‘Pretty good times ahead for farmers’ (From Evesham Journal)

‘Pretty good times ahead for farmers’

7:20am Thursday 27th January 2011 in News

FARMING was in quite good shape, Simon Keswick, president of Moreton-in-Marsh and District Agricultural and Horse Show Society, told members at a presentation last week.

Speaking at the presentation of farms and crops prizes at Fosseway Garden Centre, Mr Keswick said the country was also in better shape than people realised.

“What money we owe is on a long-term basis and we can bless the powers that be that we are not in the Euro, which would make it very uncompetitive for British industry,” Mr Keswick said.

Mr Keswick, of Stow, added: “It is not unreasonable to expect that farmers should do pretty well in the years ahead.”

Mr Keswick pointed out: “Demand for food is going to go up very considerably. For grain, sheep and cattle producers I would be surprised if it is not pretty good times ahead, but maybe it is not the same for the dairy industry.”

He urged farmers to diversify or co-operate with their neighbours.

The prestigious Brassey Challenge Cup for best crop production of 2010 of grass crops, oilseed rape, pulses corn and root crops, was presented to RH and ME Oughton & Sons, of Lower Rye Farm, Moreton.

Runners-up for the Brassey Cup were Messrs C W Smith & Son, Kingham Hill Farm, Chipping Norton, who also won champion farm.