Information for Harvest (2009)
Harvest Services have already begun, but the harvest this year has been slow and patchy until this past couple of weeks. With the good dry weather since the end of August, grain harvest is now complete and we can celebrate 'Harvest Home' with a clear conscience!
The following is taken from information placed on the web by The Rev'd Robert Barlow in the Diocese of Hereford and available on the Arthur Rank website.
Cereals. Wheat, barley…
In July many farmers were pessimistic. Weather last autumn (when crops were established) had been poor. July was wet. Farmers feared another rain affected harvest.
However, August's weather improved and farmers have been largely able to get in the cereals in a "snatch and grab" manner between rainy days. Working like this has meant that machinery has needed to be available on the dry days, and agricultural engineers have been under pressure to mend combines when there has been a breakdown.
Cereal quality has been average; nothing to get excited about and yields have been the same.
The big issue for cereal producers has been price. Increased supply from Eastern Europe and the USA has depressed prices. Wheat is about £80 per tonne; last year it was around £110-£120; the year before £170-190. In that time the costs of fertiliser, diesel and other essential inputs have gone up. They're roughly 50% higher this year than last. Rising costs and falling prices result in nil or negative profit margins.
Dairy. Milk, butter, cheese, yoghurt…
Last year, after a long run of poor prices for milk and intense lobbying, there was an increase in price for dairy farmers. It didn't last. A combination of events – over-supply from New Zealand, the credit crunch reducing dairy consumption in China, the financial collapse of the farmers' co-operative "Dairy Farmers of Britain" – has caused a major reduction in price paid to farmers. Those who invested in new equipment this time last year expecting the price to remain reasonable will be seriously worried. And there's bovine TB (see below)
Sheep.
A bright spot – well mostly. Because of the weak pound against the euro, exports to Europe have been good and that has driven prices up. The cloud on the horizon is that from next year it will be a requirement that sheep all have an electronic identification device. When farmers talk about EID, it's not about the Muslim festival but Electronic Identification Device. Electronic readers were trialled in Spain and didn't work consistently. There is considerable scepticism about whether they will work in wet fields in Worcestershire.
Beef
Another bright spot for all the reasons that sheep are good, but here too there is a dark cloud. That is TB, which affects both beef producers and dairy. The disease is endemic in this area and research by Farm Crisis Network highlights the personal and emotional impact on farmers and their families. The research asked farmers how it affected them. One said
"I feel there is a constant dark cloud of uncertainty over me, causing stress, anxiety and fear. I feel weary, mentally and physically which results in pain in my body"
Fruit
Top Fruit – Plums, pears…
Yields have been good but quality poor and prices down
Soft fruit & vegetables
The weather has caused problems. Excessive rain has caused mildew and disease resulting in loss of quality. Pesticides which could be used in the past are no longer allowed under EU regulations. Supermarkets have been keen to have BOGOFs (Buy one get one free)– which come at a cost to the producer and producers are getting less than the cost of production. Packaging costs are up. Labour has to be recruited from Eastern Europe as UK workers are reluctant to take jobs picking, packing, hoeing….
Hay
Wet weather has meant that grass has not been cut at the best time. If grass is left standing the goodness goes into the stalk and seed rather than the leaf. Once cut the hay needs good weather to dry. Quality this year is not good.
What can/should churches do?
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