Changeable weather returns, and our thoughts (as farmers) on the Budget…

As per our custom, we'll do a quick overview of the weather. It's been a mix of everything! Some days were so cold we were going round breaking ice off the troughs that was an inch thick, followed by beautiful sunshine, then warm and wet and windy. It's been a real change in temperature, from -10C up to 15C, which is rather confusing. We could do with some more consistently cold weather to ensure that all parasites are killed off for this year. 

Belle says "hello!" See the frost on their fleeces...

Despite the confusing weather, the animals are still looking very well. This was confirmed by a Soil Association spot check where the inspector wanted to look at animal health and welfare. We passed with flying colours, and it was gratifying to hear him say how lovely they all looked. We've had another calf, a bonny little heifer. We will be taking in another shipment of hay this coming week from a local farmer, which will see us through to the end of winter, when the cows can go back outside. For the calves born between now and then, "grass" and "outside" will be totally foreign concepts, and it's always a joy to see them experience the great outdoors for the first time! The sheep, meanwhile, have been braving the stormy weather which has rolled through recently, hunkering down against the hedgerows, chewing the cud, and staying warm thanks to their thick fleeces. It is strange to think that they were freshly shorn not so long ago. The rams have only a couple weeks left with their lady friends, at which point they will be taken out until next year. We typically scan the ewes around February, so until then we'll just have to cross our fingers and hope that they're all in-lamb. 

We've also had a surprisingly busy social calendar recently! Last weekend Chris and Brendan went along to the Bromsgrove and District Farmers Gala, which is a fun opportunity to catch up with friends old and new, and also meet other farming folk in the area. The following day (perhaps still a little bleary eyed...) Brendan and Alice attended the Midland Lleyn Sheep Breeders Group AGM, the first one the farm has attended in a long time. It was nice to get to know those individuals who play an active role in promoting the breed, and to learn a little bit about everyone's respective farming enterprises.

-10 means ever thicker ice on the water troughs!

Perhaps the biggest headline for everyone last week, regardless of which industry you're in, was the Budget Review. We rarely get political in this setting, as none of us are experts, however we feel that Adrian would have discussed this and it feels like we should do our best to talk about it in his absence (although, not as skilfully as he would have done!). In essence, the main aspect that affects farmers is the fact that the government has not backed down from the inheritance tax which was placed on farms at the start of the Labour tenure. This is not a black and white issue by any means, despite how it may be presented by the press. 

Another new calf, this time a bonny little heifer.

In short, these are the issues which are exacerbated by the IHT: 1) farmers do not control the price they get from the products they sell to the open market, this is set by the supermarkets. For example, we read that in the last month, the price paid to dairy farmers has dropped by up to 16p/litre, which can be equivalent to a loss of over £70,000/year for a small/medium sized dairy herd. 2) Farmers who do sell direct can set their prices, however they have to battle people's perceptions of how much food costs based on what they're used to seeing in supermarkets. 3) Inputs for every aspect of farming has gone up this year: feed (due to drought), electricity, employment (due to the budgets), diesel, and chemical inputs (for those who use them), yet the price received for the products sold has not matched that inflation by any means. 4) Yes, you can avoid IHT by gifting, as long as you don't die in the next 7 years. However, no one is in control of this, and agriculture is the second most dangerous industry in the UK, with nearly 1 person dying a week due to work-related accidents - a sobering thought. At it's core, though, the IHT would not be an issue if farmers were paid a fair price for the food that they produce which feeds the nation - or if farms and farmland were valued at a true agricultural value rather than at the hugely inflated land values we have in the UK.

Another issue, which makes this even more difficult, is the fact that many people struggle to afford food. Something between food production and food consumption has really broken down - we don't know what the solution is, but we do know that it has to be completely holistic and interdisciplinary if it's going to actually address the issues at hand (human and planetary health). Feedback from our customers, and looking at the price differences between our shop and the supermarkets, would suggest that the much shorter food supply chain that results from a 'true' farm shop, allows both farmers and grocers to make a fair profit while keeping prices reasonable.

Some SCBS members enjoy a tour of the farm.

An aspect we don't always talk about in our blog (but that we are very proud of) is the fact that Rush Farm is a tenant of Stockwood Community Benefit Society, a fantastic community owned asset. For any who don't know, the SCBS is comprised of over 600 co-owners, each owning a share of the farmland and business park. On the surface, it may sound a little complicated, but in its essence this ensures that this land will be farmed sustainably for as long as the SCBS remains. This prevents the land from being farmed irresponsibly, intensively or from being sold to developers. 

Behind the scenes the SCBS does require quite a lot of time and commitment to manage it effectively and we, as the farmers, are very grateful that the SCBS team do such a good job. Recently, we have said 'au revoir' to long-standing manager Nicki, who many of you know, and who is looking forward to a well-earned retirement. Thank you Nicki from all at Rush Farm and Stockwood Business Park!

Taking up the mantle in her place is Heidi, who brings a wealth of accountancy knowledge amongst many other talents. We all wish her well in her new role!

A quick reminder that if you haven't pre-ordered your Christmas turkey or veg box, you can still do so! The deadline for pre-orders is the 6th December.

Until next time,

The Rush Farm team

Come and join us at The Pantry for delicious coffees and cakes. (And hot chocolates!)