AHDB announce Ministers have approved levy increase

[B'o'B]

I feel the AHDB "consultation" over the levy increase was a complete sham.

I was never asked if I approved of the levy increase, or given an opportunity to give any feedback on the proposed levy increase.

I remember being told a levy increase was being applied for, but that is not a "consultation". If farmer representative bodies continue to treat farmers in this way it can only be to the detrimental for the whole industry.

AHDB you had better provide what you have promised to secure this update, and very quickly, because you have absolutely no mandate from farmer levy payers for this increase.

https://ahdb.org.uk/news/ahdb-levy-rate-increases-in-four-sectors-receive-ministerial-approval

 

[kfpben]

You’re quite correct. They should have increased it by more.
About time our produce was given the marketing budget it deserves.

 

[tepapa]

I feel the AHDB "consultation" over the levy increase was a complete sham.

I was never asked if I approved of the levy increase, or given an opportunity to give any feedback on the proposed levy increase.

I remember being told a levy increase was being applied for, but that is not a "consultation". If farmer representative bodies continue to treat farmers in this way it can only be to the detrimental for the whole industry.

AHDB you had better provide what you have promised to secure this update, and very quickly, because you have absolutely no mandate from farmer levy payers for this increase.

https://ahdb.org.uk/news/ahdb-levy-rate-increases-in-four-sectors-receive-ministerial-approval

View attachment 1163081

Great news they can continue their good work teaching farmers to suck eggs, treat lame sheep and body condition stock.

 

[B'o'B]

You’re quite correct. They should have increased it by more.
About time our produce was given the marketing budget it deserves.

I’m glad you feel you’re getting value for your levy.
A proper consultation process would have allowed both positive and negative views to be given.

 

[Tamar]

At least they listened......... not !

 

[Doc]

You’re quite correct. They should have increased it by more.
About time our produce was given the marketing budget it deserves.

If you want successful marketing you need to employ a private advertising firm. I have not seen a decent marketing campaign run by the AHDB but rather the opposite.

 

[teslacoils]

Vote
Them
Out

Politicians and ahdb

 

[neilo]

Great news they can continue their good work teaching farmers to suck eggs, treat lame sheep and body condition stock.

Driving round the country, I see lots of chronically lame sheep in roadside fields and sheep in markets that are horrendously under condition, as well as a few grossly fat lambs entered for slaughter.
Are you suggesting that some farmers don’t need educating/a kick up the arse?

 

[Jackov Altraids]

Driving round the country, I see lots of chronically lame sheep in roadside fields and sheep in markets that are horrendously under condition, as well as a few grossly fat lambs entered for slaughter.
Are you suggesting that some farmers don’t need educating/a kick up the arse?

It doesn't work like that though, does it?

There is a very small percentage of producers that do very nicely out of being funded by AHDB and a few more that get some benefit from attending meetings and events. Being self-selecting, the ones that might learn most are the least likely to go.

In the recent articles/ posts about the raising of levies, every farmer included, praised the AHDB without declaring they were being directly financially benefiting from AHDB.

They can not be very confident of broader support if they are refusing to ask.

 

[tepapa]

Driving round the country, I see lots of chronically lame sheep in roadside fields and sheep in markets that are horrendously under condition, as well as a few grossly fat lambs entered for slaughter.
Are you suggesting that some farmers don’t need educating/a kick up the arse?

I agree with you regarding the state of some stock but they've been trying to educate some farmers for decades who clearly don't want to listen. Be nice if they moved the discussions onto level 2 topics for those that have mastered the use of pen knifes for trimming sheeps feet .

I was thinking earlier, there would be a place for an intense week long course, for primarily younger farmers 16/17 yrs of age, to cover the basics like lameness, condition scoring, wormer resistance, pasture measuring/budgeting etc at local ag college's during the summer holidays rather than ad hoc meetings which are probably run during school term. Good opportunity to meet other young farmers from further a field and gets them a basic understanding, away from the home farms traditional way, upon which they can build their knowledge.

 

[neilo]

I agree with you regarding the state of some stock but they've been trying to educate some farmers for decades who clearly don't want to listen. Be nice if they moved the discussions onto level 2 topics for those that have mastered the use of pen knifes for trimming sheeps feet .

I was thinking earlier, there would be a place for an intense week long course, for primarily younger farmers 16/17 yrs of age, to cover the basics like lameness, condition scoring, wormer resistance, pasture measuring/budgeting etc at local ag college's during the summer holidays rather than ad hoc meetings which are probably run during school term. Good opportunity to meet other young farmers from further a field and gets them a basic understanding, away from the home farms traditional way, upon which they can build their knowledge.

Good idea. Have you suggested it to Farming Connect or HCC? They’re always keen for suggestions on how to better engage.

 

[JP1]

Vote
Them
Out

Politicians and ahdb

Have tried

AHDB made sure an existential vote couldn’t happen (again)

Politicians : whoever you vote they still get in

 

[Tomo23]

I agree with you regarding the state of some stock but they've been trying to educate some farmers for decades who clearly don't want to listen. Be nice if they moved the discussions onto level 2 topics for those that have mastered the use of pen knifes for trimming sheeps feet .

I was thinking earlier, there would be a place for an intense week long course, for primarily younger farmers 16/17 yrs of age, to cover the basics like lameness, condition scoring, wormer resistance, pasture measuring/budgeting etc at local ag college's during the summer holidays rather than ad hoc meetings which are probably run during school term. Good opportunity to meet other young farmers from further a field and gets them a basic understanding, away from the home farms traditional way, upon which they can build their knowledge.

Good idea in theory but I wouldn't be over keen on my increased levy payments being used for such a thing. Isn't that what the one year or day release college courses should be teaching?

 

[teslacoils]

Have tried

AHDB made sure an existential vote couldn’t happen (again)

Politicians : whoever you vote they still get in

I'm not aware a converted effort to vote out ahdb cereals has been attempted.

 

[tepapa]

Good idea. Have you suggested it to Farming Connect or HCC? They’re always keen for suggestions on how to better engage.

No, I only thought of it yesterday whilst writing my sarky comment.

 

[Steevo]

There is a very small percentage of self-employed consultants that do very nicely out of being funded by AHDB and a few more that get some benefit from running meetings and events.

I read your sentence and my brain thought it would also work just as well another way round.

 

[Hanspree]

It doesn't work like that though, does it?

There is a very small percentage of producers that do very nicely out of being funded by AHDB and a few more that get some benefit from attending meetings and events. Being self-selecting, the ones that might learn most are the least likely to go.

In the recent articles/ posts about the raising of levies, every farmer included, praised the AHDB without declaring they were being directly financially benefiting from AHDB.

They can not be very confident of broader support if they are refusing to ask.

AHDB had a jolly last week at the Hilton hotel Manchester, all paid for and only a select few big farmers invited, and usual YouTubers / influencers. Not the smaller farmers that maybe could do with the help.

 

[soapsud]

Getting Ministers to agree to increasing the levy was one of the last formalities.
Other NGOs already signed it off:

 

[soapsud]

Down here in the southwest we get the Wessex Machinery Auction 4 times a year. I would volunteer to leaflet a BFU flyer that promotes SPECIFICALLY joining to get a levy-paying vote against the AHDB getting more from farmers. There's probably more arable than livestock that go. You did they last lot @B'o'B? What do you think?

 

[ajd132]

AHDB had a jolly last week at the Hilton hotel Manchester, all paid for and only a select few big farmers invited, and usual YouTubers / influencers. Not the smaller farmers that maybe could do with the help.

Why are they rolling the red carpet out for YouTubers?