According to a new survey by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Club (NFYFC), young farmers are worried about their career and the future of the industry.
The research was conducted at the beginning of 2023 and surveyed 511 people. The average age of respondents was 22 years old, with 45% of the respondents living or working in a farming household and 31% were students.
The survey revealed that 72% of respondents think it will be difficult or impossible to move into farming due to financial barriers and access to land. Financial barriers are just one of many contextual stressors which farmers can face that have an impact on their mental health.
There are also frustrations with regulations of the prospects of farming. It is one of the key areas impacting upcoming farmers. The NFYFC has said: “Without an injection of new ideas, the young farmers’ federation warned that UK farming would miss out on a generation of talent and enthusiasm.”
The NFYFC survey indicates that new farmers cannot access the necessary support to break into the industry, leaving the agricultural industry calling for more support and training to support new entrants.
Aside from financial worries and lack of access to support, young farmers are also apprehensive about new environment schemes.
The NFYFC’s Agriculture and Rural Issues Manager, Sarah Palmer said young farmers desperately needed additional skills and training.
“A higher percentage of survey respondents felt they were positively rather than negatively affected by the new policy framework and recognised the need for additional skills and training. This research, combined with the learning from the recent Defra new entrant pilots for the design of a future scheme, will provide much-needed support for next generation aspirations.”
The future of farming in younger generations
At Livetec, we know that the farms of the future need sufficient support structure in place as they work to nourish our nation.
While we work to build the future of livestock protection, we recognise that young farmers are actively crafting the future of agriculture, which is absolutely critical. To find out how we are building the future of livestock protection, click here.
