An overwhelming sense of positivity and optimism about changes in agriculture to come exuded from the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs (SAYFC) agricultural conference last weekend. Held in Stirling, the ‘Cultivating Change’ conference heard from industry leaders and visited farms in the surrounding area.

Brexit is perceived as an opportunity for new entrants to get a start in farming.

“I see a lot more opportunities in the next few years with farms coming up,” said Craig Malone who has a 10-year tenancy on a Forestry Commission starter farm. “I think a lot of guys relying on subsidies will exit the industry. I’d like to see a fairer marketplace.”

Sitting on the same panel new entrant and rural surveyor Harriet Donald added that it is all about mindset, performance efficiencies through use of data and benchmarking.

“Brexit is going to be the biggest upheaval in agriculture since the repeal of the corn laws in the 1840’s,” said Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries. “You shouldn’t look at it with trepidation, or view it as a threat. We should see it as change through the prism of opportunity.

While the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has played a role in keeping agriculture a viable source of income, the former SAYFC agri and rural affairs committee chairman said Brexit gives the UK the chance to remould its agricultural policy.

“The CAP has placed an emphasis on direct payments which does not act in the interests of progressive businesses. A balance has got to be found between the interests of industry and those who subsidise it. Over the next few years we are going to see some radical changes in agricultural funding, trade and its workforce. I am committed to ensuring Scotland makes a success of Brexit.”

Walks and workshops

Over the course of the weekend delegates visited Westerborland farm, Kirkton farm, Allanfauld farm and Old Leckie farm. Workshops on the Saturday included preparing a business plan to ‘wow’ your bank manager, changes to livestock marketing, rural diversification and changes to agricultural mechanisation.

The SAYFC announced its new competition called ‘Young Farmer of the Year’ which will be run next year and the associations’ international study trip will see 15 delegates visit farms in the Central Valley of California in 2018.