Award-winning Cumbrian dairy farmer becomes RABDF chairman

At the Association’s October chairman’s meeting yesterday (3rd October), former vice chair Robert Craig begun his three-year tenure.

Mr Craig is a third-generation dairy farmer and operates three dairy farming businesses across Cumbria and Northumberland, milking 1,500 spring and autumn calving cows. A past chairman of Cumbria NFU, he still maintains an interest in local and national politics both on and off the farm.

He is also a non-executive director of First Milk and is currently the co-op’s vice chairman. All three of his businesses supply First Milk, and he also represents First Milk at Dairy UK, where he chairs the Dairy UK farmer forum.

Mr Craig is also a 2012 Nuffield Scholar and has worked closely with The Sustainable Food Trust since his travels, particularly on the Global Farm Metric project.

Robert has been active as RABDF vice chairman, representing the Association on the Ruminant Health and Welfare steering group, helping inform and guide on general dairy issues, and often acting as the spokesperson for wider press matters. He has also been instrumental in delivering a dairy labour roundtable, continuing to focus heavily on this crucial area.

Robert Craig has been appointed as chairman of RABDF.

Thanking Ms Wastenage for her work, Mr Craig said: “I am delighted to be the RABDF chairman and am thankful to Di for the work she has done during her term and for leaving the RABDF in such a strong position.

“Di has contributed to a wide range of topics, including the environment, animal health and welfare, and through her role as Patron of Women in Dairy, showcasing the importance of female roles and the exciting opportunities for women in the sector,” he added.

Commenting on his plans during the tenure, Mr Craig said: “As well as building on the foundations laid out by Di, there are some exciting projects that we hope to develop as an Association to help overcome labour shortages in the dairy sector and also to do more to promote the industry, particularly to the next generation.

“Undoubtedly, there will also be a focus on the here and now and the impact milk price cuts are having on farmers and ways in which we, as an Association, can help support our members as the pinch is felt.”

Succeeding Mr Craig as vice chairman is Shropshire dairy farmer Tim Downes.

Dairy farmers interested in being more involved with the RABDF and joining the council can contact the team for an informal chat on 02476 639 317 or by emailing Office@rabdf.co.uk.