The younger Mrs Ford, now one year into marriage, still loves the reaction she gets upon telling people she is a farmer’s wife. The public seem to have a rather nostalgic fondness for agriculture, perhaps more rooted in farming 50 years ago than in the modern day. But let’s face it, farming to many people is a bit of a blast from the past. It’s mentioned in Genesis for goodness sake!
But although there are some things that probably haven’t changed that much over the generations, there are many processes and tools that have totally transformed the industry.
Many of the same challenges remain. Right now we are struggling with pregnancy rates, no doubt in part resulting from less than ideal sileage, the legacy of a damp year. Drilling wheat in these questionable conditions is a bit of a battle too, and we had to abandon the last 12 acres of maize in the end. But let’s face it, these are not new problems. Every weather-related farming conversation includes everyone recalling the worst year they ever saw, well it is Britain!
Industry prices must have been the staple of every farmer’s conversation from when farming began. We, like those before us, and surely those to follow, thank God for the positives, the increase in milk price is of course welcome, though it may well only keep us even. While we grit our teeth and pray through the tough times, we’ve forward contracted out feed till Spring 2014, up £32/t from the last contract, time will tell.
And yet, if our circumstances mirror days gone by, our methods certainly don’t. It was interesting to have a farmer visit the other week to glean ideas for his new parlour, from our 14 year old rotary. Today it’s not enough to just hold on when faced with challenges, the aim of the game is always improvement. Saving time here to release more time over there. As businesses grow the role of farm manager becomes more necessary, and new approaches which incorporate practical, scientific and business considerations must be developed.
We attended a dairy conference in early November. Though many stayed away, even busier than usual with their farms, we were pleased we went, as it’s easy to forget how valuable outside input, and other perspectives can be. The farm we visited demonstrated a modern approach to farming, with expert advice and current equipment being used, though most notable was their approach to the age-old challenge of people management, exemplary. We all have our problems, but no industry is free of them, and it’s what we do within our means, within our circumstances, that really counts. It seems that it is the positive farmers (or any businessman for that matter), those with a “can do” attitude, who rise to the challenges they are faced with, and ultimately remain in the industry.
We took a lot away from the conference, but we were truly blessed by the words of the after dinner speaker, who challenged us about our responsibility to leave the next generation with a sense of hope. He referred to an African proverb, which said something like “You don’t learn to sail on calm seas.” If we survive the storms, we will indeed be better farmers.