We, as farmers, work tirelessly, typically for no monetary reward. Why will we do it? As a result of our reward is bigger than cash; it’s understanding that you’re producing the highest-quality meals on this planet, and that meals is getting used to feed the nation.
It’s the purest of emotions – that you’re a good particular person, doing good issues to make your world a greater place.
However once you really feel your persons are turning their backs on you, as has been obvious in recent times, there may be an overriding sense that you’re losing your time.
That no one actually cares to your efforts. That regardless of the crucial want for you and your ability set, you might be, the truth is, dispensable. It’s a horrible feeling you have to attempt to ignore, however, sadly, it by no means appears to go away.
Celebrated
Fortunately, there are unbelievable occasions such because the Nationwide Pig Awards the place, for one night time, at the very least, you might be celebrated for doing a great job. And it was right here the place my emotions of despair started to offer approach to the happier emotions of pleasure I now maintain.
This yr’s awards had been additional particular, as I had my farrowing supervisor, Nicola Aisthorpe, shortlisted as a finalist for the Stockperson award.
I’ve tutored Nicola since she got here to us as a novice simply 4 years in the past and have watched her flourish into the unimaginable stockperson I see every day. Sadly, this was to not be her yr, however to be a finalist in such a aggressive class is not any straightforward feat. Nicely executed, Nicola!
It’s individuals like Nicola that make my job all of the extra pleasant, and encourage me to all the time attempt to go the additional mile. This yr, it felt as if that had been recognised, as I got here away because the winner of the Unit Supervisor class.
I’m extraordinarily grateful to obtain the award, however I ought to be aware that I’m simply the face of a really pushed and decided group, and so an enormous a part of the accolade deservedly goes to them too.
The 2024 awards had been graced by the trade’s latest recruit, Jeremy Clarkson, who appeared fairly humbled to have gained the award for Innovation of the 12 months for his farrowing ark, piglet-protecting ring, aptly named ‘Clarkson’s Ring’.
I joined him on stage on the finish of the awards ceremony for the customary winner’s photograph, the place I overheard him say to his spouse, Lisa: “That is higher than profitable a BAFTA.”
How true that’s, solely he is aware of, but it surely nonetheless made me really feel fairly satisfied that even essentially the most well-known worth the Nationwide Pig Awards in a lot the identical means as the remainder of us do.
The farmer rally
Jeremy and his digital camera crew left quickly after that, however the night time’s celebrations continued lengthy into the night time (and into the subsequent morning), which didn’t set me up too properly for the occasions on Tuesday, November 19 – the farmer’s rally at Westminster.
It was in all probability the shortage of sleep, however I discovered the entire occasion fairly emotional. There all of us had been, a military of fed-up farmers, collectively in solidarity, preventing in opposition to those that vowed to guard us.
Those that really perceive the explanation for the gathering will know that it wasn’t solely due to the elevated tax burden – there are points that run far deeper.
As a bunch, representing the good plethora of British agriculture, we had reached the tip of our tether. Our outputs have lengthy not matched our inputs, and our authorities, representing our individuals, doesn’t worth us.
We may all promote up and be wealthy, however that’s not what we’re all about. We may all strike, as different industries have executed with success, however we refuse to let it come to that. Why? As a result of we’re farmers – good individuals, attempting to do good issues, to make the world a
higher place.
To see everybody in that crowd with that very same feeling as mine, my pleasure at being a farmer grew to become so overwhelming, I really cried.
The hangover in all probability performed its half and, fortunately, the freezing rain masked my tears, but it surely made me realise much more that our trade and livelihoods want defending.
This technology and people to return want us; they want our farms. We should defend them.
