The annual Women in Dairy conference this year, themed ‘Breaking Barriers’, highlighted the importance of tackling those barriers at farm level.  When the industry is in a state of confusion and unknown change, concentrating on your own farm and the improvements or problem solving that can be done, will ensure at least some change is planned and welcomed!

With Brexit looming and the unknown trade agreements and policy uncertainties, it is causing the industry to either re-evaluate their strategies or keep their head down and carry on regardless. On a farm level, the conference provided some great speakers talking on their personal experiences and professionals offering sound advice.

Liz Haines, who most will recognise as a columnist for Farmers Weekly, discussed the ups and downs of how she and her husband came to be milking 330 spring block dairy cows in a contract farming agreement.  The opportunity gave them a chance to get their foot in the door and set up a system that works for them without a huge financial strain of having to buy a farm directly.  A contract farming agreement will require less capital required to scale up to a sensible level, with reduced risk. Despite the investment though, 100% of the profit will never be personally realised, with limited rights and security and less opportunity to grow.  However, when money is the driver behind most opportunities of this nature, a contract agreement can be a great way to start a farming career.  Her sound advice was to be willing to learn, save money where possible, have goals, build a good reputation, network, and don’t be shy to seek advice from both family and friends or professionals!

Holly Beckett from Focussed Farmers also spoke at the conference.  She is a 4th generation farmer on her family’s 1,200-acre arable farm, which also includes a farm shop, cookery school, conference centre and commercial lets.  She is familiar with issues farmers tackle on a day to day basis.  Her business focusses on the health and welfare of the farmer (not the stock), recognising that we have lost the ability to focus on day to day tasks.  Simple methods, such as mindfulness, can enable us to block out the 101 thoughts going on in our head, and focus on the task in hand.  This can lead to reduced stress, better productivity and efficiency.  We may want our farms to be as productive and efficient as possible, but without a level head from those who manage and work on the farm, it can’t happen.

Helen Rogers from Friars Moor Vets and Ailsa Milnes from Boehringer-Ingelheim addressed livestock biosecurity at farm level.  By improving basic biosecurity measures on farm, it can lead to better herd health, the ability to make more informed decisions, and ultimately protect your investment.  Currently both Helen and Ailsa are seeing a very fragmented approach to farm biosecurity.  The lack of engagement with certain measures seem to have stemmed from the rules and regulations that farmers have adhere to, however biosecurity measures start on farm – disease prevention methods, including testing new stock on farm with correct isolation time, combined with good husbandry skills can make a difference.  With endemic diseases so prevalent within current dairy systems, including TB, BVD, Johnes and IBR, vets are urging farms to be aware of the measures to put in place to reduce the risks of these diseases that can have a devastating effect on businesses, both financially and emotionally.

Women in Dairy provides an opportunity for women in the industry to come together and discuss all that is farming without the pressures of knowing how much of a male dominated industry it is.  Despite all the freebies, everyone came away with something to take home and hopefully implement in their daily life, whether it be helping their state of mind and productivity or knowing how to network confidently. Contact Prue at pruewaterton@fcgagric.com for more information.