Focus on succession planning at Women in Agriculture event
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FARM succession planning was the theme of the latest Women in Agriculture event to be held in Caithness.
Thursday's session at the Ulbster Arms Hotel in Halkirk – the sixth so far in the area – attracted a good number of people from throughout the county as well as a contingent from Melness.
They were welcomed by agricultural consultant Cat MacGregor, from SAC Consulting in Thurso, who said: "It is lovely to see so many new faces here."
There had been some uncertainty about the next round of meetings due to Brexit, but she was pleased to say this year's events had now been confirmed.
Delivering the latest talk was succession farming specialist Heather Wildman, of Saviour Associates, Dumfries, who has more than 26 years' experience of working with farmers and industry throughout the UK.
Brought up on a family sheep and beef hill farm in the Lake District, Heather has been based in Scotland for 20 years.
She has worked around the world, including a stint in 2012 with the Nuffield Farming Scholarship studying communication.
In a bid to overcome the succession barriers and highlight the benefits of developing a plan, Heather related her own story and experiences in an informal and relaxed manner.
Succession planning is an important topic for any business and the workshop provided a guide on how best to tackle the issue in farming and crofting families.
"Succession can be a difficult thing to discuss," Heather said. "Sometimes people can be relieved when you bring it up. We only hear the horror stories."
She pointed out that research on the subject in Australia found that bringing the whole family together for workshops and learning from others had proved successful and resulted in action plans being drawn up.
Preparing for what she called the six "Ds" – death, disability, disaster/disease, disagreement and debt – Heather said it was important to obtain professional advice as well as recognise differences in generational values within a family.
She said that individuals need to know what they want, and ask whether they are ready to make the change and if they have a time frame in mind and a exit/retirement plan. Those planning for succession also need to have worked out the financial aspects, have up-to-date wills drawn up and ensure they have enough provisions to live off.
Discussing matters with the family and making sure the next generation has the right skills to take the business forward is also important, as well as putting together a "how to" manual so others taking over know how to keep things running smoothly.
Heather said: "You cannot start planning for your succession or future soon enough."
Asking if farmers or crofters would recommend someone to take over their business, she said she had spoken to some who felt they would discourage their children from taking over.
"Many times we are not in it for the profit, we are in it because we love doing it," Heather said.
Expressing the importance of establishing ambitions, she pointed out: "A goal written down is 80 per cent more likely to come true."
One of her motivational slides stated: "When you truly believe in what you are doing it shows. And it pays. Winners in life are those who are excited about where they are going."
Under the heading of sustainability, she said: "I do believe the future is bright and exciting. We do need people, they are key – we are going to need new skills to take things forward."
She added: "I am generally very concerned about the health and wellbeing of our local communities. Stress is the number one killer in our society."
Highlighting the hectic workload and pressures most farmers are under and the need for proper holidays, Heather pointed out: "We are not designed to go at this pace."
Heather has compiled an information pack about succession planning and details can be found on Saviour Associates' website.
The Farm Advisory Service can also help with succession and more information can be located on its website.
Ideas are now being sought for future training subjects for Women in Agriculture. Topics covered in the previous workshops include diversification, online tax and animal health.
