Comment – Its Raining

This week I took a trailer load of lambs to market, this can be a high octane experience, especially when looking at the other lots and thinking that ours don’t compare as well! But, I was pleasantly surprised, up about £21 a head on the year, and 8% above the mart average price per kg. I’ll take it. In the livestock world at least, sales are buoyant. Despite the poor prices of cereals currently, I’m not seeing a drop in the price of the feed.

Across the water though, the impact of Trumps tariffs is being felt, so much so, that the USDA have announced a $12Bn  package of support measures for US farmers, with a cap per business of $155k of support, and only for farms with a turnover of less than $900k. Doing some ChatGPT inspired research it turns out that nearly 90% of US farmers turnover less than $900k, and thats about 1.69 million farmers. Using the other side of the envelope I reckon that this huge number suddenly becomes about $7800 per farm. Not a life changing amount of money then?

Closer to home, long established, and Europes largest independent Case Construction dealer, Warwick Ward has become the latest victim of the economic turndown. See here for the full story. Coincidentally Facebook has been offering me brown diggers from red tractor dealers this week.

I must admit the week or two before Christmas, particularly when it’s dark again at 3.30pm doesn’t get me too excited, but at least I’m warm and dry, and can catch up on listening to podcasts. With this in mind I was invited to join Ray King and Kit Franklin on the Brash Ag podcast this week, to discuss my thoughts on Autonomy and Safety. Have a listen and see what you think.

It’s chucking it down again, think I’ll put the kettle on.

Stay dry and have a good week.

Andy