THE next generation of farmers will be able to discuss industry changes in a live debate as part of a seminar programme at this year's Borderway Agri Expo.

H&H, organiser of Borderway Agri Expo, has this week announced that a series of seminars will return for the second year, at the event on Friday, October 28.

Chaired by Sue Howorth and Dave Clarkson, Co-Directors of The Family Business Community, the debate will take place at the event in the Seminar Ring, hosted by H&H Land & Estates. The panel will feature individuals from the Farmstock Futures programme, which was launched by the H&H Group and the Family Business Community to give the next generation a voice and platform to network and gain industry knowledge from several sectors of the agricultural industry, not just farming.

Sue Howorth said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring together young people who are all paving a career for themselves within the industry. With so much uncertainty, it will be interesting to hear their views on the challenges the next generation face and how we can pull together to tackle these.”

Alex Nutter who grew up on her family’s farm in Higham, Lancashire, where they have a herd of suckler cows, pedigree Limousins, and a flock of commercial sheep. Growing up, Alex was actively involved in all aspects of the family farm, including the meat wholesale business which is where her passion for the agricultural and meat industry was ignited. Following a ten-year stint with Dunbia, where Alex held roles within the livestock and transport departments, she made the move to Morrisons. Here, she began managing the livestock administration team based in Colne, progressing to trainee livestock buyer where she is responsible for Morrisons’ Dairy Beef Scheme alongside buying beef and lamb. Alex is also a member of the Meat Business Women network.

Georgia Hunter who, alongside her parents, runs a dairy goat farm in Ravenstonedale, Cumbria. Georgia has a lifelong passion for agriculture and has always been intrigued by welcoming new and different ways into the industry. At 18 years old, Georgia launched her own business selling meat with the help of the Princes Trust and Farmer Network. A graduate of Newton Rigg College, she returned to the family farm with visions of diversifying in order to drive the business forward and protect it from crucial payment cuts.

Chris Forster aged 32, who farms AJ Forster Limited near Greengill Foot, Bowscar, not far from Penrith, a noted broiler poultry enterprise. The Forster family recently won the Livestock Farmer of the Year Award at this year's Cumbria Farmer Awards.

AJ Forster, set up by Chris’s parents and grandparents in 1986, is one of the largest broiler producers in the UK, with 650,000 chickens. In looking ahead to the future Chris is uncertain of where the overall costs of production are going, but their business is continually looking to the future and recent developments have included the installation of effective renewables in the form of Biomass heating and electric, and solar panels.

Richard Bostock, a Key Account Manager for Genus ABS, who supports farmers maximise profit from genetic progress. Passionate about the future of the dairy industry, Richard is always looking at how farmers can make agriculture in general the people magnet it needs to be in order for it to remain viable. From a Dairy farming background Richard owns some pedigree cattle under the BlackLabel Holstein prefix and Littlestar Jersey prefix both in the UK and also in Switzerland with his partners.

Richard Rankin, CEO for the H&H Group, said: “Farming is changing, and the future is uncertain. This puts a lot of pressure onto the next generation as they look at how they can meet the challenges of a volatile landscape and maintain sustainability within the industry. I am looking forward to hearing what our panel of fantastic young people have to say and hear their thoughts on the future of the Agri industry. I am certain it will bring about an interesting debate and encourage people to think about the direction they take their businesses in going forward.”

Agri Expo is one of the UK’s largest events dedicated to the beef and sheep industries.