North Wales college attracting next generation of dairy entrepreneurs to meet demand

A LAND-BASED college welcomed the cream of young farmers to Denbighshire for a series of workshops designed to attract aspiring entrepreneurs to the dairy industry 

Coleg Cambria Llysfasi is hosting the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) Entrepreneurs in Dairying workshops for the first time.

The business and finance training programme aims to meet a huge demand for innovative farmers in the sector, as a study last year revealed nearly a third of the UK’s milk is produced on farms that employ EU staff, and that Brexit would have a negative impact on recruitment.

Organised in collaboration with The Andersons Centre, AHDB Dairy and the NFU, the programme delivered at Llysfasi has seen delegates from North Wales and Shropshire attend the Llysfasi campus, near Ruthin.

The workshops give them a platform to explore opportunities, contacts and connections to go on and establish their own businesses, whether it be stepping up in their career, share partnerships, joint ventures, tenancies or development of their existing firms. 

Matthew Knight, Managing Director of RABDF, said:

“We are delighted that our Entrepreneurs in Dairying course has been so successful again this year, helping another 40 aspiring dairy producers get the knowledge and confidence to take the next step in their careers. 

“Thank you to all our partners, sponsors and host colleges, including Coleg Cambria Llysfasi who hosted for the first time this year and enabled us to support students in the north of Wales and surrounding areas.”

Head of Llysfasi Iain Clarke added:

“Hosting the Entrepreneurs in Dairying workshops gives us a chance to link with national organisations to support the career progression of these entrepreneurial farmers in North Wales and surrounding counties. 

“This initiative is a fantastic series of workshop topics and speakers giving them the platform to take the next step in their careers.”

Among the workshop topics are Understanding the Milk Market – Supply Chain Management, People Management (Recruitment), Finance, and Succession Planning. 

Delegates have also toured the facilities at South Caernarfon Creameries and were given an insight into milk handling between the farm and processor, practicalities of processing a perishable product, processing of milk for cheese and the potential implications of Brexit from a processor perspective.

The seventh and final workshop will include a farm visit and workshop at Stoneleigh in January.