Young farmers to travel to New Zealand

Nineteen Scottish Young Farmers will be travelling to New Zealand later this year to learn more about the country's farming operations.

The visit will give the young farmers an opportunity to find out how New Zealand farms without subsidies and continues to record the youngest age of farmer.

The trip has been organised by the Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs (SAYFC) Agri and Rural Affairs Committee and will focus on the theme of succession.  

Agri & Rural Chair Sarah Allison said:

"Our industry is full of bright, driven and dynamic young people, they are our biggest asset and as such should be utilised. Our study tour will look at how their farming businesses are modelled to allow young people to get a start in the industry. New Zealand has some of the most dynamic succession policies in the world, and the youngest age of farmer - what can we learn from them, and did their subsidy reform play a part?"

Over 6o young farmers applied to take part in the trip. An independent judging panel selected individuals who would benefit from the trip personally and help impact Scottish agriculture as they share and put into practice the knowledge they gain.

During the two week trip in December the group plan to explore both the north and south island looking at everything from beef, sheep, dairy and arable units to abattoirs, butchers, renewables and agricultural research. There are also plans to understand more about the countries policy decisions, how they structure their farm businesses and share farming operations.

The group will now spend the next five months fundraising and building contacts to ensure their itinerary covers as many topics as possible with AgriScot already signed up to support two of the members (Kevin Lawrie from Crossroads YFC and James Orr from Bell Baxter ADS).

Any business or individual who would like to offer support to the group can contact the association's Communications and Rural Affairs Manager Rebecca Dawes via rebecca@sayfc.org or 0131 333 2445