#STUDENTFARMER - May 2017

01_SFAPRIL17_cover.indd 1

27/04/2017 14:06:44

ENTER OUR FREE PRIZE DRAW

AND WIN A MASSEY FERGUSON GOODY BAG

WORD SEARCH

FindFind thethe following the below: following words words ininthe gridgrid below EXCELLENCE – ENGINEERING – PRODUCTION – BEAUVAIS – TRACTORHARVEST – HARVEST – BALER EXCELLENCE ENGINEERING PRODUCTION BEAUVAIS TRACTOR BALER PLOUGH – FARM COW –FIELD FIELD SILO – SILOSTRAW – STRAW PLOUGH FARM– HORSE HORSE – PIG PIG –COW Y

J

E

L

R

R

O

T

C

A

R

T

R

T

E

P

N

T

W

V

K

H

K

T

P

B

P

G

O

D

G

U

T

E

H

C

J

Q

I

A

V

E

E

N

I

O

E

I

N

D

W

B

G

L

V

H

E

D

N

T

P

X

M

O

V

X

C

E

C

G

S

C

E

S

B

R

C

A

E

E

O

R

C

U

I

W

E

E

Y

A

O

E

E

I

C

S

J

O

A

V

R

V

O

H

T

D

L

M

C

O

V

L

V

S

I

R

E

A

M

N

U

L

R

N

U

P

U

I

N

A

P

Y

J

B

J

C

E

A

P

Y

A

L

G

H

Z

H

V

O

T

P

T

N

F

N

E

O

C

H

O

R

S

E

I

Q

D

I

C

Q

B

S

T

R

A

W

E

N

C

O

N

Y

O

E

C

V

T

D

E

L

Q

C

D

L

E

I

F

N

Name

Date of birth

FIND THE MISSING NUMBER The missing number is 14. You need to add 3 then minus 1.

Address

Tel

Email SF/04/17

To enter our FREE PRIZE DRAW to win a MASSEY FERGUSON goody bag, complete the word search above, fill in your details and return your entry either via email or post to: ► UK

Sales, AGCO Ltd, Abbey Park, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, CV8 2TQ

► UK.Sales@AGCOcorp.com Competition closes on 30th June 2017.

The winner will be drawn at random and contacted either by telephone or email.

FOR A NEW GENERATION

FROM MASSEY FERGUSON

adverts.indd 1

26/04/2017 15:22:00

13

24

39

Thank you to…

Ian Jepson for creating a jaw-droppingly good cover that makes us want to rip off our overalls, iStock and photographer David Bartholomew

Published by: NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ

Filled with words by: Victoria Wilkins, Evie Atterby, Ruth Wills, Anna Bowen, Natalie Plummer, James Rhys Baylis, Georgie Gater-Moore and Orla McIlduff

Designed by:

05 BLOGGING IT 13 SAUCING AROUND 18 NO LAND? NO PROBLEM 22 JAMES RHYS BAYLIS 24 SHEAR GRIT 30 BEER OH BEER: BREW GUIDE 33 THE FINAL COUNTDOWN 35 NFU INDUSTRY PROGRAMMES 36 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 39 THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM 41 THE ULTIMATE UNI BUCKET LIST 42 POSTER I’m going to start with the heavy hitting stuff so it gets your gut going: this is my last #studentfarmer *sob*. We’ve been through a lot, man, we even got gold foil on the cover, and if this edition is anything to go by, I’m going out with a bang.

I never fail to be surprised by the tenacity and breadth of knowledge young farmers show, as well as the respect that is given to the older generation. It’s all about learning to grow and future-proofing an industry so important to everyone on this planet. This edition celebrates that very point, and we made it our mission to highlight a cross-section of young people making their mark for years to come. From two young brothers reinventing a sauce recipe that’s travelled more than 12,000 miles and through the generations, to four farming bloggers who are determined to show that there is a point to posting online, we’ve gone the whole hog. And don’t worry, if dissertation season is grinding your gears, we’ve got some top tips on how to push through the pain barrier, plus, when you’re finished, you can see how you’ve done in our bucket list. But, in true Fall Out Boy style: Thnks fr th mmrs – they were SO great (unlike the song’s lyrics) – I’ve had a blast. Keep on being amazing. Keep on being a shining star for our industry.

John Cottle

Victoria Wilkins To advertise contact: Alan Brown on alan.brown@nfu.org.uk ISSN 2398-9009

Editor of #studentfarmer Email: studentfarmer@nfu.org.uk Twitter: @studentfarmer Facebook: Student Farmer

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

03_SFAPRIL17_contents.indd 1

03

27/04/2017 10:46:05

www.aber.ac.uk

Open Days for 2017 • Wednesday 12th July • Saturday 16th September • Saturday 14th October

We are the largest and best resourced land-based university department in the UK Best range of Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards of any university in the UK We offer a wide range of Agricultural courses

Foundation Degree and Honours Degree Our Agriculture scheme achieved 92% overall student satisfaction and 94% of students were satisfied with the teaching on their course (NSS 2016).

• Saturday 11th November

Contact: ibers-admissions@aber.ac.uk 01970 621904/986 www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers

Future Agriculturalists?

060417 - 21841 adverts.indd 2

26/04/2017 15:22:52

BLOGGING IT

F

lashback to 2005: Bebo and Livejournal are the new kids in town in a world dominated by Myspace. Friendships were forged and then ruined with the simple question: “Where am I in your top eight?”

That infamous word ‘blogging’ appeared, and every Tom, Dick and Sally were signing up to Tumblr to tell the world about what they had for breakfast and to see the latest entry on Postsecret.

Step into 2017 and the world is a different oyster. Blogging is all about getting the message out there as if you’re talking to someone through the screen. What better way than to tell the masses what farming’s all about?

Blogger? Wordpress? Wix? We’re just shouting names at you now. Over the next four pages you’ll meet four young farmers who did just that, and then went on to win the NFU Mutual and Farmers Weekly Fertile Minds competition, bagging a cash prize.

The competition searched for four young farming voices who could give readers a taste of the countryside.

Evie, Ruth, Natalie and Anna were the lucky winners, and now they blog online at www.nfumutual.co.uk – check them out!

So go on, what are you waiting for? Find your inner voice and tell the world what farming is made of. And please don’t post updates about your breakfast – that’s what Instagram is for.

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

05-10_SFAPRIL17_BLOGGING.indd 2

05

27/04/2017 09:52:09

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DOLLAR Being a hands-on farmer isn’t the only thing to do in agriculture.

We’lL prove it. Step into the daily life of agricultural consultant AnNa Bowen I have been working as an agricultural consultant in Wales full-time since June 2016, working predominantly with grass-based dairy farms. Every day is different, but a typical one might look a bit like this…

6am: Alarm goes off. Press snooze several times.

Not recommended.

6.20am: Depending on the time of the year I will either be mucking out, or trying to fit in a run/ride. If my brother is away, I might be roped in to feed calves and scrape on my family’s dairy unit.

8.40am: Leave for work. The office is conveniently close.

9am: First cup of tea (first of many).

9.05am: Check e-mails. Correspondence is a mixture of clients looking for livestock, requesting appointments, and other professionals asking for financial reports, or discussing planning applications.

9.10am: Send a circular e-mail about a discussion group meeting. We run or facilitate several discussion groups.

They are an excellent way for farmers to benchmark their business performance, and to share knowledge.

9.30am: Start an application for planning for a new cattle shed. Make a list of extra information that I need from the client.

10.10am: Second cup of tea. Speak to a client who is considering organic conversion. Arrange to meet them to discuss the implications.

10.30am: Leave for an on-farm meeting.

11am: Budgeting exercise on farm. Where a farmer has an established business and a good idea of their cost structure, this is very easy. With new businesses, or clients who do not record data, it can be more difficult.

We work closely with accountants when we do not do complete our own farm accounts.

1pm: Return to the office. Phone in to ask if anyone wants a McFlurry on the way back.

06

ANNA’S BLOG TIPS DO write about what you want to read. Fi rst things first, you have to enjoy what you are writing. Cover topi cs that you are genu inely interested in.

DO Keep your site si mple and easy to na vigate.

Plain text, no comp licated menus, and idealLy a white or pale back ground colour.

DO make the most of relevant images an d photographs. It’s best to crop them to the same size and make sure that they are clea r. If you use someone else’s wo rk, credit it and be aware of copyright isSues.

DON’T forget social media. Most of my re aders come via Facebook, and a few from the link in my Instagram profile.

Share your posts in relevant groups, use approp riate hashtags on TwitTer, and consider setTin g up a page to prom ote your writing. You might start to anNoy your friends with excesSive plugG ing, though!

1.15pm: McDonalds driv-through. Five McFlurries.

2pm: Download results of soil analysis carried out the previous week. Soil sampling can be a welcome break from the office, especially on a nice day and a scenic farm! I put the results in a template that generates lime requirements, and send it to the client.

2.30pm: Open a budgeting spreadsheet and prepare a three-year budget for this morning’s farmer.

3.40pm: Farmer arrives at the office to make an application for a farm grant; I make sure that they comply with rules and record-keeping.

4pm: The budget from earlier was a referral from a government-funded agricultural business advisory board.

To access the funding a certain amount of paperwork has to be completed, including a farm business plan. I start writing it, which always reminds me of university coursework, just without the need for Harvard referencing!

5pm: Leave the office.

#STUDENTFARMER / May 2017

05-10_SFAPRIL17_BLOGGING.indd 3

27/04/2017 09:52:30

BORN THIS WAY Evie AtTerby wasn’t born into farming, but she could feel agriculture in her blood. She’s here to buck the idea that you have to be from a generation of farmers to work in the industry

“You’re going to an agricultural university? Ha! That’s not a real university, so why are you even bothering?”

After I heard those immortal words uttered five years ago, I am now a graduate from Harper Adams, with a solid career within the rural sector and that person still has no degree. It’s the way it always goes – you know, when you see those people from school and think: “What happened to you?”

For me, being laughed at for entering an agricultural career was probably the most ridiculous notion I’ve come across. We eat at least three times a day, so just how do they think their food is produced?

I wasn’t born into farming. My parents don’t farm. My mother is a teacher and my father a photographer, but I was raised in the rolling hills of the farming community of the Lincolnshire Wolds. As far back as I can remember I’ve known cattle, I’ve watched the harvest, seen the comings and goings and thought about how I couldn’t imagine being a city dweller.

At 23, I live 200 miles from my family home, this time in the lush green landscape of Herefordshire, where farming and agriculture are still a major employer and part of a way of life for many people here. I didn’t realise until I went to Harper, just how many jobs were included in the bracket of “agriculture” and how open and diverse the industry is. You don’t need to be a farmer, or have acres, or a big shiny tractor; you just need an ounce of knowledge, some considerable drive and to be passionate.

I’m just one person in an industry of hundreds of thousands. My role is as a nutritional adviser for a company that produces supplements for the ruminants and horses.

I advise customers and stockists on nutrition and work with scientists and other nutritionists to create new and innovative products. I got my job simply by taking the initiative that jobs don’t often hand themselves to you, so I approached the company to see if they would take me on over my placement year. Fortunately they did, despite not having employed a student full-time before, and somewhere, somehow I impressed someone enough to hire me permanently after graduation.

But seriously, that’s all it takes – for someone to see the potential in you. Approach companies, send out emails, attend shows and give out your business card. It might sound tedious or pretentious, but it works.

Get work experience, even if it means giving up weekends or missing a night out here or there; being able to demonstrate that you are self-motivated is hugely important to employers.

If I had just one thing I could say to someone who wanted to enter the industry, it would be to work at it, genuinely and passionately. It doesn’t matter if you’re born into it – if the love of agriculture is in your blood and you work to build your knowledge it will show and that counts for an awful lot.

EVIE’S BLOG TIPS DO care about what you write. It soun ds simple, but write about something th at matTers to you. If you don’t care, it shows, and then why should anyone else care?

DON’T be sporadic.

Try to keep it regu larly updated. Sometime s you have a quiet period, sometimes you’re ve ry busy, but always try to post at least on ce a month, if not more.

DON’T pretend to be someone else. Deve lop your own narRative and stick with it.

Is it chatTy, informativ e, funNy? Whatever you are good at, use th ose skilLs! DO use social medi a to promote your bl og.

It’s free and it ca n get your name out there quickly- remember to use hashtags an d to tag people to get in dividuals to engage with you.

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

05-10_SFAPRIL17_BLOGGING.indd 4

07

27/04/2017 09:52:50

THE DOMINO EFFECT Can pizZa realLy be the road to start-up sucCesS? Natalie PlumMer thinks so Dominoes. No, not the fast food pizza chain, unfortunately, but the way a series of events or opportunities seized add value to a person. I mean this mentally and characteristically, but also from an employer’s perspective. It's called the domino effect, so called because one action sparks off another and gathers momentum.

You might know it as snowballing, or even a chain reaction (NOT the Diana Ross classic you hear in Reflex).

From personal experience, I urge you to think about dominoes as you learn and progress as a young person, student or graduate, among the excitement and freedom of going to college or university, starting work or returning to the family business.

But halt just there for a moment, tiger. While I do advocate returning to the family farm or business diversification, think about what you can bring to it. Is it knowledge or skills? Are you creative or well organised?

Can you manage your finances and make well-informed choices? (Perhaps not best demonstrated by that night where you used your debit card rather than take cash to the club. Thanks, bank of mum and dad) My point is, by far the best way you can add value

to your family farm or start-up business is to add value to yourself first.

That means trying new things, taking risks and learning from mistakes.

The best thing you can do if an opportunity comes your way is to say yes!

If you choose to work for someone else for a while, that’s great; you’ll learn a new way of doing something that may actually be quicker, more efficient and labour saving. If you choose to go to university, you should join lots of clubs, lead teams, and do some volunteering.

If a year-long placement is for you, then use it to your advantage. Attend conferences, enter competitions, find yourself writing a blog for a top farming magazine which leads you to being asked to co-write articles for your local newspaper, which leads to being asked to blog for #studentfarmer (my personal favourite).

The dominoes keep falling but your employability value will almost certainly rise.

NATALIE’S BLOG TIPS DO write for yourself . It’s your blog so filL it with your thoughts, ideas and opinions… but maybe not what happened at the ploughing match after party…

DO remember your targ et audience. If it’s for children, don’t overcomplicate the words. If it’s a publ ic audience, you may need to explain termi nology and concepts that may seem everyday to you. That’s pretT y much everything in agr iculture…

DO start with a punc hy, atTention-grabb ing sentence or word, or just something a litTle unusual. The mention of Domino’s PizZa, for example wilL atTract the hungry hordes of hungover agr ics.

DO keep it short and sweet. You want to kee p your readers interest ed and coming back fo r more. If only my disS ertation could be like that.

DO blog litTle and oft en. Just like revision or exercise or your diet of beerpizZa-beer-pizZa-bee r.

08

#STUDENTFARMER / May 2017

05-10_SFAPRIL17_BLOGGING.indd 5

27/04/2017 09:54:14

TO LEAVE OR NOT TO LEAVE The idea of independence or your clothes washed for you? Ruth WilLs asks the hard-hitTing questions of living at home vs moving out when it comes to university

RUTH'S BLOG TIPS DO use your own im ages. It’s much be tTer because you can re alLy ilLustrate to the reader what was going on in your head when you were writing the post.

Plus, you’lL have nothing to worRy about when it comes to copyright!

DON’T write about something you woul dn’t want to read yourself – the reader wilL be able to telL. DO try and post regu larly. If you stic k to a certain day of the week and a time it’lL help you build an audien ce who wilL come to expect to seE a blog from you then.

I'm going to give you a little bit of background as to why I’m qualified (I think) to talk about this subject. I chose to stay at home while I studied. I’ve always been very much a home bird and the prospect of moving away was extremely daunting. Even though I had offers from universities such as Harper Adams and the Royal Agricultural University, in the end I couldn’t take the plunge.

Just before my third year top-up in rural business management, I met my boyfriend, who was just about to go into his final year at Harper Adams. I spent the next year travelling up and down the country on the weekends visiting and experiencing everything (okay not quite everything) that I had missed out on by not living on campus.

A little part of me fell in love with Harper, and a tiny part regretted not going. But at the same time, I experienced all the great parts like the balls and the socials, and I still got to go home at the end. This part of me niggled away at me for the rest of my final year. But I knew deep down I probably wouldn’t have been happy being away from home.

Staying at home while studying enabled me to have a job on the side, and the added bonus of not having to pay for any bills (thanks mum and dad!) meant I could save lots of money. Another added plus was that I made great friends on my course that lived in the same county, whereas when you go away to study you make friends from all over the country and it’s hard to keep in contact.

DON’T worRy too mu ch about what to wr ite in your first blogs.

Just write about wh at you enjoy. Not that ma ny people wilL read your first blogs (harsh , but true) and yo ur writing wilL improve over time, so it’s for th e best!

DO reach out. If yo u’re stuck in a rut with what to write, try and colLaborate on a post with another blogG er. It can work wond ers with getTing the cr eativity going agai n and benefits both of yo ur blogs.

However, taking the plunge and going away means that you are pushed out of your comfort zone, which, although scary at first, in return gives you bags of confidence and broadens your horizons. You may be homesick for a bit but it doesn’t last forever, and you wont have anyone giving you the Spanish Inquisition when you try to sneak in at 5am (guilty).

Although not forgetting a good work and social life balance is important, you don’t want to be the one retaking first year because you had too many hangovers.

Not living at home means you do have to learn to cook (living off kebabs isn’t advised as a healthy and nutritious diet), do your own washing and basically be a grown up, which isn’t a bad thing as it gives you responsibility. You’ll meet tonnes of new people and make great friends, which you’ll subsequently miss when you go home for Christmas and wonder how you ever lived without them.

In the end, it’s down to each individual person and you will know in your heart what is right for you.

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

05-10_SFAPRIL17_BLOGGING.indd 6

09

27/04/2017 09:53:26

THE #STUDENTFARMER GUIDE TO BLOGGING

In the olden days, the pen was mightier than the sword. Now it’s the turn of the keyboard. Step into the big wide world of blogGing and promoting what you do – with our help, of course

So you want to start your own adventure? Good – you’ve put some big adult pants on. It’s a step in the right direction, and a step into that big wide world of opportunity. So give yourself a pat on the back, have a sit down, stick the kettle on and prepare yourself for what’s to come.

Whether you’ve decided to start your own business selling meat boxes, growing your own produce, or even decided to go shearing in New Zealand, taking photos and blogging about your adventure is a great way to reach the masses proactively about agriculture. Plus, people are nosey, so as well as snooping on your Facebook profile (trying not to like a photo from October 2010 with your ex), they’ll be having a mooch at your corner of the World Wide Web. It feels like blogging has been around longer than that great aunt in your family (the one who you have no idea how you’re related). Wrong. Well, it’s older than a good

OUR TOP TIPS USE A TRUSTED SITE. Do your research into what site you’re comfortable with. The big ones out there include Blogger and Wordpress, and if you choose the latter, it integrates into a whole-host of website programmes.

is MS Paint. Popular blogging sites have a huge range of templates you can use. Plus you can always get a little more creative down the line and teach yourself how to code HTML. The design should reflect you and your personality.

DECIDE ON A TOPIC AND STICK TO IT. If you’re talking about your agricultural tour of New Zealand, don’t go off piste half way through and talk about the All Blacks rugby match you went to see half-cut on Friday night. Keep it relevant.

BE REGULAR. And not the gross kind.

Sporadic posting isn’t a good thing, and it’ll make the people who read your blog confused about when to expect an update. Create an editorial diary or routine, and schedule posts for the same time every week if you need to. It’ll drum up excitement if you’ve got your audience hooked.

DON’T BE SICK ALL OVER THE SCREEN. Or employ a unicorn. Resist the urge to add ‘graphic designer’ to your list of skills when all you use

10

few of you: 20 years old in fact. It was all sparked by a lad called Justin Hall in 1994 who decided to start talking about his life on his website, Links.

Google it and have a read – he uses the word ditty a lot.

We don’t know what it means.

Flash forward to the noughties and blogs are everywhere. Technorati reckons that there were 23 blogs on the internet in 1999, but by the middle of 2006 there were more than 50 million. That’s a lot of people talking about themselves. Political blogs were among the top ranking subjects, but by the late 00s, the technology improved, making it more possible for regular Joes like us to talk about what we love.

And that is exactly what blogging should be – whether you think you have an interesting topic or not, as long as you love it, who cares? So go on, sign up for a blog and shout loud about the wonderful world of farming.

BE CONVERSATIONAL. Nobody wants to read something that sounds

like that essay you wrote on the supply chain, probably filled with words like synergy and harmony.

Would you say synergy in the pub? (consider your answer very carefully).

A lot of readers escape to the internet to read something that’s lively and vibrant – get your personality and passion across in the post, and bring in a bit of humour.

A PICTURE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS. Ever seen those websites which are just full of rows of text?

Yeah, neither have we. Because we don’t click on those boring lumps of lard. Every post should include an image to capture the attention of the reader. If in doubt, use yourself as research. Ask: would you read it?

#STUDENTFARMER / May 2017

05-10_SFAPRIL17_BLOGGING.indd 7

27/04/2017 09:53:35

We are British Wool ...so are you British Wool works with over 40,000 sheep farmers collecting, grading and selling their wool at auction.

Shearing training

Grading

Haulage

Regional Depots

Auction

Exhibitions

You can find out more about British Wool at:

Tel: 01274 688666 Web: britishwool.org.uk

ENGINEER YOUR CAREER Take the first step of your career…

CLAAS UK, a division of CLAAS, the global agricultural machinery company, offers two apprenticeship course opportunities

– one in Service and one in Parts with Sales & Marketing.

A CLAAS Apprentice will receive ongoing support from an experienced team whilst training and earning a competitive wage at the same time.

With the security of a full time job once the course is successfully completed, an Apprenticeship with CLAAS is a great first step to developing a long term career.

If you want to know more about what it’s like to be part of our team, call 0800 0234414 or email: cuk.hr@claas.com claas.co.uk

adverts.indd 3

26/04/2017 15:23:26

99% of our graduates are in employment or

further study six months after graduating* *DLHE data from 2014-15 graduate survey

Find out how you can make your mark at Hartpury by visiting

adverts.indd 4

www.hartpury.ac.uk

26/04/2017 15:23:48

SAUCING AROUND Victoria Wilkins went to visit two young farmers determined to put their own stamp on the farming businesS, with a family recipe that’s travelLed 12,000 miles

T

he first thing we heard when we turned up to a Herefordshire farm in early March? The baying call of someone screaming: "Maximus!”.

Usually the first thing we hear is someone telling us we’ve taken a wrong turn, or members of the family trying to shove cake and tea down our throats (farmers are feeders – not complaining).

But don’t worry. This time we haven’t travelled back to days of the Romans, nor has the person we’re interviewing got a weird obsession with all things Russell Crowe.

The feral shouting is followed by an excited Labrador (how most good things start) and its two young owners desperately trying to call it back into the house. Us dog owners know exactly what kind of fear they’re experiencing: the ‘my dog has forgotten everything I’ve ever taught it’ look.

That was the first thing we discovered about Jacob and Sam James.

They have a bit of a thing going where all the dogs in the family are named after Roman emperors and conquerors: Caesar, Brutus, Titus and Claudius have all featured.

A quick Google proves that they’ve got to get through a lot of Labradors to use all the names. Part of me hopes that when they get to Elagabalus they’ll stop.

With Maximus in tow, we’re welcomed in with open arms into this hallway that

featured in the Domesday Book, which dates back to 1086 in the days of Jack the Lad William the Conqueror, who ordered a survey of all of the lands in England and Wales. Think of it as the original census. But we’re not here to talk conquering men or Roman Labradors. We’re here to talk about sauce.

Our Roman-loving young farmers are the faces behind the Tiggs sauce brand – a recipe that has flown through the generations into their hands.

Based on a 500-acre mixed farm in Herefordshire, Tiggs is all about taking local produce and using a recipe that’s run in the family for years to create a product that can be used on salads, with meats, or scratch that, anything. Just get in our bellies.

Basil and pea? Very green. Bold beetroot? Bit posh nowadays. Sweet original? The big daddy of them all.

It was the latter that sparked the boys’ business venture, and after spotting an opportunity to bottle and sell the infamous sauce, the Tiggs dream was born.

It all started out when their gran – aptly named Granny Tigg (who is the don) – entered Miss New Zealand in 1954, won, and then travelled to the UK with wide eyes and wonder with her

homemade sauce recipe engrained in her mind (we weren’t expecting the Miss NZ curveball either).

“The recipe celebrates our gran’s New Zealand roots,” Sam said as his gran sits next to him while I question why on earth I haven’t won Miss England and my life choices. “It’s flown 12,000 miles from her home, and eventually our mum started making the original sauce as something to put on salads in our on-site café in 2001.”

People loved it – the original bottle was a real blast from the past and even May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

13-15_SFAPRIL17_TIGGS.indd 2

13

27/04/2017 14:21:09

26

#STUDENTFARMER / January 2017

13-15_SFAPRIL17_TIGGS.indd 3

27/04/2017 09:55:06

had Comic Sans writing on the label.

You know, that font that your school teachers were obsessed with?

“We saw how much people liked it and ended up taking the recipe to university to survive. In true uni fashion, people started pinching batches of it, so eventually we started asking for contributions to buy the produce,” he added.

This was the point that they realised they probably should’ve heeded the warden’s calls to install locks on their cupboards. But, not deterred by thieves (a bit strong), Jacob and Sam channelled their inner Gordon Ramsay and cooked up a storm.

“When we got back to the farm we started cooking the sauce in big vats in the kitchen, which was a mammoth effort,” Jacob said. “We started pitching up at food markets, and our first big gig was the 2014 Ludlow Food Festival.”

They started collecting more stars than a Bushtucker Trial (Great Taste ones) without having to so much as look at a creepy crawly, and as time went on the sauce’s popularity snowballed.

They added two new names to their line-up and managed to secure a deal

“Farmers are famous for putting in the hours and not shying away from hard work – which means that side of starting your own business is a farmer’s bread and butter. Give it a go. Don’t wake up in 20 years’ time and wonder what if” with Ocado. That’s the brand that you’ll never be able to afford as a student.

From start to finish, the process takes around four hours for a small batch, but can take up to two days for anything bigger.

But it’s not all rainbows. They were struck with a pretty deep choice midway into making Tiggs a success. In 2015, the family had to decide whether to sell their 500-head of pedigree British Friesian cattle after being struck down with TB. “We had to decide whether to commit and invest for the next generation or leave and focus our efforts elsewhere, such as with Tigg’s or other areas of our farming enterprise,” Sam said.

“We still have cattle but without the milking! They are made up of a

Sam (left) and Jacob (right) with their gran who started it all

Hereford cross suckler herd. We farm arable crops from cereals to rootcrops and grapes for our English vineyard.”

True to their farming roots (and to cope with demand), the brothers struck a deal with local farmers. The rapeseed oil in the recipe comes from three miles down the road, and the fruit and veg is as local as possible.

The demand has even meant they’ve had to ship the production side of things off farm. And they’re ready for more expansion to take over the world one sauce at a time.

Their advice for any of you lot wanting to start your own business?

Jump in.

“Farmers are famous for putting in the hours and not shying away from hard work – which means that side of starting your own business ia a farmer’s bread and butter. Give it a go. Don’t wake up in 20 years’ time and wonder what if,” Sam said as Maximus bolts back into the room with some sort of bone in his mouth.

His arrival signalled the end of the interview, and also put the fear of god into me as he almost sent me flying into an ancient china ornament in the Domesday hall.

From start to finish, Jacob and Sam have well and truly stamped their name on the Tiggs brand, transforming it from a gran’s recipe on a bit of card to the fancy, posh bottles you’ll see dotted around supermarkets today, complete with a farmer focus mentality.

They’re living proof that young farmers can go back to the family farm and do their own thing, adding value to the business.

You can do that too – all you need is to engage your brain, throw together a business plan (with thought, obviously) and see where it takes you.

You never know, your success could mean you end up down the line with a Labrador called Elagabalus.

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

13-15_SFAPRIL17_TIGGS.indd 4

15

27/04/2017 09:55:21

adverts.indd 5

26/04/2017 15:24:20

adverts.indd 6

26/04/2017 15:24:21

NO LAND? NO PROBLEM. We get that you want to just buy some land and be flat out farming. Us too. Problem: it’s at a premium. But there’s hope, and it doesn’t involve winning the lottery.

Georgie Gater-Moore investigates

18

#STUDENTFARMER / May 2017

18-20_SFAPRIL17_sharefarming.indd 1

27/04/2017 09:56:34

Y

ou don’t need us to tell you that agricultural land is becoming seriously hard to get hold of.

Cities are sprawling, towns are growing and that guy with like, seven Fendts, is buying the land that’s come up for sale that you couldn’t afford anyway *eye roll emoji*.

It also doesn’t take a genius to realise that the world isn’t getting any bigger.

The population is rising at a weirdly alarming pace, and as more kids are born and life expectancy rises, finding a patch of land to call your own is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Young prospective farmers are caught between a rock and a hard place (yes, like that guy from that weird climbing movie – don’t cut off your arm, please), especially if you haven't got the generations of farmers behind you.

Fear not, there is an option. Ever heard of share farming? Wake up and smell the silage. It’s becoming a serious option for many young farmers, especially new entrants, to enable them to make a start in the industry.

Well, that’s great and all, but what is it? Share farming is an agreement, potentially legal, between a land/stock owner and another person, typically a working farmer.

For example, a sheep farmer ready to retire, with no children to take over the farm, may go into a share farming agreement, allowing them to keep their flock and farm while taking a step back from the practical tasks and allowing a younger entrant to get involved, and build capital to potentially go towards buying their own farm (woo!).

The land owner provides the

land, building, fixed equipment and machinery, and the working farmer provides the labour. Other costs can be shared between the two.

The biggest benefit of share farming is that it reduces the need for younger entrants to find and secure a suitable farm tenancy, which is a bit like trying to find those UV glasses you stole from behind the SU bar on your last night out.

You can farm full-time and build up capital while investing your share of the profits back into the business, gradually owning more of the farm’s assets.

There’s also the possibility of taking over the land being shared in the future, or building up enough capital to buy your own farm, or gain a tenancy.

What’s not to like?

Here we go – let us introduce you to the world of share farming.

THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE Rosie Hetherington, 21, from West Yorkshire has this share farming thing sussed. Not from a farming background, Rosie wanted to gain enough agricultural experience to get her foot on the ladder.

“I started working at Smithies Moor Farm in 2012 and five years later I haven’t left! Around two years in, I decided to go to Newcastle University to study agriculture and I had built up a small flock of my own sheep within the main flock,” she said.

With Harry, the owner of Smithies Moor Farm, retiring from his milk round, he wanted to keep expanding his flock but take a step back and give a keen new entrant a boost. They decided to team up and work together, allowing both of them to afford more expensive pedigree sheep. There’s no 'I' in team.

What started as a beneficial arrangement for Rosie, working for free to gain experience and with grazing and care of her sheep included, eventually formed the agreement she and Harry have reached today.

Rosie said: “Harry had the farming experience, the grazing and the equipment and I brought the knowledge from my degree, my enthusiasm, and I suppose my youth when handling animals.

“What started as a bit of experience has grown massively. I’m now in charge of breeding, AI, choice of rams and arranging the embryo transfer of the ewes.”

Rosie reckons that there are huge benefits to share farming, especially those in areas which have limited opportunity or are already monopolised by large units.

What’s the secret of her success? Well, she says planning and organising.

“I’d advise young farmers to make sure everything is

planned ahead and organised. If the arrangement is 50:50 then you want to be able to prove you’re doing 50% of the work. People sometimes forget that the ‘work’ may not always look like hands-on farming, such as paperwork and organisation.

“I think the most important thing is to be honest, and set boundaries on whose job is what and to plan ahead.

Everyone knows what their job is and when they should be doing it.” We doff our cap to you, Rosie.

So there you have it – we definitely didn’t dream up this ideal of being able to farm without having any land yourself. With grit and determination, the possibility of combining both youth and experience in harmony has never been easier.

Share farming is definitely not a made up fantasy by those of us waiting to get our chance in the industry. *Real life* young farmers are doing *real life* farming with the help of share farming agreements, and the future looks bright as it becomes a serious consideration for those with farms to share.

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

18-20_SFAPRIL17_sharefarming.indd 2

19

27/04/2017 09:56:40

SHARING IS CARING: OUR TOP TIPS DITCH TINDER.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a matching site for people wanting to start share farming (yet!), so you’ve got to pull up your boots and get out there. Get yourself to market, get mingling, chatting, and make yourself and your intentions known.

BE REALISTIC.

Ask yourself: do you need this to be a full time job? Will this work with any jobs you currently have? How much time do you want, and have, to commit to this? It's important to ask these from the beginning.

DON’T SIGN WITHOUT BEING SURE.

Is this person right for you? You’re going to be investing time, money and knowledge into this arrangement. Are you going to be listened to? Are you going to have the confidence to speak up, should you need to?

GET YOUR BOOKWORM ON.

Do your research on the concept and logistics, speak to anyone you know of that is share farming. We know a few, so drop us a line on studentfarmer@nfu.org.uk and we’ll give you a hand.

DON’T UNDERSELL YOURSELF.

We believe in you! Be confident in all that you can contribute to the farm and how it runs.

KEEP HOLD OF YOUR MONEY.

When you do reach an agreement, keep your finances separate. Don’t share bank accounts. The agreement becomes a partnership and that makes you potentially liable for any debts the other party has.

LOOK INTO YOUR CRYSTAL BALL.

Think about the future. Where do you see this going? Are you hoping to build enough capital to get yourself started? Are you hoping to take over the farm?

SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY SWIPE RIGHT.

Don’t give up because the first person you have approached laughs in your face and sends you home with your tail between your legs. Word will soon get around (typical with farmers) and you will find your match.

GET SOME LEGAL ADVICE.

We can’t stress how important this is, and we know the sound of legal advice sounds big and scary. But it’s not.

You might have to fork out a bit of cash for it, but better now than a few years down the line when something goes wrong because of a dodgy clause. Check out the NFU’s Legal Panel Firms to get started.

THE NOT-SO BORING STUFF Yeah, we know: the boring technical stuff that makes you snore. But get over it – it’s important. Share farming can be a potentially legally-binding contract, and you need to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Make sure you do your research – go online and speak to other people who’ve done it. Still want to try it? Speak to an adviser – financial or legal – with the other party, to drum up a plan or a contract.

Sign up to the NFU’s free student membership and you can have a look at the NFU’s Legal Panel Firms – trusted companies who have a partnership with the organisation. Become a member here: www.nfuonline.com

20

#STUDENTFARMER / May 2017

18-20_SFAPRIL17_sharefarming.indd 3

27/04/2017 09:56:47

GO RURAL – BE

brilliant VISIT HADLOW.AC.UK

OPEN DAY 17TH JUNE 10AM-4PM KICK START YOUR CAREER WITH BRILLIANT HANDS-ON LEARNING

0381 A4 Info Eve ad adverts.indd 7 NFU.indd 1

11/04/2017 08:47 26/04/2017 15:24:37

EVERY DAY’S A SCHOOL DAY Well, it is when you move to Scotland to start your own flock.

James Rhys Baylis weighs in on some home truths, including why you will always need a coat

HOW TO KEEP A POSITIVE MINDSET

It can be very hard to stay positive in farming, when you take a look at the industry, the uncertainty of Brexit, the weather... I could go on. I’ve found that having a positive frame of mind really helps when I have to manage the more difficult times. Any farmer knows it’s not like a 9-5 job, and you can’t always switch off at the end of the day, so, even though it’s not always easy, keeping calm and remaining positive can help you through.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

From wellies to ewe’s milk replacement powder, remember you get what you pay for. Don’t be sucked in by the cheaper version because nine times out of ten, you’ll just have to go back and pay for the more expensive, better quality version anyway. It only took one pair of cheap wellies for me to realise that it’s worth parting with a bit of extra cash for dry feet!

COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY

Don’t get me wrong; the development of social media within the agricultural industry has been fantastic. It’s given us a platform to educate people about what we do and what we produce, and it allows farmers to communicate in what can be a very lonely way of life, but it can be easy to get carried away. Just because someone who’s younger than you has a bigger flock, or that girl who was on your course at college is off working on a ranch in Australia and her Instagram feed looks like a working holiday brochure, doesn’t mean that they’re better than you.

YOU CAN FIND YOUR OWN WAY

Although the agricultural industry is becoming more and more modernised every day, you often wouldn’t think it when you’re right in the middle of it. Whether it’s old boys doing things the way their great-grandad did them, despite the fact there’s a far more efficient option available, or farmers working themselves into the ground with no succession plan, it can be hard not to get frustrated with the industry around us. Being a new entrant into a traditional way of life can be tough, but if you know it’s want you want to do and you’re willing to put in the work, you can develop a way of life that doesn’t have to be the same as the generations before you.

22

YOU DON’T HAVE TO COME FROM MONEY

The costs associated with farming are phenomenal, and while there are plenty of options for getting into farming without coming from a dairy dynasty, sometimes it feels like you haven’t got a chance when you see the latest New Holland model passing you down the road. As I’ve said, being a new entrant into a traditional industry can be tough sometimes, but you can’t let what other people have put you off. There are opportunities for apprenticeships, tenancies, and even just lending a helping hand that can help you get your foot in the door.

EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL

One of the biggest things I’ve learnt since becoming part of the agricultural industry is how big a divide there is between the farmer and the consumer. Sure, it’s slowly getting better, and more people are starting to care about where their food comes from, but it’s pretty eye-opening to see what people don’t know and what they’re willing to believe. I started my blog (shameless plug klaxon: www. solwayshepherd.co.uk) as a way to keep my family updated on my life in Scotland, but, for me, it’s developed into a way to try and educate people about life in the agricultural industry.

NOTHING BEATS HUMAN INTERACTION

As an introvert, sometimes farming can be the idyll. No human interaction for days on end sounds, on paper, absolutely fantastic. However, no matter how much you chat away to them, the sheep don’t hold up much of a conversation, and so sometimes the only thing you need is a good yarn with another person. It can be tough to realise it, especially if you live in a rural area where not seeing another person outside of your family for days is the norm, but when you get off the farm and back to society, you’ll really feel the difference!

NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT A COAT

It doesn’t matter if it’s 18 degrees and sunny in the morning when you leave the house, you can guarantee that you’ll experience rain, hail, snow and probably (maybe not) a tornado by lunch. So I’ll ask you the question my girlfriend asks me every time I leave the house: have you got a coat?

I guarantee you'll always need one.

#STUDENTFARMER / May 2017

22_SFAPRIL17_JRB.indd 1

27/04/2017 09:57:21

Love food?

We do.

Have you thought about a professional career in the food industry?

Call or email Andrew Fitzmaurice to discuss your options.

Professional recruitment services for the fresh produce, food and horticulture sectors. andrew@morepeople.co.uk

M E T S i r g A e Th

Academy

Do you want a future in the booming agri-tech industry? Have you set your sights on a career as an engineering pioneer? The AgriSTEM Academy is the platform to achieving your aspirations.

Agricultural Engineering Workshops

Did you know?

Automotive/ Hybrid Engineering Workshops

AgriTech Precision Farming Simulation Lab

Sat 24th June • 10am - 1pm

Multioccupation Construction Areas

The AgriSTEM Academy was funded by the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership's (LEP) Growth Deal Fund.

Sign up for September in 25 seconds at

www.southstaffs.ac.uk

adverts.indd 8

An Advanced Mechatronics Lab

open event! to find out more

Home to cutting edge technology, the latest industry standard facilities and unique training opportunities, there is no better place to develop the high level skills for a rewarding career where you’ll be in demand.

AME (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering) Hub

Visit our RODBASTON

0300 456 2424

What can I study?

Landbased Technology Agricultural Engineering Motor Vehicle Maintenance Sustainable Construction Engineering Technology Motorsport...and much more!

@southstaffs

SouthStaffordshireCollege

26/04/2017 15:24:52

SHEAR GRIT

Uni degree? Check. Sheep? Check. Own business? Check. Shearer? Check.

The list goes on. Meet Marie Prebble,the wonder woman behind the Kent Shepherd business, and see how she's started from the ground up YOU TAKE THE FARM FOR GRANTED WHEN YOU’RE BORN INTO IT. You do, to a degree. It’s more your playground than anything serious. Then you get older and think about career options and sometimes it just slots into place. I went to a girl’s grammar school and there was no way on this earth that the advisers would’ve suggested farming as a career or anything allied to it – it’s just not done.

I STILL LOVED IT AS THE PLAYGROUND. My parents are tenants of a Ministry of Defence-owned farm, which was compulsory purchased in WWII. I am aiming to take over that tenancy in the future. It’s 230 acres in total, 180 acres of which is pure pasture, with the rest being used as food 24

production for the sheep. In the future we’d like to convert the rest of it to grass, and we have new lays of chicory, ryegrass and clover.

I PICKED THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, OR TRIED. I chose to study environmental science and graduated in 2009.

My dissertation was all focused around farming, and as all my friends were taking boring office jobs I realised I could be outside doing something I loved. I then came back to the farm and quickly realised I had a bit of a love of sheep, and really enjoyed working with them. I finally thought it was something I could do and do well, so I focused on that. In my first year I bought 30 Romneys and 30 Lleyns because I didn’t know which direction to take.

#STUDENTFARMER / May 2017

24-26_SFAPRIL17_shearing.indd 1

27/04/2017 09:58:31

THE BUSINESS GOT COMPLEX VERY FAST. After buying those two different breeds, I then decided that having Romneys as the mainstay and using Lleyn rams and selecting such on ABVs/genetic traits, I had the best of both worlds. I started building up the numbers and breeding replacements, and selling lambs to local farmers.

SHEEP OR NO SHEEP? NO QUESTION. I’ll admit I’m slightly obsessed with sheep. I’ve built the flock up and we now have 400 breeding ewes, with 300 replacements that I run through the winter. They are a mix of pure Romneys and my own bred Lleyn crosses – known as the Kent Halfbred.

It’s a breed known for prolificacy, so when you cross it with the Romneys, it’s a native Kent-type sheep but the crossbred will have more lambs from Lleyn influence and from her, the crossbred lambs will have a better carcass classification.

YOU HAVE TO BE CLEVER WITH LIVESTOCK. My dad always used to have Suffolk Mules. We did have Romneys a long time ago, but most people in Kent did – it’s a Kent sheep. I suppose that’s why I called myself the Kent Shepherd. We had 100-odd Suffolks at one time and it didn’t seem like it was the right thing to do – why keep 100 when you could keep more Romneys on the same land? It needed a bit of thought. The Romney breed just does better off grass and they’re not as hungry. All my singles now for lambing aren’t having any feed apart from grass-only. They are a lower cost system, more production for less – the sheep system suits the farm and the permanent pasture.

I STARTED SELLING DIRECT IN 2012.

Family and friends are a good way to start. At the moment I take the lambs to the abattoir and collect them in boxes of half and whole. I supply a couple of pubs in the area and I would love to focus on the growing market of mutton and hogget.

People need to rediscover it, especially when there is so much interest in provenance. My challenge in the future, however, will be selling individual cuts as that’s what most people are looking for. I’ll have to think of a plan to combat waste.

BUSINESS ISN’T MY STRONGEST POINT I’M HAPPY TO ADMIT. It doesn’t come as naturally as the stock side which is probably a common theme. Know what your strengths are and improve your weaknesses – go on a business course. There are people that can give you advice.

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

24-26_SFAPRIL17_shearing.indd 2

25

27/04/2017 09:58:47

ALL HAIL THE ROMNEY. The breed is having a renaissance if you look at the sales. The breeding females had the best sales in autumn 2016. It goes around in circles but people believe in Romneys because they’re hardier, maternal and lower maintenance. It’s a good breed for young people, or maybe it’s just sensible shepherding. You don’t want to have to always be handling them and interfering when you don’t need to. You want to make yours and their life easier. With young people taking on any bits of ground they can get their hands, on they need to have a self-sufficient sheep. The Romney and the Kent Halfbred does that.

STARTING OUT IN SHEEP? TRY THEM. This breed doesn’t cost too much to feed and is 65kg at mature weight. Some of the Suffolk Mules are about 80kg. If you’re trying to do it all yourself especially if shearing, even 70kg is a lot to be turning over. They can produce two lambs of their own body weight – that’s the idea. You want to be weaning two 35kg lambs – or her replacement body weight in kilos of lamb and you can do that a lot easier with these lambs with less input.

"It’s going to be toug h – it’s going to be realLy difFicult.

SurRound yourself with positive people and good farmers and take advi ce from them"

MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES? DAD DID. I can safely say dad never really liked sheep that much – they were always used as a grazing tool because he made a lot of hay! But I’ve learnt so much from him and other farmers. You have to listen to people who have been doing it for years as they have seen and been through so much and have so much experience. Don’t be arrogant – there are lots of different ways of doing things and you have to find a way that works for you.

GET ALL THE EXPERIENCE YOU CAN GET. I just came back from New Zealand for two months shearing and before that I spent six months working on sheep stations in the country, as well as a genetics unit. I had a feeling that I’d spend the rest of my life on the farm, so I took the first opportunity I had by the horns.

FROM THAT EXPERIENCE, YOU CAN KEEP LEARNING. In New Zealand I learnt to shear. Dad was adamant that he would always employ contractors and I had to prove him wrong, and now with several courses under my belt, I shear all my own flock. It’s another strength to the bow, cuts out the middle man and reduces overheads and cost.

STARTING UP? REMEMBER: THINGS WILL GO WRONG. It’s normal and a rite of passage. You can’t let it stop you progressing. It’s going to be tough – it’s going to be really difficult. Surround yourself with positive people and good farmers and take advice from them. See them farm, see their stock and use it to inform your own business direction.

26

#STUDENTFARMER / May 2017

24-26_SFAPRIL17_shearing.indd 3

27/04/2017 09:59:07

Moulton College is one of the best institutions in the country for training the farming and agriculture experts of the future, with land‑based courses at every level, from diploma to PhD. If the land is your future, get in touch to find your perfect course from our unique range of apprenticeships, full-time, part-time and university-level courses.

Visit our website today to see what we can offer you: www.moulton.ac.uk The demand for technically and professionally trained farmers to provide for our nation is ever increasing and Moulton College is constantly developing and investing to cater for the agricultural community.

On our beautiful, rural campus we combine advanced technology with professional, hands-on training to provide the best education for tomorrow’s expert farmers.

Get in touch to find out more: 01604 491131 Moulton College, Moulton, Northampton NN3 7SY

www.facebook.com/OfficialMoultonCollege @MoultonCollege

adverts.indd 9 M12802 NFU Student Farmer April edition advert 297mm (h) x 210mm (w).indd 1

Courses in: Agriculture | Animal Welfare | Arboriculture | Bricklaying | Building Maintenance | Carpentry & Joinery | Construction Management | Countryside Management Equine | Floristry | Furniture Studies | General Education | Horticulture | Housing Practice & Maintenance | Plumbing & Heating | Sports | Stonemasonry | Wall & Floor Tiling

The land: make it your future

26/04/2017 15:25:12 16/03/2017 12:27:46

Student Farmer Advert April 2017.pdf 1 19/04/2017 11:16:33

INSPIRING SKILLS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE One of the UK's leading Land-based Colleges with two campuses covering over 230 hectares of farmland and countryside. It is the perfect place to start your career in agriculture.

“

In the face of climate change and a higher demand for resources, the farming industry needs smart young innovators to give the sector a shake-up.

C

M

Y

”

OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF APPRENTICESHIPS, DIPLOMAS & DEGREES:

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

RE A G R I C U LT U

EN G IN EE R IN G

H O R T IC U LT U R E

DON’T MISS OUR SUMMER OPEN DAY ON SUNDAY 4TH JUNE 2017 A fun filled family day out for all ages, to explore the Easton campus and find out what goes on.

If you are thinking of studying at Easton & Otley College this is a great opportunity to find out about our wide range of courses.

 08000 224556  WWW.EASTONOTLEY.AC.UK adverts.indd 10

26/04/2017 15:26:36

Looking for a career in farming and agriculture?

adverts.indd 11

27/04/2017 10:28:15

BEER OH BEER

Everyone is doing it. Even your friend (read: acquaintance) that you don’t speak to but stilL Facebook stalk is doing it. We’re talking homebrewing, and we’re here to hold your hand in our how-to guide

U

s Brits love a good pint, and with the popularity of craft ales and microbreweries rising, there’s never been a better time to throw your hat into the ring.

Brewing has been around since well, according to the World Wide Web, the fifth millennium BC. We’ll leave it to you to draw your own conclusions about what that says about us as human beings. Don’t laugh, but people used to drink beer out of a communal bowl (we wouldn’t share, either). By the Victorian era (always referred to as the ‘olden days’ by your nan) people were being paid in beer, which sounds like a pretty good result.

We can’t promise you that the beer you make won’t make you wince, but what’s the famous saying? If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again.

Either way, you’ll be the most popular person in halls when it comes to a Friday night.

Remember – whoever said beer isn’t the way to a young farmer’s heart is, in fact, an idiot.

BEER MYTHBUSTING 101

One thing we didn’t realise when starting the brewing process is that everyone tries to scare you with myths. Here are the best ones we heard, and what we actually encountered.

“THE BEER WILL HONK.” Alright, so this pretty much depends on whether you’ve got a sensitive nose or not. If you do, invest in a peg. There are loads of websites telling you that the beer will smell terrible and probably remind you of a night out where you went a bit full-on at the rugby social. In reality, and in our experience, this kit wasn’t as bad as we’d geared ourselves up for it to be.

“YOU CAN’T STORE IT HERE – IT’LL EXPLODE EVERYWHERE!” This one dominated the entire brewing process and terrified us for a long time.

Not wanting to be reported to NFU health and safety, we decided to keep it well out of reach. As long as you’ve got the airlock in right, and the bucket is well sealed, you should be fine. You should be more worried about keeping it out of direct sunlight because this can seriously affect it. Just follow the instructions.

“YOU DON’T NEED TO STERILISE IT THAT MUCH.” Wrong. Wrong. SO WRONG. It’s not very often we tell you to do something, but this one is legit a big deal. Remember that there are loads of different types of bacteria that can ruin your brew, so sterilising it is giving it the best start. It’s boring and feels like it takes forever, and you’ll probably get soaked. But like all good things, start off by giving it the best chance possible.

“DON’T SWASH IT AROUND! IT’LL RUIN IT.” Alright, so this is kind of true. We made the mistake of carrying the fermentation bucket across the NFU car park and it swirled around like a whirlpool. If you disturb the yeast too much that’s sprinkled on top of the brew, it’ll take longer to ferment and again, you want to give it the best start.

“CANNED KITS TASTE DIFFERENT.” There are different types of kit, but of course they’re all going to taste different because they’re made from different hops and ingredients – that’s the beauty of brewing! You’ll perfect your method with practice, but that’s not to say cans are bad. It’s all about preference, not one being better than the other.

Thanks to The Home Brew Shop who sent us a Muntons bitter kit to use!

Check out their starter kits here: www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk 30

“WHEN WILL IT BE READY?” Not technically a myth really, but actually a really annoying question that you’ll get asked every time someone sees you messing with the beer. You’ll learn to perfect your answer, but also feel like a parrot at the same time. However, sharing is most definitely caring, and you’ll be best friends with your housemates if you decide to give them a pint, or five.

#STUDENTFARMER / May 2017

30-31_SFAPRIL17_BEERv2.indd 1

27/04/2017 11:55:42

HOW TO HOMEBREW...

Alright, let's do this – you're finally ready to take the plunge and homebrew. Just think about how much money you'll save with this keg of 40-pint goodness. We're using a kit which comes with all the ingredients you need (canned) – others might be different so always follow the instructions.

STEP TWO STEP ONE

Known as the boring bit, but it's really important. Sterilise your fermentation bucket and lid by adding nine teaspoons of the steriliser supplied. Let it settle for 20 minutes and wash thoroughly.

Combine a a quarter of hot water with three quarters of cold water in the bucket.

While you're doing this, rest the two cans provided in warm water. Pour in the contents of the can and stir thoroughly. It will stick to the bottom if you don't stir enough. This is not good. After you've mixed in everything, sprinkle the yeast evenly over the top of the brew. This will help the beer ferment.

STEP THREE

Secure the lid on the bucket and make sure the rubber stopper is in tight.

Assemble the air valve into the stopper.

This is important. You need store the fermentation bucket in a warm, dry place. Stick the thermometer on the outside – you're aiming for above 16 degrees. You've got to leave it for seven days, and it'll form a head on the top.

STEP FOUR

A week later, sterilise the keg using the same technique. Don't forget to wash it thoroughly. You will get soaked.

STEP SEVEN

Leave it three to four weeks and bingo, it's ready!

STEP FIVE

Find a place where you can siphon the beer from the fermentation bucket into your keg. It's important that the bucket is raised above the keg in order to get the flow going. Suck. Avoid siphoning the solid stuff at the bottom/top of the bucket, and make sure the tap is closed.

STEP SIX

Once the beer is siphoned into the keg, secure the lid tightly and return to a warm, dry place to complete the process. Want gas? Use a C02 bulb now.

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

30-31_SFAPRIL17_BEERv2.indd 2

31

27/04/2017 10:56:57

Join the

Agri-Tech Revolution

land-based career

Get your degree and be at the forefront of British crop science technologies

Experience our range of animal, equine, sport, veterinary nursing and ecology degrees at our stunning 750-acre campus set in the Warwickshire countryside.

› FdSc Commercial Horticulture Technology and Management › BSc (Hons) Horticulture › BSc (Hons) Horticulture Production Technology

New for 2017 Agri-Tech Lab and STEM Centre Featuring state-of-the-art technology including UAVs with HD, thermal and multi-spectral imaging for crop analysis

See our fantastic new facilities at an open event Book your place at www.warwickshire.ac.uk/openevents

adverts.indd 11

The perfect start to your

New Degrees for 2017 › Applied Ecology and Conservation › Animal Ecology and Wildlife Biology › Zoological Science, Education and Media

Come and explore the opportunities awaiting you at our open events Book your place at www.warwickshire.ac.uk/openevents

26/04/2017 15:26:50

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. The end is near.

No, no – don’t start watching cat videos on Youtube.

Let’s get this dissertation in the bag, with a little help from us DEADLINES SCHMEADLINES? Think again. You’ll have wished you’d set yourself some staggered deadlines when the hand-in date is careering towards you like a freight train. Get rid of the rabbit in headlights feeling early on by setting some goals. Set a timetable at the start of the year and try to stick to it as much as possible. Even if you don’t stick to it entirely, the guilt will help you motivate yourself into the library.

FIND A SUBJECT YOU’RE INTERESTED IN. This is your dissertation, so if you’re ever going to get the chance to veer off from that one class you just hated (everyone has one), now is your chance. If you’re a livestock farmer through and through, don’t get lumbered with writing a dissertation about sugar beet nematodes or vice versa (Disclaimer: we love sugar beet nematodes).

YES, YOU REALLY DO NEED TO REFERENCE. There’s always someone banging on about referencing.

Which way around does it go? Where do you put it? Can I cite Wikipedia? We’ll nip that one in the bud now: NO. The bane of most people’s lives, but could lose you a lot of marks if you don’t do it right. Keep your references consistent and in-keeping with the guidelines you’re given.

BE CONCISE. This is not the time to channel Tolstoy’s War and Peace.

Don’t use a million words when three will do. It saves your energy and we promise the marker will be very pleased they don’t have to read 30,000 extra words. Make sure you at least meet the lower word limit or you could lose marks.

GET YOUR DATA ASAP. If you’re waiting for a lecturer to provide it – CHASE THEM. You’re not their only priority so chances are they’ll forget.

No one wants to have to extend their deadline and still be writing it over the summer while everyone else is partying or working the harvest!

GET TO KNOW YOUR SUPERVISOR. You’ll need them. Make sure you have a good working relationship and regular meetings with them. If things start to go wrong in the last week before submission date, they will have a more vested interest in helping you salvage your

dissertation. They’re there to help – even for support. Always get feedback as it’ll help in the long run.

FIND A FRIEND IN THE LIBRARY. We know – the dreaded library. It’s where people blatantly ignore the sign for quietness by blasting music from their phone speakers and chewing on the loudest chocolate bar going. Incentivise yourself: go to the pub. Each session in the library will be more bearable if you know there’s a beer in it for you at the end (also some of the best inspiration for dissertation writing can come post gin o’clock).

READ THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES. Download them, print them out and highlight the life out of them. Stick them on your fridge. Recite them like you’re belting out Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl on full blast in the cab.

Tips: make sure the font is right (no, not Comic Sans), the right information is on the front and you have enough time to print and bind a paper copy if you need to.

IF A DOG CAN EAT YOUR DISSERTATION, IT WILL. You won’t believe it. Trying to submit your dissertation 10 minutes before the deadline never ends well. Everything that can go wrong will. There is ALWAYS a queue for the printer, and you’ll inevitably run out of credits and spend ages waiting for the binding machine to become free.

INVEST IN SOME EAR DEFENDERS. Don’t listen to how other people are doing with theirs.

If they have most of it done after a month, it’s probably because theirs is a review-based dissertation and doesn’t need a huge amount of data gathering or manipulation. Just keep an eye on your own timings and let everyone else look after themselves. They’re probably blagging you, anyway.

JUST SAY NO. This statement works well in various parts of uni life, but you’ll inevitably be surrounded by people who have no clue what you’re doing. It’s okay to say no to that YFC meeting, the concert and the night out where you’re all dressing up as Where’s Wally. You will miss out, but you’ll be glad you said no when you’ve got your finished paper in hand.

But on the flipside, know when to say yes and give yourself a break.

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

29_SFAPRIL17_DISSERTATION.indd 2

33

27/04/2017 10:03:50

adverts.indd 12

26/04/2017 15:27:25

CLIMBING THE LADDER There IS life after 26, no matter how much your little YFC heart tells you otherwise. These guys found just that out by joining an NFU development programme. Orla McIlduff has more

DAIRY

DAVID RACTLIFFE, 25 Gloucestershire "In September 2016, I had just finished a year of being chairman of Painswick YFC, so the time was ripe for a new challenge.

During the programme, we saw how the dairy industry connects together, from the lab side of things through to the processing and then to Westminster to speak to Farming Minister George Eustice.

"We were also media trained by an ex-TV presenter.

Before I had that training, I would never have wanted to be interviewed on TV or radio, but now I have a much better idea of how to promote the dairy industry.

"My advice to anyone who thinks they might be interested in joining the next Dairy Development Group is to just go for it. The group was great, as are the NFU team!

All the group members are different; we all farm using different systems and we'd never have met otherwise."

CEREALS

CHARLES DAY, 28 Gloucestershire/Worcestershire border "I worked for an auctioneering firm after university, but decided a few years ago it was time to come home and work on the farm. The programme has been fantastic for helping me further my industry knowledge because I didn’t attend an agricultural college or university.

"The Cereals Development Programme is run in conjunction with Openfield, so we visited the Warburton’s factory. I could have spent several days at each visit, particularly at Muntons and Rothamsted. The group were really opinionated which made for interesting discussions.

"One thing I’ve personally gained is having more confidence in my own understanding of markets and what grain contracts mean. You’ve got nothing to lose by applying, and if you’re unsuccessful, try again. It’s absolutely one of the best things I’ve done."

POULTRY

GWENDA WOZENCRAFT, 26 Wales "I’ve worked with free-range layers for the past ten years and currently I work for Humphrey Feeds and Pullets in mid-Wales.

Surprisingly, I studied criminology at Swansea; however, they do say that you end up in poultry industry by mistake, and once you’re in you don’t get back out!

"Luckily, my boss has really strong connections to the NFU so saw this as great opportunity for me to expand my knowledge. Part of my job is servicing our customers and ensuring they have everything they need on-farm, so the more sector awareness I have, the more valuable I am.

"The quality of the visits you get to go on were amazing, from trips to look at renewables in Norfolk through to Aldi and going to Brussels. There was a real mix of people from farms and trades on the programme too, so if you’re in doubt of whether or not to apply, I’d say to just do it!"

SUGAR

PETER COX, 26 Dorset "I'm from Dorset and there is no sugar beet grown in my home county, so my first interaction with the crop was studying agriculture at the University of Nottingham. I'm now based in Suffolk for my job as an Agri-Business Consultant, and a lot of my clients grow sugar beet.

"The most interesting part for me was visiting Westminster to see how the industry works on a bigger scale, including the economics and trade of sugar and how it is influenced by policy.

"We’ve had some great entertainment throughout the programme. Seeing Marcus Brigstocke as the after-dinner speaker at NFU Conference 2017 was really entertaining, and the food we ate throughout the programme was great (typical!). I have learnt a huge amount and I am sure anyone else who takes part will also do the same."

Fancy getting involved? Visit NFUonline to find out when the programmes open. Don’t forget to become a student member of the NFU too – it’s FREE!

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

35_SFAPRIL17_IndustryProgrammes_v2.indd 2

35

27/04/2017 10:55:35

NEW YORK, NEW YORK When Gordon Lamb had the chance to fly over the pond to see how the Americans do fresh produce, he bit his uni's hand ofF. Bright lights, big city and alL that presentations from market leaders in the Global Trade Symposium, on topics ranging from the UK berry industry, increasing fresh produce consumption in Dutch teens and corporate social responsibility on Mexican farms. In the afternoon, students had the opportunity to meet with senior buyers from major retailers in the US to discuss the issues most relevant to students.

WE’RE THE ONLY UNIVERSITY OUTSIDE OF AMERICA TO ATTEND. A group of four of us were sponsored by the organisers of the New York Produce Show to visit the event, which meant we got to fly out to New York and see how the Americans really do it. It’s based just a short walk from Times Square and it’s all about looking into the fresh produce industry in America and beyond.

You hear from key players within the industry, and get to network with people from across the globe. It was really interesting because I've worked on a fresh produce seedling farm for the past two summers, so it was great to see the scale of the industry I had worked in.

ALL WORK NO PLAY? KIND OF. Clearly a trip to New York is a great opportunity to travel and we were lucky enough to go sightseeing in our spare time. But the schedule was pretty full on. The first day involved eight 36

THING GOTHAM IS JUST FOR BATMAN? THINK AGAIN. On the final day we opted to go on the Brooklyn retailers and urban agriculture tour, where we visited Gotham Greens (no sign of Batman) and their hydroponic greenhouses on the rooftop of a wholefoods supermarket. After hearing about the impressive yields that hydroponic farming can generate, we were able to taste some of the produce at lunch and experienced the education that this urban agriculture can provide for New York’s population.

It was incredible.

IT WAS AN UNBELIEVABLE WINDOW INTO THE WORLD OF PRODUCE. I’m not from a farming background, but since a young age I've been working on a friend’s dairy farm, lending a helping hand. I’ve worked on a couple of other dairy farms and a fresh produce seedling farm. I farm as much as I can during the holidays – I love it. In the future, I want to work at either a retailers in

procurement or category management.

I might choose fresh produce, or dairy.

Who knows? I know one thing: the event showed me that there are loads of opportunities in farming.

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE AN OPINION AND SHARE IT. I’ve got one. I think the British produce industry has developed strongly in the past, especially the berries. My view is that we should increase the production of seasonal fruits and vegetables and promote the ones we can grow here to reduce the food miles and carbon footprint. Farmers are sometimes portrayed as the enemy for attempting to advance technology and operations.

Often, relationships between farmers and retailers are stale; however, integration in the supply chain and education of consumers will increase collaboration and competitiveness.

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THE FUTURE AND WE’VE GOT TO PROTECT THAT. There really is a need for young people in the industry. Fresh produce is a dynamic and global industry which offers great opportunities for anyone looking to go into it. It’s time to buck the stereotypes. Even I didn’t consider fresh produce as an industry to explore – the possibilities are endless. The whole breadth of it really surprised me, so for anyone thinking about it, I guarantee the world of fresh produce is huge!

#STUDENTFARMER / May 2017

36_SFAPRIL_NYC.indd 1

27/04/2017 11:58:28

adverts.indd 13

26/04/2017 15:27:45

adverts.indd 14

26/04/2017 15:28:04

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM Education is esSential when one in four people wilL experience mental health problems in their life. That’s why student Jerome Fielder is campaigning to change the curRiculum when it comes to depresSion

Y

ou don’t expect to receive a phone call telling you that one of your best friends has taken his own life. But in January 2016, I did.

Like you’d expect, the news rocked me, and I didn’t know what to say or how to react, especially to Tom – Joe’s brother – who’d broken the news.

Joe was one of my closest friends at Askham Bryan College. We got on really well and his family were really good to me while my own were abroad. But like all friendships, we did drift apart. We went to different places for our degree and admittedly we were poor at keeping in touch, although at least once or twice a year we’d meet for a good catch up.

Everyone does it, right?

But I never expected for what happened to... happen. I suppose you could say the whole thing kicked me into gear, and out of a really negative situation, I tried to find a shred of positivity.

I decided to sign up for a marathon and raise money for Papyrus, which is a charity that tries to prevent young suicide. I was encouraged by the support of everyone and even smashed my

Jerome has continued to highlight the issue to students and now has an online petition

£1,000 target. However, the figures are still astounding.

Approximately one farmer a week takes their own life. The leading cause of death in UK 20-34 year-olds is suicide (1,659 lives lost in 2016) – 75% of those that died were male. Three guys in my year group at school took their own life, and the reason Joe took his own life was because of depression.

He didn’t feel able to talk about what he was struggling with. In 2017, that just isn’t right.

Agriculture is a high risk industry for suicide, so why on earth isn’t it being spoken about in colleges and universities? It’s ridiculous. I remember at college having so much teaching on health and safety when operating machinery due to the high fatality rate in the industry. Do we not need teaching on our mental health when farmers are more likely to die from suicide than agricultural fatalities? Yes, we do.

So I started the ball rolling. When I went to Nottingham University, I felt that I had a real opportunity to tell people about this massive crisis in mental health, especially in men. I

decided to create a presentation of my own personal experience with a few statistics to present to my year group alongside a welfare officer. I also created a petition for people to sign after I spoke, which was aimed at our agriculture lecturers to add some suicide awareness training into our curriculum.

After the first talk went down so well with everyone signing the petition, I presented it to the first and second year agriculture students, who again signed it. I then had a meeting with agriculture lecturers on to see how we can add some suicide awareness/ mental health workshop and training into the curriculum, with the backing of students. It’s a fact (and a horrific one) that this problem isn’t going to go away. We can shy away from it, or we can learn about the effects and how to spot this devastating disease. I’m betting it would’ve helped prevent a bunch of those lives that were lost due to the crippling illness.

Want to learn more about depression and how to spot the signs? Visit www. mind.org.uk. And don't forget to sign Jerome's petition at bit.ly/2pS9MGD May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

39_SFAPRIL_mentalhealthV2.indd 2

39

27/04/2017 10:18:25

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

BEEF EXPO 2017: THE KEY BEEF INDUSTRY EVENT IS BACK! NBA Beef Expo is a true celebration of the strength of the great British Beef Industry and is the UK’s key annual event held on behalf of the industry. It brings together the very best British pedigree and commercial cattle. Hosted by the National Beef Association (NBA), the 2017 event will take place at the NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire on Thursday 18th May. The 2017 NBA Beef Expo provides British breeders and producers with an excellent platform to showcase the quality of their cattle, and visitors can expect to see some of the finest examples of British breeding from all corners of the UK. As the event will be the first of its kind post Brexit, there will undoubtedly be a focus on what this means for British farmers in terms of opportunities moving forward.

A major feature of the event is the National Commercial Cattle Show (NCCS) which will see, as always, farmers from the length and breadth of the UK showing the very best cattle from their herds, all hoping for a share of the £5000 overall prize fund. Alongside the NCCS, visitors have the opportunity to browse in the region of 120 commercial and educational trade exhibits, as well as specialist Breed Society stands.

NBA Beef Expo is a nucleus for knowledge sharing and networking. Trade exhibitors will highlight, through displays and demonstrations, the latest industry trends and developments as well as nutrition and genetics. Applications are now open for

businesses, traders and breed societies wishing to attend the 2017 event.

Now a firmly established feature of the event is the Future Beef Farmer Challenge which was launched back in 2015 for beef farmers aged 36 and under. Entrants can take part as an individual or as a team and the winner of each section is presented with a trophy. The competition challenges entrants’ knowledge of the beef sector at both a practical and scientific level, which is fundamental to the future strength and success of the industry.

As in previous years, the highly anticipated farm tours will take place on Wednesday 17th May giving people the opportunity to gain an insight into how various beef enterprises are managed. This year the farm tour includes three diverse beef farms all championing efficiency in their relative sectors and showcasing the very best of British beef production. As part of the event the NBA will also be hosting a range of seminars and workshops held by various industry professionals.

Chris Mallon, Chief Executive of the NBA commented: “Plans for NBA Beef Expo 2017 are certainly in full swing and we are very much looking forward to welcoming farmers and exhibitors to the event in May. Following the UK’s Brexit decision this year, this will be a key focus as we offer support and help British producers who may have concerns surrounding this.

Trade stand applications, visitor tickets and cattle show entry forms are now available online on at www.beefexpo.co.uk, where further detailed information about the event can also be found.

adverts.indd 15

26/04/2017 15:28:27

UNIVERSITY BUCKET LIST Ever got toO acquainted with a trafFic cone? StilL ploughing your way through those Domino’s vouchers? SeE how you fare by ticking the below…                         

Attend YFC Convention in first year Attend YFC Convention in second year Attend YFC Convention in third year Attend a rugby social and survive (or barely) Join the Women's Institute (or pretend to) Rinse your student benefits for all they're worth Sign up to *insert random society here* and never go Pull an all nighter Eat banter. Breathe banter. Sleep banter.

Take part in your university’s lambing season Learn to drive a tractor without crashing Take your trailer test Question your life choices after going out for four nights on the bounce Attend a RAG event Steal a traffic cone (and end up spooning it) Get evacuated wearing next to nothing Scowl at the first year that set the alarm off burning chicken nuggets Glean all the freebies from the Fresher’s Fair. Even in third year Use the Domino's vouchers Be put off a drink for life after drinking it for three years Commit cupboard warfare over space. Consider buying a padlock End a friendship over milk theft Perfect your signature dish and never be able to eat it when you leave Hate everyone in the other halls and create an intense rivalry worse than Oxford v Cambridge Blow your student loan on something you can’t afford as soon as it comes in

 Complain about not having any money left just after  Become best friends with someone at Freshers. Never talk to them again  Make the 9am lecture after a 5am finish  Pull pints at the SU bar or at the local  Get your photo taken with the Z-list celeb that plays the SU bar randomly  Hand in an essay early. Be smug  Brew your own beer  Write for the uni newspaper. Or get involved with uni radio  Play a prank on a housemate  Have an identity crisis  Attend your university’s varsity  Develop an irrational hate for the opposite team in varsity  Watch Netflix until it threatens to standby  Wear your hoody with pride  Have ‘somethinggate’. Fridge-gate. Bin-gate.

Milk-gate. Anything  Get on first name basis with the SU bar manager  Get on first name basis with your local pub landlord  Try and rub some miscellaneous stain off your house carpet  Panic that you won’t get your deposit back because of miscellaneous stain  Down the dirty pint  Enjoy the dirty pint  Vote in an SU election. Or run for office  Learn a new sport, talent, instrument, ANYTHING  Take a shot at relief milking  Regret sending that text message

HOW DID YOU DO? 40-50

FIRST CLASS FLYER Congratulations! You win nothing.

Well, apart from the satisfaction that you bossed through our test.

You’ve loved your housemates, hated your housemates, and probably even padlocked your cupboards. You’re an all-around university aficionado, and you can definitely teach those freshers a thing or two. Stick your chest out!

20-30

BARELY SCRAPING A 2.1 Okay, so you’re basically scraping through. You committed, but not enough. We won’t judge you! You probably had an identity crisis, but didn’t get to know your SU bar manager enough to warrant a free pint on a Friday night. We forgive you – live vicariously through a sibling or study a Masters and start all over with a clean slate.

0-20

DROPPED OUT FIRST YEAR There is no excuse for this. Hang your head in shame and be gone.

You’ve probably got a legitimate excuse for this – maybe you didn’t live on campus. There is no reason why you shouldn’t have got up close and personal with a traffic cone, though. Failing that, you can judge the rest of the people who consider themselves a first class student.

May 2017 / #STUDENTFARMER

41_SFAPRIL_bucketlist.indd 2

41

27/04/2017 10:19:07

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.

The second best time is now.

www.nfuonline.com

40_SFAPRIL17_poster.indd 4

27/04/2017 10:31:45

The RAU experience

EXCITING

GRADUATE

EMPLOYABILITY

PROSPECTS

96 80

Employment

%

average over 5 years

% Managerial roles

A POWERFUL

NETWORK of

14000 ALUMNI GLOBALLY

A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS IN THE

Commercial

University farms

Cotswold

across

491

HECTARES

Countryside

Award-winning

ENTERPRISE

& Entrepreneurship

PROGRAMME A THRIVING STUDENT UNION CALENDAR OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

EXCITING & UNUSUAL PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

AGRICULTURE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT FOOD FARM MANAGEMENT EQUINE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE RURAL LAND MANAGEMENT Please contact us:

www.rau.ac.uk Tel: 01285 889912 Cirencester, GL7 6JS admissions@rau.ac.uk

adverts.indd 16

Royal Agricultural University

Cirencester

26/04/2017 15:28:59

adverts.indd 17

26/04/2017 15:29:17