Archive Article: 2000/12/08
Kevin Littleboy
Kevin Littleboy farms 243ha
(600 acres) as Howe
Estates at Howe, Thirsk, N
Yorks. The medium sandy
loam in the Vale of York
supports potatoes, winter
wheat, rape and barley, plus
grass for sheep
THE determined optimism shown by farmers at The Royal Smithfield Show was encouraging, albeit those of us from Yorks were pleased to be in London just to get our flippers off!
I believe Smithfield is the only show where an independent company audits attendance figures. While I think that is a very good thing, to have to queue to register having paid £16 to get in is unacceptable. What they will make of the visitor registered as Mr M Mouse, Disneyland, France will be interesting. I look forward to the Royal Show figures being audited.
As a new member of British Cereal Exports, it is perturbing to hear that it is difficult to find grain under 15% moisture for export. While I totally sympathise and understand why this is, surely the price is low enough without rejections and penalties this year?
Grain generally trades on a "specification" and varieties are blended to make that spec. I dont believe that is sustainable when exporting grain for specific needs. Foreign buyers must be taught about British varieties and their capabilities, and the seller must ascertain what that wheat will be used for to ensure the varieties loaded will actually make the end product.
The trades general secrecy over where and how much it has exported is surprising. HM Customs and Excise used to produce figures but since the single market started there has been a dearth of data. It is generally accepted that about 2m tonnes has been exported so far this year but can we be confident of that? In the present climate surely the "Grain Chain UK plc" should work together, rather than operating with an outdated, insular mindset. I hope that the HGCA can come up with a workable solution to this.
In the height of the floods you will never guess who turned up to inspect the sheep dip and disposal areas. You couldnt get into the village or farmyard, let alone the dip. Even Christopher Columbus would have struggled! *
Meet Kevin Littleboy, aka Mr Mouse, of Disneyland Paris and The Royal Smithfield Show.