SPRING JOURNAL 2015 • ISSUE 255
www.thefarmersclub.com
Farmers Club INSIDE Club news p4 Climate change p8 Spring cropping p10 BASIS for success p11 Farm show prospects p15 Dairy futures p17 Under 30s event p21
Education in focus College success at Askham Bryan & Newton Rigg (p6) and studio school launch at Kingston Maurward (p12)
w w w .t Vi hef a la sit te u rm st s f e Cl or rsc ub a l lu ne l th b.c om w e s
INSERTS La Traviata Chile Tour 2016 Henley Royal Regatta Spring & Summer Events
Contents
Farmers Club Over 170 years of service to farming 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL Patron – Her Majesty The Queen
FRONT COVER Education in focus with success at Askham Bryan and Newton Rigg (p6) and a novel approach to young students at Kingston Maurward (p12). Photo credit: Newton Rigg. Disclaimer: The articles published in The Farmers Club Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of The Farmers Club. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in the magazine can be accepted by the publisher. Advertisements are included in good faith’. All rights reserved.
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Chairman’s Comments Youthful vigour ushers in new year
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Club News & Calendar Membership survey attracts a most welcome response
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Monday Evening Lecture Liz Philip spoke with passion about the renaissance of Askham Bryan and Newton Rigg colleges – farm education is delivering
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Climate change Sir John Krebs outlines the challenges and upsides of climate change for UK farmers at 2015 Oxford Farming Conference
10 Spring cropping More spring crops could make better sense than extra acres
11 BASIS for success Registration body has key role to play in protecting pesticides
12 Studio school A novel approach to educating younger students is finding huge favour in Dorset, with rural issues top of the curriculum
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15 Farm shows RASC conference in Australia considers future for farm shows
16 Latest research A novel science centre aims to exploit synergies by uniting its research efforts across pig and poultry sectors
17 Dair y futures New charity helps fledgling dairy farms succeed
18 Farming figures How UK farming compares with its competition
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20 Under 30s New U30s Chairman looks forward to leading a near record membership of 300-plus into the new year
21 Spring U30 event Stunning new members evening saw Under-30s buzzing
22 Club Information and Contacts
02 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2015
Chairman’s Comments • Anne Chamberlain
U30s Chairmen whom I brought together in January for dinner. I wished to know this 28-45 year old age group's needs of the Club - now, as they push on with their careers and raise families, and in the future.
Royal and Smithfield Shows They pointed out that the demise of the Royal Show meant there was no longer any event in the Club's annual calendar where all members could get together. ‘We used to meet up at the Royal and it was a good networking opportunity,’ was a typical comment. The national social opportunities offered by the Royal and Smithfield (when in London) are challenging to replace, but I hope to see many members of all ages at the Game Fair Reception.
Chairman’s Comments “Agriculture, with its pivotal role in both the food chain and the care of our countryside, has thrown off its unattractive image and is seen as a desirable and relevant career destination by a healthy percentage of young people.”
AS I write six weeks into my year as Chairman of the Club my mood is buoyant. This derives from youth not my own, but three events where the emphasis has been on young people, their plans for careers and lives in agriculture and their related needs of our Club. The most recent was the Under 30s New Members Dinner in early February where my husband Denis and I joined a Club-capacity 90 Under 30s in an atmosphere pulsating with positive energy. The Under 30s currently has a near record membership of approaching 350. The dress was optional white or black tie and opera singer and Under 30s Member, Jennifer Simpson, entertained us with an excellent short performance. The whole event was a thoroughly effective antidote to concerns that not enough talented young people are choosing careers in farming and related industries. The members present mostly knew exactly where they were going, and how the Club can enhance their professional, farming and social lives. John Jaques has now taken over the chairmanship from Beth Hockham and his Vice Chairman is Mary Bell. I wish John and Mary well for their year and look forward to a joint Under 30s and main Club reception at the CLA Game Fair at 5pm at Harewood House on Saturday 1st August (see page 5). ‘More events where the Under 30s and the main Club get together’ is a recurring request from the current Under 30s and also from a group of former
The former U30s chairmen, their spouses and partners, also welcomed the Club taking a familyfriendly stance at Easter, in August and at weekends; they wished to see more Club events where ‘farmers like me can discuss common problems and opportunities’; they keep in touch through Facebook and Twitter; and they like the Club dress code as it stands. Having sampled dinner and breakfast at the Club they very much approve the new menu with its emphasis on British produce and seasonal food.
Monday Evening Lecture The first Farmers Club Monday Evening Lecture in January reflected the youthful theme of the early months of 2015. Liz Philip, Principal and Chief Executive of Askham Bryan and Newton Rigg Colleges, tackled the topic: Is Agricultural Education Delivering? (full report page 6-7). Askham Bryan took over struggling Newton Rigg in August 2011, and invested £5.438m. From a low point of 1100 students the two colleges are now equipping 5,000 students for roles in farming and the countryside. Ninety-four per cent of final year students secure jobs or go on to further education. Liz said: “Our aim is to remove every barrier that could prevent a young person from developing and to help them raise their horizons". That certainly echoes my view. Agriculture, with its pivotal role in both the food chain and the care of our countryside, has thrown off its unattractive image and is seen as a desirable and relevant career destination by a healthy percentage of young people. My first few weeks as Club Chairman have been uplifting and encourage me to believe that the future of our industry is indeed in good hands. • Next Monday Evening Lecture, April 13th at 6.30pm, Feeding our farm animals in 2025. Could algae be the future?
AGM calling notice The Farmers Club will be holding its 173rd Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 7th July at 12 noon in the Hudson and Committee Rooms of the Club. All Club members are invited to attend.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 03
Stephen Skinner • Club News
Club News Membership survey helps set Club agenda
Club Merchandise For those who have been in the Club recently you will have noticed that we have started selling various items bearing the Club’s logo, including bottles of English Whisky with the logo engraved on the bottle, bottles of our own-label Port, as well as some soon-to-bedelivered leather items, such as wallets, passport holders and luggage labels. For those seeking a smaller gift we also have branded tins of travel lozenges, packs of jelly beans and other sweets. We are also awaiting delivery of the new, higher quality, Club tie bearing our new logo. These items will be displayed on the website very soon. But for a better look do ask at Reception to see the quality of these items – which I happen to think is very good!
A huge thank you to everyone who completed and returned our recent survey. At the time of writing we have had nearly 1150 responses which will unquestionably give us a clear steer on the key issues for the Committee and myself to work on in the coming years. The number of returns we have had represents 30% of the total e-mail surveys sent out with every age group well represented. This is an exceptional return rate. However, it also highlights the fact that there are a good number of members we do not have e-mail
addresses for. So, do we have your email address or if so, do we have the right one? To ensure we have your correct e-mail address simply send an e-mail to update@thefarmersclub.com As for drawing conclusions from the survey, it is too early to do this but from what I have seen so far, many questions have elicited clear majority responses. Naturally, once the results have been analyzed, we will inform you of what was said, the conclusions drawn and the actions to be taken – just as we did with the 2013 Survey.
Windsor Leadership Trust Bursaries Due to the incredible generosity of Mrs Stella Muddiman, and now of Mr Paul Bush too, we have been able to continue awarding Bursaries to some of the brightest and best within the agricultural sector. This course, which involves spending five days at St George’s House within the walls of Windsor Castle with others who have been specially selected from their sectors, public and non-public alike, has proven to be of enormous value to all who have attended.
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With the financial backing behind us, a panel, chaired by Groceries Adjudicator Christine Tacon, with Lesley King-Lewis, CEO of the Windsor Leadership Trust and myself, interviewed a number of excellent candidates. The standard required and the level of experience needed meant only one bursary was awarded on this occasion. But while the bar is set high for selection, we are very keen to hear from you if you know of someone who really does stand out. More detail can be found at www.thefarmersclub.com
Afternoon tea Our special Saturday Afternoon Tea service – starting on 7th March – is served between 2pm and 4.30pm in the Lounge and Shaw Room, with places bookable in advance. The price is £15 per person or £20 per person including a glass of Champagne.
Balmoral Show IRISH rugby star Rory Best is to speak at the Farmers Club Balmoral pre-show dinner, which will be held in the President’s Marquee on the showground on the evening of Tuesday 12th May. Rory, whose family farms at Poyntzpass, County Armagh, has won 166 caps as hooker and captain for Ulster and 80 caps for Ireland. He studied agriculture at Newcastle University. See insert to book your attendance.
Luggage room Could I remind all members that bags and suitcases left in the luggage room must be labelled with your name and date they are placed there? I would also ask members who have left bags in here for an extensive period to please remove them. We are once again working our way through the various left items and if we cannot identify them then they will have to be disposed of.
Club News • Stephen Skinner
2015
Enhancement Works As ever, we keep looking to refurbish and develop the Club, and this year we have a program that I hope members will value. The first thing we are doing is completely refurbishing the gent’s toilets on the lower ground floor. These are, to be fair, in an appalling state. The intent is to change this large space into both a ladies and gentlemen’s toilets (although not joint).
Club Calendar Diary Dates Please check the dates carefully as they sometimes change and new dates are added for each issue. Details of Club events circulated in the previous issues are available from the Secretariat on 020 7930 3751. For more information on Club events, including further details on these events and new events as they are added to the Calendar, visit the Events area of the Club website www.thefarmersclub.com
MARCH Rubens and His Legacy Exhibition – FULL
Next will be a complete redecoration of the Eastwood Room, which is also in need of some serious TLC. This will happen over the Easter period and should attract back people who may have been put off in the past. During the summer we will improve some of the bedrooms on the seventh floor, including the creation of an en-suite bathroom in Room 21, and dedicated bathrooms (though not en-suite) for Rooms 23 and 24. Work will also continue to improve the condition of the corridors and many other areas besides.
The Shaw Room
Friday 13th Exhibition of art by Rubens and those inspired by him, with lunch at The Club before.
Under 30s Spring Dining Evening
Sensational Rubens at the RA
Friday 20th Dinner with speaker James Thompson of Beeswax Farming
APRIL St. George’s Day Lunch Thursday 23rd Luncheon at the Club to mark the national day of England. Speaker: Lord Cameron of Dillington. Application form enclosed.
St Georges Dinner
MAY Royal Balmoral Show Tuesday 12th Dinner with speaker Irish rugby star Rory Best.
Under 30s Farm Walk Mid-May Weekend in Oxford with various events.
Dukeries
Dukeries Estates visit Tuesday 19th – Thursday 21st Visiting a range of leading farming and diversification enterprises in Nottinghamshire.
JUNE Royal Highland Show dinner
Do come and see the new bookcase we have in the Shaw Room. I say new, but it actually dates back to the late 16th Century and comes to us through the good offices of the Newcombe family who wanted it to have a good home. The effect is that we now have a library within this room, something Honorary Treasurer George Jessel has long wanted. Should you have any books on agriculture (in its widest sense), that are of value and you wish to donate to the Club, we would be delighted to consider them. Do please call me or e-mail.
Royal Highland Show
La Traviata Opera Friday 19th Dinner in the Club and coach transfer to the opera. Application form enclosed
Ireland visit
Ireland visit
Monday 22nd – Thursday 25th Insights into the strategy of Ireland’s food and farming sector, its dairy industry, National Stud, and advisory service Teagasc.
JULY Henley Royal Regatta
Spring menu Spring is on its way and our latest restaurant menu reflects a season of growth with a wonderful array of new dishes, including Smoked Cod Loin with Spinach, Poached Hen’s Egg and Mustard Cream, followed by Guinea Fowl, Woodland Mushroom Mousse and Creamed Spring Greens with Bacon, and Champagne Rhubarb and Bramley Apple Charlotte with Custard Sauce to finish. Members are strongly advised to book a table if they anticipate eating at the Club.
Wednesday 17th Dinner on the eve of the Royal Highland Show with guest speaker James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink.
Sunday 5th See p22 for more details. Application form enclosed.
Henley Royal Regatta
Royal Welsh Show Monday 20th Drinks reception on the showground.
Royal Welsh Show
Web updates For more information on Club events, including further details on these events and new events as they are added to the Calendar, visit the Events area of the Club website www.thefarmersclub.com
www.thefarmersclub.com • 05
Charles Abel • Club Lecture
Monday evening Lecture The Club’s first Monday Evening Lecture tackled agricultural education. Charles Abel reports on a fascinating evening
to be debating the key issues facing our industry,” explained Club Chairman Anne Chamberlain, who had the original idea for a series of pre-dinner lectures. (Members can also engage in the Club’s on-line discussions in the Debate area of the website www.thefarmersclub.com). The events are timed to run just before or after the Club’s Committee meetings, ensuring good attendance and a healthy ‘buzz’, with plenty of topical debate. Liz explained how her role as Principal and Chief Executive of the combined Askham Bryan and Newton Rigg Colleges and leader of the National Centre of the Uplands put her firmly at the sharp end of agricultural education. Under her leadership Askham Bryan College near York successfully took over and rejuvenated Newton Rigg College in Cumbria, showing just what was possible. Formed in 1896 as a dairy school it hit difficult times in 1997, lost its dairy herd to foot and mouth disease in 2001 and was threatened with closure after an “inadequate” OFSTED report in 2009.
Newton Rigg £2.6m dairy Askham Bryan won a competition to take on the college, invested £5.438m, including £2.6m for a state-of-the-art high health and welfare dairy unit, and now provides expert learning for a new generation of young people seeking inspirational careers in the farming industry. From a low point of 1100 students the two colleges are now equipping 5,000 students with the skills needed to support a vibrant farming industry. Their combined turnover is £29.5m, with 500 staff and five farms covering over 1000ha (2,500 acres), including 460 dairy cows, 50 suckler cows, 1100 ewes, cereals, oilseed rape, potatoes, peas and carrots. New £2.6m dairy at Newton Rigg gives students a fabulous insight into working in the industry. Photo: Newton Rigg.
“From a low point of 1100 students the two colleges are now equipping 5,000 students with the skills needed to support a vibrant farming industry”
THE exciting new Farmers Club Monday Evening Lecture series got off to a flying start with over 45 members and guests attending the inaugural lecture on Monday 26th January, where agricultural education expert Liz Philip delivered a fascinating paper and fielded a wide range of questions. Liz, who is Principal of Askham Bryan and Newton Rigg Colleges, tackled the topic: Is Agricultural Education Delivering? Judging by progress at the colleges she oversees it certainly is.
One measure of success is that 94% of final year students secure jobs or go on to further education, Around a third of them come from non-farming backgrounds, their fresh thinking providing a much needed “hybrid” vigour. That is a marked contrast to the situation a dozen years ago, when the numbers studying agriculture had fallen, some key learning providers had opted out of agriculture altogether and the industry was failing to attract its share of the bright young minds on which its future success could be based.
Establishing a successful format for future evening lectures the talk was delivered in the Club’s Committee room, starting at 6:30pm and lasting for an hour, including a wide range of stimulating questions. Attendance is free, open to all members (and one guest each), and includes a glass of wine.
The quality, breadth and relevance of the courses on offer and a renaissance in interest in food and farming have worked together to attract good students. “Our aim is to remove every bar that could prevent a young person from developing and to help them raise their horizons. The aim is to turn out students who are thoroughly grounded, so they can do the jobs required within the industry.”
“These events reflect, in a modest way initially, the original aim of Mr Shaw of the Strand, for the Club
The challenge now is to ensure educators remain enthused and the best calibre students are attracted.
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Club Lecture • Charles Abel
Equipping young people to meet the needs of the industry is the goal.
Specifically briefing 65 local careers advisers on the merits of a career in farming boosted the calibre of students applying over the past four years. And numbers of applicants have risen to such an extent that not all can be accepted. Paying educators well and encouraging them to engage in their own research, so they can inspire their students, is also important. At Newton Rigg green cow bedding, based on recycled manure solids, is one area under scrutiny. A £36,000 separator produces the 37% dry matter material, which has no odour, encourages cows to lie, keeps them clean, reduces hock lesions and lameness, and cuts bedding costs by £100/cow. But careful management is essential. Turning regularly, to reduce temperature build up, is essential to avoid rising cell counts and mastitis, especially in the summer. There is some concern that Defra wants to ban its use from 2016, but with the right management that need not happen, Ms Philip suggested.
The Club’s inaugural Monday Evening Lecture saw good attendance and healthy debate.
example. Community engagement, such as an annual lambing Sunday, which took in £18,000 in gate fees last year, also improved perceptions of farming careers. Greater collaboration between colleges made good sense, with the concept of a National College now being discussed, she noted. Whilst salary remained a prime driver for attracting the best applicants into the industry, role models had their part to play too. “There is no doubt that people like Adam Henson have done a lot to make the industry more appealing.”
Liz Philip – Principal of Askham Bryan and Newton Rigg Colleges.
The bottom line was that farming was now seen as an appealing career option and education centres were responding to that with increasingly vibrant offerings. “There is a real confidence returning,” she concluded.
Community engagement
• Watch out for details of the next Monday Evening Lecture, addressing animal feed technology, which is scheduled for Monday 13th April at 6:30pm.
Strong industry support is helping colleges too, with Askham Bryan and Newton Rigg benefitting from support from McCain, Asda and Agrovista, for
• More info at: www.askham-bryan.ac.uk and www.newtonrigg.ac.uk www.thefarmersclub.com • 07
Charles Abel • Climate Change
Climate Change Upsides UK farming has much to do to address climate change, visitors to the Oxford Farming Conference heard. Charles Abel reports
“In the 10,000 years since the dawn of agriculture the climate had been very stable. There is no precedent for the change we face, so we will need all the technology we can muster.”
FARMERS must rise to the challenge of climate change, striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapting their businesses to cope, and even profiting from it. That was the message from Lord John Krebs, former chief executive of the Natural Environment Research Council, founding chairman of the Food Standards Agency and Fellow of the Royal Society, as he delivered the Oxford Farming Conference’s Frank Parkinson lecture: Climate change – challenge or opportunity. Climate change was incontrovertible, he said. Since 1900 global temperatures were up 0.8C, and with 2014 being the UK’s warmest year on record, 8 out of the 10 warmest years had now been recorded since 2002. Accurately predicting local changes may not yet be possible, but change was coming, he said. Farming businesses needed to build in resilience. “We can’t gamble on the weather with our food production.” Prof Krebs believed science could help UK agriculture thrive, with world food demand providing a real opportunity as the global climate changed. Significantly, in the 10,000 years since the dawn of agriculture the climate had been very stable. “There is no precedent for the change we face, so we will need all the technology we can muster.”
Mitigation To prevent catastrophic changes mitigation measures were needed, so UK farming needed
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to reduce greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions. It currently accounted for 10% of UK emissions. If cuts in other sectors emerged as expected, and agriculture did nothing, it would be responsible for 30% of UK emissions by 2050. Progress so far had been mixed, with emissions appearing to be down 20% since 1990. But little of that was from active efforts, the biggest single contributor being a drop in livestock numbers, due to EU farm policy. Indeed, ghg emissions per tonne of farm produce had fallen very little. “Voluntary action plans may not be up to the job when a 25% reduction is needed in 15 years,” he warned. Smarter fertiliser use, diet changes in sheep and cattle, and genetic work would help. Three-quarters of such changes would bring net financial savings for farming, he noted. On meat consumption, he noted that beef and lamb had a carbon footprint roughly five times that of chicken, three times that of pork, 30 times that of bread wheat and 50 times that of potatoes. “Even allowing for their different nutritional values that is significant.”
Adaptation According to the Government’s Climate Change Risk Assessment the biggest risks for the UK were around water – too much from greater winter rainfall, and too little from worse summer droughts. There would also be new diseases, loss of soils to erosion and extreme heat-wave threats to animals and crops.
Climate Change • Charles Abel
Taken overall the impacts on the UK may be relatively benign, so opportunities to produce more food relative to others elsewhere around the world would be good, as global commodity supply chains changed, he suggested. Many parts of the Mediterranean basin, for example, would become more like the Sahara desert by the end of the century, impacting fruit and salad production in particular, he said. Some adaptation would happen automatically, such as new crops and varieties. But others required longer term planning. Australian wine producers confronted by grapes ripening two weeks earlier and in a far shorter season were buying land in cooler Tasmania and investing in extra fermentation facilities, since successive fermentation was no longer possible. Zero carbon branded wine was one way of exploiting a new market opportunity.
Water Fresh water was most likely to be the most limiting factor, he said. Each apple contained 70 litres of embedded water, while 1kg of steak contained 15,000 litres. Regional pressure points set to become very water stressed by the 2050s were East Anglia, the Thames Valley, South-East and Humberside. Over the next 20 years or so the gap between supply and demand could be equivalent to all the water currently used by agriculture – 120bn litres/year. Increasing supply through storage, and reducing demand through smarter irrigation and less thirsty crops, was important. In Israel, for example, mainly drip irrigation achieved 90% efficiency, compared with around 50% efficiency in the UK. Grey water disposal at sea and poultry waste incineration may need re-thinking, to make better use of water and organic matter, he added. Erosion was relevant too. Silt laden water from bare maize ground contributed to flooding intensity, he noted.
R&D More R&D was needed, and its demise helped explain why UK agriculture was now bottom of the league table for efficiency amongst 11 EU countries and the USA – performing with half the efficiency of Denmark, 40% of the USA, and well below France, Germany, Italy and Greece. The Government’s new £160m AgriTech strategy acknowledged that. But it was too early to say how helpful it might be. “There is no doubt that we are going to need all the technology we can muster.” Agriculture had achieved great results in the second half of the 20th Century – the green revolution using improved varieties, nutrition and agrochemicals, irrigation and mechanisation, to boost output. But the environmental cost was not sustainable. “And that’s why the next revolution will have to be even more remarkable, and needs
UK agriculture must be much more ambitious if it is to not only cope with climate change, but help slow its onset and even profit from it, Prof John Krebs told this year’s Oxford Farming Conference.
to harness all technologies, including GM, precision agriculture and big data,” he said. “Agriculture needs to be ambitious, and not complacent, if it is to rise to the challenges of climate change, and also the opportunities.” • See the whole talk at: www.ofc.org.uk/videos/2015/lord-john-krebs
www.thefarmersclub.com • 09
Charles Abel • Arable
Spring cropping swing
£103/ha loss before support If the margin from production is considered, before support payments, the result is even more stark – moving from a £59/ha loss to a £103/ha loss. Multiplied across the whole area being farmed the business makes less money, for more work. “There is a real risk of falling into the ‘busy fools’ trap,” warned Richard King, the company’s head of business research. Significantly the expansion approach assumes gross margins on the new land match those on the existing land. That is often not the case, either because the land is inferior, or management focus slips, leading to performance declines across the whole farm, Andersons noted. Added pressure comes from the new Basic Payment Scheme cutting most farms’ support payments by around 20% between 2013 and 2019. Some producers in Scotland and Wales face much greater drops.
More spring peas and beans Growing more spring pulses and a spring cereal may make more sense. The Loam Farm model moves the rotation to winter wheat, followed by spring peas or spring beans, then winter oilseed rape, followed by spring barley or triticale, with over-wintered cover crops before spring crops While such a shift demands more radical and longer term change than expanding the acreage, Andersons modelling reveals valuable opportunities to spread workload, cut labour and machinery costs, control grass and other weeds, and build soil fertility and organic matter using over-wintered stubbles and cover crops. More spring cropping makes better economic sense than more acres, Andersons advised at LAMMA.
“Costs can be cut drastically, especially overheads, with a suggested fall from a conventional system’s £410/ha to £293/ha.”
SPREADING costs across more hectares is an increasingly ineffective knee-jerk reaction to rising input costs, falling farm support and indifferent crop prices, says Andersons, the farm business consultants. Speaking at the LAMMA machinery show in Peterborough the company’s James Severn said the UK cereals sector had largely adopted a high-cost system based on moving large volumes of soil in a small period of time during the autumn, with a heavy reliance on increasingly costly variable inputs.
Lower yields may cut gross output, and Andersons figures assume quality specifications are met for the spring pulses, but costs can be cut drastically, especially overheads, with a suggested fall from a conventional system’s £410/ha to £293/ha. Variable costs would drop from £427/ha to £392/ha. The change would take time, and would demand ruthless culling of costs. But in a volatile market a lower output/lower input business can provide greater stability, Andersons concluded.
Combined with a continued upward trend in overhead costs, and slide in support payments, margins were under pressure. But taking on extra acres to spread costs was an increasingly costly mistake. The impact is highlighted in Andersons’ 600ha combinable crop Loam Farm business model. It shows that taking on an additional 200ha (500 acres) at a typical 3-year FBT rent of £500/ha (£202/acre) cuts profit per hectare (including support) from £158/ha to £107/ha.
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FBT rental values show no signs of dropping James Severn.
Avoid the ‘busy fools’ trap – Richard King.
Pesticides • Charles Abel
BASIS has unique role to play ONLY BASIS is able to deliver some of the key services required by the agricultural industry, particularly as pressure continues to bear down upon its use of pesticide products, managing director Rob Simpson told the British Academy in London recently. Its unique pedigree – developed by the industry for the industry – meant that in many ways it was the only institution able to accredit standards for agrochemical advice and storage. “BASIS has an increasingly important role in raising standards in the use of crop protection, plant nutrition and much more. Its roots go back to 1978 when Britain’s crop protection industry realised the need to raise the standards of the way it did business. It was one of the first examples of a range of voluntary initiatives that enabled standards to be set without the need for complex and bureaucratic regulation,” he said. BASIS Registration Ltd has been successfully delivering professional pesticide and nutrition qualifications to those in the agriculture and amenities sectors for over 33 years, with more than 9,500 members across its professional registers.
Expertise There is considered to be no other body with as much expertise or experience as BASIS when it comes to training and certifying skilled professionals in these technically challenging industries. Only BASIS can provide assurance to the public, government and independent organisations, that the people applying pesticides to our farmland, parks and public spaces are trained, responsible and have due regard for the environment.
standards, such as FACTS for crop nutrition, PROMPT for pest control, and RAMPS for those using aluminium phosphide. There was also an increasingly high level of academic qualifications being achieved by BASIS candidates.
Accreditation “The whole industry can be proud of what BASIS has achieved. Our academic criteria are set at a high level and are subject to continuing scrutiny by the accrediting organisation, Harper Adams University. Advisers who hold the hard-won BASIS qualification provide a considerable ‘due diligence’ response to those who campaign for more and more products to be removed from the agrochemical armoury. “The engagement of the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) and the Environment Agency within our governance structure shows the level of support we have. It ensures we continue to meet policy aims, such as those set out in the recently introduced Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 and the Water Framework Directive. “Only BASIS has the in-depth knowledge and experience of providing training, assurance and accreditation across so many related sectors, and we believe that only BASIS can deliver the breadth and depth of schemes and qualifications that it does.” • For more about BASIS see: www.basis-reg.co.uk/
Rob Simpson, Managing Director of BASIS.
“4990 advisers are registered on the BASIS Crop Protection Register, working for manufacturing companies or distributors; as agronomists; and, increasingly, as farmers and farm managers.”
“Today some 4990 advisers are registered on the BASIS Crop Protection Register, working for manufacturing companies or distributors; as agronomists; and, increasingly, as farmers and farm managers.” He explained how BASIS is constantly innovating and talked about the introduction of specific industry
Harper Adams University is the accreditation organisation for BASIS examinations.
Protecting the future use of pesticides is the goal for BASIS – as dark clouds gather over the use of many popular products.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 11
Clare Davison • Education
Novel school launched How do you inspire the future generation of farmers? By creating a pioneering new school dedicated to capturing enthusiasm and teaching vital skills from a very young age, explains Farmers Club member Clare Davison
Tom Doggrell, aged 14, a student at Dorset Studio School.
Clare Davison Principal and Chief Executive Kingston Maurward College Dorchester www.kmc.ac.uk
KINGSTON Maurward College in Dorset prides itself on being at the sharp end of education and training. Our key mission is to attract more young people into the environmental and land-based sector, something we have achieved successfully for over 60 years. But most of our full-time students join us aged 16.
scruffy, uninviting image to become a sought after career destination. The range of qualifications on offer at the Studio School ensures the best possible chance of progression to related Traineeships, Apprenticeships, Further and Higher Education and employment with training.
We have been very aware for some time of an increasing number of 13 and 14 year olds with a renewed interest in land-based subjects who currently attend mainstream schools. As a management team we wanted to set a precedent for encouraging these bright young minds to consider an environmental and land-based education, and have achieved this with the opening of the country’s first environment and land based Studio School here last September.
Growing gap
Studio Schools are a new type of state school, offering a new way of learning within the context of specialist subjects. In 2014 the College, in partnership with the Thomas Hardye School, our local outstanding academy school, secured approval from the Department for Education to go ahead. Students attending Dorset Studio School can continue to study full-time for GCSEs and A levels, but within the context of an environmental and land-based curriculum and qualifications. Sport and recreational activity, citizenship and enrichment form the remainder of the timetable, with students able to tailor curriculum choices to their personal preferences. An environmental and land-based curriculum combined with core skills in English, Maths, Science and IT is proving attractive, especially as food and farming in particular has long since shaken off its
12 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2015
The Studio School concept directly addresses the growing gap between the skills and knowledge that young people need to succeed in the sector, through longer school days, year round opening, and built in work experience that makes the school feel more like a workplace. It has clearly chimed with parents and students, as recruitment is strong and the school is oversubscribed. Many of our students say this route is preparing them well for a career in a highly technical and rewarding sector, which also requires excellent practical skills. They enjoy and thrive in the environment our college estate offers, with 300 hectare grounds, a fully commercial farm with two pedigree cattle herds, an animal park visitor attraction and a Grade 1 listed mansion house within Grade II listed gardens. At the heart of this bold new approach lies teaching through enterprise projects and real work, with a strong focus on employability. It is fundamentally different to the provision in mainstream schools, where land-based resources are often scarce or non-existent, and where in-depth knowledge of environmental and land-based career opportunities is limited or out of date. In fact, our beautiful college estate provides a range of resources that it would be difficult to match
Education • Clare Davison
elsewhere, as we have been able to attract millions of pounds in new investment, giving students direct access to leading-edge agricultural, animal science, horticultural and woodland facilities. We are convinced that sponsoring this initiative will result in many more young people knowing about the breadth of opportunity in the environmental and land-based industries, and encourage them to consider taking the step towards this at the age of 13.
Business support Another cornerstone of success has been the support of local business and sector organisations. The new school has received backing from the National Trust, RSPCA and the Royal Veterinary College, whilst local employers have joined the School Governing Body, working tirelessly to develop and help implement a curriculum which is challenging and highly technical, but also very practical. The first year students are studying in existing College accommodation, but are looking forward to the opening of a new £3.5m state-of-the-art building in August 2015. That will mean the school could have the capacity to teach 375 students. So, our main message to young people and parents is simple: You do not have to ‘give up’ on academic provision to take this route. The combination of academic and vocational study at Dorset Studio School is a powerful one, and one that will drive Dorset students to be at the forefront of a much bigger ambition to attract more young people into this vibrant and important sector to ensure its future success.
“We are convinced this will result in many more young people knowing about the breadth of opportunity in the environmental and land-based industries.” www.thefarmersclub.com • 13
Andrew Brown • Challengers
Farming antagonist George Monbiot
Club in the thick of it refereeing Monbiot spat “We ignore those who are critical of us at our peril and the old saying of ‘keep your friends close but your enemies closer’ has never been more relevant.”
ONE of the most engaging sessions at this year’s influential Oxford Farming Conference saw one of the industry’s most vociferous opponents, George Monbiot, slam the ‘hypocrisy’ of modern farming, in a session chaired by former Farmers Club Committee member Andrew Brown. I really wanted to emphasise the OFC’s Challenge, Inform, Inspire strap line, so I lined up a session including well know critic and Guardian columnist George Monbiot, David Caffall of the Agricultural Industries Confederation and Louise Labuschagne, who promotes novel approaches to pest control in Kenya, he writes. Louise was first to take to the stage and delivered a fascinating paper on integrated pest management and bio-control techniques used in high value vegetable crops for export. The methods could be used on widely grown UK crops too. So her plea was that we become more receptive and open the “sodding” gate to this type of technology.
Provocative paper Next was George Monbiot, who delivered a typically provocative paper, without notes or slides, in a very eloquent manner. He is one of the best speakers I have ever heard. He started by thanking delegates for leaving their shotguns at home, and then went on to outline the very unfair way benefits are being cut to the poorest in society, whilst large land owners receive millions from the EU just for having the land. David Caffall followed with the industry perspective, and how the loss of pesticide active ingredients will have a devastating effect on the agricultural economy if we let the trend continue. The Q&A session was lively, with a clearly furious NFU Deputy President Minette Batters rounding on George Monbiot. The master stroke was when Louise Labuschagne went behind George and David as they argued about pesticides, put her arms around them and said ‘we can work this out boys’. Her paper on bio-control sparked considerable media interest and it can only be a matter of time before we start using such techniques here.
Engage with critics I feel we must engage more with our critics and instead of treating them with suspicion we need to invite them to speak to us, so we can argue our case. Many delegates will have gone home from Oxford with Mr Monbiot’s words ringing in their ears. Some may even have been swayed by his arguments. We ignore those who are critical of us at our peril and the old saying of ‘keep your friends close but your enemies closer’ has never been more relevant. Minds, like parachutes, only work when they are open. For those who think they may one day like to be an OFC Director, I would have no hesitation in recommending the experience. Like me you will have a wonderful time. Farming’s arch critic George Monbiot stirred strong emotions at the Oxford Farming Conference session chaired by former Farmers Club Committee member Andrew Brown. 14 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2015
• For all the Oxford Farming Conference papers see: www.ofc.org/videos
Farm shows • Stephen Hutt
Tomorrow’s Agricultural Shows
HOSTED by The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) at the Brisbane Showgrounds the 2014 conference of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth addressed a broad topic – the sustainability of Agricultural shows – now and in the future.
The future of farm shows was debated at the 2014 RASC Conference in Brisbane, reports Stephen Hutt, chief executive of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
He suggested they should be ‘the greatest show on earth’ and made the interesting observation that people were looking for a more connected and collaborative form of engagement with business than ever before. Farmers held the key to success in their own hands, as ‘owners’ of the source of food production.
Such a significant question saw the conference start with a consideration of the fundamental issues that all events, agricultural shows included, had to deal with. Craig Davis, a marketeer with significant global brand experience, suggested agricultural shows were in danger of ‘dumbing down’ rather than re-designing themselves to project the real message of agriculture.
He indicated that people were not just interested in ‘what’ they bought, but also what motivated those who produced it, and the values they held.
Innovation – more from less This theme was taken up by the second keynote speaker, Dr Stefan Hajkowicz, Principal Scientist in Strategy and Foresight at the Australian research organisation CSIRO. He reviewed the key global trends and noted the significant economic development was the trend for innovation – getting more from less. This was something agriculture could demonstrate success in and was a theme that had to be maintained. He also noted that the trend of ‘Great Expectations’ was having a huge impact, with experience being a key skill commodity for the future.
Postcards from RASC Conference in Brisbane: Conference delegates outside the RNA Conference Centre (top); Princess Anne and Lord Vestey with RASC Fellows (left); Lord Vestey addresses delegates at the Tattershall Club, Brisbane (right).
Subsequent breakout sessions developed these themes into very practical applications. One session considered how to put together a successful entertainment programme – understanding the key drivers in a family’s decision to come to the Agricultural Show for a day out and particularly the role of the mother as the key decision maker. Tailoring entertainment to appeal to that audience was key.
Agricultural awareness Another session explored the role Agricultural Shows have in education and agricultural awareness. Here the aspects of industry and consumer education were deemed to have equal weight and importance.
“I left with a real sense of optimism and challenge, as well as a notebook bursting with ideas for the Royal Highland Show – dare I say it – The Greatest Show on Earth!!”
At the other end of the spectrum a lively debate was had about how best to encourage people to remain on the land, and how to attract people to move onto the land. This again drew in the desire of consumers to understand where their food comes from and the people that dedicate their lives to continuously improving its quality, quantity and variety – the farmers. Stephen Hutt, chief executive of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.
I left with a real sense of optimism and challenge, as well as a notebook bursting with ideas for the Royal Highland Show – dare I say it – The Greatest Show on Earth!! www.thefarmersclub.com • 15
Charles Abel • Livestock
Nutritional research
Pigs and poultry unite in Scotland
Currently SRUC has two large projects assessing the nutritional value of animal feed ingredients in relation to both pigs and poultry. The first is researching alternative sources of nutrition from faba beans (broad beans), while the other is looking into the nutritional value of rapeseed varieties. Both are part of ongoing work to find alternative food sources and technologies for monogastric species, which will reduce the UK farming industry’s reliance on imported feed such as soya bean meal. Pigs and poultry have much in common with each other biologically, and the centre will allow concepts developed for pigs to be explored in poultry, and vice versa, and open up the possibility of working on other monogastric species such as fish. For Dr Houdijk this cross-species emphasis will be essential in addressing future challenges, in particular those related to gut health. “The gut is incredibly important, both when it comes to efficiently processing food and effectively resisting disease, and there are many questions still to be answered when it comes to balancing these two priorities under the overall objective to increase sustainability of animal production systems. Our new Centre will help facilitate joint research in this area in the years ahead.” SRUC’s research and education activities operate from six campuses and eight farms and research centres across Scotland, while SAC Consulting supports more than 12,000 farms and rural businesses across the UK, from 25 consultancy offices and eight veterinary disease surveillance centres.
FARMERS CLUB WEBSITE
“The gut is incredibly important, both when it comes to efficiently processing food and effectively resisting disease.”
SCOTLAND’S Rural College has launched a new Monogastric Science Research Centre to focus its work on pigs and poultry, in particular bringing together vital research on nutrition. “This approach, integrating pig and poultry work, will enable us to bring two highly related fields together to the benefit of both areas,” says centre head Dr Jos Houdijk, one of SRUC’s senior animal scientists, who has spent many years at the forefront of animal nutrition and health research internationally. “We are already approached regularly by clients looking to do studies on both species, so launching this Centre is timely, appropriate and logical. The Centre will allow us to expand the cross-species approach, giving us the opportunity to take forward the concept of comparative biology to more such projects.”
16 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2015
Visit the new Club website (www.the farmersclub.com) for all the latest Club news and to book rooms and events on-line – it’s really all very easy, says Allan Stevenson (pictured), chairman of the Communications Sub-Committee. But don't fall at the first hurdle when the site asks for your eight-digit membership number. It is easy to find on the front of your Journal envelope or a recent statement, or by calling Membership Secretary Mark Fairbairn 020 7925 7102 or IT Manager Hamid Khaldi 020 7925 7108 during office hours, or simply e-mail itmanager@thefarmersclub.com
Dairy Farming • Charles Abel
Dairy Futures successful first year Price pressure in the dairy sector means tough times all round. But a new charity and collaboration group aim to ease the pressure and foster greater efficiencies in the sector. DAIRY Futures, the charity that offers support to new and growing dairy farm businesses, gave loans totalling £240,000 in its first year, as well as providing extensive business advice. Created to help new or expanding dairy farming businesses which do not own land it was launched in November 2013 and reviewed its first applicants in January 2014. Feedback was given on business plans, applicants visited and support provided to those who were successful in gaining a tenancy, expanding the herd in an existing tenancy or beginning a share farming agreement. A number of applicants were referred to Dairy Futures’ wholly owned loan company and received loans of between £25,000 and £100,000. “Dairy farming is tough to get into, with a high capital requirement, but we are now working with a number of successful new entrants, who show it is possible to find an opportunity to farm and to succeed,” says Dairy Futures chairman and tenant farmer David Homer.
“It is good to be able to fund solid business plans and add to what the banks are able to offer. While the backing offered can be for more than cows, in simple terms we’ve allowed the businesses we support to milk 30 to 40 more cows today than they would be otherwise. This is allowing them to operate at a scale where they can get their business up and running or expand to survive current low milk prices and thrive when milk prices recover.”
“Dairy farming is tough to get into, with a high capital requirement, but we are now working with a number of successful new entrants.”
New tenants, expanding tenants who have been dairy farming for less than 10 years, or new contract and share farmers can apply. Loans can be £25,000 to £100,000 based on an assessment of the viability of the plan and applicant skills. Eligible farmers can also apply for business support without a loan, including a review of a business plan and mentoring. The initiative is available to farmers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Its Trustees are David Homer (farmer), Paul Eggleston (farmer), Catherine Carless (nee Cross) (industry) and Mark Roach (farm manager). • For more information see: www.dairyfutures.org.uk
WOMEN IN DAIRY WOMEN In Dairy is a new group created by RABDF which is open to women directly engaged in dairy farming and those with an association and wanting to make a difference through collaboration. The initiative has been developed by RABDF Foundation for Collaboration – the Government’s £5m Dairy Fund package designed to enable English producers to strengthen their businesses through co-operation and ultimately secure their long term future in the sector. The groups’ objectives include a better understanding of finance and business
benchmarking, technical skills, getting to grips with succession planning and raising dairy’s profile. Regional groups established so far include: Cheshire and surrounding areas overseen by Promar International; and South West managed by DairyCo. “Women have an integral part to play on their own family dairy units, whilst others have responsible roles in the supply sector. Each has a massive role to play which is frequently underestimated,” says RABDF Foundation for Collaboration co-ordinator, Lucy Mellor.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 17
Charles Abel • 2016 Club Tour
Farming Figures A quick look at… UK farming’s slump in the global efficiency league… told through some key statistics
1.4% Growth in efficiency of UK agriculture since 1960s, well below comparable countries
65-90% Contribution of cost cutting to growth in profit, compared with just 10-30% from higher output
8 years Period in which UK agricultural income fell 2% behind rest of EU, after 19% slump in £:€ value
Half Rise in farm productivity since 1961 in UK compared with Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and New Zealand
£18,330 (€23,500) Net farm income per farm worker in UK, higher than most EU states
£30/100kg Cost of milk production in UK, compared with nearer £20/100kg in New Zealand and USA
£1,671/ha Difference in net margin between top and bottom 25% of English dairy farms
11% Average loan gearing ratio on UK farms, suggesting scope for more investment
-17% Change in Defra spending on agricultural R&D in 2011 (-3.5% ave 2002-2011)
£141m/year CAP Pillar 2 funding to boost competitiveness
Two-thirds Average farm profit growth from GM crops Sources: Andersons research for Oxford Farming Conference (www.ofc.org.uk)
18 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2015
2016 Club visit to Chile IN 2016 the Farmers Club overseas trip will be to Chile in South America. The twelve day visit, with optional add-ons for those who want to explore further, has been designed with both originality and an eye for detail, staying in charming family run hotels and secluded lodges. Organised and run by Exceptional Travel, the tour has been planned with an emphasis on delicious food, exquisite wines and an array of activities through spectacular and extraordinary scenery. Taking you to explore lesser known areas, there is the opportunity to walk, ride, fish and for the more adventurous there is even rafting and glacier hiking! Led and escorted by Hughie Arbuthnott, the itinerary is a little flavour of all that is loved about Chile, centred around good humour and total comfort. The tour will include Santiago with its vibrant nightlife; the Colchagua Valley wine country in the shadow of the Andes; Curico Valley with Chilean and Latin American cuisine from one of Chile's top chefs; and Northern Patagonia
with a diverse programme of walking, riding and days away marvelling at this magnificent scenery whilst drifting down the Baker River. The potential tour dates in 2016 are: • Sunday 17th – Thursday 28th January • Sunday 31st January – Thursday 11th February • Saturday 13th – Wednesday 24th February With several departures earmarked the Farmers Club will be hosting a drinks reception on Thursday 4th June where Hughie will be presenting the itinerary and answering any questions. Please use the insert in this issue of the Farmers Club Journal to register your interest, or e-mail: events@thefarmersclub.com Price is £3,995 per person (single supplement £440), to include internal travel & transfers, accommodation with private bathrooms, and all meals and drinks (including alcoholic drinks) throughout the twelve days. International flights are not included.
Charity • Charles Abel
THE Henry Plumb Foundation, created to support young people in agriculture, has made the first of what will be an annual apprenticeship award to City Farms. Visiting Surrey Docks Farm, Lord Henry Plumb, founder of the charity, met the first recipient Tom Goody who, as a volunteer at the farm, aspires to become a farmer. As an HPF apprentice Tom will receive funding, and be mentored by farmer and Worshipful Company of Farmers Liveryman Edward Hitchcock, while he works towards his Level 3 work-based Diploma in Animal Care (KEITS). “This really sums up what we are all about – to be able to help young people with enthusiasm and ideas and give them the confidence to make a difference to their own lives,” Lord Plumb commented. As a working farm in the heart of London, with cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits and chickens, Surrey Docks Farm has around 80 regular volunteers and, open all year round, receives approximately 50,000 visitors. It also runs training projects for adults with learning disabilities and a range of youth clubs. “I am delighted that we have formed a long term relationship with the Foundation allowing us to submit a candidate each year for support, helping us to support our City Farms network, as well as supporting young people coming into the industry,” said Surrey Docks Farm Community Projects Manager, Gemma Hooper. The Foundation aims to raise £2million, so annual income can provide scholarships and bursaries to young people and a mentoring network. Anyone interested in applying for support, becoming a mentor, or seeking to support the Foundation should visit: www.thehenryplumbfoundation.org.uk
4 million
acre land grab
City Farms apprentice Tom Goody receives his cheque from Lord Henry Plumb
Plumb backs City Farm The 85 page softback version with 22 colour illustrations, priced £10 inc p&p, is available from books@curlew.fsworld.co.uk or Curlew Court, Guys Head, Sutton Bridge, Lincs PE12 9QQ (01406 350848).
FOUR million acres grabbed by a needy, greedy King. It’s a headline that would catch attention today, and is exactly what Club member Peter Clery explains happened in Tudor times in his latest book The Monastic Estate.
Peter’s previous book, Green Gold – One Thousand Years of English Land sold over 1000 copies. Just 10 hardback copies remain priced £24.50 inc p&p.
“This has involved quite a lot of original research and has resulted in the conclusion that the monks and nuns accumulated some 4 million acres of good English land, and Henry VIII took the lot, with the help of Thomas Cromwell’s ‘administrative’ skills.”
Both books can be found on the Book of the Month table in the Club’s Shaw Room duringMarch, and in the new Club Library Bookcase afterwards.
Tudor intrigue in the Club
www.thefarmersclub.com • 19
John Jaques, Chairman; Mary Bell, Vice Chairman; Lisbeth Rune, Secretary • U30s
U30s
Focus on Future for former U30s
Chairman’s Jottings
No better time to become an Under 30s member... Parents: don’t skip this page – the perfect gift is just a proposal away, says John Jaques, new chairman of the Under 30s It is a great privilege to have been elected as the new Chairman of the Under 30s.
in June, kindly hosted by Bidwells, and the joint drinks reception with the Main Club at the CLA Game Fair in August. This all coupled with increasing opportunities for informal catch ups at the Club over a mid-week drink with fellow members and at the main Club’s organised Monday Evening Lectures (see pages 6+7), means there is no better time to become a member of the U30s!
I must firstly take this opportunity to thank Beth Hockham for all the hard work she has put into the U30s over the past year as Chairman and the continued invaluable support offered by Make sure that as a member you request to join our Facebook Group Lisbeth Rune, the U30s Club Secretary. for notifications and watch out for increased activity on social media. I am delighted to announce that Mary Bell has been elected as Vice Chairman this year. We will be supported by a strong committee of Kathryn Mitchell, JOHN JAQUES Holly Adams, Beth Hockham, Jake Pickering, Scott Hayles, Bradley Etchell, Job Title: Agribusiness Consultant Jonny Hawking, Charlotte Harris and Where: Bidwells, Oxford Emily McVeigh. Charlotte and Emily Interests: John enjoys a range are new to the committee this year. of rural pursuits, notably beagling when he studied at the Royal Looking forward to the months Agricultural College (at the ahead we will be hosting the usual time), Cirencester. After studying four dining evenings at the Club, towards a degree in Agriculture at starting with the Spring Dining Evening University, John joined the Velcourt on Friday 20th March. These dining Management Training Scheme, evenings will be followed with which involved farming in weekend activities to include visiting Norfolk and his home county of a City Farm, Club afternoon teas Lincolnshire, before moving to and a festive trip to Winter Wonderland Oxfordshire during spring 2014. later in the year – watch out for invitations being circulated. Contact: Anytime, by email at john.jaques@bidwells.co.uk The Spring Farm Walk will take us or on 07799 633304 to Oxford for a packed weekend, including a tour around a pioneering farm in animal welfare and environmental farming practices and the traditional delights of ‘punting to the pub’. The Autumn Farm walk will follow in October. Other key events will include a drinks reception for the U30s at the Cereals event
20 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2015
Past chairmen of the Under 30s gathered to consider how the Club could better serve under 45 year old members. FRIDAY 23rd January saw a host of former chairmen of the Under 30s section gather at Whitehall Court to discuss how the Club could better serve the 28 to 45 year-old age group. This age group is seen least at the Club, since many are busy building careers and farming businesses, and looking after young families. They do not find time to visit the Club very often and the past chairmen of the Under 30s were impressed by recent changes, most notably the new menu, wi-fi throughout, improved web-site and refurbished bedrooms. They were particularly interested in Chief Executive Stephen Skinner’s plans for the future (see page 4/5). The Junior Section, as it was christened at its birth in1963, had an initial age limit of 26. In 1970 it was renamed the Under 30s, recognising a rise in the age limit. Now it is flourishing, with over 300 members, a vibrant calendar of events, and continuing discounted subscriptions. How to extend that enthusiasm into the 30-45 year-old age group is the challenge. The Under 30s has always aimed to meet the needs of those involved in farming during the earlier years of their careers, with social and farming events, access to main Club events, and activities organised by the vibrant Inter-Club organisation, representing the younger members of all London Clubs. The former Under 30s chairmen had a consistent sense that networking and socialising were key benefits, and that farm walk weekends were the highlights of most years. The recent discount in membership fees for former Under 30s up to age 35 was very welcome. Club chairman Anne Chamberlain comments: “Our challenge now is to take what has been said and see what we can do to better meet the needs of the 30-45 age group. All ideas will be gratefully received.”
U30s • John Jaques, Chairman; Mary Bell, Vice Chairman; Lisbeth Rune, Secretary
Superb new members event
ONCE again another fully booked under 30s event took place at the Farmers Club, this time our annual new member’s event. The event bought together 90 old and new members for a packed weekend. With an air of excitement, pre-dinner drinks took place allowing classy ladies and dapper gents to mingle and catch up with one another, forgetting about the cold bustling city outside. New and old members were fortunate to be in the company of Club Chairman Anne Chamberlain, and her husband Denis, who I must say were on top form! Soon enough we were ushered through to the Restaurant and Eastwood Room, where members enjoyed a fantastic three-course meal, all with a splash of wine (or was it a good drowning?!). Members moved into the lounge area after dinner, and were truly treated to the sublime voice of Jenny Simpson (under 30s member and Opera singer) accompanied by George Pergo-Lacey on the piano, and not forgetting the star of the show – Bradley Etchell as page turner! The performance was a perfect formal close for our outgoing Chairman, Beth Hockham, who was presented with a bottle of Farmers Club port and flowers as a small gesture for the superb job she had done over the past year in making the Under 30s group bigger and better, in terms of both events and increased membership. Our new Chairman and Vice- Chairman have a very tough act
to follow! As usual the lure of London nightlife was just too much for the outgoing Chairman, who led her members for a night out in the city. Saturday morning consisted of the Annual General Meeting, and the committee welcoming Mary Bell to step up as Vice Chairman, along with the addition of two new committee members; Charlotte Harris and Emily Mc Veigh. After a short recap of the year from Beth Hockham, John Jaques took the reins as this year’s Chairman.
The Under 30s were joined by Main Club Chairman Anne Chamberlain, and her husband Denis (top), who notably enjoyed the new range of Club cocktails, but were not seen on the dance floor of any local clubs. (Photographs kindly provided by U30s unofficial photographer Dr Alexandra Day).
A buffet lunch after the Annual General Meeting was perfect opportunity to congratulate new members of the team, and set us up for a trip to the theatre to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy theatre. Filled with lies deceit and con artistry, Robert Lindsay (Star of My Family) brought the stage alive with funny quips and sharp lyrics. The weekend was topped off with a trip to Jamie’s, an Italian Restaurant where 30 members enjoyed a fantastic three-course meal. Many thanks are due to Under 30s Secretary Lisbeth Rune, for all her wonderful help in organising the event, and to the Chairman and Vice-Chair for creating such a fantastic weekend. We all very much look forward to the next Under 30s event. • Scott Hayles, Under 30s Committee Member
SCOTT HAYLES Job Title: Growing manager/trainee agronomist Where: Really Welsh Company Ltd, in Shropshire and Chester Interests: Fascinated with all things country, including, hunting at home or abroad, natural history and taxidermy!
www.thefarmersclub.com • 21
The Farmers Club • Club Information
Club Information 020 7930 3557 • www.thefarmersclub.com Office Holders Patron – Her Majesty The Queen HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS Peter Jackson CBE, Sir David Naish DL, John Parker THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB 2015 VICE PRESIDENTS Mark Hudson, Roddy Loder-Symonds, Norman Shaw CBE, Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN Anne Chamberlain TRUSTEES Barclay Forrest OBE (Chairman), Mrs Nicki Quayle, Julian Sayers, Paul Heygate VICE-CHAIRMAN Richard Butler HONORARY TREASURER George Jessel DL IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Jimmy McLean CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY Stephen Skinner CLUB CHAPLAIN The Reverend Dr Sam Wells COMMITTEE Elected 2013: Lindsay Hargreaves, Tim Harvey, Nick Helme, Peter Jinman OBE (Chairman – House Sub-Committee), Mrs Jo Turnbull Elected 2014: Allan Stevenson (Chairman – Communications Sub-Committee), Alison Ritchie (Chairman – Membership Sub-Committee), Robert Lasseter, Martin Taylor, Campbell Tweed OBE Elected 2015: Tim Bennett, Matt Dempsey, Richard Maunder, Gerald Osborne Co-opted: John Jaques (Chairman Under 30s), Mary Bell (Vice Chairman Under 30s) THE FARMERS CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES Stephen Fletcher (Chairman), John Kerr MBE DL, James Cross, Vic Croxson DL, Mrs Stella Muddiman JP, The Chairman and Immediate Past Chairman of the Club (ex officio)
La Traviata On Friday 19th June the Club is visiting the Royal Opera House for La Traviata – one of Verdi’s most popular operas, combining drama, profound emotion and wonderful melodies – and we have 40 of the best seats in the house. Richard Eyre’s classic production conveys the indulgent social whirl of 19th-century Paris, a vivid setting for Verdi’s tuneful score, including favourites such as Violetta’s introspective Ah fors’è lui; the duet Pura siccome un angel; and Parigi, o cara, in which the lovers imagine a life that will never be. Our programme starts at 4.45pm with a two-course supper in the Club, before departing at 6.00pm by coach. The opera runs from 7.00pm to 10.15pm (approx), after which the coach returns members to the Club. The event is limited to 40 places, each costing £175 (we have secured a big discount for the best seats in the house, which had an original ticket price of £200 for the Opera alone.) If oversubscribed, places will be decided by a ballot. Apply online at www.thefarmersclub.com or complete the booking form enclosed with this issue.
Henley Regatta On Sunday 5th July the Club is visiting the Henley Royal Regatta. What better way to spend a quintessential summer’s day than amongst fellow members and friends enjoying some of the event’s finest hospitality in the Temple Island Enclosure, just moments from the start of the racing and right at the heart of the action. Enjoy your day within The Farmers Club private facility, an idyllic riverside setting, where the rowing passes you by and drinks continue to flow as you relax in the riverside chalet and garden. Our programme starts with arrival at Temple Island Enclosure in time for morning coffee from 11:00am. A prelunch Champagne reception follows from 11:30am, before a four-course sit-down luncheon from 12:30pm. A one and a half hour river cruise along the Regatta course is also included. Afternoon Tea is served from 4:30pm, with the bar closing at 6:00pm, and the facility closing at 6:30pm. Coach transfer from the Club and back is also available (at extra cost). Tickets are priced at £190 per person. Apply online at www.thefarmers club.com or complete the booking form enclosed with this issue.
Club Closure NEXT ISSUE Watch out for your Summer issue of the Farmers Club Journal, due out in mid-May, with all the latest Club news, a report from our next Monday Evening Lecture, a profile of an award-winning Farmers Club member, some novel poultry research, and reports on Club trips, plus further updates of the events calendar, which includes visits to Eire and Nottinghamshire. 22 • The Farmers Club Spring Journal 2015
From close of play on Thursday 2 April re-opening on Tuesday 7 April 2015 at 8am. Members may book a bedroom to stay when the Club is closed on the understanding that it is on a room only basis as no other facilities are available.
Club Information • The Farmers Club
Deaths It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members: His Hon A Balston Sussex Mr J Hunter Essex Mr P Limb Nottinghamshire Mr A Logan Fife Lord G Mackie Of Benshie Angus Mr H McCreath MBE Northumberland Mr J Nicolson Warwickshire Mr B Peart Surrey Dr G Pigott Cheshire Mrs J Pope Kent Mr H Trigg Hampshire New Members The following were elected: UK Members Revd Canon C Arvidsson Mr R Bagot Mr H Baker Mrs M Batters Mr E Bayston Mr A Brown Mr S Cadzow Mr W Chinn Ms S Edmunds Cllr A Gilling Mr M Green Mr C Harry Thomas Mr W Hatton Mrs D Howard Mr M Hughes Lady D Ingleby Mr A Johnson Mrs S Kreckler Mr E Lane Mr D Lord Mr S Mably Mr R Manley Mr A Marshall Mr C Melville Wright Mr D Moore Mr R Munro Mrs F Nieduszynski Mr T Patchett Mr R Paul Mr T Price Mr A Rew Mr R Rowley Williams Mr J Ryder Mrs S Sljivic Mr R Stevens Mrs P Watts Mr A Wright Mrs P Wyer Overseas Mr P Treloar Under 30s Mr L Aggett Mr C Alexander Miss N Davies Miss C Green
Kent Cumberland Lincolnshire Wiltshire Yorkshire Angus Northumberland Herefordshire Gloucestershire Somerset Yorkshire Glamorgan Essex Kent Essex Yorkshire Kent Oxfordshire Devon Yorkshire Cornwall Hampshire Wiltshire Warwickshire Norfolk Cambridgeshire Devon Yorkshire Suffolk Worcestershire Devon Denbighshire Yorkshire Cheshire Cambridgeshire Sussex Antrim Gloucestershire Australia Cambridgeshire Kent Shropshire Somerset
Mr J Hawkins Mr D Hewitson Miss A Hutton Mr J Lancaster Miss S Laverick Mr T Pickthall Miss K Sadler Mr K Stokes Mr R Warner-Smith Miss E Wilson Miss G Woodall Special Associate Rt Revd R Frith Bishop of Hereford Rt Revd D Rossdale Asst Bishop of Lincoln
Hampshire Durham Norfolk Gloucestershire Shropshire Cumberland Cheshire London Hertfordshire London Yorkshire
Club Contacts THE FARMERS CLUB Over 170 years of service to farming 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL
Herefordshire Lincolnshire
Envelope Sponsorship The Farmers Club acknowledges the support of Agrovista, sponsor of the Journal envelope. Agrovista is the leading authority on all aspects of crop management advice, with many years of experience backed up with the most advanced and comprehensive range of agronomy trials in Great Britain. For more information visit www.agrovista.co.uk Mobile Phones, Briefcases and Business Meetings Mobile phones must not be used in the Public Rooms (except the Shaw Room). Briefcases should be left in the Cloakrooms and Business meetings must be conducted in the Shaw Room or designated and pre-booked meeting rooms. Members should speak with the Meetings Manager, Mrs Lynne Wilson for details on 020 7925 7100 or meetings@thefarmersclub.com Parking The Club has no private parking at Whitehall Court and metered parking in the immediate area is extremely limited. The nearest public car park, open 24 hours a day, is situated in Spring Gardens off Cockspur Street, approximately 5 minutes walk from the Club. Telephone: 0800 243 348. The Congestion Charge can be paid at this car park. For more information on parking see: www.westminster.gov.uk/services/transport andstreets/parking
Chairman 2015: Anne Chamberlain
Chief Executive and Secretary: Stephen Skinner
Club Number 020 7930 3557 Reception ext: 200/201 reception@thefarmersclub.com Bedroom Reservations ext: 204 reservations@thefarmersclub.com Restaurant Reservations ext: 200/201 reception@thefarmersclub.com Conference & Banqueting Vendula Papackova ext: 109 or direct line: 020 7925 7100 meetings@thefarmersclub.com Events & U30s Lisbeth Rune ext: 103 events@thefarmersclub.com Club Manager Virginia Masser ext: 102 clubmanager@thefarmersclub.com Head Chef Paul Hogben ext: 111 or direct line: 020 7925 7103 chef@thefarmersclub.com Accounts Mike Wood ext: 106 or direct line: 020 7925 7101 accounts@thefarmersclub.com Membership Mark Fairbairn ext: 107 or direct line: 020 7925 7102 membership@thefarmersclub.com PA to Secretary Claire White ext: 104 or direct line: 020 7930 3751 generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com
Business Suite The Business Suite provides PCs, printing and WiFi for members.
Bedrooms ext: 3+ [two digit room number] eg. ext 301 for Room1
WiFi WiFi is available throughout the Club at no charge.
Whitehall Court Porters 020 7930 3160 Fax 020 7839 7864
Dress Code Members are requested to advise their guests of the following: • Gentlemen must wear formal jackets and ties on weekdays. Polo-neck jerseys, jeans and trainers are not acceptable. • There are Club jackets and a selection of ties at Reception which may be borrowed in an emergency. • Ladies should be dressed conventionally. Trousers are permitted but not jeans or trainers during the week. • Smart casual dress may be worn by all from 6pm Friday to midnight Sunday; smart clean jeans and trainers are permitted. • Children should conform, as best they can, with the above guidelines. • Members must advise their guests of the dress regulations.
Website: www.thefarmersclub.com THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Editor and Advertisement Manager: Charles Abel 07795 420692 E-mail: editor@thefarmersclub.com Designed and produced by: Ingenious, www.ingeniousdesign.co.uk The printing inks are made using vegetable based oils. No film or film processing chemicals were used. Printed on Lumi Silk which is ISO 14001 certified manufacturer. FSC Mixed Credit. Elemental chlorine free (ECF) fibre sourced from well managed forests.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 23
Farmers Club
Events
Application forms included in this and future Journals
Ireland visit Monday 22nd – Thursday 26th June Insights into the strategy of Ireland’s food and farming sector, its dairy industry, National Stud, and advisory service Teagasc
Rubens and His legacy Exhibition
L L FU
Friday 13th March Exhibition of art by Rubens and those inspired by him, with lunch at The Club before
Henley Royal Regatta
Under 30s Spring Dining Evening
Royal Welsh Show
Friday 20th March Dinner with speaker in the Club
Monday 20th July Drinks reception on the showground
St. George’s Day Lunch
CLA Game Fair
Thursday 23rd April Luncheon at the Club to mark the national day of England. Speaker: Lord Cameron of Dillington Application form enclosed
Saturday 1st August Joint drinks reception with Under 30s
Sunday 5th July See p22 for more details. Application form enclosed
Westmorland Show Reception
Royal Balmoral Show
Thursday 10th September Drinks reception at the showground
Tuesday 12th May Dinner with Irish rugby star Rory Best Application form enclosed
Buckingham Palace visit
Under 30s Farm Walk Mid-May Weekend in Oxford with assorted events
Dukeries Estates visit Tuesday 19th – Thursday 21st May Visiting a range of leading farming and diversification enterprises in Nottinghamshire
Royal Highland Show dinner Wednesday 17th June Dinner on the eve of the Royal Highland Show with guest speaker James Withers, Chief Executive Scotland Food & Drink Application form enclosed
La Traviata Opera Friday 19th June Dinner in the Club and coach transfer to the opera. Application form enclosed
Friday 25th September Lunch in the Club followed by tour of Buckingham Palace
Harvest Festival Service Tuesday 13th October Wonderful service with the choir at St Martin-in-the-Fields followed by Buffet Supper at the Club
New Year’s Eve Supper Party Thursday 31st Dec Supper party in the Club with a stunning view of the firework celebrations
Apply online To book Club events and find further details as events are added to the Calendar, visit the Events area of the Club website www.thefarmersclub.com
HOLIDAY & WEEKEND OPENING Holidays and Weekends are great times to visit The Farmers Club, with good bedroom availability, a relaxed dress code and the sights of London on your doorstep.