NFU president Minette Batters is amongst the high profile speakers lined up for this year’s Women in Dairy conference on Wednesday 19 September at Sixways Stadium, Worcester.
Focusing on the theme of ‘Breaking Barriers’ other speakers for the day include Dairy Farmer and Farmers Weekly columnist Liz Haines, and Helen Rogers from Friars Moor Vets. Focussed Farmers’ Holly Beckett and AB Group will complete the programme with sessions in the afternoon.
Minette Batters says she is looking forward to addressing some of the biggest challenges facing the industry, providing delegates with real, practical solutions they are able to implement themselves.
“We are without doubt facing many challenges within the sector but must remember that with these will come new opportunities that will inevitably make our sector stronger.”
Liz Haines will discuss the importance of encouraging fresh talent to the sector and will explain why she went from city publishing executive to dairy farmer, despite having almost no farming background and limited capital to invest.
Holly Beckett undertook a Nuffield Farming Scholarship looking at the practical applications that can be used for business growth through the development of people.
Ms Beckett said: “From my Nuffield research I was able to launch Focussed Farmers and measure the effects of completing a programme of mindfulness and meditation on farmers and ag-sector workers.
“I’ll be discussing my research and giving tips and tools that delegates are able to take away to improve their own wellbeing both at work and at home.”
Conference chair Di Wastenage, RABDF council member and patron of Women in Dairy says the conference provides a unique opportunity to celebrate diversity and talent that women bring to our industry.
“It is great to see the conference has become a staple in many women’s diaries and has made its name as a day that offers the chance for likeminded women to connect with each other, share experiences and be inspired by top speakers.”
HSBC have confirmed their principal sponsorship of the event for the second year running and will speak at the conference opening and present the second ever Women in Dairy Industry Woman of the Year Award.
The award intends to celebrate the achievements of women in the British dairy industry and the presentation will take place at the end of the day. Nominations for the award are now open until 17 August with entry forms available at www.womenindairy.co.uk
