20 April 2017

NFYFC joined Farming and Landowning Organisations from across the UK in London to discuss the implications of Brexit and the General Election for the future of their sector in April.

The “Farming Brexit Roundtable”, chaired by NFU Deputy President Minette Batters, uniquely draws together organisations from all parts of the UK and all sectors and was set up toshare concerns and promote collective action over Brexit.

NFYFC's Vice Chairman Lynsey Martin (pictured) attended the Farming Brexit Roundtable for NFYFC. It was a timely meeting as it was just a few days before the Federation's AGRI Forum 2017. which also includes a separate discussion on Brexit, chaired by the NFU's Vice President Guy Smith.

The Farming Bexit Roundtable meeting concluded that:

"Farmers across the UK would welcome the cooperative spirit expressed around the table today. Every organisation wants to see our political parties recognise the importance of farming to the economy and the country. We want the parties to set clear policies that work for farm businesses, giving us certainty during the Brexit negotiations, but vitally well beyond the point at which the UK leaves the European Union.
 
"Our organisations welcome the commitment to honour EU payments until 2020, but farming is a long term business. Frankly the value of the assurance, given in August 2016, diminishes with each passing day. Farm businesses need to know the long term plans of our political parties over the next decade, not just the next two years. So we urge all parties to make their plans clear in their respective manifestos to give farmers the stability required to instil confidence for the future.
 
"We also considered the trading relationship in which farming will find itself post Brexit. It's clear that there is a pressing need to secure continuing access to the European Union market place as a priority. The vast majority of food exports are to the EU, lamb and cereals being good examples. So every sector needs there to be free and frictionless trade with the EU to thrive long term, or face economic calamity of over-supplied domestic markets. Again whatever the final outcome the next Government must secure a phased transition to the new trading arrangements".

The Farming Brexit Roundtable will continue to meet regularly during the course of the Brexit negotiations. The organisations attending the meeting were:
 
Country Land and Business Association
British Poultry Council
National Beef Association
National Farmers Union
NFU Cymru
NFU Scotland
National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs
National Pig Association
Royal Association British Dairy Farmers
Scottish Land and Estates
Soil Association
Tenant Farmers Association

13 April 2017

04 April 2017

Young farmers will be told they need to be bolder about self-promotion and be proud of their products if they want to build a successful career in the industry.

This critical advice will be delivered by industry leading marketing experts who will make up the panellists at NFYFC's AGRI Forum 2017, which will be held during its Annual Convention in Torquay this April.

The event, called Making our Mark!, which is sponsored by Kuhn Farm Machinery (UK) and supported by Defra, will be held on Saturday 22 April 2017 in the Forum at the International Riviera Centre in Torquay from 11am. 

The AGRI Forum is a major attraction during the weekend for YFC members and representatives from the agricultural and rural industries. This year’s discussion is set to be the biggest yet with four major marketing names preparing to share their wisdom.

Speakers include Alexia Robinson, Founder of British Food Fortnight; Simon Haley, co-founder of @AgrichatUK and general social media and agribusiness expert; Jane King, former editorial director of Farmers Weekly and current Chief Executive of AHDB; and Guy Smith, Vice President of the NFU. 

Alexia Robinson said: “Like it or not we live in a social media-driven world where he who shouts the loudest gets a lot of publicity and there are no prizes for shrinking violets.  This is not a natural trait in many farmers, most are more used to just quietly getting on with their daily work. 

“British farm produce is some of the very best in the world; there is so much to shout about and we all need to be smarter about telling the consumer why it is so high quality and why they should buy it.”

The AGRI Forum is organised by NFYFC’s Agricultural and Rural Issues (AGRI) Steering Group and a new topic is chosen annually.

AGRI Chairman Harriet Wilson, from Staffordshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, explained why marketing was chosen as this year’s topic: “There are testing times ahead for the industry so it is imperative that, as young farmers, we are equipped with the necessary skills to market ourselves, our businesses and our products if we want to succeed. This year’s AGRI Forum will help our YFC members and guests learn more about the key marketing essentials and how to make use of all of the opportunities available.”

Self-styled social media expert Simon Haley will advise young farmers on how to take advantage of the internet. He said: "We are all our own brands. And brand perception is absolutely integral to growth and success. Once you introduce that concept onto a digital platform, the internet becomes a powerful tool with which to project yourself and research others."

The AGRI Steering Group is sponsored by Kuhn Farm Machinery (UK) and the company are also sponsoring the AGRI Forum.

Siân Pritchard, Managing Director at Kuhn Farm Machinery (UK), said:  “Having spent most of my career working for Kuhn from its global headquarters in Saverne, France and fulfilling various marketing and sales roles across Europe, I commend NFYFC’s AGRI Steering Group for highlighting the importance of marketing in young farmers’ personal and professional development.”

An additional discussion group facilitated by NFU Vice President Guy Smith follows the main AGRI forum. Young farmers will be encouraged to collaborate and talk further about considerations for a future British agricultural policy in this session. 

Guy Smith said: “This time last year YFC members had a fair bit to say about Brexit. Now it's actually happened it's really important they continue the conversation. Decisions made by politicians in the next few years could colour the prospects for U.K. Farming for a generation. So it's vital that the next generation makes its voice heard now.’

There will also be the opportunity to network over lunch and view exhibitions. Please email sarah.palmer@nfyfc.org.uk if you would like to attend the event.
For further information, including profiles of each of the panellists visit the Annual Convention website. Follow the discussion on Twitter, using the hashtag #YFCAGRIForum.