More than 6,000 farmers and suppliers came together at the Dairy Show on October 1 to support each other, share ideas and exhibit top class livestock.

Against a backdrop of falling milk prices, the mood remained buoyant, with producers sharing regenerative farming tips in the LandAlive seminars, learning from industry experts in the AgriForum theatre and exploring new technology from the 300+ exhibitors. "It's been a challenging year given the dry weather," said David Cotton, dairy farmer and chairman of the show. "But farmers are good problem-solvers and are always adapting and looking at ways to improve resilience in uncertain times."

Family farm tax

A major headline this year has been the changes to inheritance tax, which threatens the viability of family farms. Visitors packed the AgriForum session to learn how to navigate the impending new rules. "The worst thing anyone can do is put their head in the sand," said Philip Whitcomb, partner at Clarke Willmott solicitors.

Options to try and mitigate tax include diluting company shareholdings among more directors, putting land into trust, and gifting property under the seven-year rule, said Mike Butler, agricultural partner at accountant PFK Francis Clarke. However, every option carries other potential tax implications, as well as complexity when it comes to running the business.

"Often these set-ups are very inflexible; but fiscal rules will change, and family circumstances will change," explained Mr Whitcomb. "So you need to ensure there's a way out if things do change." Taking professional advice from accountants, solicitors, and your bank is therefore essential.

Regen farming

Over in the new LandAlive theatre, farmers and consultants shared their journeys into regenerative farming, with processors, banks and nutritionists joining the supply chain dots. "Soil is the foundation of everything," said event organiser Tom Pycraft, founder of Ark. Soil health, livestock health, environmental health and human health are all intrinsically linked, and regenerative practices stand to benefit them all.

Lee Truelove, head of regenerative farming at First Milk, explained how lots of producers making small changes can add up to have a significant impact. Over the past four years the co-operative's 700 farmers have managed 92,000ha of land regeneratively, sequestering 203,000t of carbon dioxide per year and reducing their carbon footprint by 3.2% per litre of milk.

"We need systemic change and that's only going to come from partnerships," he said. We have to work with the major food companies – a little bit of change with them will have a massive impact."

Biomethane

Another element to circular farming is using slurry and manure to generate power. Anaerobic digestion has been around for many years, and the next development is creating biomethane to be used either on-farm or injected into the gas grid. One AgriForum session brought together experts to explore this emerging technology and its on-farm potential.

Although there are initial hurdles to overcome in terms of securing planning permission, funding and grid connection, the opportunities are tremendous, said Jacks Weaver, regional policy manager at the NFU. "There's huge scope for collaboration." Smaller producers could feed into a single collection hub with grid access, while the digestate waste can be used as a soil conditioner.

"The most exciting thing for the industry is that the technology is being made smaller and more accessible," she added. Adding CO2 production to the mix, alongside biomethane, is a further opportunity, with the whole system offering the potential for improved farm sustainability in every sense of the word.

Cattle show

The culmination of the show – after two days of calf and cow competition - was the supreme interbreed championship, picking out the best of the best. Claiming top spot with a perfect judges' score of 50 was Oliver Reed with his three-year-old Holstein cow Davlea Chief Lulu 3. Sired by Stantons Chief, this impressive cow calved in June and is yielding 60 litres of milk per day.

Oliver, whose family milk 150 cows through three Lely robots in Blackborough, Devon, also won the reserve interbreed calf competition with Beaconhill Arrow Kelly. Coupled with his first ever supreme win at the Dairy Show, celebrations were therefore guaranteed.

In reserve spot was James Evans with his three-year-old Jersey cow Mydrim Tequilas Spring Tracy. This homebred cow by Tower Vue Prime Tequilla produced twins in June, is yielding 40 litres per day, and is back in-calf to River Valley Victorious. Following a string of successes at the Royal Welsh, Pembrokeshire and national Jersey shows, she'll be heading to the Welsh Dairy Show next.

"I love everything about her," said Mr Evans, who keeps 50 cows near Haverfordwest in Wales while also working full-time as an animal nutritionist. "She's got power, strength and a tremendous udder, as well as great feet and legs – she just glides around the ring."

Dairy Industry Award

On the eve of the show, at the Dairy Industry Dinner, Michael Masters, head of milk supplies and operations at Barbers Cheesemaker, was presented with the Dairy Industry Award. "From setting up the first Dairy Producer Organisation and travelling all over the country supporting dairy farmers, to giving evidence at parliamentary enquiries, Michael has spent a lifetime in dairy farming," said Mr Cotton. "A huge well done - this award is very well deserved."

For more information visit www.bathandwest.com/the-dairy-show