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Challenging times ahead, says David Crowden.

My family has had a long connection with Penrith auction mart over the whole of its existence, some 150 years.

This was brought much closer when a group of local farmers were brave enough to take over from our predecessors Penrith ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and Kidds, and I was shortly afterwards appointed chair and general manager, now some 20 years ago.

The experts, already in the industry, said we would never do it; well we are still here, stronger than ever and looking forward to the challenges of the future.

The past year’s trade has been good for all livestock, with only a slight easement for heavy hoggs during the last week or two due to oversupply. Confidence in the live ring is high, which is good for the farmer and the mart.

We must enjoy the moment but I feel we cannot become too comfortable as agriculture is very much at a
crossroads.

Production costs are rising daily with several major inputs leading the charge, notably electricity, diesel and fertiliser – all of which will start to hit hard as spring turns into summer. On top of this I am told it is almost impossible to source soya, so feed prices will also rise considerably.

Much of this is due to the tragic situation evolving in Eastern Europe due to Russian president Vladimir Putin’s outrageous invasion of Ukraine, whose people never fail to impress me with their bravery and determination.

Their young president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is a shining example to politicians the world over and is worthy of all our support. The big question is what do we do and how far do we go without risking the peace of the world.

Environment

The other big topic of discussion is the environment and the future role agriculture plays in it and the different methods of food production that evolve. The environmental lobby is strong, well able to put forward its views, some of which are being sold as the only way.

We must remember the world needs food so a degree of moderation is needed to strike a balance.

To achieve this, farming also needs a strong voice, probably led by someone with scientific and legal training who can keep the need for food to the forefront of the debate, not to mention the need for greater food security, a fact strengthened by the present European situation.

My wish would be to see agriculture evolve in such a way that still feeds the world but grasping the ecological problems that hopefully scientific research can resolve. This is the challenge we have and the baton must be taken up by our leaders, politicians and those who ponder these things in Whitehall.

As I write this the Basic Payment Scheme is slowly being eroded. Reform was needed but the support as it has stood for years is a different thing to what will replace it.

Of course, there is an opportunity to encourage environmentally sensitive ideas, something I fully support, but I do feel there will still be a need for some direct help, especially for small and family farms, the like of which make up a great many of our customers here at Penrith.

It is easy to destroy something but it is difficult to replace the traditions and customs of generations of hardworking farming families. It is their future and that of Penrith mart which concerns me.

David Crowden

David Crowden is chair and general manager at Penrith auction mart. Call 01768 864 700, or email [email protected]