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I can’t imagine why anyone would want the job. But some aspire to be leaders, it’s well paid, and it commands respect in high places. It is not of our politicians seeking election, that I speak, many of whom would not be known for their leadership abilities. No, not them. I have in mind the newly elected leader of the IFA, Tim Cullinan.
Cullinan is taking over the reins of power at a time when farmer unrest is at an all-time high. But, it has to be said, it is mainly the beef farmers who are at unease, due to their appalling treatment by the meat factories.
Sucklers in trouble
They in particular face the most criticism from vegan and climate change activists. But as there will likely always be people who eat meat, we need our beef farmers to remain and be there to fulfil this need.
Other sectors are enjoying relatively good times. Milk seems to be going well, if the number of new entrants is anything to go by - though this maybe more of an indicator of how bad the beef sector is. Sheep are steady, grain prices are OK and the pig sector is on a roll.
It is the cattleman whose livelihood is being threatened and they are rapidly facing extinction, like the curlew and the corncrake. We should endevour to protect them like we do with our rare birds.
The suckler farmer is very much an endangered species. He may well go the way of the curlew and the wolf, which the Green Party wish to bring back, if they get into power.
Representation
Some cattle farmers feel the IFA has not represented them well and this, as a result, has given rise to other splinter groups, not least of whom is the Beef Plan Movement. Many are of the opinion that the IFA is often seen as too soft with the beef factories, as it relies on the factories to collect levies for them.
However, the IFA under new leadership is well placed to fight for the suckler farmer. The meat factories have to be tackled and their profiteering at the expense of the cattleman exposed. But the factories and the farmers have always been at odds. The difference this time is that it’s a battle for survival. That’s why we have had factory blockades and hundreds of farmers repeatedly taking to the streets.
It’s over to you, Tim Cullinan. The task is huge and the need is great. I know that I speak with many farmers in wishing you all the best. And we haven’t even mentioned Brexit.
Tractor radios
Now to finish with something lighter. Tractor radios. Why are they made so bloody complicated that you have to get out the manual to simply switch the thing off? Car and jeep radios (though there isn’t even one in the Defender) are much more user-friendly with simple knobs. But tractor entertainment centres - they’re not just radios - are all fiddly little buttons that you can’t see and a fingertip jabs about four simultaneously.
I never listen to the radio but other drivers do and I switch on the key to have it blaring in my ear, which drives me nuts. I have dispatched two of these radios with a good thump to silence them. That works, but it’s a bit drastic. Now the Fendt 724 radio has taken to streaming. Streaming. What’s that? Why can’t it just stay tuned to Dublin or Paris, or Hilversum or Athlone.
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