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Matthew Butterfield - recently announced as the RABDF Dairy Student of the Year - writes about his journey into farming from a non-traditional background. 

Five years ago, I had never done a day of farm work in my life. I knew a few farmers and farmer’s sons, but hadn’t even contemplated becoming one myself.

Ironically, I had set myself the criteria of what I wanted from my work, but had not put two and two together and realised that farming offered all of those and so much more. Some of those criteria were (and are) physical work, problem-solving tests and leading a team to work to the highest standards. I have found all of these in my, thus far brief, career in farming, and I look forward to many more in years to come.

Farmers might get a bad press for being rather defensive against newcomers in the sector, but I have found nothing but support and encouragement. I am still in contact with all the original farmers who gave me those first periods of work experience; they will be my mentors for years to come. Farmers will very often take a risk with a new entrant. If you are more than prepared to throw yourself in at the deep end and build up your technical competence and farming knowledge, that will take you further than an all-bells-and-whistles CV!

Such was the case with my placement year. All of the team at the farm had started with little experience, and had all been trained up there, which was exactly what I needed. It was a transformative year for me, both as a young farmer and as a young man. I never quite knew how testing a full week where everything went wrong could be, but I also had never known the elation of weeks when everything goes well and the cows are grazing away. It is a testament to the nature of the work, my love for cattle and to the team spirit that we had on the farm - which II will be returning after I complete my studies at Harper.

So, I do not own a farm, or rent one either. How can I go and become a dairy farmer in my own right?

Well, our sector offers tremendous opportunities for joint ventures. We have fewer than half the number of dairy farms now than we did 10 years ago. If you are prepared to work hard, be enthusiastic, push doors open and test the water in different areas, you will be surprised as to the opportunities that will arise!