Dairy show will focus on careers - as farmers descend on the West Country
The annual one-day industry event is a chance to raise concerns and share best practice
The Bath & West Dairy Show returns today - with a focus this year on 'careers in the industry'.
The annual one-day event is a chance for farmers in the sector to get together to discuss challenges.
A spokesperson said: "The Dairy Show’s theme this year will be agricultural careers, with a focus on both elevating the importance of attracting, recruiting and retaining new minds, perspectives and skillsets."
There will also be 57 'showing classes' taking place on the day, with five breeds plus the 'Any Other Dairy Breed' class. The Dairy Show will also be hosting the Jersey and Guernsey National Shows 2024.
The region has impressive dairy credentials built around world-leading standards of animal health and welfare, hygiene and environmental protection and the event is a showcase for quality livestock, sector innovation and produce.
South NFU Regional Dairy Board Chair Ian Harvey said: “We are very proud of the hard work that dairy farmers here in the South region carry out on a day-to-day basis, producing delicious high quality dairy products that feed the nation.
“The UK is one of the best dairy producing countries in the world with farmers across the South leading the way – the high standards of animal health and welfare and food safety standards in our dairy production systems make us renowned around the world as a reliable supplier of tasty, safe, sustainable and nutritious dairy products.
“Our farms have faced many challenges over the past year and we will continue to do all we can to ensure that these family businesses are supported and feel confident moving forward.”
South NFU Regional Director Mel Squires said: “Over the past 12 months, we have experienced devastating flooding, high production costs and low market returns, set against a backdrop of reduced farm support and as we transition to a new domestic agriculture policy and associated farm support - all of that has put a huge dent in the confidence of dairy producers.
“Therefore, our immediate priority is to secure investment through government delivering a renewed and enhanced multi-annual agriculture budget of £5.6 billion and urging Defra to rollover their reported underspend, which is money to deliver policy to benefit food production and the environment.
“This, alongside fairer market returns, would build confidence, offer dairy farmers long-term sustainability and benefit the regional economy and our communities.
“I am looking forward to meeting with our incredible dairy farmers tomorrow at the show, to catch up and engage in valuable discussions on their concerns and what more we can do to support them to ensure the future for the dairy industry in the South and across the country is a viable and positive one.”
There's more about the event here