#STUDENTFARMER - SEPTEMBER 2020

THE NEW NORMAL EDITION

SEPTEMBER 2020

Cameron Knee

Joe Bramall

Eveey Hunter

Harriett Bartlett

THE NEW NORMAL

Josie Troop

Karl Franklin

We might be virtually meeting, but we're still actually farming

Katie Smith

MEET THE NEW AMBASSADORS

CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGE

Representing young people in farming

Will your farm be net zero by 2040?

Matthew Rollason

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Nia Borsey

Lauren David

Zoe Legg

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#CONTENTS

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PUBLISHED BY: NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ FILLED WITH WORDS BY: Huw Hopkins, Orla McIlduff, Katie Smith, Ruth Wills, Zoe Legg, Hannah Lukins DESIGNED BY: John Cottle PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS: John Cottle, Toby Lea, Jamie Girdler, Amy Walduck, Simon Hadley for McDonald's, Hartpury University, Dylan Muriambihu, Peter Rhys Williams, Chris Booth, Stephen Pond, Howard Barlow, Emily Whitfield-Wicks, iStock, Shutterstock, Zoe Legg, Katie Smith, Alex Baylis, Dickies TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT: Alan Brown alan.brown@nfu.org.uk CONTACT: studentfarmer@nfu.org.uk /StudentFarmer @studentfarmer @studentfarmer

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IN WITH THE NEW OUT WITH THE OLD FARMING THROUGH LOCKDOWN SAVE THE WORLD – MISSION IMPOSSIBLE? TOP TIPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH COURTING DURING COVID-19 BLACK AND FARMING TEACHING SAFELY CLIMBING THE GOLDEN ARCHES DON’T GET SCURVY DAIRY TECHNOLOGY NET ZERO RESEARCH DISSERTATION DISCOURSE BACK BRITISH FARMING

THE NEW NORMAL Oh, hey there! I’m Orla, and although I’ve written lots for #StudentFarmer before, this is my first time as editor.

What a weird time to be alive, right?

2020 is not the year we were expecting, but through all the craziness, it’s incredible to think that you guys; our farmers, growers, scientists, vets, agronomists and more, are still working your backsides off to ensure the nation is fed. Thank you.

The hard work you’ve put in this year is exactly why we need to let the government know how important the farming industry is. Back British Farming Day, on 9 September, is going virtual this year, and if you flick to page 38, we’ve got 10 easy ways for you to get involved at a safe social distance!

One group of people who we know will be awesome at supporting Back British Farming Day is our NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors.

We want to give a big welcome to our new cohort, so to find out more about them, turn to page four. It was really difficult to choose from all the fantastic applications we received, and for those of you who didn’t quite make it, we'd love to see you apply again next year.

So what happened to last year’s ambassadors? They’re still flying the flag for British farming, but their lives have changed a lot since we first met them. Check out what they’re doing now on page eight.

One issue that is never far from our minds here at #StudentFarmer is climate change, and we’ve joined our friends at NFYFC on the Climate Change Challenge. Our aim is to get the word out that climate change is something everyone in the industry (and beyond) needs to take responsibility for. Find out more on page 12.

Finally, if this month marks a new school, college or uni term for you, I wish you the best of luck and I’m sure it’ll be a semester you don’t forget for a very long time. Stay safe.

Orla McIlduff Editor, #StudentFarmer September 2020

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#S&YFAP

TAKING THE WHEEL

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Despite lockdown initially scuppering our plans (who doesn’t love a bit of improvisation?) we’ve recruited 11 new Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors to represent young people in farming for the next year. They’ve got big boots to fill, but we reckon they’re up to the challenge

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September 2020

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#S&YFAP

WEST MIDLANDS

A student at Harper Adams and Keele universities, Katie has developed a great agriculture network despite being a new entrant and growing up in suburban Birmingham.

She has been keen to get involved with the NFU in recent years, after experiencing a trip to the Lord Mayor’s Show in 2018 and writing about her smallholding experience in #StudentFarmer magazine.

EAST ANGLIA

After attending NFU Conference this year, Eveey saw the work of the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme and was inspired to do her part. She’s got her hands dirty by jumping straight into a life of work and currently spends her time arable farming. Eveey wants to use this experience to dispel some of the myths surrounding agriculture within the general public and is passionate about education.

EAST MIDLANDS

Family beef farmer Josie has a great understanding of life on farm as well as industry experience including working at 2 Sisters. But she has also been involved with the NFU at local and regional meetings, and regularly attends YFC groups promoting agri-education. Josie was impressed with the success of the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme last year, and now gets a chance to do it herself.

“SO HAPPY TO HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THIS AMAZING PROGRAMME. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT THE YEAR BRINGS!”

NORTH EAST

Cameron’s passion for crops led him to becoming an agri-consultant and agronomist for Strutt & Parker.

He now wants to help influence the positive image of farming, based on his learnings from writing regular crop reports for farmers along the EnglishScottish border. He is passionate about education and getting in front of the general public to help highlight British standards. He is also the secretary for the Northern Farming Conference.

NORTH WEST

Working at Dunbia helps Matthew when rearing his own cattle in Lancashire. He was inspired to get more involved with the NFU after speaking with President Minette Batters and wants to use the opportunity to promote the enormous value of UK agriculture to the British public.

A silver award winner at the British Farming Awards in 2018, Matthew means business.

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#S&YFAP

SOUTH WEST

NFU CYMRU

Having grown up on a beef and sheep farm in Wales, agriculture runs through Lauren’s veins.

Her family business supplies meat to Michelin-star restaurants, where she has worked, and is adding value by building a dry-aged beef chamber on site.

Working on projects such as ‘Cows On Tour’, Lauren has a good head for campaigns and promoting the importance of British. She is currently studying at the University of Reading.

While the Back British Farming campaign rumbles on, it requires lots of mini campaign activity to keep people engaged, which is what Zoe has done. Her ‘Let’s Go British’ Instagram page shares recipes, mental health tips, farming experiences and tales from lockdown, but she will now be helping the NFU as part of the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme.

NORTH WEST

In school, Joe was the only one from a farming family and this made him passionate about sharing the story of British agriculture. He is the only dairy farmer of the group and wants the best for the sector, which is why he wants to secure political support for farming in the Agriculture Bill. He also builds up thousands of views promoting farming on his YouTube channel and studies at Harper Adams University.

EAST ANGLIA

As a PhD student exploring the relationship between greenhouse gasses, land use and supply chains, Harriet’s analytical brain will bring a fresh approach to the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme. She is a passionate advocate for young people and diversity within the industry and her research at the University of Cambridge provides a fantastic platform to shout about great British food standards.

“REALLY PROUD TO BE AN NFU STUDENT & YOUNG FARMER AMBASSADOR! EXCITED TO MEET THE TEAM AND #BACKBRITISHFARMING TOGETHER!”

SOUTH EAST

NFU CYMRU

This family farmer from North Wales already has a regular column in the Shropshire Star and has promoted what she does in Farmers’ Weekly. Aside from helping out on farm, she is a rural planner and has plenty of experience of talking to parish councils and the general public, which will be useful when promoting the best of British farming. She is also secretary of Betws-yn-Rhos YFC, getting involved in running events and competitions.

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He might be a new entrant into farming, but Karl runs a 60-acre smallholding that fattens a small sheep flock. He sells the lamb to the public and also has ornamental interests via his private gardening enterprise. Formerly a chef, Karl has a great appreciation for tasty, nutritious food, and he is looking forward to promoting the NFU and farming as part of his role as a cub scout leader.

Keep up to date with how the ambassadors get on over the next year by following @StudentFarmer on Instagram and Twitter

September 2020

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#S&YFAP

It’s been a crazy year since we introduced you to the first cohort of incredible representatives on the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme.

Leaving the EU, living through a global pandemic and many video-calls later, here is what the future holds for our S&YFAP trailblazers!

GEORGINA BARRATT EAST MIDLANDS

I’ll be finishing my PhD in sugar beet water-use efficiency in September, then moving to Norwich to start a job as an applied crop scientist at the British Beet Research Association.

The S&YFAP has given me an in-depth understanding of NFU work. A highlight for me has to be the Lord Mayor’s Show, bringing the #BackBritishFarming message to the public and being cheered on by thousands of people.

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HARRY MADIN NORTH WEST

I’ve moved back home to Derbyshire and am now managing a flock of 800 sheep for a local estate alongside starting my own flock of Derbyshire Gritstone sheep with my brother.

The S&YFAP 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.

September 2020

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#S&YFAP

ANNA HUNT EAST ANGLIA

Having graduated from Durham University this summer, I am currently working at home on our family farm.

I would have loved to spend a year working in Australia, but my plans have been put on hold because of Covid-19. I am currently looking for jobs and am aspiring to a career in farm management.

The S&YFAP has been such a great opportunity. It has been great to meet like-minded people within the industry, have guidance in crucial skills and to have our voices heard as part of the future of farming.

POPPY BURROUGH SOUTH WEST

I’m about to start my third and final year of my apprenticeship at JCB, based in the agricultural sales and marketing department, and I will be ready to qualify as a technician engineer next year.

As sad as I’ll be not to be an ambassador, I know the NFU will be there to support me. The great diversity within the group saw a great range of opinions coming out on the subjects we approached.

GETHIN JOHNSON NFU CYMRU

With six weeks of wheelin’, dealin’, haulin’ grass and earning brass coming to an end, it’ll be time to return to the day job of teaching agricultural engineering at Gelli Aur campus. This year will be like no other due to the impact of Covid-19, but one thing that won’t change is the demand for the next generation of passionate young farmers in the industry.

To be one of ten like-minded young farmers on the programme this year has been an incredible experience.

From parading a tractor through the streets of London to being sat in the European Parliament in Brussels, it’s truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

JJ MACLEOD WEST MIDLANDS

I am now in my third year working as an assistant farm manager at Yazor Court in Herefordshire. I am thoroughly enjoying my role and love the diversity of life on the farm, growing combinable crops, potatoes, cider apples and rearing broiler chickens.

The best part of the S&YFAP is the people you meet along the way. We have formed a tight-knit group during our term, supported by the incredible NFU team who work tirelessly to support their members through thick and thin.

SIONED DAVIES NFU CYMRU

I finished my degree in agri-food marketing with business studies at Harper Adams University. Even though Covid-19 has meant a change to summer plans, it’s been great to spend some time at home on the farm. I’m looking forward to a new adventure in September when I’ll be moving to Chester to start a job at Oxbury, a new agricultural bank.

My S&YFAP highlight would have to be the trip to Brussels to discover what the future trading relationship with Europe could look like.

DANIEL WELLS SOUTH EAST

I’m a few weeks off moving to an estate near Shrewsbury in Shropshire to take up a new role working with a large-scale farming company, where I’ll be continuing to work within the dairy sector.

A year after starting on the S&YFAP, I’m leaving with friends that I truly believe will be for life. I now believe I can tell people about my way into agriculture and that they will listen and respect me for who I am and what I’ve done.

GEORGE BISS SOUTH EAST

After four years farming on the Isle of Wight, I have now moved over the pond and now work on a farm of 1,200 acres. I am gamekeeping now with the intention of one day overseeing the day-to-day running of the farm, whether it’s working with contractors or a woodland management scheme.

The S&YFAP has allowed me to gain an insight into the fundamental work the NFU does. I have learned about how it benefits the industry but also people like me with the support and knowledge it provides.

SOPHIE THORNTON NORTH EAST

I recently finished working for Promar International and now I’ve moved to mid Wales to start a new job. My new role is based in the merchandising and category management department at Avara Foods.

The programme has taught me a lot about what the NFU does and myself in general. When the programme began, I could never have imagined I would have the opportunity to meet and hear from so many inspirational and influential industry speakers.

Not only that, but I have made friends for life with my fellow ambassadors.

September 2020

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#NEWNORMAL

HOW WE FARM IN

2020

Lockdown restrictions may be lifting but social distancing looks like it’s here to stay for the foreseeable future. So how can agriculture adjust to incorporate safe distancing guidelines? Ruth Wills finds out.

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KEEP INFORMED

Our NFU colleagues are all doing their best to help you all get through this really weird time. NFUonline has a dedicated coronavirus hub, which shares all the latest guidance help and advice for farming safely and effectively through coronavirus, so visit it to keep it up to date

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USE ALL THE TECH AVAILABLE

Farm consultant Alastair Johnston has kept in contact with his clients via video calls and WhatsApp. He said: “As soon as we entered lockdown we knew that farmers would be under pressure, so we started communicating with them – in a different way. We haven’t just gone ‘sorry we’re shut’.”

He has a farm risk assessment in place, and records when he goes to a farm and who he saw. “We limit to two visits a day, have no unnecessary meetings, and don’t go into the house. We are aware of the people who are vulnerable or self-isolating and we have PPE; hand sanitiser, gloves and masks.”

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ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PPE

For many people, the days of hopping from farm to farm are gone.

Dave Northcott, who sells livestock feed, said: “Appointments have to be made with our customers and on the way to the farm I have to confirm the farmer is still available for the appointment and everyone is well on the farm.

“When I arrive, everything takes place outside at a two-metre distance, and we are wearing PPE.” Silage analysis and fresh grass samples can take place without the farmer present.

“If I need to take silage samples I will do that without seeing the farmer; while I do, I can have a look at the cows for things like body condition score and rumen fill – although they are aware I’m on farm, I phone or email them later to chat about what I have observed.”

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WORK INDEPENDENTLY (AND SAFELY) WHERE POSSIBLE

For agronomist Anthony Ellis, soil sampling now takes place alone.

He said: “I’m still crop walking and soil sampling but I’m doing it alone – with a map, so I know where to go.

“On occasions when I have to speak to a farmer it has been done outside, from a two-metre distance, otherwise it has been over the phone or email. Before, I would have gone back with the soil sample results, sat down and discussed them, but now it’s taking place over the phone with an email copy in front of us.”

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LOOK OUT FOR GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR FARMS

It hasn’t been a great time for a lot of farms’ bank balances. While a lot of the deadlines to apply for Covid-19 business funding have passed, it may be that more opportunities for financial support become available in the future. Keep an eye on NFUonline for the latest help and information about these opportunities.

For the latest help and advice for steering your farm through Covid-19, visit NFUonline.com/news/ coronavirus-updates-and-advice/ September 2020

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#NEWNORMAL

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his climate change stuff is pretty crazy, right? Like, the world is on fire. And sure, it makes for a couple of extra days in the summer when it feels more like being on holiday in Spain rather than a traditionally cool and occasionally showery British June, July and August.

But for a country that produces food in the way we’ve been able to, thanks to our maritime climate, we’ve faced new challenges that are going to get worse.

This is why it’s stupidly important for the NFU and the UK’s farmers to take on the challenge of being net zero in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Or as NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts put it: “We are at a moment in time when the world and our nation are facing a great many challenges. The impacts of climate change are arguably one of the greatest challenges, but they also present an opportunity for British agriculture to showcase real leadership when it comes to sustainable farming. This is precisely why we have set an ambition for British farming to be carbon neutral by 2040.”

Agriculture has long been attacked for producing high emissions, but the UK’s farming system is not as bad as you might hear on climate change documentaries or in vegan societies’ mission statements.

Unlike other industries that create a lot of greenhouse gasses – transport, business, energy and residential – farming acts as a

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sink. This means cows might burp, but the soil and vegetation can absorb a lot of it and will turn it into something productive.

For more on the science of climate change, flick to page 32.

But we need to do more than just sit back and relax on our moral high ground, which is why the NFU and NFU Cymru has joined the Defra-funded challenge set out by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC), along with Championing the Farmed Environment (CFE), as well as farming unions in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

All four UK farming nations will promote the Climate Change Challenge

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#NEWNORMAL #NETZERO

to get younger farmers and the next generation of land managers to think about farming in the most environmentally friendly way. You need to create a video – it can be a recorded selfie, you can get help, it can be one clip, or several edited together, or you can animate your plans – and share ideas, or good examples of environmentally friendly farming.

Winners will be chosen for each nation, but the best entry to come out of England will become a Student & Young Farmer Ambassador for two days, as the programme takes an environmentally friendly farming trip around the country. The first stop will be to the Allerton Project in Loddington with Phil Jarvis, where the ambassadors will get to see sustainable practices in action and hear from environmental experts at the NFU and CFE. The group will then travel to London for an overnight stay and will meet the NFU’s External Affairs team in Westminster to see how those farming techniques are influenced by environmental policy.

The NFYFC launched a series of lockdown competitions during the summer in a bid to keep everyone connected, and one of these was a Defrafunded Climate Change Challenge. Such brilliant ideas came from it that Defra wants to hear more from the younger generation of farmers, which is why we have rolled out this larger partnership.

NFYFC’s AGRI Chairman George Baxter said: “I would encourage those entering to be creative, bold and brave. If you have

ideas for the future that you’d like taking seriously, start filming and get ready to share. As we emerge from the current Covid-19 restrictions, you could be representing the voice of UK young farmers at home and internationally.”

Between 7 September and 13 December, the new Climate Change Challenge will be open for entries, and all ideas will help CFE and the NFU build a report on environmentally friendly farming, which will be highlighted at the world’s biggest climate change conference, the United Nations’ COP26 on 1-12 November, 2021. Ultimately, your work could influence the most important decision makers in the world, and you could join an amazing trip with the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme.

So what are you waiting for? Pull your thinking camps on, get your phones out, and upload a video to NFYC.org.uk/ climatechallenge/ with your best ideas to tackle climate change on farms.

September 2020

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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 • 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% 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 ADVERTPAGES.indd 4

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TOP TIPS FOR FEELING TIP TOP

At #StudentFarmer, we know that looking after our mental health is really important, especially as it’s something that’s not spoken about enough in agriculture. This year, when we may be feeling isolated or scared, it’s even more important to keep ourselves in tip-top shape. Our new Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors share their top tips for keeping your head happy and healthy.

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TAKE A BREAK

Josie Troop wants us to remember to take some time for ourselves: “Turning off the tractor and having a cold drink or a cup of tea for five or ten minutes when you need it is important. It’s too easy to get swept up in what you’re doing that day!”

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WRITING A LIST

Zoe Legg, who blogs about mental health on her YouTube channel, said: “I try to write a list each day of the things I’m thankful for. It makes me appreciate all I’ve achieved.”

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EXERCISE (AND FURRY FRIENDS)

Eveey Hunter loves a walk with her dogs to make her feel better: “Getting fresh air and exercise every day really helps you stop and think about the important things in life apart from work and farming. And obviously dogs love us no matter how much money the farm doesn’t have in the bank!”

LEAVE THE FARM

Farming is our way of life, but Cameron thinks it’s important to get away. He said: “Especially in a year like this, it can get pretty depressing looking at poor crops and flooded fields. When you come back to the farm, most things aren’t as bad as you remembered and you have a fresh attitude to tackle problems.”

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LISTENING TO MUSIC

All the ambassadors seem to agree that music is a great way to unwind. And they all seem to be pretty keen on country music, which shouldn’t be a surprise, but Cameron Knee said his family is sick of hearing travel updates from Texas on the radio. Maybe the ambassador group trip could go to Nashville this year? Anyone agree?!

SHARING THE LOAD

Lauren David, Nia Borsey and Katie Smith think that a problem shared is a problem halved. Lauren said: “Making sure you can catch up with friends and family is important because agriculture can be such an isolated lifestyle.” Nia added: “Even if it’s a fiveminute phonecall and you can hear machinery in the background, it helps to talk if you can’t see people physically!”

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SEEK HELP

If things are really getting on top of you, it’s OK to ask for help from a professional, like a charity or even your GP. Harriet Bartlett said: “I think it's really important to normalise therapy and counselling.”

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH YOUR MENTAL HEALTH, THESE HELPLINES AND WEBSITES HAVE LOTS OF RESOURCES TO HELP: • Farming Community Network Call 03000 111 999 or visit fcn.org.uk • Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) Call 08082 819 490 or visit RABI.org.uk • The DPJ Foundation Call 08005 874 262 or visit @DPJFoundation on Twitter • YANA (You Are Not Alone) Call 03003 230 400 or visit YANAhelp.org

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LOVE IN LOCKDOWN

This year has been weird, right? Well imagine if the love of your life was living 180 miles away and you couldn’t see each other for months. Orla McIlduff speaks to two rural lovebirds about the challenges of long distance in 2020.

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’m hopeless at romance,” admits Jamie Girdler, although maybe he should change that to “was” because for the last year he’s been happily dating Amy Walduck and they seem to be a match made in heaven. Or a match made online as the case may be.

Amy, 26, worked across a few different industries, including hospitality and recently in fashion before settling on a job in the food and drink sector. She says: “The food and drink industry is what I enjoy, I love local produce.”

Jamie, 28, who’s from rural Berkshire and runs his own welding and fabrication business, has the same values as Amy when it comes to supporting the rural community. It’s partly why he was interested in using Muddy Matches, a dating website that connects people with

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a vested interest in the countryside, as opposed to bigger online dating sites. A client of his suggested he use it, and he’s very glad he did.

Amy had previously used other dating websites but knew they weren’t for her.

She explains: “I found the other apps were ok but neither Jamie nor I like the vanity of them; choosing a partner based on looks isn’t our thing. On Muddy Matches, you have to write a profile and I knew I wanted a more long-lasting and meaningful relationship than people I’d spoken to before on other apps.”

The couple started chatting in July 2019 and, following phone calls plus many long messages, a real-life date was soon on the cards. They met about halfway in Cambridge for a coffee and picnic, before the English rain derailed that plan and they

took an impromptu trip to the cinema.

Jamie describes their first meeting like the opening scene of a movie: “I was sat outside the train station, there were hordes of people (difficult to imagine in the current times) and I just saw this girl move into the centre of the square, spinning around in a red dress. She was obviously looking around trying to find me but she really caught my eye, a flicker of colour among the dark grey.”

They knew they enjoyed speaking to one another before they met, but as daters in the internet era will understand, you never know if you’re going to click with someone until you first meet. It was a good sign then, that neither Jamie nor Amy wanted their first date to end, only parting in the evening when they realised they’d have to catch their respective trains home in

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#NEWNORMAL

“WE’RE BOTH OLD SOULS, NOT KEEN ON MOD-CONS. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE WE ARE, AS LONG AS WE’RE TOGETHER” opposite directions.

Since then, the pair have been having a great time together, filled with “mini-moments” as Jamie describes them, where they adventure to a new area for a weekend or few days together. He explains: “We’re both keen on old-fashioned values and respect, it feels like people haven’t been displaying much respect in current times.” Amy agrees, adding: “We’re both old souls, not keen on mod-cons. It doesn’t matter where we are, as long as we’re together.”

That was until Covid-19 struck, of course. The distance and lockdown could have put a spanner in the works for the blossoming romance, but Amy feels that rather than causing difficulties, they had the upper-hand over couples who

Mooland the Highland Cow joins Jamie and Amy on their travels

were used to seeing each other regularly.

She says: “We were at an advantage because we’d already been not seeing each other; if you’re used to seeing each other every day it would be way worse!”

They reverted back to how they’d been corresponding before they met; many phone calls and texts to one another.

It’s a seven-hour round trip from Norfolk to Berkshire, but that didn’t stop Amy from making the journey to see Jamie for the day once it was allowed: “I came down and surprised him one day. I got up at 5am and did the journey, so I was able to spend a substantial part of the day with him. I got back after midnight and went to work the next day, but it was absolutely worth it because we hadn’t seen each other in so long by that point.”

Jamie adds: “I was covered in welding splatter and I saw Amy on the driveway and nearly passed out! It was so nice to see her because even though we live far away we’d been meeting up for spontaneous trips and holidays quite frequently.”

Now they’re in each others’ “bubbles”, they’ve been doing a lot of camping, with Jamie investing in a bell tent for rural staycations this year. He says: “It’s nice for us, especially this year, to travel about and have our own space because we do still live with our parents.”

While long-distance is fine for the now, it’s safe to assume they won’t want to be doing it forever. Amy says they’ve recently had a conversation about where they see themselves in the future: “We would love

to find somewhere to live together, and we’d love that to be within a year really.

It’s just quite difficult with Jamie’s work because he runs his own business and has all his clients and suppliers in Berkshire. I would be happy to move down there but we’re just waiting a little longer to figure out where we’d like to be geographically.”

Jamie adds: “I’d never been to Norfolk before, but I got there and now I absolutely love it. I’ve got a Land Rover Defender and when I got to Norfolk I’d never seen as many as there are there. Amy loves it too, so I thought if I could find someone who loves my dog, Shadow, as well as my Defender, I’m on to a winner.”

Between dogs and Defenders, the country lifestyle really does suit Jamie and Amy, and it’s certain that wherever they end up, it will be in the countryside. Their passion for food and farming has even infiltrated into their pet names for one another, calling each other “Moo”. They even have a toy cow named ‘Mooland’ (pictured left) who goes everywhere with them on their travels.

It’s uplifting to speak to a couple who can take a positive from all the negatives this year. Amy thinks the long-distance and separation has made them stronger: “It makes it really special when you do see each other; you really appreciate the time that you have together. We like the simple things, we’re not high maintenance or materialistic.”

In Amy’s words, the first year of the relationship has been a bit “bumpy” but if they can survive 180 miles and Covid-19, they’re certainly on the right track.

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#NEWNORMAL

BLACK FARMERS MATTER

Racism in UK farming is not the biggest problem, but how we support people of colour might need to change. Dylan Muriambihu explains why to Huw Hopkins.

W

hen a police officer knelt on George Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, the echoes of his death were heard around the world. Marches in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and across the United Kingdom and United States heard similar chants, calling for equality and an end to police brutality and racism.

But away from the city streets, on isolated farmland, those echoes started to dissipate. Not because the British farming community is insensitive to the concept of people experiencing discrimination, but because the Black Lives Matter movement doesn’t necessarily directly impact the predominantly white industry.

“I think most farmers just saw it as another general news story that doesn’t affect them,” says farmer Dylan Muriambihu.

For him, however, George Floyd’s death reverberated around Broomhurst Farm in Chichester: “If someone were to ask me about acceptance within British agriculture, I would say it’s been an amazing experience – 95% of people are so friendly and welcoming. I would not tell someone not to join.

“It’s just that there is a lack of representation. Therefore, people don’t know how to react or express themselves.”

Brits not being able to properly emote is not new. You only have to re-watch an episode of Downton Abbey to see how being emotionally stunted was considered polite in high society. But it

does mean that we struggle to engage in uncomfortable conversations sometimes.

Until 2012, Dylan farmed in Namibia, which is a racially-charged, largely segregated African nation. Farming is among the biggest form of employment and income, but the people who work the land – including Dylan’s father – aren’t as concerned with pesticide approval or BPS payments. They are more worried about fixing the fence that a wild elephant knocked down before a local pride of lions attacks the livestock.

He said: “Everything about who we are and what we do relates to farming. Being a third-world country, we’re still behind in a lot of stuff, so I wanted to experience different ways of working and learn how to improve things.”

He is currently farming in the UK, and will move to Australia for a few years before returning home, taking skills and knowledge to help his family farm.

For now, he works with David and Caroline Harriott, who are tenants at Broomhurst Farm. Dylan has built up a great relationship with them during the past four years, to the point where he had enough courage to talk to them about the recent Black Lives Matters protests.

Dylan said: “There was this big movement happening in the world, and I felt that people in agriculture were not voicing their opinion.

“It doesn’t have to be much; post something on an Instagram story or something. But for someone of colour within the industry, they are going to feel so under-represented. If there’s a 16-year-

After growing up in Namibia, Dylan now farms near Chichester

old on a farm somewhere, they’re thinking ‘what about me?’.”

During the peak of the summer’s protests, NFU President Minette Batters said: “The NFU stands firmly behind the Black Lives Matter campaign and we will never tolerate racism in any form within our organisation or the wider farming community.

“We are committed to encouraging diversity in the NFU and supporting it in the farming community. The NFU and British farming is open to anyone who wants to pursue a career in our fantastic industry.”

The 24-year-old has received racist messages on social media or heard occasional comments in person, but he wanted to reiterate what a largely positive experience UK farming had been. He said: “I’m from a racist part of the world. Racism comes with being black. It doesn’t upset me because I’m desensitised to it.”

However, there are young British people of colour who work on farms. They were born here, their parents were born here, and while Dylan might not stay in the UK for the rest of his farming career, he wants to know that the next time a racial injustice occurs in this country, those young farmers don’t feel abandoned by the industry they love.

September 2020

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#NEWNORMAL

SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Summer has come and gone, but Covid-19 shut down the

2019-20 academic year early, so how did agri-colleges get everything ready to open safely in September?

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September 2020

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S

tarting your first term at college is hard enough. Making new friends can be daunting, finding your way around a new place can be confusing, and getting used to classrooms and teachers can be intimidating. And that’s in any old normal year.

Throw in the fact that you can’t get too close to new people because they could unknowingly have coronavirus, or that the corridors are now only a one-way system to reduce any potential spread, or that some teachers are now working remotely and their classrooms are all virtual, and it all feels a little bit harder.

Thankfully, most of Britain’s agricolleges and universities are well prepared.

“When we first went into lockdown, we had 140 residential students, and there were still a handful here in August.

We used them as model to build on for September and we’ve already got some great things in place.”

This is Becca Hayhurst, who is the head of student services at Harper Adams University. She said: “Our catering team has put together food packages – with locally-sourced meat and fresh veg – and they’ve prepared meals. We’ve got a number of ways to ensure students have easy ways to look after themselves, such as breaking them up into herds.”

Having groups, or herds, that can interact in any way they want will ensure there are plenty of people in each bubble, so new students will have plenty of friends and be able to socialise with others who have various interests. But the social side of higher education is just part of the experience – there is learning to be done!

Hartpury University Vice-Chancellor Russell Marchant said: “Hartpury University and Hartpury College both plan

#NEWNORMAL

“OUR SHOOTING CLUB CAN RUN RELATIVELY NORMALLY, AND THE ONLINE GAMING SOCIETY WILL THRIVE. IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THESE GOING, AS A LOT OF CONNECTIONS CAN BE CRITICAL TO THE ENJOYMENT OF UNIVERSITY.” to teach students via a mixed-delivery model. This blended learning approach will include teaching students face-to-face as much as possible within government guidelines, combined with online lessons and academic delivery.

“We will be endeavouring to ensure students still experience practical skills sessions but in a very controlled way. It is essential our students still get the practical skills that industry requires.”

Agriculture is built on practical skills, so not getting out into the field or working with animals could have detrimental effects on the nation’s next generation of farmers. To ensure students won’t miss out on anything, different colleges are extending teaching hours, which will allow more time in between lectures for cleaning, while moving smaller classes into bigger rooms for suitable distancing.

This goes for most – but not all – sports and societies as well. Becca spoke about some of the activities at Harper this year: “Our rugby team, for example, will not able to do training in the traditional way to start the year, but they will be able to

do things like circuit training. We are still keen to build up communities and clubs, and some activities lend themselves well to distancing. Things like our shooting club can run relatively normally, and the online gaming society will thrive. It’s important to try to keep these going, as a lot of connections can be critical to the enjoyment of university.”

Colleges, schools and universities will do what they can to help minimise the risk and keep students healthy, but don’t take it lightly. Lockdowns in cities and regions of the country, as well as on farms and food production plants show that local spikes will happen. Everyone needs to play their part.

Russell said: “It is intended that college and new undergraduate university students will arrive on campus in September, whilst second and third-year university students will enrol online in September and physically return to campus later in October.

“We will continue to keep current and future students, and staff, updated with further information and details as plans develop in line with government advice.”

Harper is ensuring that students are taking responsibility as well, as Becca explained: “We’ve got hand sanitiser everywhere. Signs everywhere. But we have also drawn up a Covid-19 Responsibility Agreement for all staff and students that outlines what the university is going to do and what everyone else has to do. Stay alert, and check emails for updates. If we stipulate you have to wear a face covering, wear it.”

It will be a weird year, but whether you’re headed to school, college or university, it can still be an incredible, safe, and rewarding experience – just don’t take it lightly.

September 2020

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#MCDONALD’S

MAKING STEADY PROGRESS

McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmers scheme is well known industry-wide, and Harriet Wilson tells #StudentFarmer why it’s important to move with the times

D

iversity and inclusion have always been important, but in recent times they have been given the prominence they deserve in the minds of the public. At the Oxford Farming Conference 2020, the opening event discussed the gender and race inequality in the agricultural sector and how we might address it.

For McDonald’s, it’s all about creating a workplace where everyone – from farmers to restaurant crew – is equally supported and empowered to realise their full potential.

We believe that the strength and diversity of people in our supply chain enables us to build a better, stronger team. So that’s why we’re championing diversity across our Progressive Young Farmers (PYF) scheme.

Every year, the McDonald’s PYF scheme gives up to nine students the chance to spend 12 months getting to know every part of their supply chain. They follow McDonald’s products from the farms they use, through to their restaurants and get the opportunity to work with a number of different suppliers, farmers and stakeholders around the country. This year, diversity and inclusion is a key focus for the placement students.

2020-21 PLACEMENTS This year’s cohort of PYFs have just started and McDonald’s is working to embed diversity and inclusion into all aspects of the PYF programme. All PYFs will receive formal diversity training and the webinar series on diversity will continue, with much more to come (so watch this space).

Each student is placed with a supplier; two in beef, two in dairy, one in pork, one in chicken and two in free-range eggs. In the past, they have had the opportunity to visit other suppliers, attend the Oxford Farming Conference and the City Food Lecture. The aim is gain as many practical skills, alongside the confidence and experience to develop future talent in agriculture. This is achieved through two three-month placements on-farm and six months of experience in the supply chain (everything from marketing to processing).

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2020 PYF GRADUATE

My name is Jess Elliman; I am 21 years old and from Hampshire.

I have a foundation degree in Agriculture & Farm Management at The Royal Agricultural University. In July, I completed the McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmer (PYF) Programme with The Lakes Free Range Egg Company in Cumbria.

I was a McDonald’s PYF when the UK went into lockdown. At the time, I found it really important to stay in touch with the other PYF students, so we set up weekly webinars.

These webinars covered topics from Nuffield Farming Scholarships to diversity and inclusivity in agriculture. The highlight for me was when Navaratnam Partheeban hosted a webinar about his work to encourage diversity and inclusion in agriculture and the veterinary industry.

Within the diversity and inclusion topic, I learnt that representation in the agriculture sector is an important issue that needs to be addressed.

Despite making up 17.5% of the UK population, Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) individuals represent just 0.8% of the UK agriculture sector.

This can be attributed to the barriers to entry such as finance, the lack of role models and access to experience. As more people are leaving agriculture, we need to encourage people of all backgrounds to see farming as a viable option for employment.

PYF SCHEME: HOW TO APPLY Applications will be open for McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmer scheme in November 2020, so keep an eye out to apply.

For more information, scan the QR code or visit www. people.mcdonalds.co.uk/ early-career-opportunities/ progressive-young-farmer/

September 2020

01/09/2020 12:10:03

#DON'TGETSCURVY

BRITISH ON A BUDGET

New Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Zoe Legg shares her story and talks about how overcoming many challenges in life has given her the drive to run her own farm-to-fork-focused social media campaign

September 2020

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#DON'TGETSCURVY

F

arming wasn’t really on my radar as a potential career.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved getting stuck in with calving on our family beef farm, but I didn’t see myself involved in a farming career.

Being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis aged 16 only supported this. But things changed about a year ago when my Dad, who single-handedly ran the farm, died unexpectedly. Within a few hours I walked out of a job I loved, and into a tractor that I had only a vague idea how to operate.

I decided to start my own social media campaign, ‘British on a Budget’, to try and highlight the importance of British agriculture and to promote its affordability. Since starting it, I’ve noticed a major boost towards positive health, mentally and physically, while coming up against the challenges of the past few years. There’s more to British farming than just tractors trundling across open fields, and as I campaign, I’m learning more. Did you know that British beef emissions are half that of

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“I DECIDED TO START MY OWN SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN, ‘BRITISH ON A BUDGET’, TO TRY AND HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE AND TO PROMOTE ITS AFFORDABILITY” the global average or that it fuels a food and drink sector worth £120 billion?

If that isn’t a strong enough argument, then maybe the NFU Net Zero by 2040 campaign might persuade you.

There are endless lists of reasons to go British, but equally there is a perception that fresh British food is a little on the pricey side, especially for students and younger people with lower salaries. I wanted to change this perception and so I set up a YouTube and Instagram account to do just that. I wouldn’t say I took to it like a duck to water, but after a few trials and errors, I got into the

swing of it and now I look forward to the challenge of a new recipe and the usually unexpectedly good outcome of each dish.

To kick things off I documented a whole week of eating only British Produce for as cheaply as possible. I didn’t think £24.88 was a bad effort. It was a really fun way of highlighting how, even during a pandemic, it’s possible to go British. Giving up coffee, however, was seriously hard!

I want to continue the campaign and I am now making different recipes; some are requested by followers of my Instagram, some are just what I feel like making. I love showing how to make them, ‘British on a Budget’ style. So, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite snack recipes that you can have a go at making yourself.

Find Zoe on YouTube by searching ‘Let's Go British’, and you can follow her on Instagram @lets.goBritish

September 2020

01/09/2020 10:47:03

#DON'TGETSCURVY

Eggy Tray Bake featuring all the leftovers – for a total of £2.09 As well as supporting all things British, I believe it’s important to look at food waste and how we can reduce this. That’s why this recipe can be adapted to incorporate any of those slightly sad looking veggies or half empty packs of British bacon. I used carrots and broccoli for this batch.

YOU WILL NEED 6 eggs • 200g of carrots • 1 broccoli • 30g of cheese • 20g of oats • INSTRUCTIONS Blend the oats in a food processor until • they resemble a flour consistency Grate the broccoli, carrots and cheese • into a bowl Add the eggs and oat flour to the bowl • and mix Pour the mixture into a lined baking tray • and cook for 15-20 mins at 170 degrees It’s that simple!

•

If you’re looking for sweeter on the go snack, then maybe apple, blueberry an these d honey oat bars ar e more maybe more for you.

YOU WILL NEED • 90g of oats • 70ml of milk • 2 tbsp of honey (or more if you’ve got a really sweet toot • 1 egg h) • 1 apple • 50g of blueberries • 30g of butter INSTRUCTIONS • Blitz up 60 grams of the oats into oat fl our using a food processor • Melt the butter • Fold the egg, milk, honey and butter to gether in a mixing • Add the processed bowl and unprocessed oa ts to the bowl • Peel the apple and cut into small chun ks • Add the cut apple and blueberries to th e mixture • Pour into a lined ba king tray or muffin cases and cook for 25 minutes at 180 de grees celsius.

As I am a celiac, bo th these recipes ca n be made gluten subbing in gluten fre free by e oats. I hope you enjoy cooking up so brilliant British recipe me s and if you’d like to see what other me been rustling up, fol als I’ve low me on social me dia.

September 2020

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27/08/2020 10:23:04

#HOWDAIRY

‘DAIR’ TO BE DIFFERENT

A three-legged milking stool? Not a chance! New NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Katie Smith checks out the dairy tech at Ridge Farm in Worcestershire

I

n the past few years, more dairy farms have shut down than ever before. With feed prices increasing and farmgate prices decreasing, this crisis could be the final straw for some dairy farmers. It has led to the need for dairy farmers to adapt, diversify and embrace technology in order to increase profits and to keep their herds viable.

Ridge Farm in Worcestershire is run by the Jordan family and they are keen to make sure dairy doesn’t fall behind the times. To keep up, they have adopted a range of technologies that have helped them to become more efficient and profitable. Their herd of 100 Holstein-Friesian cows produce milk for Arla and the family finish their own beef calves on another site too.

The Jordan brothers, James and Frank, are the fourth generation to keep the business going, and each has unique work experience that shapes how they manage the farm.

James is a recent graduate from Harper Adams University and through his studies has developed an interest in genetics. He has now taken on some of the responsibility of breeding replacement cows for the herd and improving the genetics of their cows.

Brothers James and Frank Jordan farm with their family in Worcestershire

Frank, meanwhile, spent time in New Zealand and has brought back some ideas from the other side of the world to the family farm.

One recent adaptation of the Jordans’ parlour is the addition of the ADF5 milking system, which aims to reduce incidences of mastitis in the herd, save time and money and improve efficiency. The ADF dips the teats after milking to protect them before being exposed to contagions in the environment, and sanitises the liners of the clusters, rinsing them thoroughly before they are used on the next cow.

This has led to a reduction in labour required during milking, a speedier process and has helped to improve herd health and reduce cases of mastitis in the herd.

Mastitis, a bacterial infection causing inflammation of the mammary glands, can require treatment with antibiotics.

As milk from cows treated with antibiotics cannot go into the bulk tank and must be collected separately, it reduces profitability. Decreasing incidences of mastitis is a win-win for any dairy business.

The Jordans have adopted several pieces of technology to help with breeding aspect of the enterprise. This equipment helps identify oestrous behaviours in cows (meaning they are ready for insemination) and recognises

calving cows, so farmers can oversee and ensure the safe birth of any calves.

Electronic collars are placed on the cows to monitor their temperature, activity and behaviour. The collars are linked to an app to highlight cows that may require veterinary attention, and can also identify if cows are ready for insemination. Their temperature increases during the oestrous cycle and decreases during ovulation, which gives a more accurate timescale to perform artificial insemination, and the collars help to pinpoint this.

Cameras have been installed in the sheds where dry cows are moved near to calving, and these can be accessed remotely by an app that allows the Jordans to monitor how the cow is progressing. Improving the success of their breeding programme will help them to move towards their goal of becoming a closed system.

These modifications to the farm are just a small taste of how the Jordans are striving to constantly improve their enterprise, which will hopefully allow them to continue the great work that has been done on Ridge Farm for so long.

Anyone who visits will see the passion the family has for the work that they do and the high standards of animal welfare at the forefront of their business.

For all the latest from the dairy sector, visit NFUonline.com/dairy September 2020

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01/09/2020 12:12:14

#RESEARCH

REDUCING YOUR CARBON HOOFPRINT NFU Student & Young Farmer member Hannah Lukins recently finished her undergraduate degree at the Royal Agricultural University and tells #SF about her research WHAT WERE YOU RESEARCHING?

The title of my dissertation was Are UK dairy farmers ready for the future challenges to reduce their carbon footprint?

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Internationally, countries are working towards a common goal to reduce the global threats climate change is having on the environment. Climate change is a huge concern for policy makers; restrictions and targets are being set across all aspects of industry and considering agriculture is a contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is inevitable that in the new Agricultural Bill will include new reduction challenges. However, agriculture has the unique potential to minimise and reverse the impact by becoming a carbon sink. The NFU has recognised this ability and has set a goal for UK agriculture to become Net Zero by 2040 (Ed’s note – for more on this and the NFYFC’s Climate Change Challenge, check out page 12).

WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT?

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of where their food comes from and the impact it has on the planet.

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Speaking with milk buyers, it was evident that carbon assessments are becoming standard; they want to see their suppliers setting targets and making progress towards lowering their emissions.

This study found that dairy farmers who had completed a carbon assessment generally felt more prepared than those who hadn’t. Farm Carbon Cutting Toolkit, Cool Farm Tool and AgRE Calc are available for free to calculate on-farm emissions, and the NFU Net Zero Status Indicator (find more on NFUonline.com) is another good place to start.

Changing land-based subsidies will provide public money for public goods instead of land ownership; many farmers and land managers will have to adapt in order to remain profitable. Use this transition period to pre-empt changes by keeping up to date with advice and by analysing your ability to provide public goods, reduce/offset your carbon footprint.

SO WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

Hopefully, the new Environmental Land Management Scheme and future legislation will account for the feasibility of changing management the practical

IN PRACTICE NFU member and dairy farmer Joel Beckett has an anaerobic digester, which removes the CH4 produced by manure and slurry, and generates all the electricity the business needs. Any surplus is sold to the grid.

Joel says: “As a dairy farm one of the best things we thought we could look at is how we handle the slurry the cows produce in a way that benefits the business and also the climate. In recent years we’ve also been trying to deal with mycoplasma in the milking herd which had been a struggle to diagnose and affected performance for several years, but now we’re seeing very positive results after vaccination.”

aspects of each farming system. For now, the NFU and Defra are providing as much information as they can.

To be ahead of the game and be ready for the new era of farming and land management it is critical for dairy farmers to be open minded and accept new challenges. As with each challenge there will be opportunity; keeping up to date with grants and advice will put your business in the best possible position. Use every occasion to market all the positives of UK farming and promote our nutritious healthy produce.

September 2020

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27/08/2020 10:24:31

#RESEARCH

FRESHLY RESEARCHED It was a hot prize, but Alex Baylis was the lucky recipient of NFU sponsorship, plus industry insight, to help with his final year dissertation. Orla McIlduff finds out more.

A

lex Baylis knows about the good stuff. He grew up on a family farm specialising in fresh produce in Worcestershire, and worked for the well-known brand G’s Fresh while on his placement year from Harper Adams University. He told #StudentFarmer: “It’s a great industry to be a part of; it’s fastpaced and constantly evolving.”

Being well aware of the “complex and detailed supply chain” within the sector, it was a natural progression for him to want to investigate more about it when he had

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to choose a final year dissertation topic.

Alex explained: “Fresh produce is really where my passion lies within agriculture.

I’ve always heard growers complain about retailers strategies, but when I started looking into it, I found the scientific research on the subject was outdated. It makes sense for me to know about the challenges I may face in my future career.”

Feeling that there was a perception in the industry that retailers hold all the power, Alex found the last significant research had been done in 2005 and the majority of studies on this subject were

THE LINGO SUPPLIER:

A farmer or grower who supplies fresh produce to a retailer

BUYER:

Anyone who buys the produce grown by a supplier, e.g. who works for a retailer/processor/packer

SUPPLY CHAIN:

All the people and companies involved between getting the produce from the field to the consumer who buys it at the end

CONTRACT:

Legal documents which state how much a buyer will pay a supplier for a certain amount of their produce

CONTACT TIME:

The frequency of communication between a buyer and supplier

September 2020

01/09/2020 10:48:02

#RESEARCH

“FRESH PRODUCE IS REALLY WHERE MY PASSION LIES WITHIN AGRICULTURE. I’VE ALWAYS HEARD GROWERS COMPLAIN ABOUT RETAILERS STRATEGIES, BUT WHEN I STARTED LOOKING INTO IT, I FOUND THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT WAS OUTDATED. IT MAKES SENSE FOR ME TO KNOW ABOUT THE CHALLENGES I MAY FACE IN MY FUTURE CAREER.” face. Questions were created based on the findings from previous literature, and Alex’s interview technique was adapted along the process to ensure participants were being asked for the right information and to ensure the research questions could be answered.

SO WHAT DID HE DISCOVER?

Alex Baylis received NFU sponsorship to help write his dissertation

completed pre-2010, too long ago to be relevant in such a highly technical and fastmoving industry.

Alex settled on the title, An investigation into the relationship and understanding of suppliers and retailers in a fresh produce supply chain, and set out on his research journey with three objectives in mind: • • •

To identify the limitations in the relationship between suppliers and buyers To look at the financial impacts of decisions made in the supply chain on businesses To identify how the relationship between suppliers and retailers can be improved.

Using NFU contacts as well as some of his own, Alex was able to arrange to speak to different retailers and suppliers in the supply chain over the phone and face-to-

Alex found that suppliers and retailers felt that increased contact time would benefit the relationship and understanding of each other’s businesses. Suppliers wanted the buyer roles to become more stable to build a relationship; however, this is a tactic that retailers use to remain competitive and is unlikely to change. There are, however, competitive benefits for a smarter ways of working with a buyer/supplier.

It was also found that short contracts reduce the levels of trust in the relationship and suppliers felt they have no security with short-term contracts especially when looking to invest in their operations. Suppliers felt that retailers’ decisions to have such short contracts and cancel orders at short notice due to poor forecasting constrained them financially, and they felt pressured to accept the retailer’s prices due to a fear of losing business to a competitor.

RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS

Alex’s results suggest that increasing contract lengths and contact time between retailers and suppliers will benefit both

businesses. That said, because retailers are led by the need to remain competitive, this may be a battle that suppliers face for the foreseeable future.

SO WHAT NOW?

Alex explained that he was happy with his dissertation, but it created almost as many questions as it answered: “While these results give a general overview, I did discover that there was variance between retailers in their strategies. However, we didn’t have time to fully investigate this, so hopefully this could lead to further research in the subject matter.”

Lots of discussion came out of Alex’s research, including some suggestions on how to improve relationships between suppliers and retailers. Some of the important points discussed were: •

• • •

If buyers remain in their role with a retailer for only a short period of time, it is difficult to have strong working relationships with suppliers although this varied between retailers There are differences between how retailers view contact time Growers want retailers to understand more about farming practices and how crops are grown Longer term contracts would give suppliers more confidence to invest and this would improve efficiency within the business

Alex said that he’s really pleased with his findings and that he found it really helpful to get support and contacts from NFU staff: “Hannah Malpass from the NFU Food Chain team and Lee Abbey from the NFU Horticulture team were brilliant and I’m so grateful for all their help and support. If anyone else is considering applying for the NFU dissertation sponsorship, I’d really encourage them to, it benefitted my research.”

If you think you’d benefit from NFU sponsorship for your dissertation, look out for more opportunities by following @NFUFoodChain on Twitter and keeping an eye on NFUonline.com

September 2020

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#BACKBRITISHFARMING

BACK BRITISH FARMING DAY:

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01/09/2020 12:18:59

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