NUFFIELDNEWS FROM THE NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIP TRUST

www.nuffieldscholar.org

Report summariesA summary of the 22 reports presented at the Winter Conference

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Award winnersDetails of the Conference award winners

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Richard Chantler Remembering the popular 1986 Nuffield scholar

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The East Midlands Nuffield committee welcomed 200 Scholars and guests to the 2011 Winter Conference held at Belton Woods Hotel in Lincolnshire.

Newly appointed Nuffield Chairman Stephen Watkins was enthused by the two-day event, commenting that the Conference was once again a stimulating and informative occasion, with the standard of Scholar presentations at an all time high.

“It was clear from the passion with which the Scholars delivered their presentations that undertaking a Nuffield had broadened horizons, although in many cases more

questions were raised than were answered,” he said. This was summed-up by Scholar Malcolm Fewster who quoted fellow Yorkshireman Lambert Coverdale from the Contemporary Scholars Conference: “Imagine your knowledge is like the area within a circle, and what you don’t know surrounds the circle. As your knowledge increases so does the circle; as does the area around it!”

Echoing the analogy, Stephen added that the Scholarship is not just about a study; “It’s a life long journey, with Nuffield opening doors, feeding an ever growing thirst for knowledge, and generating unique

opportunities both during the Scholarship period and beyond.

“Nuffield awards play an important role in developing people, which typically realise the potential of individuals who go on to shape the future of the farming, food, horticultural and rural industries.”

Stephen concluded that attending the conference provides an ideal grounding for prospective candidates. “It not only provides a snapshot of the Scholars’ journey, it is also a chance to be inspired, talk with Scholars and really understand what Nuffield is all about.”

2011 WINTER CONFERENCE

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1987 Scholar Anthony Bambridge’s contribution to potato industry is acknowledged

Anthony (Tony) Bambridge, co-founder of B and C Farming, has been awarded the 2011 British Potato Industry Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sector. He credits Nuffield as the catalyst for starting his farming enterprise. Enlightened by the Dutch experience, he sought to replicate their successes in growing seed potatoes. “My Scholarship provided time out for reflection and the chance to rub shoulders with others who had a “can do” attitude,” says Tony.

1989 Scholar Rees Roberts is awarded the Royal Smithfield Club Bicentenary Trophy

Presented by Chairman of the Royal Smithfield Club, Angus Stovold, the award recognises Rees Roberts’ lifelong services to the red meat industry, both in Wales and the UK. Angus highlighted Rees’ work within the red meat industry, particularly as founding chairman of Meat Promotion Wales (HCC). Prior to this he had been Meat and Livestock

Commission Commissioner for Wales and chairman of the Welsh Committee. Rees was a member of the Welsh Assembly Food and Drink Advisory Group and has chaired both the Welsh Sheep Strategy and Welsh Beef and Lamb Promotion organisations.

2010 Scholar Adam West calls for joined-up thinking across the food chain

Reporting on his Nuffield study, ‘Championing British Agriculture’, at the November Malvern Farming Conference, Adam stated that in order to help consumers understand why buying British is so important there must be joined-up thinking across the entire food chain to show consumers the value of British food.

Nuffield Director John Stones comments; “Adam’s contribution to this important Conference is an excellent example of how well Scholars can publicise their research in front of an industry audience – we encourage Scholars to seize every opportunity to present their findings and extend the outreach of their study conclusions.”

SCHOLAR ACHIEVEMENTS

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OBITUARYRichard Chantler NSch 1948 – 2011

It is with sadness that we report the untimely death of 1986 Nuffield Scholar, Richard Chantler, who passed away in August on one of his regular pregnancy scanning trips to New Zealand.

One of the original pioneers of pregnancy scanning, he rapidly became the world’s leading authority on sheep scanning. Richard was the first to scan in Wales, beginning an association with the Marcher border country which lasted his lifetime.

For over 20 years Richard spent several weeks each year scanning sheep in New Zealand. One of his favourite places was the woolshed at Black Mount, where he set the world record for the number of ewes scanned in a day; it was a fitting tribute that his Kiwi friends chose this as the location for his memorial service.

Seventeen years ago Richard bought an upland farm at the northern end of The Black Mountains. Hill Farm Llanigon became the family home and home for his beloved Romney flock.

Richard played an important role in promoting farming; he became involved with The Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival as a steward and hosted a farming visit each year for people attending the festival.

Richard was a hard-working, likeable popular friendly character, full of passion, always willing to help, and lived in the fast lane. He achieved so much; if the Steven and Gill Bullock award had been around in the years after he had done his Scholarship, he would certainly have been in the running.

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUSTJohn Stones, Director

Blaston Lodge, Blaston, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 8DB

Tel: 01858 555544 • Fax: 01858 555556 • Email: nuffielddirector@aol.com

www.nuffieldscholar.org

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The Annual Meeting of the Trust in October marked the retirement of a number of Trustees and the election of new members to the Nuffield Board. Retiring Chairman Jack Ward thanked the Board for their hard work and support during his term of office, offering special thanks to retiring Trustees Richard Burt, William Goodwin, Sarah Mackie and Charley Walker.

Director John Stones reports that Stephen Watkins was elected as Chairman of the Trust with Wallace Hendrie appointed as Vice Chairman. Members elected Tony Evans and Helen Woolley as Trustees. A

meeting of representatives of the Nuffield groups elected Nick Chippindale (Poultry group) and Robert Parker (Nuffield Scotland) as Trustees. Returning Scholars had earlier nominated Jo Franklin as their representative on the Board.

PR team changes

The Nuffield Trustees have appointed a new PR and media consultancy, Pinstone Communications. Retiring PR, Julie Mate, was thanked for her support and significant contribution to the Trust over many years during a presentation by retiring Chairman Jack Ward, at the recent Annual Meeting of the Trust.

2012 BOARD UPDATE

Produced by Pinstone Communications www.pinstone.co.uk

Presentations completed, 2010 Scholars seize a photo opportunity as the Conference draws to a close.

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The Steven and Gill Bullock Award won by 2002 Scholar Ian Pigott

This award recognises Scholars who go on to apply the lessons of their study with most impact for themselves and the wider industry. Ian was recognised for his pioneering role in launching Open Farm Sunday in 2006.

The John Stewart Shield awarded to Michael Blanche

Michael was awarded the John Stewart Shield for the best Scholar presentation at the Conference in recognition of his energetic and passionate presentation on ‘The Farming Ladder’.

2010 Scholar Jim Shanks wins HSBC/Farmers Guardian Silver Salver

Jim Shanks’ report ‘Energy from Agriculture’ won him this prestigious award for the best Scholar report published in the previous year. At the 2010 conference Jim was awarded the John Stewart Shield – the first to take the double title.

AWARD WINNERSA trio of special awards were presented at the Conference, celebrating three Scholars who have exceeded the already high level of Scholar excellence.

REPORTS FROM THE 2011 WINTER CONFERENCE Reporting from her first Nuffield Conference, Pinstone’s Helen Harcombe summarises the presentations from the 22 strong cohort of 2010 Scholars. They included two Nuffield firsts, a video link from the Falkland Islands, and the presentation of a study into the honey bee; the first time an Award surrounding this important topic has been awarded. Full reports from all the 2010 Scholars are now available at www.nuffieldinternational.org/reports.

Adam West

Championing British agriculture

Clare Greener

Achieving agricultural policies to meet global challenges

Caroline Stocks

Communication with farmers

James Peck

Arable farming - where next?

Jo Paterson

Soil and crop nutrition

Andrew Scarlett

Halting the decline of the honey bee

Helen Thoday

The UK pig industry in 2020?

Helen Houghton

Disease prevention in the chick embryo and young chick

Kevin Beaty

Milk markets

Malcolm Fewster

Pastoral dairy farming

Michael Dart

The value of food

George Finch

New markets for UK meat

Marnie Dobson

How to grow a niche market

Tony Davies

Marketing mutton

RASE (Louise Ryan) Scholar Michael Dart challenged the benefits of a globalised food policy and advocated the value of locally produced food. He had been impressed by the Slow Food movement which offered many opportunities for producers. George Finch recommended that the British meat industry needs to maximise the potential from the South East Asian market, as well as improving their image and reputation closer to home. His Scholarship was sponsored by the University of Newcastle (Mac Cooper) award. Niche marketing was brought to the fore by food producer and goat meat retailer, Marnie Dobson. She offered clear and practical ways for adding value to a niche business. She was sponsored by the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust. Closing the group, Tony Davies had researched global examples of marketing of mutton, bringing back a valuable new direction for his farm business. Tony was sponsored by Nuffield/ Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.

Opening the 2011 Conference was Adam West. His study assessed how to achieve a shift of thinking from ‘improving the public perception of agriculture’ to ‘improving public trust in the food chain’ and ultimately building that trust in food production. He was sponsored by a Nuffield Trust Award, as was Clare Greener. Clare stressed her message was to ‘engage, engage, engage’ both nationally and locally to raise the voice of agriculture and influence policy. Caroline Stocks, sponsored by Jill Willows, brought the first group to a close. She focussed on agricultural media, citing social media and mobile technology as two ways in which journalists can embrace the changing media landscape whilst effectively delivering information for farmers.

James Peck focussed on crop production technologies, including ‘controlled traffic farming’, and alternative techniques for managing inputs as a means of redressing the balance of increasing costs. He was sponsored by the John Oldcare Foundation and was followed by Jo Paterson. Jo had investigated the productivity of land with a focus on soil nutrition. She called on farmers to take ownership of practices to improve soil fertility – looking beyond the use of manufactured inputs alone. Jo was a Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award winner. Andrew Scarlett, an Alan and Anne Beckett Scholar, reminded delegates of the importance of halting the decline of the honey bee and reconciling ‘Agriculture and Apiculture’, a term he’s coined in positioning beekeeping in the wider context of the farming environment.

Turning to the livestock sector, presentations began with Helen Thoday speaking by video link from her new life as a livestock adviser in the Falkland Islands. Sponsored by BPEX/Merial, Helen stated that pig herd profitability shouldn’t be hampered by legislative or price concerns beyond a producer’s control, but should concentrate on improved efficiencies and optimal food conversion ratios to deliver first class pigs. Embryo and chick survival was Helen Houghton’s topic. As a BEMB (R&E) Trust Scholar she learned that attention to detail with good management are essential to prevent disease from the parent breeder flock, through incubation and into the first days of a chick’s life. Beef farmer Tim Powell directed his study at comparing beef farming in the USA and New Zealand with the UK. A John Oldacre Foundation Scholar; he recognised the role of sustainability and the environment.

Arwyn Owen, sponsored by the Company of the Merchants of the Staple of England, offered a positive message for the UK sheep industry from his Nuffield study; making positive recommendations for market and production efficiencies. Kevin Beaty was next up, highlighting the ‘bubble of trust’ that links consumers with the dairy industry, suggesting improved levels of engagement and education are necessary for the industry to grow and compete effectively. Kevin was awarded a Trehane Trust/Darlington Cattle Breeding Trust Award. Continuing with the dairy theme, Malcolm Fewster entertained the conference with his paper on routes to more successful grassland management, reducing risks and maximizing resilience by following rotational grazing rules, alongside cautious financial management. He was sponsored by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

Michael Blanche

The farming ladder

Rona Amiss

New entrants to farming

Harvey Thomas

Assisting new entrants to UK agriculture

Scott Kirby

Search for greener opportunities

Jim Baird

Attributes of enterprising rural businesses

Rhys Williams

Dairy farm equity

Michael Blanche explored merit-based progression in farming and concluded that where it depends on production, a distortion in markets must be eliminated. He was sponsored by MacRobert Scotland. Continuing the theme of new entrants Rona Amiss set out to identify entry opportunities for first generation farmers, making recommendations encompassing the need for leadership, a more flexible approach to land use and the value of an informal mentor network amongst the farming community. Her Award was sponsored by RASE/Nuffield Trust. Young Nuffield Award Scholar, Harvey Thomas, explored the factors that are affecting new entrants to farming in Scotland within a complex legislative arena, making valuable recommendations for policy solutions in his report.

Integrating the disciplines of researchers and end users was Scott Kirby’s conclusion to create a sustainable agriculture, alongside longer term investment and an emphasis on research group achievements. Scott was awarded a Harold Cowburn Award. Jim Baird, a Royal Highland Agriculture Society/Nuffield Scotland Scholar, centred his report on entrepreneurship and the importance of cultivating a more positive ‘can do’ attitude to achieve inspirational leadership. Final Conference speaker, dairy farmer Rhys Williams researched dairy farm equity, focusing on farm business structures that encourage and enable both expansion and rapid wealth creation, noting the valuable role of people management. Rhys was sponsored by the Trehane Trust.

Tim Powell

Grain, beef and the environment

Arwyn Owen

Future prospects for the UK sheep industry

3For more information on the award winners and judges please visit www.nuffieldscholar.org.