I’m a farmer, ask me anything

[AskAFarmer]

As title! :)

numpties not numptys. I buy British but maybe still am one

What do you think of the new mental health hub that's been set up for farmers in Cornwall? Is it something you feel should be available everywhere? Do you agree that farming can be lonely and isolated?

thanks for telling us about the crows and the ewes, I had no idea, I didn't pay proper attention to the CP story and thought it was to do with gamekeepers/birds of prey
I once found what seemed to be a new born, abandoned lamb (it was still wet, no ewe nearby, no farm nearby) what should I have done?

Thanks for the answers. Suspected as much re wool. Outrageous really as it's such amazing stuff and costs such a bloody fortune in the shops compared to manky acrylic etc.

How do you pronounce ewe? Here we say 'yo' (west of ire)

Back to your comment about welfare standards and cheap imports, of course we should buy British but where should be absolutely avoid and why

I'm sorry my question is a bit crass but I'm so curious!
I've been watching This Farming Life since it started and I really love it, so interesting.
I'm really curious about how the money works. Income seems to be so piecemeal and so many family members working hard but not actually 'the farmer'. How does everyone get paid, or do they?
To illustrate, in This Farming Life the Irvines are pedigree cattle farmers and they seem to get income from selling cows for stud/'burgers'!/selling sperm etc, money coming in but then does the brother get paid for attending a three day county show?!

Thanks, and sorry

What REALLY gets me riled is that farmers in the UK have to adhere to very high welfare standards compared to the rest of the world, which costs money, making the end product more expensive.
The government however, then allows cheap imports from countries with extremely....variable let’s say...welfare standards which undercut us. Welfare is one of the reasons you should always buy British meat

^ this in spades! No idea why anyone doesn't buy British, I'm from a farming background too and happy to get on my high horse about this.

We say 'yow' (to rhyme with 'ow' as if you've hurt yourself) for a ewe - that's if I'm talking to a fellow farmer (north Yorkshire) 'you' would be my 'posh' voice

Do the animals get distressed when they are being transported? Do you form an attachment to any of the animals - especially the house pigs you mentioned.

What percentage of your annual income is from subsidies?
Is it in the £1,000's, £10,000's or £100,000's?

I live in farming country, the farmers like a good gossip about who gets what.

Have you ever said "get off my land" ?

It's 'Geroff moi land!!!'

Actually there used to be a poster on here donkeys years ago called just that!

How do you feel about Brexit?

What do you think of the new mental health hub that's been set up for farmers in Cornwall? Is it something you feel should be available everywhere? Do you agree that farming can be lonely and isolated?

Hadn’t heard of it but sounds very positive. Farming can definitely be lonely and isolated.

I once found what seemed to be a new born, abandoned lamb (it was still wet, no ewe nearby, no farm nearby) what should I have done?

Depends really. People will say to leave it and the mother will come back, but in reality they do sometimes lamb then just fuck off back to their grass.
I’d probably go to the nearest farm and tell them.

Thanks for the answers. Suspected as much re wool. Outrageous really as it's such amazing stuff and costs such a bloody fortune in the shops compared to manky acrylic etc.

You’re welcome :)
I know, I use as much wool as I can, it’s a very technical and yes, amazing substance. The children have wool duvets which are brilliant.

Do you listen to the Archers?

How does one help a sheep on its back - just sort of roll it over?

How do you pronounce ewe? Here we say 'yo' (west of ire)

I saw ‘yow,’ DH says ‘you.’

Back to your comment about welfare standards and cheap imports, of course we should buy British but where should be absolutely avoid and why

Difficult one really. We have the Red Tractor scheme etc, I’m not aware of comparable schemes in other countries. The UK are world leaders.
I by British 98% of the time, except for things like chorizo where I just get the best quality I can.
Things I absolutely avoid are products like supermarket pizzas and sandwiches etc (Asda I’m looking at you) where the chicken is from Brazil and Thailand. Aside from anything else, meat that’s flown halfway round the world can’t be great for you.

Aldi and Lidl are very good for using British meat, really fantastic. They truly support British farmers.

I'm really curious about how the money works. Income seems to be so piecemeal and so many family members working hard but not actually 'the farmer'. How does everyone get paid, or do they?

All farms are different. Often, the farm will be a limited company, everything gets paid into one pot and everyone takes a wage. Usually not a huge one, and definitely not an hourly rate.

Often, you also get farmers who completely take advantage of their wives and children, giving them teeny allowances and using disinheritance as a constant threat for stepping out of line.

More and more though, it happens the first way, or as a partnership.

Do the animals get distressed when they are being transported?

No not really, they go in groups with their mates, they’re generally happy if they’re in groups. Also, modern transporters are very comfortable and well ventilated.

Do you form an attachment to any of the animals

Yes definitely. Surprisingly though (really surprised me) I find it easier to eat our own animals, as I know they’ve had a really good life.
It’s a good lesson for the children too - meat is a valuable thing, it used to be a life and should be respected, not used as a snack, forged on or wasted.

What percentage of your annual income is from subsidies?

It’s five figures. I know of at least two farmers who get over a million.

The subsidy system needs an overhaul. There are a lot of rich old men getting paid for doing nothing.

One of the many reasons I voted Leave. The EU isn’t great for farming in my view.

How do you feel about Brexit?

I voted Leave, and the sooner we do the better. Shame about the mess the government has made of it, but I believe we’ll be better out.

Do you listen to the Archers?

No. Is it good!?

How does one help a sheep on its back - just sort of roll it over?

Yes, just shove it over until it’s legs are underneath again. One of the goodest good deeds you can do

Hi ask thanks to you and all the other farmers for what you do. live rurally where non farming new landowner has set up campsite and have on several occasions had arguements with the campers that lambs are not photo accessories and to keep dogs on leads. What's best to do in situations when see that dog is actually in the field? Just straight up to farm and alert or go into field with dog/owner and try and reason or would that just upset ewes/lambs more?

Have you been on this farming life?