Bernicia Media

21/09/2025

Bernicia Media’s Bruce Jobson attended the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain ceremony at Bockenfield, the former site of RAF Eshott.

20/09/2025

Defra reset is merely shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic.
Bruce's regular column in the Hexham Courant. Click link.

The Government reshuffle announced on 5th September raised eyebrows.

19/09/2025

We told you so…
In 2024 and 2025 - UK FOOD INFLATION AND GENERAL INFLATION TO INCREASE.

In August and Nov 2024 and April 2025, Bernicia Media correctly forecast UK food price inflation to increase (above 5%) The Office of National Statistics (ONS) announced on (17th Sept) August food inflation at 5.1% ….and UK general inflation at 3.8%.

Thirteen months ago, 15th August 2024 and again on 20th November 2024 Bernicia Media forecast: "Inflation is likely to increase further due to numerous factors over the next few months. Furthermore, the economy is likely to suffer further inflationary increases into 2025 possibly above 3%."

“UK April 2025 inflation up to 3.5%.”

“In May, UK food inflation increased to 4.7% and seems likely to increase to 5% …”

In August 2025 - UK general Inflation is 3.8% the highest level since Jan 2024 – almost double the Bank of England target.

“It’s not Bernicia Media’s role to tell you what has happened – It’s our role to tell you what is going to happen.”

The Trusted Source of Agri-business Journalism - Bernicia Media - Ahead if The Curve. We lead others follow…

11/09/2025

“The Die is cast.” Julius Caesar: Bernicia Media set the agenda for the biggest farm story of 2024 - Farm Business Inheritance Tax.

One year ago, on 11 Sept 2024, thanks to GB News reporter Dougie Beattie, Bruce was interviewed on GB News by Martin Daubney regarding Farm Business IH Tax. Bernicia Media correctly forecast on 22nd July 2024, the newly elected Labour Gov’t would introduce changes to IH Tax. The forecast was a mere 18 days after the 4th July election - and 100 days before the Budget announcement. The forecast and articles set the agenda for “the biggest farming news story of 2024.”

The considered article and GB News interview dated back several months following discussions between Bernicia Media and GB News reporter Dougie Beattie, regarding what may occur following an inevitable Labour election victory (by reflecting on questionable Labour policies from the 1970s – 1980s) Bruce and Ryan met Dougie Beattie and his producer in Alnwick on 22nd May 2024 – and at 5pm that day – Rishi Sunak, announced the 4th July election date. The Die was cast.

The Labour Gov’t subsequently “Crossed the Rubicon” – there was no turning back - and our forecasts were proven correct. Self-appointed non-farming “experts” and media commentators – and self-promoting farmers offered incomprehensive statements. The NFU and others were also naive in believing Environment Minister Steve Reed’s assurances on IH tax. Group think - out-thought - intellectual capacity.

Some farming “leaders” were not open-minded enough (lacking the foresight) to consider the Treasury would have the AUDACITY to put forward IH tax changes – and the Labour Gov’t the TEMERITY to adopt the changes. It’s not Bernicia Media’s role to report what has happened – it’s our role to report what is going to happen. We lead – others follow.
Read the 11th September article below and video. Click the link.

https://www.facebook.com/berniciamedia/videos/788171679937143
The Trusted Source of Agri-Business Journalism – Bernicia Media – Ahead of The Curve.

Farmageddon XVII 11th Sept 2024

UK farming is already on life-support….and may only have 20 years to survive. The global war on farming continues…

UK AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY RELIEF

Considerable debate surrounds whether the UK Government may abolish Agricultural Property Relief (APR) in the 30th October Budget that currently provides significant Inheritance Tax relief for family farms.

If Inheritance Tax is abolished - liabilities will increase substantially with a farm valued at £2million liable to pay an estimated tax bill of up to £600,000.

Abolishing APR will result in many family farms selling farm land to pay the tax; this will result in splitting-up businesses and in some cases, making many farms, especially small family farms, financially unviable.

Getting rid of APR will result in massive damage to family farms with the level of taxation unaffordable - and will risk destroying rural economies within 20 years.

Whilst abolishing APR is currently SPECULATION – the consequence to farming, land-ownership and country estates will result in catastrophic change and ultimately threaten UK food security – currently down to 50%-55% from 80% in the 1980s. As usual, “The devil will be in the detail.”

1) Assuming a 400acre farm; with substantial farmhouse, cottages and extensive range of farm buildings is worth £4million – the resulting tax bill is likely to be £1.2million. How does a family farm raise 25% of its net-worth without selling-off its asset-base? Will the farm be able to continue with massive bank support and make the interest payment – never mind repaying the capital borrowings? One unanswered question could be - is the farm liable to pay Capital Gains Tax on any subsequent sale to pay APR tax? Tax-on-tax?

2) The next question is: who is going to buy farms or farm land – if the buyer(s) in turn are subsequently going to be taxed at a future date? Farmers are asset rich and cash poor. Farms and farm land will turn from being a financial asset - into a financial liability.

3) The value of farm land MAY- or probably decline due to the amount of "bare" land coming onto the market - that would normally be purchased by neighbouring family farmers seeking to expand business operations. However, these prospective buyers may be reluctant to buy farmland or farm properties due to a possible knock-on effect of in-turn increasing their exposure to increased levels of unaffordable taxation. The only buyers will be non-farming multi-national companies off-setting carbon emissions for tree-planting.

4) There is also an assumption here, the farm-business does not have an overdraft? This is highly unlikely with one estimate being 94% of all farm businesses have an overdraft. There will be other farm liabilities such as leasing charges for tractors, combines, milking parlours and new buildings that have to be financed as well as, the possibility of paying an existing mortgage. These liabilities will be budgeted on the basis of a 400acre farm business plan – not 300acres.

5) The next question is the bank’s “exposure” involved in supporting a farm business that can be seen as severely at risk? The financial-gearing and level of exposure may well result in the bank “requesting” the sale of additional assets in order to reduce the bank’s level of exposure. In amongst all this, there is little or no financial “headroom” to diversify or invest in the future and help propel the business forward for short-term and long-term success. Let’s suppose, the farm business has a “working overdraft” of £200,000; plus, finance charges of another £200,000 for tractors / machinery. – total exposure (indebtedness) can easily increase to £1.6million.

6) The “tipping-point” is soon reached as to whether a 400acre farm can financially carry or, is viable enough, to pay the required interest – let alone pay-off the capital debt – as well as pay-off the £1.2million tax - and continue to operate. And can the farm continue as a 300acre operation?

7) There may be other financial considerations such as those farming businesses that have taken the “King’s Shilling” and converted prime agricultural land into environmental schemes and tree planting. This may or, may not, put-off potential land-buyers. However, at £8,000 - £10,000 per-acre bare land or above land value; the environmental financial payment returns may not cover expense. Under environmental schemes, farmers are required to take out 20% of productive land in order to achieve Net Zero. The October 2023 estimated to achieve Net Zero is £5trillion.

8) In December 2022, Bruce Jobson stated on GB News (Alastair Stewart & Friends) UK farmers face a worse financial year if 2023 than in 2022. Defra financial income for 2023 figures (published March 2024) reveal Cereals minus 77%, General cropping minus 58%, Dairy minus 78%, Mixed farming minus 46%.

9) It is easy to understand why farmers have the highest rate of su***de in the UK.

10) On 25th March, 2024, Bruce stated on GB News (Martin Daubney) and Bernicia Media Farmageddon XV “Rishi Sunak has cut and run and is leaving farmers high and dry with a 4th July election.” If all things came to pass, Sunak is equally complicit as former Chancellor (who did nothing for farming and food production) and as Prime Minister having told farmers at the March 2024 NFU Conference “I’ve got your back.”

Like compound interest – farming’s accumulative financial debt will result in end of life-support. For the past 40 years; successive UK Governments have hung a sign on farming’s death-bed: Do Not Resuscitate.

FURNISHED HOLIDAY LETS

Over the past 30 years, the "buzz-word" in farming has been diversification with many farms converting old redundant farm buildings into holiday-lets.

Furnished Holiday Lets has benefited farm incomes as well as, the wider rural economy as a whole - with tourists visiting local restaurants, pubs, gift-shops and visitor attractions - pumping millions into the rural economy.

Plans to abolish special taxation rules for Furnished Holiday Lets will further damage farming and rural economies. In the 2024 Spring Budget, the then Government announced special tax rules are set to be abolished on 6th April 2025. To qualify for FHL - a property must be let for 210 days per-year - and be actually let for a minimum 105 days per-year. The new Labour Government issued a policy paper on 29th July setting out proposed changes for inclusion into the 2024-2025 Finance Bill.

Farmers and local landowners consider abolishing the Furnished Holiday Let legislation will further harm farm businesses and rural economies. Having previously been encourage to diversify their farm businesses through diversification - will now be penalised for helping to grow the rural economy.

Another unforeseen consequence of increasing Capital Gains Tax to 40 – 45% on people that own second homes - will result in a decrease in taxation revenue rather than an increase. Some wise second-homeowners will just sit back and not sell their property. People do not pay Capital Gains Tax upon death. A reverse consequence of unseen circumstances.

08/09/2025

Embarrassing UK House Building Figures:
Bernicia Media forecast re 30th October 2024 Budget.
“There is neither the skilled workforce nor the materials to construct 300,000 houses annually.”

It was a good week to bury UK housing figures with official figures showing only 38,780 homes completed between January and March – the lowest quarterly figure since 2016. Only 129,000 properties were built in the first nine months of the Labour government that targeted 300,000 properties annually and a total of 1.5 million over the next five years.

At this monthly rate, the number of properties completed in the first year can be estimated at 160,00 to 170,000 – perhaps some 130,000 to 140,000 below target. A quick deficit calculation means in order to achieve the 1.5million threshold – the annual target figure will increase to approximately 430,000 dwellings for the second year. If the same trend continues, by year three and four, the annual figure will increase to 560,000 and 690,000, respectively. And require 720,000 properties to be complete in year five in order to hit the 1.5million target.

This trend, would result in almost 50% of the target being met albeit, it may be possible to achieve 200,000 properties annually – and these could be one-or two-bedroom apartments, not three-and four-bedroom dwellings. We stated after the 30th Oct 2024 Budget, there is neither the “skilled workforce nor the materials to construct 300,000 houses annually.” UK cement production is at its lowest level since 1950 – similar levels when World War Two rationing applied. Last year, the UK made 7.3 million tonnes of cement - almost half the 15m tonnes in 1990.

As the UK economy heads towards a financial cliff – and an embarrassing IMF pay-out – no one has mentioned the possibility of a US economic crash. If President Trump’s tariffs are sanctioned as illegal by the US courts – with billions or trillions of dollars having to be repaid – a figure that could result in US bankruptcy.

Bernicia Media - 30th October 2024 Budget:

“Government policy is set to increase house-building to 1.5 million over the next five-years. Currently, 150,000 houses / dwellings are constructed annually. The Budget contained the announcement of over 100 new development planners being recruited (where from?) to assist in the doubling of houses/ residences being constructed.

The only way that 300,000 houses can be built annually is to implement compulsory purchase of farm land adjacent to towns and cities; identify and compulsory purchase land on brownfield sites, ribbon-development and waste-land – in order to circumvent slow-moving planning procedures. Objections will be raised – but bulldozed by Govt legislation.

“However, there is neither the skilled workforce nor the materials to construct 300,000 houses annually. Where is the money going to come from; who is going to pay for it – house-builders cannot just magically deliver billions of funding nor thousands of skilled construction workers.

“In order to fast-track house construction, the Government may legislate developers physically build houses – rather than amass huge development “land banks” – whereby companies sit on the asset for years and literally “bank” on increasing asset values. Whether full-market value is provided on the undeveloped landbanks is another question. If the Govt takes control of house-building - the values are likely to be assessed by local District Valuers.

“The 1.5million house-building target in effect requires coordination of a “national house-building project.” Perhaps Government funding will be provided through grants and payment incentives – to keep major housebuilders on-board. Where is the funding coming from – and will another painful Budget be required? (undoubtedly – this is set to happen in late November 2025) Someone should advise the Government - money doesn’t grow on trees.”

Bernicia Media - Ahead of The Curve. We lead - others follow.

04/09/2025

Mercosur Agreement: The Death Knell for Irish Beef?

On 4th December 2024 (see below) Bernicia Media broke the news of the impending EU - Mercosur Trade Agreement (announced even before the BBC) This week, the EU seeks to ratify the Mercosur agreement that may see the death knell for Irish beef producers. The Mercosur agreement may also result in calls (juxtapose other domestic issues including unlimited immigration) for Ireland to leave the EU – the equivalent of IE-exit.

For almost three-years, Bernicia Media has forecast the decline in the number of Irish beef producers and number of dairy and beef cattle coming through the system due to EU Net Zero restrictive policies as well as increases in costs.

As Irish (and UK) beef achieves record prices – due to lack of supply – Mercosur beef supplies threaten to undermine Irish and EU domestic beef prices. Should the Irish government choose to support domestic production – it will have to resist the Mercosur agreement – as will the EU’s largest beef producer, France.

The agreement will have to be ratified by a majority of 15 of the 27 EU countries. Once again, farming and food production has been surrendered to the benefit of other trade industries and foreign countries. Further turmoil for Irish cattle producers is being proposed by the industry with the potential imposition of a 30-day standstill for mart sold cattle at major abattoirs. How will that benefit farmers?

Bernicia Media 4th December 2024: Mercosur

“After 25-years of negotiations between the EU and four South American countries, the Mercosur agreement, if implemented, will have a major impact on European food production. Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and potentially, new-comer, Bolivia, make-up the trade-agreement. The agreement will remove 90% of duty on EU goods exported to the Mercosur countries.

“This will result in approximately 100,000 tonnes of beef from Mercosur countries to be imported in the EU-27 – albeit with a 7.5% duty. An additional 180,000 tonnes of poultry would be duty-free as well as expectant sheep meat. Understandably, the volatile French farmers will oppose the free trade agreement and likely to voice their concerns in the run-up to the expected French General Election.

“Germany and Italy are supportive of the agreement in order to export expensive cars to the Mercosur countries - to help prop-up the EU’s failing car industries. Yet again, another trade-off at the expense of farmers.

“Cheap food imports and questionable animal welfare standards compared to EU applied standards; allied to lower production costs and labour costs, will undermine food security, resulting in a further decline in farm profitability.”

The Trusted Source of Agri-Business Journalism – Bernicia Media – Ahead of The Curve.

03/09/2025

UK Gas and Food imports - we told you so -
Feb 2022 Alastair Stewart & Friends on GB News

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch yesterday stated Labour's ban on new oil and gas drilling could result in "blackouts" - and the UK will rely on 80% imports from Norway by 2030 costing billions (all part of Net Zero)

Bruce stated on Alastair Stewart and Friends on 27th February 2022 regarding UK capacity and reliance on imports: "Shell have closed down gas production in the North Sea - with enough production to last for 50 years.

"We need to get sorted and get gas on board - get the country effectively creating its own energy - and its own food production - and stop relying on imports."

However, it was successive Conservative governments under May and Johnson administrations that introduced Net Zero by Statute; and 20% of productive farm land to be used for Net Zero, tree-planting and "green" environmental policies.

Some people have not forgotten - who actually introduced these crippling Net Zero policies... and where the rot started.

The Trusted Source of Agri-Business Journalism - Bernicia Media - Ahead of The Curve.

29/08/2025

The Most Humiliating British Surrender Since Singapore 1942.
“The UK is the world’s third largest net importer of food after China and Japan.” – Bruce Jobson

UK Food Production - Bioethanol Sell-Out: Thatcher – Dairy Snatcher: Blair-Wolf: "Mugabe" UK Land-grab

For the past 60-years, the UK has surrendered food self-sufficiency on the altar of foreign trade agreements. Prior to 1973, when the UK entered the Common Market, election manifestos included farming and home-grown food production policies and had a Minister of Agriculture. Today, we have a Minister for The Environment and an elected Labour government with an 87-word manifesto on farming.

Common Market v Commonwealth

When the UK joined the Common Market, farming and the fishing industry were sold-out and old traditional ties with Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand, were sacrificed, a mere 30-years after these countries, juxtapose others such as Canada, South Africa and India, sacrificed a generation in order to secure Europe’s freedom from tyranny. When the UK joined the “Euro-club” the country became a rule taker – not a rule maker.

In the 1940s and 50s, farmers were feted as heroes, feeding the nation, that in 1941, had a mere six weeks food supply remaining – as the island nation was being starved into surrender. Today, the UK farming and fishing industries have been willingly surrendered on the altar of political expediency. No shots were exchanged. But the starting gun was fired in 1973.

Bioethanol Sell-out

The latest surrender, due on 31st August, is Hull-based Vivergo Fuels, the country’s largest bioethanol plant that employs 170 jobs supported by 4,000 roles in the supply chain. The company is owned by Associated British Foods, an irony in itself. The decision will have further repercussions as local farmers supply wheat; corn or sugar beet to be processed into bioethanol fuel and animal feed. Bioethanol is an essential part of E10 unleaded petrol, used by millions of drivers every day and a second biofuel plant at Redcar, Ensus, also faces closure.

The reason for the Vivergo Fuels closure is the UK government’s trade agreement with the US, when PM Starmer sold-out the industry in a trade agreement with President Trump, that allows tariff-free imports of 1.4billion litres of US bioethanol – after agreeing to remove a 19% import tariff. The UK government chose not to support the industry and has given the “greenlight” to flood the UK market and destroy home product self-sufficiency.

It was widely reported that Starmer was watching Arsenal play in the Champions league, when he received a phone-call from President Trump, offering a trade deal on the US export of bioethanol; pork and 13,000 tonnes of US beef, in favour of saving jobs in the UK car and steel industry. Another sell-out in a long history of sacrificing UK food production and farming.

While opinion may be divided over President Trump; he’s not a politician nor a diplomat - he’s a businessman. And Trump can smell weakness from as far away as Washington. When Starmer sold-out the UK fishing industry for the next 12years to Macron - Trump must have been smiling.

Starmer is neither a politician nor a businessman. He’s a Human-rights lawyer; appears a weak and an ineffective leader, lacking in vision, policy and credibility. Trump seized the moment, Starmer was caught off-side, ball-watching Arsenal - and the Treasury did not recommend Starmer take a second-look at the bioethanol industry VAR monitor.

Thatcher The Dairy Farm Snatcher

PM Thatcher sold-out the dairy industry to the EU in 1994, acquiescing - when UK milk production was 78% self-sufficient and subsequently ushering an era of EU milk quotas, back-dated two-years on production levels, imposed on a nation that did not have a surplus. Another detrimental policy.

The result was a reduction from 30,000 dairy farms to 20,000 and today, only 7,000 producers remain. Thirty-years ago, there were 20,000 UK fishermen, today, the figure is down to 10,000 and this figure will decline further after the recent Starmer-Macron 12-year territorial water surrender. In 1980, the UK was 80% self-sufficient in food production, today that figure is 50%-55% - despite population increases of 20%.

Blair-Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

During the UK 2001 FMD outbreak, PM Blair changed the emphasis and narrative by name change, from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) to the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) No mention of agriculture nor fisheries.

Blair-Wolf’s FMD policies resulted in an estimate 9million cattle and sheep being destroyed – many unnecessarily culled – in the 2001 FMD out-break – with many farmers leaving the livestock industry. Recent UK governments have continued to sell out UK food production in trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand and now the USA. Other UK industries benefitted – but farming, fishing and food production were once again, surrendered.

MUGABE LAND-GRAB

Meanwhile, in 2019, Conservative PM May signed-off Net Zero policies by Statute – no vote in Commons or Lords – at a cost of over £5trillion according to an official 2023 estimate. The legislation included a British Government “Mugabe land-grab” requiring 20% of productive farmland being used for Net Zero tree-planting and environmental policies. Despite this being privately owned land – and not being owned by the State or any British Government. After April 2026, farmers will be subjected to 20% Inheritance Tax on land and business assets.

The phrase “We are sleep-walking into a food crisis” has become a cliché. A free-pass for a lack of intellectual capacity. This phrase is totally disingenuous. For the past 60-years, successive governments have surrendered UK food security. Governments and supermarkets have been complicit, allowing cheap food imports, to help maintain lower food prices in order to help reduce inflation whilst at the same time, allow the grocery giants to make billions in profits.

22/08/2025

Food Inflation: "Why is Bernicia Media always correct? You guys are so far ahead?” The question asked this week by a US journalist:

“Bernicia Media’s role is to report - what is going to happen – not report - what has happened.” Bruce Jobson. "We lead - others follow."

Recent announcements on inflation and food inflation prove the point with the ONS on Wednesday stating that beef; chocolate and fresh orange juice rose month-on-month – as food and non-alcoholic drink increased to 4.9% in the year to July.

Bruce Jobson forecast increases in olive oil on 13th Feb 2024. Bernicia Media post "Here’s a tip for foodie lovers - stock-up on olive oil." By July - the cost of olive oil increased by almost 300%.

On 29th Feb 2024, Bernicia Media post – “What price chocolate in 2025?” Bruce forecast huge increases in the price of chocolate and cocoa beans for 2025.

On 2nd Jan 2025 Bernicia Media posted "Cocoa takes the biscuit as prices jump by 167% - beating Bitcoin’s increase of 117%.”

On 2nd July 2024, on “Spain Today” - Rachel Sweeney - Broadcaster questioning the next increase in food prices. “Yes, watch out for orange juice – Brazil supplies 50% of the market - we could see an increase in the prices – so not so good for consumer price increases.”

On 2nd January 2025 with Rachel Sweeney - Broadcaster (at Newsquest) “What price potatoes in 2025?” Bernicia Media forecasting the lowest potato crop ever in British history - before a potato was planted. Let’s wait on that forecast.

For the past two years Bruce has forecast beef price increases due to a lack of cattle supply in the UK and Ireland allied to feed cost increases and Net Zero targets.

Spring Budget Day 28th March “live” on farm with Emily Carver on GB News - Bruce stated cost of rearing cattle had increased by £400 in past three months “and the consumer will have to pay the price.” Beef prices have increased by 25%.

On 22nd July 2024, Bernicia Media post was the first to forecast the introduction of Inheritance Tax – 100 days before the 30th October 2024 Budget announcement.

On Budget Day 30th October 2024, Bernicia Media post was first to forecast compulsory purchase of land for housing development to meet the government annual target of building 300,000 dwellings.

And let’s not forget Bernicia Media Journalist and Trident Soccer coach Ryan Jobson forecast "live" on GB News England’s Lionesses would win the 2025 Women’s Euros Final !!

The Trusted Source of Agri-Business Journalism – Bernicia Media – Ahead of The Curve.”

15/08/2025

Farmageddon XXVI Milk Price Hypocrisy

The Dairy Industry - Destroyed Dairy Farming

Recent reports in this week’s farming press and mainstream media highlight farm labour shortage and 13% of a group’s 1,900 farmers considering leaving the industry in the next year. Once again, we see the recent pious audacity of dairies (and supermarkets) blaming Farm Business Inheritance Tax and shortage of on-farm labour as the reasons for dairy farming woes. If only.

Bas Padberg, MD of Arla Foods UK, correctly highlights the concern of labour shortages on farms. But where does the blame start? Let’s begin with the dairy companies that have driven down milk prices since the Milk Marketing Board’s primary function of buying and selling milk ended in 1994 - with the resulting deregulation of the milk market in Britain.

Milk prices were forced from circa 22-24ppl down to 16-14ppl and some farmers on 11ppl. The number of GB dairy producers fell experientially from 30,000 to 20,000 - and numbers have continued to decline ever since. You don’t need to be Einstein to answer the reason as to the decline – albeit perhaps some CEOs and MDs don’t know who Einstein was – and continue to bury their heads on the sand as to the REAL reason for the decline in the number of GB dairy farms and resulting decline in recruiting farm workers.

It's now 30-years since dairy farmers have been at the mercy of unscrupulous industry executive fat-cats; casting aside the future of family farms, workers and the businesses and local rural communities that depend on a profitable farming industry. Once the dairy companies and their respective “milk fields” were secured – the draconian price-cuts ended the dreams and business aspirations of thousands of farmers, their sons and daughters and farm staff. To the industry chiefs – these generational family farms – were worthless; inconvenient and irrelevant.

Meanwhile, some industry commentators; advisors and so called “experts” that have never milked a cow or farmed for a living, have sucked-up to the dairy companies and proclaimed milk prices being on the crest of a financial wave and a positive future – and BTW – don’t forget to pay our big fat invoice.

Where were the dairies and supermarkets when Bruce was interviewed live on GB News by Liam Halligan, The Telegraph Economics Editor, on 26th Jan 2022? When farmers were producing milk at a loss of up to 4-5ppl? Several times, Bruce predicted an exodus of dairy farmers year-on-year in 2023 and 2024. Ten years ago, there were 10,000 GB milk producers, in 2022 there were 8,040 and Bernicia Media predicted a 400-600 annual year-on-year decline. Today, there are 7,000 producers.

Herds have increased in size but have fewer people working – and few recruits due to lower comparable wages, long-hours and seven-day working – and few free weekends. Robots have replaced the uncertainty of farm labour.

Bruce continued to highlight (2011) and forecast what was going to happen to the dairy farming industry on GB News Alastair Stewart and Friends on 6th February 2022; 5th April, 25th April and 6th May 2022 and numerous posts on Bernicia Media – including Northern Ireland where some farmers in 2024 were receiving 33-35ppl – a loss of 8-10ppl.

Don’t cry over spilt milk. The dairy companies and their “crocodile tears” are only concerned that their respective “milk fields” will decline further due to more producers leaving the industry. Pay farmers more for milk production – and this will help provide and secure a better dairy industry for the current as well as, future generations.

The Trusted Source of Agri-Business Journalism – Bernicia Media - Ahead of The Curve.