Sad decision at Hoe Grange

A little publicised European directive to reduce the nitrate levels in ground water is causing great concern, particularly in the dairy industry. Under these new regulations, known as NVZ (Nitrogen venerable zones), farmers are required not to spread slurry between September and January. This in itself is not really a problem, but as well we are now required to have enough slurry storage for 5 months, although the closed spreading period is just 3 months. This extra unnecessary storage will cost the average dairy farmer £50,000 - £100,000, an additional cost with no prospect of additional income, so where will the extra money come from?

This extra burden was the last straw at Hoe Grange, along with yet again falling milk prices, rising costs and being fed up with working 70 hour weeks for very little reward. In July the entire dairy herd will be sold at auction, marking the end of a family enterprise of 50 + years and dairy farming at Hoe Grange for 100s of years. it is a sad fact that 30 years ago the parish of Brassington had over 20 dairy farms, but now there are less than 5!

The good news is that we will still be farming beef cattle, and are planning to expand our holiday log cabins from 2 to 4.

I hope you all like water on you cornflakes because in a few years time there won't be any dairy farms left in the UK, they will all be driven out of business by poor returns and over burdening red tape.

But Hey...... I wont be milking cows on Christmas morning.....

If you want to help those dairy farmers that remain you could sign the online Fair Trade for British Dairy Farmers Petition, which is asking retailers to:

- source British dairy products
- use transparent and stable pricing mechanisms for liquid milk and cheese suppliers that offer producers a sustainable milk price
- promote the Red Tractor logo on all own label British dairy products

go to www.farmersguardian.com