Livestock Event 2016: Dairying course interest high despite prices

Despite low milk prices, interest in the Entrepreneurs in Dairying scheme has increased by more than 70% on 2014. 

Speaking at Livestock Event 2016 in Birmingham on Wednesday (6 June), Tony Evans, head of business consultancy at the Andersons Centre, said rock-bottom milk prices had not deterred people signing up for Entrepreneurs in Dairying courses.

Organised by RABDF, NFU, AHDB Dairy and the Andersons Centre, Entrepreneurs in Dairying was launched in 2014.

Courses begin again in September at Reaseheath College in Cheshire, Newton Rigg College in Cumbria, Bridgwater College in Somerset, and Gelli Aur College in Carmarthenshire.

For £375 plus VAT, students attend eight sessions – varying from half-a-day in length to two days for the finance seminar.

“It is really important we put things into perspective,” said Mr Evans.

“Today is just a moment in time in terms of where the milk price is.

“What’s important is that we give a future to the next generation,” he told farmers. 

See also: RABDF launches dairy farmer business training

“It starts with identifying goals, understanding the marketplace, creating a business plan, and understanding how you fit into that plan,” said Mr Evans.

Put simply, he said the aim of the Entrepreneurs for Dairying is “turning people from farm employees to entrepreneurs.

“Gone are the days when a herdsman or herdswoman lived just for their salary. Nowadays, they want more skin in the business.

“What we’re trying to do is encourage people to develop their career in dairy,” said Mr Evans.