Plea to attract young into farming industry

The importance of attracting more people into farming came under the spotlight at this week’s annual Masstock SMART Farm event at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire.

Meurig Raymond, the deputy NFU president, said that encouraging young people into the sector was vital if the country is going to produce enough food to feed ourselves in years to come.

The hundreds of farmers in attendance were given an optimistic view on the future of food production from Mr Raymond when they descended on the college.

Speaking to farmers and growers on the need to increase food production as we move towards 2050, when they will be feeding in excess of nine billion people worldwide, he said: “Agriculture is now recognised as the biggest industry in the country but to deliver the demands of society over the next 20 years it’s important that we encourage young people into the industry.

“I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen here at the college in terms of attitude and enthusiasm.

“I’m extremely impressed by what I’ve seen on the farm also – the design of the farm buildings and the condition of the stock – it’s very professional.

“To be here at Bishop Burton, which has 3,500 students bodes well for the industry and for getting food and farming back on people’s agenda.

“It’s extremely important that we have a leading supplier of agronomy advice organising events such as these, which highlight the industry and the process of smarter farming and fit neatly with the NFU’s vision of producing more and impacting less.”

Bishop Burton College principal Jeanette Dawson chaired proceedings and was pleased to be hosting the College’s third Agri event.

She said: “The college is delighted to be hosting its third Agri event and pleased that each year it gets bigger and better.

“A fantastic programme of very relevant speakers and some cutting-edge farm machinery on display has ensured a fantastic turnout – indeed many of our students are among the crowds, and I’m sure all of those in attendance will take some very useful information away with them.”

Appearing alongside Mr Raymond at the event was Nick Oakhill, senior trader at Glencore who gave his view of arable markets at home and abroad, and Bill Angus, of Angus Wheat Consultants, who examined how a better understanding of wheat genetics can benefit growers in the future.

Visitors were also able to view a range of the latest farm machinery.

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