RT Coping Strategies

DrWazzock

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
I know its not as easy for the arable folks on here, but surely the most effective coping strategy would be to come out of it?

We recently left the FSC certification scheme at work (forest certification, but v. similar to RT) on the basis that the price premium received simply wasn't worth the time input.

In a global context, the industry is already very highly regulated by statutory bodies. The case should be made that we don't need any more levels of certification. But I accept that expecting the NFU to do that is about as likely as pigs voting to ban sh*te.
Coming out of it would be preferable but in the meantime we have to deal with it.
I could actually see some scope for somebody to set up a business dealing with RT for a group of customers. Doesn’t need to be at land agent rates. It’s not rocket science, just needs doing.
 

toquark

Member
Coming out of it would be preferable but in the meantime we have to deal with it.
I could actually see some scope for somebody to set up a business dealing with RT for a group of customers. Doesn’t need to be at land agent rates. It’s not rocket science, just needs doing.
I do know a guy who works for the department and fills in people's SAF forms on the side. Don't know how much he charges, but he does it on his kitchen table so probably won't be agent's rates.
 

DrWazzock

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
I do know a guy who works for the department and fills in people's SAF forms on the side. Don't know how much he charges, but he does it on his kitchen table so probably won't be agent's rates.
That’s what I need. I know my wheat needs and gets 180 kg/ ha N. I know it’s well within the NVZ limit. But I need somebody who can fill in the half dozen pages of bulls**t they like to see that arrives at that simple fact. The Mrs is doing well on it at the moment.
 

DRC

Member
Coming out of it would be preferable but in the meantime we have to deal with it.
I could actually see some scope for somebody to set up a business dealing with RT for a group of customers. Doesn’t need to be at land agent rates. It’s not rocket science, just needs doing.
There’s firms such as farmxs, who will do all that stuff for you. Used to see them at shows.
I spoke to them once, but resented they feeling that if you didn’t use them, you’d basically end up being fined.
Im hoping that many of the documents that got uploaded during this years virtual inspection, will remain on file and not need to be produced again.
 

Gormers

Member
Location
east yorkshire
There’s firms such as farmxs, who will do all that stuff for you. Used to see them at shows.
I spoke to them once, but resented they feeling that if you didn’t use them, you’d basically end up being fined.
Im hoping that many of the documents that got uploaded during this years virtual inspection, will remain on file and not need to be produced again.

Sorry to disappoint @silverfox but I had virtual inspection last year & uploaded all required documents.....this year was a visit & they still needed to see the damm paperwork :mad:
 

Hesstondriver

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Huntingdon
Coming out of it would be preferable but in the meantime we have to deal with it.
I could actually see some scope for somebody to set up a business dealing with RT for a group of customers. Doesn’t need to be at land agent rates. It’s not rocket science, just needs doing.

Just thinking out loud here : in the context of your time and your financial return based on time spent, would it be (hypothetically) better for you to use the time spent doing RT stuff to explore new or alternative markets for your products ?

overall time used may well be the same, but without the mental stress of RT ?
 

DRC

Member
My inspector likes to see them signed and dated annually even if nothing changes. Fine on paper. 2 second job. A ball ache if they all have to be uploaded again.
I think on your acreage and continual battle with ageing machinery etc, I’d seriously consider grassing it all, either as part of a scheme or just go back to keeping sheep. It’d be just as profitable and less stressful. Hope this doesn’t offend as not intended.
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
I have decided to delegate it to the Mrs. so that I can get on with stuff that really is urgent. It feels like weight lifted and she has time and aptitude for it.
Is it getting to the point where it would be more cost effective to pay a clerk to deal with it than have to Wade through it yourself?
Maybe some completely integrated information management package would also work but these always seem to end up taking a lot of time and money in themselves.
Corporate businesses can probably absorb the admin without too much trouble but for one man bands it’s a bit of burden.
Is there scope for somebody to go round sorting it out for people in the same way that accounts clerks work?

You’re a small farm and you’ve offloaded all the livestock haven’t you? I’d have thought you’d be glad of some tedious paperwork to fill your spare time.🤐🤣

Or is it more that you dislike it so much you keeping making up jobs that need doing/fixing to delay the inevitable?

If it’s the latter then Cross Compliance Solutions is one company that will come in and organise your mess for you, and even go through the inspection for you if you dislike tea making too.
I dare say there are other companies specialising in it too.
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
I would soon lose my rag with these inspector types. I'd give them a map showing where the grain store is, where the chemical store is and where the loo is, a stack of documents and say help yourself.

You’re clearly not experienced with ‘dealing’ with inspectors from various bodies are you.

Part of the job is guiding the inspector round a carefully planned route, distracting them at times, and smoothing over minor things that they might spot if you slipped up anywhere.;)
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 80 42.3%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 66 34.9%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 15.9%
  • 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/
Top