The Farmers Club Issue 297

Farming remains pivotal to the nation’s well-being. But financial pressures, the climate crisis, biodiversity and carbon are all bringing change.

Photo:

Chairman’s Comments

TIME does fly! As I write my Spring Chairman’s Comments I realise 10 weeks of my Chairmanship has passed already. I am delighted to say how busy the Club has been and it is a great relief the Restaurant and Bar facilities have returned to normal after Covid restrictions.

Team numbers are almost back to normal following a difficult period of recruitment, so members will notice many new faces at Reception, in the Restaurant and Bar. I have to say the warmth and pleasant manner in which we are all welcomed by the team really enhances the Club experience.

We are relieved and delighted Andrei has recovered from his ill health and returned to duties at the Club for a few days per week.It was a very worrying time for his wife Alison and his family. We wish him a full recovery.

To begin the year Hilary and I had a full tour of the Club and met all the team. It was fascinating to see how the Club functions and visit areas we didn’t even know existed!

I must thank all the members who have renewed their subscription for the year – it is good to see the membership thrive and I look forward to meeting many of you during my year.

Farming perspectives

Andrei and I enjoyed some very stimulating presentations and excellent debates at the Oxford Farming Conference, as well as networking with members and possible

new members. I have to say I was particularly impressed by many of the younger generation, whose positive attitude and ambitions for the future of agriculture bodes well.

In late January our Monday Evening Lecture at the Club was given by Lord Deben (Chairman of the Climate Change Committee). He spoke passionately to a room full of members on how the farming industry could achieve its ambition of net zero and the possible consequences should we as a society fall short. He had lost none of his powers of persuasion, but was well challenged by some attendees who questioned his predictions.

The following day I chaired my first General Committee, a very positive meeting, where I was delighted to have 70 new members confirmed.

Vice Chairman Richard Maunder and I were guests at the NFU Conference, where leading politicians from both sides of the political divide outlined their future policies, with heated debate at times. The dinner was attended by 1250 people from all walks of agriculture sitting down to a superb meal produced from British produce, a great advertisement for British farming.

My most recent event was the Under 35s inaugural black tie gala dinner at the Club, hosted by Under 35s Chairman Emily. Guest speaker Alasdair Marshall told an incredible story of designing and building huge dairy units in Doha and Saudi Arabia. It was one of the most interesting presentations I have ever heard and led to much discussion.

Future Club events

The Chairman’s trip to Pembrokeshire in June has been organised and advertised and hopefully the programme will be of interest and we have decent weather. A day trip to Dysons in Lincolnshire has also been organised, huge thanks to Philip Wynn for hosting. A two day visit to Norfolk prior to the Royal Norfolk Show is being planned. Thanks to Kirsty and Craig, our events managers, for organising the fine detail of these events.

We also plan to hold receptions or dinners at eight agricultural shows this year. This will be a great opportunity to meet members in the various countries and counties of the UK (see e-newsletters).

It is with a degree of sadness that CEO Andrei Spence is retiring from the Club on 30th June. Under the leadership of Club Vice President Julian Sayers and the Selection Committee have appointed his successor. Andrei has led the team with great leadership skills and a warmth of personality which will be greatly missed.

“It is a great relief the Restaurant and Bar facilities have returned to normal after Covid restrictions.”

“It was one of the most interesting presentations I have ever heard and led to much discussion.”

Club News

Fresh focus for year ahead

After a hugely successful 2022, we are looking forward to a year of equal success with a full staff team, relieved of a significant portion of the debt burden necessarily taken on two years ago and with the Club membership back over 5000 after an understandable dip during the pandemic, writes Club Secretary & Chief Executive Andrei Spence

It has been a bright opening to the first quarter of this year, with members utilising the Club increasingly frequently and an almost full staff team to welcome you all.

I am genuinely looking forward to an exciting year and a year in which there will be a few changes to key personnel, but perceptively no change in the standards and ethos of this great Club.

Whilst there are still many challenges to face with the backdrop of a stagnant economy, high inflation and high interest rates, we remain confident that what we are offering meets the needs and expectations of our members by creating an imaginative and evolving programme of events, whilst keeping

Club business

March is always an important month in the life of the Club, as the F&GP committee get to grips with the draft audited accounts for 2022. The accounts make very good reading and the F&GP unanimously voted to propose the accounts to the General Committee.The Accounts, Annual Reportand Agenda for the 2023 AGM accompany this Journal.

our pricing as competitive as it can be in the face of some startling commodity/service increases.

In January we welcomed new Club Chairman, Meurig Raymond, supported by his wife Hilary, to meet the staff team and visit all those unusual, eerie and little-visited places in the labyrinth that is Whitehall Court. Very well known to almost all members, Meurig has been a leading figure in the agricultural sector for many years and we are delighted to have Meurig as our Chairman. Debates are likely to have a ‘political’ flavour!

We also welcomed four new full members to the General Committee: Sophie Dwerryhouse, John Wilson, Lindsay Hargreaves and Mark Riches, along with two co-opted members Nick Green FCCT Chairman and Andrew Court Vice Chairman Under 35s.

My thanks also go to those who left the Committee for their commitment, time and energy: Kevin Beaty, Karen Mercer and Fiona Fell.

I look forward to seeing you all here soon!

ROOM KEY CARDS

The Club Trustees have conducted their six-monthly Financial Review with our portfolio managers to update them on market and economic conditions affecting the Lease Company share portfolio.

The Farmers Club Charitable Trust held their general meeting in mid-March, followed by the selection process for its next set of educator/Leadership awards for 2023, which will be reported on in the next Journal.

A new key card door lock security system, which also links into our property management system, has been introduced across the Club, including bedrooms (see p22 for more details). This is a modest CAPEX project, which will address significant issues around lost and broken keys, security for members, security for Club property, and knowing who is in the Club at any one time, for safety reasons and in case of emergency.

Editor steps down

After 13 years editing the Farmers Club Journal, serving 14 different Club Chairmen, current Editor Charles Abel is stepping down to pursue other projects at the end of April. He was also Editor of a most interesting and informative book The Farmers Club 1842-2017 – a brief history of a fascinating Club, copies of which are available at Reception.

Club Team Changes

As many of you will know, recruitment and retention of personnel has been and remains a significant challenge. When I look back to the beginning of 2020 the entirety of the Reception team has changed, there are only four members of the Food and Beverage team who remain (Jelle, Geraint, Vera and Sophia) and the Bar has a completely new line-up.

In the Office team there are three new people and we have a new maintenance assistant and numerous changes to the Housekeeping team. This is the nature of the jobs market at present and the changing expectations many have in relation to the kind of work they want to do, and the terms on which they conduct it.

We have, through dint of hard work (Virginia and Xanthe in particular) created an almost new ‘front of house team’ and as their experience and knowledge of the Club has increased, so have the service levels. Please get to know your new team, they are a great bunch and very engaging.

Club Calendar Diary

Dates

See Club website for information about Club Events

Exciting Events

The past few months have seen a wide variety of Club events, many covered elsewhere in this Journal, including my attendance with the Club Chairman at the fascinating Oxford Farming Conference. Alas, your Secretary subsequently dropped off his perch for a few weeks, due to illness (OFC attendance and illness not being related!!). As would be expected, the business of the Club continued.

Typical of the events organised for members in London was one held in January. After an early supper in the Club, Kirsty and Virginia led a party of 30 members to the latest Cirque Du Soleil show, this year entitled Kurios –Box of Curiosities. Reportedly stunning and mind boggling at the same time a tremendous time was had by all.

Another great night out included a sumptuous Club meal before almost 30 people made the short trip to the

Ukraine Pickups

Farmers Club members Mark Laird and Alastair Stewart, together with co-founders Vince Gillingham and Keith Dawson, need your used 4x4 vehicles for their Ukraine-focused Pick-Ups for Peace project. The mission is to drive over 100 4x4s packed with aid to Ukraine by June. Following suitable modification the vehicles will be used to ferry urgently needed supplies into conflict areas and transfer injured soldiers to hospital. The first 22 vehicles were driven to Lviv in western Ukraine in March. E-mail: pickupsforpeace@ memus.com / www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/help-cpg-ukraine / search “pick-upsforpeace” on Twitter/ Facebook/LinkedIn

Playhouse Theatre on Northumberland Avenue, now re-cast as the Kit Kat Club. Members were treated to an intense, racy and really interesting cabaret show set in a 1930s Berlin Club. So popular was it that Kirsty and Craig are considering a re-run. Watch out for notices!

March was completed by two Under 35s events, the first being a celebration of St Patrick’s Day with a drinks reception here at the Club, followed by an LGBTQ+ supper, also at the Club, with several inputs from those involved in Agrespect. This nicely led into the Easter period, which saw the Club a little quieter, but with much to look forward to, including the Monday Evening Lecture with Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP, the General Committee meetings, Past Chairman’s lunch, St George’s Day lunch with Adam Henson and various Under 35s events (see website + p20).

Climate plus

Farming is inextricably linked with climate change. So why won’t Government do more to help farmers respond? Climate Change Committee Chairman Lord Deben delivered his vision with passion. Charles Abel reports

WELCOMING Lord Deben to the first Monday Evening Lecture of the year Club Chairman Meurig Raymond thanked the former Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for all the help he had given the industry over the years. An hour of vigorous discussion later it was clear Lord Deben’s passion for British farming is entirely undimmed.

An MP for Eye/Suffolk Coastal from 1979 to 2010, John Selwyn Gummer was Conservative Party Chairman in the 1980s and a Cabinet member in the 1990s, most notably during the BSE/mad cow crisis. He rose to the House of Lords in 2010.

The Climate Change Committee, which Lord Deben has chaired for ten years, emerged from the cross-party agreement that led to the 2008 Climate Change Act. Further cross-party agreement is now urgently needed to tackle the climate crisis, he argued.

As an entirely independent, but also statutory, body the CCC draws on the expertise of world-leading scientists and economists to assess the facts and advise Government.

“We only consider the science and in 13 years we have never had the facts we present undermined,” Lord Deben stressed.

National carbon budgets are proposed, and ways of achieving them elucidated, with best and worst case scenarios, and a preferred pathway. “It’s all about proving that climate action is do-able, because we can’t hold Government to an impossible promise.”

“All governments are just five meals from revolution.”

Once Government has adopted those carbon budgets changes can only be made with CCC approval. Each June the CCC undertakes a statutory assessment of Government progress, with a Government response required by October. “We have the right to hold their feet to the fire,” Lord Deben emphasised.

Farming perspective

With a small organic beef farm in Suffolk Lord Deben had a good handle of the practical challenges for farming, as it pushes towards national net zero by 2050. Farming has a crucial role to play in that, by both reducing emissions and sequestering carbon. “There is no way we can reach net zero unless [society and politicians] realise the farming community has a very important part to play.”

No life is possible without carbon emissions, he stressed. The challenge is to get the mix of emissions and sequestration right. Helping the planet recover, so it can sequester more carbon, is key – and that includes farmers, and the oceans we well, he said.

“What we are facing is extremely serious and not something that can be put off. The more I know about it the more I see the tipping points really are very near. Here in the UK we depend on the ocean currents and the Gulf Stream, which may not be there in the future.” Elsewhere around the world big impacts are being felt, with changes to the Pacific’s El Nino weather system a particular concern.

Lord Deben had little time for those denying climate change. His passion was evident as he countered speculation and hearsay, slamming the fossil fuel industry’s decades-long deception.“Their scientists knew what was happening, and predicted with uncanny accuracy where we would be now. They actually put off the battle against climate change for 30 years.”

Defra slammed

He was very critical of Defra. Farming had no chance of delivering the benefits it could until Defra clearly showed how it would support them, so farming could make ‘proper decisions’, he said.

Food production was a national good, he insisted. “Being more productive and better at it is key. It is not true we would be better off if we were all vegans. We need animals to create fertility without relying on artificial nutrients. And we need to help farmers be more professional, because the future is going to be difficult.” Until Defra recognises

such issues farming’s net zero efforts will be severely hampered.

More respect for soils is key, including regenerative farming. But profits are needed too. “We need a system of farming which accounts for biodiversity, uses mixed farming, and more complex and different rotations. Innovation and investment are crucially important, and we can’t do that unless there is profit and some security.

“We will need to be much more efficient. We don’t have the best productivity in Britain, which means ridding ourselves of wasteful systems.”

A system to make environmentally benign farming possible is needed. ELMS was failing to do that and was likely to put a lot of farming out of business, he suggested.

Proper legislation to ensure overseas trade meets UK standards is needed. Current agreements put UK farming on notice that it will be undermined in 15 years, contrary to political promises.

Not party-political

He urged Government to see climate change as non-party political. January’s Skidmore Report into net zero progress, already accepted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour, is a good start. A fundamental programme, including a basic agreement on land use, and how agriculture should be dealt with, is needed.

“It won’t be easy. It is going to be a very tough time for farming. Huge changes have got to take place. So Government needs to stand behind what it has promised. Consistency, very clear coherence, and lasting policies are what agriculture needs.”

Rarely had so much common sense been spoken in so few words, reflected one Club member. But how could the necessary changes be achieved?

Constituency level pressure is key, Lord Deben urged. “Make MPs realise it can’t go on”. Failure to act would leave a lamentable legacy. “Britain has got to do better, because it has done worse than other countries and we are going to pass on a country that is less good than our parents did. That is a terrible statement about us. We have to move fast or the next generation will see us as the generation that destroyed their future.”

MORE INFO

Climate Change Committee – theccc.org.uk

Skidmore Report – search ‘Skidmore’ at gov.uk Lord Deben – search ‘Deben’ at parliament.uk Fossil fuel predictions – search ‘Exxon’ at guardian.com

“Proper legislation to ensure overseas trade meets UK standards is needed. Current agreements simply put UK farming on notice that it will be undermined in 15 years, contrary to political promises.”

“ We have spent more money and time on astronomy than any other science and have not found another planet able to support life as we understand it. We need to look after earth…”

Carbon Credits

Surging demand for carbon offsets could boost farm cashflow.

FARMING stands on the threshold of a vibrant new income stream as corporations compete for carbon credits. But credits need measuring, reporting and verifying for bottom lines to benefit.

The good news is farms don’t just emit carbon, by using fuel for cultivations and manufactured inputs like fertiliser. They also capture and store carbon. As farms get better at balancing that process the more credits they can offer to meet the net zero ambitions of consumers, investors and regulators.

So, keeping track of your carbon balance, recording it and certifying it, is key. Farm productivity could benefit

too, since reduced carbon emissions generally align with reduced costs, and carbon efficient farming generally improves soil quality, helping sustain outputs.

“Farmers are doing a lot of great work already, but if you haven’t measured your baseline you’re missing the opportunity to quantify your improvements and cash in over the longer term,” notes Johnny Campbell, natural capital broker at Savills in Cirencester.

Last year global carbon certificate trading was worth $2bn and is growing fast, adds Thomas Gent, UK manager of Agreena, a company that helps farmers

get paid for carbon mitigation by using regenerative farming practices, then monetising the farm’s carbon credentials. He farms 800ha near Peterborough and started regenerative practices 15 years ago.

How it works

In general terms arable fields sequester up to 3t/ha of carbon a year. Inputs like fertiliser and diesel typically cause emissions equivalent to 1t/ha of carbon. That typically leaves 2t/ha of carbon credits. Measuring and monetising those is Agreena’s speciality.

The business already delivers a carbon service to over 600,000ha of mainly

“Carbon credits can be the cherry on top after doing all the right things for the business.”

Charles Abel reports

Johnny Campbell, natural capital broker, Savills, Cirencester

Main image: As farming turns more regenerative are carbon credentials being fully monetised?

arable farming in 14 European countries, using a digital platform to help pinpoint their carbon balance. Agreena Carbon certificates are ISO 14064-2 certified, and undergoing accreditation for Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard, the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas crediting program, recognised by 80% of the world’s carbon traders. All Agreena Carbon certificates are third-party verified and validated by internationally recognised DNV.

The process involves hours not days to set up, notes Richard Davey, a South Oxfordshire farmer who made the switch two years ago. Field info is uploaded, much like any other system, including farming practices for the past five years, and actuals entered through the season, including cultivations, inputs and yield.

Farms can choose whether to sell their certificates, hold them to account for their own emissions or apply them towards their crops, or ask Agreena to sell them on their behalf. For farmers preferring immediate cash in-hand Agreena can pay farmers shortly after certificate issuance.

Scenario planning is possible, with planned cultivation strategies showing the credit-earning potential. There are no prescriptions, no minimum criteria, no need to enter all fields, and in the first year sign-up costs are available on a discounted basis “You’re not locked in, you can leave, or plough if you need to,” notes Mr Davey. “The scheme is simple and flexible, which gives everyone more confidence.”

Rising values

Certificates are currently worth between £25 and £50/t, with the UK at the premium end of the market compared to much of Europe, where there is less awareness of carbon trading.

So when should a farmer sell? Think of it like another crop, Mr Gent advises. “You’re effectively harvesting carbon certificates, just like harvesting wheat, but you don’t need a shed to store them, so they can be kept for much longer, if desired.”

“There’s an imbalance in the market, where more people want credits than are producing them, so maybe hold onto credits, as the price is likely to rise,” Mr Gent says. He believes, and according to research, that £100/t-plus is feasible in the future.

Caution urged

Mr Campbell is keen to manage expectations. Farmers might want to hold certificates incase they need to offset their own production. “Selling now, at maybe £25/t of carbon, could be a mistake. It would be a shame if you have

to buy certificates back to meet the future requirements of a supply chain for your own farm’s production and the price of carbon then might be £90/t.”

Such ‘in-setting’ could be very relevant in food commodity supply chains, warns Amy Watkins, sustainability manager at agronomy firm Agrii. “Companies are wanting carbon neutral sustainability scores on their products, so will be asking for the emissions on the products they source. So get the credits now.”

Commodity supply chains are certainly looking at taking account of carbon, Mr Gent agrees. “You, as a farmer, have something they really, really want, which is going to give you power in negotiations, if you have the credits and know their value. Companies will only ever be able to do less ‘bad’ on emissions. As farmers we are very, very lucky to have this opportunity to step up and deliver something that is really wanted.”

Management key

To make the most of the opportunity it may be necessary to switch agronomist, notes Mr Davey. He did. “You need your agronomist on-board to maximise credits, by doing the difficult things.”

A well-qualified agronomist will also help ensure the farm doesn’t end up in a worse situation, with suppressed yields, adds Ms Watkins. “That’s massively important.” So too is the need to address the impacts of climate change itself, such as changing weather patterns, drought and floods.

She urges farmers to think about it strategically. “Nitrogen is the biggest carbon emitter, so its about a long-term strategy looking at the cropping rotation, and soil carbon is really long-term.” Mr Davey agrees. “Extending the rotation and bringing in more cover crops has brought noticeable benefits.”

MORE INFO agreena.com verra.org agrii.co.uk savills.co.uk

All speakers participated in Farmers Guardian’s LAMMA Torques at www.lammashow.com

But is there a risk of jumping in too soon, before carbon measurement has been standardised? Although many tools are available, three very credible ones dominate in the UK, with two others emerging, says Ms Watkins. Agreena uses Cool Farm Tool, with on-going work to understand and verify assessments.

The bottom line is that until monitoring and recording starts, carbon-friendly farming efforts could go unrewarded. As Mr Davey comments: “The scheme is delivering, we are getting the certificates we expected in year one, and we’re entering year two now.”

Thomas Gent, UK manager of Agreena and regeneratively farming 800ha near Peterborough

“As farmers we are very, very lucky to have this opportunity to step up and deliver something that is really wanted.”

BIODIVERSITY Net Gain (BNG) has become part of the farming vocabulary, alongside terms such as ‘natural capital’ and ‘ecosystem services’.

Largely unheard of even just a few years ago, it now represents a huge opportunity for farmers and landowners, particularly in regions where development for housing and infrastructure projects is happening.

Already enshrined in law – and due to be implemented from November 2023 – this planning concept aims to “leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than beforehand”, according to Defra.

It requires developers to provide a minimum of 10% more biodiversity than that lost at a project site. The opportunity for land managers arises because the net gain needn’t necessarily be generated at the project location. So developers are looking to enter into agreements with them to provide it ‘offsite’, i.e. on land even some distance from it.

Farmers understandably might not want to take their most productive ground out of agricultural use. But on

less productive areas – whether that’s field corners, edges, strips or indeed bigger parcels – there is scope to generate big revenues.

Recognised metrics

The amount of biodiversity lost and the required additional provision is calculated through a system of ‘units’ using a recognised metric. Some farmers might look to provide, say, a handful of units, while others could devise schemes that deliver, say, 40 units. Large farms and estates that pursue it as a central plank of their strategy could provide hundreds or even thousands of units.

Here at CLM, our experience is that the payments for BNG are potentially far greater than what’s available under the Countryside Stewardship scheme. For example, two agreements we’ve been involved in will cover 3ha and generate nine units at prices ranging from £25,000 to £35,000 per unit. Such revenues will be much-needed on many farms and estates, with BPS payments falling and incomes under severe pressure.

Delivering BNG could also offer synergies with existing enterprises –

better habitats may complement a diversification such as a farmshop, wedding venue or tearoom, plus the work could ultimately increase the capital value of land.

Baselining vital

As for what farmers and landowners should be doing at this stage, a good starting point would be the ‘baselining’. This involves establishing what biodiversity you currently have and modelling what you could enhance or create. Wrapping your head around this is also useful if you’re planning submitting any planning applications of your own, because you’ll also have to meet the BNG requirement.

Having credible, authoritative data will help you win the confidence of developers looking to do BNG deals and it also means you won’t be reactive if an opportunity presents itself. Instead, you’ll have a proper thoughtthrough plan for how you can deliver BNG and how that fits with the rest of the business. Consider all the knockon implications – what might farming fewer acres mean for your fixed costs, for instance, or might you need to introduce a livestock enterprise to graze a new meadow?

Farming biodiversity

As the market for Biodiversity Net Gain evolves, Anthony Weston considers what it means for farmers and landowners, and outlines a fascinating example

“It seems biodiversity net gain is set to be a key part of many farmers’ vocabulary for decades to come.”

BNG as a commodity

It’s worth viewing BNG as a commodity. Don’t just think about it in terms of area – think about ‘yield’. If someone asked you to grow an alternative crop for them, the deal probably wouldn’t be based simply on an acreage. You’d ask how many tonnes they are needing / expecting. You’d negotiate a price based, not on the area grown, but partly on what margin you sought, partly on the market price and partly on the t/ha yield. You’d do all this in a way, of course, that fits with the rest of the business including tax and inheritance planning.

With the BNG market starting to come alive, it’s important to be proactive if you want to drive the price, rather than ending up as a price-taker. If you know what is deliverable, you’ll stand a better chance of securing a better deal and are less likely to undervalue the opportunity.

Earmarked for offsetting

It’s also worth looking at local planning policies, as some local authorities are already earmarking potential areas for ‘offsetting’. Similarly, look at the local Nature

Recovery Strategy which informs this and will highlight priority habitats and species.

Meanwhile, talk to would-be stakeholders when your idea is still at the formative stage. Whether it’s local wildlife trusts and archaeology groups or parish councils and water authorities, understanding their position will help you shape your plans and could help avoid potential objections.

BNG won’t be for everyone, of course – not least because it’s committing land to a 30-year agreement – but for farmers and estate owners that already have a strong pedigree in terms of delivering for this environment it represents an exciting opportunity.

1200ha example

One such venue is Iford, a beautiful estate near Lewes covering 1,200ha of mainly grade 3 and 4 land in the South Downs National Park. I’ve been lucky enough to work with the estate team to devise a 30-year vision which has BNG at its heart, as this fits with the ethos of the next generation of owners.

Initial mapping and modelling suggested it has a baseline of about 3,500 units, but a mix of measures could ultimately see this figure more than doubled. They include reverting poorer quality arable land to species-rich grassland; restoring and enhancing chalk grassland and coastal and floodplain grazing marsh; woodland creation; hedge planting; and pond creation.

Having done all the investmentreadiness work, we are now moving into the spades-in-the-ground delivery work of actually creating a habitat bank available for developers to draw on for the provision of BNG. It’s a hugely exciting project – and one that highlights the potential BNG offers farmers and landowners elsewhere, too.

It seems biodiversity net gain is set to be a key part of many farmers’ vocabulary for decades to come.

Anthony Weston Director CLM farm and environment consultancy E: anthony@c-l-m.co.uk

Above: Anthony Weston, Director at CLM, the farm and environment consultancy.

Main image: Inundation at Iford, near Lewes, part of a 1200ha estate in the South Downs National Park already able to provide 3500 BNG units, and maybe double that.

“Biodiversity Net Gain represents a huge opportunity for farmers and landowners.”

Decade of disruption

Total income from farming

Using Defra’s measure of total income (profit) from farming, 2021 was amongst the best ever, at around £6bn, due to strong dairy and cereal values, and 2022 still near £5bn. But with input cost rises biting fully in 2023, falling output prices and support, TIFF will be sharply lower, nearer £3bn in 2023 and 2024, closer to turn-ofthe millennium levels, Andersons estimates.

FARMING in the ‘decade of disruption’ is no mean feat. The winds of fortune may favour one sector one year, another the next. But all have the pressure of rising costs and meagre productivity gains, which spells headaches all round – sooner or later.

After two very profitable years for combinable crops and dairy, 2023 results are set to bring a sharp return to reality, as rampant inflation continues to bite across farm inputs, labour remains tight, wages continue to rise and market prices fall, says Richard King, head of business research at Andersons.

For pigs, poultry, roots, horticulture and livestock those two years of profitability have been minimal, or severely lossmaking, forcing some to quit, others to cut

production severely, and many to lean on offfarm income to sustain their farming lifestyle.

Fast dwindling support payments, especially in real terms, add to the pressure. So, amidst so much turbulence, farmers need to look extra carefully at business planning.

Economic indicators, including inflation, agflation, interest rates and price volatility may seem severe, but are not unprecedented, Mr King notes, if a longterm view is taken. Retail price inflation of 10% feels very high compared with 30 years at just 2-3%, but exceeded 20% in the 1970s and during both World Wars, and interest rates topped 15% in the 1980s and 1990s. “It feels very different, but as an industry we have been here before.”

Turbulent times for farming spell severe pressure for some, but opportunity for others. Charles Abel reports

Agricultural inflation, which peaked at 26% last May, is now under 20%. But don’t get complacent. “Don’t get fooled into thinking prices are coming down, they’re just not going up as quickly.”

Defra sees productivity growth as the solution and wants industry to pursue it with more gusto. The trouble is productivity gains have remained stubbornly stuck at just 1% per year for the past 15 years. But, unsurprisingly, that conceals huge variation.

Return on investment

Some farms produce well over £150 of output for every £100 spent, notes Mr King. But many get back less than £60 for every £100 spent. “They’re effectively destroying value in their business, by getting less out of than they put in,” notes Mr King.

Defra data for the past five years shows a barely perceptible change in the distribution of productivity across UK farms, with support payments blamed for bridging the gap between profit and loss on too many farms for too long. “It has improved a little, but it is not hugely noticeable.”

Defra thinks declining support will remove the worst performers. But Mr King is less convinced. “If they are already taking only £30-40 out for £100 spent there must be something else going on to cross-subsidise the farming. They’re not fully commercial.”

He believes those just below the breakeven line, losing maybe £10 for each £100 spent, may be more likely to restructure, seeking someone else to do the farming. The same may also apply to those taking out £130-150 for each £100 spent – recognising someone else could do better on their land, with their working capital better used elsewhere.

Significantly, borrowing has not increased greatly, mainly linked to working capital, and is not expected to test farming businesses, despite the recent temptations of the recent era of low interest rates. Indeed, deposits held by farming businesses have grown steadily. Personal deposits held by those in farming may have risen similarly, Mr King suggests.

While land values are reportedly rising, remember the role of inflation, which means in real terms they are probably static, at best, he adds. Nonetheless the industry’s land assets remain a whopping £275bn.

Based on what they have seen so far this decade, and what they can see coming, two-thirds of farmers recognise they need to change what they are doing, notes Michael Haverty, senior research consultant at Andersons. Of those half are looking to diversify, 30% to boost productivity, 30% to change enterprises and 10% to leave farming.

Farming briefs

Could your farm be part of the solution for nuclear waste storage? Nuclear Waste Services is seeking landowners and communities willing to have nuclear waste stored deep underground. The upside on offer is massive infrastructure funding and fresh opportunities.

One of Europe’s most modern oat-processing facilities is set to open at Camgrain’s site near Kettering. Navara Oat Milling’s investment will meet burgeoning demand for oats as ingredients in healthy foods and drinks. A dedicated, sustainable supply chain will be overseen by Frontier.

Over two and a half times more people received RABI support last year than in 2021, with Return to School being it’s most successful standalone campaign ever. Offering grants for school uniforms, equipment and PE kit helped nearly 4,000 families, especially farming women aged 35 to 44, a group at particular risk of poor mental health and wellbeing.

An Agri-EPI Centre project to breed ultra-low emission sheep will see Herts breeders Rob and Jo Hodgkins select lower methane emitting rams to breed lower gas progeny. The study builds on work using Romneys in New Zealand. A 25% methane cut is anticipated.

“Current economic indicators do feel very different, but as an industry we have been here before.”

Richard King

“In purely economic terms food production is not a public good, because it is dealt with by the marketplace. A public good, like a landscape view, is not diluted if more than one person wants to share it and its consumption does not prevent further consumption”

Graham Redman

Farming expertise boosts Club

Andrew is a partner in the Court Farming Partnership farming 274 acres at Norton Bridge near Stone in Staffordshire where regenerative farming practices are used across a wide range of crops as well as beef finishing for Sainsburys.

The farm is active in many projects with partners such as LEAF and Severn Trent Water. Andrew studied Agricultural Engineering at Harper Adams University and sits on the Institute of Agricultural Engineers council. He is Vice Chair of The Farmers Club Under 35s and a Scholar of the Just Farmers media education programme. He is currently studying towards full BASIS qualification and Environmental Chartership.

As a lawyer with a private practice background in agriculture and rural affairs Sophie joined the CLA in 2019 as National Access Adviser advising on legal and policy issues around public access.

She took on the role of CLA Midlands Director in November 2022 with overall responsibility for the management of the organisation’s regional business and membership. Currently living in Chirbury, Montgomeryshire her family’s background is in farming and veterinary practice in the county. She is passionate about rural matters. Interests include country sports, eventing, skiing and singing. She is Secretary of the United Pack in the Welsh borders.

Nick is Farm Operations Director for farmers and cheesemakers Alvis Brothers based in North Somerset, responsible for the 4,000 acre estate including dairy, beef, arable, pigs, contracting and property.

He is a Fellow, Trustee and Chairman of the Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies, Chairman of the Farmers Club Charitable Trust, Fellow of the Institute of Agricultural Management and vice Chairman of the farm-based charity FarmLink. Nick is a Nuffield Scholar, alumni of the Windsor Leadership programme, founder chair of the FCCT Professional Forum and chair of the North Somerset Agricultural Society’s ploughing match committee. He lives at Congresbury near Bristol with wife Marlene.

“A place where you meet and make friends for life!”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my stays in the Club, attending events around the country and getting to know fellow members.”

“Home from home in the middle of London and a great place to catch up with industry colleagues.”

Andrew Court

Sophie Dwerryhouse

Nick Green

The Club’s General Committee plays an important role in running the Club for its membership, with new members elected and co-opted each year. This year four new Full Members and two new Co-opted Members join, bringing a wealth of farming experience. Charles Abel introduces them

Lindsay returns to The Farmers Club Committee, having served a previous term from 2013 to 2018. He brings over forty years of experience of managing large farming enterprises in the eastern counties.

He now works with a number of organisations focused on the regulation of water resources for agriculture. He is a keen supporter of science for agriculture through his work with Innovate UK. Lindsay is a Nuffield Scholar, Fellow of Royal Agricultural Societies. He has been a Club member since 1975 and was its Under 30s Chairman in 1984. He lives with Carolyn in Cavenham near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

“The Farmers Club is a great place to meet farming people from across the country and discuss issues of the day. Its central location so close to the seat of government adds to its value and amenity.”

Mark is a rural practice Chartered Surveyor and graduate of Harper Adams University who worked in estate and rural asset management, before joining the CLA as a surveyor.

He went on to become a Regional Director and is now the CLA’s Director of Programmes in London. Mark is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association and previously sat on its Council. Other roles include a seat on the Council of the Canal and River Trust. He is also a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farmers and has attended its Challenge of Rural Leadership Course.

“With the highest quality British sourced food on offer, there is no better place in town to catch up with old friends and colleagues, or to make new ones.”

Ayrshire farmer John has produced milk to be used by international food manufacturing business Nestle to make the chocolate for its KitKat biscuits.

His business focus now is renewable, green, low carbon heating installations. He has been a member of The Farmers Club for 25 years, including a time as an Under 30s member and a previous spell as a Committee Member. He is a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Farmers, a member of The Royal Highland Agricultural Society and a beneficiary of the Roy Watherston Agricultural Scholarship programme. He is married to Jean and lives at Ayr in Scotland.

“I have always found the Club to be an excellent base to meet business associates and friends when in London.”

Lindsay Hargreaves

Mark Riches

John Wilson

New Club Door Locking System

As you will have read in previous e-newsletters, the Club has embarked on a new door locking system.

Whilst we appreciate that many feel the traditional metal bedroom door keys were one of those factors that made the Club the Club, they did cause numerous issues:

• Broken locks are a common and expensive occurrence

• Damaged doors as a result of broken keys in locks and jammed door latches are frequent and expensive to repair

• Keys get taken home by mistake and whilst many return them (thank you) replacements are expensive

And so, we recently installed Assa Abloy electronic door locks, similar to those that you may have experienced if you have stayed in a hotel, where you have been given a flat, credit card style key that you insert or tap on the door lock.

Some of course may feel that this is too “hotely.” Some may have also had issues when checking into a hotel, your bedroom was as far away from Reception as it could be and your key card didn’t work when you got there, making it a very frustrating long walk back to Reception to complain and change it for another! On that note, the technology is now far advanced; the credit card or mobile phone in your wallet will not wipe the card clean.

Your key card will be provided on check-in in a little holder that states your room number.

• Traditional keys are easy to identify and security is not as good as it could be when dealing with over 150 metal door keys in a shared building

• Security in a shared building in terms of general access and stock is vital and an area we wish to improve on.

This makes the number easy to remember and the card can also be shown in the Restaurant, Bar and Lounge when the team ask which bedroom you are staying in.

When you check out the key cancels, so if you do take it home, no trip to the post office is required. However, please do leave them with us so that they can be re-programmed for the next member.

For those interested in the future technology and potential developments of this system, it includes the ability to open doors using your mobile phone. Bedroom lights turning on and off when you go into a room is possible, but would entail an extensive re-wiring exercise in all areas of the Club. Cashless payment around the Club using your card, could also be achieved. So, future development….absolutely, if and when the Club chooses to do so.

Do let me know if you have any queries and if you are unsure how the system works the team will be more than happy to assist when you are in the club.

Virginia Masser General Manager

Young V&A

(formerly the V&A Museum of Childhood)

Re-opening its doors on Saturday 1st July 2023 following a £13 million plus redevelopment the Young V&A is designed with, and for, children under the age of 14. The space aims to inspire the next generation of artists, designers, performers and practitioners, with hands-on experiences, dedicated exhibitions and 2,000 works from the V&A’s collection of art and design.

National Portrait Gallery

After several years of redevelopment, the restoration of this stunning Grade I listed building with its many historic features, reopens to the public on 22nd June. A comprehensive redisplay of the Gallery’s Collection from the Tudors to the current day will be displayed in beautifully refurbished galleries. Opening with an unprecedented exhibition, revealing for the first time, extraordinary photographs taken by Paul

McCartney between December 1963 and February 1964 when The Beatles were transitioning from a British sensation to global phenomenon.

Summer Exhibition: Royal Academy of Arts

13th June — 20th August 2023

The Summer Exhibition is the world’s oldest open-submission art exhibition. Held every year since 1769 the Summer Exhibition displays works in a variety of mediums and genres by emerging and established artists. Prints, paintings, film and photography, sculpture, architectural works and more.

DIVA Exhibition: V&A Museum

Opens Saturday 24th June 2023

Promising to celebrate the power and creativity of iconic performers. From the Opera goddesses of the Victorian era to today’s global megastars, it will explore and redefine what it means to be a diva and how this has been subverted or embraced over time.

Dinosaur World Live

11th August 2023 – 3rd September 2023

Craig Godfrey Member Experience Manager The Membership Experience Department

The Wonderful Open-Air Theatre Set in the heart of Regent’s Park will put on a mind-expanding Jurassic adventure live on stage. Here you can discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after the show offers all brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend.

London is set for a glorious Summer including the first Coronation since 1953 and the King’s first Trooping of the Colour. Alongside these historic events, there’s plenty going on in the city as always and here are a few of my highlights:

As always please let me know if I can arrange anything for your upcoming London visit. Contact me via memexpmanager@thefarmersclub.com

Farming Figures

£26bn

Annual food production by UK farmers

- £33bn

Indirect impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine farming, on top of £5.5bn direct losses

+17%

Rise in sheepmeat imports in past year, inc NZ 3% up, pushing lamb price 90p/kg lower

NZ$ 4,281 each

Price paid in NZ for Easycare wool-shedding ram lambs produced from UK embryos

Two-thirds

Share of NZ farmers labelling economic conditions as “bad”, with 82% expecting further deterioration in next 12 months

55%

Reduction in antibiotic sales for UK food-producing animals since 2014, to 28.3mg/kg

1m households

Fall in audience for plant-based products in January, mainly due to price and preference

2,700 vehicles

Brussels farm protest against plans to hit N use/stock numbers hard to cut emissions

-45%

Cut in potential carcinogen acrylamide in bread made from gene edited wheat

1/10th

Fall in English tenanted land area since 2010

Sources: FW, FG, Hybu Cig Cymru, Defra, Kyiv School of Economics, RUMAA, Kantar/AHDB, Rothamsted Research, Federated Farmers

Farming for profit and food security

THE sixth BCPC/Farmers Club seminar focuses on the delicate balance of profitable farming, food production and protecting the environment. It will consider how UK agriculture can adapt to the challenges ahead, based on facts, not fiction or bias.

Food security has risen up the global agenda with climate change, ongoing conflicts and future concerns about global trade and supply. UK consumers have become increasingly aware about food supplies, rising prices and its provenance. Yet farmers regularly get the lowest returns in the supply chain, while shouldering the highest risk.

At a time when the availability and reliability of global food supplies are declining, the current UK Government’s Landscape Recovery Scheme adds to the pressure on

domestic food production. Many feel there is a danger that DEFRA’s new Sustainable Farming Incentive will do little to help the UK’s growing food deficit, leaving the UK needing to pay the price for importing even more food from rival international markets.

This important seminar will consider ways the sector might respond.

The event will be held in the Farmers Suite of the Club. Dress for gentlemen is lounge suit. Cost is £63/head (inc VAT) to include coffee, lunch and tea. Delegate numbers are restricted, with registration on a first come, first served basis. Online booking is not available, please book with Member Experience Manager Craig Godfrey, e-mail: memexpmanager@ thefarmersclub.com or tel: 0207 930 3751 ext 6

6TH BCPC FARMERS CLUB SEMINAR

THURSDAY

JUNE 2023, THE FARMERS CLUB, LONDON

SPRING HAS SPRUNG hopefully

As you read this article l am hopeful that some of the crazy happenings that we came across at the back end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023 have eased slightly. Maybe back to normal… mmm maybe that’s too optimistic!

We all remember the media telling us that there was a chance we wouldn’t be getting our Christmas turkeys, due to the outbreak of bird flu. Then come December there weren’t the issues we had been expecting. Poultry farms in Kent and Sussex recorded no cases of bird flu, but prices increased anyway.

In February, l received an email from one of my fish suppliers informing me the price of Scottish salmon had risen by 70% overnight on top of the 2022 increase of 40%. MORI, one of the biggest salmon farmers in Europe, had revealed they had made £1billion profit from a turnover of £6 billion in one year!! Cartels and governments were mentioned as possible reasons.

The snows and hard frost came in the same month and in one week cauliflowers were costing us £4.95 each. Tomatoes jumped from £12.00 per box to £20.00, and a single yellow courgette was £4.03!

British produce is what we are about and how we follow the seasons is very important to the construction of the Club menus. Our aim is to look at everything from breakfast to dinner and implement some necessary changes that won’t impact on your experience here, but further promote what the British Isles are about – quality produce! Dealing with massive daily price fluctuations has made for very challenging times for the Kitchen team, especially with the on-going development of dishes using only seasonal products.

Some of the Kitchen team have been with us a while now and some are new to the industry and/or new to The Farmers Club. Each bring their own skills to the collaborative approach of creating new dishes in the kitchen, it is very much a team effort. Initial creation, discussion, alteration, re-creation, discussion, maybe further re-creation, job done!

Our challenge is to make your experience at the Club as enjoyable as possible. Whilst offering wonderful British produce, great wine and of course that home from home atmosphere that our Food & Beverage Manager, Jelle and his service team create.

Enjoy! Chef

“The snows and hard frost came in the same month and in one week cauliflowers were costing us £4.95 each.”

“ British produce is what we are about and how we follow the seasons is very important to the construction of the Club menus.”

Chairman’s Jottings

I am writing my second Chairman’s jottings watching snow fall in March. At home, we have just finished day 1 TB testing of the whole herd, and have our fingers crossed for a clear result in 3 days. Our last test was 6 months ago but being in an ‘Edge’ area, hopefully, our next test won’t need to be for another 12 months, with badger vaccinations recommencing in the summer.

Our year kicked off with a tour of Growing Underground in Clapham

– a vertical farm 33m below London in a former World War Two air raid shelter. The sold-out event attracted a number of new members and we all enjoyed an evening learning about farming with the latest hydroponic systems and LED technology.

More recently, we hosted our first dinner of the year, which was also sold-out – hosting 54 Under 35 members and their guests. The speaker was Club member Alasdair

Under 35s

Marshall who gave a very insightful talk on building a 23,000 head dairy farm in the Middle East (see p21).

By mid-year the Under 35s should have hosted 17 events (which must be a record in recent years) all of which I’m looking forward to.

Whether you have been a long-term Under 35s member, are newly joined, or are interested in joining, I look forward to welcoming you at the next few events (see panel below).

OFC 2023

itself. It was my first OFC and there was a real buzz, especially as it was in-person after two years of being virtual!

Under 35s events:

Sat 22 Apr

A trip to Salon Privé, Royal Hospital, Chelsea

Fri 28 Apr

King & Country Coronation

What a way to start 2023! I was fortunate to be one of two scholars representing The Farmers Club at the Oxford Farming Conference, joining 33 other young scholars sponsored by McDonald’s.

It was actioned packed and intense, starting on the Wednesday afternoon with a leadership training program, before heading to Oxford University Natural History Museum Lecture Theatre for the OFC23 Report Launch on supply chain synergies.

Thursday started with early morning prayers in Christ Church Cathedral before walking to Oxford Examination Halls for the conference

An intense day followed, with 12 speakers, including HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, and great opportunities for networking. Sir Tim Smit of the Eden project had the whole room listening and entertained by his talk: “Farmers Leading the Battle for soil and soul”.

Thursday evening was a personal highlight, watching a very close friend, Kit Franklin MEng, CEng, MIAgrE, debating in the Oxford Union. This year’s debate was “This house believes that humans will not be needed on farms in a generation”. Needless to say Kit had a tough job proposing this, but spoke very well!

This is a fantastic opportunity for Under 35s to meet many people at the top level. Thank you.

Ben Barton Under 35s Committee Member

Dinner, The Farmers Club

Sat 29 Apr

Tour and Tasting, Meantime Brewery, Greenwich

Sun 14 May

Vineyard Tour, Tasting & Lunch, Chapel Down, Kent

Sat 20 & Sun 21 May

Farm Walk Weekend, East Sussex

Sun 11 Jun

Polo in the Park Family Day, Hurlingham, London

Thu 22 Jun

T20 Cricket Surrey v’s Middlesex, The Oval, London

Fri 30 Jun

Summer Cocktails & BBQ, The Farmers Club

Fri 4 Aug

Polo & DJ, Ham Polo Club, Richmond

Desertdairy

On 24 February the Under 35s hosted the New Chairman’s Dinner, welcoming 54 current and new members to the Club for an evening of excellent food and even better company.

The evening began with drinks on reception, amused by a magician’s sleight-of-hand tricks.

New Under 35s Chair, Emily Pile, gave a short speech before introducing the wider Under 35s Committee who took up their positions this January.

We were treated to excellent food as usual, with Chef serving ox cheek for main, which was a particular favourite. With the long dining tables out for the first time since before the pandemic, there was plenty of opportunity to speak with new and old faces, which is always a joy.

With an added twist for this dinner, some members were assigned to move two places after the main course to further encourage everybody to meet and speak with one another. On feedback this was well received and I am sure we will look to replicate it at future events.

Vast dairy

After dinner, we were treated to a fascinating talk titled “Dairy in the Desert”. Alasdair Marshall gave a fascinating insight into the practicalities of setting up and maintaining a vast diary operation in deserts in the Middle East.

He provided ample background into what led to the farm’s development, an overview of the construction and farm operations as well as the challenges of setting up and managing a 23,000 head dairy farm in the Middle East – not least transporting dairy herds across thousands of miles of ocean to their new home!

Engaging questions

Needless to say, there were so many engaging follow up questions that the Club bar was closed long before we finished discussions! Alasdair provided fantastic photographs alongside the talk, which really helped us visualise and appreciate the work undertaken to setup and manage dairy herds in their not so natural habitat. Expect more dairy from the desert in the coming years!

With the Club bar closed, taxis rolled up Whitehall Court to whisk us away to Bunga Bunga in Covent Garden, an Under 35s staple!

It was fantastic to see so many in attendance and the Under 35s Committee hopes to see many more of you in the coming months, as we have an exciting programme of events lined up!

Managing 23,000 dairy cows in the desert drew vigorous debate after the New Chairman’s Dinner.

Edward Whattoff reports

020 7930 3557 • www.thefarmersclub.com

@thefarmersclub The Farmers Club Page

Office Holders

HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS

Barclay Forrest OBE, Sir Mark Hudson KCVO, Peter Jackson CBE, Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE, John Parker

THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB 2023

VICE PRESIDENTS

Paul Heygate, Julian Sayers, Nicki Quayle

PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN

Meurig Raymond CBE DL

TRUSTEES

Tim Bennett (Chairman), Peter Jinman OBE, Jimmy McLean, Keith Redpath

VICE-CHAIRMAN

Richard Maunder

HONORARY TREASURER

Christopher Riddle

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN

John Lee OBE DL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY

Andrei Spence

CLUB CHAPLAIN

The Reverend Dr Sam Wells COMMITTEE

Elected 2020 to serve from 2021 to 2023 inclusive: Ian Bell OBE (re-elected), Tony Bell, Alan Plumb, Anthony Snell

Elected 2021 to serve from 2022 to 2024 inclusive: Stephen Butler, John Hardman (re-elected), Tom Rawson, Janatha Stout

Elected 2022 to serve from 2023 to 2025 inclusive: Sue Bullock (re-elected), Sarah Cowlrick (re-elected), Sophie Dwerryhouse, Nick Green, Lindsay Hargreaves, Mark Riches, John Wilson

Co-opted: Nick Green (Chairman, FCCT), Emily Pile (Chairman Under 35s), Andrew Court (Vice Chair Under 35s)

THE FARMERS CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES

Nick Green (Chairman), Vic Croxson DL, Meryl Ward MBE, Des Lambert OBE, Dr Jenna Ross OBE, James Squier, Christine Tacon CBE, The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Club (ex officio). Patron Mrs Stella Muddiman

The Farmers Club Member Survey

OCTOBER 2022

The team and I are analysing the enormous amount of data that the Members Survey 2022 has provided, over 100 pages of it. The survey was completed by 1641 members, a 23% increase on the 2017 survey, reflecting almost a third of the total membership… an excellent rate of return.

As we make our normal daily decisions, we are taking your feedback into consideration where we can. As a result of some comments and as an example, you will see that I created the Members Information Sheet in a different format this year, which was sent out to you in a separate mailing.

I hope this handy size, easy to read, pin to the fridge with a magnet version, has reminded you of the services we provide and is an easy document to refer to.

Some of you may be disappointed if you do not see that your idea has been adopted, rest assured

we have considered them all. However “a bigger Restaurant” is just not something we can achieve… unfortunately nor are 30 wines served by the glass. I’m afraid the lack of Club space does not allow for either.

On the emotive subject of dress code, this is a Committee decision as it lies within the Club Rules. I have given the House Committee the results of that section of the survey and it will be discussed at the next set of Committee Meetings about the time you will be receiving this Journal. If any changes are made, you will be the first to know, via an e-newsletter.

A big thank you to all of you that did take the time to fill in the survey, it provides valuable feedback for the team as we aim to provide the service you expect from your Club.

Virginia Masser General Manager

Club Bedroom Requests

NEXT ISSUE

The next issue of the Farmers Club Journal, due with members in August, will include reports on Club activities and events, including reports from the St George’s Day Luncheon, Pinnacle Awards and the Club AGM.

The Club has 56 bedrooms and within that 56 there are 12 different room types. In addition we have the wonderful quirks of the Club based on the building we are in. These include; steps up into bedrooms, steps up into bathrooms, four bedrooms with “out-suite” bathrooms, bedrooms down into the Garden Suite accessed by a narrow staircase and bedrooms with stunning views up on the 8th floor reached by another steep staircase.

We will always do our best to accommodate your requests. But for all the reasons mentioned above this is not always possible. The Club can run at 100% occupancy, however, there are many nights when bedrooms are available and the more flexible you are when booking bedrooms the greater the number of times we will be able to accommodate you.

Deaths

It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members:

Mrs F Bartleet Essex

Mrs A Bruce Lanarkshire

Mr G Hirst Yorkshire

Mr J Hodge Sussex

Mrs M Ivor-Jones Suffolk

Mr J Kerr MBE DL Suffolk

Mrs L Lines London

Mr M Long Worcestershire

Mr S Luckin Kent

Mr H Padfield Essex

Mr D Parton Cheshire

Mr R Potter Warwickshire

Dr C Ruscoe

Dr R Stanbridge

Miss A Purser

Mr E Rankin

Surrey

Lanarkshire

Miss C Rice Somerset

Mr P Sedgwick Berkshire

Mr D Shelton Leicestershire

Mr A Skeels

Club Contacts THE FARMERS CLUB

Serving farming for over 180 years

3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL

Buckinghamshire

Lincolnshire

Mr D Waugh Surrey

Mr A Williams Gloucestershire

Mr M Winterton Leicestershire

Mr P Woolridge Kent

New Members

The following were elected:

UK Members

Mr E Adams Buckinghamshire

Mr R Anderson Roxburghshire

Mr T Bradshaw Essex

Miss E Broom Norfolk

Mr C Clive Worcestershire

Mr C Dargie Perthshire

Mrs N Earle Northamptonshire

Mr C Edwards Warwickshire

Mrs J Fenton Buckinghamshire

Mr A Gardner Cardiganshire

Mrs E Green Suffolk

Mr M Green Cornwall

Mr R Greenhalgh

Mr J Hamilton

Mr A Henson

Mr R Hodgkins

Cheshire

Midlothian

Gloucestershire

Hertfordshire

Mr R Hudson Yorkshire

Mrs F Jameson Hampshire

Mrs M Jones

Glamorgan

Mr D Lombe Taylor Norfolk

Mr J McCorquodale Roxburghshire

Mr I Morgan Essex

Mr J Pain London

Mr C Payne

Mr S Pearce

Mr C Perkins

Buckinghamshire

Staffordshire

Herefordshire

Mrs J Post Kent

Mr S Prest Yorkshire

Lincolnshire

Mr M Suddes Northumberland

Miss L Taylor Norfolk

Mr H Thomas Carmarthenshire

Mr N Turner Warwickshire

Miss Z Vitry-Trapman Buckinghamshire

Mr R Wainwright Yorkshire

Mr W Wallis

Hampshire

Mr P Watson Worcestershire

Mr D Wilkes Suffolk

Overseas

Mr G Hunt Australia

Mr J Martin Switzerland

Under 35s

Mr H Blockley Yorkshire

Miss J Borrill

Lincolnshire

Miss H Buisman Hertfordshire

Mr T Cotterill Warwickshire

Mr O Flux Norfolk

Miss L Gorringe Somerset

Dr C Hensher London

Mr J Hunt Cambridgeshire

Miss C Jones

Herefordshire

Mr J Keen Hampshire

Mr J McConville Warwickshire

Miss L Mostyn Devon

Miss M O’Neill Buckinghamshire

Miss V Parrott

Staffordshire

Mr P Peace London

Miss E Raymond London

Miss M Raymond Pembrokeshire

Mr M Roberts Yorkshire

Mr J Royce

Lancashire

Mr J Saunders Yorkshire

Miss H Shoosmith Sussex

Mr A Simmons

Lancashire

Miss P Skepper Suffolk

Mr R Speed Cheshire

Mr C Sworder Wiltshire

Miss C Viney

Oxfordshire

Mr R Viney London

Mr M Walby London

Mr O Woodhall Shropshire

Associate Members

The Rt Rev S Corley Cheshire

Rt Revd Dr H Hartley Northumberland

Mr J Schembri London

Function Rooms

Chairman 2023: Meurig Raymond CBE DL Chief Executive and Secretary: Andrei Spence

Club Email: generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com

Bedroom Reservations 020 7930 3557 ext 4 reservations@thefarmersclub.com

Restaurant Reservations 020 7930 3557 ext 3 restaurant@thefarmersclub.com

Conference & Banqueting 020 7925 7100 ext 5 functions@thefarmersclub.com

Member Experience Department 020 7930 3751 ext 6

General; memexpmanager@thefarmersclub.com

Club Events; memexpcoordinator@thefarmersclub.com

Reception 020 7930 3557 ext 2 reception@thefarmersclub.com

Membership 020 7925 7102 ext 7 membership@thefarmersclub.com

Finance 020 7925 7101 ext 7 financialcontroller@thefarmersclub.com

General Office 020 7930 3751 ext 6 generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com

Whitehall Court Porters 020 7930 3160 Fax 020 7839 7864

Website: www.thefarmersclub.com @thefarmersclub

The Farmers Club Page

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

No film or film processing chemicals were used.

Printed on Lumi Silk which is ISO 14001 certified manufacturer. FSC® Mix Credit. This product is made of recycled materials and other controlled sources.

The Farmers Club

Reception and Food & Beverage Opening Hours

Weekdays

Reception 7am – 11pm

Breakfast in the Restaurant 7am – 9.30am

Lunch in the Restaurant 12.30pm – 2pm

Dinner in the Restaurant 6pm – 9pm Lounge, Bar and Terrace 11am – 11pm (Bar food from 12noon – 9pm)

TO NOTE Please email restaurant@thefarmersclub.com to make a Restaurant reservation

Saturdays

Reception 8am – 4pm

Breakfast in the Restaurant 8am – 10.30am

Lounge, Bar and Terrace 11am – 11pm (Bar food from 12noon – 6pm)

Sundays

Reception 8am – 4pm

Breakfast in the Restaurant 8am – 10.30am

Conference & Banqueting

If you would like to hold a function on any day of the week, whether it be a social occasion or business meeting, our function rooms are available. As always contact Liza on functions@thefarmersclub.com or call 020 7925 7100 to check availability.

Please note, services and timings will alter during BH Weekends and the Festive Season

As at 6th February 2023

Correct at time of printing