Íæż½ã½ã

From the editor: Farming community steps up to ongoing crisis

Why sky lanterns have not yet been banned is anyone’s guess, but the no doubt commercially inspired plan by Night Sky Lanterns to celebrate the work of the NHS with a mass lantern release is a disgrace.

Ben Briggs
Ben Briggs is the group publisher and editor in chief of Íæż½ã½ã, overseeing the media business and titles such as Íæż½ã½ã, Dairy Farmer and Arable Farming.
clock • 2 min read
From the editor: Farming community steps up to ongoing crisis

Why sky lanterns have not yet been banned is anyone's guess, but the no doubt commercially inspired plan by Night Sky Lanterns to celebrate the work of the NHS with a is a disgrace.

Why, at a time when we are meant to be looking out for one another, do we want to encourage something so inherently selfish, namely letting off a floating fire hazard but not worrying about the consequences because it is not something you will have to clear-up.

For some in the farming community it has been another action which has added to already high levels of anxiety caused by the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing lockdown.

As our two In Your Field writers articulate in this week's , social isolation is nothing new at lambing time, but this year there is that constant acknowledgement of a real and present danger affecting many in the wider world.

And, while people's appreciation and acknowledgement of where their food comes from is at its highest level for years, at the same time some sectors such as dairy and beef are seeing prices squeezed when, counterintuitively, demand appears to be peaking.

presents a similar paradox. When many are taking solace in the rural environment, there are others who see it is a moment of opportunism in which to blight the landscape with their rubbish.

For all the worthwhile good farmers do in feeding the nation, there still remains a disconnect for too many that the countryside is a working environment and one that needs treating with respect. 

All of which, of course, can lead to a greater feeling of stress and isolation for those living in rural areas and we at Íæż½ã½ã are still seeing a rising number of calls from readers increasingly anxious about everything that is happening.

While it is fantastic to showcase how rural communities have responded to the crisis in this week's magazine, there remains a real imperative to on family and friends at this difficult time.

Lockdown will end, but in the meantime stay safe.

Ex-Demo Kubota M6-142 Tractor

£±Ê°¿´¡

2023 JOHN DEERE 6175M

£±Ê°¿´¡

2012 MCCORMICK XTX165 XTRA SPEED

£±Ê°¿´¡

More on Farm Life

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust announces NFU strategy director as new chief executive

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust announces NFU strategy director as new chief executive

Nick von Westenholz said ‘a new challenge beckons, and the GWCT is an amazing organisation at the forefront of so many of the issues facing land managers right now

clock 15 November 2024 • 1 min read
From the editor: "The 'tough as old boots' mindset and the temptation to neglect oneself and soldier on is intertwined within farming's culture"

From the editor: "The 'tough as old boots' mindset and the temptation to neglect oneself and soldier on is intertwined within farming's culture"

This week from Íæż½ã½ã editor Olivia Midgley

clock 15 November 2024 • 2 min read
Next Generation Hill Íæż½ã½ã: Welsh farmer takes business forward - "I am as hefted to the farm as my flock is"

Next Generation Hill Íæż½ã½ã: Welsh farmer takes business forward - "I am as hefted to the farm as my flock is"

In the second of a brand-new series, Next Generation Hill Íæż½ã½ã, Emily Ashworth speaks to Welsh farmer Katie Davies about her passion for keeping her family’s legacy alive

clock 14 November 2024 • 5 min read