b'The Way ForwardFarmingIt is critically important that we acknowledge that all of the work at farm level and in supplyCASE STUDYchains needs to support a sustainable milkAttracting young people into dairyprice for our farmers. Attracting young people to work in farming has always Thousands of people are employed in the Scottishbeen a difficult task. An initiative in Dumfries and dairy industry, all with key roles to play, and some Galloway has been successful in getting young people of the most important people are the farmers.working on dairy farms by providing access to a modern Without them we wouldnt have the herds thatapprenticeship. The project, which is facilitated by NFUS, produce the finest milk, nor would we have theconnects farmers, schools and the local college to create natural farm environments that are so important a pathway which initially offers young people with no to Scotlands dairy industry. All of this takes effort,farming experience a 12week placement on a dairy foresight, leadership, business and farm skills farm before then going on to complete their dairy and a team of workers. modern apprenticeship at SRUC Barony Campus. Initially started as a pilot, this programme has been successful If we are to achieve our vision, we cannot stand in bringing young talent into the sector, not only in still. We need to ensure that on-farm skills areDumfries and Galloway but also through an extension continually improved from modern apprenticeships working in Ayrshire.to management development to ensuring the next generation of dairy farmers are farming for the market and responding to the challenges ofclimate change.There are now fewer than 900 dairy farms in It will also be important that we continue to attractScotland, and the average dairy farm is getting new entrants and give them the support they need bigger. We are beginning to see more advanced to be successful in the sector. technologies and innovation in genetics, breeding, husbandry and milking becoming more prevalent on farm. We already have the support mechanisms in CASE STUDY place to deliver productivity improvements on farm including benchmarking and herd health initiatives as Scottish Dairy Hub well as supporting the sector to move towards being One of the recommendations from the Scottish Dairycarbon neutral. Looking to the future we will also Review Ambition 2025 was to establish a Scottishneed to ensure that the milk composition and annual Dairy Bureau, which would be industry led and act as supply profile is aligned to demands created by the a signposting service connecting the dairy sectormarket and the support approaches must continue throughout Scotland. It would act as a one stop shopto evolve and be responsive to these market needs.and identify the best sources of advice and training to improve dairy farm competitiveness, technical efficiency,It is important for Scottish dairy farms to continuesustainability and growth. The Scottish Dairy Hub, as itto proactively seek out ways to manage all animalshas become known, was launched in 2014 and is a keyin their herds in a healthy and humane way with the partner of the sector and the Scottish Dairy Growthhighest of welfare standards. This will ultimately ensure Board. It has continued to offer a free service, providingan optimum return and drive efficiency for the farmer reliable, accurate and relevant information,and deliver consumer support and understanding.independently and in confidence. Part funded by both Scottish Government and National Farmers UnionWe must also ensure that innovation is an integral Scotland, the Hub signposts on several hundred businesspart of our farming plans, helping to drive technical enquiries every year including nutrition, animal health,efficiency as well as excellence in dairy science. on-farm processing, staffing issues, contracts, legal issues, renewables, farm buildings and organicScotland already has a global reputation for its dairy conversion for the benefit of all Scotlands dairy scientific work including world-leading thinking on farmers and relevant industry stakeholders. genetics and genomics. We need to make sure that this work continues and that dairy farmers in Scotland benefit from this work.12'