Lambing Live. Good Farming PR
Well done the BBC.!?
The programme has given a wonderful insight into the work that farmers do to bring the food to our table. It has shown that farmers are not money grabbers sponging off the single farm payment, but that they are caring people who whilst their life, (and business) is about trying to turn in a profit, that isn't at the expense of caring for their stock. We should be proud of our industry and if we don't shout from the rooftops about it nobody else will. Well done and Thank You to the Beavan Family for allowing the cameras onto their farm and presenting such a good view of farming.
All industries have people who don't agree with the way things are done. Farming is no different.. Maybe it's that caring side that lets us down or makes us feel vulnerable. Last nights show (Tuesday BBC2 8pm) showed Presenter Kate Humble crying at the loss of a lamb. It was the first one she had lost whilst assisting with a birth. It was left to the tougher farming nut and co-presenter Adam Henson to explain that even though he's been farming all his life, things like that still effect him but he has learn't that it sometimes happens and there is nothing you can do about it. I can remember the first lamb I lost more than the first Ewe I assisted successfully. One of triplets similar to last nights programme, probably had the same problem, it's lungs weren't formed properly and didn't inflate upon it being born. I tried desperately to keep the life going but it just ebbed away in your hands.
But we shouldn't be afraid to show this caring side, it will win us friends. Others do it quite cynically in the media with things that aren't as great as life and death. Be proud of Farming. It's a role that I believe the NFU should be more proactive in. Get the PR machine rolling. There is nothing as good as some fluffy animals to give some positive PR to Farming.
From Field to Fork, Farming Matters and other PR phrases, lets keep Positive Farming stories in the Mainstream press. It's the best way to keep us in the minds of our Customers.