In article , Torsten Brinch
writes
On Sun, 8 Dec 2002 21:14:08 +0000, Tim Lamb
wrote:

You have interpreted inaction and subsequent whinging as lack of foresight
when snip

ROFL. I have not.

m-)


Spring 1997: "The [Agricultural Wages Board]'s pay award of 3.75%
means an increase of GBP 5.81 to bring the current basic minimum wage
to GBP 160.85 for a 39-hour week. There will be pro rata increases for
all other adult rates, and the increases will also apply to casual
workers. This means that minimum wages will now range from that
mentioned above to GBP 178.00 for crafts grades and GBP 209.32 for a
grade one worker. .. According to the National Farmers Union (NFU),
farm incomes began to fall in 1996 after a period of recovery."

This is part of the same tune. You have convinced me beyond all possible
argument that British farmers were aware of the coming downturn in their
fortunes.

Our collective breath is held pending your suggestions as to how we
should have *fixed* things.

Gordon has hinted that capital investment at low interest rates works in
the USA. However, he also implies that his crops are held back for lack
of moisture. This is not usually a problem here.

We have seen a small number of farms amalgamate to make better use of
machinery, there may have been a move toward minimal cultivation, there
has certainly been a shedding of labour.

My personal plan; approaching 60 and with no succession, is to transfer
capital away from food production towards low labour requirement, income
earning, diversification.

regards


--
Tim Lamb