Farm Diary April 1 2009

A few of the dairy farmers in the area have turned cows out, and we are all up to date with fertilizer on silage and grazing fields. Maize preparations are very much on target, and should all be completed within two weeks or so; a very good effort considering the delays caused by third parties and the inevitable beurocracy.

More young heifers are now out grazing, but all the cows are still in. Milk production is going very well, and our every other day pickup has come to an end, as two days production will no longer fit in the big articulated tanker.

Adrian and the lads are still vaccinating cows, replacing lost ear tags and generally making sure that all the health status and records are complete and accurate; no mean feat with over a thousand animals.

Young calves and barren cows are selling well, and we have come a long way from the post BSE days when our barren cows were worth very little and calves were worth even less. They make up an important part of our overall income, and help to cushion the declining milk price.

The concrete towers are complete and the Yorkshire lads have gone home; just as well really since they discovered Crawley night clubs and women! Its too much when a night out doesn't get you back in time for work in the morning, and a day off is needed to get back to full fitness.

With the German engineers insulating, cladding, and roofing the first tower, it's all beginning to come together. I can see that by the end of April we will be shaping up to install the combined heat and power unit, which will be generating electricity by the end of May with a bit of luck. There is a long way to go, but its more engineering than building from now on, and the quality of the towers with their marble like finish, and sculpted centre column are Romanesque in appearance when naked and newly finished, but look just like any other industrial building when clad.

The 'Food Standard Agency' has yet again demonstrated its contempt for science, the food industry and any one else who does not agree with it. After two years of discussions and consultations, the FSA Board ignored the scientific evidence and voted against the panel of experts' recommendations regarding the 'Nutrient Profiling Model'. The main recommendation, which is eminently sensible, was to lift the protein 'cap', which currently prevents the protein value of a food being taken into consideration when it otherwise scores too heavily on sugar, saturated fat, salt or energy, and therefore prevents it being advertised to children.

The scientific evidence is there, and notwithstanding the higher bran content of some breakfast cereals, many products have been developed with health specifically in mind (Kellogg's All Bran, Kellogg's Rice Cakes; Walker's Lights etc:) are now unable to pass the advertising test.

The political fear of the 'Daily Mail' making capital of crisps and sugary breakfast cereals being given the thumbs up to advertise to children, shows who's pulling this 'independent body's' strings. In the past the FSA have failed to ban six food colourings, which were shown to cause hyperactivity in children by Southampton University (reversing their decision last year), but we are now entering new territory as eminent people of considerable expertise are being ignored.

It does not escape my attention that Dame Deidre Hutton who has chaired the FSA since 2005, zealous regulation has been the norm; controversial, hostile and mostly plain wrong. Whilst she was deputy chair of the other FSA (Financial Services Authority) 2004 -07, her approach could not have been more different.

Where regulation was certainly in need of reform, strengthening, and being implemented properly, she opted for a light touch. How can one be so wrong? Thanks to her and the Food Standards Agency, we now have children subjected to adverts (quite legitimately) promoting condoms, but not cheese, olive oil, bran-rich cereals, honey and raisins. Is this madness?

Whilst I rant about the state of our country (I am definitely getting old!), may I just issue a word of warning to all farmers. Two legal cases have been brought to my attention since I have started to complain about rural crime, the law and the police. Both concerned people who worked on the land being found in possession of knives.

A shepherd was involved in a car accident, and a knife was found in his car; he was arrested, brought to court and escaped prosecution by a hairsbreadth, much to the disappointment of the CPS. Having researched the matter further, I can tell you that this would have been a custodial sentence had the man been found guilty under the present law.

'Weapon not used to threaten or cause fear', in other words just having a knife in one's possession, carries a 12 week custodial sentence. I have a collection of disused butcher's knives, which we used around the farm, and carry around in all the tractors, material handlers and farm vehicles. I like these because they are made from good quality steel, essential when dealing with baler twine, and although they are too short to be of any use to a butcher, they are perfect for us and I get them for free!

Good steel is hard to find at any price, and in the past we have possessed numerous knives of all shapes and sizes, daggers, a bayonet, and even a flick-knife or two bought at French knife festivals, where skill and real artistry combines with the practicality of being able to open a knife with a press of a button whilst hanging on to an animal or gate.

Gwenan (my daughter) was the last one to have one of these devices fitted with a titanium blade, and was very sorry when it came to the end of its life. Is this country so stupid that a clear distinction cannot be made between a person using a tool for work, and some thug who wants to do someone some real harm? What about a claw hammer? We use those a lot. A lethal weapon in the wrong hands though.