Countryfile

I was going to point that out about the duck Alec, but decided it wasn't worth the effort.
I am amazed sometimes at the outrage and huge opinions that are voiced, based on such miniscule amounts of knowledge.
 
Jax said:
Well I was disappointed when tonight the presenter held up a "duck" that was clearly a "drake" but proclaimed it a duck anyway.

I did see last weeks programme and was also quite taken aback by the treatment of the heifer, but sadly not surprised by it having seen the standard practice taken on most farms.
Click to expand...

I would disagree there, coming from a dairy farm and having been to an awful lot of others I have never seen such bad practice before, any herdsman worth their salt would not neglect an animal in such a way.

The programme is a joke, every week something else annoys me, I don't know why I watch it. It used to be a good farming programme, now it is fluffy, inconsistent, inaccurate, sometimes plain wrong. It isn't aimed at farmers anymore IMO it is for environmental/rambling/saving the world from your garden types, who would not be able to spot the issue with that poor heifer if you pointed it out to them.
 
I've just managed to track down the office number for the TV programme, and having taken the name of the person who I was talking to, I've been assured that someone will 'phone me back, to, as they put it "Address my concerns".

If they do as I'm assured they will, then I'll report back to you! ;)

In the defence of the TV programme, I will say that I think that they generally provide a near vital bridge, for those who watch, for the urban living and those who live their lives by agriculture. Generally the programme has real value, but the programme in question was less than ideal and was a totally inaccurate portrayal of normal livestock management.

Alec.
 
eahotson said:
Any news yet Alec?
Click to expand...

I have a problem, in that having made contact, and having given an assurance that I will keep the thoughts of the producers, to myself, then that is what I must do.

I've made my thoughts clear, to those who produce the programme, and I'd suggest that those who seek further clarification, do as I have done, and make their own way forward.

What I can tell you, is that having spoken to a competent and highly experienced mate/livestock vet, who also watched the programme, that he doubted the wisdom of the transmission, even though there are anomalies within the birthing programmes of all ruminants, which could explain the events. Those events were poorly explained.

"Contact C/F and ask for yourselves", and that's the best that I can offer. Sorry.

Alec.
 
Just a thought BUT was she sent to the slaughter house, rather than being destroyed insitu so that she could enter the food chain? Bet she didn't end up on P Charles plate.If she was riddled with sceptacaemia as the programme stated she would have felt desperate.
 
Well must admit I was duped.


Used to "help out" at a couple of farms as a young *greenhorn* and was told "horror stories" by a few of the other hands, finally managed to speak to a semi retired farm hand I used to work with last weekend and he confided it was not uncommon for us young un's to get the "horror stories" as it stopped us from jumping to moonlight at other farms if we thought they were bad.

this was years ago, and I carried that all this time *insert embarrassed icon here*

So please take my comments in this thread as removed/untrue due to not knowing the truth.
 
eahotson said:
Well thanks for trying Alec.Very weird and a bit sinister.All this secrecy.
Click to expand...

Though it may appear to be, I can assure you that it isn't sinister. I gave my word that if they were open with me, then I would keep their thoughts to myself, just as I would with you, or anyone else.

Whether they were, in fact, open with me is another matter!!

I can only suggest that you do as I did, 'phone up the Countryfile offices (the relevant office is in Birmingham, or Bristol, I think), and then discuss the matter with them. I have an e/mail address for the relevant party, if you'd like me to PM that to you. Whether they decide to discuss the matter with you, will be up to them.

Alec.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top