"Improving Our Lot" - Planned Holistic Grazing, for starters..

som farmer

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
somerset
don't hold your breath!
while normally l would totally agree with you, there is 'the perfect storm' of events occurring at the moment. Transport costs are getting stupid, with severe driver shortages, throughout the UK and more so in the EU, the just in time, policy of delivering, well and truly shot, coupled with imput costs rapidly rising, farmers are rapidly running out of profit, without more money, to buy the higher imput costs, output is going to fall. While many would say, 'farmers always moan about prices', l think that this time, many can no longer tighten the belt.
I do not worry about rising food costs for the public, they have always moaned about us, whether being accused of 'feather bedded', massively subsidised, rolling in money, destroying the planet etc, apart from the last, l would quite like those points, to be correct.
The world is witnessing a mammoth change, covid has affected everyone, in Europe, brexit, energy rapidly rising, is all causing problems, that have to be 'sorted out', before anything like normality returns, if ever.
But the biggest change, is the 'rich' western economies, are in decline, and being replaced by the far eastern, so called tiger economies. Where that will lead to, no idea, and not sure if politicians have either, which is scary.
 

Kiwi Pete

Member
Livestock Farmer
It's surprising to me, just how so many people have struggled to adjust to even slight delays with freight

you would "assume" (we know what that means) that humankind would always be striving to be more resilient, and that we would have plenty of whatever it is that we "rely on", to hand at all times - but it seems the opposite is true, if anything

then again what we're led to believe and reality may be slightly different, eg alot of employers claim "we can't get staff" yet aren't trying overly hard, because a skeleton crew is better for the company just worse for morale, and applicants aren't getting any response when contacting these employers

I guess now that diesel has cracked $1.50/litre then it helps make the agonising decision about chainharrowing a little easier 🤣🤣🤣
 

som farmer

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
somerset
apparently there are 2.5 million unemployed in the UK, and 1+ million jobs advertised, just think, 1 +million getting no unemployment benefit, that would certainly enrich the country, might even mean we can afford red diesel, to do those mundane jobs we like to do, like chain harrowing !
It shows how easily finances can change, or could change our lives. All that extra money circulating in the economy, would mean food costs could safely rise, ah well, nice dream !
 

holwellcourtfarm

Member
Livestock Farmer
you would "assume" (we know what that means) that humankind would always be striving to be more resilient, and that we would have plenty of whatever it is that we "rely on", to hand at all times - but it seems the opposite is true, if anything
🤣🤣🤣
:ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

On Monday I filed the car up. It's the first time I've been on a forecourt with either vehicle and neither was empty even then.

The "benefits" of a "lean" just- in- time economy have really come to light in a fuel crisis..... :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:

som farmer

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
somerset
:ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

On Monday I filed the car up. It's the first time I've been on a forecourt with either vehicle and neither was empty even then.

The "benefits" of a "lean" just- in- time economy......
l flinched when quoted 74.5p a litre for red diesel today, but did think it may start a massive min-til movement.
If our prices don't go up, there is going to be some very shaky times ahead.
 
:ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

On Monday I filed the car up. It's the first time I've been on a forecourt with either vehicle and neither was empty even then.

The "benefits" of a "lean" just- in- time economy have really come to light in a fuel crisis..... :rolleyes:
As a keen young engineering student, long long ago, the just in time "technology" was emerging in the factories that we visited. I am slightly proud that on the farm these days we have gone beyond that old idea, towards a "just too late" system. Anyone whose pickup actually ran out of fuel will bask in the knowledge that it is more economical to walk.
 

Fenwick

Member
Location
Bretagne France
while normally l would totally agree with you, there is 'the perfect storm' of events occurring at the moment. Transport costs are getting stupid, with severe driver shortages, throughout the UK and more so in the EU, the just in time, policy of delivering, well and truly shot, coupled with imput costs rapidly rising, farmers are rapidly running out of profit, without more money, to buy the higher imput costs, output is going to fall. While many would say, 'farmers always moan about prices', l think that this time, many can no longer tighten the belt.
I do not worry about rising food costs for the public, they have always moaned about us, whether being accused of 'feather bedded', massively subsidised, rolling in money, destroying the planet etc, apart from the last, l would quite like those points, to be correct.
The world is witnessing a mammoth change, covid has affected everyone, in Europe, brexit, energy rapidly rising, is all causing problems, that have to be 'sorted out', before anything like normality returns, if ever.
But the biggest change, is the 'rich' western economies, are in decline, and being replaced by the far eastern, so called tiger economies. Where that will lead to, no idea, and not sure if politicians have either, which is scary.

normally where there is a perfect storm like that, the polititians could push local, ethical, sustainable production which would solve the economical and environmental problems you underline.

What they tend to do in a situation like that is make a deal with a foreign country to import cheap food, while promoting something like banning plastic straws or or tree planting (on farmland), to keep the masses happy..

This of course is just kicking the can down the road.

These are wicked problems, which is why they never seem to be resolved, even when there is a 'perfect storm'.
 

som farmer

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
somerset
normally where there is a perfect storm like that, the polititians could push local, ethical, sustainable production which would solve the economical and environmental problems you underline.

What they tend to do in a situation like that is make a deal with a foreign country to import cheap food, while promoting something like banning plastic straws or or tree planting (on farmland), to keep the masses happy..

This of course is just kicking the can down the road.

These are wicked problems, which is why they never seem to be resolved, even when there is a 'perfect storm'.
politicians just are incapable of seeing the wood, for the trees.
majority of them, are incapable of knowing the facts of real life, they rely on the 'experts', who usually tend to be those with the loudest vocal cords, on climate change, usually the green zealots, most of whom do not have a full understanding of the problem. The biggest contribution we, as a country could make, towards climate change, is the following:
stop jetting off to sunny countries, for holidays
stop wrapping everything in lots of plastic
stop driving, and use public transport, where possible
Unfortunately, none of those, would endear them to the voters, so wont happen, so what will happen, is a host of greening measures here, which will have liminal effect on global warning, will never satisfy the green zealots, and import more foodstuffs, from abroad, where carbon production doesn't apply, and ignores food miles - which is both sensible and possible, and bash the intensive farming farmers, with ever bigger sticks.
The result of which, will make bugger all difference, or might even increase, the problem of global warming, but will make the politicians happy, they have done 'something', zealots will never be happy, and food will be more expensive, which will make the politicians unhappy, as they, in their ignorance, thought they had taken the 'correct' methods, to 'solve' global warming, and then they may choose to take advice from the travel industry, big business, and the fossil fuel producers, who will all agree, it's the fault of intensive farming methods, so further constriction on producing food, which will increase the cost, yet again, of food, at which point, they do not get re-elected, so is no longer their problem. The new load of idiots elected, will of course, promised to reduce emissions further, again listening to the green zealots etc, which eventually lead to food riots, because pollution has decreased food production, in those countries, that had supplied food to us, whose own populations are rioting over food shortages/prices, as the country tries to export ever more food, to us, because our food costs, are more appealing to those of their own country.
At which point, the green zealots will be returned to the planet mars, and those farmers that have managed to survive, will actually be farming in a land of plenty, worshipped by the population, but not thanked by the guv, who have realised they have f######d everything up. Then the pink zealots arrive from saturn, and the circle starts again.
all can be summed up, as being in a 'buggers muddle'
quite enjoyed writing this load of waffle, the sad bit, it's not far from reality.
 

holwellcourtfarm

Member
Livestock Farmer
politicians just are incapable of seeing the wood, for the trees.
majority of them, are incapable of knowing the facts of real life, they rely on the 'experts', who usually tend to be those with the loudest vocal cords, on climate change, usually the green zealots, most of whom do not have a full understanding of the problem. The biggest contribution we, as a country could make, towards climate change, is the following:
stop jetting off to sunny countries, for holidays
stop wrapping everything in lots of plastic
stop driving, and use public transport, where possible
Unfortunately, none of those, would endear them to the voters, so wont happen, so what will happen, is a host of greening measures here, which will have liminal effect on global warning, will never satisfy the green zealots, and import more foodstuffs, from abroad, where carbon production doesn't apply, and ignores food miles - which is both sensible and possible, and bash the intensive farming farmers, with ever bigger sticks.
The result of which, will make bugger all difference, or might even increase, the problem of global warming, but will make the politicians happy, they have done 'something', zealots will never be happy, and food will be more expensive, which will make the politicians unhappy, as they, in their ignorance, thought they had taken the 'correct' methods, to 'solve' global warming, and then they may choose to take advice from the travel industry, big business, and the fossil fuel producers, who will all agree, it's the fault of intensive farming methods, so further constriction on producing food, which will increase the cost, yet again, of food, at which point, they do not get re-elected, so is no longer their problem. The new load of idiots elected, will of course, promised to reduce emissions further, again listening to the green zealots etc, which eventually lead to food riots, because pollution has decreased food production, in those countries, that had supplied food to us, whose own populations are rioting over food shortages/prices, as the country tries to export ever more food, to us, because our food costs, are more appealing to those of their own country.
At which point, the green zealots will be returned to the planet mars, and those farmers that have managed to survive, will actually be farming in a land of plenty, worshipped by the population, but not thanked by the guv, who have realised they have f######d everything up. Then the pink zealots arrive from saturn, and the circle starts again.
all can be summed up, as being in a 'buggers muddle'
quite enjoyed writing this load of waffle, the sad bit, it's not far from reality.
It's unrealistic to expect politicians to do something when doing it will prevent them being re-elected (to paraphrase one of history's deep thinkers)
 

Kiwi Pete

Member
Livestock Farmer
It's nice to be on abit of "a course" this spring and keep those animals working
20211014_193504.jpg


think this parcel of 1.6 ha has kept these busy for 12 days, think that's an acre every 3 days

not sure how much area they're actually going to need this spring/summer TBH but it will be less than last year, and the mob has grown a bit!
 

Poorbuthappy

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Devon
It's nice to be on abit of "a course" this spring and keep those animals workingView attachment 991198

think this parcel of 1.6 ha has kept these busy for 12 days, think that's an acre every 3 days

not sure how much area they're actually going to need this spring/summer TBH but it will be less than last year, and the mob has grown a bit!
How many of what in the mob Pete?
 

som farmer

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
somerset
The grass, in front of the trees, is my posh neighbours pp paddock, which will be it's 3rd cut, now to the decent stuff, this is a silage only ley, though on the slope behind, we did feed 4 acres to the dairy, 5th cut, chicory and plantain, have been remarkable by being absent, from the first 4 cuts, although in the seed mix, but are now appearing, despite a fair cut, as the first 2 pics show, the third, just shows what a waste IRG is, leaving a load of seed heads showing their use, waving in the wind.
4th is showing off, but l am really pleased with what's there, l think all 5 cuts haven't been much different in yield, and hopefully some pokey stuff.
And the final one, our stream is down to a tiny dribble, again, probably stop running tomorrow, it does worry me, it's been seriously under running, for nearly 4 yrs now, perhaps l ought to make some leaky dams, just as they do in really dry countries, or import some beavers, to do it for free ! But they need water, damn.

IMG_0349[1].JPG
IMG_0348[1].JPG
IMG_0350[1].JPG
IMG_0351[1].JPG
IMG_0354[1].JPG
 

TexasCarbonCowboy

Member
Livestock Farmer
@Fenwick - haha, agreed, but the best part about this equation is the parts we can control!

Thankfully there's more that we have influence over than waiting around for a bunch of suits to "fix" our troubles.

Land management, creativity, marketing, community connection, resolve, expertise & experience... these and more, are all the things I've got behind seeing a better future for me, our land, and our community. I reckon you've got most of that, too.

God knows I'm not going to wait around for faux-Texans Ted Cruz & Greg Abbot to fix anything! During #snowvid, when Texans needed support the most, Cancún Cruz was covering his own a$$... I can't imagine they're looking out for anyone's future... but I digress.

Looping back to what we can control, I always take a page from Savory Insitutes' "Tools to Manage Ecosystem Processes":
  • Human Creativity
  • Technology
  • Fire (obviously not a good option)
  • Rest
  • Living Organisms
    • Animal Impact
    • Grazing
  • Money and Labor
But anyway, I always find it super helpful to use this as a reminder that we've got options, outside of waiting on suits to solve the world.
 

Fenwick

Member
Location
Bretagne France
Thankfully there's more that we have influence over than waiting around for a bunch of suits to "fix" our troubles

Agree completely. Just gotta get on with it. If the people in the ivory towers can see sense, then great. But I won't be counting on it any time soon.

8 cows
3 heifers
12 yearling heifers
9 young calves
"Horse" 🙄
and 5 2yo steers

Hor*e? There is no need for such foul language on a farming forum!!!! :ROFLMAO:
 

Kiwi Pete

Member
Livestock Farmer
@Fenwick - haha, agreed, but the best part about this equation is the parts we can control!

Thankfully there's more that we have influence over than waiting around for a bunch of suits to "fix" our troubles.

Land management, creativity, marketing, community connection, resolve, expertise & experience... these and more, are all the things I've got behind seeing a better future for me, our land, and our community. I reckon you've got most of that, too.

God knows I'm not going to wait around for faux-Texans Ted Cruz & Greg Abbot to fix anything! During #snowvid, when Texans needed support the most, Cancún Cruz was covering his own a$$... I can't imagine they're looking out for anyone's future... but I digress.

Looping back to what we can control, I always take a page from Savory Insitutes' "Tools to Manage Ecosystem Processes":
  • Human Creativity
  • Technology
  • Fire (obviously not a good option)
  • Rest
  • Living Organisms
    • Animal Impact
    • Grazing
  • Money and Labor
But anyway, I always find it super helpful to use this as a reminder that we've got options, outside of waiting on suits to solve the world.
That's the one - 'if not me, then who... if not now, then when?'

We know the answer, it's really whether we act or not
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 79 42.7%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 64 34.6%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 16.2%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 6 3.2%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,287
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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