I’ve been at the farm shop for a few days lately as, like everyone, we continue to deal with staff shortages.

It’s clear that organisations such as the Ulster Farmers’ Union and the AHDB need to step up and try to take advantage of the spotlight on food to educate the public on how food is priced and why it is only starting to rise, and can’t go back to the levels it was.

About the author

Richard Orr

Richard Orr farms cereals and potatoes in a reduced cultivation system in County Down, Northern Ireland, with his wife and two children. He is a cereals and oilseeds sector council member and focuses on soil and plant health. He also keeps a small number of cattle, pigs and sheep.

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Lots of customers are asking when these high prices are going to stop. When I reply saying it’s only starting and they will continue to rise, their amazement at how that could be possible is written across their faces.  

See also: Regenerative Agriculture: How to start reducing crop inputs

I try to explain that a lot of the crops we plant now will only be coming on to the market in 2023, therefore, their price will continue to rise. 

One of the big problems is the level of ignorance displayed by some customers.

One lady asked the supervisor why an item had risen in price, who politely started to explain that the cost of living is same for business and, therefore, costs are up and have to be reflected in the price.

The customer waved her hand towards the supervisor’s face, said “I haven’t time to listen to that rubbish” and walked on.  

Maybe she should consider the priorities of buying food and downgrading her £1,500 iPhone or £50,000 car.

People’s priorities are going to have to adjust and just asking the government for handouts or intervention isn’t going to fix the issue.

People take cheap food for granted rather than a basic essential and it’s up to them to prioritise.

Meanwhile, on the farm, potatoes are planted, wheat is sown and the veg drilled in what was the easiest spring since 2012.

The cold, sharp wind dried fields up just at the right time and as we worked, it skinned and dried nicely, creating the perfect seed-bed. 

However, this hasn’t been ideal for winter crops, especially barley, which stalled in the cold conditions.

We had a good night’s rain last night, which was very welcome and hopefully will spur everything into life now over Easter as fertiliser activates and the sun comes out.

Even the spring wheat, which is in the ground in perfect conditions, is just about to emerge three weeks later.