President of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is celebrating the success of Cheshire as a thriving dairy county when he visits as special guest at the Cheshire Show on Tuesday, June 23.
Peter Kendall will be visiting the Agri-Centre, which is a platform for farmers and farming businesses to show visitors the journey of food from ’Plough to Plate’, at the Cheshire Show, held at Tabley Showground, near Knutsford.
Chairman of the Agri-Centre committee, and Cheshire Show volunteer, Stuart Yarwood, invited Mr Kendall to visit the Show, after Peter called for farmers to raise the profile of farming success in Cheshire, on his last visit to the county.
Stuart explains: "It is a great coup for the Show to have Peter attending this year.
"A visit to the Agri Centre will show Peter how Cheshire farmers and farming businesses pass on their knowledge of how food is produced to the public.
"It is essential that people are familiar with the processes of how we turn milk into cheese, and grain into a loaf. If people understand where their food comes from they will have confidence in the food the buy and where it comes from."
Peter Kendall will be hosting a breakfast meeting with farmers from across Cheshire on the morning ahead of the Show to answer questions on topical agricultural issues.
Issues expected to be raised include questions on milk marketing, nitrate vulnerable zones, and tuberculosis in cattle.
The show comes at a time when the county’s dairy farmers are experiencing difficult times, after the milk cooperative, Dairy Farmers of Britain, went into receivership.
NFU President, Peter Kendall, said: "During what is a tough time for the dairy sector it’s really important milk producers are aware of all the possible options when it comes to selling milk in a profitable and sustainable way. We’re asking all those in the supply chain to be aware of their actions, and the possible implications for the future of milk supply.
"Cheshire Show is one of the most important and strategic dairy events in the North West and whilst there, I hope to have discussions with milk producers about finding ways to enable them all to survive this turbulent period."
