By Caitlin Ross,

Loch Lomond YFC

WHEN asked to write a “farmers view” at short notice I really struggled to think of topic. “Just write what you feel is important” is what I was told. However, trying to pick just one subject seemed harder than I thought.

I was born and raised on a hill farm on the west Scotland and now work full time alongside my parents. Our family have been tenants here since 1942 and some years ago, my parents were fortunate enough to purchase a lowland farm not far from home, a once in a blue moon opportunity which now runs hand in hand with our hill system, giving us more options and a more profitable business.

Hill farming’s future is facing uncertain times. The threat from the Brexit deal, the re-introduction of Lynx cats and the lack of youth it doesn’t look bright. Speaking to my grandfather he would speak of the time our farm used to be run as two separate businesses both able to support a family and a shepherd and now both businesses are run as one family run unit employing contractors as and when required. This is happening all across the country, the youth of tomorrow have gone elsewhere to work where there is more opportunity and better prospects, an easier way of life and just never returned home. I can count on one hand the number of young people working in this area on these types of farm, with little support something should be done to encourage these people back into these farms and offer the support they require to succeed.

With a tough Brexit deal pending and the possibility of farming without subsidy it is the younger generation that are striving to adapt businesses with fresh ideas, improving efficiency and a move towards technology.

In this day and age technology should be at the forefront of farm efficiency especially livestock, as the pen and paper method just isn’t up to the standard anymore. A move into electronic recording at home is the next step which will identify how productive each of our ewes are and removing the ones that aren’t performing will be key to improving our profitability and is a long overdue change needed. Looking at our farm as a business and not just a lifestyle choice is also important when making these decisions.

Diversification has also been imperative to keeping our business moving forward and the past couple of months I have been spending time researching into establishing a free-range egg business of my own. Sheep is our main enterprise at home with a small herd of cows. Spreading the risk so that “not all our eggs are in one basket” excuse the pun... has been our main focus, agriculture markets can be vulnerable and bringing in an egg business would bring cash flow to our business.

Young Farmers is a fantastic organisation with great opportunities and last year I was lucky enough to complete the Cultivating Leader’s course. An inspiring course looking at a number of different areas, business skills, succession, talking to industry experts and it was this course that gave me my lightbulb moment to kick start my own diversification project securing my place at home. This is a course I would highly recommend to anyone looking to expand or create a new business. The big thing I did take away from the course was being surrounded by like-minded people, sitting in a room full of enthusiasm and optimistic peers left me ready to take on the world. Flicking through the agriculture headlines it’s easy to be downhearted and ready to pack up and move on. This combined with the weather it’s easy to find yourself in the doom and gloom. Surrounding yourself with optimistic people can have an amazing impact on your attitude and outlook and help you to strive for success.

From this course, I became more involved in the rural and agri affairs side of young farmers and I now find myself part of the national committee, a fantastic group of individuals. This is the only voice we have as young people to get our say across and what we would like to see happen in the future. Young people are mis-represented on the NFU committees and branches in my opinion. NFU have the biggest voice in influencing the future of agriculture, post Brexit especially. Brexit will have the biggest impact on the younger generation as we are faced with farming without subsidy and uncertain times ahead so why aren’t young people part of these conversations? SAYFC should be the stepping stone onto these committees and somehow the link just hasn’t been made.

The changes that Brexit brings will be one for the history books and those willing to move forward and adapt won’t be left behind. The optimistic generation of tomorrows farmers are ready for the changes and will be the driving force in moving forward, as long as the industry can hold onto them, the future looks bright!