STUDENT FARMER - SEPTEMBER 2024

ISLAND LIFE

Meet the farmers of the Isle of Wight p4

RURAL CRIME

The importance of supporting one another p30

SUCCESSION

Tips for talking about the future p37

September 2024

SYFAP TAKEOVER EDITION

“Our regenerative journey benefits from butchery because it allows us to tell each animal’s story in its entirety to the customer” Ed Harrison p10

BACK BRITISH FARMING DAY Farming takes over the capital p8 2450444.indd 1

11/09/2024 15:05:07

postgraduate courses at scotland’s rural college FURTHER YOUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

www.sruc.ac.uk/postgraduate Find us on Facebook 2

2360706.indd 2

September 2024

@sruc

@srucstudy

SRUC is a charity registered in Scotland: SC003712

10/09/2024 09:56:03

Contents

CONTENTS PUBLISHED BY:

NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ

EDITOR:

Beth Wright beth.wright@nfu.org.uk

WORDS BY:

Beth Wright, Rhys Felton, Sian Grove, Naomi Williams-Roberts, Jon Watt, Molly Mead, Ed Harrison, Sophia Ashe, Fergus Starkey, Ben Chilman, Magnus Brown, Jessica Stewart, Hannah Benson, and James Scott

04

ISLAND GIRL

08

BACK BRITISH FARMING DAY

10

A CUT ABOVE THE REST

14

BETTING ON BEEF

17

SYFAP SUMMER TRIP

21

DESIGNED BY:

John Cottle

COVER IMAGE BY:

22

Stephen Garnett

TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT:

Scott Keyes scott.keyes@nfu.org.uk

38

Farming on the Isle of Wight We go behind the scenes at Westminster Ed shares his journey into butchery

Jon’s experience launching his beef box business Past and present ambassadors join forces at the Elveden Estate

HEDGEROWS EXPLAINED The latest on hedgerow management

'THE FARMER’S WIFE'

What does it mean to be a woman - and a mother - in farming?

25

MUSINGS FROM THE FARM Ben gives us an update

28

THINGS TO DO...

What's on near you

30

IN HER OWN WORDS

32

LIFE AS A TB TESTER

34

FANCY A CHALLENGE?

37

SUCCESSION PLANNING

38

MAKING A MARK

42

SOCIAL MEDIA

Sophia deals with rural crime Molly lifts the lid on her job role SYFAP recruitment

Jes provides some tips

Magnus explains the difficulties in trying to do it all The good, the bad, and the ugly

New September, new me?

Read all past editions of Student Farmer at: issuu.com/studentfarmer

FOLLOW US: /StudentFarmer @studentfarmer @studentfarmer

I always feel like September marks an opportunity for a new start. It must be a hang over from my student days that makes me yearn for a new diary and pencil case - despite the fact the last time I could have realistically been called a ‘student’ was about ten years ago. Marking the start of a new academic year, and, hopefully, the start of a new season post-harvest, September is always one of my favourite months.

This September, I’ve had a hand getting the magazine together from our NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors who have each written an article for this edition. We have some great stories spanning rural crime, TB, and social media. There’s also some cracking advice on new business ventures from Jon Watt and Ed Harrison, while our very own legal eagle Jes Stewart spells out some of the issues around succession and offers some suggestions on how you can attempt to make conversations around the topic easier.

This edition also sees Naomi Williams-Roberts catch up with our old friend and mum-to-be Zoë Colville on what it means to be a woman - and indeed a mother - in the sector, and we pop over to the Isle of Wight to see how farming on the island differs.

If, as you read these articles, you think ‘I could do that’ or if you’re keen to learn more about the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador programme, have a look at page 34 where we explain more about the programme and what it involves. Who knows, if you like the sound of it, it could be you writing a story for this magazine next time around.

We’re also due to get a brand new shiny Member Development Hub next month so keep your eyes peeled for more on that in the weeks to come!

Beth Wright, Editor, Student Farmer September 2024

2402302.indd 3

3

11/09/2024 13:49:14

Isle of Wight

Island girl

COVER STORY

Sian Grove, NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador on the Isle of Wight, gives us a tour of the island, explains why farming there is different and introduces us to her fellow island farmers and NFU members Lawrence Looi

4

2429434.indd 4

September 2024

11/09/2024 14:26:20

Isle of Wight

I

’m a first-generation farmer – a shepherdess specifically – and I initially got into farming through my local Young Farmers Club (YFC).

After graduating from the University of Chester with a degree in Bioveterinary Science BSc (Hons) and moving back home to the Isle of Wight, I didn’t have many friends close by, as a lot were still away studying on the mainland, so I joined the club to make some friends.

The connections I’ve made at YFC have been the trigger point to where my life is today.

Not only did I make friends, I also learned a lot about farming, met potential employers, made connections within the industry, and found a support system – the people I rely on to ask for help today as a fully-fledged shepherdess.

Joining in October 2019, I befriended Paige and Kingsley, who had their own flock of sheep. I mentioned in passing that

“In my experience, farmers can always tell when someone is keen and has that genuine enthusiasm and energy to learn.

Nine times out of ten, people usually want to help guide and shape that.”

I thought sheep were “really cute” and would love to have my own. Fast-forward to March 2020, and I ended up adopting four orphan lambs and keeping them in my back garden. Lambs in lockdown.

Knowing absolutely nothing, it was daunting but exhilarating to be thrown in at the deep end looking after the lambs.

Knowing I could pick up the phone at any point and ask for help, no matter how silly the question may seem, was very reassuring. No surprise that there were a LOT of phone calls!

Something that has always stuck with me is the fact that no question is too silly.

A lot of the farmers I’ve met, both old and young, have been incredibly supportive, and if you don’t know something, you never will unless you ask.

In my experience, farmers can always tell when someone is keen and has that genuine enthusiasm and energy to learn. Nine times out of ten, people usually

want to help guide and shape that.

Starting with four orphans in 2020, I now have a flock of 18 breeding ewes, and have done three lambing seasons.

I have also set up my own Instagram account to record the ins and outs of my shepherdessing journey, and to help provide any information to someone else new/starting out. I’m paying it back!

Island life

The farming community on the island is fantastic, and something I’m incredibly proud to be a part of. The encouragement and support I’ve received has led to me becoming chair of YFC, carrying on that inclusivity, and proving you don’t need to be from a farming background to get into the sector.

While living on an island can be amazing – in summer a beach is 10 minutes away and looks like it should be in Greece – it does have some added stresses.

Our island landscape is forever changing, with the sea and weather causing land slips, making the available farmland that bit smaller. Although everyone is supportive, there is an element of awareness that we only have a certain amount of land available – the UK as a whole is an island, but the Isle of Wight even more so – once you reach the sea, there is literally nowhere else to go.

There is also currently no abattoir on the island, meaning all livestock have to go on a boat to the mainland. Not only does it add extra travel time, but it can also be tricky if a boat is cancelled due to poor weather or technical issues. It goes almost without saying that this also adds

an additional expense.

For livestock sales, there is only one auction that takes place: the Gilten Market, in late November. So, to sell stock also involves a ferry trip. However, Gilten Market is a key date in the island’s farming calendar; an opportunity for local farmers to showcase their prized fat stock and to get together socially, as is the annual Ploughing Match, which takes place in late September, and provides an opportunity for the farming community to get together.

Similarly with showing, not only do we need to pay for the entry fee and petrol like everyone else, we have the added cost of the boat, with the exception being the Royal Isle of Wight County Show, which showcases the very best of the island’s produce and livestock, and is continuously growing both in size and reputation. The event, which I manage in my role as the secretary of the Royal Isle of Wight County Show, also provides the perfect opportunity for the general public to interact with the local farming community, helping to bridge the gap between producer and consumer.

I’m incredibly grateful for the people that have supported me in my journey and I, quite literally, couldn’t have done it without them. My ambition is to continue to be an ambassador for British farming, and to encourage a least one person into believing that they can become a part of the farming industry, because what a fantastic and diverse industry we are.

Isle of Wight

Follow Sian on Instagram: @sians_woolly_wonder September 2024

2429434.indd 5

5

11/09/2024 14:26:39

Ilse of Wight

For the love of garlic

B

ased in Newchurch, The Garlic Farm is a third-generation family business producing more than 60 different products with garlic from mayonnaise to beer. Led today by directors Natasha and Barnaby Edwards, the farm started when Natasha’s grandparents moved to the Isle of Wight and planted the first cloves of garlic in their garden more than 60 years ago. Their children – Natasha’s parents – picked up the mantle when they joined the farm in the 1970s and growing garlic has since become something of a specialism.

“I grew up cleaning and plaiting garlic, that was the norm for me,” Natasha says. “I was always doing all kinds of garlicky stuff.”

The business, which is B Corp certified, has continued to develop and now boasts a shop and restaurant, with all of its farmland now converted to organic.

“We have a herd of Highland and Hereford cows and about 60 goats, which we rotate around our land as part of our soil health programme to help us develop healthier crops and to also boost biodiversity. That’s embedded into our mission statement now.”

Natasha’s husband Barnaby is responsible for the regenerative drive which, as a first generation farmer, he says has been quite the learning curve.

“I was born on the island but moved to London where I lived and worked for 20 years and then moved back about 10 years ago.”

While it’s been tough going at times, Barnaby and Natasha both credit support from like-minded farmers on the island that have banded together as a community to share ideas and support one another in their regenerative practices.

“The learning I am doing on the island with those who are open to farming in this way is extremely well supported and massively collaborative,” Barnaby says.

Natasha adds: “We are a small community and we have the opportunity to really collaborate together and that is happening more than ever.

“That’s one of the really great things about being on the island.”

6

2429434.indd 6

September 2024

11/09/2024 14:27:03

Isle of Wight

Warren Farm

N

ewlyweds Becca and James Osman run Warren Farm in Alum Bay, near the iconic Needles. In addition to being a working farm, it is also home to a number of diversification ventures, including a farm and coffee shop, the Wight Horsebox Bar, and more recently, has become something of a wedding venue – hosting seven such events over the past two summers, one of which was James and Becca’s nuptials earlier this summer.

Spanning 380 acres, the farm has been in the family for more than 50 years and James’ mother started its diversification journey back in 2000 when she started offering cream teas from her kitchen window. James’ brother Chris now runs the farm shop and bar, with his partner Isabel.

The couple farm Hereford and Sussex cattle and recently introduced Hebridean and Herdwick sheep – a venture proposed

by Becca who hails from a sheep farm in Lancashire.

“It’s a really interesting place to live and farm,” James says.

“You feel it on the ferry on the way over; we have a real island culture and there’s a huge emerging food culture where we have some very good restaurants and you see people coming over from London, for instance, to eat at them. That all links to our local food vibe and allows us as farmers to tell our own stories and really push the farm to fork narrative.”

The island comes with its challenges though – namely exactly that, that it is an island.

“Everything we buy or sell has to travel on a ferry, which of course, comes with a higher price,” James explains.

“Potentially the biggest challenge for our business though is that we don’t have an abattoir on the island. That’s a big challenge. We have to factor the costs into the business

and plan ahead as much as we’re able. We have a lorry that goes to the mainland every two weeks and if we can’t get a space, then we just have to wait. We have a good working relationship with the other farmers, and we try and make it all work, but it it’s far from ideal, especially if we lived just across the water we could just load up the trailer and go.”

Robyn Munt, County Chair for Isle of Wight

S

upporting on the family sheep farm, independent farm consultant and NFU county chair Robyn wears many hats, including another as the project manager for the Wight Rural Hub. This role sees her deliver interventions for and on behalf of the Hub under the Defra Future Farm Resilience Fund to benefit and support farmers and land managers on the island. Once again, it clearly shows that collaboration and supporting each other within the farming community is the way forward on the island.

“We have run seminars and workshops on topics such as diversification, intercropping, soil health and agroforestry. These sessions are delivered by both an expert in the field and a farmer, so it’s a bit of double act in the sense that it’s peer-to-peer but you also have that knowledge exchange,” she says.

“It’s been a fantastic asset to the island. Not only through knowledge sharing but also the social element because we don’t have markets, we don’t have the same opportunities for farmers to come together like there are on the mainland. That we do these sessions once a month, and they run throughout the winter too, gives people at least one evening where they can get out, share

best practice and also stay and have a chat and something to eat.

“The social side of things is massively important. Our industry is becoming increasingly isolated and the chance for people to come together is hugely important. It can also be beneficial to business. We’ve had some good examples, one of which is where two people sat together over dinner and one of them was selling eggs and doing some bacon. The other had a holiday let and as a result of the meeting, they then collaborated on breakfast hampers.

That would never have happened without the meeting.

“The industry is facing challenge after challenge at the moment and it’s isolating. Mental health is identified again and again as an issue. But if you can go and sit in a room with other people that are facing the same issues, it just makes it a little bit easier. There might be a few positives that come out of the conversation, but actually just knowing that you’re not alone, that helps.”

“Our industry is becoming increasingly isolated and the chance for people to come together is hugely important” September 2024

2429434.indd 7

7

11/09/2024 14:27:24

Back British Farming Day is fundamental to all of the government’s missions and that he was aware confidence was at near record lows.

“There is an awful lot to deal with, but I am determined this is a government that will be on your side in finding solutions to these challenges.”

COVER STORY

Mr Reed referenced Defra’s ‘new deal for farmers’ which includes plans:

• •

Back British Farming Day As we went to press, the NFU had just held Back British Farming Day – a celebration that underlines the true value of farming to rural communities

O

n 11 September more than 180 MPs, Peers and NFU members came together to mark the ninth Back British Farming Day, to celebrate Britain’s farmers and growers and to hear the NFU make the case for a greater budget for agriculture ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

“This is a pivotal moment for us,” sad NFU President Tom Bradshaw, who noted that the event marked the first Back British Farming Day with a new government in place.

“We look forward to working with you to deliver on the Labour manifesto commitments, including a trade strategy that promotes the highest standards when it comes to food production.

“The recognition that food security is national security is very welcome. It’s long overdue, but it must move beyond words and turn into practical policy that really enables the industry to thrive.”

Tom called for science and evidencebased policy making, Defra schemes that deliver for farming and the environment, wherever you farm, and a workable planning system for farming.

“But the immediate priority is to secure the investment required to enable our members to deliver the government’s

8

2423039.indd 8

economic and environmental missions all while feeding the nation,” he said.

“Key to achieving this is that multi-year budget that gives the confidence to invest in the future,” he added, announcing the NFU’s call to action for farmers to write to their MPs, outlining the need for a greater budget for farming.

“Agriculture is a multi-generational industry, we don’t work in months or years, we work in decades and we need that ability to invest for the future.

“In opposition, the new government consistently made clear its commitment to agriculture as a key driver of growth and they must roll over the underspend of over £350 million which was announced yesterday.”

Defra Secretary Steve Reed said farming

• • • •

to protect farmers in trade deals to make supply chains fairer ‘and stop farmers and food producers being unfairly squeezed at the bottom of the supply chain’ for a veterinary agreement with the EU to ‘get food exports moving’ to speed up the building of flood defences and planning decisions For a cross-government strategy to tackle rural crime For rural mental health hubs in every community

Responding to NFU calls for action on the budget, Mr Reed said this will form part of the spending review, but he said he was “making the case to the Treasury to maximise support for farmers – I will fight your corner in this process and I’ll confirm plans for the schemes and our wider approach as soon as possible”.

He committed to working with farmers on all decisions that affect the industry.

The reception, kindly sponsored by Dr Caroline Johnson MP, saw NFU members from across the regions and Wales engage with MPs and explain both the challenges the industry faces and the solutions that the government could implement.

Tom invited MPs in the room to come out on farm and find out how farming shapes their constituency.

“There’s no better way to understand farming than seeing it first-hand and the NFU are here to help,” he said. 2 Go to NFUonline.com/ag-budget/ to use our tool to write to your MP today.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw speaks at our Back British Farming Day event at Westminster. Credit: Miranda Parry

September 2024

11/09/2024 15:29:07

BRITISH WOOL – WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP with key stakeholders and supporting the UK agricultural industry.

September 2024

2360720.indd 9

9

10/09/2024 09:56:09

Ed Harrison

COVER STORY

A CUT ABOVE THE REST

Ambassador Ed Harrison explains how he got into the ancient art of butchery and shares his top tips on knowing your sirloin from your rump Stephen Garnett

10

2426216.indd 10

September 2024

11/09/2024 14:27:34

G

rowing up on my parents’ farm (mainly dairy, but with beef and sheep) and working there full time until I was 24, I had no idea that this would be the route I would take. The dairy farm was good, but I felt I had reached the end of my ability there and yearned for something new. We were considering trying to get a farm tenancy somewhere to try to regeneratively farm with a suckler herd and sheep.

However, we started thinking that we have this opportunity where we have the time and finances to take things slow and really explore what we want to do before jumping head-first into the next big project. As we were contemplating which direction to start looking, an opportunity came up at a local on-farm butchery to learn the skill. It was something different and would increase my knowledge, so I thought I would have a go. Although it

“Being able to butcher is one of the most ancient and valuable skills.

When it comes to cutting and crushing meat, we have come a long way since our early human ancestors used stone tools!”

Ed Harrison butchery, representing various breeds, systems, and degrees of finish, as well as conversing with the farmers, has improved my understanding of animal finishing and provided me with ideas for utilising various systems.

Being able to butcher is one of the most ancient and valuable skills. When it comes to cutting and crushing meat, we have come a long way since our early human ancestors used stone tools! It’s also fascinating to observe how other countries prepare their carcasses and experiment with various styles and cuts as there are so many distinct methods and styles used throughout the world.

Our regenerative journey benefits from butchery because it allows us to tell each animal’s story in its entirety to the customer. Farming in a way that improves natural biological diversity and improves livestock health and welfare includes what happens to the animals after they have left the farm. This includes the journey to the abattoir and to the butchery and then to the end consumer. We need to be looking at the entire journey not just the farm to wagon.

When I was only on the farm, I had a general understanding of the differences in

meat quality between grass-fed and grainfed cattle, as well as how some breeds affect quality. However, all of the information I had was from advertisements, so it was biased. I had seen too few comparisons between breeds to be able to reliably give an opinion. However, now that I have worked with a wide range of carcass breeds I am able to say that it most certainly depends on the breed, but equally the management and what the animal is fed. It takes all of the above to be correct to have the best quality meat. You can have a massive carcass from a grain-fed continental breed that will produce hundreds of kilos worth of meat, but will it have the flavour? Probably not.

You can have a small native British breed being grass fed all its life that will produce an amazing flavour of meat, but will there be enough to feed the village? Probably not.

It is entirely up to the farmer which one he wants to aim for: is it the quality or is it the quantity? And likewise it’s entirely up to the consumer which one they want to buy.

For me, I’m aiming to go down the middle with regenerative farming, moving native cows onto new, mixed-species pasture every day means they can get the most densely nutrient packed grasses and

wasn’t a path I had anticipated taking, going into butchery has been a fantastic way for me to increase my opportunities, knowledge, and skills. The knowledge I gained beforehand from the farm, of the Simmental/Fleckvieh X cows and Easycare sheep meant that I had a wide base to increase from.

Anything I can learn that may provide another string to my bow is much appreciated. I have always and will always want to farm, but now with my experience from the butchery side under my belt I hope to become an even better farmer.

My experience as a butcher has improved my ability to farm and raise livestock. We now have a small farm where we run all our cows and sheep regeneratively and are getting a larger farm tenancy soon. Observing the carcasses and animals as they pass through the September 2024

2426216.indd 11

11

11/09/2024 14:27:45

Ed Harrison

ED’S TOP TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR A BBQ THIS SUMMER

Ed and his wife Rosie

1

KNOW YOUR HEAT SOURCE; GAS/ CHARCOAL. Go for gas for ease and a more predictable cook, while charcoal gives more flavour and flexibility.

2

GOOD QUALITY MEAT. Talk to a butcher as they’ll always be happy to help. BBQs don’t need to just be burgers and sausages.

3

CONSIDER LARGER CUTS. Spatchcock chicken, pork shoulder, lamb leg; all can work well on a BBQ given the right time and planning.

4

RUBS AND MARINADES. The right seasoning during cooking can completely change a food you’re familiar with into something much more interesting.

5

DON’T FORGET THE SIDES. Sometimes BBQs can be too focused on meat. A light side dish such as a coleslaw or a smashed cucumber salad can enhance the flavours of the meat.

12

2426216.indd 12

legumes and also be getting the necessary quantity of forage to be able to put on the weight and have a bigger carcass at the end.

The Wagyu breeds are known for the fat marbling in their meat, which has led to its rapid rise in popularity; however, most native British breeds do as well, and these may be less well known to the public due to the reputation and advertisement of Wagyu overshadowing these traditional native breeds such as the Galloway, Hereford and Shorthorn. However, as above, it doesn’t just take the breed to make the meat. A mismanaged Wagyu could have less marbling than a wellmanaged continental breed.

When going to a restaurant now, how often is it seen that it states ‘Wagyu steak’ on the menu while other meat is just ‘beef’ or ‘lamb’. Personally, I feel like the breed of all the meat in a restaurant

should be labelled as such, to increase the traceability and provide the customers with the correct information to make informed decisions next time they are in a shop. If they had an absolutely amazing meat dish that’s labelled with the breed, maybe next time they are shopping they might buy that same breed of meat.

I am very lucky in the fact that I can now make informed decisions on how to create the meat that I want. Anyone wanting to get into butchery should approach their local butcher and ask if they could do any work experience. Farmers may also be able to help you with a connection, and your local farm shop is also a good point to start.

Even if it’s not a career path you fancy, I strongly believe all farmers should go to a butcher’s workshop day and see it for themselves, and then decide what they want to get from their cows or sheep. This may mean changing breed, management or feed. Who knows, it may even relight their passion for livestock farming! P

September 2024

11/09/2024 14:27:55

ARE YOU READY TO

LEAD?

Grow your career with MDS!

Develop your skills and fast-track your career with practical leadership training in Food, Fresh Produce, Horticulture, and Agriculture At least 3 experiences in positions throughout the sector Starting salary from £26,000 Exposure to the Trainees network and over 65 Member companies

FIN FIND ND O OUT UT M MORE: ORE:

MDS-L MDS-LTD.CO.UK LTD.C CO.U UK Accepting Applications for Spring 2025 Intake

September 2024

2360728.indd 13

13

10/09/2024 09:56:14

Jon Watt

BETTING ON BEEF Ambassador Jon Watt shares an update on his burgeoning beef box business and breaks down the cost implications for anyone looking to diversify Simon Buck

14

2407130.indd 14

September 2024

11/09/2024 13:35:10

Jon Watt

F

arm diversification is a topic that gets discussed a lot. With the decline in farm incomes from the removal of the Basic Payment Scheme coupled with feelings that the farmer is not getting a fair price for the goods they produce from the supply chain, the idea of selling direct becomes more attractive.

In a previous article I mentioned how a few years ago we started a small herd of cattle, and I was going to be selling beef boxes. Our small herd now numbers approximately 20 Redpoll and Hereford pedigree suckler cattle. The first part of this plan is going well, they are happily munching away on herbal leys.

We have now done two rounds of beef boxes and have sold out both times. We have also sold a few animals wholesale.

They graded R4L which paid me £4.80 per kg deadweight, with a carcass weight of approximately 300-330kg, making each beast have a sale value of around £1,500.

Once carefully costed, it became clear profits in this are marginal as my cost of production came out to around £1,375 a head, giving a profit of £125 profit a head. If I were able to finish 500 cattle a year this would be a viable business, but my goal is a herd of around 50 as I am limited by the land and buildings we have available.

While selling 50 a year at £125 leads to a profit of £6,250, a nice additional income, it is hardly a viable business or justifies the capital investment.

As such, I hope my beef boxes will capture a large share of the value from the supply chain and can turn my love of cattle into something profitable.

My initial fear of being left with a freezer full of beef has so far not come to pass. Maybe it’s the Clarkson’s Farm effect, but people seem desperately keen to buy local and support the farm. Sales have been mainly through word of mouth with orders also through Instagram and a recently-launched website.

Our local abattoir is Blakes which is only 37 miles away and the butchers in Bramfield is just 8.2 miles away – both of which make a huge difference in being able to sell a ‘low food miles product’ with a local story.

Bramfield carries out the butchery and vacuum packing for us, with the kill and cut cost standing at around £450 but varying a little on carcass weight.

One of the important calculations I’ve had to learn is the difference between carcass weight and saleable beef.

When selling wholesale, I’m getting paid on a 300kg deadweight carcass.

When selling direct, I’m receiving back in saleable beef around 200kg, or roughly

Follow Jon on Instagram: @jon_watt_farmer

two-thirds. So, at £5 deadweight your beef has cost you £7.50kg before kill and cut, packing, delivery etc.

We decided we wanted the product to look as good as possible and spent quite a bit on packaging.

Boxes cost £243 per 100, or £2.43 per box, while wool for the insulation is £65, which does approximately 50 boxes for a cost of £1.30 per box. Tissue paper is at £121 per 1,000 sheets, so £0.121 per box, and ice packs are £107.12 for 200 packs, so one ice pack per box costs £0.53. This gives a cost in packaging of £4.38 per beef box sold.

We also needed somewhere to store the beef ahead of collection and/or delivery which led to the purchase of both a commercial fridge and freezer at almost £2,000 each new.

Fortunately, my friend Facebook marketplace came to the rescue with a pair purchased secondhand from a hippie commune (lovely people) that did catering for Glastonbury (if you want to make a fortune, try festival catering). These cost me £500 each.

The previous owner of our farm ran three butchers’ shops and kept sheep, cattle and pigs mostly for his own shops. He told us the secret to his success was selling the whole animal as anyone could sell steak and it doesn’t matter how much you get for the steak if you get left with the rest.

I think this has been helped with cuts like brisket and shin, for example, being more in demand as they are seen as cheaper, and celebrity chefs helping to get people to be more adventurous with their cooking. The Sunday roast, however, has fallen by the wayside, so roasting joints have become harder to sell.

Product-wise, burgers cost us extra to produce but people love them, and they are the easiest thing to sell but

have the lowest profit margin.

We sell two box sizes; 3kg for £40 (£13.33/kg) and 6kg for £75 (£12.50/kg). A 3kg box contains 1kg of mince, 1kg roasting joint (topside, etc. ) 0.5kg steak (sirloin, ribeye, etc.) and 0.5kg burgers and that seems to split quite nicely what you get from the carcass.

Costed out, the beef boxes start with a 300kg carcass – giving you 200kg of beef to sell or approximately 67 3kg beef boxes.

This has a gross sales value of £2,680.

When the cost of packaging (£219.05), the kill and cut and the sale value (£1,500) of the beast wholesale (£500 including burgers) the beef boxes add around £380.95 profit per head in addition to the £125 over cost of production, for a total profit per head of £505.95.

However, the two additional days of work to collect, package and deliver the beef must be considered and you have to be able to pay yourself a wage out of the additional profit generated.

Going forward, I’d like to work on reducing my cost of production. Hopefully, the hardier native breeds will achieve this by reducing concentrate uses and utilising more forage and increasing my sale price.

I’d also like to increase the sale price of the boxes now I have built up a good list of customers. An increase of £5 a box would bring the 3kg option to £45 and 6kg to £80 – increasing profitability by approximately £250 per beast.

Another opportunity the beef boxes bring will be to add value to cull cow sales, traditionally not something you are paid well for, by being able to sell them as burgers and steaks directly. Elsewhere, building up a list of customers to scale the business will also be a challenge as it’s one thing to have enough customers to sell five beasts a year, but quite another to be able to sell 50.

Sustainability is very important to me and to be able to be part of a local, ‘low food miles food chain’ is amazing. As such, in the future I’d be interested in exploring biodegrable polystyrene trays to package our burgers and mince. This would also be a good opportunity to increase the price due to the expected cost increase such sustainable packaging would bring.

Reading this, it’s fairly apparentthat it’s a lot of work for a small amount of extra profit. While this is true, when I first started working for a neighbour to learn more about keeping cattle back in 2016, I seem to remember the deadweight price being just over £3/kg. Wholesale prices fluctuate a lot, and I hope we don’t return to these sorts of prices but if we did, I think an alternative outlet for my beef would be more valuable than ever. P September 2024

2407130.indd 15

15

11/09/2024 13:35:20

16

2360734.indd 16

September 2024

10/09/2024 09:56:18

Elveden Estate

Elveden Estate farms 2,960ha of arable land

Sustainability at scale The Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors got to

experience sustainable and efficient agriculture on a huge scale at Elveden Estate in Norfolk this summer John Cottle

N

FU members Elveden Estate played host to the SYFAP summer trip this year, with assistant farm manager and former SYFAP ambassador Anna Hunt on farm to welcome the group.

Owned by the Guinness family (yes, that Guinness) since 1894, Elveden Estate is one of the largest single farm units in lowland Britain, comprising 9,100 hectares. That land is used by Elveden Assistant farm manager and former SYFAP ambassador Anna Hunt

Farms Ltd for a combination of farming, conservation and forestry. The estate boasts some 2,960ha of total arable land and specialises in vegetables, particularly potatoes, onions, carrots and parsnips.

Cereals such as rye, barley and wheat are grown to balance the rotation, ensuring the estate’s soils remain fertile and productive for generations to come.

In addition, three third-party graziers make use of 2,400ha of grass and heathland, while more intensive tenanted units include a 500-head beef finishing yard and two pig finishing units (9,000 pigs).

The estate is within the Breckland Farmland SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), with 1,400ha of the farm being natural Breckland heath, hosting rare plants and bird species, with the site home to a significant proportion of the UK’s Stone-curlew breeding population. The estate recently entered the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and converted 350 ha of arable land into environmental habitats.

Having stayed on site overnight, where September 2024

2429151.indd 17

17

11/09/2024 15:52:24

Elveden Estate “The summer trip to the Elveden Estate was a huge eye-opener to us all. Despite being actively involved in farming, the sheer vastness and grandeur of the scale was jaw dropping. An incredible example of large scale, sustainable, and efficient agriculture to produce high quality food for British people.”

Sophia Ashe

they got to meet Elveden Farms Ltd. Managing Director Andrew Blenkiron, and experience the full farm-to-fork experience while dining at diversification venture pub and boutique hotel, The Guinness Arms, the SYFAP arrived in time to see Anna and Senior Farms Manager Nick Scantlebury overseeing the onion harvest. Around 6% of the UK’s onions are grown at Elveden.

case we start at 6am, and then I’ll be out in the fields with the team just checking everything is okay,” she explains.

“I get started in the yard in the morning where I set everyone off with their tasks and run the team through what the day needs to look like and what targets we are working to. We review any problems from the day before, which can sometimes take a bit of forward 6% of the and then it’s really UK's onions planning, about getting out on farm and are grown at helping with whatever I can.

That might be a breakdown and Having joined Nick’s Elveden I’m going to collect parts from team as trainee assistant the workshop, crop walking or farm manager in February getting down and dirty in something a 2021, Anna was promoted two bit more hands-on.” years later and today helps mentor a Anna, who studied Biological Sciences new trainee, George, in addition to her at Durham University, says every day own duties. at Elveden is different with about 80% “Typically, my working day starts at of her time spent out on the estate and 7am, unless we’re harvesting in which

TAKE FIVE WITH SENIOR FARMS MANAGER NICK SCANTLEBURY How did you get into farming, and your current job at Elveden?

I’m from a farming background with my family farming around 700ha in Essex, growing your normal cereal crops.

I finished my degree in Agriculture and Mechanisation at Harper Adams University in 2013, and then spent five months in Australia driving a combine for a large contract combine outfit and travelling the east coast.

I started with Elveden Farms Ltd in March 2014 and spent my first three years as assistant farm manager before moving to Lincolnshire where I spent five years as farm manager for two of Elveden’s external farms, Park Farm and Coldham. In total, I oversaw around 2,500ha producing cereals, potatoes and onions.

Finally, in November 2022 I moved back to the main estate to take up the Senior Farms Manager role. In March of this year, I hit the 10-year milestone with the business.

What does a typical day at Elveden look like for you?

Normally early morning I’m out and about on the farm catching up with farm operations and/or walking a selection of fields checking on crop growth, quality etc.

Mid-morning into the afternoon tends to be office based,

18

2429151.indd 18

dealing with all the challenges of running a modern farming business. In the late afternoon, I catch up with my farm management team to hear how the day’s operations have gone and the plans for the coming days.

What is your favourite thing about working at the estate?

No two days are the same, due to the business being so diverse — not only in the farms department but also across the other business enterprises across the estate.

What challenges are you dealing with?

The increasing unpredictability of the weather/climate is increasing the risk of farming.

We're also facing increasing costs; energy, inputs, labour and machinery, and competing with cheap produce from around the world that is not grown or produced to the same standards as required in the UK.

What would you say to any young aspiring farm managers?

Don’t underestimate the importance of planning and always be prepared to adapt. Poor planning equals poor performance. To be a successful farming business you need a successful team, so work closely with and communicate clearly to your colleagues.

September 2024

11/09/2024 15:52:47

Elveden Estate “Having the opportunity to tour around Elveden Estates was incredible. The diversifications they have set up to achieve a sustainable farm was very interesting and inspiring. I particularly enjoyed learning about their instant hedging business and management that goes into producing the best products while maximising on efficiency and keeping costs low – something I think we can forget about when working on our own farms. I hope to apply all I have learned on a smaller scale back home!”

Hannah Benson the remainder in the office. While from a mixed farming background, rearing seasonal turkeys, sheep, Red Poll cattle, and about 1,000 acres of arable, Anna says she sometimes struggles to explain to her family what her day-to-day can be like on an estate of Elveden’s scale.

“I’m from a real mixed farming background and would always be helping my Dad out at weekends or in the holidays.

Farming is in my blood, I always knew I wanted to do it as a career, it was just taking the time to figure out my passion within agriculture, but it seems to be in the practical side of the sector, being on the ground.

“I’m a very organised person and I love the logistics element of working here, on an estate of this size. There is so much going on and everything needs a lot of coordination and planning, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make sure that everything runs as it should. I really enjoy that sense of planning but trying to explain that to Mum and Dad

Elveden supplied 4,000 household Christmas tress in 2023

or my partner, it can be difficult as I oftentimes don’t know where to start – it’s such a variety. I really enjoy that I get to go out and about and see and speak to different people all the time.”

And there’s certainly a lot of people to see, with the estate employing about 200 staff across the farm and its various diversifications. The first of which, growing Christmas trees, began more than 40 years ago and in 2023, saw Elveden supply 250 corporate/council trees and 4,000 household trees. It also operates an ‘Instant Hedge’ business across 60ha of nurseries, comprising a range of 17 species from 1.2-1.8m in height. Currently grown across

Elveden Estate Managing Director Andrew Blenkiron said: “It was amazing to be able to host the SYFAP at Elveden; their energy and enthusiasm for farming was infectious and with them involved I am certain that the industry will be in good hands well into the future. Hopefully, what we were able to show them here will assist in their future careers and help them to better represent the industry.

“Being Managing Director of a farming business such as Elveden is a fantastic privilege, the diversity of what we achieve here is not limited to food production, it involves hospitality, retail, leisure, renewable energy and massive support for the environment. The unique Breckland soil and climate that we operate in bring many challenges, but also an immense number of opportunities to produce good wholesome food at affordable prices in harmony with our surroundings. Our industry is a vibrant and exciting one, with endless opportunities for young and aspiring individuals to make their mark and join the fun.”

eight nurseries with 100,000 linear metres of hedges, the system allows for hedges to be transplanted at any time of year from the nursery to customers’ business or homes.

Elveden plans to expand stock levels to 130,000 metres over the next three years to support business demand.

The business also operates a farm café, shop and two pubs, The Elveden Inn and The Guinness Arms.

In addition to the onion harvest, Christmas tree and Instant Hedge nurseries, the SYFAP group also got to see a combine in action as it harvested barley, visit one of the estate’s two reservoirs, and admire the natural Breckland heath as they toured the estate in a trailer.

Anna, who aspires to be a farm manager herself in the future, says anyone wanting to take the next step out of university or in their career should throw themselves into any opportunity that presents itself.

“Make sure to grab things with both hands and just never say no to everything.

Just make sure to lap up all the experience that you can.” P September 2024

2429151.indd 19

19

11/09/2024 15:53:11

Myfuture

DERBYSHIRE LANDSKILLS

(INCORPORATING DERBYSHIRE LAND-BASED TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE & OCKBROOK TRAINING SERVICES) Registered Charity No 505745 NPTC City & Guilds Centre No 741174 Telephone or Text 01623 812641/07970415211 Email jackie.twilley@btinternet.com Website www.ockbrooktraining.net & www.derbyshirelandskills.org.uk

PROVIDER OF QUALITY LANDBASED TRAINING SINCE 1975 CITY & GUILDS NPTC CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCE AND LANTRA AWARDS SAFE USE OF PESTICIDES SAFE USE OF CHAINSAWS TRANSPORT OF ANIMALS TRACTOR DRIVING, SHEEP DIPS, VETERINARY MEDICINES, FORKLIFT TRUCK & TELESCOPIC HANDLER, ATV’S. BRUSHCUTTERS/TRIMMERS, BRUSHWOOD CHIPPERS, MOWERS, MOLE CONTROL AND MANY MORE AGRICULTURAL & BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION LEGISLATION AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS Enterprise Groups for Arable Crops and Vegetables also available FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

If you’re leaving sixth form or college, take a look at the Foundation and Honours Degrees available at University Centre Myerscough.

There’s a great choice of subjects, excellent teaching and amazing facilities!

Plus superb regional transport links and great on-site accommodation.

JACKIE TWILLEY REGISTERED WITH LANTRA, CITY & GUILDS, UK RURAL SKILLS, and MEMBERS OF C.D.S. TRAINING

FARM TOURS FOR YOU!

NeedhelpplanningyourYFCtoursin2025?

FieldFarmToursLtdcancreatefarmtours aroundtheUKandworldwidetosuityour requirementsandbudget!

Agriculture n Agricultural Engineering n Animal Studies n Arboriculture & Tree Management n Ecology & Land Management n Equine Science & Management n Horticulture n Sports Coaching: Golf, Football and Basketball options n Motorsports Management n Sportsturf n Veterinary Nursing n Zoology n

Myerscough College’s Degree programmes are validated by the University of Central Lancashire

AUTUMN OPEN DAYS Saturday 5th October and 16th November • 10am-1pm To receive a prospectus call 0800 652 5592

or visit www.myerscough.ac.uk

Preston • Lancashire MyerscoughColl

20

2360742.indd 20

@myerscoughcoll

September 2024

10/09/2024 09:56:23

Hedgerows

Hedgerows explained Hedgerows across England are now subject to new regulations governing how they are managed. NFU Support Schemes Adviser Fergus Starkey explains.

T

he Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024 came into force on 23 May 2024. The legislation focuses on two big aspects of hedgerow management. These cover a no-cutting period and the presence and management of buffer strips alongside hedges.

It is important that you understand the new rules and, while they appear similar to those that were present under Cross Compliance in the past, they are now not linked to support payments and so bring more land into scope.

In May, the RPA circulated information highlighting these regulations to farmers and explained how they will work.

What hedges are covered?

These rules apply to a hedge which is more than 20m long, and this includes any gaps up to 20m in length within the hedge, or a hedge which is less than 20m long but meets another hedgerow at each end.

The rules apply to those hedges if they are growing on, or next to land which is used for agriculture. This is defined as horticulture, fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming and the breeding and keeping of livestock (including horses, ponies and any animal kept for its use in farming, or for the production of food, wool or skins).

These rules also apply to grazing land, meadowland, osier land, market gardens, nursery grounds and allotments. They also apply to woodlands where

agricultural activity takes place.

If these two criteria are met, then the hedge is subject to these regulations.

The no-cutting period

The no-cutting period covers 1 March to 31 August (inclusive) during which time a hedge cannot be trimmed or cut. To do so, or to allow someone to do so, is a criminal offence. This means that not only can a contractor be liable for trimming a hedge, but so can the farmer who allows him to do so. It is important to understand that liability goes beyond simply the one who actually trims the hedge.

The no-cutting period is subject to certain exemptions, please read the full rules to understand these.

Buffer strip management

The other major focus of the new regulations is on buffer strips. All eligible hedges must have a 2m buffer strip measured from the centre of the hedge.

It must have a green cover maintained on it and cannot have fertilisers or pesticides applied to it. Again there are a number of exemptions that could apply or be applied for. Please read the full rules to understand these.

Buffer strip rules came into effect on 23 May 2024, however different dates will apply depending on an individual farm’s circumstances. For farms with land currently in crop production then the buffer strip rules apply from the end of the first harvest after 1 July 2024. On all other land

these rules applied from 1 July 2024, this includes permanent and temporary pasture.

As before, these apply to any person responsible for the hedgerow, meaning liability will not stop simply with the individual who commits the regulatory breach, it can extend to owners and tenants as well as employees or contractors.

Further considerations

Any work on a hedgerow should only be done once a thorough assessment of any relevant regulations has been carried out, including a wildlife assessment to avoid any possible regulatory infringements.

NFU CallFirst remains a useful resource for those unsure of what regulations may affect their hedges and can be contacted by members looking for further resources.

This article is not intended to be relied upon as guidance on hedgerow management, it is simply to highlight the changes to the regulation. Any hedgerow work being undertaken should consider fully the existing regulations before being engaged in to avoid any potential violation. P

For more on buffer strips go to: gov.uk/guidance/hedgerowmanagement-rules-buffer-strips

For more on trimming rules go to: gov.uk/guidance/hedgerowmanagement-rules-cutting-andtrimming

September 2024

2426239.indd 21

21

11/09/2024 13:43:04

Women in agriculture

‘The farmer’s wife’ Student & Young Farmer Ambassdor Naomi Williams-Roberts explores the

role of women in agriculture and chats to Instagram queen Zöe Coville about what it means to be a wife and mother in the sector today

B

ecoming a parent is a life-changing experience, bringing a whirlwind of emotions – joy, excitement, anxiety and uncertainty. It’s a journey full of ups and downs, even under the best circumstances. And when you add farming into the equation, this transition becomes even more complex, introducing unique challenges that can intensify the emotional and physical demands of parenthood.

“I always thought [being pregnant] would only affect my farming life physically,” Zöe Colville, better known by her Instagram handle @thechiefshepherdess, begins. “I wouldn’t be able to lift and carry as much, not go

22

2423104.indd 22

in pens with cows, and that kind of thing.

But the hardest part has been the feeling of being ‘useless’.”

I relate to this deeply, just as many other women in farming do. Women have made significant strides in the agricultural industry. We are out in the fields, driving tractors, milking cows, and assisting with calving – working side by side with our male counterparts. Yet when pregnancy enters the picture, the scales of equality often begin to tip. In the UK, the average age for a first pregnancy has steadily increased each year, likely driven by women prioritising their careers before starting a family. When I had my daughter at 25, I found myself five years ahead of this national average.

According to the government, women

Naomi and her daughter Isla

September 2024

11/09/2024 11:47:28

Women in agriculture

“I had convinced myself that once our daughter was born, I’d finally be able to catch up on all the farming I’d missed out on during those nine long months. I couldn’t have been more wrong” make up 12% of the agricultural workforce, a figure that is steadily rising, particularly among younger generations. However, for self-employed women in farming, the lack of significant employment law protections poses unique challenges compared to those who are employed by others.

If you’ve spent years covering night lambing, pregnancy would prevent you from entering the lambing shed due to the risk of contracting infections from ewes, which could lead to complications like miscarriage. An employer might reposition you elsewhere on the farm – or they might not, leaving you to seek employment elsewhere. Alternatively, if you run your own farm, you may need to hire someone to take your place during that year, requiring the farm to cover the costs.

“We don’t have any kind of stability, which is scary when you think of having a child. No long-term tenancy, no control over livestock prices, no control over the weather, it’s all just so fragile and can come crashing down at the drop of a hat.

This past year, we’ve been putting things into place to add a little stability, but we’re still terrified,” ZÖe confessed.

Finances are always a challenge in farming, with so many variables at play.

Pregnancy requires time off the farm to attend appointments and scans. The government provides a basic maternity allowance for up to 39 weeks, which can range anywhere from £27 to £184.03 a week if you’re self-employed. The figure depends

on how many Class 2 National Insurance contributions you’ve made in the 66 weeks before your baby is due. Employed individuals are entitled to receive £184.03 a week or 90% of their average weekly earnings (whichever is less) for up to 39 weeks. The full terms and conditions are available on the government website under ‘Maternity Allowance.’

Something I didn’t consider was the depression related to pregnancy. I suffered severely from pre and post-natal depression and still find it difficult to talk about today. The only reason I bring it up now is to offer comfort and hope to anyone who is in the thick of the darkness associated with depression.

“In my head, I’ve always imagined just strapping a baby to one of us and carrying on as normal,” ZÖe continues. “But having realised how different work looks while carrying a baby in my belly, I’m now wondering how different it will be when she’s earthside.”

Much like ZÖe, I had convinced myself that once our daughter was born, I’d finally be able to catch up on all the farming I’d missed out on during those nine long months. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only was I grappling with the overwhelming fear and uncertainty of being a new mum, but I was also battling postpartum depression. To top it off, I developed mastitis – a miserable experience that, at the time, felt unbearable. Yet, in hindsight, it has deepened my empathy for any animals in my care suffering from similar conditions. Honestly, if I were livestock, I’d have been a cull ewe!

As the months passed, I began to find my stride. I had a wrap in which I’d carry her, a large Betacraft fleece I’d pull over the top of both of us, and we’d head to market every Wednesday to watch the sheep sell and enjoy a full English breakfast. It became a ritual I looked forward to. When I returned to full-time work after six months, my husband took over lambing with our daughter strapped

Sarah Stephens, NFU Farm Safety & Transport Adviser, said: “Interaction with pregnant ewes, or any bodily fluids of a pregnant ewe, carries a high risk of miscarriage. Other infections contracted from livestock and farm pets can cause malformation, premature births, low birth rates etc. Good hygiene practices are vital to help prevent transmission of zoonotic diseases.

“Interaction with agrochemicals should be avoided, as some may impact the development of the foetus.

“As livestock is unpredictable, those who are pregnant should keep a suitable distance when handling livestock, as if the animal kicks or headbutts, this could affect the foetus.

“Lone working should be avoided as much as possible. If not, then measures should be taken to minimise the risk, in case something occurs to the foetus.

Extra care should also be taken with manual handling.”

Zöe Colville, who is known as @thechiefshepherdess on Instagram, is a UK farmer who shares her experiences managing sheep and cattle. She’s known for her candid insights on farming, motherhood, and mental health, offering an honest portrayal of the challenges and rewards of rural life, especially for women in agriculture. Zöe's book, The Chief Shepherdess, chronicles her journey from fashion to farming, sharing lessons on life and love.

to him in a carrier or tucked safely in a pram within a hurdle fort. Between the two of us, he managed to balance parenthood and farming more smoothly.

When I asked ZÖe what she was most excited about when thinking ahead to raising her baby on the farm, her response was “watching the wonder on her face when seeing things for the first time, and the upbringing I would have only dreamed of”.

Our little girl is now five, and this year, she was able to take an interest in lambing, passing the lube and holding the next band when ringing lambs. She’s completely worth all the sacrifices, but during those early baby years, I struggled to understand how other women do it and the number of unseen challenges they face to “have it all”.

I believe having a strong support network and a compassionate, understanding employer – whether you’re self-employed or not – makes the biggest difference. Life is full of balancing acts, and employers who recognise this are more likely to retain happy, motivated employees.

I will forever be grateful for the perspective the farm has offered our little girl. She’s compassionate yet realistic. She understands where her food comes from and that not all things last forever. If she falls, she’ll dust herself off without a tear and tries again. She’s confident and truly herself in every sense, which is more than I could have ever hoped for. P September 2024

2423104.indd 23

23

11/09/2024 11:47:39

ADVERTISEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Next edition of

Student Farmer out January 2025 Please contact Scott Keyes on 07917 909 530 or email

Scott.keyes@nfu.org.uk for advertising opportunities

WHY TRAINING IS IMPORTANT Every business has its highs and lows and that particularly true in the Land Based sector, but these can be minimised with good planning and preparation.

Part of this preparation should be to ensure that the people carrying out work for you are correctly trained and have the appropriate qualifications. Training is like the oil in an engine, it just makes things operate more smoothly. As the person employing / engaging others you have the responsibility to ensure that they are correctly and adequately trained and certificated. This can be a mine field, as there is so many certificating bodies associated with the landbased sector. However if you ask your employee, contractor, sub-contractor or friends , if they have the appropriate qualifications they should be able to supply you with copies

of their certificates, you can then go on line and check that the certificating body is recognised . The common certificates will be issued by Lanta, CITB, NPORS, City & Guilds, to name but a few. All the approved organisations will deliver training which is to a standard recognised by the industries as well as H S E and educational organisations.

There is no requirement for training to be delivered under anyone organisation but it must meet approved standards.

Vale Training Services, were founded 39 years ago and offer a wide range of different qualifications registered with national organisations and is based and focused on the client’s needs. It’s delivered to a low instructor trainee ratio.

These courses can be delivered to suit the clients needs.

For more information go to www.valetraining.co.uk

Vale Training Services Ltd A Friend to Rural Business

Vale Training Services Ltd. offer a wide range of training and assessment designed for small and land-based businesses. Our instructors are experienced and accredited with nationally recognised awarding bodies. Courses can be tailormade to customer needs or taken from our open course programme which includes construction, chainsaw operation, and health and safety skills.

All courses are highly practical and are run on a low instructor/trainee ratio with competitive rates and national accreditation.

For more information contact us: 01296 612 201 info@valetraining.co.uk www.valetraining.co.uk Marsh Hill Centre, Marsh, Aylesbury, Bucks HP17 8ST

24

2360750.indd 24

September 2024

10/09/2024 12:57:02

MUSINGS FROM THE FARM

Ben Chilman

Mixed farmer and

Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Ben Chilman updates on life on the farm and shares how his move to a multi-tier system is going Toby Lea

W

hile my favourite time of year is upon us, I feel lost without an old companion. If like me you work in a tractor of a certain age, finding a radio signal takes a certain skill level comparable with brain surgery. While FM is desired, mainly for the comedy value of local radio adverts, unfortunately LW is often the most reliable signal. Options are indeed more limited, with a straight choice between classical music and the cricket.

For years I have appreciated the slow meandering commentary of cricket, an ever-present through the long days of harvest until this year when the BBC, in its infinite London-centric wisdom, decided to move all coverage to a purely digital DAB output, suiting a Tesla rather than a tractor.

Change is ever present, from climate to more recently politics, and the fast-paced nature of modern society sees no industry stand still for long. As I write, we harvest another disappointing oilseed rape field.

I struggle to see a future for the high-risk crop with far more guaranteed options available through SFI schemes. While I would miss the vibrant yellow colours dotted around the countryside in the spring, and firmly disagree with the systemic move away from UK food production, finances will dictate the crop’s future.

I watch with interest to see our new government’s commitment to UK food production, something that along with defence spending seemed an obvious omission from the election blurb from

any main party; ironic, when both are intrinsically linked. I certainly hope that this Labour government provides more clarity on agriculture than the token 83 words their manifesto offered, and certainly do not move down the mandatory tree planting and habitat creation route seen from the same party in Wales.

Through my day-to-day farming role, I am involved with free-range egg production, an industry that has seen significant growth in the past two decades.

We’re currently moving to a multi-tier system. This will provide overall efficiency from an improved feed-to-egg ratio, a better working environment and a more natural habitat for the birds. The move will also remove the year-round build up of muck in the shed, creating less ammonia and better storage and management options to tie in with reducing our phosphate pollution.

I’m from a mixed family farm and so have always been involved with and interested in poultry, but I’ve become really passionate about it of late – it’s so much more data-driven and structured than working with say, the sheep or cows, and I quite like the fact that you’ve got a

much better idea of exactly what is going on from that data that you necessarily have with other livestock.

While the move to a multi-tier system is still in the early days, and is probably going to be a heck of a financial headache, I’m excited to see what comes of it.

I’m young and naïve to this farming game, still wet behind the ears – a nasty infection I really should get seen to – but it does seem that every year, greater risk and reward is levelled into farming through numerous challenges that we all face. The sheer outlay of finances and risk is a barrier to young entrants, and a persistent worry to family farms.

Indeed one reason why Clarkson’s Farm should be celebrated and has been such a success is the presenter’s freedom to voice any concerns or opinions, however radical they may be; a refreshing presence in modern-day society. It’s also somewhat refreshing that Jezza and Kaleb have alerted the wider audience that even farming on that scale can still return sod all.

While change, in many aspects, has reached home, a reliable phone signal has not, so I go on without the cricket. P September 2024

2429437.indd 25

25

11/09/2024 13:38:06

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

26

2449904.indd 26

September 2024

10/09/2024 12:59:04

2449904.indd 27

10/09/2024 12:59:09

Things to do...

Things to do...

8-10 Nov Your Horse Live

Looking for something to do for the remainder of the year?

NFU Graduate Rhys Felton shares his pick of the top events.

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

19 September-17 October Max Fosh Tickets: From £26 ticketmaster.co.uk/max-fosh-tickets/ artist/5457903

3 October Hiverfest: Oktoberfest Hiver Taproom, Bermondsey Tickets: £12 hiverbeers.com

20-29 September York Food and Drink Festival Parliament Street, York Tickets: Free entry yorkfoodfestival.com

7-11 October National Young Farmers Week Nationwide nfyfc.org.uk

24 September – 9 November The Libertines Tickets: From £42 ticketmaster.co.uk/the-libertinestickets/artist/945319 27 September – 9 November The Other Place Lyttleon Theatre, London Tickets: From £20 nationaltheatre.org.uk

8 October Pre Conference event for Vet Tech and ATT Conference Hartpury University, 6pm www.vettechs.org.uk/

28 Sept - 31 Oct Farmer Copleys Pumkin Festival

28 September – 31 October Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Festival Farmer Copleys, Pontefract Tickets: £6 farmercopleys.co.uk/pumpkin-festival/

9 October Vet Tech and ATT Conference Sixways Stadium, Worcester www.vettechs.org.uk/ 9-13 October Horse of the Year Show NEC Birmingham Tickets: From £15 hoys.co.uk 13 October World Conker Championships Southwick, Northamptonshire Tickets: £7 worldconkerchampionships.com 21 October Harper Adams Scholarship Fair Harper Adams University Sports Hall harper-adams.ac.uk/events/6601/ scholarship-fair-2024

NOVEMBER

8-10 Jan Oxford Farming Conference

28

2430227.indd 28

7-14 November Still Woozy Tickets: From £26.95 ticketmaster.co.uk/still-woozy-tickets/ artist/5289654 8-10 November Your Horse Live Stoneleigh Park Tickets: From £25 yourhorse.co.uk

September 2024

11/09/2024 13:35:28

Things to do...

3 Oct Hiverfest: Oktoberfest

DECEMBER 1-11 December Vampire Weekend Tickets: From £40 ticketmaster.co.uk/vampire-weekendtickets/artist/1166577

9 November National Farm Management Conference QEII Centre in London Tickets: Free to students Apply via email to events@iagrm.com 9 November Abingdon Bonfire and Fireworks Abingdon Airfield Tickets: From £13.20 abingdonfireworks.co.uk 20 November – 25 January The Importance of Being Earnest Lyttleon Theatre, London Tickets: From £20 nationaltheatre.org.uk

21-24 November Kendal Mountain Festival Venues across Kendal Tickets: From £10 per event kendalmountainfestival.com

1-14 December In concert: A Muppets Christmas Carol Tickets: From £35 ticketmaster.co.uk/the-muppetchristmas-carol-in-concert-tickets/ artist/5345757

23 November – 1 December World Snooker Championship York Barbican Tickets: From £15 wst.tv/tickets/british-open-2024-tickets

12 December Christmas at the Races Warwick Racecourse Tickets: From £18 thejockeyclub.co.uk

25-26 November Royal Welsh Winter Fair Royal Welsh Showground Tickets: £30 rwas.wales/winter-fair/

17 December Young Farmers Club Pub Quiz Online nfyfc.org.uk

15-16 Jan LAMMA

19 December Massaoke Christmas Live The Old Woollen, Leeds Tickets: From £18 oldwoollen.seetickets.com

JANUARY 8-10 January Oxford Farming Conference Oxford Examination Schools and Online Tickets: TBC ofc.org.uk 15-16 January LAMMA NEC Birmingham Tickets: TBA lammashow.com September 2024

2430227.indd 29

29

11/09/2024 13:35:36

In her own words...

COVER STORY

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Sophia Ashe shares her experience with rural crime and why it is so important as an industry to support one another John Cottle

I

t’s mid-April. Lambing on the farm is in full swing and working hours are all over the place – they have been for two months already and will continue to be so until the middle of May. Working around these hours I am also tending to my own lambing flock. Thankfully, they lambed in March so by now the lambs are a few weeks old and loving life in the (slightly) improving weather.

Lambing my own ewes alongside the 400 ewes at the farm I work on was tough.

It meant giving them all the attention they needed first thing in the morning and then again at night/early hours after my shift at work. The rest of the day, all I could do was go to work in the knowledge that I had left

30

2407088.indd 30

September 2024

11/09/2024 13:35:44

Sophia Ashe them safe and well and hope that no issues would arise while I was away. Thankfully, my lambing had gone fairly smoothly and one morning I was joyfully watching all my new lambs skipping about the field when I noticed something strange.

‘Oh, an arrow. How odd’. I went to pick it up out of the grass but stopped when I noticed another nearby.

‘That’s very strange. These weren’t here yesterday and they’re both facing the same direction. Hang on...’

As the penny dropped, I spotted a third arrow. It suddenly became clear that while I had been away the day before, someone – or a group of people, perhaps – thought it would be fun to try and shoot my sheep, Robin Hood style. As I examined the weapons it made perfect sense: the arrows had been shot over the wall into the field.

The fields backed onto a housing estate, which meant they were easily accessible for anyone wishing to cause trouble. In a moment of sheer panic I took photos of the arrows in the ground and rushed back around my flock. Had I missed a ewe with an arrow sticking out of her? Thankfully not. I was lucky that none of the animals had been harmed.

I called 999 and within the hour, two policemen showed up. While scanning my field, one of them found a fourth arrow. I must say, they were brilliant. Very reassuring and two weeks later my local rural crime officer called me to ask how I was getting on and whether I had had any more problems.

This reassurance did not, however, distract from the thoughts going through my head. How could my mind be at rest while at work knowing that my stock could be in danger again? Only the month before I had paid a year’s rental on that field, which I took on in order to keep my ewes and lambs separate from the rest of the flock. This was money wasted, as there was no way I was going to risk keeping the sheep there anymore. How could I forgive myself if next time the offender wasn’t such a lousy shot? My first call was to an old boss-and-friend, asking if he had some land spare I could rent off him. Without

hesitation, he said yes. Not only that, but he didn’t want any money from me and when I dumped my electric fencing equipment there to put up during my next, brief spare moment, he put it up for me himself – ‘because I know you’re flat out at work’. Unfortunately, he knows all too well the stress and fear of being affected by rural crime: within the timeframe I was working for him, the farm was targeted four times over a few months. With each robbery, the farm was almost entirely cleared out. Every padlock and chain was cut and the fence was shattered to smithereens when the tractor was driven through it. No amount of police patrols or private security guards kept the robberies at bay until the main man was eventually arrested after a vast spate of thefts.

Times of trouble make you especially grateful for the good people around you.

My old boss providing me with land at a moment’s notice, the neighbouring farmer poised and ready to report any suspicious behaviour, and the ongoing support from my boyfriend. I’m sure everyone would say it’s a given he should have been there to lend a hand, but any farmer would know all too well how difficult it can be leaving the farm for a few hours during

Martin Beck, Livestock Theft Coordinator with the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU), said: “Sophia’s experience of rural crime and rural anti-social behaviour will be familiar to many. We do need to work together, not only by letting the police know when something has happened or passing the registration number of a suspicious vehicle on, but making sure the farming community can look out for one another. As individuals (including the police) we cannot be everywhere all the time but updating each other in real time it can make it harder for criminals to find the free space they need to commit their crime in rural areas. Building farm social media groups or phoning neighbours to create an observant inquisitive network and working together to be seen around your farm, creates a visible presence thieves don’t like.”

critical times of year. Not only was it a case of turning his back on his own lambing flock to relocate my sheep for me, but my plans for starting up a pedigree flock of Wiltshire Horns seemed to slip away as the little farm I’d been so kindly offered doesn’t really have the infrastructure to split groups of sheep. Perfect for some store lambs and a few commercial ewes, but difficult for splitting rams, ewe lambs and all the rest of it. He had stepped up here too, offering what was at the time very precious grass due to the filthy spring, saying there were a couple of fields I could use to keep my Wiltshire Horns as a completely independent flock, away from the rest of my sheep and his.

This may not sound like much, but the thought of having your plans halted – or at least paused – by some foolish, illintentioned individuals is very demoralising.

I am eternally grateful for all the help I received and it goes to show that in times of trouble, farmers have a special, unique ability to come together and lend a hand.

Based off the NFU Mutual claims statistic, rural crime cost a staggering £49.5 million in 2022 and in the Cotswolds, where I am based, rural crime rates are rising. It is, however, unclear exactly how much by, as many crimes go unreported. You often hear farmers say they haven’t reported the more minor incidents as they feel the police are usually unhelpful, uninterested and never provide an outcome, but it’s crucial to report all incidents of crime, however small, as this increases police presence and helps with the wider picture of deciphering links and finding culprits.

Above all, it’s important to stay safe and be assured that there will always be a helping hand there for you when you need it.

Farmers are very lucky to form a very special community – so look out for one another. P September 2024

2407088.indd 31

31

11/09/2024 13:35:52

Molly Mead

Life as a TB tester

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Molly Mead takes us behind the scenes of her role as a vet tech and ATT (Approved Tuberculin Tester) at Hampden Farm Vets, a VetPartners practice John Cottle

I

f I had a pound for every time someone asked me, ‘Why would you want to do that job?’, I’d be a very rich woman. Being in a role with the power to shut down someone’s herd and place them under movement restrictions isn’t a job I ever thought I’d be mentally strong enough to handle.

However, there are many positives to my job, despite the bad days.

Growing up, I always wanted to be a farm vet. In the end, I dropped out of doing A-levels, but after completing an apprenticeship and working in various jobs for seven years, I finally had the opportunity to do the closest thing – become a vet tech and ATT (Approved Tuberculin Tester).

For those that don’t know, bovine TB testing is a two-day process, TOP TIPS FOR AN : ST referred to as an SICCT TE EFFICIENT TB test (single intradermal and sh Have a good cru • comparative cervical . handling system p tuberculin test). On hel to ple peo Have enough • day one, two areas of r you ask e, ggl (if this is a stru the cows’ necks are can y the if e ctic veterinary pra clipped and the skin r pai ra ext an for h send a vet tec thickness is measured al loc r you to ak of hands, or spe with callipers. On the young farmers club). top clip area avian If you have someone to do • tuberculin is injected, atly paperwork, it’s always gre and on the bottom appreciated. clipped area bovine as Handle your cattle as calmly • tuberculin is injected. = possible. Stressed handlers Some 72 hours stressed animals! (+/- four hours) later, !

Offer your tester a cup of tea the skin is palpated •

32

2425239.indd 32

September 2024

11/09/2024 13:36:03

WHAT TRAINING DO I NEED TO DO TO BECOME A TB TESTER? Training consists of online training followed by an exam. In addition to this you must test a certain number of cows on a certain number of farms under veterinary supervision. You must provide a case log of evidence of the testing you perform under veterinary supervision, before an external assessor will come on farm with you and assess you performing a TB test.

Once qualified, you will be continuously reviewed to ensure you’re performing testing to a high standard.

You must: Be 18 years of age at the • application date.

Pass identification and • DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks.

Have six months of experience • working with livestock.

Meet the qualification criteria; • 3 GCSEs in English, Science or Food Production or three years’ experience in a government regulatory role.

Complete an employer declaration • supporting eligibility.

for any reaction to the injection (lumps/ swelling). The lumps are measured, and these measurements are then compared to those taken on the first day. The difference between measurements taken on both days will determine whether the animal passes the test, is an IR (inconclusive reactor) or R (a reactor).

APHA is notified of all test results.

When IRs or Reactors are found the herd is placed under movement restrictions.

Reactors have a DNA tag applied to their ear and are collected on behalf of APHA for slaughter within 7-10 days. IRs must be isolated from the herd and re-tested in 60 days unless moving to slaughter under an APHA licence. If clear at re-test the animal is a ‘resolved IR’ and may re-join the herd and generally restricted for life. IRs that are not negative are classed as a reactor and compulsory slaughtered. The length of time the whole herd remains under restrictions when IRs are found in TB-free herds is informed by an APHA Veterinary risk assessment, learn more at: tbhub.co.uk/ resources/frequently-asked-questions/ inconclusive-reactor-cattle-irs/.

If a herd is placed under restriction or additional IRs/Rs are found the whole herd is tested every 60 days until two clear tests

Molly Mead have been passed, resulting in a HOW DO I BECOM E herd regaining its TB-free status.

APPROVED TUBER AN I’ve been at my job for nearly CULIN TESTER? • Contact your loca two years now, and in that l farm veterinary practice to see if they have time, I’ve been fortunate to any vacancies.

• meet a variety of farmers and Contact BIVTA (B ritish and Irish Ve terinary livestock owners from different Technician Associa tion) for advice on the vet backgrounds, many of whom I’d tech role. now consider to be friends.

• Contact UK Farm care who assist in The relationships between managing TB testing in the UK. farmers and veterinary • You can message me on Instagram professionals are built on with any questions (the.neu ro divergent.farmer trust. Farmers must trust ). that we, as vets and TB testers, are doing our job properly. I’m always very open with farmers about the TB testing is probably the number one training process to become a TB tester worry of all cattle farmers, so being the one and that we are routinely audited to carrying out a test when farmers are at their ensure we perform testing accurately. most stressed requires a certain level of I think the most significant quality confidence and the ability to communicate you need to be a TB tester or farmeffectively with different personalities. based veterinary professional is being The fact that I live on my family farm able to read farmers and understand and have faced the consequences of their communication style. If you can being shut down with TB helps farmers establish someone’s personality, you can relate to me more than they possibly respond to this accordingly. In some would someone with no personal links to places, I’ll chat with the farmer the farming. However, this is definitely not whole time and maybe have a cup of tea a requirement to becoming a vet tech or at the end, whereas in others, I’ll turn TB tester. In the current climate where up, do the job, say what needs to be said, the farm and veterinary sector are facing and be on my way. labour struggles, it’s imperative we can The best part of my job is driving encourage and welcome people from all around the countryside and meeting backgrounds to get involved. lots of different people. I’m fortunate Other challenging parts of the job are enough to see a variety of systems ranging obviously when the weather is cold and from 500-animal dairy herds (though wet, it’s not fun for anyone and your these are sadly few and far between in paperwork gets soggy! You need to be Hertfordshire) to a couple of pet cows able to navigate difficult situations and in someone’s back garden. Coming from respond appropriately when farmers react a farm with only Aberdeen Angus cross badly. You may also have to take control of steers, I’ve now seen an expanse of situations where there are any health and different breeds and built a pretty good safety concerns. picture of their varying temperaments.

It’s essential the role of paraprofessionals I have a few breeds that always ring within the veterinary sector such as vet alarm bells when I know I’ve got to go and technicians and ATTs are recognised and test them – Belted Galloways being the utilised as much as possible. worst of them, in my experience!

With both the farming and veterinary Unfortunately, this job does have bad sector facing labour shortages, as well days. Shutting farms down with TB is not as contending with threats such as avian easy. I don’t want to compare the stress of influenza and bluetongue, we must breaking the bad news to the stress of being take advantage of the highly trained on the receiving end because they are in no personnel we have access to. Veterinary way comparable. I will, however, say that paraprofessionals can be utilised to tackle making those difficult decisions does take these challenges efficiently, whether that’s its toll and it’s all too easy to take home rolling out vaccines on a large scale across some negative thoughts. the country or assisting with testing for In circumstances where a farm is shut public health threats. down, it’s really important we discuss how Looking to the future, I hope we can find we can help the farmer move forward, a solution to better controlling bovine TB whether we need to make contact with in this country.

APHA on their behalf or offer them a free I expect my job role will evolve in the TBAS (TB Advisory Service) visit, for coming years to include vaccination and example. The NFU-dedicated TB team is subsequent testing. Who knows, perhaps also on hand to offer support and guidance in ten years’ time my job role might not and can be contacted via CallFirst. be needed! 2 September 2024

2425239.indd 33

33

11/09/2024 13:36:06

SYFAP

Fancy a challenge?

Are you 30 or under with an interest in agriculture? If so, the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme could be for you

T

“Being part of the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador his year-long initiative offers young farmers and students Programme is an incredible experience. It opens doors I never a platform to represent the imagined and allows me to connect with like-minded individuals next generation of British from all walks of life, all of us passionate about progressing the agriculture. Ambassadors agricultural sector for the next generation. will have the opportunity to engage with “This programme isn’t just an opportunity – it’s a platform that key industry figures, attend high-profile can make a real impact on the future of British agriculture.” agricultural and political events and contribute to the NFU’s efforts in shaping Jes Stewart the future of farming in the UK. Student & Young Farmer Ambassador The programme has Ambassador Programme is been designed to both within and beyond farming. Each an incredible opportunity for give participants year, they bring fresh perspectives, APPLICATIONS young people who are passionate a comprehensive passion and a commitment to agriculture WILL OPEN about British food and farming. understanding of the that inspires not only their peers but the WINTER 2024 It runs alongside our other agricultural industry, entire industry.

Keep an eye on our programmes, including the Poultry offering insights “I am incredibly proud of our social media feeds Industry Programme, Cereals into various sectors, ambassadors and the difference they for details Development Programme and Sugar providing opportunities to make in promoting the importance of Industry Programme to support the directly engage with political UK farming on a national stage, as well next generation. processes and to develop valuable as the vital role this programme plays in “Over the years we have seen skills in media engagement, public nurturing the next generation of leaders in our ambassadors make significant speaking and writing.

British agriculture. I wholeheartedly would contributions to the sector, with many NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos encourage anyone thinking about applying going on to achieve remarkable things said: “The Student & Young Farmer to take up this excellent opportunity.”

34

2431553.indd 34

September 2024

11/09/2024 13:36:19

SYFAP

WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION CRITERIA?

•

• • • •

•

Be an NFU Student & Young Farmer member (it’s free – sign up at NFUonline.com/student) Aged between 18 and 30 on 1 January 2025 Be located in England or Wales Have a vested interest in farming and rural affairs Have an interest in speaking to the media and writing for NFU publications Be committed to promoting the values of inclusivity and kindness in the industry.

WHY TAKE PART?

•

•

• • •

•

• •

This is an opportunity to represent the younger generation of farmers within the UK’s biggest farming membership organisation Create long-standing relationships with like-minded people from all farming sectors around the country Experience new aspects of the agricultural industry Be at the heart of political change as it unfolds Help the farming industry become more progressive and break boundaries Hone communication, presentation and networking skills to further professional development Increase your knowledge of the inner workings of the NFU Receive training to enable you to write for national publications, present to schools, speak to the media and to engage with MPs.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

All reasonable travel expenses will be covered. The NFU will ensure that the programme is free for participants, and that ambassadors are not left out of pocket.

INCLUSIVITY PLEDGE

We believe the more diversity there is within agriculture, the more innovative and exciting the future of farming will be. In line with the NFU’s value of inclusivity, the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme has always welcomed applicants from different cultures, backgrounds and perspectives.

We especially welcome applications from people who feel their community has, so far, been underrepresented in the agriculture industry or in the SYFAP group, be that in relation to (but not limited to) their race, colour, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.

September 2024

2431553.indd 35

35

11/09/2024 13:36:36

STAY DRY STAY SAFE SHED WEIGHT LOOK GREAT From its unmistakable Buckbootz ‘Hard As Nails’ profile to its rugged good looking dealer boot styling B1180 carries its Buckbootz heritage and branding with pride. With its extended whole cut vamp and beefy heel counter this is a waterproof safety boot with gravitas and real substance.

Using construction and components designed to withstand the roughest treatment, B1180 combines strength with light weight thanks to an aluminium toecap, kevlar midsole and the new Buckbootz K11 dual density sole. K11 lets us retain all the legendary Buckbootz rubber outsole durability and features which now include ladder grips, at a g saving g which will win over a new generation of Goodyear weight welted safety boot wearers. With Buckbootz characteristic attention to detail w wee lock stitch the toe plate and beef up the outer sole ruub bber depth at the critical heel/ground contact area.

B1180

B1180 also o brings three dimensional Buckflex fifittting with three flex-stretch areas at the boot collar. This makes fitting and removal a stroll in the park and enables the collar to retain its neat look and snug fit at all times.

• Lightweight Dealer boot • Dark Brown Crazy Horse Leather • Waterproof • EN/UKCA safety codes SB PS HRO FO LG WR/WPA • Aluminium safety toecap • Non-metallic anti penetration NAIL STOP midsole • Slip resistant • Heat (300ºC/60 secs) and Oil Resistant Rubber Outsole with Ladder Grips • K11 dual density weight saving sole • Wider fitting at toe area • Buckflex three way flex-stretch collar • Sizes 6/40 to 13/47

Go to www.buckbootz.com.

To find your nearest Agricultural Merchant stockist call 01382 82 82 00 or email info@buckbootz.com 36

2360774.indd 36

September 2024

10/09/2024 13:00:02

Jessica Stewart

Succession planning Ambassador Jessica Stewart explains the importance of talking about the future

A

sa recently qualified solicitor working in a rural area, I’ve already encountered more than enough issues with the breakdown of inheritance when it comes to farming families.

Within the farming sector, the issues that arrive on death could be avoided by having some down-to-earth conversations at an earlier stage. Many will be familiar with the term ‘proprietary estoppel’, essentially where you rely upon the fact that you are promised something. This could cover a range of examples, however, a typical situation is one between a farming father and son where the father is the legal owner of the land, machinery, stock, etc, and the son relies upon this to his detriment. There is a legal safeguard in place. However, it can so often cause disputes.

No one likes talking about the future – especially farmers, but it is vitally important.

A further consideration is to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). There are two types: LPA for Health & Welfare and LPA for Property & Finance. There is so much to say about LPAs, but in

essence, they allow someone you trust to make a decision on your behalf, in your best interests, should you become mentally incapable. Arguably, these are more important than a Will, as they allow decisions to be made for you that you Encourage conversations with 1) are unable to make during your your family, and 2) your friends. lifetime. You may think you are A problem shared is a too young to consider making problem halved: talk with your COVER a Will and LPAs, however they family while you can about are both hugely important at the day-to-day running of STORY any age. the farm, the direction for If you have assets that you the farming business, and the want to leave to a certain person, structure of any inheritance. Talk make a Will, or if you have children, a Will to your friends and peers about it is important to confirm their guardian. I – succession is typically a fraught always use the example that anyone could topic, and one that we don’t like go outside and get hit by a bus and be to bring up with older generations. unable to make any decisions.

But your friends may have ideas or We all know the danger of working have already implemented plans within farming. I know a girl who got with their families and can give kicked by a horse and suffered a brain you some insight. injury and now struggles with basic tasks.

Having spoken to Rachel Hallos Another friend had a skiing accident that at the Great Yorkshire Show resulted in brain damage. If they had both with some other young farmers, had LPAs, it would have made it a lot I realised finding a place for easier for their families to make decisions everyone on the farm can be on their behalf. challenging, and having difficult One of the biggest actions we can take conversations with your family is is to ensure that our family members have not always welcome. But, listening them in place, and to look at the bigger to how others have grappled with picture with an inheritance plan, involving issues such as getting a mortgage us, the younger generation. 2 when there is no set wage, or

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT:

1

Have a family discussion

2

Sort out agreements now

3

Make a Will

Inevitably, farming families are complicated, with some involved in the farm and some less so. Having a conversation with your loved ones, while daunting, can ensure that everyone feels heard and you can start to form a plan for the future.

Whether it’s a partnership agreement, living arrangements, ownership of assets or a retirement plan, it is worth getting all parties involved in management decisions at an early stage. Not only does this help to create a focus and ensure everyone is on the same page, but, in the instance that there is a sudden illness or death, it can prevent a huge mess being left behind.

Something simple and relatively cheap, this can save thousands of pounds of legal costs in the future. A professional can help make the best tax-efficient decision for your farm. Quite often, it is usual for there to be a ‘farming’ child and a ‘nonfarming’ child; figuring out which assets to leave to each child can prevent dispute, and create a fairer balance. Of course, discussing this with the family will make it so much easier to decide what is best for everyone. Ideally, a Will should sit alongside and complement the farm business plans made throughout a lifetime.

ACTION PLAN: START TALKING!

convincing your parents to let you set up a diversification, or having a discussion about potential inheritance with your sibling, gives you ideas on how to tackle this yourself.

For anyone in the North East and Yorkshire, I am setting up a meeting (well, a chit chat really) for young farmers to discuss common issues, and different ways to resolve them. Contact me on Instagram at @jesstewart9 if you want to come along! If you are from another area, I would encourage a group of you to get together and break down the barrier of talking about the farming future on your farm.

Farmers are very good at gossip and knowing sheep prices, but we need to get better at talking about things that affect our future.

September 2024

2407148.indd 37

37

11/09/2024 13:44:06

Magnus Brown

MAKING A MARK Dairy farmer and NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Magnus Brown explores the reality of trying to make your mark in the farming world Toby Lea

38

2429147.indd 38

September 2024

11/09/2024 13:43:17

B

eing a young farmer is far from easy in the current economic climate, let alone becoming one. A difficult concoction of high land prices, expensive machinery and volatile global markets all result in a challenging environment for young people to enter the industry and excel. But the ability of young people to come into farming and make their mark is crucial for the long-term prosperity of an agricultural industry looking ever older in complexion and ever more pressured by a shortage of labour.

Even at 21, it is common to be underestimated because of your age, despite the great responsibility and risk placed on young farmers’ shoulders.

Responsibility that is further complicated oftentimes by a difficulty in finding the time for things that ‘fill up your cup’.

I am hugely fortunate to have grown up working in a farming business and to be given that head start in what some may look at as a largely inaccessible industry.

The family farm is where the heart of

Magnus Brown UK agriculture lies and I am incredibly lucky to have grown up in what can only be described as a lifestyle, not a job. And yet, among all the scenic views and animals lies an undercover story of sacrifice, hard work and extreme multi-tasking. As a young person growing up immersed in the industry, it is a constant quest to live up to the highest of standards set by your elders while navigating the ever-increasing challenges thrown our way in modern agriculture. I am sure my story is replicated across the country.

From a personal perspective, my dad grew up as one of three brothers on a tenanted farm. Now not a tenant, these humble origins motivate me every day in general life to constantly build on what has gone before me and make those that have given me such opportunity proud. I am sure many who have been or are in my situation can agree that these expectations can weigh

“As a young person growing up immersed in the industry, it is a constant quest to live up to the highest of standards set by your elders” heavy and mix with external pressures into what amounts to an undesirable cocktail at times.

Consequentially, young farmers are an incredibly resilient and remarkable group of people. There will be many in similar positions to myself working in what wider society would consider to be full-time jobs on farms, while studying for university degrees, playing sport or being members of young farmers’ clubs and applying for future jobs all at the same time. For me, throughout my childhood and up to now, I have worked on the family dairy farm heavily reliant on family labour, while now studying for a law degree and seeking to become a solicitor. This, while trying to maintain a varied social life. My friends and peers will agree there are many times where I cannot attend certain events due to other priorities at play.

From my own perspective, dairy farming is particularly intense and all-consuming.

Perhaps, we were not conscious of this in installing milking robots two years ago, but the constant flow of milk is the same, however you milk your cows. It is 24/7, 365 days a year and no matter what may be happening in your personal life, the cows need to get milked. This, on top of

September 2024

2429147.indd 39

39

11/09/2024 13:43:32

40

2360782.indd 40

September 2024

10/09/2024 13:00:07

Magnus Brown

“My siblings and I hope to continue the legacy built by those before us by producing high-quality, sustainable British produce” the routine yard and fieldwork. We do the vast majority of fieldwork, cart our own silage and plant all bar maize ourselves.

Complementing the core dairy business is a beef enterprise, rearing primarily Aberdeen Angus beef cattle to store age for market. Genomic testing of heifers is key for the constant genetic progress of our pedigree Holstein herd.

We are what many consider to be a stereotypical family business, with three generations living on farm on a relatively modest acreage. I hope that keeping some skin in the farming game while being a solicitor keeps the legal advice I will give accurate and grounded, in addition to increasing the resilience of my family farming business and home.

I am constantly told by other farmers of the need for those they rely upon, such as solicitors, to have a grasp on their individual farming business, as all are so autonomous in their own way.

Farming businesses are like no other in the wider economy.

Government support must keep farming families on the land, including those such as tenants and new entrants.

My siblings and I hope to continue the legacy built by those before us and to keep producing high-quality and environmentally sustainable British produce. But we must all look beyond the farm gate to opportunities and challenges coming our way. Education, inclusion and hunger for progress is needed for the prosperity of the industry we love. P

GETTING TO GRIPS WITH ROBOTICS There comes a time when every farming business meets a crossroad and must decide which direction to take for the long-term. Two years ago, we decided to invest in milking robots and to take advantage of the opportunity presented to futureproof the business.

Cows

The cows always come first on any dairy farm in the UK. For us, we run a pedigree herd of Holstein cows and rear all replacements, with none bought in or sold.

One thing we learned from a ‘cow point of view' is the need to get the cows right first before any investment and installation. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the herd was not young enough nor big enough to fully utilise and adapt to the robots, and so we were fetching more cows in than we perhaps should have been for the first year or so.

Some cows get to grips with a new way of operating straight away and others do not. Often, the cows who did not like the parlour at first now enjoy the freedom and independence of robotic milking.

Robot cows are hugely different to those on a parlour; more active, clever and determined to get past you if they want to get somewhere.

We extended a pre-existing shed with a central feed fence, lending itself to the brand of robots we purchased. It is important to engage in objective market research, abstaining from simply going with trends or what is generally perceived to be the leading make of robot. We looked carefully at all the major milking robot brands and all, including the ones we have installed, have their positives and drawbacks.

Talking to farmers and dealers from an array of brands is important, but nothing more so than asking difficult questions and not just taking ‘yes' for an answer.

For us, the machine and technologies were crucial, but dealer support even more so as, just like tractors, all robots have their issues from time to time, no matter the colour.

People

Do not be fooled by the general perception that robotic milking is hands-off and fully automated. In the parlour, problems tended to come to us when the cows passed us twice a day. Now, we must be more alert and look out for problems ourselves.

Indeed, if you think your robots will mean fewer working hours – you're wrong. While there is greater flexibility and arguably less physical demand than a parlour, we're still in the main shed at least twice a day sorting cows out, cleaning and maintaining. You also end up doing more jobs than you otherwise would have done when tied up in the parlour, which is hugely beneficial to the farm as a whole. Everyone must decide what they would prefer.

Price

When making such significant investment, it's important to try and best predict future developments at a micro and macro level. What will the industry look like in five to ten years‘ time?

The initial costs of such significant infrastructure projects are predictably significant. But, what is not so predictable is associated costs further down the line. With the warmer summers and an increased disease risk from Schmallenberg, we chose to install fans keep air moving to reduce heat stress, which is a key performance prohibitor. Automatic footbaths, a robotic scraper and solar panels were all necessary later investments to increase cows’ welfare but did indeed come at a financial cost. Nevertheless, the shed is now a fantastic environment which the cows really enjoy with the weather outside no longer having such an impact on their welfare.

Producing milk on robots is not cheap, but potentially profitable in all systems if implemented correctly.

While we are only two years in, and still fine-tuning both the cows, system and us, I hope this honest account can help anyone considering a similar venture because, all too often perhaps, honesty is not the most common policy.

September 2024

2429147.indd 41

41

11/09/2024 13:43:43

The good, the bad, and the ugly of social media Ambassadors Hannah Benson and James Scott

explore the pros and cons of social media sites and how they’ve impacted their farming business Social media plays a pivotal part in running a successful business these days. According to Statisica data, more than 80% of the UK population were active social media users as of January 2024.

Whether scrolling on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, wherever you look somebody always has a phone to hand.

For me, back in 2020, the use of my social media accounts is the living proof of how I rescued my small business and ensured its security for the following years.

Based out of Spilsby, Lincolnshire, Hannah’s Flowers offers freshly-cut, seasonal British blooms between March and late October.

The business is a diversification from my family’s small vegetable farm and I cut, pack and supply wholesale markets, florists and the general public.

42

2426236.indd 42

Pre-Covid, I sold solely wholesale, but when the pandemic saw the country go into lockdown, I spotted an opportunity to up my game and began using my social media pages to sell directly to the public.

When lockdown hit, I found myself with a crop of flowers in the polytunnel, ready to cut but with no home to go to. Wholesale markets shut down overnight, the wedding trade disappeared completely and the only form of trade left was direct to customer. I had my social media accounts set up for my business but it wasn’t until March 2020, when my hand was forced by lockdown, that I began to make real use of my channels by uploading my flowers for sale on both Instagram and Facebook.

Fast forward to 2024 and I now see about 70% of my business sales come through social media.

Follow Hannah on Instagram: @hannahsflowerslincs

September 2024

11/09/2024 15:35:08

Social media in the agriculture sector is a hot topic that is constantly growing and evolving as years go on, but this comes with a lot of positives and negatives.

It’s always been a passion of mine and something that I have wanted to build on, to learn skills myself and, hopefully, then use them to inspire and teach the younger generation around the hidden world of the agriculture industry, or allow older followers to reminisce on their time as a farmer and bring back some good memories when they did similar jobs or activities.

Since starting my career as a dairy farmer, social media has, overall, provided a great platform. It’s helped me to gain confidence in what I’m doing, meet new people within the industry, share my experiences on the job and document my journey along the way – whether that be positives or negatives.

I make efforts to take every opportunity I am given with open arms to help enhance my social following and take care to listen to those more experienced around me and hear about their experiences of life as a farmer.

I believe social media is a great way of providing insight into what it really looks like to work within agriculture, as sometimes I feel the negatives can be overlooked. Social media has also become a

diversification income stream for many farmers and has allowed many who may be more remote to reach a wider audience and sell direct.

This can be through sponsorship or brand deals spanning agricultural clothing to machinery. It can also be a driver to online shops and the perfect vehicle to promote home-grown local products such as beef boxes or unique products made from British produce such as wool.

However, we need to make sure we use social media in a safe and supportive manner within our community.

I myself have seen many cases of racism and misogyny and bullying towards innocent individuals, which are simply not acceptable. We need to work together to support individuals who receive hate online and remember that agriculture is an industry for everyone to share their personal experiences online.

Social media is an extremely beneficial platform within agriculture, and I feel strongly about sharing the positives and negatives with the younger generation within an industry that can be very isolating.

I encourage everyone hesitating to share their experiences to do so, as I've learned an awful lot online and wouldn’t have been where I am now without the help of those around me, both online and in person. It's a great way to educate the public around the importance of supporting local businesses and backing British farmers.

Follow James on Instagram: @scottysfarm

While it goes without saying that constantly trying to figure out the algorithm is a nightmare, here are some tips to be to be successful online: FACEBOOK

• •

• •

Post when people are most active. Early morning before work or during evenings.

Share your business page in the local village/ town groups to attract more customers locally.

Interact with your comments from your customers on your posts.

Make your posts engaging, start off your captions with a bold title and use paragraphs to break up the post and make it easier to read.

TIKTOK

• • •

•

Post when most people are active. Early morning before work or during evenings.

When creating videos use viral sounds and hashtags.

Create “how to” videos or videos with information relevant to your line of work.

You’re more likely to build a following if you have a niche as opposed to lifestyle or dancing videos.

Set up a TikTok shop. This is another fab way for you to be able to sell your products.

INSTAGRAM

• • •

• •

Post when people are most active. Early morning before work or during evenings.

Create fun and catchy reels. You need to grip them within the first three seconds.

Use Instagram stories to connect with your customers. Updates about your day, use them to tease customers about new projects.

When making reels use viral sounds to get more reach.

Don’t forget your hashtags. Limit it to about three to five tags.

LINKEDIN

• •

• • •

Connect with people in your industry. It’s not what you know but who.

Share your achievements of your business or even personal achievements to build that brand and connections.

Advertise jobs for your business or even post if you’re looking for freelancers.

Use fitting hashtags that go with your posts.

Keep your profile up to date, whether it be new roles, titles, achievements.

September 2024

2426236.indd 43

43

11/09/2024 15:35:17

Looking for graduate opportunities?

Unlock your future with one of our industry leading 2-year graduate schemes Agricultural Policy Scheme - Work with a Policy team that takes an active role in developing and influencing the policies that shape farming across the UK. You’ll find yourself diving into pressing agricultural and horticultural issues, engaging with government, advising NFU members and implementing policy change.

Communications and External Affairs Scheme - Gain rare experience in political lobbying, media management, event coordination, and multi-channel communications with an award-winning team. Learn from experts, impact political campaigns, champion British farming, and protect its reputation.

These roles are based in Warwickshire and Westminster, so willingness to relocate is essential.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary chance to be part of something bigger, with the potential of a rewarding and fulfilling career.

44

Applications are open from 1 December 2023 – 14 January 2024 Explore NFUonline.com/careers for more details and to apply

2360790.indd 44

September 2024

10/09/2024 09:56:26

Dissertation

Could we sponsor your dissertation?

Each year, the NFU Food Business Unit sponsors one university student’s dissertation. With the application window now open for 2024/25, we talk to last year’s winner, Niamh McGrath.

T

his year, NFU expertise helped Harper Adams University student Niamh McGrath investigate the use of social media as a recruitment tool for UK farm-level recruitment.

Niamh grew up on a dairy farm in Cheshire and studies agri-food marketing with business. While on her Harper Adams university placement, she began to take an interest in farm-level recruitment when her business was struggling to find new employees.

The main objective of her research was to ask why people are using social media as a recruitment tool and the impact it is having in UK agriculture.

By winning the NFU dissertation sponsorship, Niamh had access to the vast array of stakeholder contacts the NFU holds from across the agri-food supply chain.

This proved instrumental by providing Niamh with all the key information she needed for her dissertation.

Forging future careers

When asked about the opportunity, Niamh said: “I am grateful to the NFU for their sponsorship due to the industry insight they could provide and the interesting conversations that were able to be generated.

“This helped to build my research approach and reach a wide range of agricultural audiences.

“My aim for my dissertation was to give industry

recommendations that were able to be implemented across the industry. I am proud to say I have achieved my goal for the dissertation along with receiving a first class honours degree.

“I am thankful to all the participants of my research If successful, for their time and invaluable you will receive knowledge. I would £150, and recommend this opportunity gain access to a to any future students.”

How can you apply for the NFU’s dissertation sponsorship award?

range of industry contacts

The NFU would like to sponsor you if your dissertation is linked to any of the following topics: • British food retailers • hospitality and public sector supply chain • UK food brands, manufacturers, or processors • the sustainable supply chain, or • supply chain collaboration or engagement.

Go to NFUonline.com/dissertation-sponsorship to read more on the application process and who can apply. You can also email FoodBusinessUnit@ nfu.org.uk for more information.

Closes Friday 10 November.

September 2024

2423092.indd 45

45

11/09/2024 13:47:12

Beyond the farm gate Making your land work for you

Sign up

IT’S FREE YOU SAY?

NFU Student & Young Farmer membership is free to students and young farmers. It allows you to have a say and to contribute towards the future of agriculture, and you will benefit from access to experts in food and farming policy, plus bonus perks.

Start your engines From the race track to the farmyard

Dementia and farming One family's experience with dementia

May 2024

“I do not sit in the shadow of those who farmed before me” Naomi Williams-Roberts on diversification

to level up your TikTok game

#NFU24

Behind the scenes at NFU Conference

sheep Low carbon of the scenes t Go behind ide projec an industry-w

Grow your business

l Farmer Wil Island and Love Meet TikTok l Young star Wil

the future Farming for sion to From succes ion diversificat

Hannah's venture into British cut flowers is blooming

NEURODIVERSITY

January 202

4

Why we need to increase awarene ss in agriculture

Join the largest and most influential farming association and receive: • Student Farmer magazine and British Farmer & Grower or Farming Wales magazine delivered to your door • The latest news and briefings from our policy experts in NFU Bulletin and sector-specific and regional e-newsletters • Be the first to find out and register for our online NFU live events and don't miss your opportunity to watch our conference stream • Welfare of Animals in Transport test for £42 (+VAT) • Up to 15% off airport parking and hotels with APH • Save an exclusive 20% online with Sophie Allport • Access Lantra’s agricultural health and safety e-learning for FREE • Huge savings on Merlin Entertainment (Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and more) • 25% off ATV helmets and safety clothing from Spada • Free debt advice from PayPlan.

to prepare for a job interview

MENTAL HEALTH

healthy Striking a a balance as new entrant

Forging ahead zing a trail Daniel's bla mithing art of blacks

nt

in the ancie

24 Farmer Ambassadors SS OFden20 CLA t & Young the new Stu Meet

SIX REASONS TO JOIN It’s open to all students and young farmers, 30 years old and under

Student Farmer and British Farmer & Grower or Farming Wales magazines delivered to your door

Be the first to find out and register for our online NFU live events and don’t miss your opportunity to watch our conference stream

Keep up to date with a unique login to NFUonline.com and NFU newsletters

Discounts on WATO test, Spada, Merlin Entertainment and more

Have your say and contribute towards the future of British farming!

Follow us on social media

@studentfarmer

46

2402166.indd 46

SCAN THE QR CODE TO JOIN

or visit NFUonline.com/student or call 0370 428 1401

September 2024

11/09/2024 13:48:15

Grow your career with a WCUC degree Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC) specialises in degree-level, technical and professional courses aimed at preparing you for your future career. We offer a wide curriculum across our group of colleges including Bachelor’s degrees, Foundation degrees, with higher and degree apprenticeships.

Studying with WCUC provides a number of benefits, including: • Small group sizes so you will receive lots of individual attention and support • Expert lecturers who are not only highly qualified but have experience working in industry • Innovative teaching approaches that blend theory and practice • High-quality physical resources including specialist equipment for each technical and professional area

Subjects on offer for 2025-26: • Moreton Morrell College - Animal & Canine - Equine - Veterinary Nursing - Veterinary Physiotherapy

• Pershore College - Sustainable Horticultural Technology (Agritech) - Veterinary Nursing FdSc

Book on to an open event to find out more: • Moreton Morrell College // Saturday 12 October 2024, 10am – 1pm • Pershore College // Saturday 19 October 2024, 10am – 1pm

To book your place, visit:

Powered by

wcuc.ac.uk/degreeopenevents September 2024

2360796.indd 47

47

10/09/2024 09:56:30

Tough boots break new ground...

Stocked in stores nationwide.

2360798.indd 48

sales@rockfall.com +44 (0)1773 608616 10/09/2024 09:56:36