FARMER FOCUS: Lack of opportunity for new entrants

With spring comes turn out, and there’s a familiar sound humming around our yards recently. It’s the sound of “aahh”, as both man and beast emerge from the shed and into the field. Unfortunately the cold weather has meant that the grass growth is slow, so covers are being carefully managed so far to make sure they last.

I was chatting with a friend the other night who has just started a new job as a herdsman. Not coming from a farming background, he was upset that he would never be able to farm in his own right as land is expensive and tenancies are short on the ground. When he mentioned how much he was paid, I suggested he should speak to his boss about buying some heifers and managing these alongside those of his boss and starting his farming enterprise like that. It is an idea he’s exploring further.

It concerns me that in this country it seems that the only way to farm is to either buy or rent, and if you can’t do either, well tough, that’s your lot. It doesn’t have to be like that. Why isn’t anyone promoting share farming or contract farming more? While farmers of my age might be aware of these options, what about the older generation who already own the farms and are considering retirement? Why isn’t there some sort of collaborative venture between the NFYFC, NFU and CLA, looking to match-make those who want to farm with those who don’t any more?

Just imagine what might happen to UK farming if there were a network in place connecting those with a farm considering retirement, but not wishing to sell yet, to those with capital who wish to invest in the running of it.

Ross Symons farms 200 dairy cows, including his own small herd of pedigree Holsteins, with his parents near Truro, Cornwall. They are converting their all year round calving herd to autumn block calving.

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