He writes:
Early June saw us host a visit by 40 conventional and non-organic farmers to Launceston Farm. The meeting was chaired by Minette Batters, opening with the NFU’s strategy vision for Brexit, outlining the organisation’s clear stance and how it is working to influence government on the importance of the correct deal for agriculture.
Next up was a Q&A session with local prospective Conservative MP, Simon Hoare, who subsequently was re-elected. Simon expressed his view on his party’s rural vision. Perhaps more poignant was the fact that Mr Hoare was the only MP to reply to the invitation to the event from our parliamentary constituency.
Following a brief farm tour we were addressed by Steven Jacobs of OF&G, who highlighted various issues across the organic industry at a regulatory level. Finally, we had a great insight into the organic market from Tom Woods of Robin Appel.
It was a pleasure to be involved with the day, witnessing so much interaction of a wealth of knowledge between organic and conventional farmers without the distraction of either farming system “down-selling” the other. The two systems have huge synergies which can only improve all businesses in a less supported future.
I would like to take the time to thank the NFU for organising the event and in particular Emma Vennard, who has been working with the NFU for her year in industry whilst completing g a degree in agri-business. No doubt the future of graduates coming through the ranks is as strong as we have ever produced and we should take comfort in this.Dorset has been dry, then hot and finally wet and cold – predictably unpredictable. Good quality and quantity first cut was taken mid-May and we will be looking to take second cut in the first week of July with 100 acres of whole crop.
I have recently spent two days with an AHDB ‘Progressive Beef Group’ at Harper Adams, where we discussed a variety of facets of beef production & ways to challenge your current system. Hats off the team at the AHDB for co-ordinating the event as part of a two-year programme. Again, it was so evident of how powerful a tool farmers can be at questioning systems, challenging each other and themselves and sharing all experiences both successful and unsuccessful.