers (Chairman), Paul Heygate VICE-CHAIRMAN Nick Helme HONORARY TREASURER Richard Maunder IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Tim Bennett CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY Andrei Spence
Balmoral Show Dinner – Belfast Tuesday 15th May 2018 This year the Balmoral Show Dinner will take place at the Titanic Museum in Belfast. The evening will commence with a drinks reception at 7.00pm followed by dinner in the Bridge Room at 7.30pm. Our speaker for the evening will be Declan Billington, CEO Thompsons & Sons Ltd, Past Chair of CBI Northern Ireland & NI Grain Trade Association, and Chair of Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association. The event is limited to 80 places. Cost is £50 per person. All applications should be received by 26th March 2018. If oversubscribed places will be decided by ballot. To register interest apply on-line at www.thefarmersclub.com or complete the enclosed booking form.
CLUB CHAPLAIN The Reverend Dr Sam Wells COMMITTEE Elected 2016: Robert Alston, Andrew Brown (Membership Sub-Committee), Lindsay Hargreaves (House sub-committee), Nick Helme, Peter Jinman OBE Elected 2017: Kevin Beaty, John Lee OBE, Karen Mercer, Keith Redpath, Christopher Riddle, Allan Stevenson, Campbell Tweed OBE Elected 2018: Ian Bell, Matt Dempsey (Communications Sub-Committee) and Gerald Osborne 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, Meryl Ward MBE, Des Lambert, The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Club (ex officio). Patron Mrs Stella Muddiman
NEXT ISSUE
Royal Highland Show Dinner New Club, Edinburgh Wednesday 20th June 2018 The Royal Highland Show Dinner will take place at The New Club in Edinburgh on Wednesday 20th June. The evening will commence with a drinks reception at 7.00pm followed by Dinner at 7.30pm. Our speaker for the evening is yet to be confirmed. This event is limited to 80 places only. The cost is £60 per person. All applications should be received by 26th March 2018. If oversubscribed places will be decided by ballot. To register interest apply on-line at www.thefarmersclub.com or complete the enclosed booking form.
Spring/Summer Shows 2018 The Club is holding receptions at an ambitious seven agricultural shows this year, including the Balmoral and Highland Shows (see above), plus afternoon receptions (with speakers) at the Royal Welsh Show, Royal Norfolk Show, Royal Three Counties Show, Devon County Show and a breakfast gathering at the Suffolk Show (with speaker). Members are invited to join us in supporting their local show, and their Club in its efforts to reach out beyond its London base.
Thursday 17th May Devon County Show, Drinks Reception, 4.00pm – 6.00pm (exact timing tbc) Wednesday 30th May Suffolk Show, Breakfast Reception, 8.00 – 9.30pm Friday 15th June 2018 Three Counties Show, Gloucestershire, Drinks Reception, 4.00pm – 5.30pm (exact timing tbc) Wednesday 27th June 2018 Royal Norfolk Show, Drinks Reception, 4.00pm – 6.00pm (exact timing tbc) Monday 23rd July 2018 Royal Welsh Show, Drinks Reception, 4.00pm – 6.00pm (exact timing tbc)
The Summer Farmers Club Journal, due in late May, will report on the Club’s St George’s Day celebrations with cricket commentator Henry Blofeld as guest speaker, plus the Pinnacle awards for business management and all the latest Club news.
22 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2018
The cost per person is £5.00. Apply online at www.thefarmersclub.com or use the booking form enclosed with this Journal. Please be advised that photographs will be taken at these shows, for the Club’s purposes.
Club Information • The Farmers Club Honours and Awards The Chairman and Members of the Club congratulate the following member whose name appeared in the New Year Honours List: OBE Dr Tina Barsby
Cambridgeshire
Deaths It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members: Mr J Batstone Hampshire Mr T Benton Essex Mr R Bird MBE Cambridgeshire Mr J Dickinson OBE Yorkshire Mr E Goodall Gloucestershire Mr G Hay Lincolnshire Mr M Marsden Yorkshire Prof.Sir John Marsh KB CBE Berkshire Mr W Norman Devon Mr T Pearce Gloucestershire Mr I Rushton London Mr F Tait Hampshire Mr M Roy Walker Oxfordshire New Members The following were elected: UK Members Dr J Aldiss BEM Mrs R Arkley Mrs J Bell Mr D Brooke Mr H Brown Mr A Carter-Lewis Mrs P Charatan Mr D Christensen Mr A Clifton-Holt Mr I Closier Mr R Criddle Mr N Deane Mr J Duncombe Mr I Ferris Mr P Hambling Mr R Hindle Mr C Kidson Mr R Lomas Mr A Paul
Yorkshire Suffolk Yorkshire Anglesey Suffolk Gloucestershire Bedfordshire Oxfordshire Kent Dorset Somerset Norfolk Yorkshire Norfolk Northamptonshire Lancashire Shropshire Cheshire Cambridgeshire
Reciprocal Clubs UK City Livery Club, London (No bedrooms) Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh The New Club, Edinburgh Northern Counties Club, Newcastle Bury St Edmund’s Farmers Club OTHER AGREEMENTS Whilst not formal reciprocal agreements, we have informal agreements with the East India, Caledonia and Civil Service Clubs, for bedroom bookings if we have no accommodation available. The Reservations Manager will advise in this instance. If we are full, Reception also holds a list of hotels within a 15 minute walk that might be considered ‘good value for money’.
Mrs D Pegrum Mr A Ponsonby Mr M Rogerson Mr R Thomas Mr M Thompson Mr R Williamson
Essex Gloucestershire Sussex Nottinghamshire Norfolk Dorset
Overseas Mr K Chesterton Miss L Logiurato Mr J Warner
Spain Switzerland Switzerland
Under 30s Mr J Bilson Miss P Bowman Mr D Brown Mr J Clegg Miss L Craven Mr Ross Crocker Mr Rorrie Crocker Mr F Fowler Mr W Love Mr J Padfield Miss L Taylor Mr A Taylor Mr O Williams Associate - Whitehall Court Mr G Knight Mr C Myers
London Yorkshire Wiltshire Buckinghamshire Lincolnshire Isle of Man Isle of Man Lincolnshire Norfolk Essex London Dorset Cornwall London London
Easter Opening Schedule Bedrooms available throughout. Breakfast in The Restaurant available throughout. Thursday 29 March: Lunch and Dinner service as normal in the Bar and The Restaurant. BH Friday 30, Saturday 31 March, Easter Sunday 1 & BH Monday 2 April: Bar open 12noon - 8pm offering light lunches and supper. Tuesday 3 April: Bar open at normal times, with normal offering. The Restaurant open for dinner. Wednesday 4 April: Normal service resumes. OVERSEAS The Western Australian Club, Perth, Australia (Bedrooms not reciprocated) Queensland Club, Brisbane, Australia The Australian Club, Melbourne, Australia Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland (Bedrooms not reciprocated) Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, Dublin, Ireland The Muthaiga Country Club, Nairobi, Kenya The Harare Club, Harare, Zimbabwe The Christchurch Club, Christchurch, New Zealand The Canterbury Club, Christchurch, New Zealand Members wishing to use any of the above Clubs should obtain an introductory card from the General Office.
Club Contacts THE FARMERS CLUB
Serving the farming industry for 175 years 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL
Chairman 2018: Peter Jinman
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 restaurant@thefarmersclub.com Conference & Banqueting Sales Manager Liza Keoshgerian ext: 109 or direct line: 020 7925 7100 functions@thefarmersclub.com Administrator & Under 30s Secretary Anita Kaur ext:103 or direct line 020 7930 3751 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
www.thefarmersclub.com • 23
2018
Club Calendar Diary Dates
See Events section of Club website (www.thefarmersclub.com) for more details, or contact Administrator Anita Kaur 020 7930 3751 extn 103 e-mail: administrator@thefarmersclub.com
MARCH
Royal Highland Show Dinner Wednesday 20th June
Under 30s Spring Dining Evening Friday 23rd March
Dinner at The New Club, Edinburgh Application form included with this Journal
Dinner in The Club Speaker: Emily Norton, Norton’s Dairy
APRIL
Easter Club Event Dinosaurs in the Wild Thursday 12th April
Royal Highland Show
Speaker TBA
Hampton Court – FULL Friday 6th July
Monday Evening Lecture Monday 16th April
Churchill War Museum
Speaker: Mr Stan Philips, Agricultural Counsellor, US Embassy
Hampton Court
St George’s Day Lunch – FULL Tuesday 24th April
Tower of London and Ceremony of the Keys Friday 10th August
St George’s Day Dinner – FULL Tuesday 24th April
AUGUST
Royal Welsh Show
Under 30s Autumn Dining Evening Friday 21st September Dinner at The Club
Club Visit to Newmarket Wed 26th-Fri 28th September
See p12-13 for full details Application form included with this Journal
Details to follow
Balmoral Show Dinner Tuesday 15th May
OCTOBER
The Farmers Club Dinner to take place at The Titanic Museum, Belfast Application form included with this Journal
Further details to follow
Trip to Hereford Wednesday 3rd – Friday 5th October Harvest Festival Service & Supper at The Club Tuesday 9th October
Under 30s Spring Farm Walk Weekend to Suffolk Friday 18th – Sunday 20th May Devon County Show Reception Thursday 17th May
Harvest Festival
Suffolk Show Breakfast Wednesday 30th May
Under 30s Autumn Farm Walk Weekend Friday 26th – Sunday 28th October
NOVEMBER
Monday Evening Lecture Monday 5th November
JUNE
Speaker: Rt Hon Micheal Gove MP, Secretary of State, Defra
Swan Lake Supper at The Club and Swan Lake at Royal Opera House Details to follow
Under 30s Dining Evening Details to follow
Club Visit to Bergen, Norway Monday 11th – Thursday 14th June
DECEMBER
Statoil Masters Tennis at Royal Albert Hall Friday 7th December
See p12-13 for full details Application form included with this Journal
Three Counties Show Reception, Gloucestershire Friday 15th June Visit to Norway
(more summer events to follow)
SEPTEMBER
Club visit to the Isle of Man Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th May
Balmoral Show Dinner
Summer event in The Club
Royal Welsh Show Reception Monday 23rd July
MAY
Isle of Man Visit
Under 30s Pimms & Supper Friday 13th July
Churchill War Museum & The Household Cavalry Museum – FULL Friday 20th April
Lunch/Dinner in The Club with guest speaker Henry Blofeld of Test Match Special fame.
St George’s Day Lunch
JULY
Club AGM & Luncheon Thursday 5th July
Greenwich Peninsula, please contact administrator@thefarmersclub.com or on 020 7930 3751 to book places
Monday Evening Lecture
Royal Norfolk Show Reception Wednesday 27th June
New Year’s Evening Supper Party Monday 31st December New Years Eve