Farmers Club SUMMER/HARVEST 2021 • ISSUE 290
www.thefarmersclub.com
INSIDE Chairman’s Comments p3 Club News p4 NFU perspective p6 Better beef p8 Devon Show p10 #Agrileadership p12 AGM report p13 Business Club p14 Labour issues p15 Teddy in Town p16 Craig’s Corner p17 Farming figures p18 Alice is curiouser p18 Chef’s page p19 Under 30s p20 BCPC Seminar p22 Club Info p23
INSERTS New Year’s Eve Dinner Harvest Festival & Supper Club Christmas Card Order Form
Minette’s message NFU President delivers powerful AGM Luncheon talk p6
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Farmers Club Serving the farming industry for 178 years 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL Patron – Her Majesty The Queen
Contents
FRONT COVER The Club was buzzing as NFU President Minette Batters delivered a powerful talk to the AGM Luncheon, addressing the numerous challenges farming faces – and how the NFU is responding 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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Chairman’s Comments Chairman Keith Redpath takes a considered look at all that is happening in the Club and the industry beyond
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Club News Club Re-Opening goes from strength to strength as members return to enjoy all the comforts of 3 Whitehall Court
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Minette Batters A full agenda for the NFU President meant a very wide-ranging session with members at the Club’s AGM Luncheon
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Better beef Does British beef eat well enough? Changes to carcase grading could help.
10 Devon County Show The show goes on – a wonderful return to all that’s best about county agricultural shows, including a Farmers Club reception
12 #Agrileadership Farmers Club Charitable Trust backs special initiative
13 AGM
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South-west take-over for 2022 Chairman and Hon Treasurer
14 Club for Business All the facilities you need to conduct business in London
15 Farm labour It’s a crisis and it’s getting worse. What can be done?
16 Teddy in Town One for the kids – and parents – as Teddy tours London
17 Craig’s Corner Member Experience Manager’s top tips
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18 Alice gets Curiouser Special Club event takes a trip down the rabbit hole
19 Chef ’s page Ingredient sourcing poses fresh challenges
20 Under 30s Event plans, hemp cropping and point-to-point
22 BCPC/FC Seminar Our special October seminar will consider prospects for farming for profit, people and the planet 02 • The Farmers Club Summer/Harvest 2021
Chairman’s Comments • Keith Redpath of classes competing – livestock, food and drink, forestry etc. Although not open to the public 252 hours of footage were filmed and over 270,000 people have watched the livestream from 87 countries. It is estimated over 2 million people could be reached via social media, something I don’t think the agricultural sector has done on such a scale before. I congratulate them for organizing the showcase and displaying the best of farming and food and drink to such a wide audience. Agricultural Shows Our first Farmers Club Show Reception was at the Devon County Show on 2 July where Allan Stevenson and Andrei represented the Club. This was followed by a reception at The Great Yorkshire Show on 13 July when Andrei and I met many members and friends from Yorkshire and the North of England. Other shows we hope to visit are the Balmoral Show and the Westmorland Show in September. Please look out for booking information and join us at the Farmers Club Events if you intend to be at either of those shows.
Chairman’s Comments “The Club was busy with members staying for the event….a great atmosphere… the Club was buzzing!”
“Agriculture offers many interesting and challenging careers..… we do need to attract people from the nonagricultural world to fill many of these vacancies.” ”
IT has been good to welcome members back to the Club after another lengthy lockdown. On 17 May I was able to travel to London for the first few days following the re-opening. We had fun filming the short videos that have been used on social media and the website, introducing some of the team to you. They were so pleased to be back serving the membership. Freedom Day We are delighted Freedom Day actually happened on 19 July, so let’s hope life can now return to something much closer to normal, albeit with some necessary caution. I was back at the Club at the end of June for the WCF Banquet. It was busy with members staying for that event. There was a great atmosphere. The Club was buzzing. Then on 6 July the General Committee met in the Club, with the AGM afterwards, and the AGM Lunch, addressed by NFU President Minette Batters. Events planning I trust you are all up-to-date with the Club Events that are being organized. We have put together a busy programme and I am pleased to report members are signing up to attend. We hope to keep adding to the list, so keep watching the website and book using the new booking system, which is now working well. If you have any problems do not hesitate to contact Events Administrator Emily. I am pleased a few Agricultural Shows are going ahead this year, including the Royal Highland Show’s showcase 14-20 June. It was filmed with all types
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Harvest hopes As we approach harvest crops are looking promising. The weather has been good for several weeks and I hope summer stays settled, with lots of sunshine so crops can ripen to their full potential. Prices remain buoyant for cereals, with beef and sheep also doing well. Sadly, not all commodities are enjoying profitable times. I sympathize with potato producers who have had a difficult year. I hope prices will improve for them in 2021/2022. Labour challenges A major farming concern is the labour shortage. We have been so used to bringing staff from the EU prior to Brexit. Recruiting the shortfall from the domestic workforce is unlikely to fill seasonal vacancies. With over 60,000 workers needed for fruit and veg harvest we will be desperate to bring in workers from abroad. Agriculture offers many interesting and challenging careers, that can be very rewarding and offer a good quality of life. We do need to attract people from the non-agricultural world to fill many of these vacancies. There is a similar problem in many other sectors, including hospitality, which is a concern for the management of the Club. As business returns to normal we will need to recruit several new people to work at the Club, which could be more difficult than it has been in previous years. As a more normal way of life is returning I am looking forward to meeting many of you at the Club or Events around the country. Grace and I are also looking forward to welcoming the group coming on the Chairman’s Tour of the Borders in late July. We hope our guests experience our home area at its best and enjoy a few days in our beautiful borderland.
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The Farmers Club Page
www.thefarmersclub.com • 03
Andrei Spence • Club News
Club News
Club returns to busy service at 10-20% occupancy we were very pleased to see our own occupancy rates at 36% for the last two weeks of May. This has been followed by 30-42% occupancy for June-September (and climbing), and the Restaurant well used, even being completely booked out on some evenings (albeit on reduced capacity). This has been a tremendous response from members at a time when confidence was still growing. We are also beginning to see a number of business meetings at the Club. And our events programme is really beginning to take off.
Since the last Journal in mid-April it feels like much has happened, yet it feels like we have been unable to make the progress we had all expected by midyear, writes Chief Executive & Club Secretary Andrei Spence. However, things have undoubtedly improved significantly, aided in the main by the superb vaccine roll-out. By the time you read this the overwhelming part of the adult population should have been double
vaccinated and probably up to 60% of the entire UK population. The other major occurrence in terms of Club business, was our re-opening on 17th May, after a few weeks of preparation by the team, including training, reinvigorating safety and hygiene measures and putting COVID protocols in place. We didn’t know what to expect, and with hospitality and hotels in London operating
Club finances Early signs of re-growth are very encouraging and despite monthly losses so far this year the rate at which we are losing money has dramatically reduced. This has been due to micromanagement of Club expenditure leading to excellent cost control. Furlough payments have alleviated the wage bill, and Business Rate holidays and money clawed back through various Government schemes and tax deferrals helps too. As the Club becomes busier
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It has been tremendous to see the Club transform from a series of empty rooms into the vibrant, energetic yet relaxing place it was, through members coming back in numbers. To hear laughter, debate and conversation has been to see the life blood of the Club return. The reaction of almost everyone I have met since reopening was one of relief and joy at being back at their ‘home from home’. Aside from a bit of Perspex screening, face masks and a bit of distancing, people have felt comfortable, safe and well looked after. Long may it continue!
STAFF PRESSURE we are having to be less dependent on the Furlough Scheme, as the team is needed to service a fully functioning Club. We are currently operating with about 14 fewer team members than pre-pandemic, which means many are doubling up on jobs they don’t do normally. But this flexibility gives us breathing space before business dictates we start recruiting to maintain service levels – I guarantee these will not be compromised!
As many of you will know and have experienced in your own businesses, staff/personnel is going to be the biggest challenge over the next year. A paucity of manpower in London in general, and in the hospitality sector in particular, means maintaining and adding to a high quality and motivated team is going to be more difficult than ever. Although we feel we are in a decent place this is an area where I am expecting significant pressure to arise.
Club News • Andrei Spence
Club business The drumbeat of Club activity started to pick up significantly in July, with the first face-toface meetings in 18 months, of the subcommittees and then the General Committee, to discuss topics from finances to membership and near-term future to long-term strategy. The Annual General Meeting followed in the Farmers Suite, with a pretty good attendance all things considered. Officers of the Club for 2022 were elected – John Lee, Meurig Raymond and Chris Riddle as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Honorary Treasurer respectively – and the 2020 Annual Accounts discussed. At the AGM Lunch we were very fortunate to hear from current NFU President, Minette Batters (full report p6). It has been immensely reassuring to note that the Membership Committee meeting in July reviewed at least 25 applications, in stark contrast to the (understandably) very low applications made in the previous 16 months.
MEMBER EXPERIENCE MANAGER The introduction of the Member Experience Manager (aka Craig) has proved to be a resounding success. With the limitations and strict rules on obtaining access to London’s museums, theatres and myriad other attractions, Craig has been helping sort out the itineraries and activities of individual members when they are in London, to ensure they utilise their time to the maximum. His knowledge of what’s on in London is extensive and his services have proved immensely popular. Added to this has been the success of the ‘Bubble Membership’ scheme whereby members can nominate close family and friends to make use of Club facilities without being present themselves, or being unable to come to the Club. This scheme ends on 30 November 2021.
Christmas Card An order form for this year’s Club Christmas Card is enclosed with this Journal.
Club Calendar Diary Dates
See Club website for information about Club events
Events up and running Our interim Administrator, Emily, has done a fine job in putting together an initial programme of events, the first of which was in June at the ‘Curiouser & Curiouser’ Alice in Wonderland exhibition, with a superb pre-lunch talk from Anne Haworth and then on to the V&A for the exhibition itself. I am told it was quite a cerebral afternoon! Early July saw the Club visit the Devon Show at Westpoint near Exeter – a great show and testament to the hard work of the Devon Agricultural Association in organising such a superb event against the backdrop of uncertainty and business risk. Last years’ Chairman Allan Stevenson hosted a reception for 34 Club members and invited guests which was addressed by Club member and Lord Lieutenant of Devon David Fursdon. By mid-July we were visiting our second show of the year, the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate. Club Chairman Keith Redpath hosted a reception for members and guests on the Pavilion Lawns where we enjoyed an interesting talk by YAS Council Member, Michael Smith. Again, a great time was had by all and our thanks go to the YAS for allowing us to share their facilities. Three excellent Club events were lined up to end July. The first, following dinner, was a trip to Horseguards Parade for the military musical spectacular ‘The Sword and the Crown’, which drew rave reviews
from those who attended. The second was another talk by Anne Haworth, this time covering Masterpieces from Buckingham Palace, followed by lunch and a Palace visit to view the masterpieces ‘in situ’. Last, but by no means least, was the Chairman’s Trip to ‘the Borders’ where a party of 27 based themselves in Kelso for three days of varied and interesting visits and activities in the beautiful surroundings of the Tweed valley (report in next Journal). At time of going to print, August was looking to have a varied programme with a trip to the theatre, Henley Royal Regatta and an exhibition. So much to look forward to and some sunshine would be good too!
www.thefarmersclub.com • 05
Charles Abel • Farm Policy
Minette’s Update NFU President and Club member Minette Batters spoke frankly to members and guests at The Farmers Club’s AGM Luncheon. Charles Abel reports
“Continual engagement and providing solutions is key.”
IN early July the fine surroundings of the Club’s Farmers Suite, overlooking the River Thames, provided the backdrop as NFU President Minette Batters delivered a powerful insight into UK agriculture’s prospects before fielding a wide range of questions. Hosted by Club Chairman Keith Redpath the luncheon was one of the first events where members and their guests could gather to enjoy the Club’s wonderful surroundings since its May re-opening. Upholding its long tradition for facilitating discussions of farming’s key issues, with Parliamentarians, senior industry figures and
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practising farmers all involved, the day was a very welcome return to normal Club service. Extraordinary dynamics Ms Batters, who farms in Wiltshire, made no bones about the “very, very extraordinary times” the sector currently faced. Previous NFU Presidents faced disease outbreaks that challenged farming, but nothing as seismic as the global pandemic. Back in March 2020, with everyone working remotely, the big question was how could the NFU influence a government holding a large majority, introducing legislation on such as wide front, while such extraordinary dynamics were being played out.
Farm Policy • Charles Abel The answer lay in relationships. Networks were drawn upon, contacts called in, new ones forged and covid-secure meetings arranged. So began the momentous campaign to secure the Trade and Agriculture Commission to safeguard UK farming interests in post-Brexit trade negotiations. An open letter from Jamie Oliver to the Mail on Sunday, calling on Government to prevent a ‘flood of food that would be illegal here’ saw a million people sign a petition within two weeks. The NFU’s communications team converted that into 500,000 Back British Farming supporters and 80,000 emails calling on MPs to act. A five-minute meeting secured with Prime Minister Boris Johnson expanded into a 30 minute dialogue. The net result was a very different Agriculture Bill to the original draft, said Ms Batters. Agriculture, food and farming were included more prominently. The TAC was added to the Trade Bill, with a reporting element in the Agriculture Bill. And the pilot seasonal agricultural workers scheme, to help address farming’s greatest looming challenge, was secured. Mobilising MPs Mobilising MPs was key, stressed Ms Batters. It meant agriculture was the one industry to have Parliamentary scrutiny of trade deals. With HM Treasury’s focus firmly set on investment, the challenge now was to back “Buy British, Local and Seasonal” and create a comprehensive agri-food strategy, with trade and agriculture policies aligned, including devolved administrations. The NFU wants a rolling review process for TAC recommendations, to provide a clear picture of the impact of deals on imports, exports, farmgate and consumer food prices, and the UK’s ability to feed itself. UK farming is well placed to deliver on sustainability, including biodiversity, carbon and climate change, with animal welfare as a key part of that. But policy needs to support it, she stressed. The NFU recently hosted a group of MPs at The Farmers Club to discuss how Government can help UK farmers get ‘match ready’ for future free trade agreements and boost export opportunities for British agri-food products.
“ The UK has the most prized food market on the planet…and we need to hang onto it. Farming is up for change and doing things completely differently. But if we lose the market none of this will happen.” precedents. Constructive safeguards around carcase unbalancing were a key example, to prevent prime cuts dominating the agreed 35,000t, especially as that figure would rise to 170,000t in 15 years, before full liberalisation. Impacts on neighbouring markets needed more attention too. Policing import labelling was vital, to safeguard UK sustainability gains. The honesty of out-ofhome meat labelling was a particular concern. She saw Jeremy Clarkson’s TV farm show as a huge positive, helping to bring the realities of farming to life. Indeed, inspiring the brightest young people to come forward to represent farming in politics was vital. “We have to help people understand the complexity of farming and the rural economy and that is not easy.” “Speaking one to one helps people realise what can make things work. They’re never going to read the brief, so we have to engage to help them understand. Continual engagement and providing solutions is key. It’s what the NFU is seeking to do, with our lobbying toolkits.” With so much at stake the NFU’s drive to engage politicians and influencers, and encourage all farmers and all parts of the food chain to engage with them too, is of paramount importance.
FINE LUNCHEON The Kitchen Team was on top form with a superb three-course celebration of simplycooked, seasonal, quality British food. Starter was asparagus and quail egg with richly-flavoured treacle cured Scottish salmon. Delicious West Country lamb was skilfully matched with goat’s cheese polenta and a trio of cauliflower. To finish was a blackcurrant Chelsea bun with Cotswold blue cheese and blackcurrant chutney, which drew considerable comment!
YOUR VOICE What do you think? Send letters for publication to editor@ thefarmersclub. com or post to 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL See www.nfuonline. com for NFU lobbying resources.
Most prized food market “The UK has the most prized food market on the planet…and we need to hang onto it. Farming is up for change and doing things completely differently. But if we lose the market none of this will happen,” Ms Batters said. She felt farming’s climate change messages were landing, but the COP 26 meeting in Glasgow this autumn needed to go beyond “green-washing everything” and set clearer policy directions. UK net zero 2050 legislation needed backing with some sense of how that would be achieved. On the Australia trade deal, more effort was needed to prevent it setting unwelcome www.thefarmersclub.com • 07
Claire Powell • Red Meat
Beef is for eating… With import pressure set to intensify a fresh focus on UK beef quality is needed, argues Perthshire-based journalist, broadcaster and Club member Claire Powell
“British beef was becoming more about ticked boxes and paperwork than eating quality.”
WHEN a piece of beef lands on a plate, the most important beefy consideration to the person wielding the cutlery is – the meat’s performance between teeth and on taste buds – the beef’s tenderness, taste and succulence. Eating is the ultimate beef test. Where the beef came from, the animal’s colour, size, weight, bulginess of bottom, name of Daddy, how many rosettes it won and how many labels were stuck on the raw product, all pale into insignificance. All that matters in the final “field to fork” stage is how the beef eats. Yet, the EUROP carcass grading system has little correlation to eating quality. And let’s face it – British beef’s “Elephant in the Room” is inconsistent eating quality. It is little wonder that the eating quality of a 21st Century British steak can be a bit of a gamble – with our higgledy piggldey variety of breeds and production systems – a higgledy piggldey variety of beef is inevitable. Beef is not cheap, but bad beef is VERY expensive. Equally, good beef is excellent value. It is special – with anticipation being part of the enjoyment. So when it disappoints, it is remembered, and can take a long time to be forgiven! And disappointed beef eaters have a wide choice of alternatives.
Work on food and farming television programmes featuring pasture to plate ‘stories’ brought me into contact with meat processors, retailers and restaurateurs throughout the UK, plus some overseas. Almost all expressed concern that British beef was becoming more about ticked boxes and paperwork than eating quality. Over the past two decades plus, the hangover from BSE has restricted Britain’s access to some lucrative overseas beef markets. Thankfully, significant overseas doors are re-opening, including Japan, which lifted its 1996-imposed ban in 2019. Japanese trigger Ironically, prior to BSE, the Japanese had been keen to import Aberdeen Angus beef from Scotland. While there was little hope then of there being enough Aberdeen Angus cattle in Scotland to meet Japanese demand, BSE shattered all hopes of supplying this lucrative market. Japan found an alternative Aberdeen Angus beef supplier – New Zealand has never had a case of BSE and Aberdeen Angus is the numerically dominant breed. To obtain a consistent supply of exactly the right type of grain-finished, heavily marbled beef that their customers wanted, in 1991 Japanese food company Itoham, working with (All photos: Claire Powell)
YOUR VOICE What do you think? Send letters for publication to editor@ thefarmersclub. com or post to 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL
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Red Meat • Claire Powell
ANZCO, a subsidiary of the New Zealand Meat Board, opened the 20,000-head capacity, Five Star Beef feedlot, on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. That feedlot is now wholly owned by ANZCO. With an annual throughput of over 40,000 cattle, the Five Star venture focuses on what the target consumer wants, and is prepared to pay a premium for. Every management step back from the consumer’s teeth, taste buds and tum – to conception of the calf – is designed around consistently and profitably producing just that. New Zealand Professor of Animal Science, Stephen Morris, who also lectured at Aberystwyth University, helped establish the feedlot. He acknowledges Five Star’s constant demand for a specific type of beef animal “has encouraged New Zealand farmers to breed the type of cattle Five Star wants. Plus, Five Star’s must have approach to sourcing cattle has helped lift prices for all NZ beef cattle.” Aberdeen Angus was the original specified breed, but the feedlot now grain finishes Herefords too. Australia’s awareness rising Australia’s beef industry is also becoming more aware of eating quality. Developed by Meat Standards Australia, and launched in 1999, to improve the supply of consistently high eating quality beef, its consumer-focussed beef grading system has no breed specifications. To qualify, cattle must have been produced under stipulated management and animal welfare conditions (Australian equivalent to Farm Assurance), and be within specifications for weight, dentition
and fat depth. Failure to hit all the ‘specs’ results in a hefty drop in price per kg.
Aberdeen Angus steers on the Orkney island of Papa Westray.
With eating quality the focus, qualifying carcasses are assessed for eye muscle area, ossification (cartilage to bone in vertebrae), marbling, meat and fat colour, rib fat depth and meat pH level. The beef is then graded and labelled 3, 4 or 5 (best) Star, depending on its anticipated eating quality, with each cut labelled accordingly. This eating quality grade travels with the meat to the retail counter and restaurant menu. How many British consumers consider if a particular piece of beef came from a carcass which graded E3L, R4H or some other permutation from the EUROP grid? The premium earned by the better graded beef encourages Australian cattle farmers to aim for 5 Stars, consequently helping lift the overall quality of the nation’s beef. Beef grading study The last word goes to Donald MacPherson, who runs meat business Well Hung and Tender from his Berwickshire farm. He used his 2002 Nuffield Scholarship to study eating quality and beef grading in America and Australia. His main conclusion was stark: “Industry leaders and government departments in the US and Australia have grasped the concept: Improve Eating Quality – Improve Consumption – Improve Returns.” Luing at 1,700 fe Troutbeck in th et near e Cumbrian Fe lls.
TRADE DEAL RELEVANCE Despite whatever trade deals Team Boris achieve, Britain needs to tap into lucrative overseas beef markets while at least retaining market share in Britain, particularly as it seems that trade deals with the likes of North America and Australasia will see their eating quality graded and labelled beef arriving in British meat processors, retailers and restaurants. So, which label will appeal most to British consumers – a Red Tractor, 5 Stars for eating quality, or something new….?
NZ FIVE STAR SYSTEM Grain finishing in a country where livestock farming is almost entirely pastoral forced changes on the farmers involved. Every week, around 750 finished cattle head from Five Star to the abattoir. Maintenance of consistent outflow of correctly finished cattle demands constant inflow of the right type of cattle. This has generated a variety of producer contracts, offering budgeting confidence and protection against market fluctuations. One option sees Five Star supplying growing cattle to farmers who are paid per kg of weight gain up to a specified weight, with additional weekly payment during winter. Another approach involves farmers buying their own suckled calves/store cattle, for growing on, contracting them to Five Star for a preagreed price per kg.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 09
Charles Abel • Devon Show
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Showtime The Devon Show bravely stepped out as the first of 2021’s major county shows to happen in “the real world” - showcasing the very best of Devon farming. Charles Abel was there.
BEST OF DEVON A healthy attendance ensured a great atmosphere, with competitive livestock judging and a tremendous community spirit. Pre-bookings were up 600% helping offset losses from 2020’s cancelled event and hopefully heralding an end to pandemic misery for rural folk. Richard Maunder, Farmers Club Honorary Treasurer and Chief Executive of Devon County Agricultural Association dubbed the event “the most challenging Show we have ever put on”. Small businesses had suffered badly, people were still on furlough, staff numbers had been cut. But the Show team still managed to recruit 500 trade stands - average for a normal year but splendid in the circumstances. The event is said to add £10m to the local economy.
CLUB RECEPTION Farmers Club members and guests met in the YFC Pavilion for drinks, canapes and an up-beat look to a brighter postcovid future from 2020 Club Chairman Allan Stevenson (above right) and Devon Agricultural Association President David Fursdon. “Covid has forced us to do some things differently this year, and some of those things might be good to do again,” Mr Fursdon commented. “We are facing a time of great change. It’s difficult to work out where farm income streams are coming from, but we’ve adapted before, so we need to stay flexible and identify and change our businesses accordingly. And the most genial place to discuss such things? That must surely be The Farmers Club Bar!”
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Devon Show • Charles Abel
WORLD RECORD
BLUE LIGHTS TRACTOR!
Boosting charity income after so many fundraisers were cancelled in the past 18 months is a big challenge. In its 20th year Addington Fund’s answer was to bring out the bunting – 14 kilometers of it! The brain-child of Devonbased Deborah Custance-Baker the 79,001 colourful woolen flags were crafted by knitters across the UK and beyond, securing a place in the Guinness Book of Records, coverage on BBC and ITV and a potential funding boost of £50,000. Grab your share for £5/m www.addingtonfund.org.uk
This Claas Atos 350 sporting police livery highlighted a shift in focus for Devon and Cornwall Police, the largest force in England, making rural crime a priority. Rising levels of poaching, hare coursing, dog fighting, cock fights and rural theft demanded a more visible presence from the rural affairs team. Two new Rural Affairs Police Officers, supported by a Specialist Problem Solver and Rural Special Constables, provide a dedicated resource to engage with rural communities. Advice, equipment tagging, more security and more two-way communication is the aim.
“ DEVON DOES IT BEST” Moving YFC activities on-line during the pandemic helped maintain membership, says Devon YFC Chairman Matt Darke (above left). That included on-line stock judging using videos and photos! A vibrant marquee at the Devon County Show testified to pent-up demand for a return to face-to-face activities. But Zoom has become a powerful tool, enhancing national planning and securing a slot for YFC to brief Defra every three weeks, explained National YFC Deputy Chairman Rosie Bennett, from Honiton in Devon (right).
125 YEAR CELEBRATION Devon County Agricultural Association’s first Show at Victoria Park, Exeter on 23 and 24 May 1872 experienced a torrential downpour, almost literally washing the President’s lunch guests away. Nonetheless over 25,000 people admired 500 livestock and 800-plus machinery exhibits. The show went on to visit 16 different venues, from Axminster to Bideford, before show legend John Hocken engineered a move to Whipton in 1956. Today’s WestPoint venue near Exeter was acquired in 1990 and typically attracts over 90,000 visitors.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 11
Lisa Turner • Leadership FCCT Professional Forum (Alumni of the Windsor Leadership Training Programmes) met virtually as part of #AgriLeadershipWeek.
Farming brief B-Hive Innovations is implementing a new process it has developed to extract food-grade functional protein from potatoes. A new £6m protein plant at Branston’s HQ near Lincoln will include bespoke technologies to meet growing demand for UK-grown plant-based food ingredients free from allergens, for use in vegetarian and vegan foods, plus a starch-based coproduct. UK food security ranks 6th in the world according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2020 Global Food Security Index sponsored by Corteva Agriscience. It rates 113 countries according to food affordability, availability, quality and safety, and natural resources and resilience in the region. Overall global food security was down for the second year in a row. https:// foodsecurityindex.eiu.com/ Nearly eight out of ten Brits believe imported food should match UK environmental and animal welfare standards, shows a ComRes survey for the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists. Almost half wanted a climate change levy on food with a higher carbon footprint. 49% were more likely to buy British Food as a result of Brexit. 42% say they would be happy to pay more for food with a lower carbon footprint.
#AgriLeadershipWeek THE Farmers Club Charitable Trust played a key role in the highly successful first Agri Leadership Week, 17-21 May, alongside AHDB, Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, Institute of Agricultural Management and Worshipful Company of Farmers. The week aimed to inspire current and aspiring leaders within agriculture to make better use of the leadership training on offer. It included Tweeting of leadership pledges, leadership videos from FCCT Alumni and Trustees explaining training opportunities, a leadership book competition, BBC Radio Lincolnshire interview, a Beanstalk
Global broadcast to a live audience of over 1,500 and an ‘Imposter Syndrome’ chat session on Clubhouse, the invitation only social media platform, hosted by Emily Norton. “Investing in the future by developing our current and future agricultural leaders has never been so imperative,” says FCCT Chair Stephen Fletcher. “In a game-changing collaboration the initiative will enable individuals to identify the most appropriate ‘leader journey’ to suit their own needs at any time during their career.” A bigger event is planned for next year, says FCCT Awards Ambassador Lisa Turner.
NEW NUFFIELD FARMING LEADERSHIP AWARD The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust and the family of Frank Arden CBE (1915-1979) have announced the Nuffield Farming Frank Arden Leadership Award, in memory of the farming icon and his inquisitive and generous spirit. It will fund a place on the Windsor Leadership Trust programme to help a Nuffield Farming Scholar develop towards a wider leadership role within British Agriculture. The biennial award for UK-based scholars is supported by the FCCT. “ We are delighted to sponsor this new Award in my father’s memory,” says Meryl Ward NSch, FCCT Trustee and Director of Ermine Farms. “Leadership training is an investment that is transformative for the individual, their business and the wider industry. If we inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, we will have achieved our ambition.”
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NEW FCCT TRUSTEE Christine Tacon CBE has been appointed as a Trustee of the Farmers Club Charitable Trust. Formerly the Groceries Code Adjudicator, and now head of Red Tractor, Christine started her career as an engineer, before roles in marketing and running the Co-operative Group’s farming business.
AGM • Charles Abel
THE 179th Annual General Meeting chaired by Club Chairman Keith Redpath was conducted in the Club on 6 July. The following is a summary of the Minutes, full copies of which can be obtained by email from the Secretary. Minutes, Club Accounts and Annual Report The Minutes of the 178th AGM were approved and the Report and Audited Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2020 adopted. Covid meant the Club had experienced an unprecedented year, with enforced closures causing a big financial hit. Government furlough, business rate holidays and VAT reductions, together with tough cost controls, meant the accounts were not as bad as initially predicted. The focus now was to make up lost ground. Election of Club Chairman and Vice-Chairman Proposing the election of John Lee OBE DL as 2022 Chairman, Marcomms Sub-Committee Chairman John Hardman said John has lived and farmed at Shobrooke, near Crediton, Devon all his life and is involved in a number of agricultural, rural and agribusiness organisations at all levels, including; president of Devon Communities Together, patron of the Devon and Cornwall Police Cadets, a patron of Local Heroes, vice chairman of the South West Lakes Trust, board chairman of Devon County Agricultural Association, and of course a serving committee member of the Farmers Club, chairman of Rural Youth Trust and a trustee of NFYFC, where he first met John over 20 years ago.
AGM elects Devon Chairman for 2022
Seconding the proposal Ian Bell commended John’s pragmatism, good business sense and drive to get things done. The proposal was approved unanimously. Proposing the election of Meurig Raymond CBE DL as 2022 Vice-Chairman Anthony Snell said Meurig’s outstanding service to farming made him an ideal candidate. He farms 3500 acres of potatoes, combinable crops, dairy, beef and store lambs in a family partnership in Pembrokeshire and is best known for his long career serving the NFU, culminating in his 2014-2018 Presidency. He has been a council member of the Oxford Farming Conference and a board member of the Home-Grown Cereals Authority. He has an Honorary Fellowship at the Royal Agricultural University and an Honorary Doctorate from Harper Adams University. Seconding the proposal Club Trustee Tim Bennett commended Meurig’s ability, loyalty to farming and unparalleled networking skills. The proposal was approved unanimously. Honorary Treasurer Mr Redpath thanked Richard Maunder for all his work during his five-year term as Honorary Treasurer. Proposing the election of Chris Riddle as Honorary Treasurer for 2022 Meurig Raymond
2022 Chairman John Lee (centre), Vice-Chairman Meurig Raymond (right) and Honorary Treasurer Chris Riddle
said he was well known for his huge success as Secretary of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Society since 1989. He is Chairman of the Royal Smithfield Club, has Chaired RABI and is a Trustee of RASC. His charm, diplomacy, warmth, diligence and organisational skills suited him very well to the role. The proposal was seconded by Allan Stevenson and approved unanimously. Auditors The Chairman and Committee recommended haysmacintyre continue in office, which was agreed unanimously.
“John’s pragmatism, good business sense and drive to get things done makes him an ideal Chairman for 2022.”
www.thefarmersclub.com • 13
Virginia Masser • Club Facilities
Your club for
Better for business
The Business Suite offers free access to computers, an IT Manager to assist and photocopying, scanning or other business services from the General Office nearby.
“Our function rooms are available to book for those all-important meetings and business events.”
As we emerge from this surreal COVID era, it is very evident that companies are calling people back into the office, to bring back that ‘evolution of culture’ amongst teams and reverting back to the all-important face to face customer relations. For some of course, home working may still feature to varying degrees, albeit forced or by choice. If home working is not your idea of fun, or you need a place to work in between meeting clients, the Club is ideal. In the Business Suite, computers are available, our IT Manager is on hand to assist and the General Office just opposite can help with photocopying, scanning or other business services during business hours.
“I attended a business meeting at the Club recently which was a very effective hybrid meeting with attendees present, and others virtual from Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK. The Club’s IT provided a good quality of sound and vision. It was also good to have lots of fresh air blowing in through windows that open, which isn’t always possible in other London venues. I encourage others to hold business meetings at the Club.” Fiona Fell CIEL Board Member
The Bar and Restaurant are an ideal place to chat to some like-minded people and forge some new and all important business contacts and inviting clients for coffee or an impressive lunch at your Club may clinch the deal. Our function rooms are available to book for those all-important meetings and business events, with the Farmers Suite overlooking the River Thames never failing to impress. Your Club for business, pleasure and leisure. General Manager The Farmers Suite overlooking the Riv er Thames – a venu never fails to impre e that ss.
14 • The Farmers Club Summer/Harvest 2021
Farm Labour • Charles Abel
Labour crisis FARMING must change its employment image urgently to prevent disastrous agriculture labour shortages, warns a new report commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Farmers and jointly funded by The John Oldacre Foundation. Farming’s poor image as a career, associated with low pay, long hours, poor work-life balance, bad conditions, lack of progression, heavy physical labour, and unskilled work, needs reforming, say Dr Caroline Nye and Professor Matt Lobley of Exeter University’s Centre for Rural Policy Research. Brexit, coronavirus, currency rates, improving economies in Eastern Europe and migration laws all exacerbate the problem, particularly in horticulture, dairy, pigs, eggs and poultry. Crucially, the research shows untapped pools of talent are under-represented and can be targeted if the industry makes itself more competitive and attractive as a place to work – for full-time and seasonal work. “Farming is an ‘invisible career’ to anybody who isn’t from a farming background, and this needs to change,” says Dr Nye. “It should not be assumed the rise in unemployment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will automatically create interest in seasonal worker roles.” Robots could help, in time, but insufficient labour could hit productivity in the meantime. “Farms, the agricultural industry and Government need to stay vigilant, be flexible, and get creative before the crisis damages the structure of the industry permanently,” says Professor Lobley. Several report contributors were frustrated farm work was not on the Government’s shortage occupation list, suggesting evidence is repeatedly ignored. That was despite Defra having its own Workplace and Access to Labour Team. The Migration Advisory Committee needs to review farm labour requirements frequently, and revisit
the definitions of, and value placed upon, ‘skilled’ and ‘unskilled’ workers and adjust the points-based system accordingly, the report argues. Defra should commission a thorough evaluation of the seasonal worker pilot scheme before introducing any new worker scheme. Traditional recruitment, from the tiny pool with ‘a farming background’, or family members, especially sons, exacerbates the issue, a seminar to launch the report heard. Being ‘stuck’ in the same business also hinders progress, with enthusiasm considered more important than experience. Employers should look more widely, considering people who are enthusiastic but may need extra training or time to develop new skills. As a home for professional training The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture could help farmers become better employers and staff managers. “One very striking aspect of the findings is how additional sources of labour and skills exist which can partly close the resourcing gap,” says Richard Whitlock, WCF Master. “Our mission is to identify where labour is required and help people see the potential sources of farm labour in a post-Brexit, economically ambitious Britain.”
“ Farming is an ‘invisible career’ to anybody who isn’t from a farming background, and this needs to change.”
ON-LINE COURSE An online Applied Agri-Tech professional short course launched by Hartpury University College in Gloucestershire aims to help UK farmers keep in touch with the latest technological innovations. The free-enrolment course for current and future agriculture professionals tackles data management, connectivity, cybersecurity and their application to real-world farming practice and challenges.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 15
Virginia Masser • For the Kids
Teddy’s tales of adventure
Farming brief Ÿnsect, a leading producer of natural insect protein and fertilizer, has secured B Corp certification after building the first carbon-negative vertical insect farm in Amiens, France. Insect protein is sustainable, healthy and respectful of ecosystems, says the firm which assesses climate impacts daily to guide decision-making and drive global exports, securing investor backing of $425m www.ynsect.com Looking to step into solar power in agriculture, aka agrivoltaics? Supplier SolarEdge says check for: inverters and components resistant to ammonia corrosion from livestock gases; Module Level Power Electronics for more energy capture; real time visibility of energy production/use; and extra safety from remote monitoring, arc fault detection/interruption, and automatic shutdown. Cutting methane emissions from farming, fossil fuels and waste could cut global warming by 0.3oC by 2045, a UN-led Climate & Clean Air Coalition report says. Methane is up to 80 times more warming than CO2, but breaks down in a decade, whereas CO2 takes 100s of years. Hence the strong desire to cut methane from farming in the short-term, using existing and new techniques
(for kids only)
Hey Everyone, I am TT (Teddy in Town) and I live at the Farmers Club in London. My favourite thing to do is going on adventures around London town and to play hide and seek in the Club. Don’t tell anyone, but I sometimes secretly hide under the sofa in the Lounge, just to see what is going on. When I was sneaking around the Club yesterday, in my Ultra Spy Mode, I discovered lots of new things. There are now family board games in the Shaw Room and I stubbed my toe on a new toy box. While I was rubbing my very sore toe, I heard Chef tell the General Manager that they do some special kids’ food and drinks. Yummy! Last week, I met Elwyn and Temperance from Herefordshire. They stayed at the Club with their parents for a few days, and they managed to sneak me into their backpack to take me with them all around London town. I got to see some mummies at the British Museum, rode in a cable car, was carried
16 • The Farmers Club Summer/Harvest 2021
up the O2 Arena (my legs were tired), went shopping on Oxford Street and enjoyed some tasty dim sum on the South Bank.I must have fallen asleep on the way home, because I woke up back at the Club. Anyway, I hope you will come for a visit soon and take me with you when you go and explore London for the day, just like Elwyn and Temperance. See you at the Club during the summer. Your friend, Teddy in Town
“I hope you will come for a visit soon and take me with you when you go and explore London”
Club Services • Craig Barclay-Godfrey
London is blessed with over 5000 acres of quality green spaces across eight Royal London parks. Add this to the wonderful commons, woodlands, wetlands and heaths and there are some wonderful spots to escape the hustle & bustle of the city. Here are a few; Theatre in Regent’s Park Boasting 1,250 seats and perched at the southern tip of the park, this award-winning open-air theatre has become a London landmark since it was constructed in 1932. Carousel From 31st July 2021 – 25th September 2021. Dragons and Mythical Beasts From 13th August 2021 – 5th September 2021. Perfect for the school holiday. The landscaped rose gardens are in the final flush of blooms showcasing 12,000 rose bushes.
Boating on the Serpentine – Hyde Park Why not stretch your muscles and have fun at the same time! The pedal and row boats hold 6 persons. Prices; adults at £12 per hour, children at £5 per hour – family tickets and shorter times also available. If you don’t want to work up a sweat, the Solar Shuttle is a magnificent vessel which glides silently across the water, powered only by the sun carrying up to 40 passengers. Relax with friends and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Hyde Park from the water.
Craig Barclay-Godfrey Membership Experience Manager
Wild Swimming in Hampstead Heath Hampstead Heath has 18 ponds and you can take a dip in three of these. Other park highlights include a beautiful pergola, Kenwood House and Parliament Hill with stunning views of the London skyline.
Holland Park & Kyoto Garden The Kyoto Garden is in the centre of the 22 hectares. Home to the famous peacocks, a tiered rock waterfall, stone lanterns, Japanese maple trees and a pond full of koi carp. A tranquil, peaceful Japanese garden for reflection and relaxation.
Alexandra Palace Park Ice skating Affectionately known as Ally Pally this wonderful venue was where the world’s first regular television service was launched with the BBC. The ice-skating rink is situated inside the iconic Victorian building providing a backdrop like no other.
Deer Spotting in Richmond Park The largest of London’s Royal Parks is Richmond Park. Deer have been roaming freely since 1637 in this once Royal hunting ground. Also home to a beautiful ornamental woodland garden and exotic plants.
If I can assist with any aspect of your club visit please contact me via memexpmanager@ thefarmersclub.com
www.thefarmersclub.com • 17
Emily O’Brien • Alice – Curiouser
Farming Figures A look at… the ups and downs of UK farming… told through some key statistics
5,371
A trip down the rabbit hole…
Tractor sales Jan-May 2021, up 21.2% on 2020 (May +75%) on farmer confidence
£500/t Oilseed rape price in June, up £150/t to highest ever; feed wheat peak £180+/t
100% McCain plan for all its 150,000ha of global potato production to be regen ag by 2030
-£26/head Pig producer losses Q1 2021 due to soaring feed costs, debt and welfare legislation
+£75/t Premium on new season AN fertiliser price, due to energy costs and global demand
£999m
Slump in 2020 weather-hit crop returns, more than offsetting £490m rise in livestock
700 sites Farm-based campsites a third of all listed, but 2020 diversification returns still down £310m
260,000t New tariff-free Brazilian cane sugar imports, replacing an eighth of UK sugar production
£2.6bn UK public sector catering, for 25% of public, but 80-90% of all chicken served is imported Sources: FW, FG, AHDB, McCains, NPA, Defra, Pitchup.com, Love British Food
18 • The Farmers Club Summer/Harvest 2021
ON Friday 25th June, we were delighted to welcome members back to the Club to attend the first Club event we’ve been able to hold since reopening this year. The Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser Exhibition at the V&A has gained high praise from various news outlets, so we were thrilled to be able to take members on a trip down the rabbit hole to experience the most comprehensive Alice in Wonderland exhibition ever held. We welcomed Anne Haworth back to the Club who provided a phenomenal talk, guiding us through the exhibition, and delving deeper into the history and influence behind Lewis Carroll’s well-loved creation. After a fabulous lunch, we headed off to the exhibition where Tom Piper’s spell-binding design guided us through Alice’s influence on theatre, fashion, film, ballet, art, and more.
Fortunately, not only were we able to enjoy the exhibition itself but it was the perfect time to explore the rest of the V&A before the tourists return to London. It was such a pleasure to see members gathered together, socially distanced of course, to enjoy the first of hopefully many more Club events to come this year. Emily O’Brien Interim Club Events Manager
Head Chef & Director of Food • Paul Hogben
Onwards Upwards
& HOPEFULLY by the time you read this we are in a far better position than we were at the beginning of the year.
and help with their distribution issues, others have reduced the number of days they deliver or altered the times of delivery.
The team at the Club have responded to re-opening with great enthusiasm and joy at being back at work and seeing the smiles on your faces as you come back to these familiar surroundings
In addition to these supply issues, costs are increasing all the time as the country ramps up post covid and brexit. The knock-on effect is placing more pressure on margins for everyone from the producers, distribution, which will of course be passed on to the customer.
The main issues we have faced in the kitchen since our return are in the supply chain. Suppliers and farmers that we have used for some of the bespoke British ingredients since my arrival here are struggling or have stopped producing what we were used to, or cannot deliver within 48 hours. These issues are caused either by the pandemic or now the lack of staff from overseas to fill the roles required. These small suppliers and producers are essential for us so we can continue our championing of the produce we grow in the United Kingdom. Some of our suppliers have stopped completely, retired or looked to diversify, some have partnered with neighbouring farms to continue production. Other suppliers have increased minimum spends to try
What l can promise you is that we will continue to search out those niche suppliers so that we can continue to provide the best of British produce for you here in the Club. Meanwhile… We are now into our summer menu with some welcome returns of summer berries, south coast dressed crab and some other lighter dishes, which can hopefully be enjoyed on the Terrace or in the Restaurant with a glass of chilled English sparkling.
“Suppliers and farmers that we have used… are struggling or have stopped producing what we were used to…” “Costs are increasing all the time as the country ramps up post covid and brexit.”
We look forward to seeing you soon. Enjoy! Chef
www.thefarmersclub.com • 19
Eleanor Kay, Chairman; Alice Hind, Vice Chairman • Under 30s
Chairman’s Jottings THE delay in lifting Covid restrictions was especially frustrating as the tickets for our first dinner of 2021 were just about to go live. Nevertheless, our plans can be easily moved to August 20th, so mark your calendars. Booking will open in late July and the Under 30s Committee are very excited to welcome members back. We hope to fit several dinners in before the end of 2021. I’m really enjoying being back in the office and getting to know my new colleagues. My diary is also beginning to fill up with visits outside of the office – I was especially pleased to go to the Cereals Event in Lincolnshire. My first big trip out of the office was to Cornwall for the G7, an incredible experience. If I had time to fit in several farm walks this year I would certainly add Cornwall to my list. Sadly, I don’t, but I hope it will not be too long before an Under 30s trip to Cornwall is planned. I have really enjoyed being back at the Club in recent weeks for dinner and drinks with friends. Being able to catch up in such beautiful surroundings is fantastic. The food continues to be amazing and the staff are so welcoming. I look forward to seeing more members as events return to the Club. Henley Regatta is on my list – I really hope I can get a ticket and that other Under 30s also apply. It is always an incredible event.
Against all odds! LOCKDOWNS, Tier Systems and gathering restrictions have all had devastating effects on the sports and events industry. For country pursuits enthusiasts our biggest frustration was the premature end to the hunting and shooting seasons, curtailing our long awaited winter social activities. For me Easter 2020 was supposed to be my first fixture as Honorary Secretary of The Kimblewick Hunt Easter Point to Point, one of the country’s largest amateur horseracing meetings, held at Kimble Racecourse in Buckinghamshire. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic it was cancelled, alongside many others throughout the country. Fortunately, for horseracing fans, Point to Points were able to proceed in the 2020/21 season, albeit with a few Covid-19 twists… So, after a bad start to the year, we were thrilled to start making preparations for Easter 2021. An Easter at Kimble usually hosts 10,000 spectators, trade stands and
Contact Eleanor for more information: Eleanor Kay UK Agricultural Specialist, London Under 30s Chairman 2020/21 07964 909108 • eleanorkay@live.co.uk
20 • The Farmers Club Summer/Harvest 2021
other attractions, so it was a learning curve organising the Point to Point behind closed doors and in-line with Covid-19 regulations. No paying spectators were permitted, proving a challenge as ticket sales are usually the fixture’s main source of income. As well as attendees being required to wear face coverings at all times, strict procedures were put into place to ensure social distancing. But the day had a remarkable atmosphere despite only officials, jockeys and trainers being in attendance – and the racing was live-streamed, which brought in a new income source. We received 95 entries – a record number in recent years for the fixture. Preparations have already begun for Easter 2022 and all my fingers are crossed for some normality as I resume my role as Secretary Millie Etheridge Under 30s member
Under 30s • Eleanor Kay, Chairman; Alice Hind, Vice Chairman
Green Gold?
What is the potential of hemp for UK farmers? Under 30s member Camilla Hayselden-Ashby finds out
HEMP is having a renaissance with the global hemp market projected to reach $15.26 billion by 2027. This is thanks to its environmental credentials, the boom in CBD and increased interest in its potential for use in sustainable materials. Hemp, which is cannabis with a low percentage of THC (the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol), has over 25,000 uses. The leaves and flowers can be processed to extract CBD (cannabidiol). The stem consists of a woody core, called the ‘shiv’, and the outer bast fibre. The shiv can be mixed with lime to produce hempcrete, a carbon negative alternative to concrete. The fibre can be used for textiles (hemp was historically an important crop because of its use in rope and sail making), bioplastics and insulation, while the seeds are nutritionally dense and can be used for oil, plant-based proteins or animal feed.
While interest is growing there are some key challenges to be overcome for the UK hemp industry to succeed: • Restrictive licencing • Lack of established markets to sell into • Lack of agronomic knowledge and UK specific varieties • Access to harvesting and processing equipment Finding the solution to these challenges inspired me to apply for a Nuffield Scholarship. I will be using my 2021 Nuffield Scholarship, kindly supported by NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, to see how the UK’s nascent hemp industry can learn from international best practice in countries such as Canada, the USA, China, France, Germany, Holland, Ukraine and Romania. We are also growing hemp on our family farm in Kent. Camilla Hayselden-Ashby Under 30s Member, Kent
Environmental footprint It is an environmentally beneficial crop. Hemp can sequester 15 tonnes of CO2 per hectare, making it extremely important in the race to Net Zero. It also has a deep root system which improves soil structure and brings up nutrients from deep in the soil. Hemp has low input needs, requiring 50kg/ha of N and typically no pesticides. The crop’s vigorous growth means it is effective in shading out weeds. Home Office licence Growing hemp in the UK requires a licence from the Home Office. Applying for a licence involves a criminal record check, stating where the crop will be grown (away from homes, roads and footpaths) and the end use. It is illegal to process hemp flowers and leaves in the UK, so as part of the application it must be stated how they will be destroyed. This restriction means UK farmers cannot produce CBD oil, cutting off a valuable revenue stream. As a result all CBD sold in the UK is imported.
Hemp uses (source: Farinon, Barbara, Romina Molinari, Lara Costantini, a nd Nicolò Merendino. 2020. “The Seed of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.): Nutritional Quality and Potential Functionality for Human Health and Nutrition.”
www.thefarmersclub.com • 21
BCPC/Farmers Club • Technical Seminar
Club Information 020 7930 3557 • www.thefarmersclub.com @thefarmersclub The Farmers Club Page
Office Holders
Patron – Her Majesty The Queen HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS Barclay Forrest OBE, Sir Mark Hudson KCVO, Peter Jackson CBE, Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE, Roddy Loder-Symonds, John Parker, Norman Shaw CBE
Food production; foreign trade and flightpaths for chiff-chaffs…
THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB 2021 VICE PRESIDENTS Paul Heygate, Julian Sayers PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN Keith Redpath TRUSTEES Nicki Quayle (Chairman), Tim Bennett, Peter Jinman OBE, Jimmy McLean VICE-CHAIRMAN John Lee OBE DL HONORARY TREASURER Richard Maunder IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Allan Stevenson CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY Andrei Spence CLUB CHAPLAIN The Reverend Dr Sam Wells COMMITTEE Elected 2018 to serve from 2019 to 2021 inclusive: Fiona Fell, Meurig Raymond CBE DL, John Hardman, Andrew Brown JP (re-elected) Elected 2019 to serve from 2020 to 2022 inclusive: Sue Bullock, Sarah Cowlrick, Kevin Beaty (re-elected), John Lee OBE DL (re-elected), Karen Mercer (re-elected), Christopher Riddle (re-elected) Elected 2020 to serve from 2021 to 2023 inclusive: Alan Plumb, Anthony Snell, Tony Bell, Ian Bell OBE (re-elected) Co-opted: Eleanor Kay (Chairman Under 30s), Alice Hind (Vice Chairman Under 30s) THE FARMERS CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES Stephen Fletcher (Chairman), Vic Croxson DL, Meryl Ward MBE, Des Lambert OBE, Nick Green, James Squier, Christine Tacon CBE, The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Club (ex officio). Patron Mrs Stella Muddiman
NEXT ISSUE The next issue of the Farmers Club Journal, due with members in early November, will report on the Chairman’s Tour to Kelso, summer Events, a range of topical farming issues and plans for the rest of the year.
22 • The Farmers Club Summer/Harvest 2021
Thursday 7 Oct 2021, The Farmers Club, London THE demand for affordable food is no different today than it was in the period leading up to the Repeal of the Corn Laws more than 174 years ago. But for UK farmers the dynamics, economics and environmental pressures of producing it are vastly different. Since leaving the EU the challenges facing UK agriculture have multiplied, with increasingly dynamic global trade and the temptation to encourage cheaper produce from abroad to curb inflation. The new Agriculture Act and Environment Bill will change the direction of UK farming from progressive intensification, seen for 50 years, to one based on sustainability with support aligned to the provision of public goods focussed on environmental concerns, not least climate change. But profitable UK farming and the countryside it protects are inextricably linked. One cannot dominate the other. This technical seminar, the fifth organised by The Farmers Club and the British Crop Production Council, will outline the challenges and opportunities for UK agriculture. Delegate numbers are restricted, so registration is first come first served. As a unique joint BCPC/ Farmers Club event booking is not possible on the Club website, so please contact Emily, Interim Club Events Manager administrator@ thefarmersclub.com or telephone 0207 930 3751.
SEMINAR PROGRAMME 10.30 - 11.00am Registration and coffee 11.00am Charman’s introduction: Stephen Howe, British Crop Production Council 11.10am What does the future hold for UK food production? Janet Hughes, Programme Director, Future Farming and Countryside Programme, DEFRA 11.45am The prospects for homegrown production against the background of dynamic global trade. John Giles, Divisional Director Agri Food, Promar International 12.30 - 1.30pm Lunch 1.30pm Changing demands on land use and the opportunities for farm businesses. Tim Isaac, Knowledge Exchange Director, AHDB 2.05pm Protecting the future profitability of your farming business. George Badger, Partner, Ceres Rural 2.40pm The UK grain trade – underlying arable profitability. Cecilia Pryce, Head of Compliance, Shipping and Research, Openfield 3.10pm Discussion 3.20pm Tea
Club Information • The Farmers Club Deaths It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members: Mr R Beaty Northamptonshire Mr T Copas Berkshire Mr T Cracknell Norfolk Mr S Findlay Hertfordshire Mr C Harrison Cheshire Mr J McKee County Down Mrs J Miller Kent Mr W Morrow County Antrim Mr R Pooley Norfolk Mr R Rowe Dorset Professor J Stansfield Gloucestershire Mr A Thorneycroft Northamptonshire Mr A Turnbull Lincolnshire Mr R Twiddle Yorkshire Dr J Way Cambridgeshire Mrs P Wharton Norfolk New Members The following were elected: UK Members Mrs K Addison Mr J Alpe Mr M Benger Mr D Butler Ms S Calcutt Mrs K Campbell Mrs L Chapman Mr J Cordery Mr C Fisher Mr T Glaister Mrs D Godwin Mr A Grimes Mr G Jacob Mr J Jeffery Professor R Kao Mr P Leeper
Cumberland Lancashire Shropshire Hampshire Kent Peeblesshire Berkshire Devon Leicestershire Yorkshire Hampshire Bedfordshire Essex Kent West-Lothian Cumberland
Mr D Lloyd Mr R Morris Mr J Page Mr N Percival Mrs V Pulleyn Mr D Quarington Mr C Tallis Mr M Trees Mr J Trunkfield Mrs C Turner-Sears Mrs H Whitlow Under 30s Mr C Bowie Miss A Carter Mr H Darby Miss F Edmunds Mr S Fisher Mr G Fordy Mr T Gordon Mr E Gorst Mr R Irwin Miss H Janaway Miss M Jessen Miss A Leverton Mr W Montague Mr E Padfield Miss C Pegrum Mr W Rutherford-Roberts Mrs E Turner Mr M Will
Sussex Leicestershire Nottinghamshire Essex Hampshire Kent Worcestershire Warwickshire Sussex Norfolk Worcestershire Sussex Cheshire London London London Yorkshire Kent London Perthshire Hampshire Hertfordshire Lincolnshire Northumberland Essex Essex London Worcestershire Worcestershire
Honours and Awards The Chairman and Members of the Club congratulate the following members whose names appeared in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List: MBE Ms Sarah Mukherjee Mr George Streatfield
Hertfordshire Dorset
Book Your Christmas Function At Your Club Call Liza on 020 7925 7100 or email functions@thefarmersclub.com
Missing Emails Some members have reported that they are not receiving Club emails into their inbox. If this is the case, please visit the Club website for guidance to help resolve this issue www. thefarmersclub.com/news/ missing-club-emails
Phone Calls Members are advised that using mobile calling platforms such as Skype, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts etc can facilitate mobile phone calls (over the Club’s wi-fi) in areas of the Club where mobile phone calls are permitted, including in the Business Suite.
Club Contacts THE FARMERS CLUB
Serving the farming industry for 178 years 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL
Chairman 2021: Keith Redpath
Chief Executive and Secretary: Andrei Spence
Club Email: generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com Reception reception@thefarmersclub.com Bedroom Reservations reservations@thefarmersclub.com Restaurant Reservations Option 3 restaurant@thefarmersclub.com Conference & Banqueting Sales Manager Liza Keoshgerian direct line: 020 7925 7100 functions@thefarmersclub.com Interim Club Events Manager Emily O’Brien administrator@thefarmersclub.com General Manager Virginia Masser direct line 020 7930 3751 generalmanager@thefarmersclub.com Head Chef & Director of Food Paul Hogben direct line: 020 7925 7103 chef@thefarmersclub.com Interim Financial Controller Simon Fredericks financialcontroller@thefarmersclub.com Membership Mark Fairbairn direct line: 020 7925 7102 membership@thefarmersclub.com PA to Secretary Claire White 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 @thefarmersclub The Farmers Club Page 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
Group Enterprise Membership The Farmers Club is launching Group Enterprise Membership for farming, agricultural, food and drink businesses across the UK. A great way to meet the right people, in the right place! WHY DO YOU NEED THIS NOW? • Are you a company that conducts your business within the agricultural sector? • Is your company directly or indirectly related to farming, agriculture, food and drink? • Do you need a London base to meet clients, customers or suppliers? • Do you need a COVID safe venue to hold company and private functions in an environment that works for you? • Are you looking for new targeted networking opportunities to increase business in 2021?
• Has/is your business suffering as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic and the UK’s departure from the EU, leaving you needing some inspiration to revitalise your business? • Are you in need of some new ideas for 2021? • Are you looking for somewhere to entertain that truly believes in great British food? • Would you like membership of an organisation that will help you achieve all of the above?
HOW YOU WILL BENEFIT: • Network opportunities with up to 5000 Club members in your industry • Network opportunities with up to 400 Club members who are under the age of 30 • Attend Club events to hear about new ideas, future plans in your industry and more…… • Gain ideas, knowledge and useful contacts from fellow members
• A great place to entertain serving “Simply cooked, seasonal, quality, British food” in the Restaurant, Bar or on the Terrace overlooking Embankment Gardens and the River Thames • A central London location with great transport links • Access to Reciprocal clubs in the UK and overseas • Value for money club services and facilities, meeting the right people in the right place
THE DEAL… • Annual membership subject to Farmers Club Membership Committee approval • For 1 lead member and 4 named business colleagues, from the same company • The named lead member has access to bedrooms at member rates 7 days a week* • Named colleagues have access to weekend bedrooms at member rates* • Use of the Bar and Restaurant* • Booking function rooms for your company or personal events at member rates*
• Attendance at Club Events, subject to normal member restrictions • Access to The Journal for all 5 members of the group, that provides Club and agricultural updates • Use of the Business Suite if you are in London for just a few hours • Access to Reciprocal Club agreements in the UK and overseas • In Year 1 an Annual Membership Subscription for your company applies of £5750 reducing to £5000 on renewal for year 2 (subject to annual increases thereafter)
All costs of using the Club are additional. Named members can be changed during the year at a charge of £75 per name change.
The Farmers Club would be delighted to talk to you if you are interested, please contact Mark, Membership Secretary, in the first instance on 020 7925 7102 or membership@thefarmersclub.com. * Subject to availability
