RABDF is meeting demand for business training from aspiring dairy producers by relaunching Entrepreneurs in Dairying and introducing an additional fourth college to the offer following its successful inaugural programme held in 2014.
The initiative, which offers specialist tuition and coaching for those who wish to progress their careers and develop their own farming business, will commence in September and return to Cannington, Somerset; Gelli Aur, Carmarthenshire and Newton Rigg, Cumbria. The new centre for 2015 is Reaseheath College, Cheshire. Each centre will offer 15 places.
The programme organised by RABDF in collaboration with AHDB Dairy, NFU and The Andersons Centre, features five weekly sessions together with four full days delivered by industry specialists accompanied by a local farming business. Areas covered will primarily focus on starting your own business in dairy farming and better business and financial management.
RABDF policy director, Tim Brigstocke said: “After training 35 students last year, we are delighted that demand is running so high for this type of business training that we are in a position to relaunch Entrepreneurs in Dairying with an extended reach for up to 60 aspiring dairy farmers. We are also pleased to continue working with three complementary organisations: AHDB Dairy offering facilitation by the extension team and Dairy Pro membership; the NFU, the voice of British farming; and The Andersons Centre with a proven track record of advising on the various farm business arrangements available.
“Once again, the Entrepreneurs in Dairying programme is designed to fill the apparent void of training amongst people already working on farms, for example those five years out of college, herd managers and farmers’ sons and daughters without a clear future on the family unit. They are all keen to progress up the ladder, however to do so they require training and coaching in specialist areas such as how to farm in their own right through joint ventures or contracting arrangements and how to run a business. This year we are responding to demand with an additional two days focused purely on finance management.”
AHDB Dairy’s Rachael Chamberlayne said: “We are delighted to continue to offer support and provide facilitation services to the groups by using AHDB dairy extension officers who will help the groups get the most from the programme. Last year, we saw great enthusiasm and passion demonstrated by the aspiring dairy producers as they undertook this business training. Our extension officers and the technical experts we provide, as speakers from within AHDB Dairy are very keen to be involved to help delegates reach their goals. Dairy Pro membership ensures the attendees get additional industry recognition as they take their careers forward.”
NFU dairy board chairman Rob Harrison said: “Entrepreneurs in Dairying is an excellent programme and we are proud to offer continued support to train increasing numbers of students. It is great to see people looking to the future and investing in those who will be moving our industry forwards. The key areas of study on the course focus on business and financial training and skills development, which are vital in ensuring the longevity of the British dairy industry in an increasingly global marketplace.”
The Andersons Centre’s Tony Evans said: “We are pleased to be able to introduce Reaseheath College as a fourth centre offering the programme for upcoming dairy farmers located in the heart of dairying. This initiative will continue to provide all the key management ingredients to assist future dairy operators to move forward with confidence. The key areas covered in this training programme will put all the entrepreneurs in a unique and advantageous position to progress their career and enter the environment of cow ownership and equity in dairying.”