For many dairy producers up and down the country, labour remains a crippling issue. But there’s a much bigger picture, which the Dairy Show aims to tackle with a holistic approach.

Held on October 2 at the Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, the show is set to make people more of a focus, with a ‘Careers’ themed seminar programme elevating the importance of attracting, recruiting and retaining new minds, perspectives and skillsets.

Hugh Pocock, co-founder of the agricultural consultancy Cultura, will discuss how good communication and a healthy workplace culture can attract and retain high-quality staff.

“Looking at when and how people communicate is one of the areas we will talk about, because it’s often limited and starts too late,” he says.

Building a business profile is a key step in communicating who you are as a business and team, advises Mr Pocock. “Having a simple but effective presence will help sell your business when the time comes to recruit – prospective employees have to sell themselves, but so does the business.”

Certified B Corp

With companies such as First Milk, Riverford Organic, Marshfield Farm Ice Cream and Daylesford Organic becoming Certified B Corporation businesses, renewable energy consultant, Your Eco UK, will be holding a session on what it means for agricultural hirings.

“B Corp is a certification for ethical businesses who work not just for profit, but to benefit people and the planet,” says company director Amanda Spicer. “It’s also a very collaborative effort with certified B Corps working together to find solutions to specific challenges.

“The certification of agricultural businesses is one of many strong examples of the industry’s commitment to sustainability.”

When it comes to new hires, B Corp certification helps to attract and retain global talent. “More and more young people are wanting to work for businesses and organisations that care about environmental and social impacts,” she says.

Early careers

Strengthening the talent pipeline for food production in the UK must be a priority to avoid future shortfalls in skills and labour. That’s why Ruthie Peterson, careers manager at The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture, will share an update on an innovative and free virtual work experience (VWEX) programme aimed at mobilising the next generation of agriculture’s workforce.

Designed in collaboration with the Industry Careers Action Plan and education facilitator Springpod, the VWEX aims to address key challenges including low awareness of agricultural careers, outdated perceptions of the sector, and lack of diversity. It also hopes to dismantle barriers and provide a meaningful introduction to careers in farming.

“We are aware of the recruitment issue currently facing the industry,” says Ms Peterson. “And we know that a huge barrier is work experience. There are geographical and financial limitations, as well as schools no longer requiring students to undertake on-site work experience.”

Launched in mid-June and running until April 2025, the programme has already seen almost 400 students enrol – with half already completing the programme.

Dairy Discovery Day

The show’s inaugural Dairy Discovery Day will further the society’s efforts to contribute to building a workforce for the future, linking farming with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

“We have about 100 students, aged 14 to 15, from a local Shepton Mallet School participating in the careers tour,” says shows and education co-ordinator, Lilanie Self.

“The tour has been designed to introduce students with an interest in STEM to agriculture, kicking off the day with an introduction to British farming and common myth-busting, before heading off on an interactive tour to learn about the wealth of career opportunities the industry can offer."

Advance tickets to the Dairy Show are available at £20 per adult, increasing to £25 on the gate. Students will have discounted entry at £15 and children under 15 years old have free entry.

To book tickets, visit www.bathandwestdairyshow.seetickets.com/event/the-dairy-show/bath-west-showground/3079678.

Full schedule line-up so far, with seminars hosted by James Bardwell.:

10.10-10.30am: Real Success – Title TBC;

10.50-11.10am: Nick Spicer, chief executive officer, Your Eco – Harvesting Talent: How B Corps Revolutionise Recruitment in the Agricultural Renewables Sector;

11.30-11.50am: Hugh Pocock, founding director, Cultura Connect – Attracting and Retaining a Successful Team;

12.10-12.30pm: Ruthie Peterson, careers manager, The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) – Working together to attract the next generation into agriculture;

12.50-1.10pm: Tess Howe, Head of Partnerships & Policy, TIAH – Recruiting and Retaining the best talent;

1.40-2pm: Dr Kerensa Hawkey, Nutritionist & Technical Projects Manager and Lizzie Thacker, Ruminant Nutritionist, Mole Valley Farmers – A Mole Valley Farmers perspective on attracting and developing new talent to meet the future demand of agriculture;

2.20-2.40pm: Tim Hector, director (rural surveyor), Cooper & Tanner – Exploring Careers in Agriculture: The Role of a Land Agent in the UK.