TFF
Member
- Location
- Hammerwich
We are currently conducting a large national survey of farmers asking about the information sources they use and the challenges they think should be coved more in the Media. Over 500 farmers have taken part so far. Here we’re sharing some of the preliminary results. There’s still plenty of time to take part in the survey by clicking on the links. We’d love to hear what challenges you are facing as well as knowing about the magazines you read and web sites you use. If you haven't yet taken part - please do so below:
The survey is being conducted in co-operation with RDP a communications consultancy with fieldwork conducted by market research consultancy Accord.me.UK. Accord have undertaken some preliminary analysis of the results, looking at the themes important to farmers. The figures below are based on 542 issues identified as important by the farmers who took part in the survey in the second half of July and the first half of August this year.
The main challenges facing farmers were financial; 22% of the comments related to input costs, 19% to the price/margins/markets. These two challenges combined came ahead of the weather (25%) and legislation and red tape (15%). The remaining 18% of comments covered a variety of topics ranging from labour shortages and pest control to Brexit and affordability or availability of land. It is clear that farmers face a range of serious challenges.
Comments on input costs related to fuel, fertilizer, feed and machinery and “the cost of everything.” When combined with “price volatility, falling markets” and prices for wheat, lamb or milk farmers are clearly experiencing serious financial challenges.
Comments on the weather generally related to normal variations in weather, drought being mentioned most often. Whilst one farmer was able to put a positive spin on the weather, saying “weather challenges can stress but thankfully it always comes good” another had clearly experienced both ends of the spectrum saying “too wet then too dry.”
Problems associated with legislation and red tape included Red Tractor, BPS and SFI with one farmer citing all three “Red Tractor interference and government reducing BPS while making a hash of SFI.” Others cited “Government indecision and interference” and “Bureaucracy and stupidity of public officials.”
You can take part in the survey using this link: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/8yw3lz?q1=10
All replies will be treated in confidence; you will not be asked to provide your name or contact details. We’ll publish a more in-depth article once the survey is complete.
The survey is being conducted in co-operation with RDP a communications consultancy with fieldwork conducted by market research consultancy Accord.me.UK. Accord have undertaken some preliminary analysis of the results, looking at the themes important to farmers. The figures below are based on 542 issues identified as important by the farmers who took part in the survey in the second half of July and the first half of August this year.
The main challenges facing farmers were financial; 22% of the comments related to input costs, 19% to the price/margins/markets. These two challenges combined came ahead of the weather (25%) and legislation and red tape (15%). The remaining 18% of comments covered a variety of topics ranging from labour shortages and pest control to Brexit and affordability or availability of land. It is clear that farmers face a range of serious challenges.
Comments on input costs related to fuel, fertilizer, feed and machinery and “the cost of everything.” When combined with “price volatility, falling markets” and prices for wheat, lamb or milk farmers are clearly experiencing serious financial challenges.
Comments on the weather generally related to normal variations in weather, drought being mentioned most often. Whilst one farmer was able to put a positive spin on the weather, saying “weather challenges can stress but thankfully it always comes good” another had clearly experienced both ends of the spectrum saying “too wet then too dry.”
Problems associated with legislation and red tape included Red Tractor, BPS and SFI with one farmer citing all three “Red Tractor interference and government reducing BPS while making a hash of SFI.” Others cited “Government indecision and interference” and “Bureaucracy and stupidity of public officials.”
You can take part in the survey using this link: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/8yw3lz?q1=10
All replies will be treated in confidence; you will not be asked to provide your name or contact details. We’ll publish a more in-depth article once the survey is complete.
