SEDGEMOOR'S Briarwood Products is supporting the future of farming by offering informative tours of its Highbridge headquarters.

The company, which is one of the UK's largest suppliers of 'EUROSIX' Fibre Cement Roofing, wants to invest in the next generation of farmers by offering educational tours to agricultural students.

Agricultural students from Bridgwater and Taunton College were the first group to spend a morning at the company’s 21-acre site.

The educational visit taught the students about how animal welfare can benefit from the use of fibre cement roofing and ventilation systems, which allows fresh air flow within livestock buildings.

Somerset farmer Alan Janes established Briarwood Products more than 40 years ago, which has grown to become a nationwide supplier to farmers and steel frame manufacturers.

The family continue to run their beef farms locally as well as the growing company, and as farmers themselves they can relate to the challenges and opportunities for farmers today.

“Despite the uncertainty around what changes Brexit may bring, it is a very exciting time for farming, with a bright future ahead," said Briarwood director Oliver Janes.

"Scientific and technological advances as well as education mean the farmers of the future will be running more productive and efficient farms than ever before.”

Shane Plowright, course leader at the Bridgwater & Taunton College Cannington Campus, said: “Our trip to Briarwood Products gave the students an excellent insight into how the company operates, as well as the benefits to animal welfare and positive impact on productivity of using EUROSIX fibre cement.”

Briarwood Products hopes this will be the first of many educational visits offered to agricultural students, as well as continuing to provide sponsorship for local student awards and agricultural building projects.