Listening to three hard working young farmers at the Union's Autumn conference it was an insight into how the industry may evolve. While many of our large farms will continue to drive efficiencies and the benefits of scale, smaller farms can take advantage of diversification opportunities to keep families farming.

Delegates heard from Jamie Wyllie who is part of a massive mixed farming business in Lanarkshire which produces 70,000 pigs a year. The business has focused effectively on leading production technology to the extent only staff and inspectors are allowed in the pig units for biosecurity.

Jenny McKerr, who farms in South Lanarkshire on 44 owned acres and 50 rented with 10 cows and 100 sheep, was inspiring with her drive to get a living from her small farm.

Previously she worked at the AK Stoddarts abattoir and using her experience to sell all the meat off the farm directly. She also runs a gin distillery with a view to start holiday lets on the farm too.

Similarly, Peter Moss from Orkney farms with his dad on 660 acres with 150 cows but to supplement his income he rents hot tubs by the week with a dozen let across the islands. Previously he set up and serviced wind turbines before the electricity grid hit maximum capacity in Orkney slowing the renewable sector.

The speakers demonstrated the opportunities for farms in Scotland. In the future the public will get more leisure time and continue to be discerning consumers of food and drink and we are well placed to take advantage of it. Plus we have over 60 million people on this island who need to be fed and efficient food production will always be needed.