#STUDENTFARMER - MAY 2020 by STUDENT FARMER

THE S&YFAP TAKEOVER EDITION

MAY 2020

From Birmingham to Brussels, and London to lambing, the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors share highlights from the year in their own words

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ASTUDIWCH AR EIN FFERM FLAENLLAW 1000 ERW YN LLYSFASI

• Amaethyddiaeth • Peirianneg Amaethyddol • Coedwigaeth • Gofal Anifeiliaid

• Cyrsiau Llawn Amser • Cyrsiau Byr • Prentisiaethau

PAM ASTUDIO YN LLYSFASI? • Defnyddiwch ein cyfleuster llaethdy sy’n werth miliynau • Arhoswch yn ein llety ar y safle • Mae gennym ystod eang o gyrsiau ar gyfer pob lefel • Gweithiwch gyda’n fflyd helaeth o gerbydau, tractorau, peiriannau ac offer y tir modern

STUDY ON OUR INDUSTRY LEADING 1000 ACRE FARM AT LLYSFASI • Agriculture • Agriculture Engineering • Forestry • Animal Care

• Full Time Courses • Short Courses • Apprenticeships

WHY STUDY AT LLYSFASI? • Use our multi million pound dairy facility • Stay in our on-site accommodation • We have a wide range of courses to suit all levels • Work with our extensive fleet of modern vehicles, tractors, field machinery and equipment Rydym yn gweithio gyda chyflogwyr byd-eang We work with global employers

WWW.CAMBRIA.AC.UK | 0300 30 30 007

#CONTENTS

04 08 11 12 15 18 20 23 26 28 30 32 34 36 39 41 42

S&YFAP TAKES OVER... BRUSSELS S&YFAP TAKES OVER... NFU CONFERENCE WHAT IS EATFARMNOW? THE £30 RED TRACTOR CHALLENGE STAYING HEALTHY, MENTALLY LAMBING THE HARD WAY #LOCKDOWNLIFE ISOLATION HEADPHONES INSTAYOUTUBEFARMINGVLOGGER S&YFAP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! S&YFAP TAKES OVER... THE MEDIA THE APPRENTICE BECOMES THE FARMER NEXTGEN FOCUS GETTING A GOOD ANGLE FARM STATUS INDICATOR NEW OFFICERS AT THE NFYFC WIN DICKIES CLOTHING WITH THE NFU

THE TAKEOVER CONTINUES

PUBLISHED BY: NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ FILLED WITH WORDS BY: Huw Hopkins, Orla McIlduff, Sioned Davies, Anna Hunt, Gethin Johnson, JJ Macleod, Poppy Burrough, Sophie Thornton, Harry Madin, Georgina Barratt, Dan Wells, George Biss, Simon Gadd, Nicholas Bell DESIGNED BY: John Cottle, Alison Soye (cover artwork) TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT: Alan Brown alan.brown@nfu.org.uk CONTACT: studentfarmer@nfu.org.uk /StudentFarmer @studentfarmer @studentfarmer

It only feels like a few weeks ago when #StudentFarmer launched the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme. Well, nearly a year on, this group of farmers, scientists, researchers, machinery experts and countryside lovers have become the faces of the industry. But in one of the most unusual times in the history of the human race, the S&YFAP is not immune to changes that are taking place as a result of coronavirus. Some of the ambassadors have been furloughed from their jobs, others have ended university and college early, and almost all of them were looking for ways to get through this – some of them just by staying home, while several were looking for ways to help feed the nation. A few of the ambassadors were keen to write about their personal experiences of coronavirus in this Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Takeover edition of #StudentFarmer. You will find plenty of content from them about crafting the perfect farming playlist, staying mentally healthy in isolation and helping out on the farm. Speaking of which, as we went to print with the magazine, the NFU has been been collaborating with the UK Government and the AHDB to find a ways of supporting farming in these challenging times. One area of focus has been to help farmers recruit workers and the launch of Pick For Britain. You remember at the early stages of coronavirus, the NHS needed a huge number of people to help out? Well, certain parts of the farming industry required similar support. Jobs such as fruit and veg picking, as well as various roles in the poultry and dairy sectors, were often filled by overseas workers. However, with the movement of people largely shut down to avoid the spread of the disease, we needed people like you and the ambassadors to step up. By the time you read this, the NFU’s main Twitter platform – @NFUtweets – and the account for #StudentFarmer – @studentfarmer – will have been hard at work promoting the Pick For Britain website. Please check them out for more info. If you want to do your part during this weird moment in history, have spare time after finishing school, college or job unexpectedly, or maybe you’re just going stir crazy in isolation, you can help feed the nation, you could Pick For Britain. Whatever you do in the coming weeks, stay sane, healthy and safe. Huw Hopkins Editor, #StudentFarmer May 2020

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On a bright morning in September 2019, 10 fresh faces arrived at NFU HQ, not knowing each other or much about the organisation they were about to represent. That’s changed now, and #SF Editor Huw Hopkins explains why:

hen I first took over as editor of #StudentFarmer magazine, I thought: “Awesome – a cool, fun magazine that tells the lighter side and the younger stories of the NFU.” But with all of the magazines the NFU publishes, there was a reason behind them, a direction. And while #StudentFarmer by far had the best content – still does, btw – we weren’t sure if it was actually doing anything for the readers, the students, the young farmers, even the people with just a passing interest in ag-related stuff. All those years ago, we were keen to do something that helped this magazine connect with you guys. There were a tonne of ideas floating around, but last year we managed to get the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme off the ground. This magazine is all about them, and you. It’s the way it should have been from the start. Inside, you’ll see what they’ve been up to this year, and if you like the look of doing it yourself, make sure you turn to page 28 to apply for next year’s class.

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#ONTOUR

SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEHEN

As the United Kingdom prepared to leave the European Union in January, the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme travelled to Brussels to ensure relationships with future farmers across the continent remain strong

In a week when “Brexit got done”, the NFU’s 10 Student & Young Farmer ambassadors visited the British Agricultural Bureau, the hub of the UK’s four farming unions in Brussels. There, they learned about the ways in which the UK has worked within the EU in the past 40-plus years Ambassadors Sophie Thornton and Gethin Johnson blogged about their trip and here’s what they had to say...

GETHIN SAYS:

Being in Brussels during the week of Brexit was always going to be a very interesting experience. From the moment we set foot on the platform in Brussels to when we left for the journey home, the trip was full of policy, industry speakers and all things agriculture. It was great to hear speakers from organisations such as the CEJA (Europe’s young farming group), European farming conglomerate Copa Cojeca as well as the NFU’s advisers in the British Agriculture Bureau. What Canadian trade commissioner Lynn Fortin said was particularly relevant to us. After Brexit, we will be a ‘third country’ in the European Union, similar to Canada. Lynn gave us all an insight into the challenges farming may face when making trade. My background is in agricultural engineering, so another discussion I found particularly interesting was with the ELO’s Robert de Graeff. He spoke about the future of technology in farming, envisioning that in the next 20 years some larger scale farmers will take a step away from their role as a ‘farmer’ and take

May 2020

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on a new role similar to an IT manager. Fully integrated farm machinery systems reporting back to a central hub will enable the farmer to track, monitor and control all activities from one central location. With the likes of ‘Hands Free Hectare’ at Harper Adams University being such a great success in recent years, this is not a possibility to be ruled out. On day two, we made our way to the European Parliament for a tour and to meet agriculture-focused MEP, Anthea McIntyre. This was a great opportunity to discuss first-hand with an MEP how the decisions made in the European Parliament in Brussels can still affect us back at home in rural West Wales. With the Withdrawal Act now in place, what do I see a future in British and Welsh farming holds? It’s anyone’s guess, but I do foresee that there will be lots of change, and sometimes change can be a positive thing. There’s a chance you may lose out on something good, but there's also a chance you’ll gain something better in the process. That said, one thing that won't change is that as British and Welsh farmers, we will still produce some of the best quality produce and to some of the highest standards in the world.

“THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO DISCUSS FIRST-HAND WITH AN MEP HOW THE DECISIONS MADE IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN BRUSSELS AFFECT US BACK AT HOME IN RURAL WEST WALES”

SOPHIE SAYS:

For our third get-together on the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme, we had the opportunity to spend two jam-packed days in Brussels. We went to the European Parliament on the afternoon before the final vote on Britain’s withdrawal agreement from the EU, so it was a very historic day. It was interesting to understand how it worked and we were lucky enough to be shown around by Conservative MEP Anthea McIntyre, who kindly sponsored our trip. It was fascinating hearing her view and the potential outlook for the agricultural sector post-EU.

“IT WAS INTERESTING HEARING HER THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ON ATTRACTING THE NEXT GENERATION AS IT COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A MORE DOMINANT ISSUE IN FUTURE YEARS” NFU adviser Katie Jarvis gave us a ‘view from Brussels’, explaining how the European Commission works, and an overview about different areas of importance such as the EU Budget and Green Deal. Fiona Lally from CEJA (the European council of young farmers) talked about understanding the EU from a young farmer perspective. She highlighted that only 5.6% of farm managers in the EU are under the age of 35. For many of us in the room, this was not a surprise, as the barriers that exist in the UK when it comes to getting into agriculture are the same as those for young people in the EU. It was interesting hearing her thoughts and opinions on attracting the next generation as it could potentially become a more dominant issue in future years. Discussions with Lynn Fortin, the trade commissioner for the Canadian Mission to the European Union, and Robert de Graeff, from the European Landowners’ Organisation (ELO), looked at how the UK-EU trade agreement might look and the complex nature of global trade. Robert ended the thought-provoking session with his opinion on the three areas: 1. CRISPR technology (plant breeding innovation) 2. Crop protection product availability and alternatives 3. Digital farming and autonomous tractors. Robert explained that at least two of these factors will be needed for sustainable agriculture in the future. The range of speakers and topics covered on the trip gave everyone lots of food for thought on the way home. Overall the trip was incredibly informative and interesting. For me it also highlighted how amazing the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme is and what incredible experiences and opportunities are available. I would highly recommend it to others.

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Glynllifon

Mae campws Glynllifon ar ystâd ysblennydd Glynllifon ger Caernarfon yn arbenigo mewn cyrsiau diwydiannau’r tir, yn cynnwys:

Our Glynllifon Campus is based on the stunning Glynllifon Estate near Caernarfon and specialises in a range of land-based courses, including:

• Amaethyddiaeth • Astudiaethau Anifeiliaid • Coedwigaeth a Rheoli Cefn Gwlad • Technoleg Diwydiannau’r Tir • Nyrsio Milfeddygol

• Agriculture • Animal Studies • Forestry & Countryside Management • Land-based Technology • Veterinary Nursing

Rydym yn cynhyrchu da byw ar ein fferm fasnachol 300 erw a saif yng nghanol coetir, parcdir a chynefinoedd bywyd gwyllt, ac ymhlith y cyfleusterau a gynigiwn ar ein campws mae:

Our 300 hectares of commercial livestock farm is surrounded by woodland, park and wildlife habitats, and our campus contains a number of facilities, including:

• Y Ganolfan Astudiaethau Anifeiliaid • Y Ganolfan Beirianneg • Bloc addysgu a gostiodd £7.4M i’w godi • Hostel sy’n rhoi llety i fyfyrwyr yn ystod yr wythnos • Efelychydd ‘Tenstar’ newydd gwerth £70,000

• Animal Studies Centre • Engineering Centre • £7.4 million teaching block • Hostel for mid-week accommodation • New £70,000 ‘Tenstar’ training simulator

Bob blwyddyn bydd ein myfyrwyr yn cael canlyniadau rhagorol, ac blwyddyn diwethaf y gyfradd llwyddiant ar ein cyrsiau amaethyddol oedd 100% I gael gwybod rhagor am y cyfleoedd fydd ar gael i chi ym Medi 2020:

Every year our students achieve excellent results, including last year a 100% pass rate in all agriculture courses. To find out more about the opportunities available for September 2020:

www.gllm.ac.uk/glynllifon Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, Glynllifon: 01286 830 261 Caernarfon LL54 5DU ymholiadau.glynllifon@gllm.ac.uk enquiries.glynllifon@gllm.ac.uk

FARMING WITHOUT BARRIERS

Anyone who’s anyone attended the UK’s premier farming event, NFU Conference 2020, held in Birmingham in February NFU President Minette Batters inspired everyone to start thinking with a ‘glass half-full’ attitude and really challenged Defra Secretary of State George Eustice when it came to making decisions about life after Brexit. Luckily, NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors Poppy Burrough and Georgina Barratt were on-hand to give us the low down from the two days.

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POPPY SAYS:

For me, this year’s NFU Conference started with a leisurely 8:15am train to Birmingham, however, some of the more unfortunate (Welsh) ambassadors, had a bright and early start at 4:30am. We all planned to meet in the train station and travel over to the ICC together, but letting a group of young farmers navigate a city by themselves was not a great idea, and resulted in us all arriving at different times and in different states of confusion. After a quick bacon roll and a group photo, we were headed into the halls for the opening address from NFU President Minette Batters.

Her opening address was concise and powerful, really conveying the passion she has for British agriculture and how hard she is prepared to work in order to secure the future of farming for the UK. The address largely covered how we can use Brexit to make Britain great, as we’re in the midst of the “biggest agricultural reform since the 1940s”. It can be a huge benefit for the industry, as it’ll allow us to shape our country for decades to come, designing our own policies for food, farming, immigration and plenty more. This had particular emphasis on maintaining the high standards that we currently produce our food to. Minette’s comments captured the attention of the audience and created a positive atmosphere, receiving a huge round of applause. This then led to a talk on ‘Where next for British businesses’ with Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, director general for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). This also was focused on ensuring that the food standards of the UK would not be undercut by low standard imports that have been produced using methods that would be illegal here. My favourite part of the day was the NFU Education segment, when I learnt about NFU Farmvention and STEMterprise, two agricultural resources available to primary schools. The Farmvention competition was created for kids to design a farming invention, with the winner being a young girl from Ronald Ross Primary School in London. A group of kids from the school came on stage and spoke about how much they enjoyed their involvement with Farmvention and how the NFU turned their school into a farm for the day. I think this is an excellent idea from the NFU Education team to show the importance of agriculture to a variety of ages and backgrounds. Minette was also keen to stress what a modern industry agriculture was, and how proud she is to have supported the Pride event, with the rainbow Massey “Sassy” Ferguson, the NFU Cymru She Who Dares Farms movement to end sexism in agriculture, and the Yellow Wellies ‘Mind Your Head’ campaign, which aims to end the stigma around mental health in agriculture. All reason to be even more proud of our industry. I’ll paraphrase a stat from Minette: in the 20 minutes it’s taken you to read through this magazine, 100,000 tonnes of food has been eaten across the world, and if that isn’t enough to push you toward backing British farming, then I don’t know what would!

May 2020

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GEORGINA SAYS:

Day two kicked off bright and early with a talk from Defra’s George Eustice on what agriculture can expect going forward, as the UK becomes independent from the EU. It was good to hear that the government is keen on reducing reliance on basic payments and want to tackle the impact they will have on inflating land prices. This will be achieved by the largest landowners seeing a 25% reduction in support down to 5% for the smallest landowners. Mr Eustice also mentioned the establishment of an exit scheme for farmers at, or over, retirement age who would be paid to retire to free up their farm or tenancy for the younger generation to take over. Lowering land value and encouraging older farmers to retire is aimed at getting young talent into the industry to drive innovation, which is great for us younger people but I am not sure how well it was received by older NFU members. This was not, however, what I, and NFU members, were most interested in; we were keen to hear about how the government plans to protect British food standards going forward by preventing the import of food that would be illegal to produce in this country. Unfortunately, Mr Eustice was reluctant to make any guarantees here and despite Minette’s probing questions he did not make any guarantees of whether future trade agreements would protect British farmers, much to the disappointment of all in the auditorium. After the political session it was time for the workshops and I chose to attend the session looking at ‘A new strategy for plant health solutions’. Tom Bradshaw, then combinable crops chairman (who is now NFU VicePresident), pointed out that because farmers have to record what and when they spray, this data is widely available to be used against them, while integrated pest management (IPM) approaches are not recorded in the same way. This means it is impossible to show all the great strides farmers are making in reducing chemical inputs by using alternative management approaches, such as using disease resistant varieties or changing sowing dates to avoid pest pressure.

”WE WERE KEEN TO HEAR ABOUT HOW THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO PROTECT BRITISH FOOD STANDARDS GOING FORWARD BY PREVENTING THE IMPORT OF FOOD THAT WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO PRODUCE IN THIS COUNTRY“ This session highlighted that farmers already have great IPM management but that this needs to be recorded and supported by government grants for innovation. Also, new plant breeding strategies, to give us varieties less prone to disease and less demanding of nutrient inputs, could be a real area of opportunity after Brexit, as we will be able to legislate more openly and allow gene editing technologies to speed up plant breeding – an area I am really keen to champion as a crop scientist. One of the strongest messages I took home is that we import 74% of our fresh fruit and vegetables from countries

that are drought prone and have decreasing access to fresh water. This is something we have the opportunity to change by updating our water management plan to focus on reducing flooding but also on storing water and moving it to where needed so that we can produce more home grown fruit and veg and irrigate during dry periods in the summer. This would not only reduce the impact we have on water stressed countries but also reduce food imports and the associated carbon footprint. Professor Myles Allen explained that when the impact of greenhouse gases is calculated, methane is corrected to the equivalent amount of C02. But it doesn’t behave in the same way and is less long lived in the atmosphere. This means that if methane emissions are maintained at the current rate, methane levels would not increase in the atmosphere, and they would not contribute to warming any more than they currently do. More excitingly it means that a small reduction year on year in methane emissions would actually reduce methane levels in the atmosphere and result in a cooling effect. This led on to my favourite fact of conference that the reduction in livestock numbers in the UK over the past 30 years has contributed to global cooling. What an awesome fact: proof that working together towards net zero can combat climate change! NFU Conference reaffirmed to me that we need to continue to lobby government to support the industry, so we can innovate and prevent low quality imports that could undermine all that we work so hard as an industry to produce. We must be proud to produce food to world leading standards.

May 2020

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R E B M E R SEPT

• Over 440 hectares of farmed estate on a range of soil types • Wide range of machinery and specialist equipment • Experienced tutors committed to ensuring that you achieve your full potential • Accommodation on-site

APPLY ONLINE AT:

• Courses through to degree level

www.moulton.ac.uk

EATFARMNOW

Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Anna Hunt takes a look at the new online community for farmers – and more – EatFarmNow

ou may not have heard of EatFarmNow, but if you have, you probably love it. When I first heard it mentioned on Twitter, I was immediately intrigued as to the nature of this platform and decided to have a look for myself. Founded by a group of individuals who are passionate about spreading their love for the agricultural industry, it is a website that brings together lots of digital content about food, how it is produced and how to inform people about it, from all over the world.

WHAT CAN I FIND ON EATFARMNOW?

The website has a mixture of podcasts, videos, blogs, and even content such as recipes, which helps to create a diverse and interactive feel to the website. The aim is to highlight the best of British farming, and to educate and inspire the next generation to work in the industry.

WHO IS THE WEBSITE FOR?

The website is for anybody who is interested in food and farming and how

their food is produced, so it can be for those working in the agricultural sector and the public alike.

HOW CAN I USE EATFARMNOW?

The range of content on the site is really quite astonishing. I love listening to the podcasts on the website, as they are really easy to listen to when I am in the car or tractor, or while I’m doing uni work. I am a student studying biology at Durham University and have been one of the NFU’s Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors since September. I come from a farming background and am a very keen and involved member of Woburn YFC in Bedfordshire, but that doesn’t mean the website is exclusive to people like me.

For more information visit www.eatfarmnow.com

LOCKDOWN LEARNING Coronavirus has taken over everyone's lives, and chances are you are, or know, a parent attempting to home-school a child. To help, the NFU has teamed up with EatFarmNow and a host of celebrities, including Jimmy Doherty and James Wong, to provide easy-to-use educational resources. They will help to build knowledge of science and technology, while learning all about food production. NFU President Minette Batters said: “Our online resources are all about hands-on, practical learning, using food and farming to help parents teach science, technology, engineering and maths, which are key topics in the national curriculum. A combination of videos, activities and challenges mean these resources have something for everyone. For more information visit www.countrysideonline.co.uk/ lockdownlearning or see Anna's #LockdownLearning video @AnnaHunt23 on Twitter

FOR THE NON-FARMING FOLK...

EatFarmNow also does a really good job of displaying the stories of farmers, in the format of short videos from different farms, displaying snippets of a day in a farmer’s life, for the public. These videos come from farmers all over the world, so the variety in farming methods is interesting for the public to see.

May 2020

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#DON'TGETSCURVY

Not content with ta lking EatFarmNow, NFU Student & Young Fa rmer Ambassador A nna Hunt took on the D onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Get Scurvy chal lenge for this edition of #S tudentFarmer

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#DONTGETSCURVY MONDAY:

ANNA SAYS:

I am a 20-year-old university student and I love my food! I have been tasked with doing my weekly food shop for under £30, including as much British Red Tractor produce as possible. As I’m sure we all are, I’m biased for British produce and believe it is tastier and better value than anything else you can buy. Below, you can see my shopping list for the week and hopefully I can inspire you to make some great meals with British produce in the future. I’ve also included foods for breakfast and lunch on that list, but will focus on what I made for my dinners. The list is available from most major supermarkets for under £30. I included the cost of the meat I would buy from the butchers near uni, but the chicken and bacon I used this week was from home, produced on our family farm (I used turkey to substitute in for chicken) – even better!

Turkey stir fry This is a very quick and delicious dinner, and I love making it for after netball training when I get home late. Simply chop your meat into bitesize chunks and fry until cooked through in a little rapeseed oil. Thinly chop up any veg you have – works best with onions, carrots and mushrooms and fry them in the same pan. Add in the stir fry sauce and heat through, boil the noodles for two minutes, and enjoy.

TUESDAY:

Turkey stir fry As it is quite a busy stage in the term [editor’s note: this was obviously written in pre-lockdown life] – I’m making stir fry again tonight, as I have some leftover sauce and I’ve been out at lectures all day.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY:

Spanish ‘one-pot’ I’m using the last of the turkey today in a recipe. Fry off onions in oil and add the insides of four large tomatoes. Then add the outsides of the tomatoes into the mix until they break up. Season with salt and pepper. Fry off the meat pieces in a separate pan along with some part boiled potato chunks. Add the sauce back into the pan and simmer for 10 minutes. I’ll serve this with some kalettes – my new favourite vegetable.

FRIDAY: Milk* Butter* Bread* Cheese* Turkey breast* Large tomatoes Bananas Oranges Beef brisket* Mushrooms* Bacon* Kalettes* Onions* Carrots* Noodles Potatoes* Stir fry sauce Porridge oats* Risotto rice Total: £29.70 * indicates British Red Tractor produce

Bacon and mushroom risotto Fry off onions, mushrooms and bacon, then about 1/3 mug of risotto rice per person. Cover the mixture with veggie stock, and keep adding boiling water to this mixture until the rice is cooked, simmering the mixture. It will take about 30 minutes, simmering on a medium heat, and when it’s done, the rice will be swollen and soft to taste. If you want to add some greens, try adding peas right at the end.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY:

Slow-cooker beef casserole If you thought the rest of the meals were easy, this one is even better. I’m lucky enough to have an electric slow cooker, but it can also be done over a few hours in a casserole dish in the oven, on a low heat. Bung onions, carrots, mushrooms, parsnips or any other root veg, along with the raw chunks of beef, some salt, pepper and any other spices of your choice (oregano or paprika work well) into the dish. After a few hours, when the veg is soft and the meat is cooked through, it’s ready to eat. Add a bit of Bisto or some cornflower to thicken the gravy and enjoy with some kalettes and a jacket potato or rice. Once cooled, store in the fridge and just heat up for tomorrow.

May 2020

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BE KIND

At NFU Conference, President Minette Batters spoke about the importance of farmers looking after their mental wellbeing, which struck a chord Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors Dan Wells and Gethin Johnson DAN SAYS:

Mental health is a funny thing; it has a different meaning to everyone. Some people know its effects personally, others know how it impacts others, and there are those who have no idea at all. I fall into the first category: it has (and sometimes still does) affect me on a personal level. In recent years the mental wellbeing of farmers has become a hot discussion point with campaigns like #MindYourHead trying to highlight the importance of self care, and giving people the platform and confidence to speak out. The statistics behind mental health are truly terrifying; suicide is the biggest killer of men under 40 in the UK, and every week more than one farmer takes their own life – that’s more than 52 families broken by poor mental health a year. While I’ve felt the strain of poor mental health personally, I’m pleased to say I’ve never been anywhere near this statistic, but I have, in the last few years, suffered with depression and anxiety. Is it because I’m a dairy farmer? I don’t know, but I would find it hard to dispute that there isn’t some link to it somewhere. The mornings are dark, the days are long and sometimes, even in a busy environment, it can be the most isolating of jobs. Don’t get me wrong, that makes it sounds very doom and gloom – I wouldn’t for a second want to do anything else but like all professions it has high and low points. As I sit here writing this on day nine of social distancing thanks to coronavirus, I do so with no shame in admitting that I am not feeling as mentally well as I would like to. We now find ourselves living in a very strange time, and I feel there is a lot of uncertainty about the coming few days weeks and months.

“I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT GETTING OUT ONTO THE FARM AND DOING SOME PHYSICAL WORK IS GOOD FOR THE BRAIN: IT MEANS THAT I’M THINKING ABOUT OTHER THINGS RATHER THAN JUST WHAT’S GOING ON IN MY HEAD” It’s challenging to not think about what has been reported by in the media. Social distancing is relatively easy as a dairy farmer. But for me and my mental health, isolation isn’t a great thing, it gives me far too much opportunity to over think things, to let anxiety get in the way of reality. Thankfully, we live in an age where we have the means to carry on speaking with our friends and loved ones, even if that’s not in person. I hope that coronavirus may, however, provide the industry with opportunity. Firstly, to highlight the importance of a safe and secure supply chain – let’s hope the public are picking up on this now they’ve managed to empty supermarket shelves of almost everything. Secondly, to reignite the belief that the general public has in us. We all know that we can produce what is needed, and given the opportunity I’m sure we all happily would, so let us hope that we can see better prices, a fairer, more transparent supply chain and a generation of people who are keen to roll up their sleeves and get involved.

Putting the current situation aside though the perception of mental health is changing for the better, change is often slow and we could and should be doing more as an industry – it starts with us. It’s not hard to reach out to people, your friend who seems more distant than normal, your colleague whose behaviour seems different. Ask them. It’s easy to put on a front to the outside world but thankfully that is no longer the expectation, and having honest conversations is now becoming a lot easier. What do I do to look after my own mental well-being? I firmly believe that getting out onto the farm and doing some physical work is good for the brain: it means that I’m thinking about other things rather than just what’s going on in my head. I try to maintain a good work-life balance. I’m lucky, like, really lucky, that I have an incredible group of friends around me. Generally, they know when I am feeling a bit down before I do. Part of my mental well-being maintenance was also teaching myself to speak out – it is always easier to justify outof-character mood swings if people already have an idea of the reason why. The 34th President of the United States Dwight Eisenhower once said: “Farming looks mighty easy when your plough is a pencil and you’re a thousands miles from a cornfield.” This quote has never been more fitting. As an industry we are facing more and more challenges. It is so important for us to support each other and to be kind. We face enough difficulty from outside the industry that we really don’t need to make it worse. May 2020

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h, ental healt ith your m w g n li f g o g ru lots If you’re st sites have s and web e n li lp e h these to help : resources ity Network g Commun in rg.uk .o rm n a F fc • 9 or visit 9 9 1 on: 11 0 0 nt Instituti Call 030 l Benevole ra u lt u k c ri .u g rg Royal A visit RABI.o • 819 490 or Call 08082 undation: The DPJ Fo visit • 874 262 or Call 08005 Twitter dation on @DPJFoun ot Alone): rg (You Are N A N A YANAhelp.o Y • 00 or visit 4 0 3 2 3 0 0 Call 03

GETHIN SAYS:

Imagine having a job where you have thousands of pounds worth of business investment sat in a field, and the two main things you rely on to turn it into a profit are completely out of your control: rain and sunshine. Well, welcome to the world of agriculture! Add to this the ever-increasing financial pressures, regulations and a global pandemic, it’s no surprise that poor mental health and suicide is on the rise among the industry. Research has discovered that the illness rate for agricultural workers is around 46% higher than the industry average with stress, depression and anxiety being common contributors to this. Farmers are well known for the care they take of their livestock and crops, but unfortunately sometimes they don’t pay as much attention and care to their own mental health and wellbeing. With mental health becoming an increasing issue in agriculture, it has also seen a rise in the amount of suicides there have been within the industry. Every year, around 50 agricultural workers take their own life – nearly one per week. Before lockdown, the majority of other professions could finish work at the end of a tough day and leave all their worries and work stress at the office door, but farmers aren’t that fortunate. Your home is also your workplace and your family are your work colleagues,

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“MENTAL HEALTH IS NO DIFFERENT TO ANY OTHER ILLNESS, SO WHY SHOULD WE NOT TREAT IT LIKE ANY OTHER ILLNESS AND DISCUSS IT WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY AND EXPERTS” giving very little chance to fully switch off from one week to the next. NFU President Minette Batters recently said: “At the heart of every farming business is a family...” and this couldn’t be more true. Every farm I know is a family affair with up to four generations on some farms and I really do feel for them in recent tough times. On a daily basis they battle fluctuating product prices, TB in their herds, criticism from the media and flooding. Yet with all this on their plates they continue to get up at the early hours of the morning every day to ensure we have food on our plates for breakfast, dinner and supper. So, what can we do to overcome this? As simple as it sounds, we need to talk. One of the biggest problems surrounding mental health is the stigma of it being perceived as a weakness. Mental health is no different to your general health, so why should we not treat it like any other illness and discuss it with friends, family and experts. Unfortunately, 75% of people who take their own life have never been in contact with any form of mental health services.

This is a staggering figure that I hope is on the decrease, as the industry is very fortunate to now have support from the likes of The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), The Farming Community Network (FCN) and more familiar to me, the DPJ Foundation. The services these charities offer are phenomenal – they aren’t just experts in mental health problems, they are like minded farmers who are there to support and listen to you. I read once about an old hand offering advice to those entering the industry. He said: “You should try to leave the farm every day, your county every month and the country every year.” Now this may be easier said than done when you’ve got a shed full of ewes ready to lamb or hundreds of acres of crops to plant, but what we have to remember is, even with the latest precision machinery, livestock monitoring and robotic dairy equipment on offer nowadays, the most important and powerful tool in any farmers toolkit will be their mental health and wellbeing, and this needs to be maintained like any other piece of equipment on the farm.

May 2020

21/04/2020 11:26:55

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador

Harry Madin gives #StudentFarmer the run down on why lambing in the Lakes stops for nothing, not even a global pandemic

n the UK we are blessed with a range of native breeds of sheep, and from Suffolks to Swaledales – each one is as unique as the next. But in a league of its own is the mighty Herdwick. Farming in the Lake District, with its beautiful, relentless and unforgiving farming landscape, requires a breed of sheep that shares these very same characteristics. Across two fell flocks on each side of the Ennerdale valley, we farm around 600 Herdwick ewes, but the real challenge is getting the same number back in that we turn out. We also farm 400 Swaledale ewes on common grazing land as well as a 50-head herd of Limousin and British Blue cattle. While a lot of farms across the country are just beginning lambing preparations and some might even be winding down after the hard work, up here on the fells we are starting to gather in for scanning. The first gather of the year has already taken its toll as one of my dogs thought she’d be hero and broke her paw in the craggs. But that’s just part of the job for a fell dog, they always come back with a new scar or, in this case, a big vet's bill.

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And that was just day one of a two-day gather – the second day wasn’t much better. As much as I love Herdwicks, they do make you question their, and your own, sanity at times. Their favourite thing to do is to find a tiny one-way ledge with a 50ft drop and look at you smugly, knowing very well that there is no way you can get them down. At times we have to gather in snow showers and walk on icy ledges to get them down; Herdwicks really would test the patience of a saint. Lambing is one of my favourite times of year (if the weather is nice like it was last year). Lambing outside can be very rewarding when the sun is shining. A typical day starts with me scraping out the cows and calves and checking for any signs of calves about appear. The first job when it comes to the sheep is to ensure whatever ewes and lambs we’ve brought in from the fields are fed and well because they need extra attention. As everything is lambed outside, we then need to walk lambed ewes and lambs out of the large fields that they were originally in into smaller, separate fields where they can bond.

“AS MUCH AS I LOVE HERDWICKS, THEY DO MAKE YOU QUESTION THEIR, AND YOUR OWN, SANITY AT TIMES. THEIR FAVOURITE THING TO DO IS TO FIND A TINY ONE-WAY LEDGE WITH A 50FT DROP AND LOOK AT YOU SMUGLY, KNOWING VERY WELL THAT THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN GET THEM DOWN” As Herdwicks are always an exception to the rule, they even have unusual colourings compared to other breeds. Herdwick lambs are born completely black, but over the summer their legs and head turn pure white, and it’s not until their first clipping that their fleece turns into the unique blue that we typically see standing proud on the Lakeland fells. The Lakeland lambing lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and it can be challenging to look after such an atypical breed on such a unique terrain. But more often than not, I’ll catch myself thinking how life could be much, much worse.

May 2020

21/04/2020 11:56:02

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE CLIVE MAHONY BURSARY SCHEME While Harry was lambing up in Cumbria, #StudentFarmer photographers got a glimpse of an indoor lambing system and captured some great moments. No matter how draining it might be, most farmers will agree nothing beats the exhilaration and magic of lambing each spring.

A new bursary to support an agricultural student with their studies has been launched by Meadow Quality Livestock Traders. The Clive Mahony Bursary will award £250 annually to an agricultural student to help them with their studies – this could be towards travel, study books or student accommodation. The award is named in honour of Clive Mahony, an industry leading cattle specialist who sadly passed away suddenly in 2018. Clive was a fantastic ambassador for the agricultural sector and father of NFU Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony. The Clive Mahony Bursary will be awarded annually, with £250 presented to an agricultural student under the age of 35, to assist with ongoing education. The award will be presented at Meadow Quality’s Warwickshire office. Students who wish to apply need to complete the online form, providing contact details and a short paragraph explaining why they should be considered for the Clive Mahony Bursary. Applications should be received no later than 30 June 2020 and the bursary winner will be announced on Friday 17 July 2020. For more information and to apply, visit www.meadowq.co.uk/clivemahony-bursary-scheme/

May 2020

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21/04/2020 11:45:36

THE GOOD LIFE IN LOCKDOWN

Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Sioned Davies blogs about her life as an agri-social butterfly who has had her wings well and truly clipped for the foreseeable future

ne day you’re planning your two-month YFC summer exchange trip to America, the next you’re packing up your uni room and heading home for lockdown. It’s hard to believe how serious a situation can become in days and how quickly plans change. If you know me, you’ll know the word ‘lockdown’ does not sit comfortably with my personality, and on that fateful Monday evening when I heard Prime Minister Boris Johnson utter those words, it filled me with absolute dread. You mean to say I can’t go anywhere? See anyone? Do anything? I was absolutely gutted, especially as a final year student at Harper Adams University. Those next months were supposed to be filled with significant milestones; the dissertation hand-in picture in front of

the main building, final year dinner and summer ball. But most importantly I was supposed to be doing this with my best friends from the past four years. It’s hard to describe the bond you have with your uni house and course mates, they celebrate your highest highs and pick you up from your lowest lows. It felt like we were ripped apart right when we needed each other the most. When writing this, we are exactly two weeks into lockdown, and it has been the most unproductive fortnight of uni work I’ve done since Fresher’s Week. But being at home on the farm is making up for that. Lambing and calving are in full swing with the first of the Stabiliser calves arriving over the weekend. Stressful supermarket shops have also meant that half an acre has been ploughed ready for some spuds and my grandad reckons they used to grow

Sioned is gutted to be finishing university without her friends

beautiful beetroot on the farm years ago – Pentre Hill Farm produce is a go! However, in all seriousness, it feels as though we’re at a crossroads with food and our relationship with it. Nobody from our generation has ever had to face empty supermarket shelves, and this sudden realisation that food is actually very important seems to have silenced many of the industry’s critics on social media. Some consumers are being restricted to two or three bottles of milk and three packets of meat in the supermarkets, but farmers are being told to dump their milk and Polish beef has recently been supplied to supermarkets. It’s hard to see how processors and supermarkets can justify this, especially in a time where community spirit seems to be higher than ever. There seems to be a feeling of “we’re all in this

“PEOPLE SAY YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’VE GOT UNTIL IT’S GONE, AND THIS IS RINGING TRUE FOR MANY AT THE MOMENT. POPPING TO THE PUB FOR A PINT, YFC MEETINGS AND ATTENDING ANY AGRI SHOW WILL NEVER BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED AGAIN” together”, but I find it difficult to believe that some are not taking advantage of our great British farmers during this crisis. People say you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, and this is ringing true for many at the moment. Popping to the pub for a pint, YFC meetings and attending any agri show will never be taken for granted again. But at this uncertain time, I do feel extremely grateful for the abundance of open space I have access to on the farm. We are living in scary times, and at the time of writing this, our Prime Minister is in the ICU. Our thoughts are with him and all those similarly affected. This will come to an end, but for now it’s important that we stay at home and stay safe.

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May 2020

21/04/2020 11:27:30

PestSmart Using expertise in plant health and diseases CABI has launched the first in its range of PestSmart eLearning courses: PestSmart Diagnostics. The ideal learning tool for Plant Health students. • improve knowledge through practical, independent learning, • develop and improve your ability to recognise symptoms, • support field-based learning in the classroom, • view high-resolution images, case studies and knowledge checks. All broken down into manageable, bite-sized lessons.

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11/07/2019 11:18

Advertising feature

ENTRIES ARE OPEN FOR MENTER MOCH CYMRU & WALES YFC

PIG FINISHING INITIATIVE 2020 The next generation of pig producers in Wales will get the opportunity to get their futures off to a flying start with the launch of the Menter Moch Cymru & Wales YFC Pig Finishing Initiative 2020. Open to YFC members across Wales; six finalists will receive five weaners of their chosen breed to rear, supported by expert training and mentoring by Menter Moch Cymru. 2019 participant Elin Williams of Montgomery said, “The competition was such a valuable experience. The opportunity offered relevant training in terms of rearing the weaners along with preparing the animals for showing and selling the pork. The mentors gave specialist advice on feeding, health and welfare, processing and marketing of the finished product. “The programme has given me the confidence to keep pigs in the future and has provided me with a keen interest in the development of the pork industry in Wales.”

Said, Katie Davies, Wales YFC chairman, “Wales YFC is extremely grateful to Menter Moch Cymru for providing members once again with such a fantastic opportunity to learn valuable skills.” “The initiative aims to encourage and support the next generation of pig farmers. It’s a great introduction for any young farmer thinking of entering the sector” said Melanie Cargill, Menter Moch Cymru Project Manager. The Menter Moch Cymru programme is funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

The application window for the Menter Moch Cymru & Wales YFC Pig Finishing Initiative 2020 opened on the 27th April and will close on the 29th May 2020.

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THE SOUND OF SELF-ISOLATION Well it's all a bit rubbish really isn't it? Between agricultural shows, NFYFC competitions and general trips to the pub off the cards, we’re all just a bit bored. But never fear, NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador George Biss is here to give you his isolation playlist. THE WURZELS

Where to start? It seems as though everyone knows every word to their songs; it doesn’t get any more country then The Wurzels. Whether it’s ‘Combine Harvester’ or ‘I am a Cider Drinker’ (which probably applies to us all), they all seem to have a certain foot-tapping “ooh argh” to them that no one, simply no one, can resist. The Wurzels have the ability to get you up for a dance, sing, and have an extra drink in your living room/pub. Not forgetting their twist on the iconic Kaiser Chief’s song ‘Ruby’, The Wurzels succeed in appealing to all audiences. Your grandfather listened to them, your father and mother danced to them, and there’s no doubt you will find yourself singing along too from home this spring.

DJ TOBY BACON

If his name doesn’t make your mouth water, his playlist definitely will. Though you’d normally find Toby creating sounds in Ibiza supporting artists such as Example and Jaguar Skills, he still deeply rooted within the Young Farmers’ party scene. Get on a video app with your young farmer mates and prepare to hear his typical EDM style with an agricultural twist if you want to witness a wave of Schoffel-shuffling. When taking a break from dancing, be sure to watch DJ Bacon in his zone on YouTube. Man’s a wizard with them decks.

SPILT MILK SOCIETY

Wait! Don’t start crying, these boys are not your average act. You’re more likely SPLIT MILK SOCIETY to spill your drink while grooving to this indie-rock band. Their mesmerising beat and the addictively unique voice of Harry Hanford makes for infectious listening. For alternative farmers in an already alternative industry, Spilt Milk Society seems like an unusual choice, but I truly think they will add a little bit of je ne sais quoi to your isolation soundtracks. Although ‘She Tastes Like Summer’ is their most popular tune, I found myself playing ‘Brunch’ and ‘Orange’ on repeat; it seems as though Spilt Milk Society is one for all.

JESSIE REID

Four words: A voice like honey. Jessie is only 25 years old and is still yet to receive the recognition she deserves. Swift and nimble on the guitar, paired with her singing, this act will pause all conversations and have you hypnotised. While not in agriculture herself, Jessie’s songs make me think of the countryside – perhaps we can owe this to her Shropshire upbringing. If you’re stuck inside without a chance to get out on farm, you’ll find her voice perfect for that little bit of escapism.

THE SINGING FARMER

John Hughes by day, singing sensation by night. John runs a farm in Tefnanney, Wales, and rediscovered his passion for guitar when he gave up his milking herd. As we all know, spare time is a luxury, but John made the most of this rarity by recording songs in his own barn, with a very respectful audience of sheep. His soothing voice can be admired in his covers, as well as his original songs about life as a farmer. May 2020

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21/04/2020 11:28:11

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LIGHTS, CAMERA, FARM! Student & Young Farmer Ambassador JJ Macleod talks about how documenting his farming work on social media is more about tractor cab views than page views

rom an early age I grew up with a passion for agriculture and always had the ambition to work in the industry. I spent many Sunday evenings watching Adam Henson present ‘Adam’s Farm’ on Countryfile, where he updated viewers on what he had been up to in the previous weeks on his farm in the Cotswolds. I found it fascinating to follow the journey of farm life through the year to see the highs and lows that the farm faced. Initially, I started out my YouTube channel uploading videos of the local farmers who kindly let me sit in the tractor and film what was going on. It was only as I embarked on my first post-graduation adventure that I decided to buy a GoPro camera as I headed up to Lincolnshire to be part of the 2017 pea vining season.

I absolutely loved this experience and it is one I look back upon very fondly. The concept of sitting in a tractor cab talking to a camera took some getting used to, but three years on I feel fairly comfortable doing it. It is no secret that farm work can often be very isolating – there are periods of time where you can go days without seeing anyone. I try and use these periods of isolation in the cab to focus on improving the videos I create. There is a strong community of farmers on YouTube from all over the world and you can go from watching a farm in the UK to the heartland of the United States with just the touch of a button. This provides a great opportunity to connect with other farmers and members of the public interested in learning more about agriculture.

“IT IS NO SECRET THAT FARM WORK CAN OFTEN BE VERY ISOLATING – THERE ARE PERIODS OF TIME WHERE YOU CAN GO DAYS WITHOUT SEEING ANYONE. I TRY AND USE THESE PERIODS OF ISOLATION IN THE CAB TO FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE VIDEOS I CREATE” At the end of 2019 I started to create a new style of video on my channel called ‘On The Farm’. These videos incorporate the things I have been up to over the course of one to two weeks on the farm where I work in Herefordshire. My aim is to create my own version of the ‘Adam’s Farm’ segment that I enjoyed when I was younger, producing entertaining videos that are also informative and educational. I am fortunate to work for a diverse farming business, which gives me plenty of content to showcase, but I also try to expose the challenges we face on the farm, including the 2018 summer drought and one of the wettest autumns on record in 2019. I’d recommend anyone who fancies documenting their farm work on video to just do it, and remember that practice makes perfect when it comes to producing and editing farm videos. To check out JJ’s videos, visit www.youtube.com/user/ FarmTrackProductions

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May 2020

21/04/2020 11:28:29

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jobs.nfuonline.com

YOUR NFU NEEDS YOU

We’ve had a cracking year! Ok, so everything’s a little bit annoying at the moment, but we need to look to the future when we can all do things together again. So while you’re doing your part by self-isolating, why not put together your application for next year’s NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme?

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May 2020

21/04/2020 12:07:51

WHAT IS IT?

This Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme is a year-long series of events designed to give young people the opportunity to engage with the work of the NFU and to put their own stamp on the future of British farming.

WHY TAKE PART?

•

This is an opportunity to become an influential member of the UK's biggest farming membership organisation Network with like-minded individuals from different localities and farming sectors Experience new aspects of the agriculture industry, supply chain, other sectors and politics It will be an amazing asset to add to your CV and a way to engage with NFU boards and forums It’s an opportunity to promote yourself, your college or your business locally and nationally Receive writing and media training to improve

•

WHAT’S THE APPLICATION CRITERIA?

•

• •

•

Have a vested interest in farming and rural affairs Available to attend all events with confirmed dates (see timetable below) Those with an interest in speaking to the media or writing content for #StudentFarmer magazine

WHAT DOES IT COST?

The NFU and its sponsors will ensure that the programme is free for participants. All food, overnight stays and reasonable travel expenses will be covered as long as participants attend all events. Additional opportunities may arise throughout the course of the programme that are optional and can be undertaken at the participant’s own expense.

WHEN DO APPLICATIONS OPEN?

Applications will be open between 1 May and 1 July 2020. Following a first-stage written application, successful candidates will be invited to a final-stage interview on either 15 or 16 July 2020.

Be an NFU Student & Young Farmer member (It's free! Sign up at NFUonline.com/student) Aged between 18 and 26 years To be located in England or Wales

• •

10-11 September 2020: Tour of NFU HQ, welcome dinner, receive merchandise, media training and writing skills training – two days in total 14 November 2020: Represent the British agricultural industry at Lord Mayor’s Show in London, including an overnight stay the night before 23-24 February 2021: Attend NFU Conference across two days at the ICC in Birmingham, including attending political sessions, workshops, sector breakouts, formal dinner and an overnight stay

April 2021*: #StudentFarmer magazine trip, with a focus on engaging with a more unusual aspect of the agricultural industry. Previous trips have included a tour of the Houses of Parliament, a visit to Brussels and an overview of the British cut flower supply chain Easter 2021: Help to guest-edit the NFU Student & Young Farmer Takeover Edition of #StudentFarmer magazine September 2021*: Closing dinner, meet and handover to the next cohort of ambassadors

Timetable is subject to change, and events may be removed, rescheduled or changed. * These dates will be confirmed at a later stage

WHAT DO THE CURRENT AMBASSADORS THINK? Harry Madin North East representative “The programme has been one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s done amazing things for my confidence, getting exposed to the inner workings of UK and EU agriculture as well as meeting some amazing people from across the industry. The team can’t do enough for you and are willing to help with anything and everything. My favourite part of the programme was going to Brussels, it really was a once in a lifetime trip that I’ll never forget.” Poppy Burrough South West representative “I can safely say that the experiences I have had while being part of the NFU’s Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme have been some of the best things I have done. The scheme has presented chances to go places and take part in activities that without the NFU, I would never have had the opportunity to do, and for that I'm very thankful. “As sad as I'll be to not be an ambassador anymore, I know that the NFU will be there to support me going forward. Overall, even if you are unsure of applying for the programme, I only have one piece of advice – do it! I honestly can't recommend it enough. Over the past year I have made so many great memories and friends – it’s been more than I could ever have expected.” Gethin Johnson NFU Cymru representative “To be one of 10 like-minded young farmers on the ambassador programme this year has been an incredible experience. From parading a tractor through the streets of London in front of more than 500,000 spectators to being sat in the European Parliament in Brussels, it’s just truly been a once in a lifetime experience and I urge every young farmer to apply for this year’s ambassadorship.” “Mae bod yn un or ddeg ffermwr ifanc ar yr raglen llysgennad yr NFU eleni wedi bod yn brofiad anhygoel. O barablu tractor trwy strydoedd Llundain o flaen mwy na 500,000 o wylwyr i fod yn eistedd yn senedd Ewrop ym Mrwsel, mae o wedi bod yn brofiad unwaith mewn oes ac anogaf bob ffermwr ifanc i ymgeisio am lysgenhadaeth eleni.” May 2020

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21/04/2020 12:03:44

RADIO

NFU Cymru’s Gethin Johnson took the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme to new levels when he spoke about it in Welsh over the telephone live on BBC Radio Cymru. George Biss also spoke to BBC Radio Solent and Georgina Barratt was interviewed on LincsFM.

Gethin’s been making ripples in the media in two languages

TRADE PRESS

South West representative Poppy Burrough flew the flag for her fellow ambassadors and her career when she was interviewed by the Farmers Guardian.

AMBASSADORS IN THE MEDIA One of the reasons we wanted to create the NFU Student &

NFU MAGAZINES

Georgina Barratt’s PhD research on sugar beet water use efficiency took centre stage in the plant health pages British Farmer & Grower magazine. Anna Hunt also found herself and her family featuring in NFU Poultry magazine’s member focus.

Young Farmer Ambassador Programme was to get younger agricultural voices into the media. Here’s just some of the press calls they’ve received so far:

SUGAR PLANT

HEALTH

Not mis sing a b eet

Alison Ta ylor spo ke to N her rese FU Stud arch into ent & Yo water u focus o ung Fa se effic n curren rmer Am iency, a t resea bassad s part o rch in c or Geo f the In rop scie rgina B s the clim ternatio n ce ate chan arratt a nal Yea ges, farmers bou r of Pla and grow ers are nt Healt faced with a sh h’s

NATIONAL TV

The ambassador programme even got a mention during BBC One’s coverage of the Lord Mayor’s Show 2019, complete with a branded Massey Ferguson tractor towing a market stall of British food.

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May 2020

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at the forefront of agricultural education and a key contributor to the land-based sector for more than 170 years. The University prides itself on combining the knowledge and industry connections which stem from its rich heritage with an innovative and forward-thinking approach. It ranked seventh in the UK for student satisfaction* following the publication of the National Student Survey (NSS) 2019 and also placed 10th in the University of the Year category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019, as well as sixth in the Job Prospects category. Students can benefit from expert help and access to funding to set up their own businesses while they study thanks to the University’s award-winning Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Programme, which provides an inspiring and supportive environment to share, develop and launch ideas. In 2019 the RAU also became just the sixth university to be made a Centre of Excellence by the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE), awarded for leading edge enterprise practice and for making the development of students’ entrepreneurial skills a priority. Set on the edge of Cirencester in the beautiful Cotswold countryside, the University’s size provides a real sense of community where students are a name, not a number. The campus is large enough that many facilities are on-site, yet small enough to create a close-knit community that inspires students to consider the RAU a home from home. Visit www.rau.ac.uk to find out more about how you can join the RAU. Details of upcoming open days can be found at www. rau.ac.uk/study/open-days

*Times Higher Education (THE) ranking of NSS Results (July 2019); does not include those universities with fewer than 1000 undergraduates or alternative providers.

#FARMERSAPPRENTICE

COULD YOU BE NEXT?

Farmers Weekly’s annual competition is returning to crown the 2020 Farmers Apprentice

hether you’re planning a role in farming or one of the ancillary industries, you need a lot of skills to have a truly great career. The most successful people are practical and commercially astute. They’re good with technology and excited by change. They’re personable and positive. You might already have some of these characteristics, but you can always improve and there’s no better way to do this than the Farmers Apprentice 2020. This unique competition sees 10 young people 18-25 years old put through their paces via a series of practical and technical tests in a bid to claim this prestigious title.

CASH PRIZE

Previous competitors have described bootcamp as a life-changing experience – a chance to learn, make great contacts

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“YOU’LL BE PUSHED TO THE LIMIT, MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY IN AN EXPERIENCE THAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE MOST GRUELLING JOB INTERVIEW IN BRITISH AGRICULTURE” and lifelong friends, and potentially come away with a cash prize. This year, we’re offering the winner a whopping £10,000 to spend on furthering their agricultural education or business. Farmers Apprentice is seeking the brightest and best young talent, and there will be successful and influential people on hand to guide, mentor – and ultimately judge – those taking part. Shortlisted candidates have a chance to learn from respected people, ranging

WHAT IS THE FARMERS APPRENTICE? It is a competition open to all ambitious 18-25-year-olds. Farmers Weekly partners with leading companies to run the initiative, which traditionally culminates in 10 competitors battling it out at bootcamp, which will take place at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) later in 2020. Go to www.farmersapprentice. co.uk and convince us – in 500 words or less – why you should be one of the shortlisted finalists. Deadline is 28 June. Finalists will be notified in July. The winner of this coveted title will go home with £10,000 to spend on furthering their agricultural education or business. Taking part is invaluable experience, too, and will help you expand your knowledge, hone your skills, improve your CV, build your contacts – and have a lot of fun.

YOU HAVE UNTIL 28 JUNE TO APPLY

May 2020

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#FARMERSAPPRENTICE from former Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year, Robert Neill, to senior figures from the companies that Farmers Weekly is partnering with to run the Farmers Apprentice. Don’t expect an easy time at bootcamp, though. This is a tough, challenging competition, and if you’re battling it out, you could find yourself preparing a presentation at 11pm or fixing a fence before breakfast. All the tasks and tests will be very much rooted in real life – highlighting the genuine challenges facing British farmers, now and in the future. Across arable, livestock, diversification, technology, marketing, environmental, financial management and data, competitors will have to think on their feet if they’re going to impress the judges. From coming up with meat marketing strategies and

ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS One of the reasons Harry Madin was such as strong candidate to become one of the NFU’s Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors was because of his involvement with the Farmers Weekly Farmers Apprentice. He has a few tips on how to make your application stand out. Harry said: “Find something unique that makes you stand out. For the video, get out of the house and around the farm – and it you can make it personal and not like you’re reading off a script, that’ll go a long way.”

flying drones to financial analysis and stock-judging, the Farmers Apprentice tasks have always been designed and delivered in collaboration with experts from across the industry. You’ll be pushed to the limit, mentally and physically in an experience that has been described as the most gruelling job interview in British agriculture.

”FIND SOMETHING UNIQUE THAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT“ NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

We know that no one is good at everything, so if you have zero experience in some areas, don’t worry – it’ll be about how you adapt and learn, and there’ll be plenty of opportunities for everyone to shine. Don’t think either, incidentally, that you need to have grown up in wellies to take part. One of the reasons they ran the very first Farmers Apprentice back in 2012 was precisely to attract people from outside the industry. This prestigious contest is aiming to encourage the best business minds from all backgrounds to pursue a career in agriculture and focuses on the farm-to-fork agenda, strategic considerations such as the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme or practical details such as the best apps for business. We want to hear from you if you love a challenge and have set your heart on a successful career in farming. You need an edge to get on in the world these days. Whether your ambition is to have your own business or work for someone else, Farmers Apprentice 2020 will give you just that.

CORONAVIRUS Farmers Weekly and SRUC are committed to acting responsibly in relation to coronavirus, so will make a decision nearer time, based on government advice, as to whether it’s safe and responsible to run the bootcamp in Aberdeen, which has traditionally marked the culmination of the competition later in the year.

May 2020

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#NEXTGEN

TRAINING IS KEY FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION Outgoing chairman of the NFU Next Generation Forum Simon Gadd has focused on up-skilling

wo years ago, I took over as chairman of the NFU’s Next Generation Policy Forum. With the outlook looking like agriculture could be heading towards very turbulent times, I felt we had to take the opportunity to drive for more stability in our future. The Next Generation Policy Forum comprises a diverse mix of farmers from every region and sector. In our first meeting we explored areas of policy that we saw could drive the industry forward over the next 30 years.

SKILLS AND TRAINING

Very quickly we all concluded that skills and training are key to any development. This, in itself, is a very broad subject – from showing school children how agriculture is an amazing career opportunity to demonstrating that lifelong learning can improve your on-farm productivity. We have been working with a group of cross-cutting industry leaders in the senior skills leadership group which was set up after the Swalding Report was released. The report called for a strategy which covers the whole sector, noting that 95% of businesses employ fewer than ten people and, therefore, lack professional human resources support.

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The aim of the group is to create a professional body that can:

• •

Establish an independent professional framework of competencies and qualifications around specific job roles Ensure future qualifications and continuous professional development meets the technical and business needs of employers Develop and promote clear career paths and ways to progress Provide business support for employees and employers.

We recently hosted an Oxford Farming Conference Fringe event where we laid out the plans around this vision. What we aim to do is create a single point of access for careers advice, training opportunities and employer and employee support for new and existing entrants. In turn, we believe the industry will be a more productive and desirable place to work, attracting and retaining a more skilled, competent and motivated workforce.

LEARNING FROM G’S

Our last meeting of the group before OFC was at G’s Fresh. The purpose of the visit was to have the opportunity to gain insight into a successful, large growing business and learn how the business operates, and also network with early careers staff.

G’s Fresh is an international family business operating across the UK, Spain, Eastern Europe, USA, and South Africa. And around 50% of the staff are seasonal with G’s heavily relying on eastern European workers. Business ranges from own-label salads and vegetables for supermarket customers across Europe, to G’s brand products for the independent wholesale, food service and food manufacturing sectors. The group then met employees from G’s over dinner which was specially produced from G’s products. An insightful presentation was provided on current research and improvements with regards to soil, followed by questions and answers from the audience.

“THE NEXT GENERATION POLICY FORUM IS MADE UP OF A DIVERSE MIX OF FARMERS FROM EVERY REGION AND SECTOR” This fantastic opportunity highlighted the way CPD was being used to drive productivity. We witnessed a small group training session on broccoli standards. A leader took them through it in a short, constructive manner, finishing with a recording of it in action. This happens throughout agriculture, but it is fragmented and doesn’t have a dedicated recording system. We would like to see a dedicated system recognise staff and businesses for professionalism. In May I will be stepping down as chairman of the Next Generation Forum, but I will like to remain on the board to keep driving this forward. David Ractliffe has taken over chairmanship of the Forum. Follow his progress on Twitter @daveractliffe

May 2020

21/04/2020 12:12:28

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#PHOTOGRAPHY

PICTURE ME FARMING As part of his photography course at university, Nicholas Bell became inspired by young farmers from Wales and set about capturing their stories

his project began as a way for me to explore the thoughts and perspectives of the young farmer in Wales. During this transformational point in time for the agricultural industry, it is the younger generation of farmers who are taking the reins and steering their way of life towards the challenges of the future. I was expecting to find subdued feelings of doubt at a time when the tradition of farming is facing the uncertainty of times ahead. Instead, I found a group of people resolute and enterprising in their outlook. Their close ties to their heritage and culture is aligned with their understanding of how they might have to adapt moving forward to secure their way of life and continued prosperity. Most of them admitted that farming can be hard work at times. But all conveyed a complete dedication to their work and lifestyle, and a strong desire for farming to continue and thrive in years to come – which speaks for itself.

“I WAS EXPECTING TO FIND SUBDUED FEELINGS OF DOUBT AT A TIME WHEN THE TRADITION OF FARMING IS FACING THE UNCERTAINTY OF TIMES AHEAD. INSTEAD, I FOUND A GROUP OF PEOPLE RESOLUTE AND ENTERPRISING IN THEIR OUTLOOK” Marcus Ferraro

Dairy – Sychpant Farm, Ceredigion I saw something posted online – farming is a disease, and it genuinely is. It’s part of you, and it’s very difficult to let that go. It’s more than a business, because you live here and it almost flows through your veins. Mental health in agriculture can be horrific, because what you’re faced with is being very isolated. We farm within a 10-mile radius and I speak to lots of people, but you put us in a social situation and we’re not trained for it. As the younger generation, we’re probably less isolated but I think struggling just as much. A lot of it is financial – we get paid the same for our milk that we would have got in the 1980s, but cost of production has probably doubled in that time. The best thing about being a young farmer is the lifestyle. I don’t get Monday morning blues – I genuinely love my job. If I don’t like an aspect I get someone else to do it. You can be whatever you want to be within this industry. The young farmer title encompasses so much.

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#PHOTOGRAPHY

Poppy and Josie Lewis

Mixed farm, Pembrokeshire There’s four of us altogether, all girls. Mum and Dad are heavily involved still but hopefully we’ll take on the farm side of things. We’re definitely in the taking-over process. We all help each other and do a bit of everything, but we all have our little things that we enjoy, whether it’s tractor work or rearing calves. Around 2001, our parents started off a really small adventure play area, and they thought it would be a different kind of income and a bit of support. It’s expanded massively over the years, and every year we try to expand on something. There are so many people that come in and have never seen any sort of animal, let alone a cow. It’s good for us as well – we’re lucky to live by the main road but farming can be lonely, so it’s nice to have everyone coming in and means we can promote British farming. Young farming today; there’s so much community with it at the moment. It’s such a nice way of life, and you’re never doing the same thing twice. It gives you empowerment.

Jack Roberts

Livestock – Montgomery We used to live in the village, then we swapped with my nan and grandad. I’ve always done farming and I don’t think I’ll do anything else. We’ve just put up a chicken shed. It’s a project for Mum and Dad, then I’ll look after the sheep. Now, I do all the tractor work, I do the shearing, I go out and work on other farms as well. Between that, here and college, there’s plenty to do. Dad doesn’t want me to work full time at home straight away. He wants me to go and learn other things and bring that back to the farm. He had to do it, so I’m doing it as well. His dad made him go and work out and it was the best thing he’s ever done. As long as the money’s coming in and you’re getting by, you’ll do alright.

May 2020

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#NETZERO

AIMING FOR ZERO

The NFU is asking farmers to go net zero in their carbon emissions by 2040, and NFU trainee Charlie Parkin has been pivotal in establishing the NFU’s Net Zero: Farm Status Indicator tool to help them on their way

he NFU’s Net Zero: Farm Status Indicator has been designed to provide an introduction to carbon footprinting. It focuses on three pillars of activity that the NFU has identified as being key to helping farmers and growers tackle the issue at farm level: • Boosting productivity and reducing emissions • Farmland carbon storage • Coupling bioenergy to carbon capture, utilisation and storage. This tool is not a comprehensive carbon calculator, rather it aims to provide a quick and easy guide to the practical on-farm measures that contribute to the net-zero journey.

HOW WAS IT DEVELOPED?

I first presented the idea before Christmas and since then worked tirelessly on delivering the project in time for its launch at NFU Conference in February. The project was a true team effort, bringing together policy experts, sector leads, IT developers and the communications team.

WHY WAS IT DEVELOPED?

The NFU announced its aspiration last year to achieve net zero as an industry by

2040 – 10 years ahead of the government’s 2050 target. Members are keen to know how to assess where their farm is now and what actions they can take for it to become net zero in its greenhouse gas emissions. It is important to remember that this is an aspiration for the whole industry, the NFU does not expect every farm to achieve net zero.

WHAT WE WILL GET FROM THE RESULTS

to try it out to see where they stand. Some explained that they expected to receive a low score, but this low score provides evidence to take back to their family or farm manger to back up their call for change. I am delighted with the uptake and look forward to working with members on the next YOU COULD step, namely developing RUN A PROJECT our work feeding into the LIKE THIS BY carbon calculators on the APPLYING TO market to ensure that they NEXT YEAR’S are fit for purpose. NFU GRADUATE

Although the NFU does not store data from the Farm Status Indicator, SCHEME we are able to track the MY EXPERIENCE number of completions. It is As a graduate trainee, it was fascinating to see the number of great to own the project and see members completing the indicator as it it through from idea to reality, working demonstrates engagement and interest in with great members and teams throughout the net-zero aspiration. the NFU. The NFU agricultural policy On an individual level, completing the graduate scheme provides responsibility Farm Status Indicator provides an estimate from day one and this project is just one of where your farm is on the journey to way that I have been empowered to make net zero. It has been designed to be an a difference for our members. educational exercise, providing insight into the many climate change mitigation SO, HOW CAN I TRY IT? measures that can be implemented on farm. Find the Farm Status Indicator on the climate change page on NFUonline. On completion you’ll also find net zero WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION? guidance and a review of three carbon The Indicator went down really well at calculators on the market. NFU Conference. Many members wanted May 2020

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#NFYFC

YFC LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

To continue strong YFC traditions for another 88 years, meet the team that is helping the organisation change and modernise to support your needs

hile NFYFC might be in great shape for its 88 years of age, a new team is helping to refresh the federation to ensure it meets the needs of the next generation of rural young people. In February, YFC members elected a new officer team to help steer the organisation forward. Dewi Parry from Clwyd YFC is the new chairman of the Council for 2020-21, and will be supported by vice-chairmen Rachel Goldie from Yorkshire and Edward Dungait from Northumberland.

“THE ORGANISATION HAS MEANT SO MUCH TO SO MANY OVER THE LAST 88 YEARS AND WE NOW NEED TO ENSURE IT REMAINS RELEVANT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS” The trio is tasked with ensuring the federation’s members continue to develop their local clubs and enhance the image of YFC. But in 2020, the challenge is even greater as NFYFC will begin implementing some of the changes it has been considering as part of its new strategic plan – starting with digitalisation. “NFYFC’s Board is planning to invest in the future of YFC,” explained Dewi, who is an associate member of Betws yn Rhos YFC, where he has been club chairman five times and a club leader. He continued: “We’re looking at

Dewi Parry (pictured right) from Clwyd YFC is the new Chairman of Council for 2020-21, supported by vice-chairmen Rachel Goldie (pictured left) from Yorkshire and Edward Dungait from Northumberland (pictured centre).

introducing changes that should make a significant difference to those responsible for running county federations and YFC clubs as charities in rural communities.” The new plans have been a few years in the making and hundreds of YFC members have been consulted along the way. The organisation launched a Vision: 2023 engagement project in 2018 to start conversations with members about what they wanted from their national body. Using all of that feedback, key YFC stakeholders took part in a Summit Day in January this year to draw up projects for the organisation to focus on. These cover areas such as the digitalisation of the organisation, the membership joining process and support for county federations who are struggling due to local government funding cuts. Dewi said: “The organisation has meant so much to so many over the last 88 years and we now need to ensure it remains relevant for future generations. Listening to YFC members, it’s clear what is needed from our organisation to ensure we retain its strong position in the hearts and minds

of our rural communities.” One of the key ways NFYFC is helping clubs to develop is by providing its new YFC On Track toolkit. This guidance helps YFCs check that they are following the correct procedures for running a charity for young people, as well as providing support and assistance for their further development. The changes will be supported by the National NFYFC Council, which is made up of 63 members, associate members and co-options from across England and Wales. There are five steering groups in Council that are now taking forward some of the projects and ideas that have come from the summit discussions. “We know there is a lot of love for YFC but to remain relevant we need to change,” said Dewi. “Our focus this year is identifying the many things that make YFC so special and implementing new ideas that can ensure it will be loved by generations to come.” For more information, visit nfyfc.org.uk May 2020

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#FREESTUFF

IT’S FREE YOU SAY?

NFU Student & Young Farmer membership is free to students and YFC members. It allows you to have a say and contribute towards the future of agriculture and horticulture, and you will benefit from access to experts in policy, food and farming, plus bonus perks! Join the largest and most influential farming association and receive: • #StudentFarmer magazine and British Farmer & Grower (or Farming Wales) magazine delivered to your door • The latest news and briefings from our policy experts in NFU Bulletin, sectorspecific and regional e-newsletters • Access to member-only content on NFUonline with a unique login • Special and heavily-discounted member rates to attend NFU Conference and other events • 10% saving on B+E Trailer Training • Welfare of Animals in Transport test for £35 (+VAT) • 15% off airport parking and hotels with APH • Savings on Dickies Workwear online • Huge savings on Merlin Entertainment (Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and many more)

PRIZES, PRIZES, PRIZES Dickies makes honest, hardwearing clothes for makers. From farmers to carpenters, and mechanics to painters, these are the people making and shaping the world. Their job is to fuel what drives their craft, to help them take joy and pride in their work. As well as offering NFU Student & Young Farmer members 10% off products from the DickiesWorkwear.com website, Dickies has teamed up with #StudentFarmer for a special giveaway. The Dickies Portland, worth £37.50, is a high quality, padded shirt, made from polar fleece. Studded front opening allows for quick and easy on and off, with practical chest and hip pockets. It is available in sizes ranging from S to 4XL, and comes in six different colours. To be in with a chance of winning one of three Dickies Portland shirts, email competitions@nfu.org.uk with your name, address, membership number, size and colour preference, putting “Dickies competition” in the subject line. If you’re not already an NFU Student & Young Farmer member, sign up for free by visiting NFUonline.com/ student. The closing date for entries is 1 July 2020. Winners will be contacted before the September edition of #StudentFarmer arrives. Please note the Dickies discount is for purchases from the online Dickies Workwear website only and cannot be used against Dickies Workwear bought from other retailers. To claim your discount code and view more of the Dickies Workwear range, please visit NFUonline.com/dickies or contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.

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May 2020

21/04/2020 11:31:57

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