Well… Where do I start? What a disaster of a budget. Can things get any worse for farmers? Sickening, appalling, farcical are just a few words to describe the current situation.

We always knew that farming was going to be targeted with a Labour Government in power, but I didn’t anticipate it being decimated. Do they not realise that they are in danger of biting the hand that feeds them? Are they really just a bunch of career-minded politicians who believe imported food is the way to go? Can they be so shortsighted?

I have always tried to steer clear of politics in my articles, but after what can only be described as a ‘disaster’ of a budget for all farmers I couldn’t see any other way of venting my sheer frustration at what can only be described as a complete shambles of a government that we seem to have in charge of our country.

I think Teddy at seven years old could make a better job than we have seen thus far. Steve Reed certainly needs to reassess his employment status after telling us: “Farmers need to learn to do more for less.” Can we work any harder? Are they going to give us a few more hours in each day?

John McTernan also needs to have a few home truths told to him after saying in an interview with GB News that “farming is an industry that we could do without” and that “farming should be treated the way that Margaret Thatcher treated the miners”, although I fear that his comments could be a setup to give Kier Starmer the opportunity to “affirm his support” for farmers.

All of this is utter nonsense and leaves farmers being stabbed in the back while being robbed of a future. The future according to Kier Starmer is being net zero by 2035. Is this target achievable? It will be when many farms come on to the market and are purchased for carbon capture, non-production. Is this the plan that the Government has in mind?

I have never known a budget to leave such a negative outlook for the farming community. If more and more of our business is controlled by the Government, we as a country are in a complete downward spiral as the state takes forever to achieve anything – if they achieve anything at all.

Farmers have always been asset rich but cash poor. You work/strive all your life, 365 days a year, to achieve a viable business to hand to the next generation. Farming is a way of life of which the powers that be in Westminster have little or no concept. The next generation will now have to find the funds to pay for the inheritance tax. The High Courts have now deemed double cab pick-up trucks not to be commercial vehicles and vehicle tax has increased disproportionately. Where will it end?

There is a poem by an unknown author that ends with the lines:

“Put these words upon his tomb,

‘Taxes drove me to my doom…’

When he is gone, do not relax,

It’s time to apply inheritance tax.”

While attempting to look on a positive note and encourage the next generation of farmers, we have a keen young lad who is approaching school leaving age and would like to complete an apprenticeship with us. When he explained his plans, his careers advisor responded: “Why would you want to do that?” If careers advisors are deeming farming to be an insignificant career, the whole education system needs a complete overhaul.

On the plus side, at least while the Government is giving farming a hard time, it appears to be giving hunting, shooting and fishing a break.

Back on the farm, to the great relief of everyone drilling was completed on
10 November for another year (I believe this is the latest for many many years) and so the cycle begins again.

Christmas will be upon us soon and days will start to get longer! Or so I like to believe.

Until next time, stay safe.

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