The surprise result was possibly due to the fact none of the political commentators factored the effect of the Brexit vote. Corbyn, after a very shaky start, grew in stature and presence, while Teresa May had carefully controlled appearances, timed to avoid confrontation as her star and confidence faded.
Although it can’t be proven, I’m sure the Brexit referendum caused many loyal Conservative voters, who had wanted to remain, stay at home in a non-vote protest.
At the same time, a fair number of Labour-inclined voters – particularly the young who had voted for Brexit and who normally couldn’t be bothered to vote – not only woke up to the habit of voting, but realised their vote counted. My daughter tells me you can no longer trust the voters after what happened in America with Trump.
My only hope as a farmer is the Conservative government will be dependent on the Northern Ireland politicians for a majority and they will exert their power in the Brexit negotiations.
Farm visits
On the farming front, we spent two days in Norfolk looking at two pedigree British Friesian herds. The first herd was the Oakalby herd, where the uncertainties of Brexit had not deterred a vast investment in a new set up. They were milked through a brand new 54-unit rotary cow palace, by two men in one hour twenty minutes. It was an impressive array of stainless steel and a well-planned layout. The one downside was they then spent one and a half hours washing down the parlour and the yards. They were lucky they had their own private water supply (I’m told that the Arab state dairies are in jeopardy since their water costs are to rise from 30% of production costs to 90%.)
These were good strong cattle who regularly appear in the show ring, backed by a family who are prepared to invest in the future of their dairy herd. They have adopted a New Zealand-style of grazing. I understand that Mueller have pulled out of milk collections in Norfolk, leaving Arla as the only buyer.
The second visit was the Forncett herd of 130 cows. They were good strong cattle and when I asked the owner which bull had most effect, he told me Piet Adema 186. The cattle were so impressive that my wife spent two hours studying them. It was a very committed family farm.
At home we have suffered from torrential rain. The good grass growth has enabled the one-day paddocks to satisfy the cows. But the seven-day youngstock paddocks are getting trashed. So we are sacrificing one paddock and feeding them big bale silage until the weather settles. If it doesn’t, they will have to come in. To re-quote Aaron Forde: ‘You can’t change the political situation, you can only farm within it’. And here at Hill End Farm, of course you can’t change the weather, you can only farm within it.
More from Joe Collingborn
Grass management
The surprise result was possibly due to the fact none of the political commentators factored the effect of the Brexit vote. Corbyn, after a very shaky start, grew in stature and presence, while Teresa May had carefully controlled appearances, timed to avoid confrontation as her star and confidence faded.
Although it can’t be proven, I’m sure the Brexit referendum caused many loyal Conservative voters, who had wanted to remain, stay at home in a non-vote protest.
At the same time, a fair number of Labour-inclined voters – particularly the young who had voted for Brexit and who normally couldn’t be bothered to vote – not only woke up to the habit of voting, but realised their vote counted. My daughter tells me you can no longer trust the voters after what happened in America with Trump.
My only hope as a farmer is the Conservative government will be dependent on the Northern Ireland politicians for a majority and they will exert their power in the Brexit negotiations.
Farm visits
On the farming front, we spent two days in Norfolk looking at two pedigree British Friesian herds. The first herd was the Oakalby herd, where the uncertainties of Brexit had not deterred a vast investment in a new set up. They were milked through a brand new 54-unit rotary cow palace, by two men in one hour twenty minutes. It was an impressive array of stainless steel and a well-planned layout. The one downside was they then spent one and a half hours washing down the parlour and the yards. They were lucky they had their own private water supply (I’m told that the Arab state dairies are in jeopardy since their water costs are to rise from 30% of production costs to 90%.)
These were good strong cattle who regularly appear in the show ring, backed by a family who are prepared to invest in the future of their dairy herd. They have adopted a New Zealand-style of grazing. I understand that Mueller have pulled out of milk collections in Norfolk, leaving Arla as the only buyer.
The second visit was the Forncett herd of 130 cows. They were good strong cattle and when I asked the owner which bull had most effect, he told me Piet Adema 186. The cattle were so impressive that my wife spent two hours studying them. It was a very committed family farm.
At home we have suffered from torrential rain. The good grass growth has enabled the one-day paddocks to satisfy the cows. But the seven-day youngstock paddocks are getting trashed. So we are sacrificing one paddock and feeding them big bale silage until the weather settles. If it doesn’t, they will have to come in. To re-quote Aaron Forde: ‘You can’t change the political situation, you can only farm within it’. And here at Hill End Farm, of course you can’t change the weather, you can only farm within it.
More from Joe Collingborn
Grass management
SHARING OPTIONS