#ProudofDairy week starts tomorrow, get involved.

Whilst it's in the nature of most farmers to pick a fault with pretty much anything, one thing that we should all agree on is the need to lead from the front and promote British dairy farming in all its glory, not just what happens on farm but crucially how the effects of a thriving industry is far reaching and brings massive benefits to the consumer, the economy, the environment, nature ..... problem is we rarely tell anyone.

So next week the NFU dairy board chair, Michael Oakes, is spear heading a week of sharing short 30 sec videos, the objective of these videos is to tell the story of the bigger picture, maybe a clip of farm staff, a tanker driver, or perhaps the local electrician, or videos showing environmental improvements as well as the day to day stuff dairy farming includes.

Coincidentally this week will see a huge amount of anti dairy activity across all social media, but it's crucial dairy farmers don't put their efforts into arguing with the minority who have no desire to open their eyes and minds, the best way to shut them up is to speak louder and prouder than any Anti dairy group - nothing pees off an extreme vegan than the refusal of a dairy farmer to bite!

So if you use social media on any level, then this week is a week to get involved. It's not a time to argue but a time to drown out the voices of an extreme minority, never know, might even sell some more milk by winning back a few more consumers.

Be sure to use the hashtag #ProudofDairy.
 

llamedos

New Member
Is there an anti dairy campaign knowingly planned?

Yes, entitled scary dairy, led by Viva and their White lies campaign.

There was a very good article in the FW at the beginning of the year, on countering the claims often used by vegans against milk and dairy.

I will have a look if I can find it.

If you are going to take part in the #ProudofDairy week, then a couple of suggestions on dealing with the antis.
You either answer them with a truth and leave it, or, you ignore them.
It is a waste of your time arguing your point, and losing your temper.
 

llamedos

New Member
August 22nd is World Plant Milk Day but this whole week there will be a lot of anti dairy campaigns going on to mark the event. My advice to the extreme vegan is don't even communicate.

This is my preferred stance too, simply ignore them, they are the ones who end up looking foolish ranting away to themselves.
Just get your point across, use the # and share, add as many photos as you can, just a sustained effort throughout the week, of say 4 tweets a day, will get your message across, that you are proud of what you do.

Any of you on Twitter, if you want to tag us in @TheFarmingForum I will happily RT your tweets, so long as their is no foul language, and no digs at the antis

You do not have to use up part of your 140 characters with the @thexxxx if you add a picture, you will be able to tag others in for 'free' if you understand, by way of the 'who is in this picture' drop down box.
 

llamedos

New Member
I think that that lot was written by vaugeones!!

Maybe, but it is ideal for social media, you are aiming at a consumer who may think choc milk comes from a brown cow.
All the folk who added to that article are well used to dealing with the public, as ridiculous as the chocolate milk is, some of the myths they believe are equally outlandish.

Vegans add to mix with emotion and using words normally only associated to Human females, preying on vulnerabilities and empathy.
 

llamedos

New Member
Talking of choc milk ...
Now we know it really grows on trees

4073333035-50e340eaea752988cfd4d72bd5528062.jpg
 
Even
Maybe, but it is ideal for social media, you are aiming at a consumer who may think choc milk comes from a brown cow.
All the folk who added to that article are well used to dealing with the public, as ridiculous as the chocolate milk is, some of the myths they believe are equally outlandish.

Vegans add to mix with emotion and using words normally only associated to Human females, preying on vulnerabilities and empathy.
even those who know many of the facts about milk may not know the full extent of how a thriving dairy industry delivers multiple benefits to the consumer, it's therefore crucial we show consumers that when they spend their £ on dairy, then this money goes towards environmental work, supporting the economy, employing staff etc - basically for the consumer who buys dairy for a reason we will give them loads more reasons to buy more.
 

llamedos

New Member
Even

even those who know many of the facts about milk may not know the full extent of how a thriving dairy industry delivers multiple benefits to the consumer, it's therefore crucial we show consumers that when they spend their £ on dairy, then this money goes towards environmental work, supporting the economy, employing staff etc - basically for the consumer who buys dairy for a reason we will give them loads more reasons to buy more.

Not sure many care much about all that, they just want milk for their drinks/cooking/cereal, and to know it comes from a well looked after cow.
 
Actually they do and e
Not sure many care much about all that, they just want milk for their drinks/cooking/cereal, and to know it comes from a well looked after cow.

Actually they do care and British dairy commands more consumer "care" than any other sector - can you imagine having "farmers pork" or "farmers eggs" in the same way as we have farmers milk. I am bogged down in consumer group stats that proves the point. But even if the majority care or not is not a reason not to tell the whole story, therefore we should.

The question is how many farmers actually will
 

Ballygreenan

Member
Location
Tyrone NI
I've had a few discussions with vague ones on twitter today, some the typical extremists, which I rapidly ceased. And one fairly positive discussion where I think I have corrected a few misguided preconceptions.
 

Clay52

Member
Location
Outer Space
Not sure many care much about all that, they just want milk for their drinks/cooking/cereal, and to know it comes from a well looked after cow.

I agree. These things are mostly a waste of time. You have the people that don't care and just put milk on their cereal every day and you have the anti dairy that won't change their mind no matter what anyway.

I figure I have better stuff to spend my time on.
 
I agree. These things are mostly a waste of time. You have the people that don't care and just put milk on their cereal every day and you have the anti dairy that won't change their mind no matter what anyway.

I figure I have better stuff to spend my time on.
How will you change attitudes if you don't try? And actually the support from non farmers s over past two days has been immense as have some really good open discussion discusdi with non extreme vegans who do open their minds.

History proves doing nothing achieved nothing
 

Ballygreenan

Member
Location
Tyrone NI
If I can get one 'townie' dairy consumer to think a little more about where their pinta comes from, or if I can get one (rational) vegan to see dairy farmers as kind compassionate people who care about their livestock well then it's worth my while.
 

Clay52

Member
Location
Outer Space
How will you change attitudes if you don't try? And actually the support from non farmers s over past two days has been immense as have some really good open discussion discusdi with non extreme vegans who do open their minds.

History proves doing nothing achieved nothing

I admire those trying to change people's opinions but I think it probably a losing battle. I figure my time is more efficient elsewhere.

It's it really time efficient to spend all that time to change one persons mind. If they are that easily swayed it will only take one false Facebook post to swing them back anyway.
 
I admire those trying to change people's opinions but I think it probably a losing battle. I figure my time is more efficient elsewhere.

It's it really time efficient to spend all that time to change one persons mind. If they are that easily swayed it will only take one false Facebook post to swing them back anyway.

Don't bother then, but this isn't about simply changing minds, this is also about looking after those who do buy dairy by reassuring them their choice is correct - if we don't then they can be swayed away because we simply did not bother. It's no good complaining about consumers reaction to dairy or a poor milk price if we don't even bother to promote the positives about the industry you are in and the produce you sell to a consumer who keep s you in business.
 
I admire those trying to change people's opinions but I think it probably a losing battle. I figure my time is more efficient elsewhere.

It's it really time efficient to spend all that time to change one persons mind. If they are that easily swayed it will only take one false Facebook post to swing them back anyway.

It takes 30 secs to record a video and another 30 post it. Less time than responding on the TFF.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 80 42.1%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 67 35.3%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 15.8%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 7 3.7%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,294
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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