Are first generation farmers better than fourth?

The recent Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) 2021 debated the motion “This house believes that first generation farmers are better than fourth”.
The debate is normally held at the famous Oxford Union which is well-known as a platform for lively speeches, sharp wit and good humour. This year it was held virtually and chaired by the founder and director of ON THE LAND, Aled Rhys Jones.
The speakers in proposition were two new entrant farmers; Nikki Yoxall founder of Grampian Graziers from Aberdeenshire and Muhsen Hassanin who left London to start life as a smallholder in South Wales. The speakers in opposition of the motion were Peter Wiggins-Davies, Chief Executive of his family’s Revesby Estate in Lincolnshire and Will Evans, farmer and host of the Rock & Roll Farming podcast from North East Wales.
You can watch the debate below and see which side you agree with.
Following the debate a vote was held where 58% said "Aye" and 42% said "Nay". So, the ayes have it, the ayes have it!
- Aled Rhys Jones
- Nikki Yoxall
- Will Evans
- Peter Wiggins-Davies
- Muhsen Hassanin