Red tractor spot inspection

[Jdunn55]

Just thought I'd share with you all the privilege I've had with dear old red tractor.

So as most of you know I've been due a spot inspection.

I try and keep my personal life off of here but for the purpose of this I'll share a bit, my partner of nearly 6 years was blue-lighted to hospital on Sunday, where after several hours in A and E he was moved to resus and then quite quickly to intensive care.

We haven't had a diagnosis yet but he's been really not very well, he's got acute kidney and liver failure along with extremely low platelets and haemoglobin levels. They're suspecting sepsis but it's all a bit strange atm as things aren't exactly adding up (bacterial cultures aren't growing etc).

He's been on an a drip since Sunday along with IV painkillers and IV antibiotics and an arterial line put in last night. He hasn't stopped being sick for nearly 72 hours now so is feeling very, very rough.

Anyway, I sent an email to red tractor and my milk buyer on Monday at 1am making them aware that we were in ICU and so I wouldn't be around to pander to there every want and need for this week as I want and need to spend as much time as I can in hospital (obviously phrased it slightly differently).

They replied saying they won't come yesterday and due to the influx of people coming in yesterday doing checks, tests and monitoring I missed the following email (checking my emails was NOT top of my priority list yesterday):

"In the circumstances, we are prepared to avoid attempting to carry out a spot check inspection today, but could I ask that you please contact me by phone later this afternoon once you have a clearer picture of your availability and how you will ensure your cows and your farm are looked after during the coming days. We cannot postpone an inspection indefinitely if you wish your milk to be collected as Red Tractor assured."

I contacted Farm Cornwall who work with RABI, FCN ect and have supported me for the past 12 months if they could deal with it for me as frankly I'm too tired and worried to have to speak to them.

Farm Cornwall contacted them today and red tractor have turned around and said I am having a spot inspection either tomorrow or Thursday and that's all there is to it now.

In all this my cows and youngstock have not once suffered, I haven't left the hospital since sunday nor had any sleep since Friday night. I managed to make arrangements with my aunt to feed the calves, milk and scrape up for me along with my apprentice who has done all the feeding etc
My dad has been amazing and just checked everything over and fixed up the scraper tractor which broke yesterday etc
This was all explained to them by farm Cornwall.

I'm pretty disgusted and upset with red tractor though, but can't say I'm surprised.

I'm going to head home this afternoon when his parents get here for a couple of hours and check everything over (which was the plan anyway) the farm and cows are fine for red tractor to see, but I really could have done without the stress of them coming this week.

I don't think I've been unreasonable in requesting any of the above.

 

[David.]

Firstly I'm sorry to read that you are having a pretty rough time, and that your partner is unwell.
He must be your first priority, and I wish you both well.
Without getting into RT politics, I would think that if the people supporting you are keeping the stock fed, clean, and healthy, and the parlour looking hygienic, there will not be much for RT to find that will enable any competent person to condemn you.
Personally, I would have someone other than yourself on site, who has no access to any paperwork, meds, etc; to be there purely for the purposes of courteously guiding them through the stock and buildings, and seeing that they observe your biosecurity protocols.
You will not have denied them access, hopefully they will have seen clean and contented stock, and if they have any issues to raise with you, they can do so later.
By which time hopefully there will be some better news on your partner, and you will feel less pressured.
No non-statutory organisation, or its staff, should be causing you more mental distress that you are already suffering.
Best wishes.

 

[Scholsey]

Pop back check everything is ok cow wise etc before the inspection and leave the apprentice/dad/aunt to show them everything but no paperwork/medicine cabinet etc, a spot inspection should be purely about welfare etc not last time you wormed your dog and what the soil indexes is on your furthest field.

 

[spin cycle]

red tractor are pure evil b'strds

Best of luck to you all round

 

[Scholsey]

Pop back check everything is ok cow wise etc before the inspection and leave the apprentice/dad/aunt to show them everything but no paperwork/medicine cabinet etc, a spot inspection should be purely about welfare etc not last time you wormed your dog and what the soil indexes is on your furthest field.

Fingers crossed this sorts everything and they tick the box and once things settle down with your partners health and your back caught up go for RT jugular, make sure you write down every conversation you’ve had with them over this and save/star emails, this is the sort of heavy handed behaviour that they certainly should not be doing, someone should either be suspended or lose their job over what you’ve had happen considering circumstances.

 

[Jdunn55]

I'm not going to be there when they are, I'll say something I regret.

I've been forewarned they want, med records, purchase records, movement records, birth records, death records

If they don't have access to any of the above they will consider it a major non-conformance and will suspend my membership until they receive them (could result in dumped milk) and will trigger another spot inspection for definite within the next 6 months

 

[frederick]

@lazy farmer
Could you please pass this on to Michael masters on the red tractor dairy board for comment.

I will pass to Rachel Hayton as well.

It is total over reach.

 

[nonemouse]

Wishing a swift recovery to your partner JD, but seriously we wonder why it’s hard to get keen youngsters to join the dairy industry when things like this are happening

 

[jerseycowsman]

@lazy farmer
Could you please pass this on to Michael masters on the red tractor dairy board for comment.

I will pass to Rachel Hayton as well.

It is total over reach.

You on the Arla board too? They need to know about this. The sooner we kick red tractor into touch the better. This is DISGUSTING!

 

[Jdunn55]

@lazy farmer
Could you please pass this on to Michael masters on the red tractor dairy board for comment.

I will pass to Rachel Hayton as well.

It is total over reach.

Thankyou, I'd really appreciate that.

 

[frederick]

You on the Arla board too? They need to know about this. The sooner we kick red tractor into touch the better. This is DISGUSTING!

Not for the last 2 years. But will bring to @farmer on a bike attention

 

[Deereone]

Very sorry to hear of your woes.

These people are the 'Traffic wardens ' of Agriculture. Heartless barstewards on a power trip.

 

[lazy farmer]

Thankyou, I'd really appreciate that.

It’s done.

 

[Martyn]

@Jdunn55 really sorry and disgusted to hear about your situation and bloody red tractor. Your stock look credit to you and I’m sure the moment an access walks on farm they will see and realise the situation and move on swiftly. Are you milk buyer aware incase of implications? If not would it help for me to have a suttle conversation? All the best

 

[buffalo_soldier]

All the best, i didnt get any warning about my spot inspection they just turned up.
I think having someone else there would be best but they will need access to records and passports ideally.

Is your certification body SFI? as i have the direct contact for their Dairy Manager.

 

[white_stuffed]

I've had less than 30 hours of sleep for the past 7 days because of red tractor hanging over my head.

I'm due a spot inspection at some point in the next month or two.

I went to bed at 1am last night and was up again at 4am doing paperwork.
The night before was 3:30am and 6am.
I can not sleep atm because all I can think about is the water trough that needs pressure washing or the amount of freeboard on the slurry pit, or the cows tail that's dirty.
I was out tidying the medicine cabinet and AI room last night and was pee'd off because I didn't get around to cleaning up the pile of dirt I had brushed up.
I can no longer stop my hands from shaking during the day and get waves off chest pain and unbelievable headaches that no amount of paracetamol, ibuprofen or even codeine will touch.

I do my best to ignore it and focus on the positives (sold 2 bulls to stud recently, cows are calving in and milking really well, fertility a big improvement on last year etc) but they're always in the back of my mind making me feel awful. There's better days but most are bad, if they phone me on a bad day to say they're on the way I don't think things will go well for me.

I invited my milk buyer out this week as she used to do red tractor audits and overall she was happy, the cows look really good and isn't worried about them, she said I need an overall tidy up which I knew anyway but find it very hard in the winter when you're fighting with mud, rain and short days to keep things tidy, but like I say fairly happy overall, and yet I can guarantee red tractor would come and give me a list and a half of things they want done yesterday.

I'm trying my best and the cows always come first and look great, my milk buyer is happy with what I send and yet red tractor have deemed me appropriate for a spot inspection which personally I think should be reserved for farms with massive milk supply issues (antibiotics in the tank etc) or with cows dropping dead and looking like sh!t.

So yes, for me atleast, farm assurance is stressful and they make feel like sh!t.

From the is farm assurance stressful thread- I feel dreadful for
@Jdunn55, this so much to cope with.

 

[Kidds]

It all sounds awful for you. I sincerely hope your partner swiftly returns to full health and all this is behind you.
Good luck.

 

[Jdunn55]

Thanks everyone

Quick question, anyone got any ideas?

I had a non-conformance for ear-tags last time if I get any repeat non-conformances it will trigger another spot inspection which if I fail they remove my assurance for 3 months and roddas will remove my contract

So obviously keen to avoid another spot check and any repeat non-conformances

I went through all ear-tags last week ordered any and put them in

My apprentice has just said he's found 2 tags that have fallen out today number 16 and 191

What do I do? She is coming tomorrow or Thursday I've missed next day delivery so won't get them until Thursday afternoon?
There's no chance I'll have time to drive to somewhere and get them printed there and then

She won't miss them. She misses nothing.

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

Thanks everyone

Quick question, anyone got any ideas?

I had a non-conformance for ear-tags last time if I get any repeat non-conformances it will trigger another spot inspection which if I fail they remove my assurance for 3 months and roddas will remove my contract

So obviously keen to avoid another spot check and any repeat non-conformances

I went through all ear-tags last week ordered any and put them in

My apprentice has just said he's found 2 tags that have fallen out today number 16 and 191

What do I do? She is coming tomorrow or Thursday I've missed next day delivery so won't get them until Thursday afternoon?
There's no chance I'll have time to drive to somewhere and get them printed there and then

She won't miss them. She misses nothing.

Markrite are brilliant have rang 3 o’clock in the afternoon and been here next day.

 

[Badshot]

Just show the order for them to be delivered ought to be ok.

Your inspector sounds a right bloody Hitler