Mark Ireland
28 June 2002
Mark Ireland
Mark Ireland farms with
his father and brother at
Grange Farm, North
Rauceby, Lincs. Sugar beet
and barley are the core
crops on the 1004ha (2481
acres) heathland unit
WHAT a busy month June has been. A welcome return to show time with Cereals and the Lincolnshire Show, field-walking and spraying in between, and now harvest only a couple of weeks away. The month has flown by.
I am sure most of us are approaching harvest with much more enthusiasm than we did a year ago.
However, present commodity prices temper that and difficult decisions must be made over next years cropping, a point not lost on the agricultural trade at Cereals. Companies were offering anything from a cup of coffee to the chance to win 25t of fertiliser to prise this information from us.
The knee-jerk reaction to low prices is to set more land aside. But if that is to achieve a positive financial position both labour and machinery costs must be cut too. A brave decision, which may be effective in the short term, but I wonder what the long term effect would be, especially with skilled labour already in short supply.
We are very lucky to work with four dedicated and loyal staff and it was a great privilege to see two of them, Laurence Winter and Brian Pemblington, collect long service awards at the Lincolnshire Show. With 44 and 42 years service to us they must be applauded and I am very pleased and grateful that the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society are able to recognise them in this way.
I hope all who made it to Cereals 2002 found it worthwhile. Although DEFRA had a stand it was disappointing that no government minister could find the time to attend. Surely an hour or two at the countrys premier arable event is not a lot to ask? This absence highlights their view of our industry.
Finally, I would like to congratulate The Royal Agricultural Society on their excellent organisation, not just on the day but throughout our association with them. Also, would the burglars who broke into my brothers on the afternoon of the first day please return the lawn mower. *