Thoughts from a Northern Mart January 2010

Getting about and keeping warm is a subject close to most people’s hearts at the moment. One of the main reasons the countryside has kept going is the farmers true grit and determination in keeping the roads in rural areas open. Some farmers are employed by the Local councils and many more keep the roads passable so that supplies can get in and out, whilst others just do it for the benefit of the community. As one farmer said to me at Hawes market it is a pity that HM  Customs and Excise have start issuing reminders that it is illegal to clear  roads etc using red diesel if many farmers had adhered to the law many of the roads would never  of been cleared if left to the local councils. This is due to the facts that councils do not have the recourses nowadays that they once had. When the vehicles get stuck it is often a local farmer that pulls them out.  

The Skill of the wagon drivers who serve our farms both delivering and collecting food and animals is amazing. When many cars are left struggling these professional drivers in most cases get the job done, sometimes only being stopped by the carelessly abandon or parked private car. By the time most of you read these thoughts the current record cold snap may have passed by, I hope not to many of you have had too many problems due to the weather.

 The continuing spell of bad weather has put paid to many sporting events across the country, this has been well documented in the press. However it is not just the likes of Manchester United and Wetherby Races who have suffered a loss of income due to cancellations but also the country pursuits industry. One small country pub with rooms had £25000 worth of cancellations in one week. This is a common occurrence country wide and the knock on effects mean very few households in rural areas will be untouched.

 Prices continue to be good for cattle and outstanding for sheep. This rise in the price of sheep is due to the 12% drop in the National breeding flock over the last 3 years. The trade has been reasonable for lambs for this entire production year and this has led to lambs being marketed lighter and earlier whilst still giving the farmers a reasonable return . One farmer commented that if this trend continues he could see farmers selling the gimmer lambs they bought to run onto shearlings as fat lambs and this would lead to a shortage of breeding ewes next autumn. With record prices for cull ewes at the moment a lot of breeding sheep are being killed.

 An added complication is the new food chain information forms, which are landing on the desks of both the farmers and the auction marts. In the case of Thirsk Auction Mart, food chain information forms arrived by courier late on New Years Eve, to be effective from the 1^st January. This is going to cause a massive increase in red tape and bureaucracy for an industry that is increasingly bogged down in paperwork, this is despite the governments pledge to remove bureaucracy.

 Another knock on effect of rising prices of crops and beef two years ago has manifested itself in many farmers letterboxes in the form of a tax demand from HM Revenue and Customs. For the arable farmer who this year has had a poorer return on his harvest whilst facing higher costs this is a kick in the teeth. With many now wondering how they are going to pay these bills out of depleted funds due to last yeas poor harvest.

 This year sees the 150^th Anniversary of RABI and to marks it 150^th they are holding many special events ranging from farmhouse breakfasts to dances, lunches so can I urge you all to attend and help this wonderful charity flourish for another 150 years

 Those of dealings with the office at Thirsk may have noticed a drop in the impeccable standards of service; this is due to Claire being on Maternity leave having given birth to baby Richard Arthur on Christmas Eve. We wish Claire, Phil and Richard all the best.

 Bob Baker, Rural Development Officer, Churches Rural Commission  
Thirsk Rural Business Centre, Blakey Lane Thirsk, YO7 3AB
Tel: 01845 525757
 Mob:  07968170145
bob.baker@crc-online.org.uk