The farming industry is going through unprecedented
times. On a national scale it feels like one issue after another. As soon as
you can get a grip on one another barges in on top of you.
Earlier this summer we had the massive kick in the
teeth that was the milk price saga. Then we saw a rise in rural crime rates,
with some farmers suffering so much and having so little faith in out police
forces, they didn’t even bother to report crime after it had happened.
Following that we have had just about the most
miserable harvest on record and finally we have had to endure the raw emotion
surrounding the tragic death of rugby star Nevin Spence, along with his brother
and father who succumbed to overexposure of slurry gasses. The NFU is working
its socks off in with advice and guidance on the issue but you cant help but
feel this industry is at present a little over whelmed.
Meanwhile, retailers are keeping very tight lipped on
weather they will boycott milk from diary farms involved in the pilot badger
cull. Passionate farmers and nervous retailers don’t mix well at the best of
times let alone when incorporating a massive political hot potato like this
one. And rest assured, the skin of such a carbohydrate overload will be just as
thick as our little black and white friends.
That combined with all the shenanigans that have
happened on this farm over the summer make for crazy times. I haven’t really
gone to town on the wider issues as the Ag. industry print media generally does
a good job on that front. But I can’t keep a lid on it for much longer so in
the pipeline there will be a dedicated blog on badger cull to come.
So to ease the tensions somewhat and thanks to some
great guidance I organised Farm Steak Fest! This will a great event to incorporate
the community into our farm, raise some cash, have a laugh with friends and
promote just what we are good at. As we will be putting on free Chinese crispy
beef classes. (I will give you a great
crispy beef recipe at the end of the blog to get you started).
But first………
You have maybe heard me refer to him as Fat Fuck
Farmer, maybe that Fat Bastard Farmer, but never as Matt – the owner of my farm. Today I want to introduce you to him.
We are going to do a Q & A about how he feels things in farming are going,
what he felt about the harvest and what he wants to get from steak fest!
Hey Matt, what
are your views on the farming at the moment?
Jock. I can’t believe we are doing this. You are such
a retard. I think its exciting times. Where others see adversity I see
opportunity. However, I am nicely in the driving seat as we run a massive farm
with many ventures – and characters. If I was in charge of a smaller outfit I
would be worried…
For now?
No for the future. Its costing a lot more to manage
livestock production and if you are in cereals its costing a lot more to buy
kit. However on the flip side the world population is growing at a tremendous
rate of knots and we have some of the best growing land on the planet.
We farm a lot of it too, so I am optimistic that
things will balance out. A lot of people round here can be quite negative and
approach things in the wrong way. I like
to challenge preconceptions and educate people in the process.
I like you have very black and white views on rural
crime – and I know that’s your bag.- with things like health and safety, I am more
about being pro-active, educating people on the dangers as a collective, coming
together to discuss issues – than I am about moaning over red tape.
How did
harvest go?
Shit. – next
Come on
now….
It started late, it finished late, yields were far
from great.. Any more chat about this and I will become extensively irate.
Just to let
everyone know – Matt is quite the poet – he has an English literature degree!
I didn’t over spend on contracting costs. I could of
easily got another combine in, but I would have needed operatives too. Drying
is costing enough and I bought the Class Lexion 770 for a reason and that
reason was its output. It did ok, but I may need and definitely want to go bigger…although
don’t we all I guess!
Erm, no….
We had the new Lexion 780 for half a day’s demo in
damp crop conditions and it was immense. So we shall see. Farming is not an
individual effort and I am very proud of the team we have. TGK and Cut n Paste
Wayne have done exceptionally well in being responsive to the weather
conditions and maximising their driving abilities. – As have the rest.
Why have
you sold out to Princess Cara?
She is about getting everyone fit and into shape. As
I have said I look to go forward together and she has let us come together as a
community and work out! Its not costing us anything and come Halloween – with a
properly organised event – it will be great. So chill the fuck out.
Hmm ok
then.
Farm Steak
Fest > talk to me:
You are such a dick. And I can say that to you
because you are one of my longest serving employees, but for heavens sake talk
about doing things on a whim! You are lucky that we could get the stock in
time. However, I think you have injected a diverse array of meaty treats into
this festival. I love a wondrous variety and I had started to think – what more
can you do with steak other than kill it, cook it and eat it? But you have
added some great creativity into it. Jerry will be amazing on the jury as he is
a masterful orator, Handsome James will deliver on high quality product and The
John Deere Dealer will be making cakes again… bonus!
…Fat cunt.
I think it will run well and do the farm a good turn.
And any more abuse from you and you will be straight out to pasture with the
horses. Fun times for you. Not.
…I’ll knock
you out
Right that’s it your getting a tartan head collar
Ok – thanks
for the banter Matt, - he’s a top bloke and a great boss. There are not many of
his type about and I genuinely like to see a farm being run his way.
So as we can see – if you are not careful in this
great sector, you can easily get bogged down in all the issues. It’s the same
with teachers, council workers, market traders and chimney sweeps. That’s why I
brighten up your week with the more social side of what goes on.
Any way down to business. Chinese crispy beef is the
name of the game and the game is well and truly in play!
This approach is juxtaposed to last week’s steak
session as we are focussing on some fast cook wonderment to get you fed quickly
after a hard days work!
If last week was long hall then this week is a fly
by! Take note my friends…
This is for 2 people and will take you ten minutes to
prepare and 7 minutes to cook
Ingredients:
2
eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp cornflour
150g beef (frying
steak), thinly sliced strips (0.5-1cm)
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
1
spring onion, shredded
1/2
garlic clove, chopped
1
red chilli, shredded
10g
sugar
2
tbsp white rice vinegar
2
tbsp sweet chilli sauce
Splash of light soy sauce
Method:
1. Combine the eggs, salt and corn flour then coat the beef strips.
2. Heat oil to 180c then deep-fry the beef strips, taking care to add them
to the wok one by one. Don't stir for approx. 10 seconds, then stir to ensure
the pieces don't stick together. Cook for approximately 6-7 minutes until brown
and crispy. Remove them and drain.
3. Using some of the oil from your frying, stir fry the spring onion,
garlic,chilli and carrot. Add the sugar, White Rice Vinegar, Sweet Chilli
Dipping Sauce and Light Soy Sauce and mix together. Finally, add the beef and
toss together.
In order to bring you such magical menu’s we have
worked hard through sour times. Throughout history we have excelled when times
got tough. We work faster, slicker and do more to keep the food coming to the
plate in this climate of cost. And we endure the negativity as we have a social
and spiritual connection to the land. Next weekend is Farm Steak Fest. You
are welcome to join me in celebrating all that’s good in farming!
Live updates on Twitter – www.twitter.com/jockthebull and a full write up in my next blog!
