- Location
- Montgomeryshire
So you agree with me
I do, but is research funded by vested interests better than no research at all?
I don't suppose Mr Stephenson built his Rocket without thinking he'd make a killing on it...
Rumenco, Harper Adams, and the filthy lucre.
- Thread starter delilah
- Start date
I do, but is research funded by vested interests better than no research at all?
I don't suppose Mr Stephenson built his Rocket without thinking he'd make a killing on it...
easyram1
Member
- Location
- North Shropshire
I look forward to receiving my share of the benefits that these 'progressive ' sheep breeders are planning to bring to us non progressive mortals although in view of my advancing years I hope they get on with the project so I can see the benefits before I peg it.I've heard no mention of that as a service to the hoi polloi, just a Ā£2.9m grant to a group of 'progressive' sheep breeding companies including Innovis and SIG, to measure methane output.
Maybe @Tim W could shed (see what I did there?) some light on it?
- Location
- N.Lincs
Setting aside the rights and wrongs of Rumevite funding Harper research for a minute, the very fact that Harper Adams (one of what's supposed to be the country's foremost seats of agricultural education) is doing research into methane inhibitors, in the first place, must indicate that they think ruminant methane is a problem.
To me, that is very worrying .
It indicates that they do not understand the carbon cycle - one of the very basic concepts of science.
If they can't understand that, how can you place any trust in anything they say or any research they do?
To me, that is very worrying .
It indicates that they do not understand the carbon cycle - one of the very basic concepts of science.
If they can't understand that, how can you place any trust in anything they say or any research they do?
- Location
- Devon
Given that there is little fully independent, govt funded research being done in agriculture these days, any that is done will always be funded by vested interests.
That's not going to change unless more money is directed towards such research, which would require increased levies on industry I suspect, and from a sector that thinks they are paying too much already whilst looking enviously at the (levy funded) adverts put out by NZ and Australian bodies.
I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that as government have [wrongly] declared that livestock emissions are bad, the AHDB would not be able to fund any research that would seek to contradict this. . . . . . .
I am not sure it matters if livestock emissions are bad, the point is the powers that be perceive them to be so. So as our useless industry representatives have failed to educate them to the error of their ways we have to combat these accusations somehow and at least be seen to be trying to reduce emissions. Any research done in this area can only be useful.
Donāt forget Harper is a business and like most of us will often have to do things that they do not necessarily agree with but itās financially prudent to do soā¦ā¦..such as red tractor for example.
Donāt forget Harper is a business and like most of us will often have to do things that they do not necessarily agree with but itās financially prudent to do soā¦ā¦..such as red tractor for example.
- Location
- Devon
Being exasperated at the lack of any true representation of farmers in Britain, I was looking to see what I could do to help the BFU as it seems like our best hope.
In this regard, I was looking at the legislation which created the AHDB to see if it was set up in a way that BFU could compete for the funds from our levies.
From memory, it seemed to me like it might be possible as the aims of the BFU matched the purpose of the levy quite well but it does go on to say that the levy may only be used in a manner that supports government policy, or words to that affect. Given the role of BFU should certainly include challenging government policy, I dropped the idea but it made me realise that the AHDB's hands may be somewhat tied.
And this rather explains how our industry is pushed into a corner over measuring its environmental impact.
There is literally nobody, apart from a few valiant individuals, who is fighting to give us fair representation and fair calculations on 'warming impact'.
Harper Adams and Rumenco are making a decision which is obviously financially beneficial for them but simply adds to the narrative that livestock are inherently bad for the planet.
This is not true.
Livestock are absolutely vital to a healthy planet.
Having said that, I do understand that it is possible to keep livestock in a way that is not healthy.
https://www.innovis.org.uk/defra-announces-2-9m-funding-to-breed-low-methane-sheep/
We have to move faster in terms of farming being a solution to climate change, and play our part in Britains 30% methane reduction by 2030 targets agreed during COP 26.
Well seeing as the Government's official body on such matters - the AHDB - have now recognised that enteric methane isn't driving climate change, you will all presumably be handing back your proportion of the Ā£2.9m to the taxpayer. Yes ?
We have to move faster in terms of farming being a solution to climate change, and play our part in Britains 30% methane reduction by 2030 targets agreed during COP 26.
Well seeing as the Government's official body on such matters - the AHDB - have now recognised that enteric methane isn't driving climate change, you will all presumably be handing back your proportion of the Ā£2.9m to the taxpayer. Yes ?
- Location
- Yorks
I wonder what is going to happen here. Can AHDB scrap all their infographics based on GWP100? Or are their hands tied?
I can see the theoretical benefits of AHDB to our industry, but if they're tied to incorrect government rhetoric, then we're paying levy to an organisation which is working against us.
Let's hope the good work done by some BFU members is sinking in at AHDB. It's like turning a supertanker.
If what Jackov Altraids says is correct, then AHDB aren't solely working for the levy payer. Seems they might use some of the levy to implement government policy.
We've got to question if we want to continue paying levy to an organisation bound by such obligations. I'm not sure we do (want to).
Maybe we should push for AHDB to get this obligation changed, or they're no use to us. Over last few years, on this issue of methane and GHG emissions, AHDB seem to have been laying the blame on levy payers. It's been nice and convenient to blame farmers (and get them to change) so everyone else can keep flying to the Med for their hollibobs.
- Location
- Essex
What's AHDB 's position on this harper project? Are they investing levy payers' money in more high profile "research" into Rumenco's product development programme?
John Gilliland, their recently appointed environment guru seems to understand the carbon cycle and that ruminants are not the cause of climate change.
Are the ahdb now divided in their view on climate change and its causes?
John Gilliland, their recently appointed environment guru seems to understand the carbon cycle and that ruminants are not the cause of climate change.
Are the ahdb now divided in their view on climate change and its causes?
- Location
- Yorks
Their website still talks of "emissions" and cites figures from Poore and Nemeck...
Greenhouse gas emissions: agriculture | AHDB
There are lots of facts and figures relating to the carbon footprint of food and farming. AHDB data analysts breakdown what they mean and why they are different.
ahdb.org.uk
They really shouldn't quote Porre and Nemeck figures without first going through it with a fine toothcombe.
Currently they're using figures compiled by
ollie989898
Member
Harper Adams doing research, paid for by a private business? I don't see the cause for complaint. Surely that is what you expect academic institutions to do?
- Location
- N.Lincs
The fact that Tim Rycroft (AHDB Chief Exec) has just announced he's leaving ..
Tim Rycroft to step down as CEO of AHDB at end of year | AHDB
Tim Rycroft is to step down as CEO of AHDB at the end of the year
ahdb.org.uk
Continued pressure from TFF/BFU 'activists', via meetings and conversations has resulted in assurances that information on the AHDB website are to be changed/updated.
Turkeys don't vote for Christmas - Governments, Defra and AHDB has treated us like turkeys for too long.
The complete absence of anything approaching critical thinking in all of this is astonishing. These companies, and govts, are focusing really really really hard on methane (ridiculously) and how to turn this into either money or greenwashing/net zero glory or both. The two together are sweeping pragmatic and joined-up considerations aside.
It will be to the detriment of humanity and the planet if we keep on ignoring nature and how itās managed perfectly well until we came along. We are beyond clueless.
You actually think it will do that?I don't see a problem with regards to the research, if a product can be developed to safely reduce methane surely it is worth looking at, if only to keep the tree huggers and clowns in power off our backs.
The only issue I can see is inevitably we will get ripped off by the company manufacturing after they have garnered enough support to force us down this route. It will take years to develop and test it and hopefully by then the penny will have dropped that food production is to vital to be interfered with.
As far as being ripped off is concerned, farmers should be being paid and paid handsomely to use these things as a worst case scenario. It wonāt help in the slightest but at least it would be arguable in the face of absurd legislation.
- Location
- N.Lincs
IIRC, the use of seaweed as a fertiliser was outlawed here (eg Cornish Calcified Seaweed) 'cos eco-activists said it was wrecking the ocean's ecosystem.
Suddenly it's OK to start harvesting it again then
Two slides re soya. Never forget these:
Then there is the
in the room that is the primary reason deforestation is taking place in the first place is logging profits. No one ever talks about that.....
- Location
- Durham, UK
Bollox to them. Tell rumenco to do one, putting profit before the industry they suposedly support.
Plenty of better feed firms out there anyhow
Plenty of better feed firms out there anyhow