STUDENT FARMER by STUDENT FARMER

The magazine for young farmers

September 2021

NEW LOOK to improve your social media game

FARM SAFETY

Get the low-down on quad bike best practice, biosecurity and maintaining machinery

Breaking down barriers Meet the young farmers going against the grain

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14/09/2021 11:11:13

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Contents

05 08 10 11 13 16 19 24 26 32 34 35 36 38

TAKING CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARE YOU UP FOR THE S&YFAP CHALLENGE? MAKE YOUR CV STAND OUT IMPROVING YOUR GRID GAME THE DAIRY SUPERWOMAN DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO BECOMING A NEW FACE FOR FARMING YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR WEALTH STRENGTH IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY DON'T GET SCURVY GET POLITICAL WITH EASE WE'RE BACK (BRITISH FARMING) TALK TO EACH OTHER NFU MEMBERSHIP

BREAKING BARRIERS 19

PUBLISHED BY: NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ FILLED WITH WORDS BY: Orla McIlduff, Huw Hopkins, Charlie Kifford, JJ Macleod, Jess Langton, Emma Crosby, Karl Franklin, Neeve McGinty, Christine McDowell DESIGNED BY: John Cottle TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT: Alan Brown alan.brown@nfu.org.uk CONTACT: studentfarmer@nfu.org.uk /StudentFarmer @studentfarmer @studentfarmer

They say it takes all sorts of people to make the world go round. Personally, I think that's true, and especially in the case of the British farming industry. The very best part of my job is chatting to some of these interesting and diverse people. Doing something a little bit out of the ordinary is often what makes a great story, and I will always shout about people smashing the status quo if I can. And every time I chat to someone new who's breaking barriers in farming, I'm astounded by their resilience, courage and creativity. Finding stories for this edition has been no different. Learn about Jess Langton, a farmer, student, board member and all round go-getter on page 13 to see how awesome it is that she's representing young women when it comes to working in dairy. And meet Georgia Gabriel-Hooper, our cover star, who shares her difficult story about domestic abuse on page 26. After interviewing Flavian Obiero for the Easter edition of the mag, he put me in touch with Charlie Kifford, an agriculture student who tells us that farming is for everyone, no matter your ability or disabilty. Read what he has to say on page 16. And on page 19 Arron Kennedy gives us a peek into his life as a mixed-race farmer and role model for his kids. Our frequent readers know how important farming's environmental credentials are to Student Farmer, so we took the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors to a farm in Leicestershire to talk all things land management and future payments. See what happened from page 5, and if you fancy getting involved and being an ambassador in 2022, find out how to apply on page 8. Finally, this month we say farewell to previous editor of Student Farmer, Huw Hopkins, as he leaves the NFU for pastures new. Huw has been pivotal in helping me find my voice as a writer and editor, but has also shared the stories of so many incredible farmers during his four years with the NFU. His wacky (read: sometimes inappropriate) headlines and his affinity for puns have definitely made Student Farmer stand out for all the right reasons, and it won't be quite the same without him. So thank you Huw, and good luck in your new adventure. Orla McIlduff Editor, Student Farmer September 2021

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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 • Efelychydd ‘Tenstar’ newydd gwerth £70,000

• Animal Studies Centre • Engineering Centre • £7.4 million teaching block • 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%.

Every year our students achieve excellent results, including last year a 100% pass rate in all agriculture courses.

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

Field trip

Learning at Loddington After almost a year of being NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors, the group met in real life for the first time to find out about the environmental practices that will help them to protect UK farming in the future. Huw Hopkins reports.

t took long enough! After this cohort of Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme was appointed last year, they spent much of their experience behind computer screens. Appearances on BBC television, radio and in magazines and newspapers meant the ambassadors kept up the profile of the NFU throughout the year, and their social media activity has helped members keep an eye on their activity. But nothing beats in-person learning, and the ambassadors had the chance to do that at the Allerton Project at Loddington near Leicester. Joe Stanley invited the group on site for his first task after taking over from former NFU Environment Forum Chair Phil Jarvis. “It was great to have the ambassadors here,” said Joe. “I’m enthusiastic that we need to support passionate young people in agriculture. “The Allerton Project has an educational remit to pass on the knowledge that we develop here to the farming industry and the ambassadors are going to be future leaders of the industry. It’s great to be able to have them here and pass on some of the skills and ideas we’ve developed over the years that we think are going to be

important to sustainable farming.” The day began with a tour of the farm, where the ambassadors were shown around the orchard, where sheep were grazing. From there, the group heard about soil erosion and the ways you can reduce it, and the development of field margins to improve biodiversity. It was the first public tour that Joe was running by himself, but already he was well-versed in what was growing on farm. He said: “I’ve been immersing myself in a lot of the trial data we’ve run here over the years. I’ve taken over from Phil Jarvis, who continues to be a strong supporter of the NFU and the project. I followed Phil around on a few of his final tours and September 2021

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Field trip

“That’s an example of blended finance that we can see in the future for alternative sources of income with a public/private blended finance” Joe Stanley Allerton Project

he has a huge wealth of knowledge and experience about nature friendly farming and the project, and it was easy to pick up a lot of his own infectious enthusiasm and include it into my own thoughts about environmental farming.” One part of the farm that generated particular interest was the newt ponds that had been installed in recent months, as it

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represented the future of a possible farming income stream. Mr Stanley said: “The newt farm was a biodiversity off-setting scheme that’s beneficial for our environment on farm but it’s off-setting the loss of habitat in another part of the country. That specific scheme was a Wiltshire wildlife trust, it was a reverse auction to create a network of newt farms and it’s an example of blended finance that we can see in the future for alternative sources of income with a public/private blended finance. It’s good in its own right and it’s an interesting concept – biodiversity off-setting. Is it is an acceptable way of allowing development in areas where you’re then going to be creating biodiversity loss? And how can farmers benefit?” These subject areas prompted questions back at the lodge, where the ambassadors heard from NFU East Midlands Environment Adviser Simon Fisher about the organisation’s Net Zero 2040 ambitions. He spoke about the challenges that farmers face as the government moves towards ELMs and away from BPS payment systems, and explained the way members around the country can reach out to experts at the NFU.

September 2021

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Field trip

What the ambassadors said... Matthew Rollason

The most interesting outcome of our visit to the Allerton Project was the ability to meet my fellow ambassadors in person before heading out into the field to see innovative and regenerative agriculture techniques in practice, rather than through a computer screen. After such a long period with reduced social interaction, being able to get together to discuss ideas is fundamental for us to carve a path to an even more sustainable future in British agriculture. UK farming faces a turbulent time ahead, but the opportunity to learn and engage with others with such passion for our great industry always gives me confidence that we are well prepared.

Harriet Bartlett

It was so lovely to finally meet the NFU team and my fellow ambassadors last week. I really enjoyed the trip to the Allerton Project – it was interesting to learn about the research they were doing on sustainable intensification, agroforestry and biodiversity-friendly measures on marginal land. The day finished with a great discussion about food security and policy and the responsibility of our government to ensure new policies don’t result in us simply ‘offshoring’ food production and displacing emissions and biodiversity loss.

Nia Borsey

His insight prompted a range of questions, especially around how the government is considering food production into the future, and whether or not we will simply be exporting carbon emissions if we rewild the countryside. It was a day that opened the eyes of the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme in ways that were more difficult to achieve over Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings. And, with the programme continuing until the end of 2021, there should be a number of opportunities for them to learn more about the rest of the food chain.

A great informative tour held by Joe. It was really interesting to learn about the current farming practices on the land, the research undertaken, and the influence this can have on future agricultural and environmental policy. Additionally, it was great to actually meet my fellow ambassadors in person.

Katie Smith

The trip to the Allerton Project was a great experience. It was fantastic to finally be able to meet all of the ambassadors and I really enjoyed hearing from Joe about the different trials and initiatives in place on site. It was great to be able to see the effects of wilding projects and additions such as beetle banks in person and to have the opportunity to discuss and question how these things are working on farm.

Karl Franklin

Our trip out to Allerton Project was such a fantastic day and it was great to be able to finally meet everyone face to face. The tour around the farm was very interesting and it's made me think about the small changes I can make in my day-to-day work. I'm cutting hay and will be leaving a strip around the headland uncut for pollinators and insects so they still have a habitat and a source of food once I've taken the hay crop.

Joe Bramall

I had a brilliant time at the Allerton Project. It was great to see all the changes people are talking about happening in practice, and it made me realise change is happening in the sector at a faster pace than I had imagined.

September 2021

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S&YFAP

Are you ready?

Covid-19 made everything a bit weird, but thankfully we’re getting back to a bit of normality now. This means we’re getting to recruit our newest bunch of NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors

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 locations around the country and farming sectors Experience new aspects of the agriculture industry, supply chain, other sectors and politics Foster a culture of inclusivity and kindness in the farming community 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

WHAT’S THE APPLICATION CRITERIA?

• • • • • • •

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 Have a vested interest in farming and rural affairs Available to attend all events with confirmed dates (see timetable, right) Have an interest in speaking to the media or writing content for various NFU publications Be committed to promoting the values of inclusivity and kindness in the industry

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S&YFAP INCLUSIVITY PLEDGE

We believe the more diversity within agriculture, the more innovative and sustainable the future of farming will be. In line with the NFU’s value of inclusivity, the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme has always welcomed applicants from different cultures, backgrounds and perspectives. We especially welcome applications from people who feel their community has, so far, been underrepresented in the agriculture industry or in the S&YFAP group, be that in relation to (but not limited to) their race, colour, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.

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S&YFAP

What do other ambassadors think? Harry Madin

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 are open between 6 September and 31 October 2021. Following a first-stage written application, successful candidates will be invited to a final-stage interview in November 2021.

Timeline January 2022:

Two-day induction programme (to be held at NFU HQ subject to Covid-19 restrictions)

February 2022:

Attend NFU Conference across two days at the ICC in Birmingham, including attending political sessions, workshops, sector breakouts, formal dinner and an overnight stay (subject to Covid-19 restrictions)

Easter 2022:

Help to guest-edit the NFU Student & Young Farmer Takeover Edition of Student Farmer magazine

Summer 2022*:

Student Farmer 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 the European Parliament in Brussels and an overview of the British cut flower supply chain

September 2022:

Support the NFU’s Back British Farming Day in lobbying government to see the value of British food and farming

November 2022*:

Represent the British agricultural industry at Lord Mayor’s Show in London, including an overnight stay the night before Timetable is subject to change, and events may be removed, rescheduled or changed. * These dates will be confirmed at a later stage

North West representative, 2019/20 “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 are willing to help with anything and everything.”

Poppy Burrough

South West representative, 2019/20 “I can safely say the experiences I have had on the NFU 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 I would never have had the opportunity to do. If you are unsure of applying, I only have one piece of advice – do it!”

Katie Smith

West Midlands respresentative, 2020/21 “The NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme is a fabulous opportunity for young people interested in the future of British agriculture. As someone who is really keen to get involved in the industry but doesn’t come from a farming background, it has given me so many opportunities to speak to industry experts, receive invaluable training and give my opinions on projects that will help shape the future of agriculture!”

Gethin Johnson

NFU Cymru representative, 2019/20 “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.” September 2021

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14/09/2021 11:17:57

Graduate tips

Applying yourself As a graduate recruiter, NFU Food Chain Adviser Christine McDowell went viral earlier this year on social media when she shared her top tips for graduate job applications and interviews. Here’s what she has to say:

It sounds obvious, but please get someone to read through your CV and covering letter. It needs to be legible. If you’re asked supplementary questions in the application, please answer them.

Don’t spam your CV out to every graduate scheme going; tailor it to the job. It’s hugely obvious and will be a waste of your time.

Stand out! You’re competing with hundreds of others. Show that you want the job, using your experience. Selling yourself goes a long way.

Transferable skills are a big deal. Take some time to understand yours, and explain specifically how you use these skills in other situations.

Examples, examples, examples – I love them! Bring to life what you say. If you tell me you’re good at communicating, tell me more. Give me a specific example of when you’ve communicated well.

It’s all about YOU. If you are asked to describe your role in a successful team, tell me what you did, how you did it and how you contributed to the team’s success. Be clear and specific. My pet peeve is too often the word “we” is used, and I don’t know where you fitted into the team success. It will not come across as cocky, it will come across as confident.

BONUS TIP: yourself. Don’t put too much pressure on is okay So what if it goes wrong? Failing akes you too you know! Learn from the mist back made and move on. Asking for feed really helps with this.

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Be a STAR. In an interview use the STAR method to give your answer structure and to help you land your key points.

The STAR method:

Situation: Describe the situation and when it took place. Task: Explain the task and what was the goal. Action: Provide details about the action you took to attain this. Result: Conclude with the result of your action.

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Think about the types of questions you might get asked and rehearse your answers. Have a variety of examples up your sleeve you can draw on. If you have used an example to answer one question, try to not use it again to answer another. Do not try blagging it, it won’t work.

Questions are your opportunity. If you find an interviewer probing you on your answer, nine out of 10 times they are willing you on to demonstrate a core competency they are looking for (this may feel like you are being challenged).

Finally, get comfortable being uncomfortable. It is how we grow. We all get nerves, and that's okay. Give yourself permission to feel comfortable with them and learn how best to control yours. I control mine before they kick in by doing some deep breathing well in advance of the day as I go about everyday life – driving in the car, watching TV etc. If I feel myself tensing up on the day, I take a deep breath in and out slowly.

September 2021

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10 ways...

KEEP CONTENT INTERESTING

There is no rule on how much post, but only share things you find interesting. You will talk more passionately and followers will be more invested if you are enthusiastic. If I’m doing something I would happily watch on someone else’s story, I’ll share it.

BE HONEST

No one’s farm or life is perfect. You will be a lot more relatable and get more respect from people if you show the realities of your life. For example, during my first lambing season this year I lost lambs, but I shared what happened and how I dealt with it with my followers.

MIX UP THE ANGLES OF YOUR PHOTOS

Try thinking outside the box. I have been known to lie on the floor to get a shot of my lambs looking down at me. Also, to save trying to rest your phone on a lick bucket, a mini tripod is great for when no one is around to take a photo of you.

USE CAPTIONS

When you do a talking story, type out what you’ve said or use the auto caption option. A lot of people tend to watch stories in silence, and could therefore miss what you’re saying. In addition, this makes your story inclusive for everyone.

DON’T LISTEN TO TROLLS

Don’t waste your time on negative people! Simply delete their comments/messages and block them. There are so many people who genuinely want to learn about you and your farm, put your energy and time into them and forget about the others.

INTERACT WITH FOLLOWERS There is an amazing community of farmers online, so interact with them and join in with trends. A great way to get to know people is by responding to their stories and commenting on their posts, this will also help more people find your account.

USE HASHTAGS

TO IMPROVE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA GAME NFU Student and Young Farmer Ambassador Karl Franklin has more than 6,000 followers on Instagram and shares his top 10 tips for promoting farming on social media

TRY TO KEEP VIDEOS DOWN TO AROUND THREE STORIES (45 SECONDS) LONG

When you’re talking about one particular subject, try and keep it within three stories in order to keep your followers engaged. People may become less interested if you talk for too long.

Hashtags are an amazing tool to reach a wider audience and find people who post similar things to yourself. If you include hashtags in your captions, it means that the people who follow those hashtags who may not follow you will also see your post.

BE A ROLE MODEL

You never know who might be watching your stories or viewing your posts. It’s very important to consider the example you are setting for young farmers and viewers, always stick to farm safety and be respectful to others.

BE ENTERTAINING AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL

People go to social media as an escape so always try to make them smile, even if that means making a fool of yourself! I think people take important messages on board more often when they’re put across in a light-hearted manner.

September 2021

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14/09/2021 12:22:47

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26/08/2021 11:07

My farming life

ASK ME ANYTHING

COVER STORY

Student Farmer talks to the NFU’s youngest ever NFU National Dairy Board appointee, Jessica Langton, about her farming life and being a trailblazing woman in agriculture John Cottle

Q A

What should we know about you?

Q A

Why are you passionate about farming?

I’m a 21-year-old student, studying Animal Science at the University of Nottingham, and a fourth generation farmer on my family’s beef and dairy farm based in Derbyshire. Our herd is primarily pedigree Holsteins and Friesians, but we have recently crossbred these with Jerseys to boost our constituents. We graze our cows for a minimum of six months a year, via a strip grazing system. The crossbreeding also helps increase our milk to grass conversion ratios. I farm alongside my mum, stepdad and brother. We sell our milk to First Milk and average 8,000 litres with 4.3% fat and 3.55% protein.

I’ve always found the industry fascinating and have had an active role on the family farm for as long as I can remember. I’ve also grown so much as an individual through the agricultural industry as it’s filled

September 2021

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My farming life

“I believe net zero farming is important as UK agriculture needs to have a sustainable and long-lasting future for generations to come” with incredible people and amazing opportunities – I particularly enjoy learning new skills and applying them to on-farm situations. My Grandad encouraged me into farming from a young age. Losing him two years ago was very difficult; however, I am now more determined to continue farming and create a sustainable future for our family farm. I have a strong competitive spirit and enjoy competing in stock-judging’s with Holstein Young Breeders and various other competitions such as Farmer’s Apprentice (top 10) and the RABDF awards (runner-up)!

That’s very impressive, and getting on to the NFU Dairy Board is no mean feat either! How are you enjoying being on the NFU Dairy Board and what do you feel you bring to the conversation?

Applying to the NFU Dairy Board was a nerve-wracking, yet amazing experience. The whole process was very professional, but my favourite part was definitely the panel interview as it gave me the opportunity to express

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my passion and knowledge of the dairy industry with like-minded people. I hope to use this position to shape the UK Dairy Roadmap to provide a sustainable future for all, help put plans in place to mitigate diseases, help contribute to dairy-related social media posts to display positive perceptions of the industry to the public and help obtain funding and knowledge to support dairy farmers in the transition from BPS to the new ELM (Environmental Land Management) scheme. I feel that I bring a next-generation perspective to the board and hope to be representative of this group. Since beginning my position, I have learned a lot about current and future challenges facing the industry and I’m enjoying helping devise solutions to these.

Q A

Speaking of the dairy roadmap, why do you think net zero farming is important? Climate change has been declared a global emergency. I believe net zero farming is important

as UK agriculture needs to have a sustainable and long-lasting future for generations to come. With the NFU setting a goal for UK agriculture to be net zero by 2040, I believe it is important for UK agriculture to lead the way. Last year, our farm began working towards LEAF accreditation to raise our environmental awareness and make investments that are both affordable and sustainable. We conducted a LEAF sustainable farming review - a management tool covering nine key sections of our business (organisation and planning, soil management and fertility, crop health and protection, pollution control and by-product management, animal husbandry, energy efficiency, water management, landscape and nature conservation, community engagement). This online tool has enabled us to benchmark our business and identify areas where we can make the largest environmental impact. As a result of this review and with the help of our LEAF consultant, some of the investments we are making and management practices we are adopting are: • Replacing our bulk tank and compressor with a newer, more efficient system that consumes less energy, boosting our environmental impact. • Increasing our soil testing to an annual basis instead of every four years to try and reduce application levels and better meet the soil’s needs • Creating a re-seeding policy to promote nitrogen fixation and increase grass growth levels and silage quality to boost our grass to milk conversion ratios.

September 2021

14/09/2021 12:22:43

My farming life

Outside of your university degree, you work with the Ecologeco project. What is it and how did you get involved in it?

At Ecologeco, we are researching methods of reducing methane emissions in ruminants through the use of seaweed, in a partnership with Enactus Nottingham (a collection of eight social enterprises run by university students). I applied to be on the Supplement Development Team which involves constructing a seaweed supplement, before testing its bromoform levels which will help us determine its methane reduction potential. We may also look to trial our supplement on farm, before mass producing and distributing it to UK dairy farms.

You also work for reproductive specialists Genus in your free time. How long have you been working there and what do you do?

I’ve been on the Genus Insights Programme for two years, working part-time as a reproductive management specialist alongside my studies. This involves visiting herds across the country, heat detecting their cows, then artificially inseminating them according to the on-farm breeding plan (explaining my job to people with a non-farming background can be interesting at times).

I can’t believe you even have time to study after all that! Tell us about your dissertation – what are you hoping to find out?

I have always had an interest in bovine genetics and the advances they bring to the dairy industry, and this interest has been amplified through working with Genus. To broaden my knowledge, I have chosen to focus my final year dissertation on Advancing reproductive technologies for cattle breeding. I hope to find better methods of improving conception rates and heat detection amongst dairy cattle. I’d like to go on to do a PhD focused on this after my undergraduate degree, while continuing to work for Genus alongside my studies.

Q A

Where do you see yourself in ten years? What are your hopes for your farm’s future? I’m hoping to have finished my PhD and to have applied this knowledge within the industry, hopefully making an impact. I’ve always wanted to do a Nuffield Scholarship as I enjoy

research and believe this is a great way to explore a topic of interest. I’m also hoping to continue expanding my family farm and maintain an active role within the business. There’s plenty of potential on the farm to achieve this, but I want to ensure we do so in a sustainable manner. I expect we will invest in a new unit within the next ten years and increase cattle housing to accommodate the increased numbers. I’m excited to see where the industry takes me.

Q A

And finally, what do you think the biggest challenges to UK farming will be in the next 50 years?

1. Sustainability: Although there are many industries releasing a greater volume of greenhouse gases in comparison to agriculture, farming is often target for being a major contributor to climate change. The NFU recently set a target of achieving net zero by 2040. I believe we need to work together to produce realistic and achievable goals for farmers to work towards and methods and grants that could help them get there. 2. Succession: Lots of farmers rely on BPS to make a profit. I believe the removal of this and partial replacement with ELMs will decrease land rents and open the industry to new entrants. There is a lack of willing and qualified staff entering the dairy industry. The industry is viewed as being dirty and requiring long hours; however, there are now many initiatives to get young people involved. DART apprenticeships and the new T level qualification should encourage people into the industry and

develop their theory and practical skills. Something that bothers me is that agriculture has always been viewed as a man’s career pathway; however, recently there has been increased publicity of women in agriculture with many like-minded women coming together to support and promote the industry. I have really enjoyed getting involved through the First Milk Women in Ag initiative. These initiatives need to continue to create a sustainable and diversified dairy industry. 3. Mental health: Charity Yellow Wellies recently conducted a survey that showed 88% of under 40-year olds thought that mental health was the most pressing issue facing the industry. I think it's important for social groups such as Young Farmers to continue supporting young individuals as sometimes, this can be the only time of the week they see people that aren't family. Farming discussion groups are also an amazing way that farmers can communicate with one another and start a conversation. To find out more about the work of the NFU Dairy Board and the UK Dairy Roadmap, visit NFUonline.com/Dairy September 2021

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14/09/2021 11:20:12

In his own words

COVER STORY

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September 2021

14/09/2021 11:20:51

In his own words

Meet Charlie Kifford, a 19-year-old with a great work ethic, who spoke to Orla McIlduff about why living with cerebral palsy won’t stop him from pursuing a career in farming Jon Browning

Growing up

I grew up in Battle in East Sussex. I’m very close to my family, including my mum, stepdad, two sisters, grandad and nan. They have all helped me tremendously and I would not be able to do half the things I do without them. My mum, and my sister, Helen, both worked on various farms while I was growing up. Helen had a couple of jersey cows that I helped with, and there was one called Buttercup who I exhibited at local agricultural shows. Unfortunately, as is the case in many herds, she tested positive for TB last year. It was a massive tragedy, because she was one of the main reasons I got into farming. I managed to buy three bottle-fed lambs in 2016 and keep them at a friend’s farm, and this was when I realised my career in farming was unwavering. As my knowledge and interest developed, my mum brought me a pedigree Kerry Hill ewe lamb, which I went on to breed, show and even obtain Champion Young Handler with at the Heathfield Agricultural Show in 2017. In September 2018, I started at Bexhill College where I studied animal management, food technology, and criminology – just because I found it interesting. I had a day off from college, so I got a voluntary job on a dairy farm that I enjoyed. I was there for about a year where I progressed up to milking on my own and carrying out tractor operations. Since September 2020 I’ve been doing a Level 3 Agricultural Diploma at Plumpton College, which I really enjoy. It’s opened lots of doors for me, including a gap September 2021

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In his own words RIGHT: Plumpton College staff member Flavian Obiero with Charlie

year placement at the college farm, and I recently received an offer to work in the dairy department, covering for when they are short staffed.

Living with cerebral palsy

I always say it looks like I’m drunk to break the ice with people that I’ve not met before, but really I just have cerebral palsy, which affects my mobility and speech. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a result of being starved of oxygen at some point in your life, and leads to parts of the brain deteriorating. In my case, my birth was traumatic and I was starved of oxygen. It affects muscle tone, mobility and also mental ability. I am lucky not to be in a wheelchair like many with CP are. I am also lucky my mental ability is not affected and I have achieved top grades in school and at college. However, my disability affects me at work on the farm. It causes me to become more tired than people without CP as my muscles have to work a lot harder to keep me upright and generally moving around. I struggle with fine motor skills – for example, tying knots. Everything takes me longer and I have to admit I do worry about it, but that won’t change as CP is for life. That said, I do really enjoy my work and get a lot of satisfaction out of completing tasks independently. My tiredness frustrates me but I have to manage it, keep to my limits and make sure I get enough sleep. I get muscle pain especially in my legs in the evening and sometimes terrible cramp, which is very

“Farming is open to everyone and there are ways round things. In other words, just because you are disabled, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get into farming.” uncomfortable, but none of this will stop me from farming. I do worry what people think and if I am good enough. I have to ask for reassurance sometimes, as I want to make sure I am doing well. The college staff, including Flavian Obiero (pictured with Charlie, above), have been really supportive of me. I think it’s important to believe that whatever your dreams or career goals are, they can be achieved. I don’t like saying I can’t do something; you can always learn to do things, whatever your ability.

Flying the flag

I don’t see much representation of people with disabilities in the agriculture industry, but I don’t think people should be put off. It doesn’t matter what you struggle with on the farm, just the fact that you’re interested and want to have a career in farming is the most important thing. Farming is open to everyone and there are ways around things. In other words, just because you are

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disabled, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get into farming. It would be good to see more representation of people with disability as getting recognition can be hard, and this is the case in all aspects of life, not just employment. I don’t want sympathy but I would love to feel more included and for disabilities to be understood. What tips would I give to someone with a disability who wants to get into farming? Just go for it! There shouldn’t be anything to stop you if you have the right mindset. I think that being disabled has made me super conscientious because I want to do the job as well as, or better than, someone who has no disability, in order to break the stigma that we can’t do it.

Future career

I would love to be in a secure job where I’m valued, and in a respectable position with some responsibility of the stock, either on a sheep farm or on a dairy farm. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences of being on farm, so I hope I can give talks to children to raise awareness of the importance of farming. I feel that food is something taken for granted and that farming is underrepresented in schools. I think that it’s important for me to keep an open mind as I never know what is round the corner and I’m keen to embrace opportunities whenever they arise.

September 2021

14/09/2021 11:22:18

Diversity

Mixing it up

COVER STORY

Orla McIlduff speaks to Arron Kennedy about his route into farming and why he’s rocking the boat to create a better world for his three children John Cottle

“W

hen you’re growing up, you only dream to be something you can see as a possibility. How can kids dream to be it if they’ve never seen it?” It’s this thought, and not the followers or glory, that drives mixed-race farmer Arron Kennedy to share his life on social media. AK, as he likes to be known, is half Irish, half Jamaican, but was born and raised in the Warwickshire countryside. He’s got farming relatives on both sides of his family; his grandparents on his mum’s side farmed in Jamaica, while his Irish cousins farmed in Tipperary. “It’s in the blood somewhere,” he giggles, as we bond about our similar experiences within large and noisy Irish families. Although always interested in farming, Continued on p20 September 2021

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Diversity AK’s passion was horse racing, and it led to him living in places including Australia and Hong Kong, doing track work. He came back to England and got his jockey licence at the age of 24: “I knew I wasn’t going to make it big time,” he says. “But I just wanted to do it for a bit of fun. I didn’t have any wins, but I got into the winner’s enclosure a few times.” Retiring from riding in 2013 coincided with meeting his now-wife, Nat, and luckily this also helped him pave his way into farming. “I proposed to my wife, and the final wedding plan we made was to find a band. We went to listen to one in Stratford, and I spoke to the lead singer after his set, explaining I wasn’t sure what do next. He’s a farmer’s son and told me they were looking for someone. I went to the farm, had a chat, and that was almost seven years ago now.” AK and his family live on a farm owned by the council, which his employers have the lease for. He commutes to the main farm each day, mainly making haylage for horses, which he thinks people might not feel is

as glamorous as other types of farming. He is, however, really proud of the consistency of their product, ensuring samples are sent for nutrient analysis. He says: “I have no regrets in changing careers to farming. Sometimes I wish I’d got into it sooner but, having said that, I loved my days riding horses.”

Nat, Ruairí, Pippa, Arron and Bill on the farm

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“There are times I think ‘I can’t be bothered with this social media' but, if I don’t do it now, who’s going to do it and take that step?” And yet, it’s working in these two industries successively that led him to think about how homogenous (read: white, male-dominated, wealthy) they really are and about what he could do to help increase their diversity. So he set up his Instagram account. He says: “I wish I’d had the courage to be a representative for diversity when I was in racing. “Having kids made me think; I don’t want them, and especially my middle child, Bill, to go into an industry where there’s no representation of people like him and where he’ll have to battle and work harder than other people. If I don’t do it to make a better world for him, who will?” The Irish genes in the Kennedy family are certainly strong; like all his nieces and nephews, AK’s eldest daughter, Pippa, arrived with blonde hair and blue eyes, while her brother Bill is the image of his dad, all dark, curly hair. And the youngest, Ruairí, has blonde hair and blue eyes again. However, these differences, beautiful and unique as they are, have consequences. “I had racist comments thrown at me throughout primary school. This why

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Diversity

it’s important for me to use Instagram as a platform to share my thoughts and showcase our struggles, because I know full well that one day I’m going to have to have a conversation with Bill to explain to him why he will face racism as he grows up and yet Pippa and Ruairí won’t.” Those of us who have the privilege of being born white might think of this as a ridiculous concept, and AK says people tell him all the time he won’t have to have that conversation with Bill. In response, he says simply: “If you think that, you’re naïve. “Pippa and Ru will also have to learn to deal with those people who throw remarks towards Bill; it won’t be easy for any of them.” He continues: “There are times I think ‘I can’t be bothered with this social media’,

but, if I don’t do it now, who’s going to do it and take that step? It’s not about the followers for me; it’s about getting the word out.” One of AK’s inspirations and allies on the farming social media scene currently is Flavian Obiero, who also documents his farming work (check out the last edition of Student Farmer for our interview with him), but when he joined Instagram, AK was the only person of colour he could see showing themselves on farm. On being a role model for people of colour, AK says: “I tell people that I want every kid, no matter what colour they are, to have the chance to get into the farming industry, if that’s what they want.” To help this ambition, AK is also a supporter of the FarmerTime initiative: “I’m paired with a school in East Sussex. It’s absolutely amazing – the kids are fantastic. I was worried, because I don’t work much with livestock, that I might come across as very boring. But they have

so many questions.” Because he’s inspiring young people, it’s easy to forget that in the big scheme of things, AK is still a young farmer himself, and working out how to get his welly properly through the farming door. He’s hoping to have his own farm tenancy at some point in the future. He says: “I think Defra really needs to think carefully about the rules around giving grants to people leaving the industry. Succession in the farming community is complex, and the distribution of money could end up being quite unfair. I think there should be government loans for new entrants with good business plans – and once they reach a threshold, they could start repaying that money. Like a student loan maybe.” And Nat is fully on board too. After a career at the NFU Mutual, she recently branched out on her own and has a poultry business, which she runs alongside her dog boarding business. They have it all planned out: “If we could get a tenant farm, we already have diversification ideas so we’re not reliant on one farming business strand.” He’s determined, he’s got the knowledge and skills, and he’s standing up for what he believes in. Arron Kennedy and his family are changing the face of farming for the better, so watch this space. Follow AK on Instagram @The_RainbowFarmer

September 2021

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14/09/2021 11:25:45

Farm safety

COVER STORY

Safety first NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors old and new teamed up with Can-Am this summer to brush up on their farm safety knowledge

t’s no secret that farm safety is an issue. We’ve all seen the TikToks and the Instagram posts where someone is being reckless around livestock or machinery, just because it might get a few likes. Sometimes, it’s not even about showing off, it’s just doing something dangerous because it’s a bit of a shortcut for whatever task you’re doing. And yet, those who have been unlucky enough to have personal experience of an incident due to a lapse in farm safety, are often now the biggest advocates for doing things ‘by the book’. They know (and deep down we all know) that no amount of time saved or number of comments on social media is worth compromising your, or someone else’s, health for. Farm safety is something the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors (S&YFA) are really passionate about. So when Can-Am offered some of our ambassadors the chance to do some ATV rider training with EASI, they jumped at the chance.

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After taking on the training, S&YFA Josie Troop made a pledge to being safe on farm: “I’m going to make sure that everyone on my farm wears the correct helmets, clothing and has been given the appropriate training.” S&YFA Zoe Legg added: “I cannot emphasise enough the importance of wearing a helmet. There seems to be a mentality of ‘I haven’t got time’ or ‘the likelihood of having an accident is so slim’. But accidents can happen to anyone, and recently a helmet saved my life, which really compounded the necessity of them for me.”

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Farm safety Can-Am’s seven golden rules for responsible riders:

Always wear the correct personal protective equipment, such as a helmet, boots, long-sleeve shirt and trousers when out riding

Prepare an itinerary before setting off and communicate it to the people close to you (your colleagues, friends or family)

Follow the recommendations for use that are specified by the manufacturer in the operator’s guide as well as on the safety labels placed on the vehicle

Follow maintenance instructions that are recommended by the manufacturer

Inspect the vehicle before use to make sure it is in good working order

Take along communication devices and breakdown equipment

Be mindful of the animals you come across and do not damage their natural habitat.

Biosecurity and farm safety We all know about the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) since the outbreak of Covid-19. So, when looking at farm safety as a whole, let’s consider how we can stop the spread of infectious disease too. S&YF ambassador Harriet Bartlett is doing a PhD at Cambridge University and said: “We should always try and use the right kit on farm to protect us from not only physical damage, but also infectious disease. If in doubt, consult your vet for appropriate biosecurity measures for your farm, and set yourself targets to reduce antibiotic usage to help tackle antimicrobial resistance.”

NFU Deputy President and Chair of the Farm Safety Partnership in England, Stuart Roberts, is always sharing farm safety experiences and tips on Twitter. He said: “As an industry we are always learning from each other and we need to follow that learning mentality when it comes to health and safety. “By sharing our own experiences, ideas and examples of tried and tested safety measures, we can provide each other with solutions to a problem which won’t go away on its own. “I have also found it really useful to look at safety from a business perspective. We are the most valuable asset to our businesses, so our safety should be the priority. “It’s time to turn the tide on farming’s poor safety record – with words, with actions and with change. So let’s seize the opportunity to inspire and learn from each other, to protect our businesses, and, ultimately, to protect ourselves.” Follow Stuart Roberts at @herts_farmer

Former NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador JJ Macleod farms in Herefordshire and is always on the lookout for the latest technology to improve farm safety. He writes: There is no hiding the poor farm safety record in the UK. In the past 10 years, almost one person a week has been killed as a direct result of agricultural work with many more having been seriously injured. One area we looked at to reduce our own risks was the farm machinery. In February, we downloaded a 30-day free trial of MeritAgCheck. What caught our attention to begin with was the ability to record all the machinery details and service history. Previously, the service history of the machinery had been recorded on pieces of paper that inevitably ended up covered in oil and grease, and then went missing when the time came to service the machine the following year. The details are now inputted onto the system via the mobile app and once saved are accessible for all users to see. We also use the system to keep a record of any tests or inspections such as the Tilly tests on trailers, LOLER inspections on the loaders or MOT dates of the farm vehicles. This keeps everything simple and in one place, to ensure that everything is legal and road-worthy. Another useful feature of MeritAgCheck is the simple and quickly-customisable machinery check lists that can be filled in on the mobile app by the operator prior to use. On the essential (free) version of the app there are 16 checklist types available (for different things like tractors and trailers), while on the premium version there are more than 500, including specific lists for Claas, John Deere, and Vaderstad equipment (among others). The checklists help to highlight any issues, meaning we can keep on top of any problems as they arise. There is the option of a free version or the paid-for premium version, which costs £4.90 per month for up to three users. We feel this has been good value and has ultimately improved our machinery and service management.

SAVE 25% All NFU Student & Young Farmer members get 25% off Spada ATV helmets and safety clothing. For more info, visit NFUonline.com/Spada September 2021

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14/09/2021 11:28:16

Rural life

COVER STORY

Speaking up to save lives

Orla McIlduff speaks to Georgia Gabriel-Hooper to raise awareness of domestic abuse in rural communities Peter Rhys Williams

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Rural life LEFT: Georgia with her late mum Cheryl MAIN IMAGE: Georgia now on farm

Covid-19 and domestic abuse

eorgia Gabriel-Hooper is a normal 17-year-old. She is studying for a diploma in agriculture at Reaseheath College and is very much looking forward to having a few cocktails after she turns 18 later in the year. Brought up on a farm with 1,000 breeding ewes, she’s also worked with pigs, cattle and on the arable side of the sector, but sheep are still very much Georgia’s passion. Unfortunately though, it wasn’t our shared interest in agriculture that brought Georgia and I together. She began following Student Farmer on Twitter, and I recognised her name immediately; a few weeks previously I had listened to her speak on a podcast, bravely recalling the story of how her mother had been murdered in front of her by her stepfather. When I saw her name pop up, I realised that the story of this young woman, survivor and activist should be shared with her peers in the rural community to help to prevent such a tragic event from happening again. Georgia begins: “My mum, Cheryl, met Andrew in 2010, and they were together for four years before getting engaged and later married. Overall, the abuse we suffered at his hands was emotional, as opposed to physical. There was a lot of coercive control, which makes it even harder to realise that you’re being abused. “Mum made the difficult decision to leave on 9 December 2017 and roughly six weeks later she was killed in front of me with a shotgun. Andrew was convicted of murder on 21 June 2019 and is now serving life with a minimum of 31 years in prison.” It’s even more shocking to think that Georgia was only 14 years old when she witnessed this horrific incident. You wouldn’t blame her if she never wanted to speak about it again and move on with her life, but the opposite is true. Georgia explains: “In September 2019, I spoke at the Stand Up To Domestic Abuse conference and this was the first time I had spoken publicly about my experience of domestic abuse (DA). That conference led me to becoming a pioneer for DA charity SafeLives and opened doors for the work I have done since.”

Firstly, it’s important to remember that Covid-19 (or any other external circumstance) does not cause domestic abuse. Only abusers are responsible for their actions. The pandemic has, however, escalated abuse and the lockdowns meant there were fewer escapes or routes to safety for people suffering domestic abuse. According to charity Women’s Aid, survivors contacting its direct services have reported escalating abuse and having to live in lockdown with an abuser due to Covid-19. People who spent lockdown with their abuser were less able to get breathing space. It was harder to text or phone to get support from friends and family, and from specialist support services. Child survivors didn’t have the respite of school or nursery, which can often be a safe space to access support. An initial survivor survey carried out by Women’s Aid in April 2020 confirmed that Covid-19 had quickly impacted on the experiences of women experiencing domestic abuse. It found: • 67.4% of survivors who are currently experiencing abuse said it had got worse since Covid-19 • 76.1% said they were having to spend more time with their abuser. Georgia’s experiences reflect these statistics: “During lockdown in particular I was spending hours each day on Zoom, not only having meetings on how we could improve things surrounding the dramatic rise in domestic abuse, but also doing presentations to the public. I helped to train more than 100 schools in my local area over Christmas, helping them to understand abuse and to make sure the education they’re giving to their students is the most effective that it can be.”

Understanding domestic abuse terminology According to Citizen’s Advice, domestic abuse (DA) is behaviour from a family member, partner or ex-partner. It can include: • Physical or sexual abuse • Violent or threatening behaviour • Psychological or emotional abuse • Coercive behaviour – for example, humiliation or intimidation • Controlling behaviour – for example, making someone feel less important or dependent on the abuser • Economic abuse – this includes controlling someone's possessions or how they earn or spend money Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, male or female. It can include harassment, stalking, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and ‘honour-based’ abuse. It can also include human trafficking.

September 2021

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Rural life Rural living and domestic abuse

Considerable geographical distances between farms and urban areas presents extra challenges for those facing domestic abuse. This distance can also feel increased by connectivity issues such as lack of mobile phone or broadband signal, leading to isolation. Crimestoppers has a dedicated page to rural domestic abuse that states: “Their nearest specialist can be up to two bus-rides away from their home. “If a partner controls access to a car, denies them petrol money, checks their mileage, or demands an explanation every time they leave home, that distance can mean a victim is simply unable to get to a specialist support worker. “Similarly, in a small community where a new vehicle would be noticed, a victim cannot be safely visited by a support worker on a regular basis, in case word gets back to the perpetrator that a strange car has been seen at their home. There may be an assumption that domestic violence is an inner-city problem, confined to lower socio-economic or ethnic minority groups. And a victim can feel very vulnerable seeking support from their neighbours, the local police, or their family doctor where they may become the subject of local gossip.” Georgia feels traditional values are also a major challenge: “Often ‘what happens at home stays at home’ and ‘what a man does with his wife is his business’ are still prevalent opinions within agricultural communities. “My story is used as a case study for the rural domestic abuse workshop, for the Safelives Domestic Abuse Matters programme. It is used for training police forces in making sure they have adequate knowledge to handle cases (and unfortunately we know they fail a lot).

Georgia and her mum Cheryl were really close

Warning signs Signs people can look for in their own relationship are numerous and complex, however, these are some of the early warning signs of domestic abuse, as shared by Victim Support UK: • You’re becoming a lot more critical of yourself — thinking that you always doing things wrong, are unattractive/unloveable or unable to support yourself or do things you used to do. • You give up on your own opinions and think your partner is right about everything. • You’re feeling more stressed or worried all the time; you feel nauseous or have bad butterflies. Sometimes stress can also stop us eating and sleeping properly, or cause us to have headaches. • You have that ‘dread’ feeling more often. • You’re scared of how your partner will react to a situation. • You avoid saying something because you don’t want to upset your partner. • You feel scared when your partner is angry because you can’t predict their behaviour. • You’re feeling a pressure to change who you are or move the relationship further than you want to. • You feel like you’re walking on eggshells. • You’re staying in more and seeing less of family and friends to avoid arguments with your partner.

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“This year I was heavily involved in the serial perpetrator register campaign. “My stepfather was a serial perpetrator; he received a four-year suspended sentence in 2004 for his actions against his ex-wife. I was fortunate enough for Baroness Helen Newlove to pick up my story and volunteer to read it out in the House of Lords. Subsequently, we made it through the Lords twice, however, both times the House of Commons decided to vote it down. I am one of the few young people who has been able to receive a great education on domestic abuse and fortunately break the cycle in my family, but many aren’t so lucky.”

Gun laws

Guns are commonplace in rural communities, with many people having grown up around them and seeing them regularly, unlike a lot of people in more urban areas. While most people are responsible gun users with appropriate licences and adhere to regulations, there will always be the odd person who does not. While acknowledging that guns are an intrinsic part of rural life, Georgia wants it to be much more difficult to get a shotgun licence. She said: “I’ve not had as much time as I would have liked to start tackling gun legislation, however, it’s high on my list of priorities for the next year. They present a threat and can be used in an intimidating manner. It is also easier for people with gun experience to follow through on hurting someone this way than by any other method, because pulling a trigger is easy, especially when you have been doing it your whole life. With a knife, or other object, so much effort has to go into following through and the action is not instant.”

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Rural life

Get help If after reading this you feel you might need support for your own domestic situation, please use the resources below. • SafeLives: www.safelives.org.uk • Refuge: www.refuge.org.uk and 0808 2000 247 • Women’s Aid: www.womensaid.org.uk • Respect, Men’s Advice Line: www.mensadviceline.org.uk and 0800 801 0327 • National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: www.galop.org.uk/ domesticabuse and 0800 999 5428 • Respond (for adults and children with learning difficulties): www.respond.org.uk and 020 7383 0700 • SignHealth (for people in the deaf community): www. signhealth.org.uk/with-deaf-people/domestic-abuse/ domestic-abuse-service There are many more services, but if you think you, or someone you know, might be in danger, call the police immediately on 999.

“I would particularly like to see major change surrounding serial perpetrators and the freedoms they are given to continue to abuse victims” Remembering Cheryl

As painful as it is to talk about her mother so frequently, Georgia wants to share the positives of Cheryl’s life and keep her memory alive: “I learned a lot from my mum; she was incredibly well-liked and respected. She was well known for being polite, intelligent, attractive, generous – the list goes on! I am fortunate to have learned copious amounts from her that will serve me throughout the entirety of my life. “I have followed in my mum’s footsteps, particularly when it comes to wanting to help people all the time and having an inability to say ‘no’. Going until burnout is a major family trait, and the ability to always forgive is another. However great it can be, it is also a major downfall as people can easily take advantage. Fortunately, I have learned to not only be forgiving and to go the extra mile for others, but also to stand up for myself and how to read people’s intentions. It is important to say that. Yes, I have learned from my mum’s successes, but I have also learned from her failures, allowing me to become the best version of myself that I can be.”

67.4% of survivors who are currently experiencing abuse said it had got worse since Covid-19

What next for Georgia?

Georgia hopes to continue to work in the domestic abuse sector for as long as it is an issue, and unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be easing any time soon. She said: “I have many goals for what I would like to see change and they are going to take a lot of work, certainly. However, I have the drive and ability to hopefully bring about some major change. “I would particularly like to see major change surrounding serial perpetrators and the freedoms they are given to continue to abuse victims, alongside their ability to still get or keep shotgun and firearm licences. I also feel that education for the younger generations around domestic abuse is the only way we are going to stop or reduce the current volume of abuse. We need to educate children to break the cycle of not only becoming victims in their adult life, but also curbing those who may go on to become perpetrators.” September 2021

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TRANSITION SECURING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR YOUR FARM BUSINESS

CHANGES TO FARM SUPPORT PAYMENTS ARE PLACING BIGGER PRESSURES ON FARMS THAN EVER BEFORE. We’re helping the next generation of British farmers to understand what they need to do to make that transition. Visit our brand new content hub today.

www.FWi.co.uk/transition FW_Transition_Half Page Ad-129x181mm.indd 1

27/08/2021 15:17:42

Don’t get scurvy

BRITISH RECIPE

Casserole-ing with it You’re living away from home, you want to support British farming and you want something like you mum cooks, but where to start? Student Farmer has teamed up with Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Matthew Rollason and his employers Dunbia, to teach you how to make the perfect hearty casserole. Ingredients • 500g diced beef • 1tbsp plain flour • 1tsp sea salt • ½ tsp ground black pepper • 1tbsp vegetable oil • 3x large onions chunky diced • 2tbsp tomato puree • 6-8 carrots peeled and chunky diced • 450ml beef stock • 1x 440ml can of stout • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 small swede peeled and roughly diced

Method • Preheat the oven to 170°C. • Place the diced meat, flour, sea salt and black pepper in a plastic bag or container with lid and shake until the beef is completely coated in the flour, salt and pepper. • Heat a large frying pan over a medium to high heat and fry the beef off in small batches until golden in colour and then transfer to a casserole dish. • Fry the onions in the pan and then add to the casserole dish. • Deglaze the pan with the stout and add to the casserole dish with the rest of the ingredients. • Add in the carrots, swede, Worcestershire sauce, tomato puree and beef stock. Stir together until fully mixed. • Cover the casserole with a lid and cook on the middle shelf for two hours. • Remove casserole from oven and give the casserole a quick stir, increase the oven temperature to 190°C place casserole back into the oven and cook for further 30-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving. • Team with British potatoes and greens for a showstopper to impress all your uni friends.

Find out more about careers at Dunbia by visiting dunbia.com/careers

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September 2021

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SPECIALIST DEGREE COURSES Warwickshire College and University Centre offers Honours and Foundation degree courses across Warwickshire and Worcestershire, putting you at the forefront of technology, science and contemporary practice at Moreton Morrell College or Pershore College. • Agri-Tech • Animal Degrees: > Behaviour & Training > Canine Therapy & Rehabilitation

• Equine Degrees: > Performance Coaching > Science > Therapy & Rehabilitation

• Veterinary Nursing • Veterinary Physiotherapy

Visit an in-person Open Event to find out more: • Moreton Morrell College // 25 Sept 2021 • Pershore College // 20 Nov 2021

To book your place, visit: wcg.ac.uk/degree

Back British Farming

How to make your MP listen NFU Graduate Trainee Emma Crosby has had her finger on the pulse of Westminster happenings since her days as a politics and parliamentary studies undergraduate

undamentally, the role of a Member of Parliament is to represent you as their constituent. However, with the vast majority of our 650 MPs not having a farming background, MPs need you as their constituents to communicate your interests and experiences so they can better represent you. Your voice as a young person who’s passionate about what they do and making a real difference is one our greatest lobbying assets and one of the main weapons in our armoury that makes sure our voice is heard in parliament across the vast range of policy issues that can impact farming. MPs take heed of what their constituents say – they rely on them for their job after all – so it's vital that you take every opportunity to engage with MPs and discuss the topical issues that, for better or for worse, are going to affect your future farming career. Before joining the NFU, I worked for an MP in parliament where part of my role was assisting the MP in responding to constituents. I saw first-hand what communications caught their attention and which correspondence slid down the priority ladder, and there is a clear formula for success which I hope you will use to ensure your voice is heard.

Emma's top tips

Be respectful and polite.

This is my golden rule above all else. MPs are normal people and, just like everybody else, are unlikely to go above and beyond the call of duty for you if you’re just plain rude to them. If you send them a ranting email or letter, don’t be surprised if you don’t hear back from them.

Try and find common ground.

Do your research about the MP – what issues do they care about? The website www.theyworkforyou. com can be a useful tool to understand MP’s views and voting record. If you can relate their interests to your own, you have found a way to grab their attention! If you can’t easily identify common policy interests, it is worth looking at their political party’s manifesto to see if you can relate farming to it. A great example of this is the environment. Every main political party has made climate change one of the biggest cornerstones of their manifesto – however, many MPs may not appreciate the role farmers are playing in tackling the climate emergency.

Be clear and concise in all discussions.

MPs receive a staggering amount of correspondence every day, so don’t go round the houses. Get to the point! Consider structuring your email or letter as followed: • What is the issue/problem? • Why is the issue important? (also known as the ‘so what?’ question – why should they care)? • What is your proposed solution? • What do you want them to do? If you’re unsure on what you want them to do, consider asking them to write a letter to a specific Minister, ask a parliamentary question, table a debate or even ask them to come visit you on farm – what have you got to lose?

ABOVE: Emma with MP Mike Amesbury RIGHT: Emma with MP Mark Francois

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It really is that simple, so if there is an issue you care about, follow those three simple steps and make your voice heard!

September 2021

14/09/2021 11:30:38

Back British Farming

Back British Farming Day 2021 By the time you receive your copy of Student Farmer, Back British Farming Day will have taken the importance of supporting agriculture to Westminster

fter all your hard work lobbying your MP, the NFU makes sure they don't forget the importance of food and farming with its annual Back British Farming Day. This year’s event on 15 September was due to begin with a drop-in session in the House of Commons with 100 MPs expected to attend. Planned for the Churchill Room in the Houses of Parliament, it was the first in-person celebration of Back British Farming Day since 2019. NFU President Minette Batters and Vice-president Tom Bradshaw were set to be on hand during the event, which is to be an informal unveiling of the NFU’s British Food: Leading the Way report. MPs can have their pictures taken with our Back British Farming Day hamper while wearing their distinctive wheat pin badges to show their support for farming. Pictures of MPs out on farm with their constituents in recent weeks will be on our social media channels and the official report launch was due to take place in the afternoon at 1 Great George Street. Mrs Batters was due to outline key asks to 100 invited guests, including TV personality Jeremy Clarkson. The star of Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime was keen to show his support for agriculture following his own foray into the world of farming. The event will be filmed and available for members to watch again (see NFUonline for details). The NFU was also aiming to get an agriculture-based question asked at Prime Minister’s Questions. A toolkit for members to get involved with social media was available online, including infographics.

Here's how Graduate Trainee Neeve McGinty got involved with the plans for her first Back British Farming Day:

"I can’t wait to experience my first Back British Farming Day; a day to celebrate British food and the farmers who produce it! As a member of the campaigns team, I’ve been assisting on the delivery of the day, from physical event planning, to what’s happening on social media. This includes working closely with our Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors to prepare them ahead of the day to help them share the great story that British farming has to tell, in order to ramp up excitement. "I’ve also been working on social media content, showcasing the very best of our British farming sectors and highlighting the importance of backing British. The day is a chance to show our appreciation to the farmers who keep us fed with delicious, high-quality food produced to world-leading standards. If that’s not something to shout about, I don’t know what is!"

ABP careers ABP UK, one of Europe’s leading food producers, is looking for its next set of graduates to help bring the best of British produce to the table of millions. The company’s ‘ABP Talent Academy’ has helped hundreds of graduates since 2016. The academy creates handson opportunities across the whole business, from sustainability initiatives and new products to butchery and genetics. There are a range of programmes available to suit a variety of interests including agriculture, commercial, technical, IT, product development, engineering, operations, finance and IT, along with the opportunity to continue to learn and develop a range of skills along the way. Graduates will start a two-tothree-year journey in ABP, with the opportunity to work sites across the country to understand the business before taking on their first managerial role post programme. All programmes have been designed to provide a clear pathway into management with strong business foundations to support future career aspirations. Successful graduates can expect challenge, responsibility and variety as they develop in their chosen function. To find out more about the 2022 intake or to have a chat about your interests and a potential career in the food industry, visit www.abpuk. com or email talentacademy@ abpbeef.com. September 2021

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14/09/2021 11:31:18

Research

Stop! Collaborate and listen Each year, the NFU Food Chain team sponsors one undergraduate student in dissertation research connected to the UK supply chain

rowing up on a beef and arable farm in Leicestershire, Gabriella Bennion always knew her studies and future career path would have an agricultural focus. A change on the farm at home and the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic influenced what she decided to research for her final year dissertation, and she has now completed her final year at Harper Adams University, during which she studied Rural Enterprise and Land Management. She explained: “The change started three to four years ago on a relatively small scale, alongside our suckler herd. This year, we got rid of more than half of our sucklers (the rest will be going by the end of this year) to focus on buying in dairy bred calves, in particular British Blue crosses. We buy them in in batches at around four weeks old, and keep them until they are around 10 months old, or when the demand is there and the margins are worthwhile. “I became more involved in this side of the farm last spring when I got furloughed from my university placement job. So, from March until September, I was rearing calves and it sparked my passion for dairy bred beef and led me to my chosen topic.” Gabriella chose the question Is collaborative farming the future for sustainably rearing dairybred beef calves in England throughout the supply chain? as her research project title. “I spent quite a bit of time researching and looking at previous literature on the dairy bred beef industry, and it indicated that while dairy-bred beef is not a new initiative, it is something that is

Gabriella presented her findings to NFU staff and stakeholders recently, and begins her graduate job with Fisher German this month

Research recommendations to improve the effectiveness of collaborative groups • • •

• •

•

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Farmers want to see as much information as possible before joining a collaborative group. All farmers in the beef supply chain should feel supported by the organisation they are supplying. Farmers must be listened to, and putting their needs into action will help build their trust and attract all beef farmers, not just dairy farmers. Ensure farms are economically sustainable before focusing on environmental sustainability. Communication should flow throughout the supply chain from the finisher to the dairy farmer. This will allow farmers to improve, adapt, or keep doing what they’re doing in order to produce the best animal for the market and consumer. When creating a supply chain, it is important to consider that calf rearers can be hard to find and effort should be made to highlight rewards and opportunities for farmers. It is crucial to raise awareness with consumers and translate their needs down the supply chain.

starting to grow in popularity,” she said. Furthermore, she found that the willingness of beef farmers to join these groups, as well as the suitability of these systems for the beef supply chain, is something that had not been widely investigated. Gabriella continued: “With the current climate change concerns, as well as the financial uncertainties farmers face, there may now, more than ever, be a need for farmers to come together and support themselves in producing British beef."

Collaborative farming?

In this context, it is all about linking the supply chain together, possibly using collaborative farmer groups. Gabriella said: “Essentially, this is about farmers working together, sharing data and communicating. I think it’s important farmers know where their animals are going and can communicate with the other famers if they wish. “Obviously it’s a lot easier to describe the ideal scenario. It appears that there is room in the industry for collaboration that increases communication among farmers, working towards environmentally-friendly and financially sustainable beef production to help put British beef securely on the map.”

How did she conduct the research?

Gabriella, and her contacts from the NFU food chain and dairy teams, got as many farmers as possible to fill in a questionnaire, and in total, 119 participants took part. The respondents were

September 2021

14/09/2021 11:31:34

Research

predominantly male dairy and beef farmers from across England She also conducted interviews of key industry stakeholders to give an alternative point of view from the supply chain. These stakeholders remained anonymous for the research purposes.

Who was interviewed? • • •

•

36% of the farmers were dairy farmers 38% of the farmers were suckler farmers 26% of the farmers were beef rearers, growers or finishers and didn’t have any calves born on the farm Some key stakeholders interviewed wanted to be kept anonymous.

76%

agreed the beef product should be traceable from the farmer to the final product.

What were the results?

Most farmers are financially driven when making business, changes but they are also starting to consider environmental sustainability as an important element of their enterprise. Suckler farmers often had a negative attitude towards dairy-bred beef. However, there is evidence that this opinion is evolving, with more farmers becoming open to the idea. The data also suggested few farmers would currently join a collaborative group, as most are discouraged by not having enough knowledge on how it would work. That said, 18.5% said they would be interested and 26.1% would consider joining with more information. Interviews of key industry stakeholders showed that organisations began their journey into dairybred beef to try and eradicate euthanasia in dairy bull calves. As this is a frequently considered issue in the dairy sector, Gabriella said: “The evidence supports the fact that by working together, we can continue to eradicate calf euthanasia while addressing potential issues in the industry.”

What about consumers?

Consumers often think they know what they want but are not always being given the option. Gabriella said: "Actually what a consumer says they want when they walk into a supermarket is often different to when they are asked why they brought that particular product. "It was also suggested that often the consumer trusts that the retailer is already meeting their expectation." Her research suggested that more farmers need to be aware of what the consumer wants and theat they want to be aware of this. 62% of respondents agreed that consumer expectations are a priority for beef production and 76% agreed the beef product should be traceable from the farmer to the final product. September 2021

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14/09/2021 11:31:55

IT’S FREE YOU SAY?

THE S&YFAP

MAY 2020

THE NEW NOR

NFU Student & Young Farmer membership is free to students and YFC members. It allows you to have a say and to contribute towards the future of agriculture, 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: • Student Farmer 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 more) • Save 25% on ATV helmets and safety clothing from Spada

SEPTEMBER

Cameron Knee

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MAL EDITION

2020

From Birmingh am to Brussels, and London to lambing, the NFU Stud Eveey ent & rYoung Farm Hunte Ambassadors er share from the year highlights in their own words

THE TAKEOVE

Josie

Troop R EDITION

THE NEW NORMAL

APRIL 2021

Joe Bramall

21/04/2020

11:23:02

We might be

virtually meet ing, but we're still actually farm ing

MEET THE NEW AMBASSADOR S

Representing young people in farmi ng

Katie Smith

CLIMATE CHAN GE CHALLENGE Will your farm be net zero by 2040 ?

THIS IS A TAKEOVER Lauren David

The NFU Stud Matthew Rollas on

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Nia Borsey

ent & Young Farmer Ambassa dors are taking their magazine back Zoe Legg

01/09/2020

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TAKEOVER EDIT ION

10:39:52

13/04/2021

13:10:10

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTORS WITH FARMING SKILLS WANTED • • •

Are you a expert in technical farming skills? Do you work in farming and are looking to supplement your income? Would you consider diversifying into training instruction?

Read on if you're interested in earning £250 a day* as a freelance Lantra training instructor: Lantra develops high quality, specialist training for land-based sectors. Our courses are recognised by industry for their quality and technical content. Lantra is currently looking for skilled and experienced farming industry experts to join our team as Instructors to deliver our tractor driving, ATV, 4X4, pesticide, pest control and forklift training. At the moment, there’s also a national shortage of forklift drivers, so we’re really keen to find new instructors to help us meet the anticipated additional demand for training. As a freelance instructor, you’ll have the freedom of working for yourself but with the full support of the Lantra team and our high-quality training materials behind you. Once you’ve been approved, you can literally work where and when you want. The more areas you’re skilled in, the more work you’ll get. If you think you’ve got what it takes, contact the Instructor Network Team on 02476 696 996 or visit www.lantra.co.uk to find out what’s involved. (Terms and conditions apply. *Earning potential based on average national day rate. Costs are applicable for initial application, skills additions and instructional techniques training).

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September 2021

14/09/2021 11:32:59

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STUDENT FARMER

Articles inside

GET POLITICAL WITH EASE

WE'RE BACK (BRITISH FARMING

TALK TO EACH OTHER

DON'T GET SCURVY

STRENGTH IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR WEALTH

BECOMING A NEW FACE FOR FARMING

MAKE YOUR CV STAND OUT

IMPROVING YOUR GRID GAME

DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO

TAKING CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

THE DAIRY SUPERWOMAN

ARE YOU UP FOR THE S&YFAP CHALLENGE?