Royal Welsh Show 2014: Course set up for aspiring young dairy farmers

A business training programme for aspiring dairy producers has been launched at Llysfasi and Glynllifon Colleges in north Wales.

The programme called Entrepreneurs in Dairying has been set up by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF).

Announcing the launch at the Royal Welsh Show, a spokesman for RABDF said it would offer those who wished to develop their own dairy business a mentoring scheme.

The programme begins on 30 September and 15 places are available. It will comprise eight weekly, three-hour sessions and will include topics such as succession planning and business and financial management.

At the end of the programme each student will be offered the opportunity to be matched with a mentor, who will guide him or her for 12 months.

John Owen, from the Dairy Development Centre, which is helping to deliver the programme, said: “With the resurgence of interest from young people looking to enter and progress in the dairy industry, this course is ideally timed to support individuals with business management training to progress their careers.

“Furthermore the introduction of mentoring will enhance the support available to the individuals from experienced practitioners and industry professionals.”

The deadline for applications is 20 August and costs £250 + VAT. Applicants must be 21 years and over.

Other partners that are helping to deliver the programme include: Coleg Sir Gar, DairyCo, the NFU and Andersons.

More information and an application form are available from the RABDF website