FAMILY farms are more likely to succeed where the people in line to take over the business take a "professional detour" in the form of paid employment within or outside the agricultural sector, according to Dr Matt Lobley, of Exeter University.
Speaking at a British Grassland Society meeting looking at the success and succession in tenancy farming, Dr Lobley said that sons and daughters returning home from a period away brought back fresh ideas and lots of enthusiasm.
"This often stimulated capital investment and expansion plans, which may not have been done otherwise.
"People who go away and work in another industry or travel to see farming in other countries tend to be entrepreneurial and innovative," said Dr Lobley.
"This has a significant effect on the future viability of the business at home.
"It is much more likely to succeed than one where the successor has worked only as a farmer's boy, alongside father, essentially just another hired hand, with little or no responsibility."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article