The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) is the only independent organisation dedicated to representing the interests of British dairy farmers.

Back to top

The RABDF strives to improve the status and well-being of British dairy farmers and the British dairy industry through the provision of technical information, training and lobbying activities.

Back to top

How do we achieve this?

Technical Information

• Dairy Event – Held in September each year, the RABDF Dairy Event has become Europe’s leading Dairy Show. There are between 350-400 trade stands, exhibiting the most innovative products, machinery and equipment, as well as the best dairy stock in the country.

• Conference – Held in March each year, the RABDF Annual National Dairy Conference provides a platform for leading figures in the dairy industry and Government, and gives farmers the opportunity to debate current issues with them.

• Open Days – Farms are selected to demonstrate specific management techniques which have proven successful in improving returns or to give our members the opportunity to look at Britain’s leading dairy herds.

• Regular Bulletins – Our members all receive our quarterly publication ‘Milk Digest’ which contains our latest news, lobbying results and information on forthcoming events we are organizing.

Training

• Training Courses – In association with the Plunkett Foundation, we run a variety of courses for Farm Directors, dairy herdsmen and college lecturers.

Lobbying Activities

• Lobbying – We represent our members at regular meetings with government officials, MP’s, supermarkets and milk industry executives, in order to secure a viable, sustainable future for UK milk production. We ensure we are included in any discussions on policies being considered. Our involvement means your voice is heard wherever it can have influence.

Back to top

There are several RABDF membership categories. To find out which type of membership would suit you best, please click here. To become a member of the RABDF, simply complete the appropriate application form (available at the bottom of the Membership page) and return it to RABDF, Dairy House, Unit 31, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LY. Alternatively, please contact the RABDF on 0845 458 2711 or e-mail sophiejenkinson@rabdf.co.uk.

Back to top

Who are the current RABDF Council Members?

To view the details of our current Council Members, please click here.

Back to top

To view which Council Member represents your area, please click here.

Back to top

Who is eligible to become a RABDF Council Member?

Any member of the Association with voting rights who is under the age of 70 (other than corporate members) is eligible to stand for election. They must be proposed and seconded be people who are also members of the Association. Once nominations have been received, voting papers are distributed to all current paid up members.

Back to top

Members serve on the Council for a three year period. On the 31 st December each year, a third of the Council Members retire from office. After Council Members have retired, they may stand for re-election if they so wish and still qualify to do so.

Back to top

RABDF Council Members represent the needs and viewpoints of the dairy farmers in their designated regions. They attend around six Council Meetings a year, as well as representing the association at relevant external meetings. Council members contribute to responses to government consultations and get the chance to represent dairy farmers at various active committees.

Back to top

DAIRY EVENT 2006 – 20 th & 21 st September
DAIRY EVENT 2007 – 19 th & 20 th September
DAIRY EVENT 2008 – 17 th & 18 th September

Back to top

How much is a ticket to the Dairy Event?

Dairy Event tickets are available on the gate and cost £15 each. Tickets can be bought in advance from July onwards by contacting the RABDF on 0845 4582711. Prepaid tickets cost £12 each (when purchasing between 1-29 tickets) or £10 each (when purchasing over 30 tickets). RABDF members are entitled to apply for their free ticket allocation.

Back to top

When is the National Dairy Conference?

National Dairy Conference 2007 – 6 th & 7 th March

Back to top

How can I contact the RABDF?

Please feel free to contact us using any of the following means of communication:

RABDF
Dairy House, Unit 31,
Stoneleigh Deer Park,
Stareton,
Kenilworth,
Warwickshire CV8 2LY

Tel: 0845 458 2711 Fax: 0845 458 2755
E-mail: office @rabdf.co.uk

Back to top