Better from the BBC.

[applejack]

I'm one of the fiercest critics of the bbc with what appears to be their anti farming agenda. So I'm pleased to see today they have two articles on the front page of their website, one about the unfortunate safety record of agriculture the other regarding mental health awareness amongst farmers.
Both pieces are constructive and therefore just this once I say Well done BBC.

 

[kfpben]

It seems better this week.

My mental health would be absolutely fine if we didn’t have the BBC, Packham, Monbiot et al ripping my community to bits to fill column inches.
Low prices are what they are. Poor journalism seems somehow personal.

 

[Clive]

I'm one of the fiercest critics of the bbc with what appears to be their anti farming agenda. So I'm pleased to see today they have two articles on the front page of their website, one about the unfortunate safety record of agriculture the other regarding mental health awareness amongst farmers.
Both pieces are constructive and therefore just this once I say Well done BBC.

Yet on the prime time TV we saw some dog stroking and cows being called sheep Guy Smith and the farmers involved did a decent job but it was all a bit "countryfile" and I can only feel opportunity missed, it will have washed over as light entertainment but doubt it has made anyone REALLY think or change their perceptions - not a mention of stuff like the Terraton project etc


This safety coverage is doing a good job of highlighting how dangerous Ag is but that is not something positive or to be proud off, if anything it should be putting off anyone from getting into this job .................. just what we don't need the public thinking about us .

 

[milkloss]

I'm one of the fiercest critics of the bbc with what appears to be their anti farming agenda. So I'm pleased to see today they have two articles on the front page of their website, one about the unfortunate safety record of agriculture the other regarding mental health awareness amongst farmers.
Both pieces are constructive and therefore just this once I say Well done BBC.

I have noticed this sudden change in tune as well, wouldn’t be the stirring on TFF causing this would it? If so it shows the power you can have with the right media and involvement.

 

[76masseyman]

Yet on the prime time TV we saw some dog stroking and cows being called sheep Guy Smith and the farmers involved did a decent job but it was all a bit "countryfile" and I can only feel opportunity missed, it will have washed over as light entertainment but doubt it has made anyone REALLY think or change their perceptions - not a mention of stuff like the Terraton project etc


This safety coverage is doing a good job of highlighting how dangerous Ag is but that is not something positive or to be proud off, if anything it should be putting off anyone from getting into this job .................. just what we don't need the public thinking about us .

And after the item on bbc breakfast this morning, all Nagga could comment on was ‘didn’t that cow have long horns’. She really is a disgrace to morning tv, once claiming you shouldn’t wear wool because it’s cruel !!
I heard the initial reporter mention sheep when she was clearly stood beside a cow.

 

[Exfarmer]

And after the item on bbc breakfast this morning, all Nagga could comment on was ‘didn’t that cow have long horns’. She really is a disgrace to morning tv, once claiming you shouldn’t wear wool because it’s cruel !!
I heard the initial reporter mention sheep when she was clearly stood beside a cow.

If Nagga was the worst on TV farmers would have little to worry about

 

[Goweresque]

Interested to see the stats on accidents quoted in the BBC article, which settle an argument thats been had on here - namely are the number of accidents suffered by older farm farmers/farm workers the result of a) more older workers working on farms, or b) some function of the ageing process itself.

The stats are accidents per 100,000 workers, so for example for every 100k 20-24 year old workers you could expect maybe 4 fatalities per year, whereas for every 100k over 65 workers you could expect about 23 fatalities per year. The chance of having a fatal accident remains pretty constant up to the age of 60, whereupon it doubles between 60 and 65 and doubles again for those over 65. A better argument for farmers to retire from active labouring on their 60th birthday couldn't be made. Indeed one could argue that on these stats the over 65s should be legally banned from labouring on farms for their own protection.

 

[Clive]

I have noticed this sudden change in tune as well, wouldn’t be the stirring on TFF causing this would it? If so it shows the power you can have with the right media and involvement.

Well this chap followed me on Twitter today - coincidence ?

Had an email from a itv news journalist this morning as well

You won’t catch me sat on a straw bale with my dog and stick on tv anytime soon however unless it’s to talk about something of actually substance and not just perpetuate the countryfile style ideological image of the countryside and agriculture

 

[MRT]

Don't trust them as far as you can kick them. The virtue winds have changed briefly/they have realised that the farming industry has a case against them - who cares. State TV would be more honest.

 

[texas pete]

Yet on the prime time TV we saw some dog stroking and cows being called sheep Guy Smith and the farmers involved did a decent job but it was all a bit "countryfile" and I can only feel opportunity missed, it will have washed over as light entertainment but doubt it has made anyone REALLY think or change their perceptions - not a mention of stuff like the Terraton project etc


This safety coverage is doing a good job of highlighting how dangerous Ag is but that is not something positive or to be proud off, if anything it should be putting off anyone from getting into this job .................. just what we don't need the public thinking about us .

It looks damn good on the NFU CV though and the right people are seen to be doing things, which is all that matters really...

 

[primmiemoo]

I'm sure there's a blimmin' good programme about agricultural on the World Service.
Trouble is it's on at unusual hours for a Brit, unless you're waiting up for a lambing or calving.