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AMA

I’m a farmer, ask me anything

354 replies

AskAFarmer · 30/04/2019 17:20

As title! :)

OP posts:
Scrowy · 01/05/2019 22:44

Assuming the OP has sensibly gone to bed which I should probably do too....

The sheep are probably eating Furryturniphead or even possibly turnips Grin. It's just a different type of feed, some farmers don't like to use it because it can damage teeth and makes fields look messy.

cuddlytoy Tractors can be on the road for all sorts of reasons. Moving between different land parcels, contractors working for other farms, young lads who aren't old enough to get a full driving license but to have their tractor license using it to get to school...

tynetees Cows and sheep in the same field are fine. Sheep are much more picky about what grass they eat though and do prefer it short and sweet, cows will eat longer grasses if it's available.

Also there are certain worms/ parasites/ snails that are problematic to sheep but not cows and having them both in the same field means the cows help a bit by 'mopping up' some of them.

Scrowy · 01/05/2019 22:45

Oops cross post times a million Grin

TyneTeas · 01/05/2019 22:47

Thank you OP and Scrowy Grin

Shmithecat2 · 01/05/2019 23:27

No questions, just loving the thread!

OnlineAlienator · 01/05/2019 23:32

Jambalaya - no! (I've been a farmer, studied it to post grad level and worked on different farms too) The animals expect feeding at milking at the same actual time theyre used to it!

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 02/05/2019 09:21

Op you missed my sheep question!

What breed are they and what happens to the fleeces?

Rabbitmug · 02/05/2019 15:58

I love love love this thread! Sod being interested in expats living in Dubai, this is where it's at!

twoheaped · 02/05/2019 17:16

Muck spreading.

I thought I heard that slurry had to be injected into the ground, for want of a better word, but round us, they are still firing it in a ruddy great arc out of a tube.

Am I mistaken, or will flying slurry be a thing of the past 🤞🏻.
The smell seems to linger in the house, long after the air has cleared.

AskAFarmer · 02/05/2019 22:52

Hi Scrowy! Cheers Grin

Op you missed my sheep question!

What breed are they and what happens to the fleeces?

Sorry!! Suffolk mules (Suffolk x) - and mostly carpets and insulation I suspect, it’s not very fine grade.

OP posts:
AskAFarmer · 02/05/2019 22:53

I love love love this thread! Sod being interested in expats living in Dubai, this is where it's at!

Glad you’re enjoying it! The Saudi Arabia one is really interesting!

OP posts:
AskAFarmer · 02/05/2019 22:54

Muck spreading.

I thought I heard that slurry had to be injected into the ground, for want of a better word, but round us, they are still firing it in a ruddy great arc out of a tube.

Am I mistaken, or will flying slurry be a thing of the past

Nope, ruddy great arcs are fine! Sorry!
We have one that chops up the straw and muck and flings it out sideways, the children love watching the poo slinger Grin

OP posts:
BadnessInTheFolds · 02/05/2019 23:13

Are you and your DH from farming families? If so, do you or he have siblings and do they have stakes in the farm? Do you hope your children (assuming you have some as you mentioned kids!) will take on the farm after you? What will happen to it if not?

Thanks for thread, v interesting!

KennyCalmIt · 02/05/2019 23:20

I think it’s a humane system

What’s humane about killing something that doesn’t want to be killed?

If I shot dead my elderly next door neighbour, would you deem it ‘humane’ because it was quick and painless?

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 02/05/2019 23:25

The slurry has to be spread in a level or downward trajectory strictly speaking - anything higher than the tractor cab is not permitted.
The Clean Air Strategy when it comes in will require slurries to be injected or dribbled onto grassland or cultivated land, when it will then be ploughed in. The smell is ammonia, which can combine with particulates in the air (from diesel cars etc) and cause air quality probs.
So basically if and when the govt put their money where their mouth is re air quality, we might get some more stringent standards and less runoff/air pollution from slurry.
Farmyard manure i.e more solid dung mixed with straw etc, can still be spread out far and it's far less polluting and better for the soil, putting organic matter and good bacteria/fungi back into the soil ecosystem.

STST · 02/05/2019 23:33

Great thread OP!
I read an article by AA Gill many years ago that basically said that organic farming (and free range to an extent) are actually highly unethical.

In essence, he believed that in order to support a large population on a small island, intensive farming was the only way to ensure that the costs are kept down enough for the poorer members of society to be able to access affordable protein. Producing less food per acre means that prices will go up and the poor will be unable to access food that the rich can afford.

I can see the logic; if organic/free range yields per acre are lower, then the UK (or anywhere) can only produce a certain amount of food with the space they have.

Highly unpalatable as a concept, but was he on to something (or just a clueless townie Grin?

AskAFarmer · 02/05/2019 23:50

Are you and your DH from farming families? If so, do you or he have siblings and do they have stakes in the farm? Do you hope your children (assuming you have some as you mentioned kids!) will take on the farm after you? What will happen to it if not?

He is, I’m not. But both from farming communities.
Nope, just us farming.
Yes, I hope my son will, he seems very keen. Being an ardent feminist, I was hoping one of the girls would, but it’s not looking that way (although they do love helping out).
No expectation or pressure on any of them though.

OP posts:
AskAFarmer · 02/05/2019 23:51

If I shot dead my elderly next door neighbour, would you deem it ‘humane’ because it was quick and painless?

I’m sorry, what does this have to do with farming? Why are you thinking of shooting your elderly neighbour? Seems a tad dramatic.

OP posts:
Catren · 03/05/2019 00:20

Favourite AMA thread ever. Op you write so well, you should set up a side gig writing about your life for us urban folk, it's so interesting. What with all that free time you have (🤣)

I have an unfounded fear of cows, terrified of walking through a field with them in it. I don't own a dog and walk calmly - any tips on how to avoid them coming over and taking a closer look?!

Thank you! Oh and if you could share any pictures of your sweet little lambs (or the poo flinger, that sounds brilliant!) I'd be most grateful

BadnessInTheFolds · 03/05/2019 07:42

Thank you, it seems like the kind of thing that it would be hard to learn if you weren't born into it as the are so many different parts to it. Do you think that's true or is it the same as any job?

I always think it must be tough to balance not putting pressure on the children with wanting to feel the farm has a future. A former colleague grew up in a family business (not farming). Her parents were really keen that her and siblings didn't feel they had to work there but she said they would probably all feel sad if the business left the family after several generations. Luckily one of her siblings was keen to take it on.

What are your retirement plans? Would you find it hard to leave the farm if it became necessary? I'm imagining you have a much greater attachment to it as a place them most people with their homes- but maybe not!

Thank you for answering all the questions, I've found it really interesting to read!

BogstandardBelle · 03/05/2019 07:43

Great thread OP.

I'm from a farming background (grew up on a dairy farm, dad was head dairyman). My parents are retired now but still live in the same area, so I hear about all the changes.

Basically, nearly all the small family farms are gone - or going. The big old stone farmhouses are being sold off at megabucks to retired drs / lawyers / accountants etc from down South, or to high-earning professionals who commute to work - or work from home (our nearest city has a massive teaching hospital and university). The fields are usually bought up by land asset companies, and then leased to agribusinesses who turn up with gangs of workers to plant and harvest cashcrops or throw up polytunnels. Other than that, and the occasional tractor / sprayer through the year, there's never a soul in the fields. There's very little livestock now and no dairy, except some sheep on the hills. The local school has been decimated - families can't afford to live here and if you don't have a car, it's pretty much impossible.

So based on this, my vision of rural areas in the future is pretty bleak... a pastiche of rural life for well-off people seeking a naice lifestyle - without any of the inconveniences of needing to make a living in the countryside. And actual farming being done by large-scale agribusinesses, who have no stake and no interest in rural communities, and who either mechanise their operations or employ itinerant workers. Not really a question, more wondering if you've seen this happen down your way (I'm talking about Scotland).

Also... you mentioned that subsidies make up 5-figures-worth of your income. Could you survive if they were stopped overnight? Sorry, I've lost track of what the government has said it will do re. farming subsidies when Brexit happens.

Thanks

Racerback · 03/05/2019 08:02

My forebears were all farm labourers so this has informed my question.

OP, do you ride a bicycle?
Do you know any farmer who does?

Rabbitmug · 03/05/2019 08:17

Belle that's so sad to read Sad

JuniLoolaPalooza · 03/05/2019 08:29

I have another question!
What's the deal with the Valais Blacknose? I don't get it, and it's not really explained enough for me on This Farming Life. Do people have them for pets, or to start their own flock...or what?!
Thanks

AskAFarmer · 03/05/2019 09:13

Favourite AMA thread ever. Op you write so well, you should set up a side gig writing about your life for us urban folk, it's so interesting. What with all that free time you have (🤣)

Ahh thank you! I’d like to do a blog but I don’t think anyone would read it 😂

I have an unfounded fear of cows, terrified of walking through a field with them in it. I don't own a dog and walk calmly - any tips on how to avoid them coming over and taking a closer look?!

If it helps, I don’t think it’s an unfounded fear, they’re massive and strangely ‘numb’ creatures..! If you have to walk through their field, shouting at them and waving your arms or chucking a stone at them will work, they’re very inquisitive but actually will probably be scared of you.

Thank you! Oh and if you could share any pictures of your sweet little lambs (or the poo flinger, that sounds brilliant!) I'd be most grateful

Done! This lamb won the prize for Comfiest Looking Sleep this spring, his mother was so proud.

I’m a farmer, ask me anything
OP posts:
AskAFarmer · 03/05/2019 09:16

Thank you, it seems like the kind of thing that it would be hard to learn if you weren't born into it as the are so many different parts to it. Do you think that's true or is it the same as any job?

I think that you CAN learn it, but a lot is on instinct which can only be learned by living the life for many years.
Some people are more suited than others though, and will pick it up quicker.

But you totally can learn to be a farmer, if you are dedicated enough. It’s not just for those born into it.

OP posts: