5 minute read
New Chairman
Borders Chairman for 2021
The Club’s 2021 Chairman has a passion for beef, pedigree Limousins and working for the best interests of the farming industry. Charles Abel introduces Keith Redpath
BORDERS farmer Keith Redpath first visited The Farmers Club in 1996 when 200 beef farmers gathered prior to visiting 10 Downing Street to present a rib of beef to Prime Minister Tony Blair as part of efforts to rebuild the beef sector post-BSE.
Little did he think that 25 years later he would be Chairman of the Club, and that the nation would once again be grappling with a major challenge – this time part of a global pandemic. “It is such an irony that after so many years of working to help the industry recover from some of its biggest challenges, here we are again looking to emerge from yet more disruption.”
Key to any rebuilding effort is working together with people, he reflects. “It worked with the beef sector and it will be key for our Club as we look to recover from the current situation. So I’m looking forward to the year ahead, as we return to something closer to normal, supported by the 2021 Chairman Keith Redpath with wife Grace at their farm in Kelso, Scotland
huge efforts of our Executive Team and the various Committees that work with them.”
Industry role
With up to 350 prime beef animals fattening on potato waste and brewers grains near Kelso ready for export to Europe, it was no surprise that Keith become politically engaged in fighting for the industry and beef in particular, back in the 1990s.
The initial BSE compensation policy paid the same £286/head for prime 1000kg beef animals, worth over £2000 each, as a dairy culls worth nearer £200. Keith was part of the discussions at the heart of Government, which successfully over-turned the policy, and eventually led to the creation of the National Beef Association.
During the 2001 foot-and-mouth crisis he was again involved in discussions with Defra, the NFU, the Chief Vet, and Government Cobra meetings.
“There was a lot to talk about, plans to make, things to do, solutions to come up with, and often a need to explain how they had it all wrong! It was a real year of disruption. But I’ve always been keen to challenge Government in the interests of farmers,” he recalls.
His pragmatic approach saw him take roles within the National Beef Association, including chair of its export committee and chair of SQBLA / QMS’s transport assurance scheme. Additionally, Keith served three consecutive terms as a Council member for the British Limousin Cattle Society and currently serves as both a Trustee and Committee member for the Border Union Agricultural Society, one of only a very few two-day agricultural shows in Scotland. “I never had any aspirations to a career in agri-politics, it was fighting for the sector that was paramount.”
Forays from his home near Kelso in Scotland’s Borders Region to Pentland House in Edinburgh and London during BSE and then Foot-and-Mouth in 2001 are keenly remembered. Meetings at The Farmers Club were a particular highlight. “It was somewhere nice to do business, something everyone in the industry felt, not least the Defra officials involved,” he recalls.
Borders Farming
The family is steeped in farming and entrepreneurial business. When his father retired in 1991 Keith took over a very diverse range of enterprises, including two garages with retail franchises, forecourt shops, a café/restaurant, and a haulage business with 60 lorries, plus the farm.
Rationalisation was necessary and Redpath Farms resulted. It now hinges around 1,000 acres of arable under contract, a 14,000t grain storage business created in 2010, and a small but fascinating pedigree Limousin enterprise.
Pedigree Limousins
His enthusiasm for livestock breeding goes back to school-days when the family’s Hereford bull was Champion at Perth Bull Sales. Keith built up a herd of 130 pedigree Limousins at one point, and his class-winning bull, Redpaths Nobleman, led the show-winning Inter Breed team at the Royal Highland Show in 2019.
In 2005 a bull semen collection business, operating across Scotland for worldwide distribution, was created and subsequently sold. Keith also helped introduce Black Limousins to the UK from North America.
Now IVF embryo flushing is used with just a few pedigree Limousins kept at Redpath Farms. Last year 35 IVF embryos were collected from a homebred female, some of which have been placed into cross-bred recipients and the outcome is keenly awaited. Producing a Supreme Champion is definitely unfinished business!
Keith is passionate about supporting young people in agriculture through LANTRA and CARAS in Scotland. He is also a fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies. A strong personality in business, and socially, he has never been frightened to stand up for the good causes he represents.
Family man
Married to Rev Grace Redpath, Associate Priest at St Andrews Episcopal Church in Kelso, Keith is also a Rector’s Warden. “Grace was ordained over five years ago, having trained for three years prior to that, and thoroughly enjoys it – in many ways it is a step she wishes she took many years ago.” They have three married daughters, all engaged in professions beyond farming.
Keith became a member of The Farmers Club in 2000, joined its General Committee in 2017, and has chaired its Membership Sub-Committee. He has a well-earned reputation for undertaking roles efficiently, with thought, and above all a most gentlemanly persona. Combined with his industry knowledge, business acumen and wide-ranging contacts he is an ideal Chairman for 2021 – a year in which everyone looks forward to The Farmers Club ‘bouncing back with vigour’. ABOVE:1000acres of arable and a 14,000t grain store lie at the heart of Redpath Farms
LEFT: Royal Highland Show 2019 Continental Beefbreeder Champion Redpaths Nobleman
A youthful Keith with Perth Bull Sales Champion Bailieneudd Admiral.
