As a farmer I have always felt we are "damned if we do damned if we don't " We could do with more farmers like Oliver right now, especially after Brexiting. The Ag/chem man was clearly squirming, his body language was really saying Oliver is right but we need to protect our hefty margin with smoking mirrors and waffle. These old farming diary programs are such a great insight on the past , most enjoyable.
'Couldn't agree more... I remember watching this episode with my dad when it went out in 1981 (then as an agricultural student) and he was shouting some very nasty things about Reg Norman (who funnily enough I was to meet later many times as a distributor's agronomist). 40 years later and I'm now an arable farmer again and I can see both sides of the argument... Reg was totally correct about the formulation differences but in this case I doubt one would see any practical differences in weed control or crop tolerance in the UK field. These days however label is King and woe betide anyone who applies the wrong label to the wrong crop...although hands up anyone that knows someone who's been prosecuted for this misdemeanour?? David kept referring to "agricultural experts" and "some people" which was his way of saying "Oliver and I think...", which was a bit weak to be honest. Reg conducted the entire interview with his eyes half or fully closed...always a sure sign of some absolute bloaters coming up! These days a bloke like this would've had some media training before appearing on the TV. Health and Safety is now king...granules and liquids in the same bulk compartment, un-tied down? Food and wine in with the hazardous chemicals? An aluminium ladder used to prop up tailgate? Clearly we lived life on the edge in the 80s! Of course now we have Red Tractor inspections, RPA inspections, EA inspections, branded products, generic products and parallel products (nearly) all with transparent provenances, so we can assess the risks and buy what we like. Personally I buy good generics and only the branded products when they're exclusive and you can't get them from anywhere else. Er, these days we do have a modern day Oliver Walston. He's called Jeremy Clarkson and the townies just love him.
I remember these programmes first time around. and in late eighties & early nineties we used CB radios until we switched to two way. Should these informative programmes be re run? However we now have UA-cam and many are making use of this media
As a farmer I have always felt we are "damned if we do damned if we don't " We could do with more farmers like Oliver right now, especially after Brexiting. The Ag/chem man was clearly squirming, his body language was really saying Oliver is right but we need to protect our hefty margin with smoking mirrors and waffle. These old farming diary programs are such a great insight on the past , most enjoyable.
'Couldn't agree more...
I remember watching this episode with my dad when it went out in 1981 (then as an agricultural student) and he was shouting some very nasty things about Reg Norman (who funnily enough I was to meet later many times as a distributor's agronomist).
40 years later and I'm now an arable farmer again and I can see both sides of the argument...
Reg was totally correct about the formulation differences but in this case I doubt one would see any practical differences in weed control or crop tolerance in the UK field. These days however label is King and woe betide anyone who applies the wrong label to the wrong crop...although hands up anyone that knows someone who's been prosecuted for this misdemeanour??
David kept referring to "agricultural experts" and "some people" which was his way of saying "Oliver and I think...", which was a bit weak to be honest.
Reg conducted the entire interview with his eyes half or fully closed...always a sure sign of some absolute bloaters coming up! These days a bloke like this would've had some media training before appearing on the TV.
Health and Safety is now king...granules and liquids in the same bulk compartment, un-tied down? Food and wine in with the hazardous chemicals? An aluminium ladder used to prop up tailgate? Clearly we lived life on the edge in the 80s!
Of course now we have Red Tractor inspections, RPA inspections, EA inspections, branded products, generic products and parallel products (nearly) all with transparent provenances, so we can assess the risks and buy what we like.
Personally I buy good generics and only the branded products when they're exclusive and you can't get them from anywhere else.
Er, these days we do have a modern day Oliver Walston. He's called Jeremy Clarkson and the townies just love him.
Is Oliver your dad. ? Love this thanks for uploading
Brilliant old video’s , takes me back to the 80’s working for a contracting company covering Kent Sussex and Surrey. Thank you
I remember these programmes first time around. and in late eighties & early nineties we used CB radios until we switched to two way. Should these informative programmes be re run? However we now have UA-cam and many are making use of this media
At least he was a few years early on "The pride of free enterprise" before it rolled on its side in Zebrugge.
That was “The Herald of Free Enterprise”
That fella Reg looked very uncomfortable, he knew they were ripping off the British farmers!
Definitely he was willing to say its a different formula but now why or how it's different
Just love there old videos , thanks for uploading David.
The driving soundtrack is very good.
Is Oliver still alive ?
Yes, I believe so.