UK A Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust Report Award sponsored by The Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award Agricultural societies and shows: where do we go from here? Aled Rhys Jones NUFFIELD July 2016 NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST (UK) TRAVEL AWARDS “Nuffield” travel awards give a unique opportunity to stand back from your day to day occupation and to study a subject of interest to you. Academic qualifications are not essential but you will need to persuade the Selection Committee that you have the qualities to make the best use of an opportunity that is given to only a few – approximately 20 each year. Awards are open to those who work in farming, growing, forestry, or otherwise in the countryside, and sometimes to those working in ancillary industries, or are in a position to influence those who do. You must be resident in the UK. The normal age range is 25 to 45 but at least one younger candidate each year will receive an Award. You must have spent at least 2 years working in a relevant industry in the UK. Pre- and post-graduate students are not eligible for an Award to support their studies. The Nuffield Arden Award is unique in that there is no age restriction and the subject is set by the Selection Committee. An Arden Award is offered every 2 years. Full details of all Awards can be seen on the Trust’s website: www.nuffieldscholar.org. Application forms can be downloaded and only online submission is accepted. Closing date for completed applications is the 31st July each year. A Nuffield (UK) Farming Scholarships Trust Report “Leading positive change in agriculture. Date of report: July 2016 Inspiring passion and potential in people.” Title Agricultural societies and shows: where do we go from here? Scholar Aled Rhys Jones Sponsor The Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award Objectives of (1) To understand the historical context of agricultural societies and shows Study Tour and compare their relevance to modern farming; (2) To establish the principal functions and charitable aims of agricultural societies and shows and understand how these aims are delivered; (3) To explore the relationship between ‘the society’ and ‘the show’; (4) To highlight the challenges and opportunities for societies and shows to remain relevant, viable and sustainable in an increasingly diverse agricultural industry. Countries Visited Belgium, China, England, France, Northern Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, United States of America, Wales Messages Agricultural societies and shows play an important role in promoting farming and food production to the wider public Sound financial management and business planning is key to secure the long-term sustainability of societies and shows Strategic planning and proper governance structures is fundamental to the effective delivery of charitable aims A society is more than just a show – and people need to know about it Clarity of purpose and regular communication is required Greater focus and resources will be placed on delivering education to both children and the consumer Technology, data analytics and digital marketing will play an important role in the way societies and shows conduct their business in future People are one of our most important resources and societies and shows need to invest to grow future leaders Table of Contents 1. Personal Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 2. Background and objectives of my study........................................................................................... 3 3. Historical context – setting the scene .............................................................................................. 4 4. Overview of countries visited ........................................................................................................... 5 4.1. France ....................................................................................................................................... 6 4.2. China ......................................................................................................................................... 6 4.3. United States of America .......................................................................................................... 7 4.4. Papua New Guinea .................................................................................................................... 7 4.5. United Kingdom ........................................................................................................................ 8 4.6. Other Countries ......................................................................................................................... 8 5. My findings ...................................................................................................................................... 9 5.1. Today’s agriculture – a global business ..................................................................................... 9 5.2. Today’s visitor – not just farmers ............................................................................................ 10 5.3. Shifting the focus of shows ..................................................................................................... 13 5.4. Is showing animals still relevant? ............................................................................................ 15 5.5. Animal welfare, biosecurity and disease control ..................................................................... 25 5.6. Education ................................................................................................................................ 29 5.7. Entertainment ......................................................................................................................... 35 5.8. Food is fashionable ................................................................................................................. 39 5.9. Is the bowler hat really necessary? ......................................................................................... 42 5.10. I don’t want welly weather! .................................................................................................. 43 5.11. Far more than just a show ..................................................................................................... 46 5.12. A Society with no show ......................................................................................................... 47 5.13. A charity is still a business ..................................................................................................... 50 5.14. Diversification on showgrounds ............................................................................................ 52 5.15. The importance of good governance .................................................................................... 57 5.16. How will technology change the way we do business? ......................................................... 62 5.17. Get yourself an umbrella - organisation I mean .................................................................... 66 6. Conclusions .................................................................................................................................... 70 7. Recommendations ......................................................................................................................... 72 9. After my study tour ........................................................................................................................ 75 10. Executive summary ...................................................................................................................... 76 11. Acknowledgements and thanks ................................................................................................... 77 12. References and reading list .......................................................................................................... 84 12. Appendix A ................................................................................................................................... 87 Table of Figures Figure 1: The author, Aled Rhys Jones .................................................................................................. 1 Figure 2: Infographic with key travel statistics ...................................................................................... 5 Figure 3: Royal Welsh Show 2015 visitor survey – respondents’ involvement in agriculture ............. 10 Figure 4: Visualisation of the top responses to the question ‘what is the single thing you’ve liked most about the show?’ from the 2015 Royal Welsh Show visitor survey ........................................... 11 Figure 5: Factors importance to fair attendance. (Source: Lillywhite, Dr. J.M., 2014) ........................ 12 Figure 6: The Farm Progress Show 2015 (Decatur, Illinois, U.S.A.) ..................................................... 14 Figure 7: ‘Trojan’ painted by Thomas Weaver in 1826........................................................................ 16 Figure 8: Results on online poll run by Farmers Weekly (Source: Price, R., 2015) .............................. 17 Figure 9: (L-R) Phil Franklin, Morobe Show President, presenting the Champion Bull Award to John Smith, Manager of Ramu Beef, with cattle handler and Judges: Aled Jones and Hayley Bass. .......... 21 Figure 10: (L-R) David Daniels (Director of Agriculture Ohio State Government), Aled Jones