Professor David Leaver has been elected president of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers following two years by John Alvis MBE who has stepped down.

Prof Leaver has a career spanning 20 years in dairy research and 20 years in agricultural education, and brings a comprehensive wealth of knowledge and experience to the organisation. In 2007 he retired as principal and chief executive of the Royal Agricultural College having previously held roles at Wye College, University of London and Imperial College.

He is current chairman of the RASE’s Practice with Science Group, president of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC), a member of the government chief scientific adviser’s Food Research Partnership, and also of the Commercial Farmers Group.

“I am delighted to be elected RABDF president,” he said. “My background is steeped in dairying having been brought up on a small producer-retailer dairy farm in Lancashire, followed by a research career focused on improving the efficiency of dairy cattle production systems, so it is both a pleasure and honour to have this involvement with RABDF..”     

“We are looking forward to David Leaver’s input,” said RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington. “His scientific background combined with practical experience in the dairy sector and sound common sense will help drive forward the organisation strategically and benefit all farming businesses.”

He added: “Farmers will have the opportunity to meet and talk with him at the forthcoming Livestock 2012, at The NEC, Birmingham on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 September.”

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