Make sure that you give your farms an MoT and think of safety
I AM sitting here writing this column at the end of July, but outside it looks like it could be a rainy November day.
I hope that farmers have managed to get part of their winter feed into storage. This rain will help the second or third cut of forage grow even more quality feed for livestock during the winter months.
Recently, Farm Safety Week has highlighted the fact that farming remains one of the worst sectors for accidents and fatalities. One important message I would give every farmer is to make sure that you give your farms an MoT in terms of safety and to action any issues you have as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, we are still seeing deaths happen on farms that could have been avoided. It is so important, even more so these days as farmers spend more and more time working alone, that safety is at the forefront of everyone’s minds when conducting work that could be viewed as dangerous.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 this year has meant that the 2020 Royal Welsh Agricultural Show had to be held virtually. Although since joining NFU Cymru, Royal Welsh Show week has changed from walking around enjoying the exhibits to one of the busiest weeks of the year for the organisation. The chance to see the best of what Welsh agriculture has to offer makes me proud to be part of this industry.
If you missed any of the NFU Cymru virtual Royal Welsh Show seminars held last week, you can watch them again on the NFU Cymru website.
A survey by OnePoll has shown that support for British food and farming has reached a record high as a result of farmers’ efforts to keep the nation fed throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. The Farmer Favourability Survey shows that 75% of people voiced a positive view of UK farming, which is the highest figure since the survey began in 2012.
With the Covid-19 crisis not over and with a ‘no-deal’ Brexit at the end of the year becoming a very real prospect, farmers will be happy that the public hold the industry in such high regard and that consumers are placing an increasing value on healthy, sustainable British food. Let’s hope that both governments in Cardiff and Westminster have seen the results and will support agriculture in the future.