Contractors call for realism from frenzied farmers amid hectic 2021
Contractors have called for realism and a “bit of understanding” from some farmers amid a particularly hectic 2021, with skilled drivers having enough of excessive pressure being put on them from some quarters.
Speaking to Agriland on the matter, Mike Moroney, CEO of the Association for Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI), outlined the situation as it currently stands.
Noting that operators are beginning to look elsewhere for work amid a mad rush from a minority of customers, Moroney explained:“This year it was particularly bad. That’s the message we were getting back from people, that there is an urgency to get work done that wouldn’t have been there before.“In some senses it’s not always realistic, particularly when it comes to short-notice baling for paddocks.
Noting that a lot of farmers seem to be “driven by the grass meters” the FCI CEO highlighted that this is creating a new level of panic out there.
“They’re involved in discussion groups – which is great – but the discussion groups then become part of the frenzy to get something done quickly.”
This, he explained, creates a competitive element among farmers which in turn is creating a panic and a phone call to “get up here and get the baling done quickly”, which is not helping matters.
Some drivers are “getting fed up of the pressure” associated with this, Moroney added, noting: “There’s quite a bit of that type of pressure in terms of impatience and wanting things done yesterday and ‘why is the work not being done?’”
