Amy Eggleston: Us farmers are all in this together

Agriculture is a broad term that covers a wide range of farming practices. Whether it’s plants or livestock – we are all in this together.

We have a common goal, to make a product at the end of it. This product could be meat, milk, cabbage or wool. Regardless – we are all farmers.

Why is it, then, that people are so quick to criticise the methods of others?

Farmers open up and tell us their story – whether in a magazine, on-farm or online – only to find others quickly criticising what they are doing.

I see it on Twitter all the time – constant critiquing of others’ farming methods, even when they didn’t ask for it. Whether it’s to tell them that their results aren’t good enough, or that they should be doing it differently, there’s always something negative.

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Yes – I would agree that criticism in some areas may be necessary – for example, if their farming practices are unsafe or unethical. In some cases, there is a place for constructive criticism, helping others to develop.

This is why benchmarking and discussion groups play an important role, to help us learn from others as a means of improving.

We are all entitled to our own opinions, but what needs to stop is constantly putting people down for their choices.

We have a common goal – so why can’t we lift other people up to get there, rather than tear them down?

We all do things differently, whether it’s what we feed our animals, the products we use or the way we farm.

We do what works for us and our farm, so it’s worth remembering that what you do might be difficult to replicate elsewhere, due to soil type, weather, or other unavoidable or uncontrollable factors.

Finally, after more than a year, this is my last column for Farmers Weekly. It has been a privilege and I’d like to thank those of you who sent me messages in response to my articles. Farming is an incredibly important part of my life and I’m proud to be involved in this amazing industry.

If you’d like to continue following my farming journey, I am on Instagram and Twitter @thedairydaughter and, meanwhile, let’s all remember – we’re in this wonderful business of farming together.