i am not sure if i should repeat what elderly farmer told me

[Henarar]

Unfortunately i think your correct. Strong int arm tthick in head is na gid nower days.

nor is knowing the theory of everything and having no common sense to do a job at all

 

[Hilly]

nor is knowing the theory of everything and having no common sense to do a job at all

Yes you need to be strong in head and arm, but if you have both you can make more outwith farming.

 

[Chasingmytail]

Coleg Gwent used to have a brilliant reputation now it accepts any student. I needn't go on but had a few here and wonder what the hell they have been doing for 2 yrs. Lots of these colleges lack land based experience, and I'm not convinced Id let some of them housesit my houseplants for the weekend. Had a lad here who did 2 yrs forestry talked endlessly about deer fencing had no notes and hadn't touched a chainsaw.

 

[Av Gorritt]

"Back in the day " there was a man based in Penwortham Preston , working for the old agricultural advisory service , name of Henry Sturrock - I think he was listed as a "pig" advisor . AFAIK he had only the basic qualifications - Agri Cert perhaps , but he was the most knowledgable , practical man . I gather that he was possibly an orphan or similarly disadvantaged , and brought up on a farm school (Fylde or possibly Garstang ? I don't know ) and was fostered by other farmers . He used to call , generally around lunch time when he knew he would be invited in . Those hour or so breaks were most entertaining with Henry's tales . He said it was more than his life was worth to cut a bale twine other than right at the knot , and these would be tied together in a bunch in strategic places for re use . He said they used to sit round the fire in the evening and would make hay feeding nets from the used baler twine - he showed me how , and I've made many . He also said they would make a usable temporary "bull bluss" from the end of an orange box with 2 loops to go round the horns . He said they were very useful as a temporary measure for a frisky bull , until a more permanent arrangement could be got . All very make - do and obviously different times , but essentially practical . He never got any further up the career ladder due to lack of "tickets" or more formal qualifications , and other advisors passed him by , but I only post this as an example of both sides of the story , both of course valid , but very different indeed .

 

[Exfarmer]

Er hum in that period there were 6 "National" colleges; Harper, Seale Hayne, Writtle (that's the "big 3 taken care of), Shuttleworth, Sparsholt and ?? (sorry can't remember if they counted RAC in the 6 National or Askham Bryan)

Sorry JP1 but it was
Shuttleworth, Harpur and Seale Hayne were the 3!
The RAC considered them selves somewhere above the others , and the rest were county Colleges.

 

[JP1]

Sorry JP1 but it was
Shuttleworth, Harpur and Seale Hayne were the 3!
The RAC considered them selves somewhere above the others , and the rest were county Colleges.

Nope Writtle (where I went was definitely on of 6 National Colleges 82-85)

 

[Walterp]

Farming is being left behind in some respects, or at least the thinking is.... and that is what all the moaning is about.

I think @Walterp is far closer to the crux than a simple like conveyed.

"deferring to their friends opinions instead of exercising their own critical faculties" or words to that effect.

You are very kind.

I wouldn't give up hopes for improvement - outside of farming, I find that youngsters are, generally speaking, much more articulate and reflective than my contemporaries. They fact-check much more - the bedrock of any informed opinion.

And they sneer a lot less. And are less prejudiced. And often work harder, for less.

They are, on the whole, better than us.

 

[Henarar]

They are, on the whole, better than us.

Better than retired solicitors, oh right that's informative

 

[Red Fred]

 

[glasshouse]

View attachment 653058

Fair bit of over inflation there.

 

[wurzell1976]

Never mind if they fail at farming they will be well qualified to become farm inspectors and really wind up the old folks

Victor , i don"t know whether you are a farmer or not ,and if you are, where you got your farm from .At the age of 20 i left college after studying engineering at Caythorpe to find that the rented family farm was to vanish under concrete and tarmac,thus finishing 6 generations of farming.We ended up living in a rented cottage completely brassic.At the age of 21 i started out on my own,working for others untill i could by a tractor to go and make bugger all contracting.I also worked at slack times buildind grain stores in Germany and sprayind weed killer allover the country on streets and pavements.In 1998 i got a job as a farm inspector and in 1999 managed to take on a farm tennancy at a silly rent ,but i knew it would come right if i kept earning more than i was spending.The first 12 months rent were paid by selling my combine.In 2006 a livery yard was set up by my new wife and me ,much to the bemusement of some as i only had a short term of tennancy left .At that time i was inspecting almost 400 farms a year .By 2010 we bought the farm from the landlords ,then installed a wind turbine.We now have 2 young children privately educated .My whole farm is no till and i study soil science and cover cropping at every opportunity.I still work 7 days a week most of the time. and carry out 200 farm inspections a year.As you may be able to tell you have rattled my cage.you should not make small minded and disrespectfull comments about folks you don"t know, Someone should have taught you that a long time ago.Ps i don"t mean to be rude to you ,but standing my corner.Perhaps we could have a beer together ar Grounswell 2018.

 

[Victor]

Victor , i don"t know whether you are a farmer or not ,and if you are, where you got your farm from .At the age of 20 i left college after studying engineering at Caythorpe to find that the rented family farm was to vanish under concrete and tarmac,thus finishing 6 generations of farming.We ended up living in a rented cottage completely brassic.At the age of 21 i started out on my own,working for others untill i could by a tractor to go and make bugger all contracting.I also worked at slack times buildind grain stores in Germany and sprayind weed killer allover the country on streets and pavements.In 1998 i got a job as a farm inspector and in 1999 managed to take on a farm tennancy at a silly rent ,but i knew it would come right if i kept earning more than i was spending.The first 12 months rent were paid by selling my combine.In 2006 a livery yard was set up by my new wife and me ,much to the bemusement of some as i only had a short term of tennancy left .At that time i was inspecting almost 400 farms a year .By 2010 we bought the farm from the landlords ,then installed a wind turbine.We now have 2 young children privately educated .My whole farm is no till and i study soil science and cover cropping at every opportunity.I still work 7 days a week most of the time. and carry out 200 farm inspections a year.As you may be able to tell you have rattled my cage.you should not make small minded and disrespectfull comments about folks you don"t know, Someone should have taught you that a long time ago.Ps i don"t mean to be rude to you ,but standing my corner.Perhaps we could have a beer together ar Grounswell 2018.

Appologies for what I said I did not mean to offend

 

[Henarar]

Appologies for what I said I did not mean to offend

I thought it was a compliment TBO

 

[FonterraFarmer]

Appologies for what I said I did not mean to offend

I would not interpret as offense, but more as an inspired response, but would suggest you take up the challenge of the beer offered.

 

[wurzell1976]

Appologies for what I said I did not mean to offend

I am sorry Victor for being a bit prickly,that, i hope is not my normal approach unless crossed.I once drained oil out of a baler gear box for my tractor front axle because i was skint,and then you get those that like to sit on the gate waiting for you to fail so they can have a laugh,but that now is all in the past.I feel greatly for those that fail,because what i do is my life"s work ,and a great privilege to me. I would enjoy our paths crossing, and wish you all the best.