Forage Aid

[d williams]

Why should a charity be set up when in France after a set time of dry weather the government step in and release a payment to farmers?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Why should a charity be set up when in France after a set time of dry weather the government step in and release a payment to farmers?

Why is it that UK farmers don't get the same level of importance and respect as other farmers in the EU . France and Ireland in particular. Something has broken down Somewhere or as it always been like this

 

[d williams]

Why is it that UK farmers don't get the same level of importance and respect as other farmers in the EU . France and Ireland in particular. Something has broken down Somewhere or as it always been like this

You tell me?

 

[Thick Farmer]

Why is it that UK farmers don't get the same level of importance and respect as other farmers in the EU . France and Ireland in particular. Something has broken down Somewhere or as it always been like this

Another good reason for leaving.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

You tell me?

There is people on here far more able to answer that question than me

 

[glasshouse]

Why is it that UK farmers don't get the same level of importance and respect as other farmers in the EU . France and Ireland in particular. Something has broken down Somewhere or as it always been like this

5% of the irish population own land , so they are significant politically.
In england the fig is about 0.25% who own land, so no one cares, except the house of lords

 

[Bobthebuilder]

Your a money man .Nothing wrong with that a lot of my best friends are
I feel sorry for the poor guy who bought your straw mind now he can see wagons loading at little over £50 /ton

speaking to a mate on friday night (organic farmer) and needs a lot of straw, but 1 place were asking £80/t so they were told to politely go forth, they can get sawdust cheaper than that and are thinking about using sawdust to start with then straw for the feeding and bedding later

 

[Dry Rot]

Yeah I get that, I was questioning the dig towards the NFU for doing nothing whilst the Dutch loaded lorries, most odd.

C B

If that is aimed at me, you missed my point.

 

[crazy_bull]

Am I missing something?

Should the NFU intervene to stop straw being exported?

C B

If that is aimed at me, you missed my point.

Which is why I asked had I missed the point?

C B

 

[Dry Rot]

Which is why I asked had I missed the point?

C B

There is more than one way to "intervene".

A market depends on the buyer knowing what the seller has for sale. If every buyer knows what every seller has for sale, that is called a "perfect market" and prices will stabilise. (My economics is about 50 years out of date but no doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong).

Do we have a perfect market when it comes to hay and straw in the current situation? Clearly not if loaded lorries are passing the gate when locals would be happy to pay the same price. If they are not, I would question whether they have anything to complain about.

The NFU is there to help it's members (allegedly). Some of these members will have fodder for sale, others will want to buy. Just a suggestion, but perhaps a database listing both would not be such a bad idea and smooth 'the market'? I don't know. But this is a discussion forum and I'm discussing.

(Footnote: I am not a member of the NFU and won't be joining).

 

[crazy_bull]

There is more than one way to "intervene".

A market depends on the buyer knowing what the seller has for sale. If every buyer knows what every seller has for sale, that is called a "perfect market" and prices will stabilise. (My economics is about 50 years out of date but no doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong).

Do we have a perfect market when it comes to hay and straw in the current situation? Clearly not if loaded lorries are passing the gate when locals would be happy to pay the same price. If they are not, I would question whether they have anything to complain about.

The NFU is there to help it's members (allegedly). Some of these members will have fodder for sale, others will want to buy. Just a suggestion, but perhaps a database listing both would not be such a bad idea and smooth 'the market'? I don't know. But this is a discussion forum and I'm discussing.

(Footnote: I am not a member of the NFU and won't be joining).

Ahh ok, I was confused why after there was a post saying that Dutch lorries were being loaded out of Kent that you suggested the NFU should get involved.

It would be difficult to create your 'perfect market', as it would be very difficult to link all buyers and sellers together on the same playing field, some are NFU members, some are not, should non-members benefit from an NFU forage database? Some farmers use the internet and others don't etc etc

Who then handles the payments/non payments via this database, pretty soon the database would require some form of funding/staffing to keep running, thus need to make a margin from sales, and there you have another straw merchant, or just use the existing merchants.


C B

 

[Dry Rot]

Ahh ok, I was confused why after there was a post saying that Dutch lorries were being loaded out of Kent that you suggested the NFU should get involved.

It would be difficult to create your 'perfect market', as it would be very difficult to link all buyers and sellers together on the same playing field, some are NFU members, some are not, should non-members benefit from an NFU forage database? Some farmers use the internet and others don't etc etc

Who then handles the payments/non payments via this database, pretty soon the database would require some form of funding/staffing to keep running, thus need to make a margin from sales, and there you have another straw merchant, or just use the existing merchants.


C B

I made a suggestion. You don't think it would work. That's fine by me.

 

[Hampton]

There is more than one way to "intervene".

A market depends on the buyer knowing what the seller has for sale. If every buyer knows what every seller has for sale, that is called a "perfect market" and prices will stabilise. (My economics is about 50 years out of date but no doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong).

Do we have a perfect market when it comes to hay and straw in the current situation? Clearly not if loaded lorries are passing the gate when locals would be happy to pay the same price. If they are not, I would question whether they have anything to complain about.

The NFU is there to help it's members (allegedly). Some of these members will have fodder for sale, others will want to buy. Just a suggestion, but perhaps a database listing both would not be such a bad idea and smooth 'the market'? I don't know. But this is a discussion forum and I'm discussing.

(Footnote: I am not a member of the NFU and won't be joining).

Nfu already have something very similar called the fodder bank initiative which is supposed to put those in need of forage in touch with those that have it

 

[Dry Rot]

Nfu already have something very similar called the fodder bank initiative which is supposed to put those in need of forage in touch with those that have it

Excellent.

 

[7610 super q]

I would image local machinery rings operate something similar to a fodder bank.
Fairly sure PMR does.

 

[Nithsdale]

Just saw this on Facebook.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

I can obly speak for myself but I loaded 4 lorry loads of hay yesterday and a good few more planned for today
Not saying it's not short but run out no
Fw saud they woukd phone me Saturday along with a good lot more to get a more balanced view on things I never got that call

 

[Derrick Hughes]

"Hi Derrick,

Would you mind if I give you a call tomorrow to get your take on the fodder trade at the moment? I would like to ring round a few traders from across the country, yourself included, and get their take on the volumes being traded at the moment compared to normal, what supplies are like in terms of quality and quantity and what they think the prospects are from now until next spring"

 

[Brisel]

Derek, I'm a bit mystified by your comments.

On the one hand you seem to be saying the export of straw is wrong and should be stopped. Then you are saying the shortage of straw had been talked up causing to much to be baled. Then you say some farmers are cashing in on other farmers need. Then you are saying too much straw has been baled causing the price to fall.

Or have I misunderstood you?

The NFU have been proactive in encouraging arable farmers to bale straw and not chop it because it was clear early season that straw could be in short supply which could cause problems in the livestock sector. Estimates suggest up to 25% more straw has been baled this year. This seems to have taken the heat out of the market causing the price to ease back.

Derrick has a degree of self interest here. He has to pay his bills, as we all do. Charity is a nice thing to do without making a martyr out of yourself in the process IMO.

However, I have no time for those who want the market manipulated in their favour yet complain when it is manipulated against them. I haven't forgotten the milk processor blockades with banners of "Buy British" waved from lots of shiny new European or American tractors & 4x4s

What do our European brethren do in times like this? Do they have a Forage Aid scheme in place or are "normal market forces" at work like they are here? Just curious - the French seem to work together for the common good much better that we do, or is that just an outsider's view?

'Tis an ill wind...

 

[Clive]

tell you what is clear, us farmers love a distorted market ! subsidies, quotas, supply chain cartels and now forage "charity" (if charity can be for profit that is )

and we wonder why its hard to make good money at this job !