RABDF appoints First Milk farmer director as new chair

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has appointed Robert Craig, First Milk non-executive farmer director, as its new chair.

The Cumbrian dairy farmer and previous RABDF vice-chair starts his three-year tenure today (Tuesday, October 3), taking over from Devon dairy farmer Di Wastenage.

Succeeding Craig as vice-chair is Shropshire dairy farmer Tim Downes.  

Craig is also currently the First Milk’s vice chairman. All three of his businesses supply First Milk, and he also represents First Milk at Dairy UK, where he chairs the Dairy UK farmer forum.   

Commenting on his plans during the tenure, Craig said: “As well as building on the foundations laid out by Di, there are some exciting projects that we hope to develop as an association to help overcome labour shortages in the dairy sector and also to do more to promote the industry, particularly to the next generation.  

“Undoubtedly, there will also be a focus on the here and now and the impact milk price cuts are having on farmers and ways in which we, as an association, can help support our members as the pinch is felt,” he added.

He also thanked outgoing chair Di Wastenage, the association’s first female chair, for her work, saying: “I am delighted to be the RABDF chairman and am thankful to Di for the work she has done during her term and for leaving the RABDF in such a strong position.  

“Di has contributed to a wide range of topics, including the environment, animal health and welfare, and through her role as Patron of Women in Dairy, showcasing the importance of female roles and the exciting opportunities for women in the sector.”

Craig is a third-generation dairy farmer and operates three dairy farming businesses across Cumbria and Northumberland, milking 1,500 spring and autumn-calving cows. A past chair of Cumbria National Farmers’ Union (NFU), he still maintains an interest in local and national politics both on and off the farm.  

The new RABDF chair is also a 2012 Nuffield Scholar and has worked closely with The Sustainable Food Trust since his travels, particularly on the Global Farm Metric project.