Farmers resilient in dairy crisis

Shropshire farmers are remaining more resilient than ever as they attempt to counter the worrying dairy crisis, TB problems and the nightmare of single farm payments in 2007.

In tonight's eight-page farming supplement, the Shropshire Star looks at some of the industry's success stories in what has been described as agriculture's darkest hour.

Robert Bowdler, of Heath Farm, Rowton, was named dairy farmer of the future last year and has some radical ideas about growth in the milk sector, while David Haighton, of Muckleton Meats, proves that animal welfare is top of the agenda with his natural approach to rearing rare breed pigs and Highland cattle.

"It's a difficult time for farmers but the public don't want to listen to us moaning about it all the time," said Robert. "They want to see us tackling the problems head-on. The milk price is dreadfully low but we have to make our operations leaner."

His confidence is mirrored in a report by NFU Countryside which said people living and working in the Shropshire countryside value farmers' contribution to their area. The survey was the biggest evaluation of rural issues in the UK

Spokesman Mark Howard said: "Nine out of 10 people are satisfied with life in the Shropshire countryside but many consider issues such as the closure of local services, keeping young blood in the countryside and the problems caused by fly-tipping as being in urgent need of address."