Video: What word is on farmers’ lips for the year ahead?

Maintaining production standards, sustainability of the industry and access to good market intelligence are just some of the issues on farmers’ minds.

Asked at the NU conference in Birmingham yesterday what one word was plaguing their minds, farmers gave a wide range of answers.

Many, but not all, were related to Brexit and the opportunities and risks this presented.

See also: Video: Farmers give thumbs up to sector’s future

Tim Jones, livestock farmer from Worcestershire, said market intelligence would be increasingly important for sheep farmers as they negotiated grazing agreements and tenancies throughout the Brexit period.

Shouting about British farming’s high production standards and not allowing in cheaper, lower quality products was on Becky Wright’s mind, NFU group secretary in Darlington.

“We need to be passionate about British agriculture [and] food. Our farmers are passionate about what they grow and the environment.”