Swedish farmers say 'Grass is Greener'
A group of Swedish farmers and students have just visited Norfolk and Suffolk to make comparisons with life back home and concluded that our region's farmers have a much easier life.
Farmer Henric Oscarrson, who teaches part time at the Vreta agricultural school in southern Sweden and approached Anglia Farmers for help with the Norfolk trip, visited three farms with fellow farmer/teacher Per Henrik Petersson and students.
Starting at George Thompson Farms, Tittleshall, they were given an insight into dairy farming. Next stop was the Stangroom's fruit, herbs and arable farm at Whissonsett and the day finished at Broke Brothers Farm in Holme Hale.
David Moar, Anglia Farmers' business development manager, who arranged the day, said:
"We aimed to give them a good cross-section of farming activity in Norfolk and it was great that three of our farmer members were willing to help. It was fascinating to exchange information with the Swedish group. Coming from Southern Sweden their climate is only slightly cooler than ours but we discovered many differences in farming practices as well as routes to market. There were a few similarities too."
Having also visited three farms in Suffolk, the Swedes concluded:
English farmers have the benefit of several routes to buy and sell their commodities. In Sweden there are just three co-operatives – one for dairy, one for meat and one for arable which does not work very well
As the Swedish weather is colder, there is added expense with housing animals and cereal yields are 15% lower.
Sweden's expensive dairy units produce slightly higher milk production
The colder weather reduces animal and cereal diseases but with climate change Sweden could soon be on a par
English farmers have less agricultural machinery but a few more employees EU and environmentallegislation are nearly the same.
Henric Oscarrson said:
"We've had a really interesting time and excellent hospitality. We think farming in the UK is a bit easier than in Sweden. The grass is always a little bit greener on the other side. That is one of the reasons you should travel and find nice places!"
