As I write, the silage contractors are pacing the yard,
eager to make a start. However, the sun is shining and I'm keen to
get some wilt, as the short-term forecast is good. There's
something about silage contractors, that they must be going all the
time, even though they are finished here and they have nowhere else
to go. I feel a compromise coming on.
Lee has sheared all the sheep and he has done a great job, he is
a lot faster than me now. Number one son has also taken an interest
and within a year or two, my shearing services may well not be
required, with any luck!
After last year's increase in wool price, I started to hope we
had turned a corner. However, sadly we are to be paid less again
this time. Supporting the wool board is necessary to prevent wool
becoming a waste product and also to achieve higher prices for next
year.
I have recently returned from Luxembourg, where I joined a
European farmers demonstration designed to highlight the plight of
farmers in the EU. It's amazing what goes on on the Continent:
Slurry tankers spreading milk in the street, burning tyres,
throwing eggs at speakers and blocking off roads with tractors -
all good stuff! It struck fear into the politicians because they
took the chance to remain in the commission building protected by
armed police.
It's clear, regardless of what subsidy or sector of farming we
are in, farmers are struggling to make a profit. Long-term food
security and supply, along with climate change as well as unwanted
regulations that deliver extra cost without any benefit, such as
EID, are becoming major issues. Our politicians should ignore us at
their peril.
