First time shooting is fast approaching

OK so I’ve decided if I actually plan on shooting my Christmas goose, I should probably start trying now.  As Christmas is fast approaching, I’ve been in denial about the task ahead.  But, Friday is the day and I’m going to give it a go.  Have to say, I’m pretty scared at the prospect of shooting a gun for the first time but surely it can’t be that hard?  Hmm we’ll see!  I’ll keep my fingers-crossed that it won’t be raining – don’t really fancy sitting out in the rain waiting for some geese and most likely failing to shoot or shoot anywhere near one of them.  Watch this space.. I’ll be sure to write an epic after Friday’s ordeal.

p.s. does anyone know any good recipes for goose at Christmas time?  (wishful thinking perhaps but I should probably consider how I’m going to cook the quacking bird!)

Shoot it, Kill it, Eat it – Preparation

IN my quest for a better understanding of vegetarianism and some curiosity into why people go hunting, I have decided to attempt some kind of ‘Shoot it, Kill it, Eat it’ when I go back to Lewis for the Christmas holidays.  It would be an understatement to say I am pro-meat and baffled by the vegetarian diet.  But, all the recent rallying for diet change to help save the planet has got me thinking about eating meat and whether it is really that bad or is it worth it.  In an attempt to understand the process of eating meat, I’ve decided to go out shooting with my Dad and see how I feel eating some meat which I have killed and cooked for myself.  Will it put me off or will I at least have an understanding of why some people don’t eat meat?

I realise that shooting something is going to be a task in itself, firstly I have to learn how to fire a shotgun (this part kind of scares me), and then I actually have to hit my target which will hopefully not take longer than the three weeks holiday I’m having at home.  My chosen target will be a greylag goose, as my father goes out shooting them regularly due to their over-population and general nusiance on the farm.  I’m also interested to see how Bob the dog goes to fetch the geese once they’ve been shot. 

So how does one prepare for her first time shooting?  Surely a shopping trip is in order, although I’m certainly not going to appear in all that tweed gear.  Let’s fact it, Stornoway is going to be cold, wet and windy so maybe some thermals would help?  I’ll ask my Dad, although I’m pretty sure he’s just going to laugh at me.  Here’s hoping this idea will be a success, otherwise I’m going to have to resort to a ‘Catch it, Kill it, Eat it’ for a fish – but somehow that just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

The Independent

My fish-farming article

HERE’S a link to my first proper published farming-related article.  I must say the amount of research I did for it was a bit obscene – I should really be writing a presentation on the environmental implications of fish-farming not my Journalism in Context scenario.  The story behind the article is as follows – my father who is an avid angler told me about the uproar amongst the wee fishermen in Stornoway over Lighthouse Caledonia’s plans for new fish-farm sites.  At first I thought, yeah what’s the big deal?  But now it makes sense that the intensive methods of fish-farming are damaging to the wild fish so here’s hoping the planning for the new sites doesn’t get granted. 

The Article.

Supermarkets in the firing line

SUPERMARKET GIANTS such as Asda and Tesco are in the firing line following an attack by farm leaders.  A recent survey suggests a decline in home-produced meat in stores.  The survey carried out by the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) showed Tesco and Asda as stocking foreign lamb.  This is in stark contrast to other retailers such as Morrisons who stock 100% British meat.  NFU Livestock Board Chairman, Alistair Mackintosh, said: 

“I think it is unacceptable that major retailers are placing foreign lamb on the shelves during the autumn months when domestic supply is plentiful. It is also disappointing to see the level of foreign beef stocked on the shelves of both Asda and Sainsbury’s.”

This definitely highlights why a supermarket ombudsman is needed in Britain; the farming industry will continue to be exploited and unsupported until action is taken to ensure a good working relationship between retailers and producers.

Farmers Guardian

Supermarket Ombudsman

Farmers set to rely more and more on single farm payments

HSBC BANK has predicted a bleak financial future for farmers.  They have said that 2010 will bring higher farm costs, meaning farmers will be relying more and more on the single farm payments, to break even.   The information published in HSBC’s latest Forward Planning Booklet, suggested that the production of food could no longer be profitable. 

“This should really be a message as much for consumers and policy makers as it is for farmers – how long can or should the production of food in the UK be expected to be undertaken at a loss?” HSBC head of agriculture, Pat Tomlinson

Perhaps now some action can be taken against corporate organisations and supermarket giants, driving the price of food down while making soaring profits for themselves. 

Farmer’s Guardian

Farmer’s Weekly

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