Dairy Event 2005 features Diversifarm - new diversification exhibition
16/08/05

Diversifarm, a major new exhibition covering abroad spectrum of farm diversification activitieswill feature at Dairy Event 2005, to be held at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 September by its organisers the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

Jointly staged by RABDF and the Country Land and Business Association, Diversifarm will provide information and advice on rural finance and business planning, leisure and tourism and the environment and conservation.

“Diversifarm is being introduced in response to dairy producer's intentions,” explains RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington. “Our market research carried out at last year's Dairy Event found that 56% of visitors planned to develop significant alternative sources of income from dairy farming. In addition to adding value to milk with on farm processing and retailing initiatives, these farmers were also looking to generate new income streams from existing farm assets.”

He adds:“Overall, we find it most encouraging that farmers are seeking to diversify their businesses to acquire additional income at a time when the dairy industry continues to face huge difficulties. Farm gate milk prices remain unsustainable and the UK is firmly at the bottom of the EU milk price league table for the seventh consecutive year. While we are continuing to urge Government to introduce a Milk Regulator, we have also reiterated on a number of occasions that the dairy industry cannot wait for someone else to fix the situation - it must take charge of its own future.

“Diversifarm is extremely timely and offers visitors an opportunity to examine the opportunities, understand the marketplace, determine how they can exploit their resources and make informedbusiness decisions.”