The Big Debate: Are wind turbines a good thing for farming?

Wind farms are a subject that makes large amounts of steam come out of many peoples’ ears. Are wind turbines eyesores or key to the future of renewable technologies?

You might imagine that Farmers Weekly would know what farmers think in these issues. And we do – up to a point. Our weekly poll on FWi draws hundreds of responses and the Forums are abuzz with argument and counter-argument.

Your letters, too, whistle back and forth with the force and accuracy of a Federer serve at Wimbledon. And yet, we have to admit, it’s frequently only the vocal few who make their voice heard.

But now we want to hear from the often-silent majority of farmers, those who quietly get on with the job of making a living in a fast-changing industry and understandably feel that they don’t have the time to fire off emails or letters.

Why the sudden plea? The reason is simple: We’re starting a new series of articles called The Big Debate that will stride fearlessly into the most controversial farming subjects of the day. We’ll give both sides a chance to have their say, but then – and this is the critical bit – we want you to vote.

Important

Why is that so important? Because arguments are so often swayed by a passionate and vocal minority who have the effect of putting words in other peoples’ mouths. Moreover, those who make our laws and lay down our rules and regulations often have a pretty skewed notion of what farming involves and what farmers think.

We want to be able to tell them what farmers really believe.

There are several ways to make your point. The easiest is to vote on FWi, join the debate on our forums or even add your comments to our new Food for Thought blog .

The first Big Debate kicks off with wind farms, but look out for other highly charged debates on organics, badgers, SFPs, subsidies, GMs, supermarkets and public access.

In the week after each Big Debate appears, we’ll reveal the votes cast either way and pass on the angriest, most persuasive – or just the funniest – of the comments made by readers. Expect a bumpy ride and maybe some uncomfortable findings

But look out for other highly charged debates on organics, badgers, SFPs, subsidies, GMs, supermarkets and public access.