Clarkson’s Farm

[Tyre Smoke]

Was hooked from the off. Have to say I have always been a fan of JC, but his almost childish enthusiasm and very real emotion was brilliant to watch.

I really really hope there's more to come. It's compulsive viewing.

Ok, so it's not black and white, the pump installation for the water supply wasn't ever going to be cheap, I suspect the tractor came at a discount (saw it on trade plates a couple of times) there's quite a bit of artistic licence with things, those bales that went up in smoke are serious money.

But I liked it very much.

[L1OFF]

DaveGrohl said:

Can I just say how heart-warming it is to see such a wave of positive comments about farming from people who are watching this series. It clearly isn't just Clarkson that is making this such interesting viewing for many people. We as a profession have been getting such a kicking from the media/clueless politicians lately (looking for the latest silly bandwagon) that it is comforting to know that not everyone thinks like them. Considering this is PH the lack of negative comments is tremendous.

I live less than a mile from a couple of farms, arable and livestock. After watching Clarkson's Farm (even the "other half" thought it was hilarious) I have a renewed understanding (tractors \ narrow lanes and the smell etc) for the farmers.

Edited by L1OFF on Wednesday 16th June 11:00

[Zetec-S]

Both Mrs ZS and me really enjoyed this series, binged it over the last couple of evenings. Yes there's a bit of Clarkson being Clarkson, cocking about and acting the fool providing some light entertainment, but you could tell he had a genuine enthusiasm and wanted to make a success of it, along with highlighting the issues faced in the industry.

I'm not sure what direction it would take, but really hope we see a 2nd season.

[Dr Jekyll]

Do farmers who own their own large farms paid for years or generations ago still make a profit allowing for the capital tied up in the land?

[Doofus]

Dr Jekyll said:

Do farmers who own their own large farms paid for years or generations ago still make a profit allowing for the capital tied up in the land?

If they revalue the land every year, and it increases, then perhaps.

[Dr Jekyll]

Doofus said:

Dr Jekyll said:

Do farmers who own their own large farms paid for years or generations ago still make a profit allowing for the capital tied up in the land?

If they revalue the land every year, and it increases, then perhaps.

That's an interesting thought.

But then why is the land as expensive as it is if you can't really make money by using it, just hope to sell it for even more to someone who hopes to sell it ETC ETC?

[ralphrj]

Dr Jekyll said:

Doofus said:

Dr Jekyll said:

Do farmers who own their own large farms paid for years or generations ago still make a profit allowing for the capital tied up in the land?

If they revalue the land every year, and it increases, then perhaps.

That's an interesting thought.

But then why is the land as expensive as it is if you can't really make money by using it, just hope to sell it for even more to someone who hopes to sell it ETC ETC?

You can still make a profit in farming but it is very hard work and there are some big variables that are outside of your control (weather and grain prices being 2 obvious ones).

The farm only made a £144 profit in the year but that was on arable sales £90k lower than the prior year. What wasn't explained was what had caused it to be lower - was it a lower yield, a lower price, a different mix of produce or a combination of all 3?

[Sway]

Reading between the lines, it seemed significantly lower yield.

They mentioned "same area, same crops", but that due to weather it was the worst year for 50 odd years.

In light of that, I'd imagine/assume that prices actually went up?

[TEKNOPUG]

Less yield but presumably also less demand?

It's per my example of scale. If a 1000k acre farm makes £90k in a good year, it's more able to absorb a bad year. If you have a 500 acre farm making £45k in a good year, a bad year can be devestating.

Edited by TEKNOPUG on Wednesday 16th June 12:38

[Blib]

Blackpuddin said:

While watching that auction I wondered what black thoughts were going through the minds of all the other farmers who were there to buy kit.

Probably along the lines of:

"How much can we bid him up?"

We moved to deepest, rural Suffolk a few years ago. All of our basic food needs come from various suppliers based within a five mile radius of our village. I can see most of our meat on the hoof, from our garden. We use local butchers, farms and greengrocers.

I'm a city lad and the difference in quality is eye opening. There's no way I'd go back to Waitrose/ASDA if I can help it.

[Sway]

Demand for flour last year seemed to go through the roof!

Empty aisles of bread/flour - and hundreds of thousands 'trying out' home baking and stuff...

[h0b0]

Blib said:

Blackpuddin said:

While watching that auction I wondered what black thoughts were going through the minds of all the other farmers who were there to buy kit.

Probably along the lines of:

"How much can we bid him up?"

Any money beyond real value was only going in the pocket of the previous farmer (minus auction commission). It was a way for Clarkson to contribute to the retirement pot so I have a feeling there would be very little bad blood.

[silobass]

Mix between Covid and the weather I assumed. They said it was the worst year for farming since 1972 or something like that.

[Blib]

h0b0 said:

Blib said:

Blackpuddin said:

While watching that auction I wondered what black thoughts were going through the minds of all the other farmers who were there to buy kit.

Probably along the lines of:

"How much can we bid him up?"

Any money beyond real value was only going in the pocket of the previous farmer (minus auction commission). It was a way for Clarkson to contribute to the retirement pot so I have a feeling there would be very little bad blood.

That's a good point.

[Chlorothalonil]

Weather has a massive impact on yield and quality, and ultimately the bottom line. Fixed costs and variable costs also critical, as is land ownership or tenancy as already discussed.

I think they covered the reasons for the £90k shortfall pretty comprehensively during the storytelling throughout the series.

[Red9zero]

Sway said:

Demand for flour last year seemed to go through the roof!

Empty aisles of bread/flour - and hundreds of thousands 'trying out' home baking and stuff...

The small village shop near us had 17 different types of flour for sale during lockdown to keep the local yummy mummies happy.

[ChocolateFrog]

Dr Jekyll said:

Doofus said:

Dr Jekyll said:

Do farmers who own their own large farms paid for years or generations ago still make a profit allowing for the capital tied up in the land?

If they revalue the land every year, and it increases, then perhaps.

That's an interesting thought.

But then why is the land as expensive as it is if you can't really make money by using it, just hope to sell it for even more to someone who hopes to sell it ETC ETC?

It's still a great way of life desired by many for a start.

If I had to choose earning £20k 'easy' money in an office or £20k working an average of 50-60hrs a week on my farm, I'd choose the latter everyday of the rainy week.

[ChocolateFrog]

Sway said:

Reading between the lines, it seemed significantly lower yield.

They mentioned "same area, same crops", but that due to weather it was the worst year for 50 odd years.

In light of that, I'd imagine/assume that prices actually went up?

Harry said although the crop looked good that year the yield was indeed a bit crap.

[Blackpuddin]

ChocolateFrog said:

Dr Jekyll said:

Doofus said:

Dr Jekyll said:

Do farmers who own their own large farms paid for years or generations ago still make a profit allowing for the capital tied up in the land?

If they revalue the land every year, and it increases, then perhaps.

That's an interesting thought.

But then why is the land as expensive as it is if you can't really make money by using it, just hope to sell it for even more to someone who hopes to sell it ETC ETC?

It's still a great way of life desired by many for a start.

If I had to choose earning £20k 'easy' money in an office or £20k working an average of 50-60hrs a week on my farm, I'd choose the latter everyday of the rainy week.

I like to think that too but am unsure about the lasting appeal of 4am starts on a long succession of windy, sleety November days.

[ChocolateFrog]

TEKNOPUG said:

You'd have to make it significantly different though. New crops, new machinery, new techniques, different livestock. You can't rely on the weather or JC naivety to introduce some jeopardy. Neither can it be enough just to see if he is successful this year, as again, there is no financial jeopardy. Otherwise you'll end up with a whole series of manufactured incidents. No one is going to watch if it all runs smoothly.

Or go for a smaller more dedicated audience to farming/Clarkson.

I think a second series would be a lot more difficult to produce and make a commercial success but I'd love it if he took the series down a more serious farming route, maybe showing what a good, relatively uneventful year looked like in comparison.