Dairy association launches training programme

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers has launched a new nationwide training programme designed to enable producers to strengthen their businesses through co-operation following its successful bid for support from Government’s £5m Dairy Fund package.

Called the RABDF Foundation for Collaboration, the venture will help dairy farmers to increase their competitiveness, access new markets, strengthen their position in the dairy supply chain and ultimately secure their long term future in the dairy industry. All dairy farmers in located in England are be eligible to participate.

The programme will be officially launched with a major conference in April, followed by a series of regional training meetings, group workshops and study tours to established European Producer Organisations.

In addition, access to funding will be available to farmers demonstrating commitment to collaboration including help with business plans, feasibility studies and the necessary legal costs involved in setting up legally constituted Producer Organisations.

RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington commented: “We are pleased to have been able to secure substantial support from the Dairy Fund package which has been available to the sector under Government’s Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).

“The RABDF Foundation for Collaboration will help the Association to continue its overall aim - to encourage the development of a successful, sustainable and profitable dairy sector which can be achieved in many ways including redressing the balance of power in the supply chain through farmer co-operation.”

He adds: “We believe this opportunity is very timely. With milk prices at an all-time high and processors keen to secure supplies, it’s now that farmers should think about how they can maintain a strong negotiating position and not when milk is at the bottom of the price curve.”