Chief Executive of the Westmorland Agricultural Society RODGER READ shares his thoughts on new developments in farming industry and, as we approach a new spring, the need for those involved to be prepared for change and all that it entails. He says he has been encouraged by the number of farmers he has encountered who are looking at change...

OVER the last few months, I've been fortunate to attend the Oxford Farming Conference and to hear various eminent speakers talking about the Common Agricultural Policy and the changes that are planned for farm payments. From all quarters, the message is the same: "Farmers must look for change". The trouble is that while this message is loud and clear, not many are prepared to give any direction on how this change should successfully be achieved.

At a recent meeting of Young Farmers, I was particularly taken by one young farmer who had heard the debates about diversification, niche marketing, knowing your customer etc and yet posed the question: "I like being a dairy farmer, I like my stock, how can I continue and still be a business in ten years' time?" Those who know the answer to that one, please go to the top of the class!

I do know that here at the Westmorland County Agricultural Society offices, hardly a day goes by at present without someone phoning me and asking if I can help with information on training opportunities, obtaining certificates for undertaking work with telescopic arm equipment, using poisons, slaughtering licences or electrical and plumbing tasks.

Notice, I haven't mentioned IT. We still have active IT courses ranging from beginners on one-to-one learning, through to desk top publishing and web page-building. But the main focus at the moment are the traditional skills that many will remember as being taught by the old agricultural training boards.

Coming back to the young farmer and his question, it seems the only way he is going to survive, is to link his work with other tasks and try to make the whole exercise profitable. For example, some would suggest that he looks at making a new end product cheese, butter, yoghurt, from his milk and then try selling it direct to the public. Others would suggest he links up with colleague young farmers and farms a co-operative and shares work and skills i.e. one farmer produces milk for the other to make the bi-products and/or carry out the marketing.

Very imaginative I hear you say, but what about all the rules and regulations, what about the cost of setting it all up, what about the skills needed to be efficient and effective? I sometimes think that those on high, who advocate change, think we can wave a magic wand and instantly become experts and knowledgeable in all these issues. I wonder if they would efficiently and effectively milk a cow so instantly if the roles were reversed.

Another thing that crosses my mind was the sudden interest in the Third World and the concept of Fair Trade. What's that saying? a fair wage for a fair day's work. Seems to be very acceptable to our urban neighbours as long as you don't say the dreaded word subsidy', then they all get upset.

I'm pleased to say that I've been encouraged by the number of farmers looking constantly at change and trying to address all the problems they'll have to overcome. I've also seen a move by some commercial companies to link up directly with farmers and agree contracts at a fair price. But all this doesn't happen overnight.

Training programmes currently being investigated by the society include: Slaughtermen's Licences (white meat).

Butchery Lamb/ Pork/Beef.

Food Hygiene.

Cooked meat Hog Roast/Barbequeing/Spit Roast using home products.