I write this update fresh on the back of conference season, where I was able to hear the Secretary of State, Steve Reed, set out his priorities for farming in the year ahead – including kick-starting a new Food Strategy that he is keen to collaborate on, the announcement that legislation for new precision breeding regulations will be laid before Parliament by the end of March, and the commitment to increase public procurement of British produce.
Note from Hayley - December 2024
My first month at RABDF has gone in a flash, and it’s nice to have the Christmas break to reflect on what I’ve learned so far, and gear up for a busy start to 2025.
I’ve had the genuine privilege of being part of the judging panel for our Dairy Student of the Year Award. Seven inspiring, thought provoking, incredibly insightful presentations that every student should be proud of. The winner will be announced at Dairy Tech, and there’s more on the award in the newsletter.
Earlier in December I attended my first RABDF Council meeting, which was a wonderful introduction to the trustees, a valuable discussion on future plans and a cracking display of festive knitwear. The following day I joined the great and the good of the dairy industry as the annual Dairy UK Cheese Ceremony at the Royal Chelsea Hospital. It’s always a humbling and heartfelt occasion to mingle with the veterans and celebrate the best of British cheese and the spirit of giving.
Inside the office, Dairy Tech fever is building. This year the show has more exhibitors than ever before and the team are hard at work readying for the thousands of dairy farmers from across the UK and beyond that will pass through its doors.
Every year at the show we bring forth an illuminating line up of speakers to share their perspectives, insights and expertise with dairy farmers for one day only. The Hub is always a lively affair with sessions and debates that will get people talking. I’ll be chairing the morning’s political session, with NFU President, Tom Bradshaw and AHDB’s CEO Graham Wilkinson in the hot seat, with other high profile speakers to be announced closer to the event.
Let’s remind ourselves of why RABDF launched Dairy Tech in the first place; to place the greatest innovations from every industry at dairy farmers’ fingertips. To lead, to inspire, to inform and to help dairy farmers be their absolute best.
Before that though, I’m looking forward to the New Year Conference scene. I’ll be at the Oxford Farming Conference to hear some edgy talks and debates. I’ll leave there and hoof it up to Bonnie Scotland where I’m looking forward to addressing the audience of Semex, fifteen years after I first attended.
I look forward seeing you in the coming months at one or more of these inspiring events and to kicking off 2025 feeling positive and buoyed by the prospects of this industry.
Note from Hayley and Robert - November 2024
Note from Robert - October 2024
Note from Robert - September 2024
Note from Robert - August 2024
Next month marks the 10th anniversary of Women in Dairy, with the celebratory conference taking place at the Stoneleigh Abbey on Thursday 19th September. This year’s event will highlight the significant achievements over the past decade, showcasing the progress in breaking down barriers and increasing diversity in the industry.
Note from Robert - July 2024
Labour's resounding victory in the recent General Election (4 July), will undoubtedly bring change for UK agriculture, with the overall industry consensus being that of a positive one.
In the coming months, we hope to meet with Steve Reed, who now assumes the position of Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Agriculture, a role he has been shadowing since September 2023.
Note from Robert - June 2024
There are only three weeks to go until Down to Earth at Grosvenor Farms in Cheshire on 3rd July, and what an event it is shaping up to be.
Our top regenerative agriculture event for livestock producers is jam-packed with presentations, practical talk stations, and farm tours of this renowned, high-yielding Holstein herd.