AHDB council "vote"

[Clive]

The cloth has been cut, every year since the last levy increase. That’s a long time ago.

IMO the levy increase is not about more of the same, it’s about more, full stop. I detailed my vision for it in the Twitter thread linked above.

Is the levy increase calculated based on same tonnages as historically ? I have a feeling you may not be asking for enough extra to do more as with SFi I think we are about to see a lot of marginal C&O acres growing bumblebees !

 

[dontknowanything]

I can’t help but feel that this debate is a little bit moot. Yes, @Clive said above that he once applied, and was rejected without an interview. This does not sound like it was handled properly, and IMO boards/councils need diverse opinions. I once saw a poster that said “if we both agree all the time, one of us is useless”. That applies here.

However, you can’t give up after one attempt and then just call for change because the system is broken. Sometimes you need to try, try and try again before getting what you want.

I’m going to sign off for the weekend, I’ll come back and check in next week.

 

[dontknowanything]

Is the levy increase calculated based on same tonnages as historically ? I have a feeling you may not be asking for enough extra to do more as with SFi I think we are about to see a lot of marginal C&O acres growing bumblebees !

This point is actively being considered, you are right to be concerned.

 

[Flat 10]

I did suggest to @Feldspar that he should apply for the position earlier this year. I don't believe he or @Clive did apply, so can't really complain about not being involved. [Not that either of them are, to be very clear]

And I meant to start a thread about it at the time

 

[Levy Believer]

Thanks Tom

good to hear you confirm that NFU HR don't recruit for AHDB ( I did say I knew that however, my comment was an attempt at sarcasm following revelations this week that RT chair was recruited by NFU HR !)

I know (my post did state) it's a public appointment but as you openly admit in your post that you "advertised, interviewed and selected the two new candidates". As you also say your extremely heavily linked with the NFU (a likely future president some might say !) so excuse me for being not completely convinced there is a potential conflict of interest there

Why cant't levy payers themselves be asked to propose / nominate candidates they want to represent them and them vote on those candidates ? Thats the openly democratic process that it's clear from this thread and many others that farmers want to see


As an aside .................I applied for a board position myself once (change form within and all that !) and didn't even get an interview, the particular position IIRC not only wanted a levy payer experienced in cereals and oilseeds (I have been one for 30years) but I recall also wanted knowlage of digital ag (media and KE) where I'm pretty confident no-one has my level of experience or expertise or success, certainly a decent enough to at leats get opportunity for interview you would image ? I also stated on my application that any remuneration should go to farming charities.
However that aside I had a call from AHDB Chairman to discuss why they "couldn't possibly have someone with such alternative views on a board and I would surely understand that ?" firstly I'm shocked that a Chair would get involved with recruitment ! and secondly is it really healthy to have a board that DOESN'T have alternative views ?

Excuse my scepticism but there is a clear croos over between NFU / AHDB and RT boards that is a little beyond conicidence IMO

Thanks Clive,

Really glad that you applied, and sorry you didn't get it. Also sorry you had a bad experience with it.

Agree that alternative views, given constructively, is what makes a Board or Council work properly. I can completely vouch for the C&O sector Council on that score.

On the Sector Council we have one member who is also involved with the NFU (among other industry bodies) one who is involved with NFU Scotland (among many other bodies). Both are extremely good, and (believe it or not) independently minded.

The other 4 farmers on the Council don't play a big role in any farming unions.

Of the two new candidates I'm putting forward, one is involved with the UFU and one is a former president of NFU Scotland (from 2016). I'm really glad they want to get involved and contribute to making the AHDB a better organisation that can serve our levypayers better and bring value to their business.

I had to turn down some truly excellent applicants as well, because I only had two vacancies, and I hope to be able to offer them a turn on the Council in future - of Levypayers agree.

To illustrate that important diversity of views among the existing members; we have an independent agronomist, a merchant from a farmer's cooperative, an organic mixed farmer, a director of a University farm, two Nuffield scholars (both regen), an agricultural economist and international trade professional.

As I've said, I have nothing against greater democracy - being elected by growers to the Sugar Board. I believe it is something the government should look at for AHDB. For the moment, though, this is the system we have got and it's better than it was before.

 

[le bon paysan]

Thanks Clive,

Really glad that you applied, and sorry you didn't get it. Also sorry you had a bad experience with it.

Agree that alternative views, given constructively, is what makes a Board or Council work properly. I can completely vouch for the C&O sector Council on that score.

On the Sector Council we have one member who is also involved with the NFU (among other industry bodies) one who is involved with NFU Scotland (among many other bodies). Both are extremely good, and (believe it or not) independently minded.

The other 4 farmers on the Council don't play a big role in any farming unions.

Of the two new candidates I'm putting forward, one is involved with the UFU and one is a former president of NFU Scotland (from 2016). I'm really glad they want to get involved and contribute to making the AHDB a better organisation that can serve our levypayers better and bring value to their business.

I had to turn down some truly excellent applicants as well, because I only had two vacancies, and I hope to be able to offer them a turn on the Council in future - of Levypayers agree.

To illustrate that important diversity of views among the existing members; we have an independent agronomist, a merchant from a farmer's cooperative, an organic mixed farmer, a director of a University farm, two Nuffield scholars (both regen), an agricultural economist and international trade professional.

As I've said, I have nothing against greater democracy - being elected by growers to the Sugar Board. I believe it is something the government should look at for AHDB. For the moment, though, this is the system we have got and it's better than it was before.

So there you have it , old boys club UFU and NFU Scotland

 

[warksfarmer]

Thanks Tom

good to hear you confirm that NFU HR don't recruit for AHDB ( I did say I knew that however, my comment was an attempt at sarcasm following revelations this week that RT chair was recruited by NFU HR !)

I know (my post did state) it's a public appointment but as you openly admit in your post that you "advertised, interviewed and selected the two new candidates". As you also say you are extremely heavily linked with the NFU (a likely future president some might say !) so excuse me for being not completely convinced there is no potential conflict of interest there

Why cant't levy payers themselves be asked to propose / nominate candidates they want to represent them and them vote on those candidates ? Thats the openly democratic process that it's clear from this thread and many others that farmers want to see


As an aside .................I applied for a board position myself once (change form within and all that !) and didn't even get an interview, the particular position IIRC not only wanted a levy payer experienced in cereals and oilseeds (I have been one for 30years) but I recall also wanted knowlage of digital ag (media and KE) where I'm pretty confident no-one has my level of experience or expertise or success, certainly a decent enough to at leats get opportunity for interview you would image ? I also stated on my application that any remuneration should go to farming charities.
However that aside I had a call from AHDB Chairman to discuss why they "couldn't possibly have someone with such alternative views on a board and I would surely understand that ?" firstly I'm shocked that a Chair would get involved with recruitment ! and secondly is it really healthy to have a board that DOESN'T have alternative views ?

Excuse my scepticism but there is a clear croos over between NFU / AHDB and RT boards that is a little beyond conicidence IMO

It’s corruption

 

[Levy Believer]

So there you have it , old boys club UFU and NFU Scotland

Just to be clear, I don't believe there are any NFU members (at least active ones) on the Beef and Lamb Sector Council. (I note you are livestock)

 

[Levy Believer]

Is the levy increase calculated based on same tonnages as historically ? I have a feeling you may not be asking for enough extra to do more as with SFi I think we are about to see a lot of marginal C&O acres growing bumblebees !

We use a 5 year average harvest for budget projections

 

[graham mc]

hi tom how would you feel if a vote was called similar to the potato one? Do you think farmers would back the ahdb on past performance or the promises your making going forward?

 

[Clive]

We use a 5 year average harvest for budget projections

I would suggest if you are basing it on 5yrs historical you need to knock 25-30% of for the reduction that I think will come due to SFi alternatives, C&O in the UK is defiantly going to shrink over the next 5yrs, just form landowners I work with and my own land we are looking at 35% going out of food production into better paying environmental uses and I suspect that not going to be untypical as more cotton on and red tape continues to make growing food a LOT less attractive

You know Tom, I walk my dog and children around our margins and bird feed / other CSS /SFI options and I smile, it's a pleasure to create and manage them, I know others appreciate them and they are not ever stressful or unrewarding, I sadly can't say any of that for land we are growing cereals and oilseeds on any longer

This is an industry is utter crisis right now IMO - anyone wanting more money has to REALLY prove they can help with that and provide a ROI

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

Thanks Clive,

Really glad that you applied, and sorry you didn't get it. Also sorry you had a bad experience with it.

Agree that alternative views, given constructively, is what makes a Board or Council work properly. I can completely vouch for the C&O sector Council on that score.

On the Sector Council we have one member who is also involved with the NFU (among other industry bodies) one who is involved with NFU Scotland (among many other bodies). Both are extremely good, and (believe it or not) independently minded.

The other 4 farmers on the Council don't play a big role in any farming unions.

Of the two new candidates I'm putting forward, one is involved with the UFU and one is a former president of NFU Scotland (from 2016). I'm really glad they want to get involved and contribute to making the AHDB a better organisation that can serve our levypayers better and bring value to their business.

I had to turn down some truly excellent applicants as well, because I only had two vacancies, and I hope to be able to offer them a turn on the Council in future - of Levypayers agree.

To illustrate that important diversity of views among the existing members; we have an independent agronomist, a merchant from a farmer's cooperative, an organic mixed farmer, a director of a University farm, two Nuffield scholars (both regen), an agricultural economist and international trade professional.

As I've said, I have nothing against greater democracy - being elected by growers to the Sugar Board. I believe it is something the government should look at for AHDB. For the moment, though, this is the system we have got and it's better than it was before.

Thanks Tom, Can you elaborate further who of the C&O council are NFU members and or office holders, as well as yourself please? And how many on that council are on red tractor boards?

 

[Clive]

I can’t help but feel that this debate is a little bit moot. Yes, @Clive said above that he once applied, and was rejected without an interview. This does not sound like it was handled properly, and IMO boards/councils need diverse opinions. I once saw a poster that said “if we both agree all the time, one of us is useless”. That applies here.

However, you can’t give up after one attempt and then just call for change because the system is broken. Sometimes you need to try, try and try again before getting what you want.

I’m going to sign off for the weekend, I’ll come back and check in next week.

i would agree other than when the organisation chairman get involved in recruitment and calls you personally to effectively say “no chance sunny jim”. you kind of conclude trying over and over would be rather a waste of time

remember i really don’t need this, i’m a busy / financially independent guy running several successful businesses now supporting my own staff as much as i can etc - I thought I would give it a go in response to the numerous crys of “change from within” directed at me over the years and the outcome only served to confirm what i though was the case

 

[Levy Believer]

hi tom how would you feel if a vote was called similar to the potato one? Do you think farmers would back the ahdb on past performance or the promises your making going forward?

I would hope they would back us on the plans we have. Farmers need more from AHDB, much more. That means we have to get better at what we already do, improve our services like the RL etc, but also do kre brand new things that can show a real return for levy payer businesses. If we (farmers) don't invest in ourselves no one else is going to.

We pay a ⅕ of the levy in the UK than they do in New Zealand and Australia (and they don't have subsidies either).

The Irish equivalent Teagasc has budget FOUR TIMES that of the AHDB (that's not including Bord Bia) for the whole of the UK, with a smaller Ag sector.

Farmers in those countries get more than we do in return, they in EST in their future and our plans are modest in comparison but without them at all I really don't think UK farmers have a chance in the world that is rushing towards us.

What you see is the levy coming off your grian invoices, what you do t see written down there eis the return for that levy. It's my job to.make that much mor obvious and more valuable.

and on the potatoes, I voted to keep the levy, It was abolished, and now I don't grow potatoes anymore. Lots of spud farmers now wish there was someone somewhere doing some of the things the AHDB could be doing for that sector.

 

[simon w]

Tom a number of levy payers have not received the voting email including myself. I have emailed AHDB and was told the reason was I was not on the shape the future vote list and it wes to late to register. If you intend to have democratic votes it is normal practice to give people a chance to register. Could you explain why this has been overlooked in this case?

 

[bobk]

The Irish equivalent Teagasc has budget FOUR TIMES that of the AHDB (that's not including Bord Bia) for the whole of the UK, with a smaller Ag sector.

Farmers in those countries get more than we do in return, they in EST in their future and our plans are modest in comparison but without them at all I really don't think UK farmers have a chance in the world that is rushing towards us.

What you see is the levy coming off your grian invoices, what you do t see written down there eis the return for that levy. It's my job to.make that much mor obvious and more valuable.

and on the potatoes, I voted to keep the levy, It was abolished, and now I don't grow potatoes anymore. Lots of spud farmers now wish there was someone somewhere doing some of the things the AHDB could be doing for that sector.

We get nothing .

 

[Levy Believer]

We get nothing .

You might get more than you realise.

Where do you farm and what do you grow?

Whatever you get now, I really think you need more. And almost no one else other than the AHDB can get it for you. That's why I took up this job.

 

[Levy Believer]

Tom a number of levy payers have not received the voting email excluding myself. I have emailed AHDB and was told the reason was I was not on the shape the future vote list and it wes to late to register. If you intend to have democratic votes it is normal practice to give people a chance to register. Could you explain why this has been overlooked in this case?

I'm looking into it.

Everyone who voted in Shape your Future should have received an email.

 

[bobk]

You might get more than you realise.

Where do you farm and what do you grow?

Whatever you get now, I really think you need more. And almost no one else other than the AHDB can get it for you. That's why I took up this job.

Could I live without ADHB ? probably , could you live without my levies , not a chance

 

[graham mc]

Could I live without ADHB ? probably , could you live without my levies , not a chance

maybe a middle option would they survive as is if they were self funded from optional subscription???