Blenky resigns?

[wanton dwarf]

by comparison of quotes ? moving from NFU mutual 6yrs ago has saved us well over 120k now and services/ pay out of the alternatives (Acres and F&M before that) has been MUCH better than the mutual ever were

loyalty doesn’t pay with insurance, I learnt that the expensive way !

getting multiple quotes cost nothing but time and frankly given their connection to the NFU who are failing members right now I wouldn’t use the mutual even if cheaper

Not from my experience.

The independant took the insurance money and didn't pay out anything. In fact they did everything they could to dodge the issue and we ended up with nothing.

When we tried to call the broker - he was rude and intolerant.

I wouldn't go near them with your barge pole.

 

[neilo]

That's not correct my mutual bonus discounts have never
been linked with being a member until now.
I've never been a member and historically our business
hasn't for over 3 decades.

iirc the ‘mutual bonus’ is a discount for having insured with them for several years, a loyalty bonus if you like, and different to the discount for being a member of the NFU. I’ve been insured elsewhere for several years now though, so might have changed?

The discount for being an NFU member went most of the way towards paying the membership subscription.

 

[snarling bee]

Vote it out and then form an independent cereals board. Get enough farmers behind that and the ag-chem industry will be attracted to it and might even put some money it's way to fund R and D. Form it like a co-op, then the seed breeders will want in as well. Look to the French/European model of coop. An organisation that is about driving the best deals for farmers and shaping R&D they want to see rather than a chain of stores flogging horsey boots.

Knowing an British farmer who also farmer in France, he doesn't rate his local co-op at all.

Why do you want ag chem and seed merchants involved? Funding R&D? that will be independent wont it!

 

[yellowbelly]

didn't ahdb get a bloody nose from the tattie guys. if so they will be a wee bit scared they will lose more subs. ?

......from potato growers and the veg boys.

The AHDB must be a bit scared of more sectors (especially cereals) finding a way to trigger an 'out' vote and knocking a big hole in their £60m levy income.
As the levy is statutory though, I suspect they might soon find a way to prevent these votes taking place.

 

[DRC]

......from potato growers and the veg boys.

The AHDB must be a bit scared of more sectors (especially cereals) finding a way to trigger an 'out' vote and knocking a big hole in their £60m levy income.
As the levy is statutory though, I suspect they might soon find a way to prevent these votes taking place.

In the telephone survey I did today, one question was, was I aware there was going to be a vote and would I be happy to do it online or need a hard copy. I don’t think it was an in or out vote though, more a vote on direction of travel so to speak.

 

[lloyd]

iirc the ‘mutual bonus’ is a discount for having insured with them for several years, a loyalty bonus if you like, and different to the discount for being a member of the NFU. I’ve been insured elsewhere for several years now though, so might have changed?

The discount for being an NFU member went most of the way towards paying the membership subscription.

Well yes that 'mutual bonus' is exactly what was suggested we might loose
if we dont become NEW members of the NFU who we've been told
Were a SEPERATE entity for years.

 

[neilo]

......from potato growers and the veg boys.

The AHDB must be a bit scared of more sectors (especially cereals) finding a way to trigger an 'out' vote and knocking a big hole in their £60m levy income.
As the levy is statutory though, I suspect they might soon find a way to prevent these votes taking place.

The potato and veg growers are mostly on a massive scale, so arguably get less value from the AHDB’s levy funded research?

Obviously a lot of cereal growers are operating at scale too, but it would be ridiculous, imo, to lose the only independent research body we have left, just over a single issue crusade by a vocal group.
Even more important to keep it for Beef & Sheep imo, with a larger proportion of small producers, many of which can get real benefit from that work, even if plenty think they have nothing left to learn.

 

[Highashgrange]

The potato and veg growers are mostly on a massive scale, so arguably get less value from the AHDB’s levy funded research?

Obviously a lot of cereal growers are operating at scale too, but it would be ridiculous, imo, to lose the only independent research body we have left, just over a single issue crusade by a vocal group.
Even more important to keep it for Beef & Sheep imo, with a larger proportion of small producers, many of which can get real benefit from that work, even if plenty think they have nothing left to learn.

To be honest we get all the AHDB stuff come through but haven’t looked at anything for years because the info is available online from other sources so I do actually question whether we need the AHDB at all to be honest.
Genuinely I dont think we’ve used anything from them for 10 years so what are we paying for?

 

[yellowbelly]

The potato and veg growers are mostly on a massive scale, so arguably get less value from the AHDB’s levy funded research?

Obviously a lot of cereal growers are operating at scale too, but it would be ridiculous, imo, to lose the only independent research body we have left, just over a single issue crusade by a vocal group.
Even more important to keep it for Beef & Sheep imo, with a larger proportion of small producers, many of which can get real benefit from that work, even if plenty think they have nothing left to learn.

Wouldn't argue with that.

The thing I don't 'get' is, the levy is statutory (set in law). How can you vote to stop paying it?
There must be a way round it as that's what the pot and veg boys have done.

 

[Raider112]

I was told today that before the new Red Tractor rules come in next month the inspectors have to take a course and that hardly any have done so to date.

 

[neilo]

To be honest we get all the AHDB stuff come through but haven’t looked at anything for years because the info is available online from other sources so I do actually question whether we need the AHDB at all to be honest.
Genuinely I dont think we’ve used anything from them for 10 years so what are we paying for?

You grow cereals iirc? You never consider the varieties on the recc lists, or their ratings for disease resistance, lodging, yield, etc?

 

[Highashgrange]

You grow cereals iirc? You never consider the varieties on the recc lists, or their ratings for disease resistance, lodging, yield, etc?

No we don’t to be honest. We farm save seed and been on the same varieties for 10 years. If I wanted to change varieties I’d ring round all the locals and see what they were growing and what yields they were getting.

 

[Renaultman]

The potato and veg growers are mostly on a massive scale, so arguably get less value from the AHDB’s levy funded research?

Obviously a lot of cereal growers are operating at scale too, but it would be ridiculous, imo, to lose the only independent research body we have left, just over a single issue crusade by a vocal group.
Even more important to keep it for Beef & Sheep imo, with a larger proportion of small producers, many of which can get real benefit from that work, even if plenty think they have nothing left to learn.

I must say I don't resent the levy, I just don't think they are spending our money wisely.

 

[Worsall]

You grow cereals iirc? You never consider the varieties on the recc lists, or their ratings for disease resistance, lodging, yield, etc?

The Recommended lists have lost track of important and reliable plant traits, and in many recent instances have pushed a variety that falls away.
Our farm policy for over ten years, stick with what works, add a small area of trial each year and move forward.
I would prefer to spend my Levy on a bit of new C1 seed, and let the plant breeders demonstrate and sell their 'product'.

 

[teslacoils]

We get more out of Frontier trials sites tbh.

 

[Wombat]

You grow cereals iirc? You never consider the varieties on the recc lists, or their ratings for disease resistance, lodging, yield, etc?

As shown this year they mean bugger all.

I have given up with the lists and just stick with what I have and get recommendations off others in my area and further afield having been screwed this year by one of the super dupper Adhb recommended heaps of crap.

 

[Breakthru]

Many years ago an Agricultural Professor told me we use the wrong type of statistics in UK trials. That is why I always elected to use tramline trials and weigh cells/ yield meters/ weighbridge results.

 

[tullah]

The lists are getting like tescos shelves...too much choice so takes half a day to sort through them all and then it's anyone's guess which will turn out trumps.

 

[Chris F]

......from potato growers and the veg boys.

The AHDB must be a bit scared of more sectors (especially cereals) finding a way to trigger an 'out' vote and knocking a big hole in their £60m levy income.
As the levy is statutory though, I suspect they might soon find a way to prevent these votes taking place.

You don't need to find a way - it's set out in stone on AHDB website. It's 2555 levy payers for Cereals.

Levy information | AHDB

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Order 2008 requires AHDB to raise levies relating to each sector.

ahdb.org.uk

All the forms and guidance are there, for instance:

https://projectblue.blob.core.windo...4Guidanceonrequestingaballot-cereallevy-1.pdf

 

[teslacoils]

You don't need to find a way - it's set out in stone on AHDB website. It's 2555 levy payers for Cereals.

Levy information | AHDB

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Order 2008 requires AHDB to raise levies relating to each sector.

ahdb.org.uk

All the forms and guidance are there, for instance:

https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/About AHDB/Levy information/B4Guidanceonrequestingaballot-cereallevy-1.pdf

View attachment 994010

I'll sign it.