For many dairy producers up and down the country, labour remains a crippling issue. But there’s a much bigger picture, which the Dairy Show aims to tackle with a holistic approach.
Held on 2 October at the Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, the show is set to make people more of a focus, with a ‘Careers’ themed seminar programme elevating the importance of attracting, recruiting and retaining new minds, perspectives and skillsets.
So what can visitors expect from this year’s seminar programme?
Recruit and retain
Hugh Pocock, co-founder of the agricultural consultancy Cultura, will discuss how good communication and a healthy workplace culture can attract and retain high-quality staff.
“Looking at when and how people communicate is one of the areas we will talk about, because it’s often limited and starts too late,” he says. “So getting to grips with what makes for good communication and when it should start is going to help lay strong foundations.”
Building a business profile is a key step in communicating who you are as a business and team, advises Mr Pocock. “Having a simple but effective presence will help sell your business when the time comes to recruit – prospective employees have to sell themselves, but so does the business.”
His session will also look at workplace environment, inducting staff, communicating tough messages, and training and management. “Communication is tied into all of these areas, and making early-stage investments is key to developing people and retaining them within the business,” he says.
“We’ll also cover off how businesses could widen the recruitment pool, for example, other skilled people looking to pursue new careers, like ex-military personnel, and the structure of job roles and working hours to create more flexibility within the business.”
Certified B Corp
With the likes of First Milk, Riverford Organic, Marshfield Farm Ice Cream and Daylesford Organic becoming Certified B Corporation businesses, renewable energy consultant, Your Eco UK, will be holding a session on what it means for agricultural hirings.
“B Corp is a certification for ethical businesses who work not just for profit, but to benefit people and the planet,” says company director Amanda Spicer. “It’s also a very collaborative effort with certified B Corps working together to find solutions to specific challenges.
“The certification of agricultural businesses is one of many strong examples of the industry’s commitment to sustainability.”
When it comes to new hires, B Corp certification helps to attract and retain global talent. “More and more young people are wanting to work for businesses and organisations that care about environmental and social impacts,” she says.
“While certification isn’t right for every business, for those with environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) goals and sustainability programmes it is a worthwhile endeavour. Sustainable business is good for business – and it creates opportunities for everyone.”
Early careers
Strengthening the talent pipeline for food production in the UK must be a priority to avoid future shortfalls in skills and labour. That’s why Ruthie Peterson, careers manager at The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture, will share an update on an innovative and free virtual work experience (VWEX) programme aimed at mobilising the next generation of agriculture’s workforce.
Designed in collaboration with the Industry Careers Action Plan and education facilitator Springpod, the VWEX aims to address key challenges including low awareness of agricultural careers, outdated perceptions of the sector, and lack of diversity. It also hopes to dismantle barriers and provide a meaningful introduction to careers in farming.
“We are hyperaware of the recruitment issue currently facing the industry,” says Ms Peterson. “And we know that a huge barrier is work experience. There are geographical and financial limitations, as well as schools no longer requiring students to undertake on-site work experience.”
Launched in mid-June and running until April 2025, the programme has already seen almost 400 students enrol – with half already completing the programme. “Participants have access to virtual tours of farming enterprises, with insights from the farms’ workforce and demonstrations of technology and day-to-day activities.
“We’re excited to share that over 75% of enrolled students are from urban schools,” she says. “It shows that when we dismantle barriers and create more accessible career pathways, there is a very promising response.
“Having a more diverse workforce will benefit the industry immensely and will only strengthen the future of food production in the UK.”
Dairy Discovery Day
The show’s inaugural Dairy Discovery Day will further the Society’s efforts to contribute to building a workforce for the future, linking farming with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
“We have about 100 students, aged 14 to 15, from a local Shepton Mallet School participating in the careers tour,” says shows and education co-ordinator, Lilanie Self.
“The tour has been designed to introduce students with an interest in STEM to agriculture, kicking off the day with an introduction to British farming and common myth-busting, before heading off on an interactive tour to learn about the wealth of career opportunities the industry can offer.
“The morning talk will be led by farmer and chief steward of Lakeside Farm, Sue Sealey, with our dedicated educational stewards leading the students in groups of 20 to complete various talks and tasks with exhibitors,” she continues. “We’re very pleased to have Kivells, Shepton Vets, HSBC, ADF Milking and Carter Jonas, to name a few, delivering those interactive sessions.”
Advance tickets to the Dairy Show are available at £20 per adult, increasing to £25 on the gate. Students, with proof, will have discounted entry at £15 and children under 15 years old have free entry.
- Find out more and book tickets at www.bathandwestdairyshow.seetickets.com/event/the-dairy-show/bath-west-showground/3079678
BOX: Full schedule line-up (please check the website for updates):
10.10am – 10.30am: Real Success – Title TBC
10.50am – 11.10am: Nick Spicer, CEO, Your Eco – Harvesting Talent: How B Corps Revolutionise Recruitment in the Agricultural Renewables Sector”
11.30am – 11.50am: Hugh Pocock, Founding Director, Cultura Connect – Attracting and Retaining a Successful Team
12.10pm – 12.30pm: Ruthie Peterson, Careers Manager, The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) – Working together to attract the next generation into agriculture
12.50pm – 1.10pm: Tess Howe, Head of Partnerships & Policy, TIAH – Recruiting and Retaining the best talent
1.40pm – 2.00pm: Dr Kerensa Hawkey, Nutritionist & Technical Projects Manager and Lizzie Thacker, Ruminant Nutritionist, Mole Valley Farmers – A Mole Valley Farmers perspective on attracting and developing new talent to meet the future demand of agriculture
2.20pm – 2.40pm: Tim Hector, Director (Rural Surveyor), Cooper & Tanner – Exploring Careers in Agriculture: The Role of a Land Agent in the UK
Seminars hosted by James Bardwell