| On Topic
Farmers from the AHDB Monitor
Farm groups visit France
agriculture must be reduced by 50 per cent.
The group visited two co-ops, Cap Seine in
Normandy, and Noriap in Picardy.They were
shown the beginnings of precision farming
software by both companies, which is already
fairly commonplace in the UK. Yield maps,
variable rate fertiliser and soil scanning were all
relatively new to the country
Glyphosate, such a hot topic here in the UK,
is also under debate and French farmers are
already unable to use it pre-harvest.
Martin said: “We were particularly keen to
find out how French farmers were tackling their
challenges and whether there was anything we
could learn from their co-operatives.
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“It was hard to see a conclusive answer,
however. They were working to achieve profits
and although they returned dividend to the
members it felt as if there was not quite the
‘entente cordiale’ between parties we were
expecting.
“It seemed as if the co-ops were looking to
add value in-house through chemical supply
and upgrading of grain – we felt that there had
been some recent transition from the original
ideals of the co-op to a new commercialism.”
One of the co-ops, Noriap, however, had a
provision for new entrant farmers, which the
group found interesting. Under the scheme,
fledgling businesses get a cash injection and
Black-grass is a huge problem in France and
new legislation means that chemical use in
agriculture must be reduced by 50 per cent
extended credit, as well as links to the local
tractor factory.
Martin added: “If you are sitting at home
bemoaning your lot thinking our French
neighbours are having it so much better, then
please think again. After our trip the feeling is
that we are so close as people. We met truly
friendly, honest welcoming farmers, we have
huge amounts in common as farmers and we
are living the same life.”
December 2017 | Farming Monthly | 09