Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.3. Correspondence, Letters to newspapers
1958 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Wicklow People, 27.09.1958
Correspondence. Farmers and the Harvest
As a farmer, I wish to thank you and congratulate you on your leading article in “Wicklow People,” of 20th Sept. You have given the fairest account of the harvest of any paper I have read.
It appears that the eastern counties have had the worst of the weather this year, and I think in particular, this part of County Wicklow has suffered most. As I write this I can look down the valley and over the hills, and I should say that half the harvest has yet to be cut. Much of it is not worth cutting.
While all farmers welcome the agreement made between the Government, the flour millers and the farmers’ representatives to ease the losses on the wheat crop, there are many many more sides to the great losses the farmers have to face this year. There are heavy losses on all grain crops, and also by the loss of the aftergrass as very many fields of corn were undersown with grass. Farmers have also been unable to feed cattle on some fields of aftergrass owing to the wet state of the land. For many years the farmers have been appealed to increase production, which they have done in a wonderful way.
A few months ago, we had the experience of seeing our surplus wheat exported at £18 and £20 a ton, and our own people being charged £26 a ton for the same grain. Then we saw the importation of a boat-load of pollard, followed by boat-loads of barley, and lastly a boat-load of bran. We don’t know what price such imported feeding-stuffs will be charged to Irish farmers.
Your good article concluded with the sentence, “Farmers are entitled to a reward commensurate with the value of their labour, which is so important to all, and in difficult times they are deserving of practical sympathy.”
I would suggest the time is ripe for the Government to consider the necessity for a moratorium on all debts due by farmers and seed merchants caused by losses incurred this harvest.
A moratorium for three years would help everybody, and farmers who had let land for tillage could, where at all possible make a good reduction in setting charges.
This season should prove to non-farmers that it is not so easy to plan for agriculture, nor is there such a gold mine in it.
Man proposes but God disposes. If some of us suffer more than others, our country on the whole has a lot to be thankful for. Let us help one another where we can.
Elizabeth Bobbett, Springfield, Kilbride, Wicklow.