A new Millennium, the dawn of a new age, we were being told by Tony during the celebrations a month ago. From a farming point of view and for all the allied industries in Devon which depend on a thriving agricultural industry I can't think of a worse way to start a new Millennium. Small farms, particularly in Cornwall, are rapidly disappearing, being bought by wealthy people from up country who have a romantic idea that they can play at farming, which is an insult to those of us who are trying to survive. The one good thing about these farms being bought by wealthy people is that it helps to keep the value of land up, and provides a reasonable good financial get out for those that are forced to sell.
The next year is going to be critical for many farm business', including ours, surviving long term.
To add to our problems, the Government recently invited new tendering on slaughter houses operating the cull scheme for over thirty month cattle. This resulted in Hatherleigh loosing it's contract. This means that around 1000 cull cows per week from Devon will now have to be transported to Bridgwater. This has devastating effects on employment in Hatherleigh, it will add around £15 per animal to extra transport costs and will be stressful for old cows having to travel long distances. It is also damaging to the environment moving large numbers of animals for long distances, a concern which will probably be shared by Agenda 21!
When I discuss farming difficulties with other farmers, we usually agree that it would make better business sense to sell up now. We don't sell up because we are committed to our farms, and most of us enjoy what we do. It seems morally wrong to me that in this day and age the Government are happy to see farming families working long hours for no return to produce food which is the most important commodity in life.
At home, after the continuous rain in December and early January, it has been good to have two weeks of dry weather which has enabled us to get some slurry out. We started the winter with the silage disappearing rapidly and the cows not milking well. Now silage consumption has slowed down and the cows are milking better. I hope we will have sufficient quota!
With Spring hopefully not too far away. I feel happier than I did a month ago. I am ever the optimist and I look forward to better times one day!