Are we farming through a "boom period"?

[som farmer]

This may not be a popular thing to say on here, but most farmers will be the very last to see increases in our prices.
I‘m quite sure that across the political spectrum it will be assumed that rising food prices means that we’re getting paid more. Neither the politicians or the general public seem to realise that it’s the middle men, the processors and the retailers who are pocketing the difference, not us. They have increases in costs of course, but can pass it on whereas we can’t.
It’s not politically palatable to see food prices rise and with a few rare exceptions we can expect to remain at the bottom of the pile I’m afraid.

for certain we will take the blame, we always have been blamed for everything, from killing the world, to feather bedded, so that won't be a change.

But things are/have changed, in a subtle and unexpected way, food is no longer cheap, its no longer freely available, the only way those prices are up, and still going up, is supply, isn't meeting demand. The scourge of farming, has been the major retailers, they have consistently set the prices, to suit themselves, insisting on farm assurance, whilst using cheaper imported, non assured product, to keep our prices down.

For the first time, for decades, we are facing a new future in farming, instead of being price takers, we are being bribed, to produce more. We are seeing the start, of a novel situation, businesses are perhaps, saying no, to the s/mkts, tesco, jumping 6p a litre for milk, is not out of any moral position, its simply to secure supply, and bribe us to produce more.
Looking forward, l cannot really see, any signals, that encourage growth, more to ease back, really, the costs of inputs, especially fert, are rising, its fert that is the deciding factor, its price, has to such, to encourage use, at the moment, it doesn't, less fert = less product = higher price.
We are perhaps, working in real economic times, prices are now based on the whole basic theory, of trade, which is very simple, supply versus demand, with the one proviso, until politicians bugger it up.

 

[Farmer Roy]

Do you have a cartel situation in your customers?

Just asking, as it is very much what we face here.

I thought cartels or market collusion was illegal ?

 

[Farmer Roy]

I would say that the taxpayer shows us goodwill. It’s the govt and its advisors that are the problem here.

don’t let them read TFF then

every second post on here is criticising the general public & how stupid they are

 

[Farmer Roy]

$100 million expansion provides 'major boost' for agriculture

Simplot Australia says it will create up to 100 jobs as it pumps money into shoring up supply for an in-demand frozen vegetable market.

www.abc.net.au

 

[DaveGrohl]

don’t let them read TFF then

every second post on here is criticising the general public & how stupid they are

I think if you replaced "stupid" with "unaware" you’d be making a very good point.

 

[DaveGrohl]

I thought cartels or market collusion was illegal ?

You should be on stage, you’re wasted on here

 

[Treg]

Not technically true.
It was Barclays Bank that forced the situation. His father fought it with the help of a very good Law Firm and won. Then wrote the book about it called ‘To Hell with the Bank’.

Nonetheless, No smoke without Fire.

I had seriously hoped that coming from a farming background that had suffered serious adversity, that Useless might have been a good Sec of State for EFRA.

I have been very disappointed!

Maybe not technically true but they lost most their land and sold off the farm house.
They have worked Very hard as a family and rebuilt the family business , well worth going there for a visit.
They have a farm shop and restaurant and the farm is open to walk around.
My daughters favourite restaurant because she can see piglets after the meal

 

[farmerm]

I would say that the taxpayer shows us goodwill. It’s the govt and its advisors that are the problem here.

there are plenty of voices doing their utmost to undermine that tax payers goodwill

 

[som farmer]

I think if you replaced "stupid" with "unaware" you’d be making a very good point.

replace unaware, with being taught food is cheap, so buy taxable goods.

 

[DaveGrohl]

replace unaware, with being taught food is cheap, so buy taxable goods.

Same thing.

 

[muleman]

No

 

[Huno]

Echo chamber??

 

[penntor]

Not technically true.
It was Barclays Bank that forced the situation. His father fought it with the help of a very good Law Firm and won. Then wrote the book about it called ‘To Hell with the Bank’.

Nonetheless, No smoke without Fire.

I had seriously hoped that coming from a farming background that had suffered serious adversity, that Useless might have been a good Sec of State for EFRA.

I have been very disappointed!

His brother is still farming, picture of the both of them in my local paper at Devon County Show with breed champion British Lop.
I remember Eustice's, probably the previous generation, when I was at Devon County and Bath and West showing British Lops with my grandfather in the early 70's.
I think they also kept Landrace as well.