THE DAIRY SUPERWOMAN

Student Farmer talks to the NFU’s youngest ever NFU National Dairy Board appointee, Jessica Langton, about her farming life and being a trailblazing woman in agriculture

John Cottle

QWhat should we know about you?

AI’m a 21-year-old student, studying Animal Science at the University of Nottingham, and a fourth generation farmer on my family’s beef and dairy farm based in Derbyshire.

Our herd is primarily pedigree Holsteins and Friesians, but we have recently crossbred these with Jerseys to boost our constituents. We graze our cows for a minimum of six months a year, via a strip grazing system. The crossbreeding also helps increase our milk to grass conversion ratios. I farm alongside my mum, stepdad and brother. We sell our milk to First Milk and average 8,000 litres with 4.3% fat and 3.55% protein.

QWhy are you passionate about farming?

AI’ve always found the industry fascinating and have had an active role on the family farm for as long as I can remember. I’ve also grown so much as an individual through the agricultural industry as it’s filled

with incredible people and amazing opportunities – I particularly enjoy learning new skills and applying them to on-farm situations.

My Grandad encouraged me into farming from a young age. Losing him two years ago was very difficult; however, I am now more determined to continue farming and create a sustainable future for our family farm. I have a strong competitive spirit and enjoy competing in stock-judging’s with Holstein Young Breeders and various other competitions such as Farmer’s Apprentice (top 10) and the RABDF awards (runner-up)!

QThat’s very impressive, and getting on to the NFU Dairy Board is no mean feat either! How are you enjoying being on the NFU Dairy Board and what do you feel you bring to the conversation?

AApplying to the NFU Dairy Board was a nerve-wracking, yet amazing experience. The whole process was very professional, but my favourite part was definitely the panel interview as it gave me the opportunity to express my passion and knowledge of the dairy industry with like-minded people.

I hope to use this position to shape the UK Dairy Roadmap to provide a sustainable future for all, help put plans in place to mitigate diseases, help contribute to dairy-related social media posts to display positive perceptions of the industry to the public and help obtain funding and knowledge to support dairy farmers in the transition from BPS to the new ELM (Environmental Land Management) scheme.

I feel that I bring a next-generation perspective to the board and hope to be representative of this group. Since beginning my position, I have learned a lot about current and future challenges facing the industry and I’m enjoying helping devise solutions to these.

QSpeaking of the dairy roadmap, why do you think net zero farming is important?

AClimate change has been declared a global emergency. I believe net zero farming is important as UK agriculture needs to have a sustainable and long-lasting future for generations to come. With the NFU setting a goal for UK agriculture to be net zero by 2040, I believe it is important for UK agriculture to lead the way.

Last year, our farm began working towards LEAF accreditation to raise our environmental awareness and make investments that are both affordable and sustainable.

We conducted a LEAF sustainable farming review - a management tool covering nine key sections of our business (organisation and planning, soil management and fertility, crop health and protection, pollution control and by-product management, animal husbandry, energy efficiency, water management, landscape and nature conservation, community engagement). This online tool has enabled us to benchmark our business and identify areas where we can make the largest environmental impact.

As a result of this review and with the help of our LEAF consultant, some of the investments we are making and management practices we are adopting are: • Replacing our bulk tank and compressor with a newer, more efficient system that consumes less energy, boosting our environmental impact. • Increasing our soil testing to an annual basis instead of every four years to try and reduce application levels and better meet the soil’s needs • Creating a re-seeding policy to promote nitrogen fixation and increase grass growth levels and silage quality to boost our grass to milk conversion ratios.

QOutside of your university degree, you work with the Ecologeco project. What is it and how did you get involved in it?

AAt Ecologeco, we are researching methods of reducing methane emissions in ruminants through the use of seaweed, in a partnership with Enactus Nottingham (a collection of eight social enterprises run by university students).

I applied to be on the Supplement Development Team which involves constructing a seaweed supplement, before testing its bromoform levels which will help us determine its methane reduction potential. We may also look to trial our supplement on farm, before mass producing and distributing it to UK dairy farms.

QYou also work for reproductive specialists Genus in your free time. How long have you been working there and what do you do?

AI’ve been on the Genus Insights Programme for two years, working part-time as a reproductive management specialist alongside my studies. This involves visiting herds across the country, heat detecting their cows, then artifi cially inseminating them according to the on-farm breeding plan (explaining my job to people with a non-farming background can be interesting at times).

QI can’t believe you even have time to study after all that! Tell us about your dissertation – what are you hoping to fi nd out?

AI have always had an interest in bovine genetics and the advances they bring to the dairy industry, and this interest has been amplifi ed through working with Genus. To broaden my knowledge, I have chosen to focus my fi nal year dissertation on Advancing reproductive technologies for cattle breeding. I hope to fi nd better methods of improving conception rates and heat detection amongst dairy cattle. I’d like to go on to do a PhD focused on this after my undergraduate degree, while continuing to work for Genus alongside my studies.

QWhere do you see yourself in ten years? What are your hopes for your farm’s future?

AI’m hoping to have fi nished my PhD and to have applied this knowledge within the industry, hopefully making an impact. I’ve always wanted to do a Nu eld Scholarship as I enjoy research and believe this is a great way to explore a topic of interest.

I’m also hoping to continue expanding my family farm and maintain an active role within the business. There’s plenty of potential on the farm to achieve this, but I want to ensure we do so in a sustainable manner. I expect we will invest in a new unit within the next ten years and increase cattle housing to accommodate the increased numbers. I’m excited to see where the industry takes me.

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QAnd fi nally, what do you think the biggest challenges to UK farming will be in the next 50 years?

A1. Sustainability: Although there are many industries releasing a greater volume of greenhouse gases in comparison to agriculture, farming is often target for being a major contributor to climate change. The NFU recently set a target of achieving net zero by 2040. I believe we need to work together to produce realistic and achievable goals for farmers to work towards and methods and grants that could help them get there. 2. Succession: Lots of farmers rely on BPS to make a profi t. I believe the removal of this and partial replacement with ELMs will decrease land rents and open the industry to new entrants.

There is a lack of willing and qualifi ed sta entering the dairy industry. The industry is viewed as being dirty and requiring long hours; however, there are now many initiatives to get young people involved. DART apprenticeships and the new T level qualifi cation should encourage people into the industry and develop their theory and practical skills.

Something that bothers me is that agriculture has always been viewed as a man’s career pathway; however, recently there has been increased publicity of women in agriculture with many like-minded women coming together to support and promote the industry. I have really enjoyed getting involved through the First Milk Women in Ag initiative. These initiatives need to continue to create a sustainable and diversifi ed dairy industry. 3. Mental health: Charity Yellow Wellies recently conducted a survey that showed 88% of under 40-year olds thought that mental health was the most pressing issue facing the industry. I think it's important for social groups such as Young Farmers to continue supporting young individuals as sometimes, this can be the only time of the week they see people that aren't family. Farming discussion groups are also an amazing way that farmers can communicate with one another and start a conversation.