High profile farmers

[Wigeon]

What's in it for them?

Idly flicking through the pages of chemical prodictIon monthly or whatever today's offering is, it seems to me there is a relatively small number of farmers who seem to get noticed and whose faces become quite familiar. Was it ever thus?

They might, for instance stand looking moody against a backdrop of blackgrass armageddon, only solved by the latest melt-your-eyes active (copyright whoever). Or they mIght be poring over a detailed map of hypothetical net margin per ha divided by the colour of their agronomists trousers.

Question is, do they get paid for this stuff? Or get a free pallet of slug pellets? Does it make their sprayer look bigger?

The same might be asked of political farmers (though I'm sure there is many a noble intent behind them) but I suppose I'm thinking more about the 'influencers', if that's what they are. Who knows? Not me

Anyway, right, must dash, I'm off to record a YouTube...

 

[David.]

I could never work out what was in it for the old boy who did the farming press advert for the Kverneland power harrows, standing there without his teeth in, and with a face looking for all the world like an oven ready chicken's arse.
The strapline was to the effect that you got a new set of teeth/tines free with a new Harrow, I think, or that they were easy to change; one or the other, I forget.

 

[Still Farming]

"Bull poo baffles brains ",as they say!

 

[DeeGee]

The classic image from times past, such as the 1970s and 80s in such publications as Power Farming and Big Farm Weekly (which I somehow got free of charge with, at that time,165 acres. Well it was big for me anyway): was a close up head and shoulders of narcissistically self important orators spouting off into a microphone at some conference or other, often with the added gravitas of having one hand on their spectacles.

For some reason I have never been asked to be photographed pontificating on such pressing issues as whether or not agrochemicals can be better bought in bulk by travelling to France to strike a deal, before travelling on to a nearby ski resort for a couple of weeks.

Latterly seemingly most such farming ‘celebrities’ are unfailingly photographed casually leaning on the near side front wheel of their very latest tractive acquisition, usually having a price tag akin to the equivalent to the GDP of Guatemala.

Strange how the media never seem keen to shell out a few shekels to help the vast majority of us who farm at the sharp end: ever fighting to reconcile static returns with rising bills, and without the cushion of huge economies of scale that some possess. And maybe without the inherited wealth that generations of land ownership bestows.

Now I certainly ain’t complaining. Generally as farmers and country dwellers we are blessed with so many advantages that others don’t have.

But maybe it is time that the media began to highlight ordinary farmers and country people, with all the down to earth problems that we all face, rather than forever extolling the virtues and opinions of ‘leading lights’ many of whom are often comfortably distanced from the harsh reality facing most farmers in the UK.

 

[snarling bee]

IME, of people I know and myself, you get FA as payment and just a load of mickey taking and a new nickname from your 'mates'.

 

[7610 super q]

Hello.

 

[SilliamWhale]

I think there are two sides to it.

If you are interested in something and believe it is worth talking about then I think its a good thing to stick head above parapet and have an opinion. You also learn a bit back from being involved.

I'd never miss an opportunity to point out that I think Red Tractor/ NFU/ AIC are crooks

 

[An Gof]

IME, of people I know and myself, you get FA as payment and just a load of mickey taking and a new nickname from your 'mates'.

yes we have nick names for them all especially the “important” ones that you see in meetings.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Think the magazines want different names, but only have the phone number of so many, so rotate them around.

Tbf when I've spoke to some of the movers and shakers in Ag, you can see why they've got to be well known, chairman etc, because they're obviously very with it.

I'm sure there's also plenty of wannabes.

 

[Chae1]

@agricontract

 

[ajd132]

The new adverts I think for Luximo are hilarious. Why on earth would anyone agree to doing that?!
I’ve been in magazines a few times, don’t do it much anymore unless it’s something really interesting (redekop seed control unit work will be one soon which is hopefully interesting to people).
some people really need to learn how to turn down the offer of an article and stop entering themselves into every single one of these ‘best farmer’ awards. Nothing wrong with those awards but it’s always the same 3 or 4 people in every competition.

 

[Boysground]

One of the dairy magazines once did a piece on what we get up to here. Wanted the “family photo” to wind it up. One thing I hate is looking like a tv or magazine farmer. It’s rare I am seen wearing a checked shirt. I was forced to wear effing overalls like everyone else. Awful uncomfortable things should be banned. Terrible photo was taken so I suspect that will be the last time I am seen in print.

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[Oliveau]

Years ago I used to belong to a farmers discussion group in West Wiltshire. Once the speaker had finished the topic was thrown open for questions from the audience.Usually there would be a long silence, because by some ancient tradition a certain venerable Mr Yorke-King ALWAYS asked the first question. Hence the long silence while he formulated his usually convoluted question!

 

[steveR]

Think the magazines want different names, but only have the phone number of so many, so rotate them around.

Tbf when I've spoke to some of the movers and shakers in Ag, you can see why they've got to be well known, chairman etc, because they're obviously very with it.

I'm sure there's also plenty of wannabes.

Well, I am hoping it will be your name up in lights in FW and FG in the coming months, Steve

 

[David.]

I'm never afraid to ask questions, going right back to YFC days; and cue much eye rolling from those eager to decamp to the pub.
How anyone with any intelligence can sit through a presentation, without something that needs expanding upon occurring to them, is beyond me.
Apart from anything else, not to engage is insulting to the person who has given time and effort to putting the talk together.

 

[snarling bee]

Another thing to point out is that most of what is written is b00Lioc$5.


One thing that always bugs me is when Joe Bloggs farmer tells a journalist he farms about 1000 acres (meaning 876) and the journalist writes 404.694 Ha.

 

[steveR]

One of the dairy magazines once did a piece on what we get up to here. Wanted the “family photo” to wind it up. One thing I hate is looking like a tv or magazine farmer. It’s rare I am seen wearing a checked shirt. I was forced to wear effing overalls like everyone else. Awful uncomfortable things should be banned. Terrible photo was taken so I suspect that will be the last time I am seen in print.

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I will NEVER look like a TV farmer, far too ugly and scruffy, even in clean overalls. I was criticised roundly* the first time I was on telly, and smartened up a bit the 2nd time... comb through the hair, clean....ish shirt etc.


*Herself and kids!!

 

[steveR]

I'm never afraid to ask questions, going right back to YFC days; and cue much eye rolling from those eager to decamp to the pub.
How anyone with any intelligence can sit through a presentation, without something occurring to them that needs expanding on, is beyond me.
Apart from anything else, not to engage is insulting to the person who has given time and effort to putting the talk together.

Rarely a problem at Groundswell I have found They are usually trying to clamp down on questions after 10-15mins!!

 

[Grass And Grain]

Well, I am hoping it will be your name up in lights in FW and FG in the coming months, Steve

Ooh, I'd better think of something new and innovative to be doing. Something to make me look smart.

They normally like good, positive, we've got the highest standards in the world sort of vibes.

My campaign has been dubbed by some as "race to the bottom on standards". I explained it was a race to equality, and it didn't matter what those standards were, but they must be at least equal, and not disadvantaging UK growers with extra costs to access the same markets. Thanks NFU.

On a serious note, had some dialogue with movers and shakers about the Red Tractor unlevel playing field this last week. Hopefully at some point there might be a reason to be in the Farmers Weekly.

 

[Boysground]

Years ago I used to belong to a farmers discussion group in West Wiltshire. Once the speaker had finished the topic was thrown open for questions from the audience.Usually there would be a long silence, because by some ancient tradition a certain venerable Mr Yorke-King ALWAYS asked the first question. Hence the long silence while he formulated his usually convoluted question!

Is that Yorke-King Tractors? Just about remember them, not far from me.

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