Newyear2014

Chairman’s Comments • Jimmy McLean

Farmers Club

I am also pleased to welcome Robert Lasseter, Alison Ritchie, Allan Stevenson, Martin Taylor and Campbell Tweed, who were elected to the General Committee at the end of last year.

Over 160 years of service to farming 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL Patron – Her Majesty The Queen

Duke of Westminster The Club lunch in November was well attended.

The Duke of Westminster spoke passionately about his concern for the countryside and those who work in it. He outlined his strategy for his own estates, highlighting his concern to see businesses not only surviving, but thriving. At that same lunch he presented The Farmers Club Cup to Matt Dempsey.

Matt, who is a long-standing member of the Club, is well regarded on both sides off the Irish Sea and a worthy recipient of this award.

FRONT COVER Scottish banking expert Jimmy McLean is the 2014 chairman of The Farmers Club, pictured here with his wife Jane at last year’s Royal Highland Show.

Contents

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.

7 4

3

Chairman’s Comments A new Club year beckons

4

Club chairman profile From a background in farm consulting in West Lothian new Club chairman Jimmy McLean now heads RBS Agriculture

6

Distance learning Advanced Training Partnerships are designed to enhance skills in UK farming, without returning to a full-time course

8

10 6

Argentine lessons Are economies of scale being realised? A Farmers Club Charitable Trust beneficiary suggests they may not be

10 Innovation Union Brussels wants more innovation in farming and is helping with a new Innovation Partnership. Will RDP funding support it?

13 Super dairies Get on the front foot to better promote large enterprises

14 Grass boost Science is leading the way to better grass performance

13 10

16 Farming figures Agriculture and rural issues in Scotland

16 Duke of Westminster Landlord responsibilities need taking seriously

17 Eric Wilson obituar y Tribute to a much respected past chairman of the Club

18 Under 30s Under 30s chairman looks forward to year ahead

14 13

Chairman’s Comments

19 Horse events Under 30s author considers hosting an equine event

20 Club News and Calendar Latest developments and details of all that is happening

“The longer term outlook for the sector remains positive… as the importance of agriculture to both the world economy and ecology is given added weight”

I want to begin by wishing you all a very happy New Year. I hope it will also turn out to be a prosperous one. We are certainly starting the year in a much better place than last year, with more winter cereals in the ground and most have established well.

Livestock too, have had a much better start to the winter following a drier autumn. The longer term outlook for the sector remains positive not only because of the increasing demand for our products, but also as the importance of agriculture to both the world economy and ecology is given added weight.

The past year, as vice chairman, has flown by and I have been advised by my predecessors that this year will do likewise. I am very conscious of the honour of being elected as Chairman of The Farmers Club and look forward to working with my fellow Committee Members, Trustees and Staff in the year ahead. It is quite daunting, when I look at what previous Chairmen have achieved, but I will endeavour to follow – in my own way.

I also want to pay tribute to the excellent work Stewart and Janet Houston have done over the past year. They provided an excellent programme for members, taking the Club to the country and further afield. Stewart has also worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the Club remains in good heart.

The coming year will be a challenging one for the sector as the implementation arrangements for the latest round of CAP reforms are agreed. England has, at least, gone through the ‘pain’ of migration from historic to area based payments, but for Scotland, Wales, and to a degree Northern Ireland, that challenge has still to come. This has the potential to cause a greater redistribution of payments, particularly in Scotland and Wales. Hopefully, the respective legislatures will allow sufficient time for affected businesses to adjust to these changes.

Scottish independence Next year will also be an exciting year for Scotland. Not only will there be a referendum to decide whether Scotland remains part of the UK or becomes an independent country, it will also host the XX Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup. That’s in addition to having a Scotsman chairing The Farmers Club!

My Chairman’s programme will naturally have a Scottish flavour. We have already closed applications for our summer trip to Orkney in June, when we will learn more about farming ‘on the edge’. We’ll also look at some of Orkney’s branding successes and take in some of the more historic sites. Being there in June will also allow any late night revellers to experience the ‘simmer dim’ – when the sun only dips below the northern horizon briefly. We will be hosting a pre-Highland Show dinner again this year and are also planning a visit in August to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which will include dinner in Edinburgh Castle.

Both Jane and I are looking forward to meeting many of you over the coming year. We are enthusiastic about giving something back to a Club that has given us so much enjoyment over the years.

Jimmy McLean

22 Club Information and Contacts

02 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

www.thefarmersclub.com • 03

Chairman Profile • Charles Abel

Charles Abel • Chairman Profile

Scottish banker is chairman for 2014

Far left: Jimmy McLean succumbs to the SAYFC’s ‘gunge’ tank at the Royal Highland Show.

Left: Jimmy McLean brings a wealth of experience as RBS’s Head of Agriculture.

He also helped with the Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture and The Ross Report on exotic animal diseases. He has served on committees with the Scottish Clearing Bankers, British Bankers Association and the Royal Highland Education Trust, and chairs the NFUS Remuneration Committee.

Jimmy McLean is Chairman of The Farmers Club for 2014. Charles Abel provides a profile of this highly respected agricultural banker TAKING a dunking in the ‘gunge’ tank may be the last thing you’d expect of a prominent banker.

But for Jimmy McLean, Head of Agriculture at the Royal Bank of Scotland, it was all in a day’s work at last year’s Royal Highland Show.

“It was a bit of fun to raise money and celebrate the 75th anniversary of Scotland’s Young Farmers Clubs,” he reflects. It is just one insight that reveals the wry sense of humour behind this affable agricultural expert, with a reputation for ability, integrity and genuine honesty.

Although his parents did not farm, farming is in his blood. “If you go back far enough you’ll find my great grandparents farming” he says, as he recounts fond memories of childhood visits to his mother’s aunt, who ran a small farm in Lanarkshire.

But Jimmy wanted to be a doctor. “I did the first year of a medicine degree at Edinburgh University, despite having a bit of a ‘thing’ about blood. People said I would get over it. But I didn’t, and I had to switch course.”

General consultant His rural background steered him to Agriculture.

“You could say I ended up in farming by accident.”

But it was the beginning of a distinguished career, initially with Scotland’s university-led extension service, the SAC, as a general consultant in West Lothian, advising lowland arable farmers beside the Firth of Forth, dairy farmers further inland, and hill farmers in the Pentland Hills.

He was soon promoted to SAC headquarters in Edinburgh. Here his eyes light up. “I was effectively working as a management accountant, helping some Scottish farming businesses expand, but also seeing lots of difficult cases, where farmers were in really deep trouble.” Working with bankers, accountants and consultants to find solutions provided a real buzz.

New Club chairman for 2014 Jimmy McLean and wife Jane live near Lauder in the Scottish Borders. Their children are all grown up: eldest daughter Laura working as a physiotherapist, Amy as a school teacher and Ross as a restaurant manager, while Grace is training to be a dietician.

04 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

He became head of SAC’s Rural Business Unit just as it moved from government supported extension work to an increasingly commercial service. A new contract involved training bankers and in time that led to an opportunity to move into

commercial banking, as Head of Agricultural Services with the Royal Bank of Scotland.

This UK-wide role involves setting the bank’s policy on agriculture, identifying commercial opportunities and keeping staff up to speed with farm finance issues. He oversaw the integration of farming teams when RBS and NatWest joined in 2000, before a period of relative calm, until 2008.

Jimmy’s roots are firmly in Scotland, where he lives with wife Jane outside Lauder in The Borders.

Their latest home reflects his passion for DIY, being converted from a row of derelict cottages with minimal help from sub-contractors. Jimmy also serves as an elder in the Church of Scotland, supporting the local minister in the welfare and Christian doctrine of the parish.

Scottish independence “Even though RBS’s agriculture business was solid, and growing, it was part of a bigger business that, with hindsight, was not solid,” he recalls.

Extremely tough times followed as costs were slashed and huge restructuring saw some friends and colleagues leaving the bank.

Today RBS, which continues to be majorityowned by British taxpayers, is investing in more managers in farming, a sure sign of a deepening commitment to the sector, Mr McLean notes.

Forward strategy His expertise and passion for the industry has led to wider roles too, including the influential Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture, which pointed to a closer integration with the food and drink industries. That is something that needs to go much further, he says.

“Seeing farming as the first link in the overall food chain is so important. The rural hills and mountains give Scottish farming a natural marketing niche, which we have to make the most of, because climatically we are disadvantaged, and much of the land is really quite harsh.”

Indeed, provenance will be a key theme of his year as Chairman of The Farmers Club. “Our visit to Orkney will show some of the extremes in UK farming, but also how collaboration and effective branding has increased demand for their products.”

So what of the vexed issue of Scottish independence? “Personally, I think devolution has been a good thing. I believe in local decision making and that has generally been good for Scottish agriculture, bringing government closer and shortening the lines of communication” Jimmy says.

With regard to full independence, he is more guarded. There are a number of key issues which need to be debated. For farmers one of the most important is whether an independent Scotland would retain its existing conditions of membership within the EU, or whether a lengthy process of integration would be required, and what might that entail. Secondly, what impact would there be from a key market, England, becoming a separate country? “Scotland’s farmers have a history of adapting to change. I have no doubt that will continue, whatever the outcome of the referendum,” he comments Alongside a busy programme of events for the year Jimmy is keen to uphold The Farmers Club’s core ethos. “We’ve had quite a few changes recently and we’ve had to invest in the Club, and to do that we’ve had to look at how we run things, and that has involved some soul-searching. But the Club exists for the members, not just the chairman, the committee or those that use it most, but for all the members in equal measure. We need to hold on to our important core values while recognising that we will have to change to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our members.”

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Skills

Skills

Distance Learning

Case study “I had enjoyed studying at Harper and found I had really begun to miss learning,” he says. “On top of that, this course looked like it would give me the opportunity to bring myself up to date with the latest research without having to take time away from my farm and young family.

Farming can’t afford to stop learning. Martine Spittle of IBERS looks at a novel approach to distance learning

Martine Spittle, Advanced Training Partnership Coordinator at IBERS

THERE is a wealth of research aimed at finding ways to improve beef, sheep and dairy farming. But it can be difficult to access, or to pinpoint what might be most useful to you. On top of this you are probably so busy that it might seem impossible to find time to learn about the latest innovations.

Most of our students are professionals involved in providing technical advice to farmers. The majority are consultants and advisors, but there are also a number of technical sales people, some forward looking farmers, and a smattering of vets and agricultural college lecturers.

However, thanks to the internet, it is now surprisingly easy to access flexible and high quality distance learning courses.

ATP courses aim to turn research findings into usable knowledge for these groups. Courses can be taken as single units or built up towards postgraduate qualifications. Students sign up for five years and during this time they can take as many or as few modules as they feel able to. Current modules include ruminant nutrition, silage science, carbon foot-printing and upland farming systems, amongst a host of others.

Advanced Training Partnerships were launched to help the farming industry enhance its skills, getting research findings onto farms, without the formality of a full-time training course [see panel].

The ATP for Sustainable and Efficient Food Production, led by the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University, is tailored to the needs of pasture-based farming. As with other ATPs the studying is done through distance learning, so participants can learn in their own time, wherever they are.

Imagine enjoying interactive and thought provoking online materials, or watching and listening to lectures, interviews and discussions, or reading about the latest research results, or interacting with fellow students and tutors through forums, messages and video meetings. And imagine doing it all as you sit in your office, your tractor cab, your car, or at your kitchen table in the evening.

ATP FEES Courses are priced per module: UK Fee

With 80% bursary

Workshop

£580

£116

Distance Learning

£750

£150

Workshop & Distance Learning

£1,200

£240

The programme provides the opportunity to become a student at a UK university, and to enjoy all the resources online. With the regular support of a personal tutor you will have access to fascinating and imaginative learning materials, comprehensive feedback on all your assessments and answers to any academic queries you may have.

Beef and arable farmer Mark Jelley – ATP distance learning fits well and brings practical benefits to the farm.

Mark Jelley is a beef and arable farmer from Northamptonshire who graduated from Harper Adams in 2002. Already a progressive farmer dedicated to improving the efficiency of his farm, Mark embarked on a Master’s level distance learning course in May 2013.

“The course is at a postgraduate level, so I knew it would be more difficult than my first degree. What worried me most was fitting study around the rest of my life. But, once I had got used to studying via the web, I found it really enjoyable. The videos were easily as good as being in a lecture theatre and had the added bonus that I could pause them (to make a cup of tea!) or replay bits I felt I hadn’t quite understood.

“Using the electronic library was an absolute joy. Although it wasn’t obligatory, I was really glad I attended the introductory workshop, as it made

it easy to relate to Neil [our tutor] and the other students.

“I gained a much broader understanding of a lot of topics; for example, the methane debate. I have made several small changes to the way I farm as a result of the course, adding yeast to the finishing bull rations, for example. Having gone through the source material I now understand how this fits into and affects the system, by improving rumen fermentation; and how it therefore offers some protection against an overburden of concentrates. We have begun an onfarm trial to quantify the benefits of yeast within the ration. I am also much more aware of the impact on the rumen of changing diet, so implement changes much more slowly now.

“The course really got my brain back to work. I loved the level it was pitched at and the challenge that presented.”

“The course really got my brain back to work. I loved the level it was pitched at.”

On top of all that, if you are employed in the sector and not publicly funded, you are likely to be eligible for a substantial fee bursary – currently set at 80%. It’s too good to miss!

ADVANCED TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS ATPs offer expert training to employees already qualified to degree level.

With funding from the BBSRC they aim to provide high-level skills training to help the agri-food sector respond resiliently to food security challenges. Worth £13m from 2011 to 2016 they cover:

Workshops aim to complement distance learning.

Mobile technology makes it easy to keep up with learning on-line.

• Pasture-based farming www.atp-pasture.org.uk • Agri-food chain www.agrifoodatp.ac.uk • Food quality and health www.foodatp.co.uk • Intensive pig and poultry www.atp-ilhp.org

06 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

www.thefarmersclub.com • 07

Arable Farming

Mozambique Arable Farming

Non-farming pressures can seriously compromise production costs.

Don’t cry for me Argentina Argentina was the destination for Farmers Club Charitable Trust beneficiary Henry Matthews as he investigated the economics of large scale farming in land-abundant countries

“Evidence from these two countries would suggest big is not necessarily beautiful.”

VOLATILE world prices and climate variability are familiar farming challenges in the UK. In Argentina farmers face the added challenges of 25% inflation, unfavourable exchange rates, unrealistic rents and a tax of up to 35% on most crops destined for export.

Those issues are particularly challenging to farmers on the Humid Pampas, a highly productive area where arable cropping has expanded rapidly over the past 20 years, at the expense of traditional beef production. But faced with such adverse factors farmers are now re-evaluating their production.

A survey carried out by the Astral University in Rosario suggests farmers want to expand. But my research suggests taking on more hectares does not necessarily lead to more efficient and profitable production.

The often foreign-owned operations of over 100,000 hectares are already withdrawing from the country, leaving opportunities for medium and large sized farmers. The question is; what size is the most viable and what lessons are there for the UK? Farming on the Pampas has been dominated by GM soya since the introduction of Roundup Ready seed in 1996, since when the area has grown from 3 million hectares, to 16 million in 2011, 13 million of which are grown in the Humid Pampas area.

Despite the crippling retention tax of 35% on soya exports, and the evolution of glyphosate resistant weeds, farmers continue to grow GM soya, many as their only crop. The alternatives are less reliable and subject to even less predictable price

08 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

changes. This means the end of crop rotation, with its implications for pest and disease build up, and soil structure.

By visiting seven farms and talking to organisations including Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecunaria, the national agricultural research institution, Astral University in Rosario, and Aapresid the NGO promoting and supporting the use of No-Till techniques in the country, it was possible to evaluate the scale of farm operations and assess the economics of arable production.

It became clear that as farm size grew the unit costs of production increased. That suggests the accepted wisdom of economies of scale is not applicable.

The table drawn up from information given by the farmers indicates that, while as a trend less labour is employed per hectare as farm size increases, and tractor horsepower per hectare decreases, the per tonne cost of producing soya increases. The medium size and commercial category of farm seem able to produce at a lower cost than the larger farms researched (see table).

It is worth noting, however, the individual circumstances of the farms. Farm A’s core enterprise was dairy production and the farm represented part of an integrated business exporting milk powder, while Farm B was part of a business which also sold and serviced combines. Although both argued that their arable farms were stand-alone businesses perhaps the focus on both is not on the efficient production of the crop.

An explanation is difficult. Anecdotal evidence was that the larger units often had land large distances (up to 100km) apart, making logistics difficult. Inefficiencies in the application and use of fertilisers and pesticides were also noted. The administration and management of the companies was arguably top heavy and not justified by turnover.

Ukraine, another country with a long reputation for its potential as an agricultural producer, is currently underperforming too, with average wheat yields at 2.5 t/ha amongst the lowest in Europe.

Figures from the State Statistical Committee suggest that the best yields, still less than 3t/ha are achieved

by farms of 2,000 to 3,000 hectares. Farms over this figure produce less.

Is big beautiful?

Production costs for two farms investigated reinforce the findings. In wheat, for example, the cost for a farm of 19,000ha was £104/t ($171/t), whereas for a farm of 1,500 ha it was £59.76/t ($98/t). Government intervention also operates in Ukraine to manipulate prices nationally. At a local level farmers are pressurised to grow specific crops.

Turn to page 13 for another perspective on the economies of scale in farming, this time considering dairy farming.

There is little evidence to suggest large scale farming in Ukraine is currently profitable. Those companies posting good results are mainly doing so on the back of vertically integrated operations, often involving processing and marketing. Much of the foreign investment in farming companies has come from institutions with a limited understanding of agriculture, anticipating a lifting of the moratorium on land sales, which would enable an asset to be bought for which there is an increasing demand worldwide.

But in Ukraine it is not possible to buy land at present, and in Argentina a foreigner is not permitted by law to own more than 1000ha, so neither represents a land investment opportunity, particularly when considering the lack of profit and the unhelpful government intervention both are subject to.

Optimum size of units in different countries will vary according to soil, climate, infrastructure and logistics. But the evidence from these two countries would suggest big is not necessarily beautiful.

A comparison of farm size, inputs, yield and costs, Rosario, Argentina FARM

Area (ha)

Labour (ha/man)

Machinery (tractor hp/ha)

Soya Yield (t/ha)

Costs £/t (@ £1=$1.64)

A

28,000

700

0.4

2.1

77.40

B

3,000

*

*

2.9

73.17

C

2,000

571

0.3

3.2

78.66

D

1,000

154

0.6

2.8

51.83

E

650

250

0.4

3.5

56.71

F

430

130

0.8

3.0

53.05

G

150

75

1.5

2.7

53.66

*Figures unavailable

KEY POINTS • Farmers in Argentina face enormous challenges, mostly non-agricultural • Unit cost of production rises as operation size increases, suggesting economies of scale are not being enjoyed by large operators and there is an optimum level of production below 2000ha • Ukraine farmers face non-agricultural challenges. Their cost of production also rises with farm size • As farmed areas increase in the UK, producers need to have cost discipline and not assume that just by increasing farm size they are lowering their costs of production.

Horsepower per hectare can hit a buffer on units over 2000ha.

Experience in Argentina and Ukraine suggests scale may not always bring savings, says Henry Matthews.

www.thefarmersclub.com • 09

Innovation

Alfons Gios benefited greatly from working with Flanders innovation service.

new actions where necessary. Project funding may be through Rural Development programmes, the EU Horizon 2020 programme or other EU and national funds.

In Brussels the EIP-AGRI Service Point aims to be a catalyst for communication, co-operation and information. Its dream is simple: When a German expert comes up with a solution that could help an English farmer, the information flows as swiftly as possible. And when a UK project needs research partners, those can be found quickly.

EU: Innovation Union Brussels wants farmers to innovate to boost productivity. Charles Abel reports

EUROPEAN farmers are under-performing and need to step up their act, embracing greater innovation, to bolster productivity. That is the message coming from Brussels, just as farmers try to get to grips with the “greenest” CAP regime ever.

Farm productivity has stagnated over recent years, particularly amongst the 15 original EU member states, where growth was less than 0.5% per annum from 2002 to 2011. In the UK productivity grew by 1.2% per year, just ahead of France, Germany and the Netherlands, but not by much. Even in the new accession states, where modernisation continues apace, annual growth has been just 1.8%.

That is no way to build a vibrant rural economy, Brussels policy-makers believe. Frustrated by the slow uptake of research and development efforts it wants a new approach, and it believes better co-ordinated innovation can make all the difference.

Indeed, the new CAP regime requires member states to show how rural development spending will deliver innovation, with support for innovation brokerage possible through at least four areas of Rural Development policy.

MORE INFO Christiane Kirketerp de Viron, EIP-Agri website: ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eip e-mail: servicepoint@eip-agri.eu phone: +32 2 543 73 48 EIPs on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OJfq9wgR54

10 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

To add fresh vigour to innovation efforts Brussels has launched a major EU-wide initiative – the European Innovation Partnerships. Reflecting the EU’s drive to be an Innovation Union the new EIPs target sectors most in need of help – Agricultural Sustainability and Productivity gets its own EIP, alongside others for Water, Raw Materials, Smart Cities & Communities and Active & Healthy Ageing.

Focus Groups have already been initiated to look at protein crops for animal feed, cutting anti-biotic use in pigs, pest management in oilseed rape and reducing variability in organic production.

Further topic areas are being sought. At the same time Member States are busily developing plans to reflect the new innovation agenda in their Rural Development Programmes. Watch this space!

Belgium leads on Innovation IN Flanders, the Dutch speaking northern part of Belgium, the Innovation Support Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development (ISCARD) has a successful 13 year track-record of working with entrepreneurial farmers to develop farmer-led innovation.

emissions by around 20%, which has encouraged many other pig farmers to use the technique to cut emissions from their existing buildings. Meanwhile, research continues to find a way to hit the 50% cut needed for new buildings. Reductions in odour and energy use are also being assessed.

“We see ourselves as innovation brokers, bringing together the right people to tackle issues,” says Stijn Bossin. Two prime examples have helped cut harmful ammonia emissions from pigs and improve the production and marketing of local farm produce.

Food delivery success

Pig farm progress Rapid modernisation to benefit society is the goal, with new approaches to accelerate research and development, avoid duplication, boost uptake, share best practice and fast-track any associated legislation and standards as required. Driving all aspects of innovation in parallel is expected to cut lead times significantly.

What’s more grass-roots innovation is to be prioritised, taking more notice of what farmers want and forcing academics and advisers to reflect that in their work.

The Commission accepts agricultural growth is constrained by environmental and societal demands, but believes growth must be sustainable.

There could be a net loss to the EU economy if it is not. Biodiversity loss alone already knocks an estimated 3% off the EU’s gross domestic product, worth €450 billion a year, it notes. So, issues such as climate change, habitat loss, resource management and water pollution must all be considered.

Working through Operational Groups EIPs will streamline, simplify and better coordinate existing research and development, and complement it with

Veerle D’haene and Patrick Pasgang – co-operating to boost local food sales in the Flanders region of Belgium.

Pig farmer Alfons Gios was keen to find a way to comply with local legislation requiring harmful emissions of ammonia from new pig housing to be cut by 50%, to just 1.4kg/pig/year, without needing air scrubbers or manure separators, which are both costly to install and run.

“I noticed that where I used a bacterial preparation to reduce the population of flies and improve flow in a shallow pit of pig slurry the nitrogen to phosphorous ratio of the manure rose,” says Mr Gios, who farms with his family at Oosterhoven, near Herenthout. “I wondered whether that meant emissions of ammonia would be lower too.”

The Innovation Centre brought together five research institutes, including PRODEM, a project linked to the Environmental Research Institute (VITO) which had no links with farming, which measured ammonia emissions from prototype pig housing Mr Gios was given leave to build.

“Without the financial support of Prodem the ammonia measurements would never have been performed,” Mr Gios says. Biobac, Agritron and Agrimest bacterial preparations all cut ammonia

Innovation came in two key forms to help Veerle D’haene revitalise the farm-based food business she runs with husband Paul and three staff at Lichtart in northern Belgium. Not only were operations updated on the farm and it’s food facility, but a novel approach to logistics has transformed deliveries too.

“We knew we needed to double the number of Sannen/Nubian-cross milking goats to 500, for economies of scale,” says Mrs D’haene.

“But we weren’t sure how to reorganise the cheese production and marketing. We had so many ideas we were paralysed by all the possibilities.”

Innovation broker Stijn Bossin believes EU initiative can help a lot.

ISCARD helped by finding experts to help, bringing chief executive experience from a food company, a cheese factory, a food distributor and a logistics firm. Key decisions around better banking, a new pricing formula for the awardwinning Polle cheese, to better reflect market outlets, a restructured manufacturing facility and improved flow of raw materials brought quick benefits.

But distribution remained inefficient, with Saturday and Sunday markets and two delivery rounds absorbing four days of Paul’s time every week.

That is where ISCARD’s Patrick Pasgang stepped in.

With his background in food logistics he helped launch an innovative approach to local fresh food deliveries, with the same refrigerated truck collecting produce from local farms and delivering to Continued on page 12… www.thefarmersclub.com • 11

Innovation

“The basic difficulty seems to be that scientists are doing science somewhere in the corner, and farmers are asking for something, but the scientists do not know what the farmers want, and the farmers do not know what science does. This is why we launched the European Innovation Partnership,” Georg Häusler, cabinet member of DG Agri Commissioner Dacian Ciolos.

Farming Systems

customers, all on the same round, with no central packing/storage facility.

The pick, drive, deliver approach is directed by sophisticated computer software that manages product orders, labelling, prices and despatch, plotting the most efficient route around the day’s collection and delivery points. “The refrigerated van is effectively the working area, so we achieve 150% truck capacity,” explains Mr Pasgang.

It seems to work. Dutch firm Distreko pioneered the approach with seven producers and 25 customers in 2001. Its refrigerated truck now links 20 producers to 50 customers, with an average order of €120-300, and no minimum delivery. The van covers 1200-1500km/week, with its operator commanding a fee of 20% of the €800,000 turnover.

Super dairies

In Belgium the DistriKempen service, launched last April, delivers cheeses from the Polle goat farm, plus cow cheese, fruit and tomatoes, potatoes and vegetables, and pig meat, from other local producers.

Further partners are being sought and similar services are being launched elsewhere in Belgium, including one delivering produce packed in insulated boxes to the Belgian Postal Service, which will then deliver to homes within 2-3 hours.

NORTH America has long been recognised as a land of opportunity. If large scale dairy farming is your ambition this is the place to be. It is a far cry from the attempts to create economies of scale in dairy operations in the UK, where just 17 herds exceed 1,000 cows, and 2,200 milkers on single sites in Wales and Lancashire seems to be the current limit.

EU funding was used to prime the project, paying for the software licence, so the continuity of the service is assured, even if the logistics operator changes. “Our aim is to be fully commercial, not relying on subsidy or social enterprise for on-going costs,” says Mr Pasgang.

“It is certainly helping our business, and our customers like it,” says Mrs D’haene. “The Innovation Service helped us have a goal, a direction, to specialise in cheese, and that has really made a difference. Our children are showing more interest in the farm too, now they can see a future for the business.”

New production line has enhanced cheese-making – two gold medals at Rome Food Fair resulted.

12 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

Computer-managed DistriKempen food delivery service brings new efficiencies.

Farmers Club link The European Cattle Innovation Partnership was created in 2011 when Richard Holland, Farmers Club chairman for the year, organised its first meeting in London.

The group of dairy cattle research experts, representing over 10 million cows and 52 billion litres of production, has benefited greatly from sharing research findings, goals and projects, initially with Technology Strategy Board funding. Lessons have already been taken from Danish research into lameness, and work on manure management in the Netherlands. Avoiding duplication and making the most of limited funds is a prime driver, but raising awareness across the EU cattle research community has also been key.

The group includes the UK, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, France, Israel and N Ireland and is co-ordinated by Ray Keatinge, head of R&D at DairyCo. A joint project is currently looking at phosphate’s role in livestock systems, as a nutrient and a potential pollutant. ECIP is also applying for EU Horizon 2020 funding and is closely involved with EIP-Agri. A key issue is how member states use Rural Development funds to support EIP operational groups, Mr Holland comments.

By contrast, Fair Oaks Dairy in Indiana milks 32,000 cows, through 10 units of 3,000 cows each, on a single site producing 1.25m litres/day. Indeed, super-dairies are the norm in the USA, where 60% of the milk comes from just 3.5% of the farms.

In the EU applications for units over 1,000 cows typically face protests, while the Netherlands is planning legislation to ban operations of over 500 cows, or maybe even 250. In the UK applications have been resisted by WSPA with its emotive “Not in my cuppa campaign”.

A project for 1000 cows in Wales has finally been granted planning permission, but only after a lengthy assessment of the public inquiry recommendations by the Welsh Assembly.

The public inquiry cost taxpayers an estimated £250,000, and the failed applicant £100,000. That was despite just 13 letters of complaint to the inquiry, from a village of 260 people.

The Welsh Assembly verdict was that the deliverable economic benefits more than outweighed the more subjective issue of diminished local amenity.

Environmental and public health concerns raised by protestors were noted, but largely discounted, as essentially exaggerated and manageable within the plan’s proposal.

But what hampers greater progress? Do economies of scale really continue with such units?

It is accepted that 500-1,000 cows can achieve economies of scale, but beyond that grazing can be a challenge, with cow movement over longer distances becoming an issue and infrastructure starting to suffer disproportionately. But US data

Is the tide starting to turn for UK super dairies?

shows a 15% drop in running costs, even for units over 1,000 cows, where housing, feed and manure logistics are challenges, but not insurmountable.

Stakeholder perceptions are perhaps the toughest hurdle, with lobby groups using emotive language for problems that may not exist. That is despite FAWC and the RSPCA acknowledging that enterprise size has no correlation with welfare, and CHAWG suggesting that larger herds actually do better.

“Management ability is actually more important than scale.”

“It’s a real red herring. It’s actually all about management of the issues, not the issues themselves,” says Farmers Club member David Alvis, who used a 2008 Oxford Farming Conference/ Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust award to investigate super-scale dairy farming and co-authored the ‘Can Big Be Beautiful?’ report. “Management ability is actually more important than scale.”

With the right management large units can mitigate risks, as exemplified by Kenn Buelow who milks 8,000 cows in one facility in Wisconsin and was recognised as the outstanding sustainable dairy farmer in the US recently. Indeed, impacts per unit of production could be significantly reduced.

That leaves the issue of perceived risks. Are those insurmountable? In the US Fair Oaks recognised the challenge, so installed a visitor centre at the heart of its operations. It hosts 400,000 visitors per year, convincing lobby groups and the public alike of the quality of its management. A similar approach is now being pursued for a super-scale pig operation.

Is big beautiful?

“That’s where our dairy industry needs to manage its PR better and get onto the front foot,” says Mr Alvis.

For the best results maybe super-scale farms should consider mixed farming. A 21st Century operation could truly harness the synergies of livestock and arable operations, to create a very, very sustainable closed loop system to better manage nutrients, pests, weeds and diseases. Any takers?

Turn to page 8 for another perspective on the economies of scale in farming, this time considering arable operations in Argentina and Ukraine.

Charles Abel www.thefarmersclub.com • 13

Research

Research

Quality forage quest Growing high quality grass is a priority for dairy farmers. By improving grass digestibility Danish researchers are helping producers raise milk yield and cut nitrogen pollution. Sara Gregson reports

“A 10% improvement in digestibility can uplift milk production by 6.4%, and reduce nitrogen release to the environment by 4.9%.”

LAND prices of up to £30,000 per hectare, a limit on the number of cows per hectare and restrictions on nutrient applications have combined to drive most of Denmark’s half a million dairy cows indoors.

But despite very little grass being grazed, it forms an extremely important part of the diet, providing high protein, high fibre forage to complement other silages such as maize and wholecrop cereals.

Nels Poulsen and his son Thomas run a herd of 450 high-yielding Jersey cows 100km south of Copenhagen at Aagaarden. Kept in a light, airy barn, they are milked by robots, and produce high milk yields with 6% fat and 4.5% protein. They currently receive €0.55/litre (45p/litre) from Danish co-op Arla for processing into cheese.

The farm extends to 345ha with 60ha of medium-term grass/clover leys. The aim is to take five cuts of high quality silage – although dry summers

Nels and Thomas are considering putting fixed lanes into the fields to reduce traffic damage to the soils caused by the multi-cut system, and growing more festulolium varieties like Perun. These crosses between ryegrasses and fescues are more droughttolerant, and use nitrogen more efficiently than conventional ryegrasses.

Ration structure

The Poulsons farm close to the Danish headquarters of breeder DLF-Trifolium, a company that is using biotechnology (not GM) to accelerate the development of plants with superior traits. “We are the first plant company to use genome-wide selection – techniques cattle breeders have been using for some time,” says Dr Klaus Nielsen, director of research and development.

“Grass is really important for us,” explains Thomas Poulsen. “The Jerseys need structure in their ration to keep their rumens healthy. Feeding good quality grass is so much better than offering straw, because it has much higher nutrient value. If we want to produce high quality milk we need plenty of grass silage.”

“This allows us to select for more characteristics at the same time, reducing the elements of guesswork and luck. We now have a vast amount of genetic data and can take a more targeted approach to breeding.”

can restrict re-growth and irrigation is not allowed.

Total nitrogen use is restricted to 330kg N/ha on all-grass swards and 220kg N/ha on clover/grass.

The Poulsens admit that until now their focus has been more on the cows than the grass. But this is changing. Thomas has enrolled in a Forage School, run by a team of independent advisors employed by Denmark’s Farmers’ Union. Among other things, they have encouraged him to monitor sward performance, helped him select appropriate grass mixtures and decide which fields to sow them in.

“Fibre content is one of the main reasons for including grass in ruminant rations,” explains Dr Nielsen. “But if we can increase the digestibility of it, cows will be able to access more of the nutrients contained inside the plant. Research suggests a 10% improvement in digestibility can uplift milk production by 6.4%, and reduce nitrogen release to the environment by 4.9%.”

To help farmers achieve the highest returns from these improved grasses, the company has put in place a support package of education and advice, including forage demo centres, a Grass Academy/ knowledge hub and a network of Grass Partners – 20 leading farmers doing on-farm trials and hosting farmer meetings.

Dr Klaus Nielsen of breeder DLF-Trfolium.

Kjeld Christensen, who manages one of the oldest herds of Danish Red dairy cows at Assendrup Hove Farm, welcomes visitors, from university students to schoolchildren. He was happy to become a Grass Partner and is using an area of one field to test various overseeding options.

Digestibility key Dr Nielsen believes that developing ever-higher yielding varieties may be counter-productive – especially in countries with strict limits on nitrogen use. His breeding goal is now firmly set on producing varieties of grass with improved forage quality, in particular those with high fibre digestibility.

“Thirteen years ago we did not grow any grass, but now we would not be without it,” says Mr Christensen. “We grow 11t DM/ha of a mixture of red and white clover, festulolium, tall and meadow fescues and perennial ryegrass, which produces high quality forage, with 20% crude protein content. Soya and other concentrate feeds are very expensive, so producing as much high quality grass as possible on the farm has to be the way forward for us.”

Kjeld Christensen is using improved grass mixes to cut concentrate use.

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High digestibility grasses help drive milk output from 450 Jerseys managed by Thomas and Nels Poulsen

14 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

Festulolium varieties are drought-tolerant and use nitrogen more efficiently than conventional ryegrasses.

Danish Red cows benefit from home-grown forage with 20% crude protein content on Kjeld Christensen’s Assendrup Hove Farm.

This spring there are fourteen venues nationwide with events running through March.

www.thefarmersclub.com • 15

Club Luncheon

Obituary

Farming Figures A quick look at the topical issue of…

Scotland’s farming and rural economy … told through some key statistics

£2.8 billion

Duke of Westminster at the Club

Output of Scotland’s farmers, crofters and growers

together produce over 15m litres of milk, making GFL Tesco’s largest milk supplier.

650,000

“It will be one of the biggest buildings of its kind in the UK, and I have consistently insisted it blends into the countryside,” the Duke explained.

That meant significant planting programmes, and dropping the roof line by 4ft, by digging a hole to build in, rather working on the soil surface.

People in agriculture; 250,000 jobs linked

1 million People living in rural communities, 20% of all people living in Scotland

37%

“I want to instil a philosophy of ‘looking through the owner’s eye’, so everyone at Eaton thinks ‘what would I do if I owned it’.” That may not necessarily boost income, but it helps cement GFL’s good reputation, he said.

Proportion of remote rural population which is aged 55 or older; 28% in the rest of the country

488 businesses Per 10,000 adults in rural areas, 50% higher than the rest of the country

85%

Scottish land classed “Less Favoured Area”

2.65 million Breeding ewes producing £249m of lamb

512 Farms have 30% of all Scotland’s sheep

2,400 tonnes Raspberry output in a typical season

75% Proportion of rural people describing their neighbourhoods as “very good” Source: SRUC, NFU Scotland & Scottish Government

16 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

The Duke of Westminster – farming with an eye to the future.

FRESH from inspecting stone walls on his estate in the Trough of Bowland the Duke of Westminster delivered a stimulating address to over 100 members at a special Club luncheon in November.

Drawing on the example of the 11,500 acre Eaton Estate in the Dee Valley near Chester, which his family had farmed since the 15th Century, he had clear messages around landowner responsibilities, more flexible tenancies and stimulating rural businesses.

A new £6m dairy complex highlighted the continuing long-term vision of Grosvenor Farms Limited, which farms 6,000 acres in-hand. By late 2014 the new facility will house 950 of GFL’s 1400 cows, which

Balancing the needs of 14 tenants demanded attention too. With his tenants averaging 53-years of age the need for new entrants to farming was clear. “Could part of the solution be a much wider introduction of Farm Business Tenancies,” he suggested.

“They have increased the flexibility for young farmers to enter the industry, and grow within it.”

Balancing food production with new rural businesses was also important. “We’ve been doing this since 1971, and now have 34 small businesses at Eaton, employing more people directly and indirectly than we did in Victorian times, when there were 100 in the laundry, 120 in the gardens and 66 in the house.”

He ended by noting that families with a heritage should regard it, and remember it, but not be a prisoner of it. They should take it from the pocket, like a gem stone, rub it, put a modern face on it and move on – always with an ‘owner’s eye’ on both the present, and the future.

Eric Wilson CBE Eric Wilson was one of that breed of men in the farming industry who, never having farmed an acre of land himself, still commanded the universal respect and friendship of every farmer he met IN a career that spanned more than half a century and a ‘retirement’ that moved effortlessly through its second decade, Eric made and kept friends across the country and the world. His huge energy and enthusiasm added momentum to any project or endeavour – a fact confirmed by a letter read from HRH The Prince of Wales at his funeral, commending his efforts in support of the Prince’s charity The Campaign for Wool.

Eric joined the Farmers Club in 1977. He was an enthusiastic member and became a very committed member of the Club committee. He will be remembered particularly as an outstanding Chairman in 2006. He took interest in every detail – and the tartan carpets still remain, his little bit of Scotland in his home from home.

A great supporter of Farmers Club golf until his eyesight prevented participation in his beloved sport, his involvement will perpetuate through the annual presentation of the Eric Wilson Trophy to the winning lady at the Club Championships. This is a miniature of a set of golf clubs, exquisitely crafted in silver by Eric himself, having taken up silversmithing as another retirement hobby.

Fleece fascination Born the son of a leading Scottish wool merchant, the fleece was always a fascination. Wool and farming were the common threads throughout his life. It was with great pride that he accepted the role of Master of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen in 2011.

Educated at Glasgow Academy, Eric was a graduate of the West of Scotland Agricultural College. Winning a Young Farmers’ tractor driving competition may not sound like a highlight in many lives, but for Eric it was a life-changing experience.

His prize was presented by Ann Ross, who was clearly impressed not only by his tractor driving skills, but his charm, determination and lightness of foot too (Eric was a fine country dancer). They were soon married and Ann became well known to many Club members. When her health failed Eric devoted his time and energy to nursing and caring for her to the last.

In 1956 the newlyweds had headed south of the border when Eric joined Unilever’s BOCM division, selling animal feed to hard-pressed Yorkshire and Cumberland farmers. He then moved to West

Cumberland Farmers, before becoming Chief Executive of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives.

Whitehall cooperation Now Eric’s network spread to Whitehall, where he fostered cooperation between thousands of British farmers. Later, as President of COGECA he helped represent the interests of a million farming businesses across Europe, addressing up to 40,000 demonstrating farmers in Brussels and spending days at a time negotiating quotas in the fledgling EEC. He was very proud in 1991 when he was awarded a CBE for his services to the industry.

Eric loved his Robbie Burns, and Burnsian sayings and graces often provided colourful additions to Farmers Club lunches and dinners, aftercommittee meetings and other events.

He liked to explore and toured both Poles, visited all the Continents and was a member of the governing body of the Royal Geographical Society.

He was an enthusiastic member of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, regularly attending its conferences and helping to organise that event when it was held in Edinburgh.

Eric Wilson, chairman of The Farmers Club in 2006, also served as Master of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen in 2011.

Despite his travels Eric’s first love was always the Scottish Isles and Shetland. Only a month before his death he was speaking in Shetland, on his favourite subject, wool. Eric was also a director of the Development Board at The Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, University of Edinburgh and chairman of Agri Food Charities Partnership. He was a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Farmers, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Member of the Geographical Club, Past Chairman of Rotary in Leamington Spa and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies.

The Club has lost a great friend and servant. But we can all reflect on a life fully lived and memories of the dry humour and twinkling eye that enriched so many of our gatherings.

Denis Chamberlain

www.thefarmersclub.com • 17

Jeremy Dyas, Chairman; Beth Hockham, Vice Chairman; Lisbeth Rune, Secretary • U30s

U30s • Jeremy Dyas, Chairman; Beth Hockham, Vice Chairman; Lisbeth Rune, Secretary

U30s

Keen interest in eventing means opportunities for landowners.

Chairman’s Jottings SADLY this will be my last Jottings as chairman.

I can hardly believe where the time has gone.

It’s hard to pick a highlight of the year, as there have been so many! Personally the events that stood out for me were the Autumn Farm walk weekend in Shropshire, and our recent speaker, James Barkhouse from Syngenta Crop Protection (see story opposite).

Expect to recoup the cost of a new cross country course within 3-5 years.

British Eventing can help with loans and grants.

Successful year I am pleased to report the Under 30s has had a tremendously successful year during my leadership and that every event was fully booked, a reflection of what an interesting and varied diary of events we have had over the past twelve months.

I would like to thank the Under 30s Committee as well as many non-Committee members who have helped me with the organisation of events and in particular Vice Chairman Beth Hockham. I can honestly say I will be leaving the Under 30s in very capable hands and I wish Beth the best of luck.

New members event The next Under 30s event will be the New Members weekend, which commences on Friday 7th February with a new members dinner at the Club. The Under 30s AGM takes place on the Saturday, followed by a theatre trip to see the play Jeeves and Wooster, with Saturday night dinner at a venue yet to be confirmed.

I would like to encourage anyone who has never been to an Under 30s event to please come along – you don’t know what you’re missing! These events are really good fun and we would like to see as many new faces as possible!

I wish all the best to the new Under 30s team being elected at our AGM on 8th February.

Winter Dining Event ONCE again another fully booked Under 30s event took place at The Farmers Club, this time the winter dining evening, with a number of new faces amongst the 42 present.

With evenings drawing in and winter upon us, pre-dinner drinks in the Cumber Room were a perfect opportunity to forget the bustling city outside. We were soon ushered through to the Eastwood Room for a fantastic three course dinner of goat’s cheese and red onion tart, supreme of chicken in cafe-au-lait sauce and a homely apple pie and custard to finish.

In the spring the Under 30s had welcomed Helen Browning, chief executive of the Soil Association, who made the case for organic farming.

This time the chairman (Jeremy Dyas) invited a leader of the world’s largest agrochemical company to speak, giving members a balanced, informative view of our industry, something I feel we must thank him for.

Agrochemical insights

Contact Jeremy for more information Jeremy Dyas U30 Chairman 07877 615444 jezzajones@hotmail.co.uk www.thefarmersclubu30s.com

18 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

James Barkhouse, head of Northern Europe for Syngenta Crop Protection, gave members an entertaining insight into the current agrochemical industry, highlighting the recent and controversial banning of neonicotinoid insecticides, as well as his views on the genetic modification of crops in the UK and Europe.

Mr Barkhouse, an Australian, explained how his attitude of doing ‘anything,

anywhere, anytime’ had taken his career around the world. With agriculture being such a vibrant and exciting industry he has worked in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore, before finally moving to the UK. A recurring theme was that agriculture is very much a calling, not an industry one falls in and out of. I’m sure many members can relate to that statement.

A lively question session followed, covering issues such as the UK leaving the Eurozone and global food demand.

Discussions with Mr Barkhouse continued in the bar, before the usual lure of Opal nightclub proved too much to resist. Many thanks to the chairman, and vice-chair Beth Hockham, for a fantastic evening.

We all very much look forward to the next event.

Scott Hayles

Authors invited If any U30s members would be interested in writing an article for the Journal do please get in touch.

Submissions are always very welcome – addressing any topical issue, business venture or farming insight. See Equine Eventing article opposite for a typical example.

Contact Under 30s chairman: jezzajones@hotmail.co.uk

Equine eventing Running a horse trials is not for the faint hearted, as Under 30s member Louise Elliott explains EQUESTRIAN sport has had a real boost in the UK following the success of the British equestrian teams at the Olympics. Team Gold in Dressage and Show jumping, and Team Silver in Eventing was a fantastic result, with media attention continuing as British event rider William Fox-Pitt and New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson went head-to-head at Badminton for eventing’s most coveted prize, the Rolex Grand Slam – with prize money of £225,000.

‘perfect going’. “If you have bad ground, people won’t come back”.

But eventing is not just about competing for your country, nor is it limited to the Capability Brown landscapes of Badminton and Burghley. It has a huge following up and down the country, with many landowners eager to provide venues.

Jo Carr, organiser of Firle Place Horse Trials, which is in its 37th year, runs her event in the parkland of Firle Place in Sussex. She rents the site from Viscount and Lady Gage for one and a half weeks each August.

“The course builders start building on the Monday and finish the following Wednesday.” Good communication is key.

The governing body, British Eventing, receives almost 94,000 entries for the 180 events it oversees in the UK. Operations manager Chris Farr says BE is always considering new venues. But there is clearly no set formula for success.

Beanie Sturgis is a great example of a successful event organiser, having relaunched Dauntsey Park Horse Trials on her husband’s family farm in Wiltshire.

She has a proven track record as an event rider and is now joint organiser of this popular fixture, which she relaunched in 2008 when a nearby event ceased to run. “It is incredibly hard work but the positive feedback makes it all worthwhile,” she says.

Dauntsey has a fixed cross country course, which the organising team (with the help of the farm staff) keeps carefully managed year-round, to ensure optimum ground conditions. Changes have been made to their farming system, such as no longer grazing cattle, since any poaching of the ground is a threat to the horse trial’s enviable reputation for

William Fox-Pitt is testament to that. He competed seven horses at this autumn’s event, from five yearold Reinstated to his four-star ride, Cool Mountain.

When asked why he’d brought so many good horses, he replied: “What better place to bring them, perfect ground and a great course”.

“Eventing has a huge following up and down the country, with many landowners eager to provide venues.”

Commercially weddings are less disruptive and generate a similar potential income, whereas a pop concert or festival is likely to generate greater revenue. So having supportive landowners is important. So too is a written agreement or license to protect both sides.

Securing a slot in the BE calendar is not guaranteed, Mr Farr notes. Venues need to be large enough to support three cross-country courses of varying difficulty. Undulating topography complete with natural features such as woodland and water will add to the attraction.

Events should also look to other sources of income.

Dauntsey doesn’t charge a gate fee, but has plenty of local sponsorship, while Firle Place charges on the gate and includes a country fair and dog show, bringing 10,000 visitors to its August bank holiday event.

Louise Elliott – an Under30s member, chartered surveyor in Savills Country Department in London, editor of Eventing Worldwide website, and partner in the family farm.

www.thefarmersclub.com • 19

Club News • Stephen Skinner

Stephen Skinner • Club News

Club News New Club Strategy

Debating the big farming issues of the day is a key strategic goal of The Farmers Club THE General Committee has just endorsed a strategy paper, which will, hopefully, help the Club steer a steady course over the next five to ten years.

At the heart of it is ensuring that a ‘home-from-home’ here in London is provided and that the ethos and culture that I have mentioned many times before is jealously guarded.

We must also, I believe, beware of just becoming a ‘hotel in London’.

We must offer more, and to that end the Committee is examining ways of providing greater opportunities for members to learn and discuss and express an opinion about the big farming issues of the day. This might be through informal talks here at the Club, seminars, exploiting the flexibility and reach of the internet in all its many guises, or through cooperation with the Universities, Colleges and other agricultural organisations.

However it may develop, and I think it should be in a variety of ways, we must not become a lobbying organisation. That would quickly

undermine our position and there are of course many excellent organisations out there who already do a fantastic job.

It was Mr Shaw of the Strand, one of our founders, who said back in 1841 that: ‘…what was wanted was a British Farmers’ Club. Not just another social or political club, of the kind then being founded, built, or settling down, all over London, but a gathering place for farmers which could also serve as a platform, from which would go out to England (now the United Kingdom), news of all that was good in farming, with reports of any discussions about those things which needed to be done’.

I believe, without getting too carried away, we can do a lot more in this regard. We need to develop a modern interpretation of what Mr Shaw said all those years ago and add value to what members get from their belonging to this fine institution.

Fresh food focus THE new Club strategy (see above) also looks to put British produce truly at the centre of what we do here. By that I mean I want to ‘raise the bar’ in the quality and consistency of the food we produce.

Having said that, it is not our intent to produce exquisite French cuisine. No, we want to produce simple, beautifully cooked, well presented, well served British food. No more, no less.

20 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

Yes we have tried to do this before, but while we have managed it to a degree, there is more we can do.

With the new Club Manager in place, along with some intensive training in the kitchen, and plans to improve the kitchen (and dining-room), I believe we can ‘up our game’ a lot. With luck, we may be able to lower our prices a little too. Time will tell but we should be a shop window for British produce.

Hellos and Goodbyes THE run-up to Christmas was exciting yet tinged with great sadness. Exciting because we now have the new Club Manager in post and I am delighted to say Virginia Masser has made quite a difference already. Sad because a number of our most frequent visitors to the Club have passed away. What is more, three of the most notable, Robin Malim, Barrie Byford and Eric Wilson, were among the politest, most engaging and positive people you could possibly meet. They will be, and are, missed tremendously.

Also, by the time you read this, we will have said goodbye to Rosemary Duffy, who worked behind the bar for nearly 35½ years! I doubt I have the ability in words to do justice to Rosemary, given what she has achieved over the years, and what she means to members. What I can say is that she will be missed enormously by many, many of you, the members, and by us, the staff too.

I am sure you will have many memories of Rosemary, but for me she really came into her own when she volunteered and then ran the bar in the marquee set up for us at the last Royal Show. Not once did I hear her complain. She just got on with setting up the bar, organising it exactly how she wanted it and when the doors opened, she was ready for business.

Oh, what a look on member’s faces when they saw her there!

She has been a rock of consistency for us, never betraying a confidence and never accepting behaviour that stepped over the line. It can be a natural tendency for people who have been in one job for a very long time to become complacent. Not Rosemary.

She took her responsibilities to the Club and its members very seriously indeed, from beginning to end, and for that I am both tremendously grateful and humbled.

Staff Christmas fund MAY I thank all of you most sincerely who contributed to the Staff Christmas Fund. It is something that is hugely appreciated and eagerly awaited by the staff every year. Thank you.

Farmers Club Cup 2013

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.

FEBRUARY City Food Lecture at the Guildhall (Not a Club event) MATT DEMPSEY was the recipient of the prestigious Farmers Club Cup for 2013 in recognition of his huge contribution to the farming industry, especially in Ireland, where he edited the Irish Farmers Journal from 1988 until recently, both increasing circulation and maintaining a huge readership.

Mr Dempsey, who holds a first class honours degree from Dublin University, has a keen interest in education and the church in Ireland, and is chairman of the Irish stud and of the Royal Dublin horse show. He farms 500 acres in County Kildare and is the first Irishman to win the Farmers Club Cup.

Monday 17

La Boheme (Royal Albert Hall) & Supper in the Club La Boheme

MARCH Paolo Veronese at the National Gallery Friday 28 Exhibition of key painter of Venetian Renaissance, with lunch at the Club before.

Paolo Veronese

After nine years at NatWest, six as chairman, he was made Governor of The Bank of England, holding the position from 1983 until 1993 – a decade scarred by banking collapses, market turbulence and vigorous disagreements over monetary policy.

APRIL Turner at Sea at Greenwich Maritime Museum Friday 11 Lunch in the Club & river taxi transfer to Turner at Sea Exhibition at Greenwich.

Robin Leigh-Pemberton LORD KINGSDOWN, formerly Robin LeighPemberton, died on 24th November at age 86. He was with the National Westminster Bank when he became a trustee of the Farmers Club Charitable Trust at its formation in June 1981, alongside Trevor Muddiman, David Naish, Jack Eastwood and William Bean.

Friday 28 Puccini’s opera with the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, includes supper at the Club and coach transfer.

St. George’s Day Lunch (venue tbc)

St George’s Day Lunch

Wednesday 23 The Club’s annual luncheon event to mark the national day of England.

Easter Club Closure From 5pm Thursday 17 April to 8am Tuesday 22 April 2014. 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.

The son of a farmer and soldier, he had an urbane manner, transparent integrity and skill as a chairman. He enjoyed good relations with the Treasury, and was notably popular within the Bank itself. He considered inflation to be more threatening to democracy than communism.

With his wife Rosemary he recreated the splendour of the formal gardens on his 2,000-acre Torry Hill estate in Kent. She and their four sons survive him, including James Leigh-Pemberton, executive chairman of UKFI, which oversees the government’s stakes in RBS and Lloyds.

www.thefarmersclub.com • 21

The Farmers Club • Club Information

Club Information • The Farmers Club

Club Information

Obituaries It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members: Mr D Clark Kent Mrs S Smith France Mr A Stewart Nottinghamshire

020 7930 3557 • www.thefarmersclub.com Office Holders Patron – Her Majesty The Queen HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS Peter Jackson CBE, Sir David Naish DL VICE PRESIDENTS Mark Hudson, Roddy Loder-Symonds, John Parker, Norman Shaw CBE, Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB 2014 PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN Jimmy McLean

Exhibition at the National Gallery Friday 28 March 2014

TRUSTEES Barclay Forrest OBE (Chairman), Mrs Nicki Quayle, Julian Sayers, Paul Heygate

Veronese: Magnificence in Renaissance Venice is devoted to one of the most influential artists of the 16th century. This exhibition of 50 of his works, many of which are travelling to London from across the globe, is the most significant collection of masterpieces by the artist ever to be displayed in the United Kingdom.

VICE-CHAIRMAN Anne Chamberlain HONORARY TREASURER Richard Butler IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Stewart Houston CBE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY Air Commodore Stephen Skinner

Paolo Caliari (1528–1588), known as Veronese, was one of the most renowned and sought after artists working in Venice in the 16th century. His works adorned churches, patrician palaces, villas and public buildings throughout the Veneto region – and are inseparable from our idea of the opulence and grandeur of the Republic of Venice at that time.

OUTLINE PROGRAMME 2.30pm-3.00pm Meet at the Club – tea/coffee available 3.30pm-4.30pm Private Lecture for The Farmers Club Members at the National Gallery 4.30pm-6.00pm (approx.) Exhibition 7.30pm Drinks followed by 3-course dinner at The Farmers Club

CLUB CHAPLAIN The Reverend Sam Wells COMMITTEE Elected 2009: John Stones Elected 2012: Mrs Ionwen Lewis, Charles Notcutt OBE (Chairman – House Sub-Committee)

THIS EVENT IS LIMITED TO 30 PLACES ONLY The cost per person is £65, including the private lecture, tickets for the exhibition and a 3-course dinner.

TO BOOK – Apply on line at www.thefarmersclub.com or complete the booking form below.

Places will be allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis.

Elected 2013: Lindsay Hargreaves, Tim Harvey, Nick Helme, George Jessel DL (Chairman – Journal Sub-Committee), Peter Jinman OBE, Mrs Jo Turnbull Elected 2014: Robert Lasseter, Allan Stevenson, Alison Ritchie, Martin Taylor, Campbell Tweed (Chairman – Membership Sub-Committee) Co-opted: Jeremy Dyas (Chairman Under 30s), Beth Hockham (Vice Chairman Under 30s), Martin Taylor THE FARMERS CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES John Kerr MBE JP DL (Chairman), James Cross, Vic Croxson DL, Stephen Fletcher, Mrs Stella Muddiman JP, The Chairman and Immediate Past Chairman of the Club (ex officio)

VERONESE AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY (FRIDAY 28th MARCH 2014) Please book online at www.thefarmersclub.com or complete in CAPITALS WITH FIRST NAME and return to Mrs Lisbeth Rune, Events Manager, The Farmers Club, 3 Whitehall Court, LONDON, SW1A 2EL. Tel: 020 7930 3751 Email: events@thefarmersclub.com

Member Guest(s) Name(s)

New Members The following were elected: UK Members Mr T Carroll Mr P Claxton Mr R Gardiner Dr R Gwynn Mr R Hall Mr M Ivory Mr G Johnson Dr R Khambatta Mr E Peat Mr J Pickles Mrs S Pullen Mrs F Pullen Professor N Scollan Miss A Thomson Overseas Dr A Weeber Under 30s Miss A Atkinson Miss E Barlow Miss C Bennett Mr T Chanter Miss K Donkin Mr S Fisher Mr W Hyde Miss E McCloy Miss H Menhinick Miss C Nicholls Mr R Pascall Miss A Peace Mr M Reynolds Mr J Richardson Miss L Stones Mr E Sword Mr G Webb Miss P Wilcox

Northumberland Dorset Essex Berwickshire Hampshire Midlothian Leicestershire London Durham Gloucestershire London Lincolnshire Cardiganshire Lanarkshire Switzerland Yorkshire Cheshire Montgomeryshire Somerset Surrey Northumberland Dorset Yorkshire Essex Warwickshire Wiltshire Monmouthshire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Leicestershire Yorkshire Kent London

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.

WiFi WiFi is available throughout the Club at no charge.

Business Suite The Business Suite provides PCs, WiFi and a mobile phone signal amplifier for members.

Shaw Room The Shaw Room may be used for meetings of two or three people for up to an hour without booking. iPads, laptops and mobile phones may be used but phones should be set to silent ring.

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 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

Post Code Email

Dietary Requirements I would like to reserve

place(s) @ £65 pp. (max 2 per member)

Total Cost £

NEXT ISSUE

A credit or debit card number (VISA, MASTERCARD or MAESTRO) or cheque payable to ‘The Farmers Club’ must accompany your application.

Card Holder’s Name

Watch out for your Spring issue of the Farmers Club Journal, due out in mid-March, with all the latest Club news, plus reports on the Oxford Farming Conference and the City Food Lecture, a look into how the UK’s farming charities co-operate and a round-up of projects supported by the Farmers Club Charitable Trust.

22 • The Farmers Club New Year Journal 2014

Card No. Amount to be Charged £ Start Date

!

Signature

Expiry Date

Security No. (last 3 digits) Date

Reciprocal Clubs UK City Livery Club, London (No bedrooms) Royal Overseas League, Edinburgh Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh The New Club, Edinburgh Note: We have informal agreements with the East India and Caledonian Club for bedroom bookings if we are full. Reception also holds a list of hotels within a 15 minute walk that might be considered ‘good value for money’.

OVERSEAS The Western Australian Club, Perth, Australia (Bedrooms not reciprocated) Queensland Club, Brisbane, Australia The Australian Club, Melbourne, Australia

Over 160 years of service to farming 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL

Chairman 2014: Jimmy McLean

Chief Executive and Secretary: Air Commodore Stephen Skinner

Club Number 020 7930 3557 Reception ext: 200/201 reception@thefarmersclub.com Bedroom Reservations ext: 204 reservations@thefarmersclub.com Dining Room Reservations ext: 200/201 reception@thefarmersclub.com Meetings & Functions ext: 109 or direct line: 020 7925 7100 meetings@thefarmersclub.com Events & U30s ext: 103 events@thefarmersclub.com Club Manager ext: 102 clubmanager@thefarmersclub.com Head Chef ext: 111 or direct line: 020 7925 7103 chef@thefarmersclub.com Accounts ext: 106 or direct line: 020 7925 7101 accounts@thefarmersclub.com Membership ext: 107 or direct line: 020 7925 7102 membership@thefarmersclub.com PA to Secretary ext: 104 or direct line: 020 7930 3751 generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com Bedrooms ext: 3+ [two digit room number] eg. ext 301 for Room1 Whitehall Court Porters 020 7930 3160 Fax 020 7839 7864

Address Tel

Club Contacts THE FARMERS CLUB

Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland (Bedrooms not reciprocated) Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, Dublin, Ireland The Muthaiga Country Club, Nairobi, Kenya The Harare Club, Harare, Zimbabwe The Christchurch Club, Christchurch, New Zealand (Closed due to earthquake damage) The Canterbury Club, Christchurch, New Zealand

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.

Members wishing to use any of the above Clubs should obtain an introductory card from the Secretariat.

www.thefarmersclub.com • 23

NEW YEAR 2014 • ISSUE 248

Farmers Club

Events

Application forms included in this and future Journals

Romeo & Juliet Ballet at the Royal Albert Hall Friday 20th June Supper at the Club and coach transfer to/from English National Ballet

La Boheme at the Royal Albert Hall Friday 28th February

Royal Highland Show dinner at RBS Gogarburn

Puccini’s opera with the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, includes supper at the Club and coach transfer

Dinner on the eve of the Royal Highland Show with guest speaker Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG, QC, MP

18th June

Paolo Veronese at the National Gallery

Royal Welsh Show

Friday 28th March

Reception on the showground

Exhibition of key painter of Venetian Renaissance, with lunch at The Club before.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

www.thefarmersclub.com

Farmers Club INSIDE Distance learning p6 Argentina p8 EU innovation p10 Super dairies p13 Duke of Westminster p16 Equine eventing p19

INSERTS Members’ Information Sheet Rosemary Duffy collection Turner at Sea

Mon 21-Thu 24 July (date tbc)

Thursday 7th August

Turner at Sea Exhibition at Greenwich Maritime Museum

Dinner in Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Friday 11 April

Beethoven’s Ninth at Royal Albert Hall

Lunch in the Club and river taxi to/ from Greenwich Maritime Museum

Saturday 27 September

St. George’s Day Lunch Wednesday 23 April The Club’s annual luncheon event to mark the national day of England

Supper in the Club and coach transfer to/from the concert

Harvest Festival Service Tue 14 October Wonderful service with the choir at St Martin-in-the-Fields followed by Buffet Supper at the Club

Royal Ulster Show dinner Tuesday 13th May

St. Andrew’s Day Lunch

Dinner with guest speaker on eve of show

Friday 28 November At RBS HQ, Gogarburn, Edinburgh

Visit to RHS Chelsea Flower Show Statoil Masters Tennis at Royal Albert Hall

Tuesday 20 May Luncheon at the Club followed by coach transfer to London’s ever-popular RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Visit to Orkney Tue 10 to Thu 12 June

L L FU

An opportunity for a closer look at the food, farming, history, wildlife and rural communities of Orkney

Friday 5 December Supper in the Club with coach transfer to/from the tennis

HOLIDAY & WEEKEND OPENING Holidays and Weekends are great times to visit The Farmers Club, with good bedroom availability, a relaxed dress code and all the sights of London right on your doorstep. A catering and bar service is available throughout the summer – a particularly good time to visit. Bookings are on a roomonly basis for Easter Bank Holiday weekend (5pm Thu 17 April to 8am Tues 22 April).

Scottish Chairman Jimmy McLean and wife Jane lead Club in 2014 p4