Farmer Focus : David Greasby
I”m suffering from information overload. With 10kg of farming reports, directives or consultative documents on my desk the quest for a summary of conclusions or list of significant points is like searching for the Holy Grail. Computers are great for information analysis but have negated the art of succinct and easily readable communication. Email might be fast (as long as it”s working) but seems to be an excuse for passing on a barrage of superfluous information.
With an ACCS inspection out of the way for another year our next compliance task is dealing with the Entry Level Scheme, although we are still awaiting new field numbers for significant point scoring areas. I have opted to use the expertise of FWAG to ensure we get it right from the outset, and to start looking at future environmental options for this farm.
As an industry we have kept a low profile in recent times, weathering the salvoes and sniping from myriad environmental interest groups. Times are changing, and with the springboard provided through adoption of these new schemes, we must be moving into an era where the initiative can be regained on countryside and food production matters.
As lorry loads of shining new equipment pass this farm on a regular basis, I can only hazard that somebody, somewhere, has a bullish view of arable farming or is making significant cost reductions through new investment. I am envious to a point – most of my future machinery is currently blocking hedgerow gaps around the country keeping out travellers!
Yoga under the palm trees – a holiday dare from my wife, had me identifying grasses and weeds in the Sinai Peninsular from the classic “crab” position. With no farming to compete or compare with, sun, sea and far too much food – our batteries are now fully re-charged.