- Location
- NSW, Newstralya
Language / perception of agriculture ?
- Thread starter Farmer Roy
- Start date
Interesting times.
Sarah Singla came to talk at the first Groundswell Show and one of the things she said that stuck with me was that, in a farming family, it used to be the slightly half-witted child who'd stay behind and farm, whilst anyone with 'get up and go', got up and went. Now farming has got interesting, it's the clever ones who want to stay. Admittedly she's from France, where farmers are well-respected anyway, but we ought to realise that we are the heroes of the future, not just feeding the nation, but regenerating our soils, sorting climate change and the rest.
There's a real Millwall fan mentality (in the UK anyway) with farmers, 'everyone hates us and we don't care'. It's not good.
Sarah Singla came to talk at the first Groundswell Show and one of the things she said that stuck with me was that, in a farming family, it used to be the slightly half-witted child who'd stay behind and farm, whilst anyone with 'get up and go', got up and went. Now farming has got interesting, it's the clever ones who want to stay. Admittedly she's from France, where farmers are well-respected anyway, but we ought to realise that we are the heroes of the future, not just feeding the nation, but regenerating our soils, sorting climate change and the rest.
There's a real Millwall fan mentality (in the UK anyway) with farmers, 'everyone hates us and we don't care'. It's not good.
Canada Farmer
Member
It's an epic failure of the education system, as seen in many parts of the world, not sure why, maybe the roots of the myth lie back in the depths of the European class system?
That said, intelligence is not always linked to education and or academia.
- Location
- N W Snowdonia
Apparently it's even worse in Japan.It's an epic failure of the education system, as seen in many parts of the world, not sure why, maybe the roots of the myth lie back in the depths of the European class system?
That said, intelligence is not always linked to education and or academia.
Canada Farmer
Member
Eh
, think its foolish to look down on the people who provide the food you eat.
- Location
- East Dartmoor, Devon
IMO you are either high IQ or not and education etc has nothing to do with it as you say. Having said that, academia and education will unlock its full potential though.It's an epic failure of the education system, as seen in many parts of the world, not sure why, maybe the roots of the myth lie back in the depths of the European class system?
That said, intelligence is not always linked to education and or academia.
How yer diddling.
You'd have to be half witted to want to join an industry that's selling goods at 1970's prices.
You'd have to be half witted to want to join an industry that's selling goods at 1970's prices.
Canada Farmer
Member
True to a point, education mind you is not just from a formal educational institution, it can be anywhere, anytime. Academia on the other hand can be a hindrance as they tend to go in conformist tangents driven by politics.
- Location
- NSW, Newstralya
In the 1970's we were shooting cattle because they were worthless . . .
In the 1990's people were killing sheep with a hammer blow because they couldn't afford to shoot them . .
Today cattle are worth $3 / kg liveweight & fat lambs are over $200
In the 1970's feed grains were worth $70 / tonne, today over $300 / tonne ( admittedly our domestic climatic conditions are driving that price )
Ok, in the 70's a new Landcruiser ute was less than $10000 & now a new one is about $60000. Basic farm worker wages were $100 / week now nearer $1000.
But that's the way with all things & industries.
You have to ask, who is half witted ?
The young enthusiastic ones who can see opportunities & are not restricted by their own paradigms, or people who complain about prices / the industry / not being able to make any money etc etc, but continue doing the same thing ?
In the 1990's people were killing sheep with a hammer blow because they couldn't afford to shoot them . .
Today cattle are worth $3 / kg liveweight & fat lambs are over $200
In the 1970's feed grains were worth $70 / tonne, today over $300 / tonne ( admittedly our domestic climatic conditions are driving that price )
Ok, in the 70's a new Landcruiser ute was less than $10000 & now a new one is about $60000. Basic farm worker wages were $100 / week now nearer $1000.
But that's the way with all things & industries.
You have to ask, who is half witted ?
The young enthusiastic ones who can see opportunities & are not restricted by their own paradigms, or people who complain about prices / the industry / not being able to make any money etc etc, but continue doing the same thing ?
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- Location
- NSW, Newstralya
I have really noticed what you say in the first paragraph happening here in the last few years.
Your second paragraph really resonates with what I have been reading on TFF as well
the other thing ive also noticed on TFF is the paradox of people constantly talking about the need to produce "cheap food for the masses" while complaining about farm gate prices ?
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Great post!
Farmers need to extol the virtues of what we do, not be defensive. Shouldn't we be managers of the rural landscape, guardians of the environment etc instead? "I work in the food and conservation industry"
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
In order to let go of the all-too-common victim narrative, we need another narrative that's "good to go", and many people just don't have one available.
Their parents probably didn't have one either, BUT in all fairness very few industries have swallowed as many lies as agriculture.
The disillusionment is palpable today.
Their parents probably didn't have one either, BUT in all fairness very few industries have swallowed as many lies as agriculture.
The disillusionment is palpable today.
Suffolk Serf
Member
- Location
- Bury/Thetford
Yes we're usually portrayed as either a knob in a Range Rover or a straw chewing, half witted peasant.
Not somewhere in between.
(halfwitted, Range Rover driving peasants need not reply).
I know which one I am , good job I like straw!
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
It does seem that the level of intelligence among most posters here, is way above the average UK journalist. This once highly regarded prodession seems to have descended to the level of a painter and decorator.
Sorry not the skill of a painter just cut and paste!
Sorry not the skill of a painter just cut and paste!
Canada Farmer
Member
Eh? , think some of us are getting beyond palpable. I could quite easily move out to Cowichan Lake and tell everyone to feck off.
Yes. Jordan Peterson was talking about why do we assume that education is a thing that starts at 12 and finishes at 21? Resources available now mean anyone can educate themselves and continue too for virtually free if they want.
Best thing you can have be in my opinon is to be Curious and to try and maintain that curiosity. This enables you to always learn and be open to new ideas with ease.
Canada Farmer
Member
Jordan B Peterson is probably the most important Canadian from this decade.
Nearly
Member
- Location
- North of York
You don't need to be clever to be a farmer, you just need a farm.How yer diddling.
You'd have to be half witted to want to join an industry that's selling goods at 1970's prices.
- Tags
- liveweight roots
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BPR is not just a farming issue, it affects ALL business, it removes incentive to invest for growth
Join us @LondonPalladium on the 16th for beginning of UK business fight back
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