David Ractliffe

NFU Next Generation Forum member, South West

David is a dairy and beef farmer from Gloucestershire. He runs an extensive forage based system and supplies Wyke Farms with their milk. 

David says that helping the next generation of new entrants, farming entrepreneurs and successors is a key focus of his and the reason why he wants to be part of the NFU Next Generation Forum.

He says there has never been a more important time to focus on long term food security and a well supported next generation from all backgrounds and sectors are a key part of this becoming a reality and should also see agricultural productivity gains in time.

David would like to see the forum also working closely with the banks and lenders to understand their priorities and encourage them to consider more unsecured lending for those who would like it and have a well considered business plan to back up their ideas.

He is also interested in helping to develop policy around the NFU's net zero by 2040 ambition.

David says that every year he seems to have varying weather based challenges on his farm such as a lack of grass in the summer or flooding to name a couple. He says it's vital that work continues to find solutions with farmers across the world to help control what is likely to be farmers biggest challenge yet.