13/06/2025
A visit to the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Show by Adrian Barker
Last week we visited the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Show – fortunately managing to pick the one dry day!
The highlight of the visit to Cornwall was to meet tenant farmers and tour their farm near to Falmouth. Sheep farming is not easy. Sheep farming on rented land is even harder.
To listen though to their plans for the farm – they have a rare, in terms of length, 16-year tenancy – was wonderful. They spoke passionately about the variety of seeds sown for pasture and how that helped the soil by fixing nitrogen and how it will help improve the soil for future years.
They explained how they could use some of the land as a temporary campsite to give additional income, in July and August, and then supply welcome packs including the essentials for a night under canvas.
They have previously taken a catering van to events which is something they plan to revisit now they are settled in Cornwall.
At the show it was wonderful to attend the NFU stand and listen to David Exwood, who is the current Deputy President of the NFU.
Some of you will be familiar with Tom Bradshaw – the incumbent President of the NFU, who like Jeremy Clarkson has spoken about the IHT changes for farmers: One with a tear or two, and the latter strongly as those that saw the Victoria Derbyshire interview can attest.
David spoke, equally passionately about the next generations in farming, tenancies, and the SFI scheme.
Great to have people speaking so passionately about farming, whether they be young, older and a bit older still.
Pictured are Terry Miller, a Somerset dairy farmer, David Exwood –NFU Deputy President – and Beth & Stephen, the aforementioned tenant farmers in Cornwall.
Separately, I also spotted the heir to the throne and his Aunt, on their way to a gin tasting. Grandma would have been appreciative, as would Great Auntie Margaret.
Thanks for reading.
Adrian.
