National trust farms.

[NTEstateManager]

but the abandoned land, left to scrub, bracken and brambles is as much an ecological wilderness as wall to wall ryegrass (or for that matter "vegan" arable crops), if we really want what's best for wildlife, we need a mixture of rotational grazing, long rest periods and minimal soil disturbance. However, no point saying that here, as the people who make the decisions would not bother to read what people with mud on their boots think!

I'm reading it.

 

[NTEstateManager]

but the abandoned land, left to scrub, bracken and brambles is as much an ecological wilderness as wall to wall ryegrass (or for that matter "vegan" arable crops), if we really want what's best for wildlife, we need a mixture of rotational grazing, long rest periods and minimal soil disturbance. However, no point saying that here, as the people who make the decisions would not bother to read what people with mud on their boots think!

I do actually agree with you Ffermer Bach but do you think that the majority of other farmers genuinely share the same view? If we could get to this point with the majority of our farms then I think that would be a wonderful result. Personally, I don't think we are there yet but in my portfolio I would much rather that we worked together to find a truly sustainable model. Having worked for the NT for many years I can assure you that its intentions are good (and definitely not motivated by money). Perhaps we are trying to compensate on some farms when we get the opportunity because we know on other farms we are falling short of where we would like to be. We try to encourage "farming for nature" which is pretty much as you describe it but with additional clauses such as cutting hedges on rotation, wider field margins if arable etc. We also encourage hedge planting and some tree planting (but also recognise that natural regeneration is, in some cases, more appropriate). I admit on some occasions we have gone quite a lot further than that in the hope that we can prove that a more ambitious approach can also deliver financially. But when we do this we (on my portfolio at least) recognise this is a risk and sometimes unknown territory and fully support the farmer financially and assist generously in other ways also. We are facing a climate change crisis and a nature crisis (and I don't apologise for taking that seriously) but we do also recognise that UK food production is important as is the welfare of the farmers. I think we need to find a balance and communicate much better with our much respected farming community but I am proud to work for the NT and by replying on this post I hope it shows that we are indeed listening. I will certainly be continuing to talk openly with the farmers on my patch but as some people have raised on this forum there is sometimes a reluctance to air true feelings to any landlord, be it the NT or otherwise. I hope you don't mind me intruding on your forum but it is actually really useful to have a true insight so I hope you feel confident enough to continue talking freely knowing that I am a member. If anyone is unhappy with that I will respect that fully and remove myself as a member.

 

[ajcc]

It is a question of priorities. Farmers farm to feed people, raise livestock make an honest living.
If like me they farm NT land,they are certainly environmentally aware and share a strong interest in protecting and enhancing the land they make their living from. ..but they are agriculturalists first and environmentalists second.
That is most likely the basis they took on the land.

The problem is the NT seeking to move the goalposts and try to force environmentalism over agriculture at any cost with scant concern for any socio economic consequences.
One might not be surprised by such confrontation from a “bad landlord.” But the 6 million membership and indeed the wider public are unaware that the “modern “ NT are increasingly earning this reputation amongst the rural community.

 

[bluepower]

I do actually agree with you Ffermer Bach but do you think that the majority of other farmers genuinely share the same view? If we could get to this point with the majority of our farms then I think that would be a wonderful result. Personally, I don't think we are there yet but in my portfolio I would much rather that we worked together to find a truly sustainable model. Having worked for the NT for many years I can assure you that its intentions are good (and definitely not motivated by money). Perhaps we are trying to compensate on some farms when we get the opportunity because we know on other farms we are falling short of where we would like to be. We try to encourage "farming for nature" which is pretty much as you describe it but with additional clauses such as cutting hedges on rotation, wider field margins if arable etc. We also encourage hedge planting and some tree planting (but also recognise that natural regeneration is, in some cases, more appropriate). I admit on some occasions we have gone quite a lot further than that in the hope that we can prove that a more ambitious approach can also deliver financially. But when we do this we (on my portfolio at least) recognise this is a risk and sometimes unknown territory and fully support the farmer financially and assist generously in other ways also. We are facing a climate change crisis and a nature crisis (and I don't apologise for taking that seriously) but we do also recognise that UK food production is important as is the welfare of the farmers. I think we need to find a balance and communicate much better with our much respected farming community but I am proud to work for the NT and by replying on this post I hope it shows that we are indeed listening. I will certainly be continuing to talk openly with the farmers on my patch but as some people have raised on this forum there is sometimes a reluctance to air true feelings to any landlord, be it the NT or otherwise. I hope you don't mind me intruding on your forum but it is actually really useful to have a true insight so I hope you feel confident enough to continue talking freely knowing that I am a member. If anyone is unhappy with that I

I do actually agree with you Ffermer Bach but do you think that the majority of other farmers genuinely share the same view? If we could get to this point with the majority of our farms then I think that would be a wonderful result. Personally, I don't think we are there yet but in my portfolio I would much rather that we worked together to find a truly sustainable model. Having worked for the NT for many years I can assure you that its intentions are good (and definitely not motivated by money). Perhaps we are trying to compensate on some farms when we get the opportunity because we know on other farms we are falling short of where we would like to be. We try to encourage "farming for nature" which is pretty much as you describe it but with additional clauses such as cutting hedges on rotation, wider field margins if arable etc. We also encourage hedge planting and some tree planting (but also recognise that natural regeneration is, in some cases, more appropriate). I admit on some occasions we have gone quite a lot further than that in the hope that we can prove that a more ambitious approach can also deliver financially. But when we do this we (on my portfolio at least) recognise this is a risk and sometimes unknown territory and fully support the farmer financially and assist generously in other ways also. We are facing a climate change crisis and a nature crisis (and I don't apologise for taking that seriously) but we do also recognise that UK food production is important as is the welfare of the farmers. I think we need to find a balance and communicate much better with our much respected farming community but I am proud to work for the NT and by replying on this post I hope it shows that we are indeed listening. I will certainly be continuing to talk openly with the farmers on my patch but as some people have raised on this forum there is sometimes a reluctance to air true feelings to any landlord, be it the NT or otherwise. I hope you don't mind me intruding on your forum but it is actually really useful to have a true insight so I hope you feel confident enough to continue talking freely knowing that I am a member. If anyone is unhappy with that I will respect that fully and remove myself as a member.

Your attitude is the reason why I am no longer a National Trust tenant! Your post is full of inaccuracies regarding the trusts attitude to farmers. I was a tenant for some 25 years and cannot accept a lot of what you say.

I do not mean to be antagonistic but feel very badly let down by the spineless agents and managers I had to deal with. Most of them would need a map to even find our farm !

I could write a book about the lack of management that I experienced during my time as a tenant. If you honestly believe what you say then you are way off the mark. To say that you care about the welfare of farmers is the biggest untruth I have ever heard. We have been through an extremley difficult time in the last three years and not once has any regard been given to our well being. You have destroyed a family farm with good diversification income and replaced it with a complete shambles of indecision.

Your organisation is not fit to own farmland, when you wake up and realise the error of your ways it will be too late. I hope you have something on your plate to eat then!

 

[Flat 10]

Round here the NT makes no pretence of farming land just buys it and leaves it to become an absolute shite show complete with feral ponies and cows and tarmac paths. (And no parking places for the hordes that come ). It’s unbelievably depressing.

 

[Bury the Trash]

National Trust loses thousands of volunteers as some tell heated AGM they feel ‘abandoned and ignored’ - News Chant UK

The National Trust has lost thousands of volunteers within the final year with some telling bosses they have been “abandoned”, ignored and handled with disrespect. During the annual normal meeting, members tried to drive the charity to seek the advice of with volunteers earlier than making...

uk.newschant.com

sounds like they need to do a course on how to value people .

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

I do actually agree with you Ffermer Bach but do you think that the majority of other farmers genuinely share the same view? If we could get to this point with the majority of our farms then I think that would be a wonderful result. Personally, I don't think we are there yet but in my portfolio I would much rather that we worked together to find a truly sustainable model. Having worked for the NT for many years I can assure you that its intentions are good (and definitely not motivated by money). Perhaps we are trying to compensate on some farms when we get the opportunity because we know on other farms we are falling short of where we would like to be. We try to encourage "farming for nature" which is pretty much as you describe it but with additional clauses such as cutting hedges on rotation, wider field margins if arable etc. We also encourage hedge planting and some tree planting (but also recognise that natural regeneration is, in some cases, more appropriate). I admit on some occasions we have gone quite a lot further than that in the hope that we can prove that a more ambitious approach can also deliver financially. But when we do this we (on my portfolio at least) recognise this is a risk and sometimes unknown territory and fully support the farmer financially and assist generously in other ways also. We are facing a climate change crisis and a nature crisis (and I don't apologise for taking that seriously) but we do also recognise that UK food production is important as is the welfare of the farmers. I think we need to find a balance and communicate much better with our much respected farming community but I am proud to work for the NT and by replying on this post I hope it shows that we are indeed listening. I will certainly be continuing to talk openly with the farmers on my patch but as some people have raised on this forum there is sometimes a reluctance to air true feelings to any landlord, be it the NT or otherwise. I hope you don't mind me intruding on your forum but it is actually really useful to have a true insight so I hope you feel confident enough to continue talking freely knowing that I am a member. If anyone is unhappy with that I will respect that fully and remove myself as a member.

I farm next to a large NT estate and have seen it degrade over the last 25 years. The Agent is useless or powerless and the present Tenant has been allowed to run rings around the organisation.
The trouble is when you have large estates that have been allowed to go to rack and ruin it also affects the neighbouring farms and farmers. The drainage had been neglected so causing flooding on our land. The boundary fences have fallen apart and we have paid the all the costs of replacing them. Even today I had a boundary fence just fall over as our cattle trampled down the brambles that are what a lot of the land is covered in now. There are many fallen trees and plenty more that will fall down as Ash Dieback takes hold.

I don't blame the tenant as he lost interest years ago. These were two absolutely model farms when they were left to the NT but are now just a mass of thistles, rushes and brambles. It will cost tens of thousands to put it back in some sort of order, new fences, gates, culverts, bridges and graze the land to get it back in order for wildlife and agriculture.

The only glimmer of hope on the horizon is that the tenant is apparently quitting most of the land. However it is unlikely a new tenant will be found unless it is rent free for a number of years and a scheme put in place to cover the cost of the infrastructure work that will be needed to farm it again.

 

[serf]

Round here the NT makes no pretence of farming land just buys it and leaves it to become an absolute shite show complete with feral ponies and cows and tarmac paths. (And no parking places for the hordes that come ). It’s unbelievably depressing.

Didn't even know they bought land , they got enough left them than they know what do with already .
They have turned into a right shower , think they need a revolution right to the core and get this wilderness /rewilding nonsense out there heads and tidy the places up that have been left them in good will in the hope they would be managed well!!

They must be turning in their graves as we speak !!

 

[glasshouse]

I do actually agree with you Ffermer Bach but do you think that the majority of other farmers genuinely share the same view? If we could get to this point with the majority of our farms then I think that would be a wonderful result. Personally, I don't think we are there yet but in my portfolio I would much rather that we worked together to find a truly sustainable model. Having worked for the NT for many years I can assure you that its intentions are good (and definitely not motivated by money). Perhaps we are trying to compensate on some farms when we get the opportunity because we know on other farms we are falling short of where we would like to be. We try to encourage "farming for nature" which is pretty much as you describe it but with additional clauses such as cutting hedges on rotation, wider field margins if arable etc. We also encourage hedge planting and some tree planting (but also recognise that natural regeneration is, in some cases, more appropriate). I admit on some occasions we have gone quite a lot further than that in the hope that we can prove that a more ambitious approach can also deliver financially. But when we do this we (on my portfolio at least) recognise this is a risk and sometimes unknown territory and fully support the farmer financially and assist generously in other ways also. We are facing a climate change crisis and a nature crisis (and I don't apologise for taking that seriously) but we do also recognise that UK food production is important as is the welfare of the farmers. I think we need to find a balance and communicate much better with our much respected farming community but I am proud to work for the NT and by replying on this post I hope it shows that we are indeed listening. I will certainly be continuing to talk openly with the farmers on my patch but as some people have raised on this forum there is sometimes a reluctance to air true feelings to any landlord, be it the NT or otherwise. I hope you don't mind me intruding on your forum but it is actually really useful to have a true insight so I hope you feel confident enough to continue talking freely knowing that I am a member. If anyone is unhappy with that I will respect that fully and remove myself as a member.

See post 55

 

[ajcc]

The problem with the modern National Trust is that they are in bed with Natural England and “the BBC Countryfile image.”
From a tenant farmers point of view you will have little control of your farming you will park keep for a perceived countryfile /guardian reading type public on behalf of a treble funded landlord.

 

[steveR]

The problem with the modern National Trust is that they are in bed with Natural England and “the BBC Countryfile image.”
From a tenant farmers point of view you will have little control of your farming you will park keep for a perceived countryfile /guardian reading type public on behalf of a treble funded landlord.

And the real issue is that this will be perceived as a "Public Good" by TPTB

 

[Ffermer Bach]

What ever happened to the National Trust and them ploughing up the habitat meadows? Anyone know?

 

[Mc115reed]

National trust bought the shugborough Estate here couple years ago, used too have a proper farm manager and flock of sheep ect ect and fully open too the public now it’s all fenced off and pay too get in, they have about 10 sheep and they do nothing but plead poverty too get government support… just been given a share of 35 million that’s being split between 120 sites and I bet national trust owns f**king most of them

 

[serf]

What ever happened to the National Trust and them ploughing up the habitat meadows? Anyone know?

Don't know what you mean ....... what meadow..........

 

[glasshouse]

The problem with the modern National Trust is that they are in bed with Natural England and “the BBC Countryfile image.”
From a tenant farmers point of view you will have little control of your farming you will park keep for a perceived countryfile /guardian reading type public on behalf of a treble funded landlord.

Need a triple like for that

 

[glasshouse]

All these big landowners should be forced to dish out aha tensncies only
Fbt were never meant for them.

 

[ajcc]

But with the NT (working with their “special regulatory relationships”) problems will manifest themselves if push becomes shove......

 

[high plains drifter]

What are people's views on their decision to stop issuing trail hunting licences?

 

[bluepower]

What are people's views on their decision to stop issuing trail hunting licences?

Very predictable.

 

[steveR]

Very predictable.

But disappointing, as much as for the fact that we have to endure Kwis Packtwat's gurning visage again....