Sack the Sock - put a sock in it or pull your socks up - frankly we're a bit sick of it. The Archers is shit, discuss it here.

[PseudoBadger]

I have it on good authority that this is the thread that people enjoy more than the programme it's about

Yes Toomuchtea - because BitOutOfPractice felt we were all being too negative. I resolved to put in a BOOP-Point on each day I posted.

The play btw is pretty distasteful.

It was suggested upthread that pc plot may die a Hero's death. That would probably fit the bill - make him a really good guy and then kill him off this ending romance of the decade

Doing what, though, fishing Peggy out of the sink hole?

Aww, thanks ToSeaInaSieve. Mine too. I'm starting to take to the accent genetics theory. Thank God Peggy & Jack Woolley never had a child.

If we are following the double event story (first one bothering happens, second loads does) then maybe he will be crushed by a bull

Or fatally shot as he dives in front of a bullet to save Ian from Charlie's stalker ish assassination attempt

Or saving Jill from an attack by her bees when they find out they're not going to prudhoe

Thanks petula I do now feel under pressure to be the voice of dairy farmers everywhere .

As I've said before, robotic parlours have their place but afaik the flaw in Pip's argument is that one robot can only milk about 65 cows. From what David was saying the other night they have around 200 cows? That means three robots, and as an entry level machine is around £75k, that's at least £225k, on milking plant alone, without any of the associated handling facilities. A conventional parlour, should come in way cheaper than that. Plus if they had a robot they would be housing the cows a larger proportion of the time, so there increased associated costs. Higher contracting bills due to increased silage requirements for example. Increased bedding costs, more machinery required, and labour. This is the opposite end of the scale to the extensive, block calving new Zealand type system they had previously been aspiring to. I suspect robots wouldn't cope that well with a block calving herd either, since all the cows are at peak yield at the same time.

Without getting into a big debate about milk prices, the farmers that can keep going are going to be the ones who can keep production costs low. I would be extremely wary of investing in a high input system which relies on producing a lot of litres at a low margin, with the market as it is. We have recently had another 1.2 pence per litre price cut, that's over 7ppl since June. In fact if David and Ruth can't transfer their existing contract I don't like their chances of getting a decent contract anyway. I recently heard of someone being offered 16ppl, which is well below the cost if production. Some are even struggling to get a contract.

Thanks DFW. You explain things v clearly. Given that D&R baulked at the 100k cost the other day it would be surprising if they went for the additional c.300k robotic milking option

As a fellow dairying person, I agree with you dairyfarmerswife 100%. A robotic parlour would be a bonkers idea at the moment for D&R.

An unpleasant thread title. I like the new Tom and find the ROb/Hellin/Jess storyline really good. The questions about robotic parlours are good ones. I don't know much about milk production but I find the Archers coverage of the points fascinating.

Even if you don't like SoC, would you tell him to his face that he should be sacked and his work is shit?

Yes waltzing I agree that they can work very well for some units, I know of two locally, also both organic, who get on well. Both on rented units, so its a better spend than a parlour which is fixed and less easily removed if the tenancy ends. The outlay on a small unit is similar for a robot or a conventional parlour, its when you scale up the numbers dont really work. And welfare wise, I would say probably better for the cows once they get the hang of it.

Is that because they can decide when they want to be milked?

Did anyone else listening to the conversation between D & R on Monday night pick up on the water based sinkhole words?
It was during the discussion of JE pulling out & setting up costs at new farm. R said 'feels like we're starting to leak money left right and centre' ....'drain away'.
Is this a subtle hint to the way the move will fall through or am I over thinking it?

Fish fingers I didn't notice that myself but if this thread is for anything, it is overthinking TA

It could well be, I'm sure the SW like to include things like that sometimes

It's a provocative title. I don't think it is unpleasant. When he took the job he must have known people would have strong feelings once he knew his game plan. Live by the sword and all that

I would absolutely invite him to defend the paths he's going down. And the rationale for replacing actors in a radio drama with ones who all sound the bloody same.

Yes, and there is less standing around. In a conventional parlour the cows are gathered from the yard or field to the collecting yard, where they queue up to be milked. Depending on the size of the parlour milking can take up up to 3 hours, though that would be extreme. The cows at the back wait the longest.

Having said that, regardless of the system, the most important factor in animal welfare is good stock people. They are quiet, observant and kind with stock, and at a higher level knowledgeable about diseases and requirements of the animal. They understand how animals move and what will spook them, and how to minimise stress.

Sorry, got waylaid writing that, it is in response to Petul!

I too think the thread title is intended to be provocative - not malicious.

People on this thread not only listen to TA but spend a fair amount of time thinking about and discussing it. We've earned the right to demand that the production team make the best programme they can.

No one is proposing that posters actively remove the Editor from his position but we are, I think, entirely justified in pointing out that the current weak points suggest he should try harder.

It is shit to change the voices and personalities of a number of characters at once while giving them all the same voice. I would have no hesitation saying this to S O'C's face.

Even if you don't like SoC, would you tell him to his face that he should be sacked and his work is shit?

Sure. Although I'd restrict the criticism and his sacking for The Archers.

BYOS That would probably fit the bill nice one.

Well that teenar sounds a mare. Guess robs judgement isn't so great...

BOOP-Point: I imagine it was Rob who was responsible for the disastrous Organics order. That'll be fun to hear ...

Is Jenny's party tomorrow?

Tina's only redeeming characteristic is that at least she does seem to have a distinctive voice - none of the regulars are so incredibly wet-sounding.

I absolutely agree with BYOS , Pseudo and Zero.

Just caught up on tonight's offering. I really enjoyed it. Lots of different storylines and more importantly, voices.

Oh Kenton that cordite card bill is going to bite you on the bum! He's always been a doozy around money...wonder Jill can bail him out this this when the Brookfield finally goes down the sinkhole.