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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ‘Leading positive change in agriculture’

Cover Photograph: Example of current grass utilisation trial along with wind turbines on John Yeomans NSch farm. Photo taken by Joe Yeomans. A full explanation can be found on pages 14 & 15

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST In 1913 a young Englishman boarded a ship at Liverpool and sailed to the United States of America. There, he travelled to Detroit and saw how Henry Ford was mass producing automobile engines at a fraction of their cost in the United Kingdom. He brought these ideas back home and put them into practice in his factory at Cowley, Oxford. His name was William Morris, doyen of the British motor industry during its golden era, who was later made a peer, as Lord Nuffield, in 1934. In 1943 he gave £10 million to found the Nuffield Foundation which in 1947, recognising the linkage between health and good agricultural practices, began to fund scholarships for British farmers to travel in the footsteps of William Morris...

“VISION STATEMENT” Inspire passion in people and develop their potential to lead positive change in farming and food

OUR MISSION Leading positive change in agriculture - inspiring passion and potential in people

• Building knowledge through global experience • Sharing brilliant ideas • Making things happen • Developing tomorrow’s leaders • Inspiring commitment

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS Each year Nuffield Farming Scholarships are awarded to deserving individuals working in farming, horticulture, forestry or any other countryside and ancillary industry - or are in a position to influence those who do - and are resident in the United Kingdom. They will have spent at least two years working in their current appointment, be at least three years since leaving full time education or study and be no more than 45 years old. Applications are made electronically by 31st July each year via the website: www.nuffieldscholar.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Mike Vacher, Director Telephone: 01460 234012 Email: Director@NuffieldScholar.org Copyright © Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust ISBN: 978-1-912059-32-4 Published by The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust Southill Farmhouse, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, TA3 5SH Registered Charity Number 1098519

www.nuffieldscholar.org

INTRODUCTION

I am very pleased to welcome you to the 2020 edition of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust Annual Report. I have determinedly retained a similar format to recent years, not least because you seem to like it, the familiar layout provides for an easy reference and it sits easily, side by side, with its predecessors on our bookshelves. You will notice from the Index opposite, we continue to: •

Begin the report appropriately with Acknowledgements to our many sponsors and supporters.

•

Follow this with a record of personalities and lists of those achieving special awards over the years.

•

Include a variety of reports covering Nuffield Farming activities of the previous year.

•

Make the heart of the report the Executive Summaries of all the 2019 Nuffield Farming Scholars’ Study Reports and acknowledgement of their Sponsors.

Nevertheless, I hope that you will notice some subtle modifications to the presentation of the pages and illustrations. These reflect changes to our ‘branding’ which is part of a major digitalisation project which I outline in my report. I hope this 2020 Nuffield Farming Annual Report provides a useful reference and record of all our various achievements. However, please do not hesitate to contact me at anytime in case you would like more information or explanation.

Best wishes,

Mike Vacher Director Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust

INDEX Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust ��1 Introduction �� 2 Index �� 3 Acknowledgements �� 4 Personalities �� 6 Appointments & Special Awards �� 8 Chairman’s Report �� 10 Director’s Report ��12 The Story behind the cover… ��14 What Nuffield Farming did for me �� 16 2019 Steven and Gillian Bullock Award ��18 2019 HSBC Salver & 2019 John Stewart Shield �� 19 Nuffield Farming Lecture Update ��20 Corteva Agriscience – Title Partner ��21 Alumni Officer Report: Charlotte Merson ��22 ‘Let’s get virtual’ Communication Report ��24 Nuffield Farming Finances – Update and Explanation ��26 Governance – an unofficial aide mémoire ��28 Beeswax Dyson Farming ��30 The Institute of Agricultural Management ��31

C OU N T RY, REG I O N A L & S T U DY G RO U P R E P OR T S The Beckett Scholar Group �� 32 Nuffield South East �� 32 Nuffield Scotland �� 33 Nuffield Business Group �� 34 Nuffield Pig Group �� 34 Nuffield Anglian Region �� 35

HEIDI HALL: The Power of the Microbiome to produce happy, healthy pigs ��44 CHRIS HARRAP: “We shape our buildings, and thereafter they shape us” – a study into how farm building aesthetics affects the user experience ��46 CLAIRE HODGE: Improving connectivity in seed potato supply chains ��48 ALICE JONES: Cultivating elders for the UK processing industries ��50 MARK LITTLE: Feeding for health, combating antimicrobial resistance �� 52 PENNY MONTGOMERIE: What role should young farmers groups play in the development of Scottish agriculture? ��54 GRACE O’GORMAN: Animal medicine best practice, unlocking the potential for UK farming ��56 SARAH PICK: Heifer replacement strategies: cost reduction in the UK suckler beef herd ��58 JOHN REMNANT: Ensuring the veterinary profession meets the needs of livestock agriculture now and in the future ��60 VICKY ROBINSON: Farmer to Farmer Knowledge Exchange: Relevance and challenges during change ��62 JAMES SMALDON: Managing poultry welfare in a transitioning world of technology ��64 CHARLES STEER: The Circular Farm. Minimising input for maximum output in a mixed farming system �� 66 RICHARD WALKER: The British Dairy Industry within a Global Market Context: Integrating British dairy products and ingredients with developing global markets ��68 DUNCAN WILLIAMS: Dairy Antibiotics: Achieving Sustainable Use �� 70 BARRY O’BOYLE: Opportunities for farmers to grow wealth in the Fourth industrial revolution �� 72

Nuffield Central Region ��36 Nuffield Poultry Group �� 37

CURRENT SCHOLARSH I P YEAR GROUPS: 2019 Nuffield Farming Presenting Scholars �� 74

N U FFI E L D FA RM I N G S CH O L ARS HIPS AWA RDS :

2020 Nuffield Farming Scholars �� 76

ED BARNSTON: Rural Estates: Benchmarking Success �� 38

2021 Nuffield Farming New Scholars �� 78

DAN BURDETT: Regenerative Agriculture: How to make the change happen ��40

2021 Nuffield Farming Lecture �� Inside back cover

The Farmers Club & Saffery Champness ��80

HANNAH EASTAUGH: Adapting UK egg production for an increasingly welfare-conscious market ��42

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS SC HOL AR SPONSOR S

Richard Lawes Foundation

The Nuffield Farming Scholars presently embarking on and engaged in their studies wish to express their sincere appreciation to all those who are supporting them on their travels and making their ‘Nuffield Journey’ possible, especially their Scholar Sponsors identified against photographs later in the report and listed below.

Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland

2 01 9 SCHOL ARSHI PS AHDB BEMB Trust Central Regional Farmers Trust Darlington Cattle Breeding Trust Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship) Food Chain Scholarship John Oldacre Foundation John Longwill’s Agricultural Scheme MacRobert Trust McDonald’s UK & Ireland NFU Mutual Charitable Trust Richard Lawes Foundation Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland Thatchers Cider Three Counties Agricultural Society The Thomas Henry Foundation The Trehane Trust Worshipful Company of Butchers Worshipful Company of Farmers and Savills Yorkshire Agricultural Society Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award 2 02 0 SCHOLARSHI PS AHDB Central Regional Farmers Trust Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship) Food Chain Scholarship John Oldacre Foundation MacRobert Trust McDonald’s UK & Ireland National Trust NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Thatchers Cider The Company of Merchants of the Staple of England The Thomas Henry Foundation Worshipful Company of Farmers and Savills Worshipful Company of Fruiterers Yorkshire Agricultural Society 2 0 2 1 S C H OL A R S H I P S AHDB Alan and Anne Beckett NSchs BEMB Trust East Sussex NFU Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship) John Oldacre Foundation MacRobert Trust Malcolm Isaac NSch McDonald’s UK & Ireland NFU Mutual Charitable Trust Richard Lawes Foundation Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland The Studley College Trust The Thomas Henry Foundation The Trehane Trust Worshipful Company of Butchers Worshipful Company of Farmers and Savills Worshipful Company of Fruiterers Young Nuffield Award

2 02 0 SCHOLAR BRI EF IN G WITH S PEC IAL THANKS TO: Baroness Byford Sir Peter Kendall - Chair of AHDB

The Trust also wishes to thank the following individuals and organisations who generously support the awards and activities of the trust. John Alvis NSch

Professor David Hughes

Alan & Anne Beckett NSchs

Andrew Harle â€“ Joint Head of REP Division, Savills

Beeswax Dyson Farming Margaret Bevin

Jemma Feaver - Senior Marketing Executive, Savills

Gillian Bullock Hon NSch

Tim Adams - Partner, Saffery Champness

Sir John Campbell NSch

Steph Barkeley - Yellow Wellies

Canterbury Farmers Club

Adrian Hopkins - HSE

Corteva Agriscience

Roger Mercer NSch - Chairman Mercer Farming

Farmers Guardian

Robbie Moore MP NSch

Farmers Weekly

Tom Chapman NSch

Frank Arden Memorial Scholarship Fund

Ian Tremain NSch

Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust

Wyn Owen NSch

Haymarket Exhibitions

Ges Ray - Public Speaking Coach

HSBC

Richard Swallow - Media Coach

Institute of Agricultural Management

Saffery Champness

Julian Darling NSch

Savills

Kevin Green NSch

The Farmers Club

NSF Agriculture John Oldacre Foundation Richard Chantler Memorial Fund Roger Mercer NSch Royal Smithfield Club Royal Ulster Agricultural Society Saffery Champness Natural England NFU for England & Wales The Farmers Club The Kennel Club

2020 NSch at Westminster

PERSONALITIES NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST 2019 - 2020 Patron

HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO

Vice Patrons

Alan & Ann Beckett NSchs

Gillian Bullock Hon NSch Julian Darling NSch Kevin Green NSch John Hunt NSch Malcolm Isaac NSch Julie Mate NSch Roger Mercer NSch

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2019 - 2020 Chairman Helen Woolley NSch Vice-Chairman

Chris Graf Grote NSch

Trustees Sean Beer NSch Ali Capper NSch David Gardner NSch Sarah Hughes NSch Richard Percey Tom Rawson NSch Angus Selby NSch Nic Snell NSch Jo Speed NSch Oliver Surman NSch Wyn Owen NSch 2019-2020 SELECTION COMMITTEE

Helen Woolley NSch (Chairman)

Chris Graf Grote NSch (Vice-Chair)

Matthew Currie NSch

Richard Soffe

Frank Thompstone DIRECTOR Mike Vacher

CHAIRS OF COUNTRY & REGIONAL GROUPS 2019 - 2020 Anglia

Tom Chapman

07717 505287

tgvc@hotmail.co.uk

Central

Oliver Surman

07788 441612

oliver@pegotyhedge.co.uk

East Midlands

Andrew Scoley

07836 349111

andrewscoley@btconnect.com

Northern

Jo Speed

07900 502860

jo.speed@yahoo.com

Northern Ireland

Greg Sommerville

07815 614784

gregg-s@hotmail.co.uk

Scotland

Jenna Ross

07843 479332

jenna.ross@abdn.ac.uk

South East

Sarah Calcutt

07767 783891

sarah@pip.business

South West

Richard Counsell

07984 277871

Richard@stableprice.com

Wales

Iwan Vaughan

07947 617307

Iwan.vaughan12@gmail.com

West Midlands

Rob Burtonshow 07813 064615

rob@farmservicesltd.co.uk

SCHOLARS REPRESENTING STUDY GROUPS 2019 - 2020 Arable

Post vacant

Beckett

Jamie McCoy

07887 771224

mccoy87@hotmail.co.uk

Beef & Sheep

John Yeomans

01938 810394

yeomans.ranch@btinternet.com

Business

Matt Swain

07957 867632

farmbusiness@aol.com

Dairy

Tim Downes

07740 782247

tim.downes1@virgin.net

Export Group

Stephen Fell

07768 883818

sfell@turf.co.uk

Horticultural

Margaret Herbert 01386 751196

margaretH@reddeerherbs.co.uk

Pigs

Caroline Mitchell 07989 326106

caroline.mitchell@fqmglobal.co.uk

Poultry

Nick Chippindale 07545 425790

nickchip69@gmail.com

Soils

Wil Armitage

wilarmitage@tiscali.co.uk

Sustainable & Organic Farming

William Waterfield 07785 530487

07967 315755

w.waterfield@fcgagric.com

Post nominals are only included in full for The Patron. The identification NSch is only included where it is appropriate to differentiate between others in that group (e.g. External Trustees)

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS APPOINTMENTS & SPECIAL AWARDS NUFFIELD FARMING CHAIRMEN

Edward W Owens

(With year of appointment)

Henry Plumb

1970 - John Cyster

Richard Trehane

1985 - Charles Wharton

Meryl Ward

1992 - Chris Older

Charles Wharton

1995 - Richard Holland

David Yonge

1997 - Stephen Fell 2000 - John Alvis 2003 - Wynne Jones

JOHN STEWART SHIELD

2005 - Campbell Tweed

(Given for the Best Presentation at the Annual Conference)

2007 - Tony Pexton 2009 - Jack Ward 2011 - Stephen Watkins 2014 - Wallace Hendrie 2016 - Julian Darling 2018 - Helen Woolley

1991 - George Russell 1992 - Ambrose Fowler 1993 - Kate Kerr 1994 - Emma Leonard 1995 - Guy Smith 1996 - Gwyn Jones 1997 - Mark Buckingham

NUFFIELD FARMING DIRECTORS (With year of appointment) 1968 - John Stewart (as Secretary and later Director) 1989 - Steven Bullock 2001 - John Stones 2013 - Mike Vacher

1998 - Tim O’Leary 1999 - Gary Naylor 2000 - Ger Bergin 2001 - Kevin Green 2002 - Belinda Clarke 2003 - Paul Fox 2004 - John Strawson 2005 - Robert Lasseter 2006 - Matthew Naylor

HONORARY UK NUFFIELD SCHOLARS (Past and Present) Anne Beckett Alison Blackburn Allan Buckwell Gillian Bullock Richard Butler Douglas Carter Eric Carter Norman Coward Henry Fell Tony Harris Jim Harrison

2007 - John Yeomans 2008 - Mike Tyers 2009 - Peter Gresty 2010 - Jim Shanks 2011 - Michael Blanche 2012 - Ian Pye 2013 - Joe Delves 2014 - Liam Stokes 2015 - David Walston 2016 - Aled Jones 2017 – Peter Wiggins-Davies 2018 - Alex Brewster 2019 - Angus Selby

MIDLAND BANK HSBC SALVER FOR THE BEST STUDY REPORT

STEVEN AND GILLIAN BULLOCK INNOVATION AWARD

1999 - Julian Madeley

2007 - Jo Scammel

2000 - Cormac McKervey

2008 - Andrew Dyke

2001 - Chris Lloyd

2009 - Lyndon Edwards

2002 - Philip Hughes

2010 - Matthew Dobbs

2003 - Donald MacPherson

2011 - Ian Pigott

2004 - Liz Bowles

2012 - David Rose

2005 - Geoff Sansome

2013 - Donald MacPherson

2006 - Juno McKee

2014 - Neil Perkins

2007 - Diana Allen

2015 - John Yeomans

2008 – No award

2016 - Martin Thatcher

2009 - Charlie Walker

2017 – Andy Gage

2010 - David Alvis

2018 - Michael Dart

2011 - Jim Shanks

2019 - Jim Shanks

2012 - Jo Franklin 2013 - Jez Ralph 2014 – Amy Jackson

UNRESTRICTED DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2015 - Ali Capper

John Green

2016 - Werner Strydom

Richard Matson

2017 - Neil McGowan

Jill Willows

2018 - Richard Counsell 2019 - Jude McCann

FRANK ARDEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS 1997 - John Alliston (as the preceding ‘Jubilee Scholarship’) 2000 - Guy Smith 2002 - Tony Pexton 2005 - Will Taylor 2007 - David Hugill, Jiggy Lloyd, Julian Morgan, Chris Pollock 2009 - Lindsay Hargreaves, David Gardner 2011 - Nik Johnson, Mark Tucker 2013 - Caroline Drummond, David Northcroft

REDESIGNATED NUFFIELD FARMING LECTURE 2018 - Michael Winter 2020 - Andrew Fearne

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR 2020 HELEN WOOLLEY NSch

What a difference a year makes! Last year my report was framed around uncertainty as we faced an election, a new government and our departure from the European Union, whilst also looking forward to the potential opportunities for Nuffield and our scholars to respond positively to a major transition in UK farming. My 2020 report is again framed against a background of uncertainty dominated by the Covid -19 pandemic which continues to impact the way we all live our lives. Celebrating the 1000th UK scholar, 2020 was to be a year of high profile events with the Nuffield Triennial conference in New Zealand, the Nuffield Lecture in London and of course our traditional Annual Conference. In mid-March our 2020 scholars along with our Director and myself arrived in Australia full of enthusiasm and looking forward to the CSC on Tangalooma Island just off the Brisbane coast. Whilst there the extent and international response to the pandemic developed with speed and the tough decisions to shorten the CSC and cancel the Triennial Conference were made. For a charity whose purpose is to provide international travel scholarships it was inevitable that a pandemic with such devastating global impact would ‘hit us hard’. Throughout this crisis Nuffield Farming Trustees have overseen the charity’s response considering its impact on our Scholars, supporters and future applicants. The Trustees have been determined that the Trust would not ‘shut up shop’ but look for different ways of working, engaging with our Alumni, progressing projects and managing the trusts finances to ensure its long term viability. The trust is in the fortunate position of having significant financial reserves held to protect it through difficult periods – a rainy day fund - and to quote one of our Trustees ‘it is raining pretty hard at the moment’! The impact has been greatest on our 2019 and 2020 Scholars, whose travels, studies and reporting have been severely disrupted. The Trustees are determined that all scholars will have the opportunity to fulfil their scholarship experience when international travel becomes possible with flexible deadlines for the time being. In the meantime, scholars are being encouraged to develop broad travel plans and timelines; to undertake online research; and make virtual connections so they are well prepared when international travel becomes possible. After careful consideration, including consulting with other Nuffield Countries, Trustees made the decision that we should recruit scholars this year and ‘virtual’ selection interviews have recently been completed. That we are able to do this in such an uncertain economic climate is due to the very generous sponsorship we continue to receive from our loyal and committed scholar sponsors, and I would like to offer sincere thanks to all of them for their continued support. Throughout this year the Nuffield Farming Office team have been imaginative, enthusiastic and committed to finding new ways of doing things. I would like to recognise the efforts of them, and all the many Scholars, who have continued to support the Trust as we adapt to the new environment and provide a topical range of virtual events and communications.

The Nuffield Lecture ‘Brick to Click: How will the retail revolution impact UK farmers?’ scheduled to be delivered in July had to be postponed, but as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is so momentous for the subject Professor Andrew Fearne was asked to give a webinar to update and focus on some of the immediate opportunities and challenges facing farm businesses. Chaired by Prof David Hughes, this event was a huge success attended by over 150 and viewed online by at least 364 additional people. The Nuffield Lecture will now be given in July 2021 allowing Andrew time to reflect and better understand the impacts of events in 2020 on his research study. In the light of Government advice, no physical Nuffield conference will take place in 2020. Having consulted with the 2019 scholars, the decision has been made to run a series of virtual events where scholars will present their findings followed by a Q&A session chaired by a Trustee – please support scholars by attending these Mini-Conferences. Our annual new scholar briefing and AGM will also take place as virtual meetings during November. Last year’s Annual Conference held in Warwickshire was another excellent event thanks to the hard working organising committee ably led by Julie Mate with support from the Nuffield executive team – my thanks to you all. Looking forward, Covid permitting, next year will be very busy as the UK is scheduled to host the 2021 CSC in Norfolk and the organising committee, led by Chris Graf Grote, have developed a fantastic programme – as I write there is real uncertainty whether the event will go ahead in 2021 but if not it will be rescheduled for 2022. The postponed Nuffield Farming Lecture and our Annual Conference will also be back, so please put the dates in your dairy. Despite the pandemic, work has continued to implement the Strategic Plan with a focus this year on improving our virtual presence and in particular the website and better integration of the database, report library, finances, scholar application and event booking processes. This will improve the user experience, compliance with data protection regulations, dissemination of scholar findings and provision of management information. The project is on schedule to launch a new look website at the end of November. In concluding there are very many people I would like to thank for their unstinting support, enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to the trust and myself: Mike Vacher and his dedicated and hard-working executive team; our report editors; my fellow selectors and in doing so to offer my sincere thanks to Frank Thompstone who retires after 6 years as a selector; all of our sponsors and partners for their very generous support; and last, but by no means least, my fellow Trustees for giving so freely of their time. At the AGM this year a number of Trustees, Ali Capper (co-opted), Sarah Hughes (returning 2018 scholar), Tom Rawson (completing his first term but standing for re-election), Oliver Surman and myself retire from the Board. My sincere thanks to Ali, Sarah, Tom and Oliver for all your hard work and commitment. As I retire after 10 years as a Trustee and the last two as your Chairman, I would like to close by saying what a privilege and a pleasure it has been to work as a Trustee and Director of both NFST and Nuffield International. I have been very fortunate to work alongside some very talented and committed individuals – I wish Chris Graf-Grote and Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust every success for the future.

2020 Selection Committee during virtual interviews

DIRECTOR’S REPORT FOR 2020 MIKE VACHER

Well who, a year ago, would have predicted that during 2020 the best part of a year would go by without any Nuffield Farming Scholars being able to travel abroad? Who could have imagined that successful national leaders would be congratulated for preventing their people from leaving their homes in order to keep them safe? Who could have expected the life, career and business changes we are having to manage…? However, our Nuffield Farming Scholars and the Organisation itself have and will continue to adapt to the new environment. We are all having to change the way we live and work, but Nuffield Farming is in good shape. We continue with all the essential functions of the Organisation at home, and abroad there are a growing number of Nuffield Countries around the World. We make plans for all the normal events and activities with, where possible, virtual alternatives being developed in parallel. The view from my office window remains unchanged – it is just a little boring that I have to spend quite so much time looking out of it! Keep on Rolling… Our Chairman has summarised well in her report the events of the last twelve months and the impact of covid on our activities and our operations. Her descriptions have been amplified in articles on the following pages and I would commend, especially, those by Charlotte Merson, our own ‘compère par excellence’ on ‘zoom’, and Kendra Hall’s (Reverberate Public Relations) article on virtual communicating, as well as all the reports on Groups activities far and wide – virtual and physical. In the early depressing days of covid, there were a few who suggested that Nuffield Farming might be best to ‘shut up shop’ for a while. However, they were quickly drowned out by the vast majority of Scholars and Supporters who strongly encouraged us to ‘keep the show rolling’, whatever the challenges in doing so. Our current Scholars, especially those from the 2019 – 2021 Year Groups have had their Nuffield Farming Scholarship programmes badly affected by covid. There can be no 2020 Conference for 2019 Scholars to present their study findings. 2020 Scholars had their Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC) cut short and our new 2021 Scholars will not experience the excitement of their first Nuffield Farming Conference and meeting at their initial briefing. Nevertheless, covid will pass and the Trustees have determined that there can be no fixed time limit on completing a scholarship until the impact of covid has elapsed.

Money is no problem….. Helen Woolley has explained how, thanks to her and her predecessors, we have strong finances with substantial reserves and a growing balance sheet. Thank goodness, because these enable Trustees to have the confidence to look positively on enhancements to our operations, not least the recruitment of Charlotte Merson as the Alumni Officer and the exciting major digitalisation project. Please be assured, however, that we are not wasteful in the spending of our funds as explained in more detail in the reports on the Trust’s finances and its governance. Nuffield Farming Digitalisation…. The Nuffield Farming Trustees have recognised the need to create a new, modern website and digitalise associated functions. This website will interface effectively with: a Database; the Study Report Library; a new Conference and Event booking system; our Scholar Application system; Finance functions and Social Media platforms. You will recognise that this will involve our own team hosting and managing the Database and Study Report Library that will migrate seamlessly from Nuffield International website. More details will be promulgated over the coming months. Appreciation I echo the Chairman’s appreciation to all those who contribute to the organisation and operations of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust. There are many ‘unsung heroes’ across the Country organising Regional and Study Groups and our successful scholarship programme depends on volunteer speakers and helpers – not least our three honorary editors: Anne Beckett, Alison Blackburn and Christine Hill. Our activities are underwritten by many sponsors who give very generously to ensure these continue and can provide increasing impact on British Agriculture. Several of these stand by the Trust loyally, recognising the value of our work, despite not being allocated a scholar. The overarching success of Nuffield Farming is due to the oversight and expertise of the Trustees and its smooth operation to the small team who work so diligently in the Nuffield Farming Office: Charlotte, Claire, Lindsay and Poey along with our consultants Reverberate Public Relations and The Fundraising Practice. Looking Forwards… Covid may have altered our working environment, but, there can be no question of us relaxing and standing still. There are new initiatives to be taken forward to improve the recruitment of our new Nuffield Farming Scholars; to enhance the scholarship programme itself and to augment the service provided to our Regional and Study Groups. Furthermore, Trustees have already given direction to put in place the vision and concepts towards a subsequent strategic plan… Nuffield Office Team during a Zoom meeting

THE STORY BEHIND THE COVER… Each year we aim to provide a cover picture that embraces some new or modern aspect of British Agriculture linked with a current Nuffield Farming Scholar. Over recent years we have shown: 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Dairymaster UK rotating milking parlour, Lye Cross Farm - Alvis Family NSchs Modular planting of lettuce pioneered by John Green NSch RSPCS Freedom Food indoor reared broiler chicken – Claire Bragg NSch Boreal Drone sensor to map soil moisture content by AeroVision B.V. Harper Adams University ‘Hands Free Hectare project – Jonathan Gill NSch Osram GmbH GE tuneable Horticulture LED Research Lights –Sarah Hughes NSch Thetford G’s one spray irrigation application per crop - Tom Ormesher NSch

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUAL REPORT 2019 NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUAL REPORT 2018

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUAL REPORT 2017

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUAL REPORT 2016

farming yourself, or work in an industry associated to agriculture and rural industry, then please take the opportunity to explore our website and find out what Nuffield has to offer.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015

WWW.NUFFIELDSCHOLAR.ORG

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2017

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NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2018

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUAL REPORT 2015

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Nuffield is an organisation that awards individuals with life changing opportunities that span their personal and professional lives, with a view to developing agricultural sector leaders and innovators of the future. We have funding available to sponsor overseas travel and assist with a period of study, and we’re always looking to attract new candidates. If you are Nuffield is an organisation that awards individuals with life changing opportunities that span their personal and professional lives, with a view farming yourself, or work in an industry associated to agriculture and to developing agricultural sector leaders and innovators of the future. We rural industry, then please take the opportunity to explore our website and find out what Nuffield has to offer. have funding available to sponsor overseas travel and assist with a period Nuffield is an organisation that awards individuals with life changing of study, and we’re always looking to attract new candidates. If you are opportunities that span their personal and professional lives, with a view WWW.NUFFIELDSCHOLAR.ORG farming yourself, or work in an industry associated to agriculture and to developing agricultural sector leaders and innovators of the future. We rural industry, then please take the opportunity to explore our website have funding available to sponsor overseas travel and assist with a period and find out what Nuffield has to offer.

ISBN 978-1-912059-01-0

9 781912 059010

ISBN 978-1-912059-20-1

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Published by Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust Southill Farm, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset TA3 5SH. T: 01460 234012

9 781912 059201

ISBN 978-1-912059-36-2

Published by Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust

E: director@nuffieldscholar.org

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

Southill Farm, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset TA3 5SH. ISBN 978-1-909070-90-5

T: 01460 234012

9 781912 059362 Published by Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust Southill Farm, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset TA3 5SH.

ISBN 978-1-909070-81-3

9 781909 070905 Published by Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust

9 781909 070813 Published by Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust Southill Farm, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset TA3 5SH. T: 01460 234012

E: director@nuffieldscholar.org

Southill Farm, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset TA3 5SH. T: 01460 234012

T: 01460 234012

‘Leading positive change in agriculture’

E: director@nuffieldscholar.org

ANNUAL REPORT 2017

E: director@nuffieldscholar.org

ANNUAL REPORT 2016

‘Leading positive change in agriculture’

E: director@nuffieldscholar.org

‘Leading positive change in agriculture’

2020 ANNUAL REPORT COVER PHOTOGRAPH

The latest cover illustrates a trial run by John Yeomans 2006 NSch which stems from a trip to Finland looking at their grass utilisation in 2018 with fellow Nuffield Scholar and his good friend, the late Richard Tudor 2017 NSch. European Innovation Programme funding was obtained for the journey and subsequent trial. Richard was engaged in his Nuffield Farming Scholarship at the time. The enclosed block shown is at 1420 feet at its highest point from which the view encompasses six counties and you can see the native pasture on neighbouring hills. Rotational grazing here is stocked at around 58 sheep per hectare and the flock is predominantly Beuah, which has been closed and performance recorded since the mid 1980s. The trial is exploring varying proportions of timothy within the grass ley and monitored yields so far this year are over ten times the ‘no inputs’ control section! Two different surface treatments have been used, scratching and slot seeding, to minimise carbon loss over 8 different plots. Four different seeds mixtures based on ryegrass, clover and plantain range from, 0% Finnish Timothy rising to 10%, 25% and 40%. Growth, quality and species mix is monitored on the plots and there are plans to monitor carbon as well. John is in the process of installing a solar powered water system to assist the rotational grazing.

Coincidentally, since the trial began, it is believed that much more wildlife has returned and thrived. Species include numerous hare, larks, curlew, lapwing, falcons, red kite, buzzards and many others. The total number of turbines shown in the photograph is 17 x 660 kw spread across five families’ ground and which provides power for around 8000 homes. RICHARD TUDOR NSch

Richard was taken from us far too soon doing the job he loved, making grass grow although, his proudest and most important roles would be husband and father to his lovely family, Catrin, Morgan and Lois. Richard hailed from a dynasty of top-notch farmers. His parents won a host of grassland and stock awards. Years ago people would ask Richard, ‘Are you Tom Tudor’s son?’. In recent years they ask Tom, ‘Are you Richard Tudor’s father!’ Richard was forward looking and gained many grassland and stock awards including: HCC Scholar, looking at beef production in South America, Asda Scholar studying suckler cow production in North America, Farmers Weekly Beef Farmer of the Year 2016, Nuffield Scholarship 2017 researching ‘Soil Health and Fertility in Grassland’. He was a high achiever, but, also a contributor to the community. He mentored young entrants coming into agriculture and was always willing to support and advise young people generally and the YFC in particular. Richard and his family were often hosting events and innumerable visits as well as welcoming many overseas visitors. He always found time to support his local community, Chairing the Governors of his local school and managing the local Dyfryn Banw football team, playing for COBRA rugby team, and chairing the local community Welsh newspaper Plu’r Gweunydd. The family will carry on the legacy started by Richard, aided and supported by his many friends. He touched so many people’s lives with his modest, unassuming and humorous nature, always willing to share, and always eager to learn. As soon as the temperature rose to near freezing it would be shorts on, boots on, tee shirt with the collar up, beaming smile and a passion for life, that is how we will remember him – a true Nuffield Farming Scholar.

WHAT MY NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIP DID FOR ME ALAN BECKETT MBE, NSch 1957

Alan Beckett obtained his Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 1957 but never imagined the effect it was going to have on him or his family’s farming business. His original aim was to see the new herringbone milking parlours in operation in America and decide if they would be the answer for his family’s dairy farm in Worcestershire. He travelled 26,000 miles in a battered old car bought in the States, not just looking at parlours but working in them physically to gain experience. Importantly he also took any opportunity to learn about farming practices in general and began to realise the most important lessons involved finance and money management. He was learning about budgeting, cash flow and making money work for the business. Americans were far ahead of their British counterparts in that direction. Returning home, Alan tried to convince the landlord to provide the necessary setup for a large, intensive dairy business, but was unsuccessful. So he thought instead about the progressive egg production units he had seen in the States. All in all, a far higher return on capital could be obtained than with dairying, and rapid expansion was possible. He persuaded his father to sell the cows and let him have a go. His subsequent rise in the egg industry was meteoric, Becketts Farm becoming one of the UK’s largest egg producers. Initially most of the eggs were sold at the back door and this has developed into a comprehensive retail operation which includes a butchery, bakery, greengrocery, deli, sandwich bar, gifts and goodies, and coffee shop. There is also a 170-cover restaurant, a conference centre and cookery school, in all employing over 100 people. The latter developments took place after egg production had been stopped in 1995 when Alan’s son Simon, also a Nuffield Farming Scholar, took over as MD, and realised the writing was on the wall for commodity production. Alan has remained Chairman of the company. Alan has served on the board of the British Egg Marketing Board, received an MBE in 1987 for Services to Agriculture, and was Chairman of both the NFU Poultry Committee and Midland Shires Farmers, then the largest agricultural co-op in the country. To this day, Alan credits his Nuffield Farming Scholarship for his success. “As time passed, I realised the tremendous advantage I had over my contemporaries because of my Scholarship and what it had taught me. I believe in repaying what others give you and Nuffield gave me so much that, in 1996, my wife and I decided we would sponsor a Nuffield Farming Scholar of our own each year.” Alan and Anne have now funded 23 Scholars – all hands-on in farming or an allied land-based business – who have demonstrated an entrepreneurial or innovative spirit. The Becketts believe Scholarships are designed to develop the nous and potential of practising farmers who show an ability to think outside the box. The programme gives them the resilience they will need to overcome the unpredictable challenges that will undoubtedly lie ahead.

WHAT MY NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIP DID FOR ME TOM BRADSHAW NSch 2011

“Looking back what impact did the scholarship experience have on you?” I have never been clear why or how, but I know when I arrived back from the CSC I had a different perspective of global agriculture, a greater confidence to articulate the challenges and opportunities, and had met and heard from some inspiring leaders that shaped my thinking. I wouldn’t say there was one lightbulb moment, but over the course of my 18 month scholarship I developed a clear view of what I thought was sustainable for the future of global food production. I was lucky enough to meet a full range; from pioneering organic advisors and producers through to biotech giants in South America. When I applied for my scholarship, I thought that the UK and EU were at the forefront of world agriculture, but hearing others refer to the EU as the museum of world agriculture raised questions and challenges. We use the latest scientific developments within the medical industry, but we aren’t able to use the same science to develop truly sustainable food production systems. The most challenging part of the scholarship was at the ACRES USA conference where everything in conventional agriculture was being challenged and questioned. To go through the process of questioning why you are doing everything; from suing synthetic fertiliser to pesticides was a very powerful exercise. Within the farm we have become far more business focussed and alongside this have tried to develop an approach that utilises direct drilling and cover crops where possible. With the structure of our business being based around contract farming this is more challenging with focus often on short term results rather than longer term fertility and sustainability. “What have been your wider achievements since your Nuffield Scholarship?” The most notable moment was in 2012, my Nuffield report was still hot off the press, and I answered the phone in the middle of harvest to “It’s X from the BBC here, could we come and see you? By the way we have read your Nuffield report”. That phone call led to me representing the Industry on BBC Harvest (sold to me as opportunity to reconnect the public with farming). Going into the farmyard with 20+ people in high-viz jackets during harvest in 2013 I questioned my decision, but it was a fantastic programme and an amazing experience to be part of – meeting Greg Wallace and Philippa Forrester (one of them was lovely) in the process. I had been slightly critical of the AHDB in my report, but highlighted that many farmers around the world would love to have a levy board such as the AHDB, but it was funded by us and we needed to take responsibility for steering the ship. This led to us applying to become an AHDB Monitor Farm. I also got more involved with the NFU – I was on the East Anglia crops board at the time of my scholarship but in 2014 I was appointed to the National board before becoming Chair and then earlier this year was elected Vice President of the NFU. I believe that having the perspective of global agriculture helps with the roles that I have had in the industry and I’m sure that I wouldn’t be doing what I am now if I hadn’t been given the opportunity of a scholarship and the very generous sponsorship of Alan and Anne Beckett.

2019 STEVEN AND GILLIAN BULLOCK AWARD It’s not that unusual for a Nuffield scholar to turn around a struggling business thanks to the inspiration and insights gained from their Nuffield experience. But how many can claim to have resurrected a whole industry? The winner of the 2019 Bullock Award set out on his travels aiming to explore the opportunities offered by on-farm energy generation. He came back to his farm in the Scottish borders convinced of the potential of generating energy from wind and biogas. But he also had his eyes opened to the possibility of developing new on-farm businesses that exploit the by-products created by these projects. Things didn’t start well. His initial proposal for a wind turbine sparked a serious opposition campaign, co-ordinated from the local shop, which succeeded in scuppering the plan. Undeterred, our winner pressed on, this time with a successful proposal for a biogas generator. The 200kW plant now operates 8,575 hours a year at full capacity, putting it in the top 2% in the UK. But it was what he did with the waste products from the plant that really put our winner on the map. A decade ago the Scottish tomato industry had virtually disappeared. In the 1950s there had been hundreds of tomato growers north of the border, but by the start of the 21st century there were only a handful of specialist producers, and in 2009 the biggest of those that remained shut up shop. Undeterred, our winner built a 4 acre tomato glasshouse, heated by waste heat from the biogas generator and using its carbon dioxide exhaust to accelerate crop growth. The glasshouse was opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne in 2017. Back in 2009 the farm produced 1.6m litres of milk from 500 acres. Now it produces 1.8m litres of milk, 1,600Mwh of renewable electricity, 8,000Mwh of renewable heat and 750t of tomatoes for Morrisons and Asda - still from the same 500 acres. Employment has gone from 3 to 40 and pre-tax profits from £90,000 to £750,000. In a few years, our winner took the worst performing four acres of land on his farm and turned it into the most productive in rural Scotland, resurrecting the Scottish tomato industry in the process. He’s particularly proud of the fact that the local shop that once co-ordinated opposition to his plans now stocks his tomatoes. Please join me in congratulating the winner of the 2019 Steven and Gill Bullock Award - Jim Shanks.

2019 HSBC SALVER

Jude McCann 2017 NSch receiving the Salver for the Best Study Report of his Nuffield year group from Mel Shipley, HSBC and Helen Woolley NSch Chairman. His report is titled ‘Securing farmers’ resilience in a changing world’

2019 JOHN STEWART SHIELD

Angus Selby 2018 NSch receiving the Shield for the Best Presentation by a Presenting Scholar during the conference from the judges: Olivia Midge, Famers Guardian and Oliver Surman NSch and to his right, Helen Woolley NSch Chairman. His presentation was entitled ‘Can Institutional Investment Capital provide opportunities for Family Farmers and Young Farmers into UK Agriculture?’

“BRICKS-TO-CLICKS POST COVID-19: OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS FOR UK FARMERS” NUFFIELD FARMING LECTURE UPDATE- 14TH JULY 2020

In lieu of the Nuffield Farming Lecture, which was postponed until 2021, on 14th July Professor Andrew Fearne presented a webinar update on his research, exploring the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the evolution of grocery e-commerce and how UK producers should respond. The webinar, presented via Zoom, was chaired by Chairman Helen Woolley NSch, and Professor David Hughes, an expert on global food and drink industry issues, facilitated a lively Q&A session. Over 150 live participants .attended, and at least 364 additional people have viewed the webinar recording on YouTube since it was published. In the webinar, Professor Fearne explained that although there was already a steady increase towards online grocery sales, the pandemic has accelerated this. “The COVID-19 pandemic and its financial repercussions will have a substantial impact on consumer behaviour,” said Professor Fearne. “The businesses which are likely to succeed during this time are those which are able to demonstrate why their offer is relevant and distinctive. To do this, businesses need to understand who their customers are, their purchasing habits, and what they value.” He added that the transition toward purchasing food through e-commerce platforms presents opportunity for producers to distinguish themselves, create a relationship with consumers, and add value to their products. Professor Fearne also emphasised that this message was especially important to producers and farmers who sell directly to consumers. “As we move forward, the digital world will be the norm and farmers must invest in it more heavily than ever before,” he stressed. “We need a more resilient, digitally connected food system. There is a significant segment of consumers who do care where their food comes from and how it is produced, and they are willing to pay a premium. Many of them have made the transition to buying their food online, which opens up new routes for farmers to connect with consumers. However, their resolve will be tested as the major players wage war for market share in the months ahead.” A full recording of the Nuffield Farming Lecture Update is available to view at http://bit.ly/LectureUpdate2020 or by scanning the QR code below. Professor Fearne will present his full Nuffield Farming Lectureship in person on 1st July 2021 at ‘One Great George Street’, Westminster, London SW1P 3AA. Details to follow next year.

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15/10/2020 09:42

ALUMNI OFFICERâ€™S REPORT FOR 2020 CHARLOT TE MERSON

What a year it has been since the 2019 conference! We started the year with a truly fantastic line up of shows, events, open days and study tours only to see the vast majority being cancelled. However, this provided Nuffield Farming with a valuable opportunity to build its online presence through webinars, virtual open days, Facebook live posts, virtual farm walks and an online introduction to Nuffield Farming/drop-in sessions for applicants. If we start by looking back to the start of 2020; in January the Northern and Welsh Regions ran open days for potential Nuffield Scholars, both were new ventures for Nuffield Farming and were a resounding success and something we will definitely look forwards to repeating. The potential Scholars enjoyed listening to the presentations at both events; the Northern event took place on an evening with three recent Nuffield Scholars (Neil Eastham, Caroline Mitchell and Angela Kirkwood) presenting before a question and answer session. This event was kindly sponsored by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. The Welsh event had a different format with more guest speakers in different rooms so potential candidates could choose who to visit depending on their chosen subject. Spring and summer were set to be very busy with a number of first-time events including attending Grassland and Muck, a farm walk hosted by Ed Barnston and Charlie Steer (West Midlands) as well as all of the expected shows and tours. Unfortunately, these were unable to go ahead due to COVID 19 pandemic but hopefully these will return in 2021. This interesting year has also opened the door for Nuffield Farming to work collaboratively with other organisations; including The Farming Community Network (FCN) through Jude McCann. This collaboration led to a series of short videos, which we hope to expand on with and work more with FCN over the coming months. The impact of COVID 19 provided Nuffield farming with an opportunity to engage with a wider audience alongside building the online presence. We have been joined by a number of knowledgeable speakers including Holly Beckett, Barbara Bray, Wyn Owen, Matt Swain and of course culminating with the Nuffield Lecture by Professor Andrew Fearne. The webinar series took a small break during August before commencing in the Autumn.

Richard Pennock 2014 NSch during filming for Nuffield Farming Roger Mercer joined us in September and Anna Jones will be guest hosting the webinar in October following on from her Countryfile filming. The poultry group will be leading on the final webinar of the year, before we kick start 2021 with a virtual open evening and the Global Focus Programme presentations. Please do follow Nuffield Farming on social media and read the weekly emails for more information on future events. Throughout these virtual events we have been joined live by over 500 attendees with 6,800 watching the recordings and video clips at a later date via the Nuffield Farming YouTube channel and through Facebook. The wider audience we have been able to reach this year has surpassed all expectations! It has been such a pleasure to host and chair these events; the variety of topics, inspirational guest speakers and challenging questions has led to a very successful series and I am excited about the future of further events like these. I was also able to do some socially distanced filming at Myton Hall Farms with Richard Pennock in typically damp Yorkshire weather where we discussed the machinery he is using for maize production. The film is available on our YouTube channel as a series of short videos. Personally, I feel that our â€˜Introduction to Nuffieldâ€™ webinars have been one of the biggest successes, we have had over 110 potential applicants join the sessions which ran in May, June and July (twice weekly in July due to demand). They were an informal and informative introduction to Nuffield Farming and provided applicants with the opportunity to discover more about Nuffield and ask questions within the comfort of a small group. I would like to extend my thanks to Lindsay Woods for her support and assistance in running these events. The introduction to Nuffield Farming events will be continued in 2021. To date we have received some excellent and very strong applications; at the point of writing we are about to start the mock interviews. Due to the current climate these are going to be held remotely on Zoom which has opened the door for some inter-region collaborative working with the mock interview panels consisting of a mix of Regional Chairs. I would like to express my thanks to all who have taken part in this and your time and efforts are greatly appreciated. Finally, I would like to finish by thanking the wonderful presenters who have made both the webinar series, short video clips and farm walk films possible and turned a difficult year into a brilliantly informative one. If you would be interested in taking part in any of our webinars in the future then please do email Charlotte Merson (charlotte@nuffieldscholar.org).

LET’S GET VIRTUAL – COMMUNICATING THROUGH LOCKDOWN E M I LY B A L L 2 0 0 0 N S c h & K E N D R A H A L L : R E V E R B E R AT E P R The role of the Nuffield Farming organisation and its Scholars in providing leadership and knowledge to the wider agricultural industry has never been more important than in our current environment. With an industry on the cusp of major economic and political change amongst the challenges of a global pandemic, we remain committed to supporting our nation’s farmers, rural communities and agricultural organisations wherever possible. When the nation went on lockdown in the spring, many in our community found it difficult to cope with isolation and the uncertainty of future. The team at Nuffield were eager to ensure that our Scholars could remain connected with and support one another in such a difficult time, especially in the absence of our industry’s agricultural events and shows. Working together with Scholars across the country and key industry partners, we produced and published more than 25 video messages, farm walks, webinars and virtual workshops. From farm walks to mindfulness workshops, these efforts earned nearly 7,000 views on Facebook and YouTube alone! Live webinars were presented to over 500 live attendees and have been watched more than 500 times since being uploaded to our online channels. Our sincerest thanks go out to all who contributed to this effort, including: • • • • • • • • • •

The Farming Community Network Holly Beckett NSch, Focussed Farmers Barbara Bray MBE NSch, Alo Solutions Jude McCann NSch, Rural Support Wyn Owen NSch Matt Swain NSch Anna Jones NSch, Just Farmers Roger Mercer FRAgS NSch, Mercer Farming Jake Freestone NSch, Overbury Farms Richard Pennock NSch, Myton Hall Farms

In addition to homegrown efforts on our own channels, we also participated in multiple “virtual shows” this year, including stands at the Greatest Online Agricultural Show and the Scottish Agricultural Show Online.

GROWING NUFFIELD ONLINE Online communication remains a cornerstone of how Nuffield Farming reaches UK agricultural communities, and we have continued to grow our audiences across social media and improve the dissemination of Scholar’s work in these channels. Our social media channels have seen a huge rise in audience numbers. Most notably, our YouTube channel has seen 45% growth in subscribers and a 75% increase in video views. Our LinkedIn page has continued to grow impressively since its creation in 2018, seeing 748 new followers in the last year – a 67% increase!

This expansion of our social media audiences has given further exposure to all things Nuffield Farming, including Scholar reports and presentations. During the 2019 Conference, NFST tweets were seen 79,500 times (compared to 61,700 times in 2018) and #NuffCon19 was used 442 times. Since October 2019, social media activity has resulted in more than 1,219 report downloads and over 1,000 views of Scholar presentations from the 2019 Conference on YouTube, further demonstration of the power of these internet tools to â€˜get the word outâ€™ about Nuffield Farming and its Scholars. We are also making ongoing efforts to improve the useability of our ever-growing library of videos on YouTube through the use of playlists, which organise videos into smaller groups. In doing so, it will now be easier for users to find Scholar videos on specific topics, sectors and disciplines, further improving the dissemination of Scholar knowledge and findings to a wider audience. In the year to come, we look forward to continuing to expand and improve the presence of NFST online, evolving how we utilise these channels to achieve our mission of bringing positive change to British agriculture.

NUFFIELD FINANCES ….. This article provides an update and explanation of our latest Finances – and some parts are retained from previous versions to provide an ongoing reference. We are very fortunate to have strong finances as we operate in the new ‘covid environment’. What is more, the support of our sponsors has continued much as before and, importantly, substantial new donations have been received. Long may this situation continue, but, as you might expect, Trustees have conducted contingency planning against a variety of scenarios. AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE… Since 1947, when our scholarships were first awarded and funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust has assumed, firstly responsibility for scholarships costs (in 1956) and later all finances (in 1968). The organisation became a registered charity and company limited by guarantee in 2003 and since then has been run under the legally binding rules and regulations of these bodies. The Trustees are responsible for setting strategic objectives, ensuring that the Trust complies with its formal obligations and authorising the annual budget for the Director to implement. Currently, Nuffield Farming is fortunate to receive sponsorship for all scholarships awarded. Indeed, more organisations have promised support than the number of scholarships available. In general terms, annual donations are used to fund a proportion of overheads with the balance being made up by general sponsorship along with investment income, donations and some scholar sponsorship funds. In recent years, until 2018-19, this has provided a small operating surplus (after deduction of major donations) in the order of 5% of normal income. However, the implementation of the Strategic Plan has meant that an operating deficit approximately equivalent to 10% of normal income was incurred during the 2019-20 financial year. More general sponsorship would be welcomed! Nevertheless, because of the generosity of major donors the accounts show a healthy surplus of approximately £230k in 2019-20. Over the years the Trust has built up a portfolio of investments that provides reserves for the short and long term. Despite initial decline at the beginning of the covid emergency, as reflected in the 2019-20 Statutory Accounts, and the uncertainty of the markets the value of these has recovered during recent months. HEADLINES FROM RECENT YEARS 2013 – 2020 2012-13

2019-20

Trend

Total Net Assets:

£835,100

£2,858,493

>Tripled

Investment Holdings:

£735,300

£2,618,250

<Quadrupled

Expenditure less Scholarships:

£164,500

£292,950

+78%

Cost of Administration & Overheads:

£114,000

£219,700

+64%

FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES, RESERVES ALLOCATIONS AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY (from the 2019-20 Trustees Annual Report and the Policy) The strategic management of Trust’s finances are run according to the policy setting out the overarching Financial Objectives, Reserves Allocations and Investment Strategy. The overarching Financial Objectives of the Trust are to: maintain two years’ expenditure in reserve; provide stable and consistent levels of expenditure and maximise returns, but within the agreed level of risk. To enable a method of monitoring progress Trustees have determined to establish short and long term reserves. The Short Term Reserve retains the net surplus of all income (including investment income), less any expenditure and comprises of both unrestricted and restricted funds at a range of around £200,000. The Long Term Reserve benefits from any investment returns (other than income), together with any ad hoc donations that Trustees want to keep for the long term (such as legacies). Investment fees are paid from

this reserve. It can comprise a general (unrestricted) fund and other restricted funds where the intention is to hold a lump sum for the long term. The detailed management of investments is the responsibility of the appointed professional managers. Trustees set an Investment Strategy as the mandate under which these operate. This is in two parts: Liquidity, or the amount of cash the organisation needs to have access to at any one time and an Investment Policy, setting out how money may be allocated. It is considered unlikely that the Long Term fund will hold less than 70% in real assets. In addition, a separate operational liquidity balance of £200,000 is retained to provide protection should the usual dividends from the invested funds be interrupted. Restricted funds are invested with unrestricted funds subject to the investment policy. Our donors are listed separately in the annual accounts. Trust assets are, therefore, invested to ensure that two years’ expenditure is available for unforeseen emergencies. Given the above, the investment policy is simply assessed against the cheapest available way of investing money in assets with similar volatility protection. Fund Managers are measured against a passive index of 80% in global equities and 20% in investment grade bonds. This policy and the Fund Managers progress is reviewed annually. RECENT PERFORMANCE 2019-20

2018-19

2017-18

Operating Surplus:

-£60k

£18k

£32k

Unrealised Investment Gains:

-£133k

£79k

£7k

Donations Restricted/Unrestricted Funds:

£522k

£1,156k

£91k

£229k

£1,175k

£122k

Net Assets/Balance Carried Forward:

Net Movement in Funds:

£2,858k

£2,630k

£1,455k

Investments:

£2,618k

£2,865k

£1,520k

NOTES ON RECENT PERFORMANCE FIGURES: • Operating Surplus. In recent years, until 2018-19, Trustees have set a budget with an operating surplus in the order of £25,000 – including investment income. This has not been sustained as explained above. • Unrealised Investment Gains/Losses. This is sometimes referred to as ‘investment growth’ (or decline) and for which there are no fixed targets. Rather the movement in funds reflects changes in the stock market with a negative figure indicating a reduction in value. The growth of investments in 2017-18 was less than we had become used to but returned to ‘normal’ in 2018-19. In 2019-20, however, we suffered a decline of -£133k. • Donations to Restricted/Unrestricted Funds. The Trust continues to benefit by the generosity of charitable and private donors to establish ‘restricted funds’ to be used specifically for their scholarships. In the 2017-18 financial year major legacies were received totalling £91k. In the last 2018-19 financial year donations were received for a John Oldacre Restricted Fund of £1,100k as well as a further legacy from the Jill Willows Estate of £162k. In 2019-20 major donations totalling £522k were received or formally promised. • Net Movement in Funds. This figure shows the final, overall, increase or decrease in funds. • Balance Carried Forward. This is the Net Worth of the Trust and reflects that of the previous year plus or minus the net movement in funds. Readers will appreciate that, whatever else has occurred the effective doubling of the Trust’s worth over 3 years must be considered exceptional! • Investments. This is the total value of the short and long term reserves. These have grown considerably over recent years and the unrestricted funds or free reserves now total £1,306k or just under 50% of the investments.

SUMMARY The Nuffield Farming finances continue to be reassuringly strong. The overall annual increase in the value of the Trust is satisfactory and reflects the generous support of our sponsors and benefactors without which free reserves would have to be used to fund our activities. The operating deficit is disappointing, but, overall, the final result is still satisfactory. Our free reserves, along with the security of major legacies, enables Trustees to confidently allocate monies to new initiatives as these occur - still sure that funds will be available to carry the Trust over any downturn in its fortunes. Trustees continue to bear down on administrative costs subjecting them to regular scrutiny. However, they also recognise that increased levels of operational performance may need additional funding such as the implementation of the Strategic Plan. Going forwards, any further new initiatives will, similarly, need increased expenditure. It is likely that this will only be possible if new sources of funds are identified. Mike Vacher

GOVERNANCE OF THE NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST - an unofficial aide mémoire INTRODUCTION This note is provided on the direction of the Trustees as an aide mémoire of the governance of the Trust. It should not be considered an authoritative document, although it is hoped that it will provide a helpful ready reference.

OVERVIEW The ‘Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust’ (NFST) is a registered charity (No. 1098519) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 04787639). All its activities are governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 4th June 2003 as amended by special resolution dated 21st November 2014. The Trustee Board controls the Trust and is responsible for overseeing its activities on behalf of the Members to whom it reports at general meetings, with an annual general meeting being held annually. The Trustee Board must meet at least twice a year and has terms of reference to cover its activities and those of its four sub-committees: the NFST Finance, Communications, Fund Raising and Nominations Committees along with presently the Education and Scholar Development Working Group. The Trust is promoted and fostered by a network of countrywide country, regional and study groups.

how general meetings will be run; describe the organisation, proceedings and powers of the Trustee Board; set the parameters for the Selection Committee and scholars’ obligations; and outline the administration of the Trust. The full Memorandum and Articles of Association are available from the NFST Office or via the website.

OBJECTS All activities of the Trust must be towards promotion of its Objects which are: “…to promote agricultural, horticultural, forestry and countryside management education in the United Kingdom and abroad and to advance the standard of farming (including the food supply chain, horticulture, forestry and countryside management and associated topics) in the United Kingdom by the provision of Scholarships to [eligible] persons to enable them to study the practices and techniques employed anywhere in the world.”

MEMBERS A Member of the Trust is a Nuffield Scholar, an Honorary Nuffield Scholar or a Recognised Sponsor/Sponsor’s Representative who pays at least the qualifying subscription or sponsorship as approved by the Trustees.

MEMORANDUM AND A R T I C L E S O F AS S O C I AT I O N

TRUSTEE BOARD

The Memorandum is the document which governs the relationship between the company and the outside world and sets out, in particular, the core objects of the Trust, eligibility for a scholarship, and the powers which may be exercised to promote its objects. The Articles describe how the Trust is run, governed and owned. These: define membership; set out

The Trustee Board is formed by 6 – 13 elected individuals of whom at least 75% must be Nuffield Scholars. Each year one quarter of Trustees retire (excluding Chair and Vice Chair) as at the AGM and are eligible for re-election until they have served for six years, excluding any period served as a Returning Scholar Trustee.

Presently(as at November 2020)the Trustee Board is formed by: 9 Nuffield Scholars including the Chair and Vice Chair; 2 Returning Scholar Trustees representing the most recently completed year groups(2017and 2018)1 External Trustee and 1 Co-opted Trustee. The 12 Nuffield Scholar and External Trustees are elected/ re-elected at the AGM, the Returning Scholar Trustees are initially elected by their year groups and formally confirmed at the AGM. The Chair and Vice Chair each serve for two years in that office unless the AGM decides that there are exceptional circumstances which justify one additional year. Their retirement in accordance with the six year rule is postponed whilst in office.

SUB-COMMIT TEES The Trustee Board has currently established four committees /sub-committees: •

Communications Committee. To consider all matters relating to communication with scholars and to the world outside the Trust on the work and purpose of the Trust to enhance its performance and reputation, and to advise and make recommendations to the Trustee Board. It currently meets four times each year before the corresponding Trustee Board meeting. •

The Trustee Board has the powers to: •

appoint additional Trustees up to the maximum of 13 until the next AGM;

•

appoint and remove the Director;

•

nominate the Chair and Vice Chair from the Nuffield Scholars on the Board;

•

recommend Trustee Board Members for re-election.

•

and make other administrative arrangements including forming sub-committees, making standing orders, rules, procedures and arrangements to promote the good governance of the Trust and its wider success. The Trustee Board currently meets four times each year.

The Selection Committee consists of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Trust and three others decided by the Trustees. Currently, the others consist of two external and one Nuffield Scholar members and their appointment is endorsed at the AGM. Members serve for a maximum of two terms of three years. Applications for scholarships are submitted electronically by 31st July each year. The Selection Committee meets to shortlist applicants for interview in October. Before their interview it is normal for the applicants to have the opportunity to meet with representatives of their Country or Regional Group to rehearse.

Finance Committee. To advise the Trustee Board on matters relating to finance and financial procedures. It regularly reviews financial policy, reserves and investment policies, monitors in year financial progress and recommends an annual budget. It currently meets four times each year before the corresponding Trustee Board meeting and is led by the Vice Chair. •

SELECTION COMMIT TEE

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Education and Scholar Development Working Group. To oversee and guide the direction of the educational, academic and personal aspects of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships and any associated or supplementary programs.

Fund Raising Sub-Committee. To develop and carry out detailed plans for fund raising and for relations with sponsors.It currently meets quarterly in advance of the associated Finance Committee.

Nominations Committee. To propose nominations to the Trustee Board of those to be recommended to the AGM to fill vacancies or appointments on the Trustee Board. It is currently formed by the Chair, Vice Chair and Chair of the Communications Committee and meets once each year prior to the AGM.

Mike Vacher

BEESWAX DYSON FARMING Beeswax Dyson Farming Limited is proud of its ongoing support for the Education Sponsorship of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust. As one of the largest family-owned farming businesses in the UK, it is committed to long-term investment in British farming and the countryside. ABOUT BDFL The Beeswax Dyson Farming approach is modern, mixed and hi-tech. It focuses on doing things right for its customers, core assets and produce, and for the environment. Beeswax Dyson farms and manages both land and property, grows a diverse range of food products, and powers thousands of homes with the renewable energy it produces. LONG-TERM INVESTMENT BDFLâ€™s commitment to British agriculture recognises how vital an industry farming is to this country, with responsibilities for food production as well as stewardship of the countryside and environment. Like other successful British industries, farming should have all the same incentives to invest in research, development and infrastructure to ensure the security and quality of our food supply and to continue with the significant advancements already made in environmental stewardship. CARBON & NATURAL CAPITAL Farming has a crucial role to play in addressing climate change, and it has the potential to shift from being a major emitter of carbon dioxide to becoming an important carbon sequester and store. BDF has developed and implemented a carbon footprint assessment for the business, which is now embedded in everyday farming activities; indeed, it is fundamental to how it measures and monitors performance. This has shown that the business sequestered approximately 300t more CO2eq than it emitted in 2019. Our ability to sequester carbon is largely the result of our ability to manage natural capital. Natural capital is everything we do as a business to protect and enhance land, soil, air and the wider ecosystem. Some examples of natural capital that BDF manages include 390,000m of hedgerows, 11,700 standalone trees, and 250,000m of ditches, rivers and streams. THE FUTURE Looking to the future, Beeswax Dyson Farming will continue to focus on initiatives that reduce carbon emissions and increase sequestration through enhancing natural capital, whilst operating a commercially sound and resilient business. It will continue to produce the food that our customers want and encourage greater connection and understanding between consumers and farming. The aim is to deliver future benefits for profit, people and the planet: the triple bottom-line framework for performance accounting.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED JOINING THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT? It has never been more important for those involved in farm management and food production to be able to demonstrate high standards of competence, integrity and ethics. How do you do this in an industry that is so diverse and disparate? By joining an organisation which is committed to: • Promoting high standards in the practice and management in agriculture • Promoting training and CPD in all aspects of agricultural business management and creating a demonstrable career progression

• Encouraging the provision and attainment of professional qualifications • Championing the achievements in high standards of agricultural practice • Providing unique opportunities to network and share best practice. That organisation is the Institute of Agricultural Management run by, and for, those committed to a vibrant, sustainable and socially-aware farming industry.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT WHO CAN JOIN? Membership is open to those involved in farm, land and rural environment management including farmers, farm managers, consultants, advisors, lecturers, researchers and students.

ACTIVITIES

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

• The opportunity to progress through a structured career programme

• The opportunity to develop your skills and expertise to help develop your career

• Access to specially designed training programmes including the Leadership Development Programme and the Farm Management Skills Programme as well as an industry recognised Continuous Development Programme

• A structured career progression

• National events including a National Farm Walk and the prestigious National Farm Management Conference as well as our annual Question Time evening

• The chance to meet regularly with likeminded people in the industry and build a diverse and varied network • Involvement in a range of events • Access to the International Journal of Agricultural Management

• Regional branches organise a programme of meetings and events providing an excellent forum for networking and the exchange of ideas

01275 843825

enquiries@iagrm.com

www.iagrm.org.uk

THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL | MANAGEMENT PORTBURY HOUSE SHEEPWAY | PORTBURY | BRISTOL | BS20 7TE

BECKETT SCHOLAR GROUP

GROUP REPORTS

The last year has been doubly disappointing for the Group. Not only, for the second year running, was any appropriate applicant available to receive the Beckett Award and join the 23 predecessors, but the Annual Group Weekend had to be cancelled because of Covid. It was to have been a rather special weekend because it had been planned for all Scholars and partners to attend the 90th birthday celebration of the Beckett Award founder and sponsor, Alan Beckett, in April 2020. Apart from the party itself a programme of visits to local farming entrepreneurs had been arranged, and farmers from overseas were also joining in. At the moment there are tentative plans to hold the 90th party – and therefore the Annual Group Weekend – in April 2021. But sadly at the moment we can only keep fingers crossed that the pandemic’s progress will have been sufficiently halted for this to take place. In the meantime, naturally, the pandemic has had a major effect on some members of a Group originally selected for their entrepreneurial or innovative qualities. Some businesses – or parts of them - have been temporarily ruined, while others have survived and thrived. Over and above this, HS2 is now going ahead and will affect two of the Group; it will in fact run slap bang through the middle of the actual home of one couple. However, very much on the credit side, heartiest congratulations are due to Group member Tom Bradshaw who is now Vice President of the NFU.

NUFFIELD SOUTH EAST As with all regions we have been prevented from physically meeting up but the activity in the SE region has increased a little with some regional communications, the reconvening of a committee and of course the amazing support of Gill Bullock! Its been a quiet year again but with a new team in place to help get things rolling we are confident that 2021 will be full of Nuffield comms. The new officers for the South East are: Sarah Calcutt (chair) Tom Ormesher, Marion Gue, Dan Burdett, Rachel Watkins, Cameron Roucher & Mike Giffin all ably encouraged by Gill! With plans to meet up in 2021 in the early stages of formulation it is our hope that we will meet at a vineyard (something we are really blessed with in this region) and on farm. With a number of notable shows within the region too there is an expectation to host tables South of England Show and the National Fruit Show social events. If you would like to assist with these please let me know as it would be wonderful to get big Nuffield groups together again. I’m also very pleased to report that we have seen some excellent candidates present themselves as potential scholars in 2020, most have made it through to interview with a couple more who will no doubt return another year with a more refine application.. Everyone who approached the application process had some impressive ideas and plans and it was great to see a good number from the region. And to finish, if anyone would like to join in with the South East team, host a visit or has a great idea for how we can best use online time during the winter, please get in touch. We’d love to have a big, vibrant SE group, the region is full of such interesting businesses and scholars!

NUFFIELD SCOTLAND

GROUP REPORTS

2020 has proven to be one of the most difficult and unpredictable years in living memory. Very few could have predicted a flu pandemic however to the many armed with hindsight, it was always in the pipeline. This year brought more testing weather conditions. March, April and May proved testing due to the distinct lack of rainfall, whereas February produced problems of exactly the opposite nature. While the weather will not be what 2020 is remembered for, it once again proves the need for farming to adapt and innovate which is what the Nuffield Scholarship programme has become world renown for. I consider the Nuffield Scotland group extremely lucky as we had our annual get together before Covid-19 took hold. In February, a hearty crowd descended on Turnberry for drinks, dinner, lively discussion and then more drinks. Our after-dinner speaker was Sandy Wilkie covering his time in the Milk industry, Africa and as a local community stalwart. It was a fantastic relaxed environment from which much discussion and debate ensued in one of Scotlandâ€™s most stunning hotels and surroundings.

As with many agricultural shows up and down the country, the Royal Highland Show was cancelled due to the pandemic. As such, we took our usual Highland Show Friday Night event online this year in the form of a wee WhatsApp group. 2019 and 2020 scholars shared their travel experiences through pre-recorded videos, and we arranged a video montage of past and present scholars to inspire the next cohort coming through. Link to the video can be found here: https://youtu.be/4_9FSci2-YM Like everybody else, we have no idea exactly what the near future will bring. We have no further meetings planned however we wish all those applying for a scholarship the very best of luck and look forward to meeting the candidates in the virtual mocks. Also, a big thank you to Jenna and all the people who have helped throughout the year. Iâ€™ve thoroughly enjoyed my time as chair and wish Jenna all the best in taking up the chair role in 2021. Chairman: Jim Shanks | Secretary and 2021 Chair: Jenna Ross

NUFFIELD BUSINESS GROUP

GROUP REPORTS

The two business groups both met this year, the February group in Lincs courtesy of Peter Wiggins-Davies and March in Berwick courtesy of Donald McPherson. The format is that everyone presents in an open and honest way about the prior twelve months. Year by year the scholars move to new heights, the anecdotes often jaw dropping but the lessons always heart felt. This, In the words of Jack Nicholson, ‘makes me want to be a better man’. Peter treated us to tour of Revesby whose fabric has been lovely maintained while the business around it, transformed. It was a pleasure to see especially as I know the mission for Peter is to invest back into Revesby which will, I have no doubt, cement his place as worthy custodian. The February group were treated to a night in an air B&B conning tower, some sleeping in a converted helicopter; pimping a Lynx being a Lincolnshire speciality. The March group tried to drink the small town of Berwick dry but they were sober enough in the morning to get the message about the Northern Soul Kitchen; a pay as you feel model which utilises the nearly out of date supermarket throw outs. The McPhersons were great hosts and didn’t whinge about the Covid loss of all their outside catering contracts. They had instead reinvented themselves into a hot food delivery service; their angus beef being the best quality delivered burgers for many mile or even county. Following the Berwick visit the lockdown began in earnest causing much uncertainty. The Business groups responded by sharing information and work-arounds via fortnightly zoom calls. Whether by luck or judgment, the scholars who participated do seem to have fared better than most, financially and emotionally, and I know whatever the problem there will be a member with a solution. Looking forward to next year as always Matt Swain

NUFFIELD PIG GROUP Having started the year with high hopes for the reformation of the Nuffield Pig Group, with several visits and activities in the pipeline, my plans certainly hadn’t accounted for a global pandemic putting a stop to gatherings and travel. While I don’t want to state the obvious, in the pig world, COVID isn’t the only disease we are worried about interrupting our businesses and scuppering potential visit plans. With ASF having now made its way into Germany from Poland, the risk to our own national herd is ever growing, and in these already uncertain times ASF is just another thing to add to the growing number of industry concerns. However, the encouraging thing is that, in the past few months, I have started to see businesses picking up projects that were spoken about at the start of the year and then understandably postponed. It appears that having now adapted to the COVID restrictions, social distancing, working from home etc, they are starting to look towards the future again, even if how the future looks is still very uncertain. With the aim of looking forward I have been putting out feelers for potential pig group visits for 2021. I have spoken to several businesses and both Dingley Dell (Suffolk) and Morrisons/Woodheads (Colne and/or Spalding) are lined up for next year with the potential of a study trip to Europe (country TBC) obviously all based on COVID/ASF status. In the meantime, I have the opportunity to organising a pig group webinar with a virtual reality/real time farm tour of one of the TopigsNorsvin Delta research facilities. This will run before the end of the year and more information will be circulated in the Nuffield

GROUP REPORTS emails once everything is finalised, so please look out for the updates. I would encourage you to invite any potential future Nuffield applicants to the Pig Group “Meetings” as I am sure, like I was, you were saddened to see no pig based scholarships this year and would hope as an industry we can put forward several candidates next year. I also hope that 2021 will be a year when we can all meet in person, exchange ideas and learn from each other, once again. In the interim, I shall look forward to our hopefully meeting via the internet in the coming months. Caroline Mitchell, Chair

NUFFIELD ANGLIAN REGION Quite a tumultuous year for the Anglian Region which was due to host this year’s Nuffield Farming Conference. Under the excellent leadership of Matt Swain, an organising committee was assembled, a venue was chosen, a theme was decided upon, a menu was selected and it was all hands on deck with the fund raising & huge amounts of organisation that goes into these things, when Covid-19 struck. As many of you will have experienced, in your own businesses and your personal lives, the virus caused much worry, head-scratching and crystal-ball gazing. Would lockdown get on top of the virus outbreak? Dare we continue to plan for the conference to go ahead? Would there be a second wave of infections? Would the chosen hotel venue still be in business by November? Would it sink and take all of Nuffield’s conference money with it? Some of these issues were bigger than the management committee and so the Trustees were also involved in the decision making. Reluctantly, and very disappointingly for Matt, given the huge amounts of work and effort he had put in, it was agreed that the risks were too great and so the plug was pulled on the 2020 conference. Here’s hoping next year turns out better. On a more positive note, we have received a number of people showing interest in applying for a Nuffield Scholarship. At the time of writing, in the Anglian Region we have had 10 people start an application form. I’ve been in touch with each of them, to point them in the direction of relevant parts of the Nuffield website (http://www.nuffieldscholar.org/scholarship-journey/ for anyone who’s interested) and to provide them with a ‘local’ point of contact within the organisation. We will be running mock interviews again this year, for those applicants who want to prepare for the actual ‘interrogation’. I feel I ought to mention that Anglian Region enjoyed a 100% success rate of applicants who attended our mock interviews and were then awarded a scholarship. The format for the mock interviews is changing this year as its all moving online. Hopefully this will mean even more candidates can take part. Looking forward, we do need more potential scholars to apply. Please keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground (not necessarily at the same time) and, if you know or hear of any good people who would benefit from a scholarship, please encourage them to apply. I’m happy to support you and them so, if you do think of anyone, please drop me a line. Finally, it would be great to organise some events in the Anglian Region in 2021. Do let me know if you would like to host a visit, or if you have ideas for a venue or similar. Stay healthy, and here’s to next year. Tom Chapman, Anglian Region Chair 07717 505287 | tgvc@hotmail.co.uk

NUFFIELD CENTRAL REGION

GROUP REPORTS

Like everybody else this has been a far from a normal year. Having spent much of the winter and spring battling the weather we then had coronavirus to contend with. The Central region has Ian Howie to thank for a tremendous meeting back in February with guest speaker Jeremy Moody, was probably one of the last events many of us actually attended in person! Jeremy is a very engaging speaker and the theme was centred on the topic that keeps on giving - Europe. On behalf of the Central Region, and NFST as a whole, I would like to extend my thanks to Ian as he has decided to take a step back from the Nuffield front line. Ian has organised and driven Nuffield forward in Herefordshire and surrounds over the years, his enthusiasm and dedication can be evidenced by the number of scholars he has successfully nurtured on the Nuffield journey and the cohesion and vibrancy of the wider Herefordshire alumni. As I am sure is the case across all of the regions we are having to adapt to the way we communicate and meet. Our Spring farm walk (and quiz!) switched to Zoom. Jake Freestone put together a fantastic presentation and virtual tour of the Overbury Estate, you can still watch he videos on the Nuffield YouTube channel. Despite the strange times we have managed to communicate and engage with a good number of prospective Central Region candidates and I would like to thank Joe Bailey, Patrick Hook and Charlotte Merson for all of their help in promoting Nuffield throughout the region. It seems the rest of 2020 and 2021 will continue to deliver many challenges but I am sure we will be able to overcome them. The Central Region very much looks forward to welcoming you to the annual conference in 2021.

NUFFIELD POULTRY GROUP

GROUP REPORTS

As for everyone this year, the Poultry Group’s plans have not quite come to fruition with the cancellation of both our annual dinner at the Farmers Club and our Spring Weekend hosted by a Nuffield Poultry Scholar. However, we did have one thing in our favour; the decision to coincide our ‘Autumn’ Tour with the Triennial conference in New Zealand in March meant that at least one of our annual activities managed to take place to some extent, although sadly without the Triennial Conference. I’m pleased to report that all Scholars returned home safely from the tour to New Zealand and huge thanks must go to Lorna Aucott and James Corbett for organising such an excellent week and also to Lorna & John for hosting us at their home near Oamaru, the first ‘Spring weekend’ outside of the UK I believe. Thanks must also go to Jamie McIntosh for writing the report on the trip and all the sponsors that enabled the trip to go ahead. The full report of the tour is available on the Nuffield website. Although the week was a little disrupted, we witnessed the huge contribution that agriculture makes to the New Zealand economy. We particularly enjoyed learning about the Mainland egg business when we visited their offices in Dunedin, South Island. Airport Farm in New Plymouth (photo courtesy of Ed Whiting), on the North Island, was in our Chairman’s opinion one of the best examples of how a modern broiler farm should be laid out - at the heart of its success is a simple design ambition: to make things easier for those who work there. All in all a great week and another stimulating Nuffield adventure. Although the Spring weekend due to be held in Kent this year was unable to go ahead the Poultry Study Group did manage to successfully have its first ‘Virtual AGM’ with an excellent turnout of members. We are keeping our fingers crossed that Doug Wanstall will finally get to host his weekend in Kent next year. It is safe to say that we are still living in relatively uncertain times and no-one is able to predict which of our usual yearly events we will manage to hold next year but we are tentatively looking at possible destinations for the Autumn Tour with Israel and Czech Republic up for consideration. As a group we have been pleased to welcome recent scholars Hannah Eastaugh and James Smaldon to the group and we have all thoroughly enjoyed reading their published reports and look forward to hearing their presentations, when they are able to make them. Even though we have not been able to get together physically we remain in regular contact and keen to get back to our usual get together and study tours.

RURAL ESTATES: BENCHMARKING SUCCESS W O R S H I P F U L C O M PA N Y O F F A R M E R S & S AV I L L S ED BARNSTON

ed.barnston@gmail.com

The aim of this report is twofold. Firstly, to consider what makes Rural Estates successful regardless of size or geography. Secondly, to examine different benchmarking methodologies used by successful Rural Estates to account for the ‘total contribution of land stewardship’. These performance measurements take not just the ‘bottom line’ of finances, but an integrated approach to account for both the natural capital and the social capital, known as the ‘Triple Bottom Line’. The purpose in showcasing different Rural Estate methodologies would be to assist me at home in a personal capacity, but also to share this knowledge with the whole rural sector. Currently most land management firms in the UK are simply unable to account for the performance of an Estate, yet that is their client’s greatest asset. ‘If you can’t measure, you can’t manage’. The impact of sharing the knowledge in this report will, I hope, help to shape the future of the land management industry in the UK. My findings will ideally lead to greater accountability between professional adviser and client, a link between input and impact and the promotion of best practice across the rural sector. My travels led me to examine a land management sector covering in excess of 1,500,000 acres across the world: speaking with land management lecturers, land agents and land owners; and also with industry policy influencers and policy makers. Discussions on different benchmarking methodologies and key performance indicators were explored in both the public and private sector to gain a broader appreciation and find what would be most relevant to Estate managers in order to capture the financial, social and natural capital factors. The key recommendation from this report is that a radical rethink is required for the rural land management sector to implement integrated benchmarking for their clients. The lesson learnt time and time again from all the countries I visited is: the very best Estates regularly examine their performance, and some also use bespoke, whole-Estate reporting. Moreover, these same successful Estates display very similar processes and traits. In their process they have a masterplan which documents their vision and values; there is purpose and they understand their ‘why’; they use data and analysis for evidence-based decision making; and are unafraid to be self-critical in their strive to be continually improving. Common traits include a restless entrepreneurial mindset; they are leaders but also collaborators; they are aspirational; they challenge the status quo; are place shapers; are positive disrupters; feel comfortable with risk but are reward-hungry; and embrace the role of integrated reporting across the triple bottom line. For these Estates to breathe essential economic oxygen into rural communities to create houses and jobs, yet enhance the environment and still remain profitable, is dependent on their total contribution across both quantitative and qualitative means to become more efficient and therefore more effective. This is surely a healthy recipe for sustainable and long term land stewardship for any Rural Estate.

REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE: HOW TO MAKE THE CHANGE HAPPEN M C D O N A L D â€™S U K & I R E L A N D DAN BURDET T

burdett_dan@yahoo.co.uk

Regenerative Agriculture is a concept that was first coined in the early 1980â€™s by Robert Rodale but it is only in the past ten years that it has become a more commonly used term. It is often thought to be another phrase for sustainable farming or agroecology, but is in fact much more than this, covering the economic and social as well as the environmental aspects of farming. As agriculture continues to suffer from a loss of community, soil degradation and economic hardship, the drive for farmers to make a change grows by the day. For many farmers who wish to change their system to reflect regenerative agriculture there is no shortage of information that can be accessed on-line, in books or in person. Change in itself can be filled with challenges for a human race that feel more comfortable to follow the crowd. This report was undertaken to find out why farmers became involved with regenerative agriculture, the issues they faced and how they were overcome. The study focuses on the journey farmers which have been on as they change their way of farming to encompass the more holistic approach of regenerative agriculture, rather than the techniques used. Interviews were conducted across a wide range of climates and farming systems. I found that land degradation was very often at the heart of change, with farmers unable to continue with the techniques that were causing those issues. But there is also a passion for the concept behind regenerative agriculture that is sparking interest in a new generation. For all the passion and desire for change, farmers still have to be able to stand apart from the crowd and be able to continue, despite the negative attention of those around them which can often lead to feelings of isolation. If that can be overcome, the next challenge is often being able to make a success of the new techniques that have been implemented. Central to overcoming the majority of these issues the farmer needs to understand their purpose and to put this at the centre of their decision making. This could be a set of goals, a business plan or setting a formal holistic context through which all decisions will be made. It should be a process that is undertaken by all the key stakeholders within the business, including those who work for the farmer, in order to gain support from those around them. Support can also come from like-minded small groups of farmers or by an organisation which shares the same values. It is also imperative that pioneering farmers are put at the heart of research and that their findings are disseminated through appropriate channels.: by doing so it will be farmers that are kept at the heart of regenerative agriculture

What is the most essential ingredient in our Big Mac ? ÂŽ

It is Helen Simms and over 23,000 other hardworking British and Irish Farmers. At McDonaldâ€™s, we are committed to supporting the industry and investing in the future of farming through our Farm Forward Programme. By working in partnership with the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, we aim to support research into new techniques to help farms become more sustainable.

Find out more at: www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/good-to-know/about-our-food

McD_Trust_NuffieldHealth_Press_V7.indd 1

29/09/2020 17:13

ADAPTING UK EGG PRODUCTION FOR AN INCREASINGLY WELFARE-CONSCIOUS MARKET BEMB TRUST HANNAH EASTAUGH

Hannah.eastaugh@hotmail.com

The egg sector is currently in a transitionary period. Cage-free pledges from retail and many food businesses are going to shape the egg industry over the next 5 years but there is still uncertainty on what the ultimate picture will look like. Average retail prices have decreased from £3.14/dozen in 2007 to £1.30/dozen in 2018 and producer margins are tight. Animal welfare is a constant factor. Legislation and increased pressure from animal welfare organisations have altered the way eggs are produced in other countries and are potentially going to affect the UK egg industry too. Additionally, consumers are becoming more interested in where their food comes from. The objectives of the study tour were to identify potential challenges and opportunities that the UK egg industry could face in the near future, plus look at how better to promote the welfare credentials of egg production to inform the end consumer. I visited the USA and Norway to compare large versus small scale egg production, focussing on alternative methods of production; Canada, with its unique egg supply management system; many countries in Europe due to their perceived advancements in animal welfare; along with businesses in all those countries which are key examples of successful engagement with consumers. The UK has some of the highest farm standards that I have seen; however, we must not become complacent. Producer margins need to improve to ensure our industry can be sustained long term. The retail pricing structure also needs to change to give at least a 2-3p/egg price differential between free range and barn. There are many opportunities and challenges coming, notably a potential beak trimming ban. It is crucial that regional groups are created and knowledge-sharing is embraced to ensure the health and welfare of birds are maintained. Culling of day-old male chicks is another emotive topic with Germany and France recently implementing a ban. In-Ovo sexing methods that breeding companies are adopting need to be commercially viable, with tests as early in incubation as possible to ensure acceptance by consumer and welfare groups. Opportunities -such as utilising white birds, updating rearing systems to match laying ones, plus connecting more with academia -have benefits for both the producer and the wider industry. Engaging with consumers -for example through social media, open farms and industry initiatives – allows producers to control the narrative. It is important not only to tell the story but to listen, engage, keep the messaging simple, and be real. Context is key. Finding 4-5 egg ambassadors for our industry who can promote what we do will help to get the industry’s message heard. In summary, there are many challenges and opportunities facing the UK egg industry; but it has demonstrated in the past an ability to innovate and adapt, and it is time we, as an industry, opened our doors. We have a good story to tell.

DEDICATED TO UK EGG INDUSTRY RESEARCH & EDUCATION The British Egg Marketing Board (BEMB) Research & Education Trust was formed in 1971 from the residual funds of the former British Egg Marketing Board. Its remit was the “improvement and advancement of that branch of agriculture which is concerned with the production of hen or duck eggs in the United Kingdom…” The Trustees have furthered those objectives by sponsoring PhD Students, supporting other appropriate scientific research work and, in particular, funding a Nuffield Scholar almost each year since 1974 to study a subject related to egg production or marketing. These same Scholars have formed themselves into the Nuffield Poultry Group and it is estimated that more than 80% of the poultry industry of the UK is represented within its ranks. The Group itself meets at least three times a year and organises its own study tours in different parts of the world for its Scholar members. The BEMB Trustees consider the financing of Nuffield Farming Scholarships an excellent use of funds and would encourage UK egg industry potential Scholars to take up this unique opportunity. For more information about the BEMB Research & Education Trust email alibone@bembtrust.org.uk or go to www.bembtrust.org.uk

THE POWER OF THE MICROBIOME TO PRODUCE HAPPY, HEALTHY PIGS J O H N O L DAC R E F O U N DAT I O N HEIDI HALL

heidi.hall@anpario.com

Animal health has never been under more scrutiny from consumers, NGOâ€™s and policy makers. The potential impact on human health is under the spotlight and so the swine industry is required to report more details each year on the use of antimicrobials and attain government led targets for year on year reductions. Throughout my travels I have endeavoured to understand the way in which companies and individuals manage and produce pigs and how health is managed in each of the regions I have travelled. Countries visited were America, Canada, Denmark, Hungary, Portugal and Vienna as well as visits in the UK and information gained from South Korea and China following travels there in November 2018 and Jan 2019. My aims were to understand the factors people believe affect gut health and the links this has with animal performance. Factors would include veterinary interaction, nutrition, genetics, animal husbandry and management on the unit. I wanted to understand the relationships between these cofactors and what people believed where the most important. This provided me with insight into the reasons for key business decisions and where value was attributed on a unit. Gut health is for many an ambiguous term and therefore measuring this is difficult, as is attaching value to good gut health management. However, I firmly believe this is fundamental if we are to produce pigs with a reduced requirement for medication within their lifetime. Feeding for health, increased veterinary interaction, improved management practices all require effort and generally monetary investment. If we are to attain higher health pigs, then we have to be able to recuperate increased value from the sale of the products or reduce costs of production in the near future. There are effective working examples for both models in the global market through either dedicated marketing in country or access to foreign markets. Long term higher health herds also require less intervention which can mean reduced costs of medication and time savings. My report will be disseminated as a shorter accredited report as well as the usual presentation and the work I have done with Aberystwyth University has moulded my outlook on my studies. My report will focus on Nutritional strategies for gut health to reduce antimicrobial use in intensive pig production.

My Nuffield scholarship was kindly sponsored by the John Oldacre Foundation, enabling me to travel and research a project which I am passionate about. My project has looked to understand how we can manage gut health to reduce our reliance on medication in the swine industry. I feel this topic is paramount to the future of pig farming in the UK and would like to thank the charity for affording me the privilege to dedicate my Nuffield scholarship to this cause. Heidi Hall- Nuffield Scholar 2019

“WE SHAPE OUR BUILDINGS, AND THEREAFTER THEY SHAPE US” – A STUDY INTO HOW FARM BUILDING AESTHETICS AFFECTS THE USER EXPERIENCE. J O H N O L DAC R E F O U N DAT I O N CHRIS HARRAP

chris@tyershallfarm.com

The design of the buildings in which we work and live can profoundly affect our well-being, psychology, attitudes and behaviour. The discipline which studies human interaction with the built environment is called environmental psychology. As humans, we evolved from natural surroundings. Although we now spend more of our time inside man-made buildings, our genetics and psychology still have a deep need to interact with nature. This means we should aim to design our buildings in a way which allows people inside to retain a connection to the natural world outside, with windows for views, natural light, and incorporating natural materials, shapes, patterns and colours in the structure itself. Designers of offices, hospitals, schools and prisons are increasingly recognising this connection and the resulting buildings are making significant improvements to the lives of users. Farmers are fortunate to enjoy a lifestyle that involves more time in natural surroundings than most professions, but livestock farming increasingly involves full time indoor rearing of animals, in a way that separates farmers and animals from the fields, trees and hedges that surround them. Modern livestock buildings have evolved to a relatively standard design, developed as practical tools in which to run efficient, productive systems. This is understandable given the pressures on cost of production, but some livestock housing designs have become so focused on production that they compromise the well-being of farmers, their animals and the relationship between the two. The place of animal farming in society is evolving and there are other discussions running in parallel to this study which are inextricably linked to it. These include animal welfare, social licence, sustainability in construction, carbon footprint of farming operations, public health and changing diets, water quality, biodiversity challenges and the need to mitigate the urgent threat of climate change whilst feeding a growing population. Which livestock rearing methods fit with the need to farm sustainably, building soils and providing environmental benefits, given the UK government’s imminent shift to paying farmers only for public goods? As many farmers have been driven to specialise, intensify and scale up their rearing operations, others are turning to a lower input, more agroecological way of farming, with animals rotated around land as part of a return to mixed farming principles. At a time of financial incentives to plant trees and hedges, growing knowledge of agroforestry and silvopasture, can we successfully and viably rear animals on land with only natural shelter? If we do need man-made structures for livestock, should they be portable or permanently sited? What should they look like and how should we build them? Whatever we choose to build, for farming to be sustainable long term, our buildings will need to be good spaces for people, animals and socially acceptable to our fellow citizens. They also need to tread more gently on our environment, in the construction process itself and once operational. With engagement with other architecture and construction sectors, we can learn from those already leading the way and change our farms for the better.

The John Oldacre Foundation

The John Oldacre Foundation kindly sponsored my Nuffield Scholarship, giving me the opportunity to travel internationally, broadening my understanding of the study topic and to make some lifelong friends. I have enjoyed studying livestock building design, how humans interact with these spaces and how we can ensure our buildings are healthy environments for farmers, animals and socially acceptable to our fellow citizens. The learning from my Nuffield study has been varied and invaluable and I am grateful to the John Oldacre Foundation for making this possible.

IMPROVING CONNECTIVITY IN THE SEED POTATO SUPPLY CHAIN MACROBERT TRUST CLAIRE HODGE

Claire.Hodge@ahdb.org.uk

The potato has huge potential as a world food. Scottish seed potato producers have been leading the world in their approach to managing risk and producing high quality seed. However, the task of growing high-grade potato seed has become harder in recent years with heightened customer expectations and changing weather patterns. My intention before my Nuffield travels was to better understand supply chain frameworks that help connect the industry by establishing how digital tools and business structures support connectivity in a supply chain. I thought this would focus on the sharing of technical and market information. I chose to travel to emerging markets such as Kenya, India, and South America where the population is high and potatoes offer a great opportunity. In these emerging markets, the number of growers is also high and many of the supply chain frameworks are in their infancy. I compared this to well-established markets in the USA, Netherlands, and the UK, where in contrast numbers of growers are falling and supply chains are multi-level and complex. Throughout my travels, I observed that connectivity was not just about the framework of the supply chain but most importantly a mindset of the people in it. This report looks at examples of connectivity around the world in the potato industry from a farmer in Kenya are teaching other farmers to whom he supplied seed potatoes and training them in planting and managing potato crops, to growersâ€™ groups in Chile sharing expertise and overcoming the challenges in accessing markets, to large businesses in India thriving by accessing global funding. I found that the global potato industry is full of opportunities and constantly expanding in its ability to connect. On reflection, the UK has a complex supply chain that has become technically detailed in order to produce a consistent product. These chains are often linear and not circular and there is a need to connect the seed producer to both researchers at one end of the chain to the consumer at the other so that the whole industry can respond to challenges and change faster. Tools and technologies are being used to enhance communication through the chain and examples of growers leading this change can be seen around the world. The global potato industry has technology readily available to it which can address consumer demands however, this will necessitate redesigning the current structure that Scotland has become expert in. Now is a good time for the Scottish potato industry to establish how potatoes will be grown in the future and access opportunities globally. This will require strong connectivity throughout the industry with a focus on customers, the environment, policy, technology, and the economics of production.

The MacRobert Trust is proud to work in partnership with the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust by providing a dedicated scholarship for Scottish farmers. The MacRobert Trust is a charitable organisation based on the MacRobert Estate in Aberdeenshire supporting Agriculture & Horticulture, the Military, Engineering, Education and the local area; on the Estate is their very own Country House Hotel – Douneside House. All profit earned by the Estate goes to charity.

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The newly refurbished Douneside House offers everything - and so much more - one would expect from a Scottish country retreat. Its rich history and magnificent location in the heart of The MacRobert Estate in Royal Deeside set the scene for a truly memorable stay. Imagine classic interiors, elegantly furnished and decorated with fine art and precious heirlooms. Breathtaking views of our ‘infinity lawn’ and beyond, over the Howe of Cromar. An exquisite fine dining menu created by our award-winning chef, featuring fresh produce from Douneside’s 17 acres of lovingly tended gardens and perfectly matched by an extensive wine and whisky menu. A state-of-the-art Health Club with brand-new facilities, including a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, game room and all-weather tennis court. This and more, delivered with unparalleled, passionate service. Douneside House awaits you with open arms.

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CULTIVATING ELDERS FOR THE UK PROCESSING INDUSTRIES T H AT C H E R S C I D E R ALICE JONES

alice-jones-elderflower

Elder is a wide genus encompassing many edible species. In the UK, our native elder is Sambucus nigra. Elders are multi-ingredient-producing plants, increasingly being incorporated into farmed or managed systems, owing to the diverse and interesting sensory, chemical and potential health promoting properties of their flowers and berries, from which value-added products can be made. It offers another layer of diversity to the farm and your diet, and a way of incorporating productive trees onto your land. This study shows the different ways elder can be managed on your land, from adding it as a secondary or tertiary crop alongside existing conventional fruit growing, reutilising the equipment and labour you have, to setting up lower input orchards, combining it with other crops in a mixed orchard or agroforestry system, to wild managing a patch on your land whilst enjoying its other ecological benefits and exploiting its beauty. What started out as a very specific study aiming to learn how to cultivate elder for a flower crop resulted in the discovery that the opportunities with elder are much wider. Elder cultivation is very much under development around the world, although in areas such as the US, research in this area is already advanced. Contrastingly, there has been little investment in studying this area in the UK. During the study there was a realisation that the real key to knowing how to grow elder is not about following a prescribed list of treatments, but more about understanding the botany of the species, how it likes to interact with its local environment (above and below ground) and the fundamental principles behind how you work with it and your land to select or recreate optimal conditions. Deeper understanding provides a toolkit to apply to oneâ€™s own land and operation and allows adaption of approach to ensure a long term, sustainable crop. To date knowledge exchange in this area in the UK has been largely unheard of, yet the value of collaborative working for growers and processors is highlighted as being key to the developmental success in other parts of the world and in creating support mechanisms that aid sustainable growth. Whilst elder can be managed within conventional agricultural fruit orchards, an observation was made that many people involved in elder growing or research were often practitioners of agroecological and regenerative agricultural principles. It was concluded that this was no accident; elderâ€™s perennial status challenges the grower to longer term thinking. Once in the ground, crops of flower and or berries are taken from the same plant, year on year, for around 20 years (or even more),so preparing and maintaining the land and growing system to be rich in organic matter and promoting soil microbiology and health, wherever possible, appear to be helpful strategies to build resilience from the start and keep bought-in inputs minimal in the long run.

Proud to support The Nuffield Farming scholarship Trust. Fifteen years ago Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker, was awarded a coveted Nuffield Farming Scholarship. The insight he gained helped transform the family business to what it is today. Thatchers are proud to support the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust helping others unlock their potential.

FEEDING FOR HEALTH, COMBATING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE T H O M AS H E N R Y F O U N DAT I O N MARK LIT TLE

markwlittle@me.com

Antibiotics are substances that either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria and are used in livestock production to treat and prevent disease, ensuring the health and welfare of animals while controlling zoonotic diseases and ensuring safe food for humans. The World Health Organisation describes antibiotic resistance as one of the most significant threats to health and food security at present. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics accelerates the development of antibiotic resistance therefore, it is important to use antibiotics only when necessary. Keeping animals healthy is an important strategy in the fight against antibiotic resistance as healthy animals do not need antibiotic treatment. However, further investigation is needed to fully define the links between nutrition and health, a statement which is also made in the UK’s national action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance. My study tour explored nutritional products and solutions currently used for humans and other species, along with completely novel nutritional solutions, to investigate if they have applications in ruminants to increase their health, preventing the use of antibiotics. In addition to visiting companies that develop nutritional products, I visited farms to assess the role nutrition plays in farm management and to experience the practical application of these products in ‘real life’ on-farm situations. This involved travel to Norway and the Netherlands to experience how their farms are so successful in achieving some of the lowest antibiotic usage in food producing animals in the world. My travels to the USA explored how they have changed from producing food heavily reliant on antibiotics to being focused on meeting the growing consumer pressure on farmers and processors to provide food produced without antibiotics. Travelling to France highlighted that agriculture is of the upmost importance and how they take great pride in having top quality and locally sourced food with impeccable standards. Here, I visited companies that manufacture novel in-feed health products and experiences how the farmers who use them, have cleverly increased the value of their farm produce. There are many companies working on nutritional products to improve animal health. However, my findings are that these products do not simply replace antibiotics but can help reduce the need to use antibiotics through methods such as increasing cattle immunity. Products such as probiotics, prebiotics, essential oils, plant extracts, plant fibres, bacteriophages and quorum sensing products have potential positive effects on cattle health, but none of these are a ‘silver bullet’ solution. More importantly, I found that animal health is an interconnected relationship involving genetics, farm management, vaccination and nutrition; therefore a holistic view must be taken. Although nutrition is part of the solution, the key is to understand the farm and identify the ‘weakest link’ in this relationship to make a change that will result in the largest improvement in herd health.

supporting

The Thomas Henry Foundation

The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust

The Thomas Henry Foundation was created under the terms of the will dated 28th May 1847 of Thomas Henry, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. The principal objective of the foundation is the advancement and promotion of Agricultural Science through the provision of Bursaries and Scholarships to suitable candidates from Northern Ireland.

The Foundation also provides financial assistance which enables representatives from Northern Ireland to attend conferences of the Royal Agricultural Society of the British Commonwealth held in different parts of the world. The Foundation also awards an annual bursary to support a student at Greenmount Agricultural College in County Antrim.

If you live in Northern Ireland and are interested in applying for a Nuffield Farming Scholarship funded by the Thomas Henry Foundation application forms can be obtained from the address below. Colonel M J Vacher OBE FCMI, Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust, Southill Farmhouse, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 5SH O: 01460 234012 | M: 07788 138372 | E: director@nuffieldscholar.org www.nuffieldscholar.org

WHAT ROLE SHOULD YOUNG FARMERS GROUPS PLAY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCOTTISH AGRICULTURE? R O YA L H I G H L A N D A G R I C U LT U R A L S O C I E T Y O F S C O T L A N D PENNY MONTGOMERIE

penny@sayfc.org

Courageous, enthusiastic, and entrepreneurial leaders are needed to accelerate positive change in the agricultural sector in Scotland. These new industry leaders need to be open to new ideas and have a passion to drive the industry forward. The Scottish Association of Young Farmers (SAYFC) and other rural youth organisations in the UK and worldwide should be creating a solid foundation to nurture the growth and development of young people and the broader community to shape the future for the sector. The objective of this study has been to learn from other youth groups, including positive impacts made on young people in rural communities, identifying the common challenges and they can be met, and going forward, what opportunities can be developed. It is to identify the value youth organisations can add and where SAYFC’s future lies. For SAYFC, the study will help underline future areas of strength and opportunities for young people in the agricultural and rural sectors in Scotland. The study research included travel to England, USA, Canada and New Zealand allowing me to see first-hand the activities of well-established rural organisations, the highlight being those working with rural youth such as 4H Canada, FFA (Future Farmers America), Juniors Farmers Association of Ontario and New Zealand Young Farmers. Each organisation had differing objectives, governance, private and public sector support, as well as varying levels of support and commitment from young farmers, alumni and employers. Rural youth organisations bring together young people, often isolated by their rural locations. Meetings, competitions and events, whether locally or further afield, provide opportunities to meet other young people and make lifelong friendships. The wellbeing of members is at the heart of rural youth organisations: much work has been done to encourage young people grow personally but some work is still required to ensure all members feel welcome into rural youth organisations. Within youth organisations, engagement and development of leadership opportunities is needed. For SAYFC, the volunteers are also active members, with active learning for each individual, but the value of such learning may not be realised until many years later. Building a long term strategy developing and raising awareness of a “personal development journey” is paramount in the future success of youth organisations, including mentoring and leadership opportunities. Youth organisations and industry bodies can do more to create ambassadors for rural Scotland. For generations SAYFC have been praised for giving members the skills to speak in publicly or to chair meetings. However, communication channels change constantly, so routes to give members the skills to express themselves and agriculture in a positive light on emerging social media channels must constantly adapt to. Member and stakeholders alike should fully recognise the value of investing time and resources in strategic planning and delivery of services to achieve growth and development in rural youth and throughout the agricultural sector. SAYFC and other rural youth organisations should be providing an active learning journey, allowing young people to become effective leaders and communicators, in a positive and inclusive environment.

SUPPORTING FUTURE LEADERS

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS

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Through the provision of grants, awards and bursaries, RHASS is committed to providing opportunities that inspire the next generation in the farming, food & rural sectors. www.rhass.org.uk www.royalhighlandshow.org.uk 10/09/2019 12:01

ANIMAL MEDICINE BEST PRACTICE, UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL FOR UK FARMING AHDB GRACE Oâ€™GORMAN

g.ogorman@noah.co.uk

Livestock farming needs to be sustainable, productive, and profitable to survive and thrive. At the same time, farming supported by public money will increasingly come under pressure to deliver public goods. Expectations from consumers, Government and for international market development, as the UK leaves the EU, mean transparency in and evidence supporting animal health and welfare standards and animal medicines best practice are needed. These challenges are not insurmountable and a strategic approach to animal health and welfare, alongside animal medicines best practice can help deliver solutions. This study took a closer look at opportunities to identify and evaluate influencing factors, strategies, and actions in relation to animal medicines best practice that could help solve these problems and unlock potential. No single silver bullet will do the job. However, all roads led back to boosting the health and welfare of livestock, which is both facilitated by animal medicines best practice and achieving it encourages best practice. The levers needed to achieve animal medicines best practice are likely to involve both regulatory and voluntary industry approaches. A national coordinating body with ambition and the vision to invest and build capacity is a good starting point. Dissemination of best practice at scale could be achieved by using an effective rural advisory network. Farm vets should be at the heart of the strategy, as trusted professionals clearly supporting consumer and market confidence. A step change in mindset among both vets and farmers is needed to migrate towards a truly preventative health management approach, based on dynamic use of actionable data, reflexive use of diagnostics, greater use of vaccines and the application of bespoke, effective biosecurity plans. Such measures can improve the use of medicines e.g. vaccines, parasite control products, antibiotics, and pain relief to prevent or treat disease and to protect welfare. Consistent and widespread application of gold standard pain management on farm will support claims that we have some of the highest welfare standards in the world. Whilst we work to improve what we have today, there is also opportunity on the horizon in the form of the future UK regulatory landscape and our approach to innovative animal health solutions. We should strive for global regulatory collaboration and harmonisation, taking an evidence-based approach to animal medicine authorisation that helps to secure the attractiveness of the UK market and the availability of medicines. Applying a trade lens to policy and regulations should support opportunity for farmers on international export markets.

AgriLeader: take your business to the next level We believe that for the UK agricultural and horticultural sectors to maintain sustained excellence and keep progressing, farmers and growers need to be supported, stimulated and challenged. AgriLeader provides an opportunity for this to happen, where like-minded farmers and growers can meet, exchange ideas and learn from experts and peers facing similar challenges. We aim to inspire and challenge thinking around three key themes: Leadership â€“ leading yourself, your team, your business Growth â€“ creating opportunities, building and extending networks Resilience â€“ work-life balance, planning and mental toughness

Find out more about AgriLeader at ahdb.org.uk/agrileader

HEIFER REPLACEMENT STRATEGIES: COST REDUCTION IN THE UK SUCKLER BEEF HERD Y O R K S H I R E A G R I C U LT U R A L S O C I E T Y & WO R S H I P F U L C O M PA N Y O F B U T C H E R S SARAH PICK

sarahpick1@outlook.com

The long-term future of the UK suckler industry hangs in the balance. Consumer eating habits are changing; people are actively reducing their red meat consumption due to concerns over its association with health, ethics and environment; and instead favouring poultry, fish and meatfree alternatives. This trend is not the only concern for the industry. The sector has also seen many years of poor returns which is likely to be exacerbated further by the probable loss of direct subsidies as part of the new Agricultural Bill. When compared to other countries, even though the UK beef price is relatively high, profitability is low. This can be attributed to our high cost of production. Numerous research papers suggest that calving heifers for the first time at two years of age is an effective method of reducing cost of production and increasing cow lifetime reproductive performance. However, it is estimated that only 35%of English suckler producers carry out the practice. This report concentrates on the management practices required to ensure calving heifers at two years of age is successful, with the ultimate aim of reducing cost of production and boosting profits. As part of my project, major beef producing countries including the USA, Canada and Australia were visited; where calving at two years has been commonplace since the 1970s. Countries closer to home including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, were also explored to uncover examples of best practice in more representative systems. Successful heifer development was found to be underpinned by nutrition, genetics and effective selection. Nutrition has a significant impact on age at puberty and rebreeding rates; if this isnâ€™t optimum, calving heifers at two years of age will be a challenge. The age at which a heifer reaches puberty, along with other maternal attributes, is also influenced by genetics. As an industry we must place more emphasis on maternal traits, rather than the terminal characteristics which have dominated selection decisions for many years. Selection is key: we should not fight to keep unsuitable heifers within the herd. Creating weight targets, implementing tight breeding patterns and applying rigorous visual and genetic selection criteria ensure that only the most productive heifers enter the herd. This in turn results in the creation of a functional suckler cow which calves unassisted every 365 days; has low maintenance costs; and remains productive for a sufficient period of time to cover her development costs. This inevitably will decrease the industryâ€™s cost of production, helping to ensure a long-term, sustainable future for the UK suckler herd.

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TheWorshipful Worshipful Company The Companyof ofButchers Butchers is is pleased tosupport support pleased to The Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust The Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust

The Worshipful Company of Butchers has beenof associated meatassociated trade for over 1000 years and The Worshipful Company Butcherswith hasthe been is pleased that currently over 90 percent of its members have some connection with the industry. The with the meat trade for over 1000 years and is pleased that three great tenets of the Company are charity, education and fellowship. over 90 percent of itsand members haverelationship some The Company is currently an active sponsor of Nuffield Scholars enjoys a good with the Trust connection with the industry. Theplease three contact: great tenets of the For further information, Company are charity, education andMason fellowship. Major General Jeff Worshipful Company of Butchers, Butchersâ€™ Hall, 87 Bartholomew Close, London EC1A 7EB The Company is an active sponsor of Nuffield Scholars Tel: 0203 931 8350 Email: clerk@butchershall.com and enjoys a good relationship with the Trust The Hall is also available to book for events - please email butchershall@lifeskitchen.com or For further information, please contact: telephone 0207 248 1163 for enquiries. Major General Jeff Mason Worshipful Company of Butchers Butchersâ€™ Hall 87 Bartholomew Close London EC1A 7EB Tel: 0203 931 8350

ENSURING THE VETERINARY PROFESSION MEETS THE NEEDS OF LIVESTOCK AGRICULTURE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE THE TREHANE TRUST JOHN REMNANT

john.remnant@nottingham.ac.uk

Farming and the veterinary profession are changing. There are reports of a recruitment and retention crisis for farm animal vets. This is a worldwide concern with no easy solutions. Efforts targeted at the key stages of the pipeline can help. These stages are 1. outreach from and admissions to veterinary schools; 2. training and inspiring veterinary students at veterinary school; 3. recruiting and retaining vets into jobs in farm animal practice; and 4. ensuring farmers receive the services they need from sustainable veterinary businesses. Across all these stages more data are needed to quantify the problems and identify which changes and interventions can improve A model cow for teaching veterinary the situation. This will also allow clearer definitions of the problems. For students bovine anatomy at the University example, is it rural mixed practices or farm animal practices, or both, of Melbourne that experience these challenges. Promoting the achievements and goals of farm vets and demonstrating how these align with societal values such as improving animal welfare, and reducing environmental impact to prospective veterinary students, veterinary students and wider society will improve retention and recruitment and benefit farms. The veterinary profession, and agriculture, must work to be more inclusive. Many people are put off a farm veterinary career because they think that they must be from a farming background. Discrimination and harassment working on farms also puts many veterinary students and qualified vets off the farm sector. The veterinary profession and farmers stand to benefit from better diversity if this is improved. Many farm animal veterinary practices struggle to accommodate part time and flexible working. This results in alternative veterinary jobs being more appealing. Part time work can and should be accommodated more widely in farm animal veterinary practice. Similar challenges occur as a result of the need to provide out-of-hours cover. There is a mismatch between the cost to vets of providing these services, the value placed on them by farms and the revenue they generate for the veterinary practice. This mismatch limits alternative models or better compensation for this work. Widening the veterinary practice team to include other professionals can strengthen the offering to clients as well as offset challenges with recruiting and retaining vets. This wider team should include greater use of technicians to help with practical tasks on farms. It has long been said that farm animal vets will be doing more consultancy style preventive work: this is happening already. This change must be embraced. Herd health services should add value to farms. Common charging structures limit uptake of these services by framing veterinary input as a cost rather than emphasising the value. Structured postgraduate training can help develop both herd health and business skills and improve retention in practice or in the broader industry. Technology will facilitate, as well as necessitate, many of these changes. Technological solutions can make access to veterinary services easier, but new technologies replacing manual veterinary tasks also pose a risk to the sustainability of practices. Training vets to work with these technologies is essential.

Dairy Industry Awards An opportunity to develop your knowledge of the dairy industry, generate new ideas and share your findings. The Trehane Trust offers annual awards, through participation in the Nuffield Farming Scholarship programme, to individuals who want to study and research a particular aspect of the dairy industry. The remit is broad. Applicants are invited to study areas from milk production to processing and product development. It covers all related areas such as health and environmental concerns, consumer trends and marketing, and policies affecting the dairy chain. More than 80 Scholars have benefited from Trehane scholarships. Their studies, which have been of great benefit to the individual and to the industry, have taken them across the world to North and South America, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Scandinavia. Each Trehane Scholar is provided with travel and subsistence costs for eight weeks â€“ undertaken in one block or as smaller blocks. The closing date for applications is 31 July each year. Successful candidates will normally be aged between 24 and 45 and living in the UK. More information on the Trehane awards is available from Diana Allen, Trust Chair on 07971 119128 or diana@qnm.ltd.uk Previous reports and application forms can be downloaded from the Nuffield website www.nuffieldscholar.org or by contacting Mike Vacher, Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, 01460 234012 or by email: director@nuffieldscholar.org.

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FARMER TO FARMER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE: RELEVANCE AND CHALLENGES DURING CHANGE CENTRAL REGION FARMERS TRUST VICKY ROBINSON

vickyrob76@gmail.com

Change is constant, but at this moment the pace and breadth in agriculture is unprecedented. With the biggest change in domestic policy in the UK since the Second World War combined with extreme weather events, trade agreements and global pandemics farming can seem very daunting. As individuals we have to take control and drive our own destiny without waiting to be told. Encouraging curiosity to seek knowledge is vital whilst being open minded and aware of one’s own biases and filters. Having the confidence to identify strengths and weaknesses under pressure is not easy. Building capacity, capability and social capital to enable resilience needs to happen; farmer to farmer knowledge exchange plays an important part in this. Information and data provide the building blocks for knowledge. The knowledge created through personal experience; tacit knowledge, is often undervalued by people who possess it but, unless it is shared it will be lost. Knowledge exchange is a two-way process and we can choose whether to use our knowledge for our own benefit or share it for the wider benefit of the industry. There are a variety of ways in which farmers share knowledge which have evolved with the introduction of social media. Social bonds formed through small groups can be the most effective in creating trusting relationships to drive change and enable what could be deemed sensitive subjects to be discussed. Larger groups and online sharing also provide opportunities if there is trust. Trusted relationships not just between farmers but throughout the wider network are crucial; farmers are part of the knowledge exchange landscape. Knowledge exchange goes wider than technical topics; it creates interactions vital for mental health, particularly during the uncertainty of change. Getting people off farms to a local group or simply connecting with another farmer to share ‘what’s keeping you up at night’ is essential to prevent isolation and build mental resilience. You need to be ‘optimistic to learn something new’. Farmers automatically have a connection with other farmers, ‘it’s the messenger not the message’ which facilities the exchange of knowledge. The memorable examples I saw always had people at the heart who were generous in their sharing, had seized an opportunity and made it happen. Creating the right environment so that people feel comfortable is often on farm providing the opportunity to ‘kick the dirt’ and ‘seeing is believing’. Facilitators are important to manage group dynamics and draw out knowledge; the answer is often in the room. A balance needs to be struck between comfort and disruption, bringing different sectors together can assist this. The challenges of today are cross sectoral, the industry needs to move away from a sectoral focus to address these. People are complex and trying to apply logic or model how people will react to a particular situation is fraught with difficulties, as has been experienced with Covid-19. We must recognise we hold the future in our hands and seek the knowledge we need to realise our ambitions.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE PLEASED TO SUPPORT THE NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIP TRUST THE TRUST HAS SUPPORTED THIRTEEN SCHOLARS RECENTLY FROM ITS REGION OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE, WILTSHIRE, BERKSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AND OXFORDSHIRE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE SECRETARY JANE CURRILL 30 LETCH HILL DRIVE BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER CHELTENHAM GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL54 2DQ TEL: 01451 822350/07778640537 E-MAIL: janecurrill160@btinternet.com

MANAGING POULTRY WELFARE IN A TRANSITIONING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY T H R E E C O U N T I E S A G R I C U LT U R A L S O C I E T Y & M C D O N A L D ’S U K & I R E L A N D JAMES SMALDON

james@exmooragriculture.com

Technology permeates throughout our lives, most notably witnessed by the phones we carry around each day in our pockets. It is evident that technology follows an exponential trajectory and that –whether we like it or not –development will be put into autonomous and precision farming. When caring for livestock, farmers hold both an emotional bond with the animals and a social licence with consumers, to look after these animals until their time has arrived to provide us with sustenance. The clock is ticking, with the continual creep of technological progress within the poultry industry and my worry was that during the initial phases of technology adoption, skills and experience may falter and cause an avoidable drop in the welfare of the birds; there have been instances where Tesla drivers have been seen sleeping whilst driving, and we cannot allow an analogous experience to happen within poultry farms. I had three interconnected aims for this report: firstly, to discover what precision and autonomous solutions are already or soon to be available to the UK poultry industry; secondly, to understand what exactly bird welfare is, stripping away anthropomorphism and perception bias; and thirdly, to present concepts to help poultry farmers, developers and the wider poultry industry to navigate the waters of technology adoption -improving bird welfare in conjunction with improving productivity. My findings showed that both precision and autonomous technology can provide benefits to the poultry industry, with a variety of robots, computer systems and revolutionary systems nearing commercial viability. As an industry, perception is critically important and the success or failure in the implementation of technology will determine how the consumer views the industry for decades to come. Advances in precision and autonomous technology will provide our farms with continuous detailed information so that we can make better decisions. Welfare will be able to be assessed live, allowing the farmer to react when an issue can be identified, not when it presents physical symptoms. Human connection with our animals is the most important link in the technological chain; we are here to make key decisions, to take responsibility, and to react to situations which cannot be predicted. The role of stockpeople will shift; there will be less manual handling, increased supervision of equipment, and vastly increased time to be actual stockpeople. During the adoption of technology, novel systems are likely to create a Welfare Falter which represents a temporary drop in bird welfare through a lack of competency with these systems. Using the strategies outlined in this report, manufacturers and farmers should be able to minimise the reduction in welfare to an absolute minimum and for the shortest period possible. In summary, technology is here to stay and, whilst some may resist its adoption within poultry farms, it is better to embrace, learn, understand and share so that farmers, consumers and –most importantly –the birds all benefit.

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Three Counties Agricultural Society is proud to support NuďŹƒeld Farming Scholarships Trust Three Counties Agricultural Society is a registered charity committed to promoting agriculture, horticulture and arboriculture within Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Royal Three Counties Show Join us at the Royal Three Counties Show, 18-20 June 2021,* to celebrate the best of British farming, country living and the rural community. To ďŹ nd out more, please visit www.threecounties.co.uk Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6NW @3CountiesShows

* Dates correct at time of printing

THE CIRCULAR FARM. MINIMISING INPUT FOR MAXIMUM OUTPUT IN A MIXED FARMING SYSTEM NFU MUTUAL CHARITABLE TRUST CHARLIE STEER

charles.steer@grosvenor.com

The twentieth century global economic model is based around a linear system, from cradle to grave, by taking and making, using, and ultimately losing natural resources. The toll this system has taken on the planet is headline news; with climate change, biodiversity loss, declining air quality and water pollution having catastrophic effects the world over. Agriculture not only bears the brunt of the blame for this make/take/use/lose system, but is also the area most affected by the consequences. As a mixed dairy and arable farmer, I not only recognise how the challenges of a changing environment have the potential to affect farm profitability, but that the rising cost of inputs in recent years poses similar issues. Would it be sensible to move away from a linear system to a new economic model, which embraces the principles of a circular economy? Aiming for a system without waste, in which resources flow from cradle to cradle, thus restoring and enhancing not only the environment but also farm resilience and economic returns. This report considers the systems, technology and mindset required to develop a circular farming system, not only in a mixed dairy and arable situation but across the agricultural and related sectors. Some of the best placed examples are found in Europe. A huge wealth of knowledge and commitment to the circular economy can be found in the Netherlands and Denmark, as well as some closer to home in the UK and Ireland. The USA and Canada are also addressing their environmental challenges with their world-leading large-scale ‘bio-fertiliser’ industries, in synergy with AD and other waste streams. Examples of innovation include – in the USA - utilising the power of worms to treat and condense wastewater into valuable vermicompost. This has resulted in nutrients being retained on farm, with diminished ammonia emissions and odours. Elsewhere, a system producing caviar as a by-product of pig production has widened the possibilities of the circular farm. Of the examples I have looked at, many demonstrate that lean management techniques integrated into farm systems also minimise the waste of a farmer’s most valuable resource: time. Circular principles are already embedded in most farming systems to some degree: be it the use of organic manures as part of a nutrient management strategy, or feeding food industry and other byproducts to livestock. The transition to a truly circular farming system takes these a step further, by adopting systems thinking to integrate flows of energy and materials, and converting them into saleable outputs. Additional flows or renewable materials are restored and regenerated to circulate into the farm from other circular systems to capture the most value at each stage of use, with minimal loss of energy and matter. The method of adopting the circular vision relies on mimicking natural systems, while utilising technological advances in recovering nutrients and energy from waste streams: which will enhance the soil, air, water, and biodiversity on farms; reducing non-renewable inputs and optimising outputs of energy and food to create stable returns for the farming business and, importantly, building resilience for the future.

NFU MUTUAL CHARITABLE TRUST Supporting rural initiatives The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust was set up in 1998 to promote and support charities in the United Kingdom working in agriculture and rural development. Since then we’ve made a positive difference to education, research, social welfare and poverty relief with donations to charities connected with agriculture and the countryside. To ensure support continues during the current health emergency, the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has made donations totalling £739,000 across several national organisations that reach out to the isolated and vulnerable across the UK. For more information, please go to nfumutual.co.uk and search for ‘Charitable Trust’.

The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust (No.3615736). Registered in England. Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. (Charity Commission No. 1073064)

THE BRITISH DAIRY INDUSTRY WITHIN A GLOBAL MARKET CONTEXT... FOOD CHAIN SCHOLARSHIP & YO U N G N U F F I E L D ( B O B M AT S O N ) AWA R D R I C H A R D WA L K E R

richard@lakeheadfarming.co.uk

The British Dairy Industry within a Global Market Context: Integrating British dairy products and ingredients with developing global markets Total domestic milk production in the UK is strong, reaching a thirty-year high of around 14.8 billion litres in 2018. Continued technological and genetic advances at farm level, coupled with a near ideal climate for grass growth, mean further increases in milk output are achievable and most probable. The UK dairy market is dominated by high volume, but relatively low value, liquid milk with limited exposure of British dairy products penetrating developing export markets. Consolidation of UK milk processing capacity in recent years has been an effort to streamline individual business efficiency by stripping overheads and concentrating processing on a smaller number of sites made to work longer and harder – a result of intense competition for domestic retail market share, particularly in the liquid milk sector. Although dairy consumption per capita across Western Europe continues to decline by around 1.8% pa, from a global perspective there is cause for cautious optimism. A recent report from the International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN) shows the massive potential for export-led growth in the UK dairy sector. It predicts an increase of 1.2 billion consumers globally by 2030, plus an uplift in dairy consumption per capita from 116ME (milk equivalent of dairy products) to 135ME. This will require an additional 295 billion litres of milk per year, giving the UK’s dairy industry a potentially fantastic opportunity to flourish within such an optimistic global demand outlook. This Nuffield Farming study explores opportunities to integrate British dairy products and ingredients with developing export markets, particularly in Asia, through grasping the food cultures and the socio-economic drivers which are resulting in double-digit growth in dairy consumption in many key regions. While consumption of dairy products experiences exponential growth in these regions, domestic milk production at farm level is often unable to balance regional demand. The many complexities surrounding international trade and successful penetration of key markets became evident; particularly the often-harsh lessons and learnings encountered by riding the wave of high value consumer-facing branded products by some of the world’s most dominant dairy companies and Coops. The pursuit of Asia’s gen-Z, ultra-fast paced food trends, and subsequent need for constant product innovation in order to remain relevant, inevitably leads to massive added cost for dairy processors. But does this necessarily result in overall added value of milk? “Today’s value-add is often tomorrow’s commodity!” Globally traded dairy commodities, high value technical dairy ingredients, and consumer-facing branded products are all potential channels for UK milk. Which routes to international market could consistently deliver greater value to the whole UK dairy industry? This study explores the diverse nature of the global dairy supply chain: from farmers hand-milking 6 cows in East Java, Indonesia, to a mega-farm of 25,000 cows in Harbin, China; from a farmers’ wife making string cheese in a converted garage in Hokkaido, Japan, to a 300 million litre milk drying facility in Waikato, New Zealand; and from the wet markets of Saigon, Vietnam, to the high-end food retail outlets of Dubai’s malls. A truly diverse and exhilarating experience!

FOOD CHAIN SCHOLARSHIPS Are supported by a trust fund established to encourage potential scholars to research opportunities and initiatives â€œbeyond the farmgateâ€?. Whether it be reaching out directly to the consumer or working with others to exploit opportunities in the wider food chain there is much to be seen and learned by studying both in the UK and across the globe. Potential scholars looking for more information should contact Nuffield Scholar Duncan Rawson

drawson@effp.com

DAIRY ANTIBIOTICS: ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE USE T H E R I C H A R D L AW E S F O U N D AT I O N & T H E DA R T I N GT O N CAT T L E B R E E D E R S T R US T DUNCAN WILLIAMS

Duwilliams44@gmail.com

This report is the result of over eight weeks of international travel, covering seven countries over three continents. Numerous farmers, researchers, vets and industry folk gave up their time, lending both their experience and opinions. I argue that the issues around antibiotic resistance do not start and finish on the farm. Instead, they extend throughout the entire food and farming industry, right up to national governance. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing and urgent threat across the entire world. The UK was centre stage in antibiotic history; from their discovery and increased use through to the early warnings regarding misuse, and subsequent regulation. We must act now to ensure that we are part of the solution and minimise any future harm. I begin by discussing how the science around this subject will never be perfect; we do not know all of the specific, farm-level risk factors for high resistance. This knowledge gap should not deter us; the impacts of resistance are so significant. If farming might contribute, we must do all we can to fix it. I bring in examples of how farmers around the world have already transformed their businesses to decrease antibiotic use. The tools for change lie with farmers; they must reduce disease levels, improve animal welfare, while also reducing their reliance on antibiotics. However, farmers do not exist in isolation. Their antibiotic use will often be a response to the economics in which their farm operates. Tightening margins can lead to higher antibiotic use. Farmers looking to decrease their risk of disease may be more likely to treat animals â€˜just in caseâ€™. I argue that to create better animal health outcomes, we must re-assess how we shape our industry. We must take sensible risk-reducing precautions and design targeted interventions for businesses underperforming. We must bring farmers into the policy creation process and be more willing to share data; farmers and corporates must contribute to local and national schemes wherever possible. Finally, I contend that to encourage low farm antibiotic use, farms must sit within an aligned policy framework. These policies must cover everything from health to trade. Antibiotics shape the history, economics and politics of farming. We must harmonise our high-health, low-antibiotic goals through the entirety of the industry, or economics will be pulling us in differing directions. As agriculture transforms over the coming years, it is the whole industryâ€™s responsibility to shape it.

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dartingtoncbt@gmail.com

The Richard Lawes Foundation The Richard Lawes Foundation was created as a result of the success of the businesses of Volac and Pritchitt Foods The innovation of these companies generated profits by identifying undervalued raw materials and converting them into valuable end products using food science. The Foundation’s trustees would like to support Nuffield scholars on a general basis. We would be particularly interested in scholars who would like to work on a project which involves some of the following characteristics: Market / consumer facing interest Technical innovation Food and health Future sustainability Crop technology Entrepreneurship Trustees have backgrounds in crop science, food processing, retail and food service marketing and general business management. We would be keen to help scholars develop their skills in any of these areas. The Richard Lawes Foundation is delighted to support Mark Dewes.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMERS TO GROW WEALTH IN THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION T H O M AS H E N R Y F O U N DAT I O N BARRY Oâ€™BOYLE

oboyleni@gmail.com

Farmers throughout the UK have never faced a period of so much uncertainty for generations. Brexit, the future of subsidies, climate change and the many other challenges are all common concerns among the agriculture community. Agriculture and indeed the global economy are undergoing rapid change, economies globally have been badly hit by the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to a sovereign debt crisis not seen since World War II. This Nuffield report examines how UK public funds will come under extreme pressure in the next few years as the UK government will struggle to fund agriculture subsidies at the same level as today, whilst also covering the already growing costs of running other public services. It is no understatement that many UK farmers, big and small, rely heavily on subsidies to survive and keep their businesses afloat. For the first time in generations, the UK government along with other key stakeholders within the agriculture industry will have the opportunity to reshape the agriculture subsidy system that will support UK farmers in the future. Brexit has been divisive in many ways even among the farming community, however now is the time to examine the resources which should be available to UK agriculture and how best to exploit these in a global context. During my Nuffield travels, the common theme gained from the people I met was that one of the greatest opportunities to emerge not only for agriculture but for the UK economy in general in the next few years is the positive impacts of the 4th industrial revolution, which is in its early stages in the world economy. The rise of â€œthe internet of thingsâ€? such as artificial intelligence, drones, robotics, etc are all fusing to create new products, new processes and the opportunity to improve or eliminate problem areas of agriculture that cost farmers either loss of income or production. It became clear that, globally, Agritech was lacking development input from farmers even though they are the end customers of new Agritech products. Further, farms are a valuable testing ground for new products which is currently underutilised in comparison to research and development within other industries. Farmers are central to developing new Agritech products and there remain many innovative ways which the government and all stakeholders could explore to incentivise farmers to collaborate more by sharing knowledge and expertise.

Picture is of author on family A clear concluding message also in terms of the current UK Co.Antrim Dairy farm government strategy on Agritech, is that the UK is a world leader in research and development. However, there remain many opportunities to better commercialise and monetise the Agritech sector that could greatly benefit UK farmers. Any new farm policy post Brexit should incentivise farmers to seize the opportunities that will come from the 4th Industrial revolution.

supporting

The Thomas Henry Foundation

The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust

2019 PRESENTING SCHOLARS

ED BARNSTON

DAN BURDETT

HANNAH EASTAUGH

HEIDI HALL

Estate Management benchmarking success

Regenerative Agriculture: How to make the change happen

Adapting UK egg production for an increasingly welfareconscious market

The Power of the Microbiome to produce Happy, Healthy Pigs

McDonald’s UK & Ireland

BEMB Trust

Worshipful Company of Farmers & Savills

John Oldacre Foundation

CHRIS HARRAP

CLAIRE HODGE

ALICE JONES

MARK LITTLE

“We shape our buildings, and thereafter they shape us” – a study into how farm building aesthetics affects the user experience

Improving connectivity in seed potato supply chains

Cultivating elders for the UK processing industries

Feeding for health, combating antimicrobial resistance

MacRobert Trust

Thatchers Cider

Thomas Henry Foundation

John Oldacre Foundation

PENNY MONTGOMERIE

GRACE O’GORMAN

SARAH PICK

JOHN REMNANT

What role should young farmers groups play in the development of Scottish agriculture

Animal medicine best practice, unlocking the potential for UK farming

Heifer replacement strategies: cost reduction in the UK suckler beef herd

AHDB

Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Worshipful Company of Butchers

Ensuring the veterinary profession meets the needs of livestock agriculture now and in the future

Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland

The Trehane Trust

2019 PRESENTING SCHOLARS

VICKY ROBINSON

JAMES SMALDON

CHARLIE STEER

RICHARD WALKER

Farmer to Farmer Knowledge Exchange: Relevance and challenges during change

Managing poultry welfare in a transitioning world of technology

The Circular Farm. Minimising input for maximum output in a mixed farming system

Central Region Farmers Trust

Three Counties Agricultural Society and McDonald’s UK & Ireland

NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

The British Dairy Industry within a Global Market Context: Integrating British dairy products and ingredients with developing global markets

DUNCAN WILLIAMS Dairy Antibiotics: Achieving Sustainable Use Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust and Richard Lawes Foundation

Food Chain Scholarship and The Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award

BARRY O’BOYLE (2018 Scholar) Opportunities for farmers to grow wealth in the Fourth industrial revolution Thomas Henry Foundation

2020 SCHOLARS

AOIFE BEHAN

DAVID BUTLER

LIZZIE CARR-ARCHER

PETER CRAVEN

Policies for a transition to agroecology by 2045 (Scotland)

Biodiversity for the Future of Fruit Farming

How seed breeding could reduce farm inputs in the future

How to progress a farming business from ‘Good’ to ‘Great’

Worshipful Company of Farmers with Savills & Central Region Farmers Trust

Thatchers Cider

MacRobert Trust

NICOLA HARRISON

EDWARD JONES

FRED LANGDALE

JAMIE LOCKHART

Mapping out a green growth strategy for UK horticulture

Are we investing in the right agriculture technology and innovation?

Frost protection and post frost care in cool climate viticulture

Unlocking the potential of Data Use and Agri-tech within Agriculture

Royal Welsh Agricultural Society

John Oldacre Foundation

Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association

Worshipful Company of Fruiterers & Food Chain Scholarship

Thatchers Cider

LUCY MACLENNAN

TERESA MEADOWS

EMMA PATTERSON TAYLOR

ANGUS RUSSELL

Do audits really improve microbiological food safety in fresh produce?

Challenging the Conventional: Behaviour change methods for the adoption of IPM

The position of farming in the public consciousness

Central Region Farmers Trust

John Oldacre Foundation

The Family Farm’s Sustainability and Profitability Through Joint Venture Farming

Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland

John Oldacre Foundation, McDonalds UK & Ireland & Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award

2020 SCHOLARS

HANNAH SENIOR

SAMUEL SMITH

GARY SPENCE

SAMUEL STEGGLES

Accelerating AgriTech Entrepreneurs

Regenerative agriculture: a shared ambition for the future of farming?

I can’t believe it’s not beef! Can livestock compete with alternative proteins?

The journey to maturity Navigating sustainable food business growth

McDonald’s Restaurants

Thomas Henry Foundation

NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship)

2019 SCHOLARS

JAMES STOBART

ALASTAIR TRICKETT

SAM MARTIN

JAMES STANDEN

Effective monitoring methods that measure ecological outcomes in grazing systems

How Brands Drive Demand for Regenerative Agriculture

How do we make dairy farming an attractive career choice for the Millennial generation?

Achieving excellence in university and college farms. Implementing best practice from home and abroad

The Company of Merchants of the Staple of England & AHDB

Yorkshire Agricultural Society & National Trust

Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship)

John Oldacre Foundation

2018 SCHOLARS

MARTIN GOTT

JOE TOWERS

Artisan Cheese: how farming systems impact cheese quality

Will Carbon be the Dairy Quota of the Future?

Alan & Anne Beckett NSchs

McDoanld’s UK & Ireland

2021 NEW SCHOLARS

RANALD ANGUS

IAN BAGGS

MATTHEW BLYTH

ANNA BOWEN

“Bridging the carbon divide” - Marketing soil sequestered carbon for economic, agronomic & climatic regeneration

Sustainable forage cropping for dairy cattle in the face of climate change challenges

Evaluating the potential cost benefits of electronic data recording for UK sheep and beef farms

Can the UK improve the ethics of its dairy calf management while retaining profitability?

The Trehane Trust

MacRobert Trust

Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship) and a Young Nuffield Award

RICHARD COPAS

DAN DE BAERDEMAECKER

JOHN GRAY

KEITH GUE

The mechanization of cherry production and harvest

Influences affecting management and productivity of deer as a semidomesticated species in an intensive farming system

Fresh produce supply chain excellence - Growing our share of the value chain

Could Dairy be the Pig and Poultry of the future?

Malcom Isaac NSch

The Studley College Trust

Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland and Worshipful Company of Fruiterers

East Sussex NFU

GEOFF GUY

CAMILLA HAYSELDEN-ASHBY

ROBERT HOWE

AISLA JONES

Deer Farming and Landscape Scale Management of Wild Deer to Combat Habitat Degradation and Produce Sustainable Venison in the UK

Hemp: how can UK farmers take advantage of this profitable, sustainable crop?

Exploring & defining the role of Farm Vets within Regenerative Agriculture

NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

AHDB

How can retail and supply chains create demand for more sustainable aquaculture feed?

John Oldacre Foundation

Richard Lawes Foundation

2021 NEW SCHOLARS

JAMES MACCARTNEY

CHRIS MANLEY

ADRIAN MARSHALL

EMILY MCVEIGH

UK red meat production: How to win the battle for environmental sustainability in the mind of the consumer

Taking Agriculture to the Leading Edge: What can we learn from the best leaders inside and outside Agriculture?

Can welfare expectations of consumers be met by the UK commercial egg sector in the short and long term?

Farm to glass: Assessing how farms can benefit from future trends in the drinks industry

Worshipful Company of Butchers

NAVARATNAM (THEEB) PARTHEEBAN Encouraging and supporting an ethnically diverse workforce in the agricultural, farming and veterinary sector McDonald’s UK & Ireland

Worshipful Company of Farmers with Savills

BEMB Trust

Alan and Anne Beckett NSchs

GARY THOMPSON

EDWARD TOWERS

CLAIRE WHITTLE

Breaking dairy farming’s addiction to inorganic fertilizer: The road to rehabilitation

Atmospheric carbon to organic matter to crypto/ecurrency

Do regenerative agriculture principles improve the health and welfare of livestock?

John Oldacre Foundation

McDonald’s UK & Ireland

Thomas Henry Foundation

Farming’s home-from-home in the heart of London is a haven for all involved in the industry. Number 3, Whitehall Court, the heart of the Club, offers a ‘home-from-home’ environment, competitive accommodation, an excellent restaurant serving the best of British produce, a magnificent terrace looking across the River Thames, and the Club bar – witness to keen farming debate for decades. A range of function rooms cater for meetings and private parties, while the Shaw Room and computer suite serve modern business needs. Members are all involved in farming, either directly or indirectly, creating a unique atmosphere in which trust and friendship, and the culture and ethos of the countryside, are the hallmarks. The busy events programme includes farm visits, debates and a range of social functions. The Under 30s section caters for the next generation, while the Club itself is overseen by a committee of members drawn from all parts of the industry. A goal of the Club is to champion all that is good about farming, reaching out to members across the UK and further afield through seminars, study tours, the bi-monthly Farmers Club Journal, receptions at key agricultural shows, regional events, social media and an e-newsletter. The Farmers Club is renowned for its staff, whose friendliness and efficiency ensure you truly feel at home in the heart of London.

Supporting farming and agribusiness The Saffery Champness national agribusiness group advises clients across the food supply chain from input suppliers to food processors, providing our clients with a breadth of understanding. We advise on acquisitions and disposals, structuring and funding investments, tax and succession planning. Visit www.saffery.com to find out more about us or contact: Alistair Hunt, Partner E: alistair.hunt@saffery.com T: +44 (0)1733 353342

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10/08/2020 09:53:30

NUFFIELD FARMING LECTURE “BRICK-2-CLICK”: HOW WILL THE RETAIL REVOLUTION IMPACT ON UK FARMERS? Thursday 1st July 2021 at One Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA The consumer interface with business is changing. The biggest retailer in the world does not have any stores, the biggest taxi business in the world does not own any taxis and the biggest media business in the world does not own the media content on its platform. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way people think about and buy food, accelerating the shift to on-line grocery shopping, home delivery and omni-channel. This provides both threats and opportunities on an unparalleled scale for all stakeholders in the agri-food industry. How will the adaptation of the food retail sector, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, impact the current food retail model? What will be the changes that cascade back to the farmer as a result? What are the opportunities for the UK farmer? The 2021 Nuffield Farming Lecture will consider these retail trends in a wider context to determine the impact on UK farmers. Evolving food trends around provenance, trust and integrity in the food supply chain, and the social and economic footprints of what we eat, make the market dynamic and vibrant. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated these trends and created significant opportunities for producers with an appetite for innovation and collaboration with regards to how they grow, manufacture and distribute food, as well as interact with end consumers. The lecture will be given by Professor Andrew Fearne from the Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia. “The global agri-food sector is entering a period of significant - some would argue unprecedented - uncertainty, driven by political, economic, social, environmental and technological change and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic,” Andrew says. “How consumers buy their food is changing rapidly, and how the farming industry can capitalise on these changes lies at the heart of my study. “The 2021 Nuffield Farming Lecture presents an exciting opportunity to explore the potential impact of the retail revolution on UK farmers through a multi-disciplinary lens that extends across the global agri-food sector, from primary production to food consumption, from life science to lifestyles.” Look out for more information in our e-newsletter and on our website at www.nuffieldscholar.org. If you are not yet subscribed to our weekly Nuffield Farming e-newsletter, please email Claire at office@nuffieldscholar.org

WATCH ANDREW’S 2020 LECTURE UPDATE WEBINAR ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT bit.ly/LectureUpdate2020!

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Nuffield is an organisation that awards individuals with life changing opportunities that span their personal and professional lives, with a view to developing agricultural sector leaders and innovators of the future. We have funding available to sponsor overseas travel and assist with a period of study, and weâ€™re always looking to attract new candidates. If you are farming yourself, or work in an industry associated to agriculture and rural industry, then please take the opportunity to explore our website and find out what Nuffield has to offer. WWW.NUFFIELDSCHOLAR.ORG

ISBN 978-1-912059-32-4

Published by Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust Southill Farm, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset TA3 5SH. T: 01460 234012 I E: director@nuffieldscholar.org

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