MARCH 2009 futures
3futures
Farming is in the blood
for agri-student Robert
FOCUS CAREERS ON THE LAND
A
GRICULTURE has always been a
way of life for Robert Brand. Born
on his parent's farm in Penrith, he
had first-hand experience of
running the farm, the machinery
and its livestock.
From a young age he helped out feeding
the cows, but it wasn't until later on into
his late teens that he realised farming
was a career calling.
The 19-year-old is now into his sixth
month at Barony College, Dumfries,
where he is studying a year-long national
certificate in agriculture.
"I'm really enjoying the course
especially as the college now has the new
�1.5m dairy shed as part of the working
farm," Robert said. "It's been the best
decision to come to Barony College as its
facilities are unrivalled in the area.
"The course is a 50/50 mix of theory
work and practical work so we spend a lot
of time on the farm learning hands-on."
With 270 cows on the college's farm
students really do have the chance to get
their hands dirty. Livestock production,
crops production, grassland and estate
management are just a few of the topics
covered in the extensive course, which
attracts students from all over the UK.
Part of the learning experience for
students at Barony sees them undertake
farm duties on a rota basis. Work
placement and field trips provide students
with opportunities to view and discuss
current agricultural practice,
developments and challenges.
Robert said: "The course covers so much
� even vehicle maintenance. We have a
period where we work on tractors and all
the other equipment you could possibly use
on a farm. It's really detailed, even down to
changing air filters which is important
when it comes to running a farm because if
you can fix the equipment yourself, you
can save a lot of time and money."
But Robert's knowledge and experience
of farm life has been a recipe of his own
passion and a little encouragement from
his dad. "My dad took the same national
certificate qualification that I have as he
wasn't born onto a farm like me so he
needed to get a good grounding as to how
a farm was managed.
"My mum's parents owned the farm
and when he married my mum he took
over running the farm. So when I was
debating what to do next after school, he
suggested gaining two years' experience
working with him on the farm before
taking the course.
"I'm pleased I listened to him as I've
had a better understanding of what I've
been taught here at Barony College
because I already had that experience
under my belt. It's something I would
seriously advise others to do as well, if
they can. It's hard to have a full
understanding of how a farm works and
knowledge of the livestock if you come
into it cold.
"If you're not already living or working
on a farm then get some time working on
one, whether that be in the morning,
evening or during the weekend."
With 240 Jersey cows on his family's
farm, it was easy to see why tending to
the college's cattle would be his favourite
aspect to the course. And the 228 hectare
campus farm with its 45 Aberdeen Angus,
300 sheep and 80 red deer, has been the
perfect environment for a diverse
education in agriculture.
"With the deer, sheep and different
breeds of cattle it has given us all the
opportunity to learn how to take care of a
range of livestock that you could find on a
farm and the differences when it comes to
keeping them," Robert said. "I really
enjoy doing the milk duty for a week and
using the college's new milking machines.
"I think I enjoy the course so much
because of the way it's set up. It's very
hands on and getting to spend 50 per cent
of the course learning practically has kept
me really interested.
"But even the theoretical work is
interesting � we're taught about all the
different breeds of sheep, lambing
techniques, dairy and getting cows back
in calf.
"We're also tested on things only a week
after we've learned them so you don't
have too long to forget things. But it helps
that the tutors and staff are really
supportive.
"I remember when we first started the
course we had to undergo a tractor test to
make sure we we're competent using the
machines."
Once Robert has gained his national
certificate he plans to go on to study a
higher national certificate (HNC) which
will take him another year and go into
further detail on farm management.
He then has hopes of travelling the
world before he settles into work on the
family's farm.
"My dad told me to travel the world for
12 months before I come to work on the
farm; he never had that opportunity and
told me to go for it before it was too late.
So once I've completed my HNC I'm
hoping to visit the USA for six months
and then onto New Zealand for six
months.
"But after that I'll be putting to good
use my college training at the farm."
For more information on the national
certificate in agriculture at Barony
College or any other course visit the
website www.barony.ac.uk
ROBERT BRAND: `I think I enjoy the course so much because of the way it's set up. It's very hands on and getting to spend 50 per cent of the
course learning practically has kept me really interested. But even the theoretical work is interesting � we're taught about all the different breeds of
sheep, lambing techniques, dairy and getting cows back in calf,' says the agricultural student at Barony College, Dumfries
BARONY COLLEGE: With the farm at the top right of the view

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