Tessa Munt, the Lib Dem MP for Wells and Mendip Hills, met members at the stand to hear about some of the challenges facing the industry and the rural community.
National Dairy Board Chair Ian Harvey chaired a roundtable discussion looking at Future Milk Supply: Fertility, Disease and Herd Replacement Challenges.
The panel included Rich Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms, Peter Llewellyn from First Milk, Gethin Roberts from The George Farm Vets and NFU Chief Dairy Adviser Verity Richards.
There was also a heath and safety competition on the stand, with entrants given 30 seconds to identify as many hazards as possible in a farming scene. The prize was a Spada quad bike helmet.
On the night before the show, more than 320 guests attended the Dairy Industry Dinner.
The guest speaker was former NFU President Baroness Minette Batters.
Presenting key points from the UK Farming Profitability Review, Minette shared her passion for improved collaboration between the Government and industry.
“The only way farming systems are working well across the world is when they are working in partnership with government,” she said.
Dairy Show Chairman and Somerset farmer David Cotton presented the Dairy Industry Award to well-known local auctioneer and industry ambassador Derek Biss, who was made a partner at Greenslade Taylor Hunt at just 27 years old.
“Derek is a true ambassador for the industry and a dedicated and stand out leader,” said Mr Cotton.
“He has more than four decades of experience – earning the trust, loyalty and respect of his peers. A true part of the West Country dairy scene, he continues to auction each week at Sedgemoor, bringing the same enthusiasm, knowledge and good humour that have marked his career from the outset.
“His support of organisations like the Young Farmers’ Clubs and South West Holstein Club illustrate how he has been, and continues to be, an excellent advocate for the industry.”
The dinner also raised funds for the West Country Dairy Awards, a grant-making charity that has supported students studying dairy-related courses for more than 100 years.
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