Tools

Britain's agricultural industry employs about 669,000 people divided almost equally between farmers and farm workers. This amounts to about one worker per 80 acres and each is supported by tens of thousands of pounds of capital investment. The rural resettlement movement is likely to involve a very different approach to working the land; working smaller acreages, probably less involved with industry in respect of grants, technology, chemical aids and marketing, and will demand a very different tool kit.

Capital investment in tools will depend on the acreage and the crops. Typically £1,000 will be invested per 10-30 acres holding. 5 h.p. rotovators are exhausting to work on more than a few acres of easily worked land and they would have to be worked hard to return the investment of about £200. There are single axle, 2-wheel tractors which are imported and with basic implements cost about £1,000, but 20-25 h.p. tractors, also imported, will cost about £2,500. The smallest tractor now made in this country is 35 h.p. and the demand for older, smaller machines has grown with the self-sufficiency movement, making it increasingly difficult to find a machine in reasonable condition for less than £400. The best known post-war tractor which is commonly available is the Ferguson TE20 (production stopped in 1957). These were extremely well engineered and some may still be used without a major over-haul.

The next requirement is for implements. These are relatively cheap, a two-furrow plough or a simple cultivator or finger-bar mower suitable for small tractors fetch between £50 - £100 each. Equipping a 10-30 acre holding through farm sales, second-hand dealers and small advertisements should cost about £1,000, but also requires time and expertise. Building up your tool kit over time will allow you to match the tools to the holding and incorporate the tools and advice which may become available locally.

									A year's supply of fuel for the 'Fergy' (Ferguson TE20) will cost about £60 at about 50p per gallon of agricultural diesel. These tractors are sturdy and suffer less from mechanical failure or rust than family saloons of half their age. The recondition-ing of old tractors or fitting roll-over bars to satisfy new safety regulations would be a worthwhile job for trained mech-anics and those small tractors which can be saved will have a valuable role to play on today's small-holdings. This applies to other tools appropriate to small-scale farming where there could be work opportunities in repairing, designing and manu-facturing.

There are books available which deal with the practical skills of working the land but most apply to hand tools for the back garden and to small-scale agriculture using draught horses. Horses are expensive to buy, feed, train and to keep in good health. Competition from antique dealers has inflated the price of implements and although neighbours and garages can help with mechanical fail-ures you are likely to be saddled with many problems with a working horse when they arise.

Capital investment is a major problem, especially for those intending to give up a career for a less secure and more rewarding life in the country. Fencing and buildings will be other major items on the shopping list which will have to meet the particular requirements of the holding. It may be good tactics, storage space permitting, to invest now in tools for field, garden and workshop and in the skills required for their maintenance.

The farming industry has a poor record in respect of injury to workers and to those straying into the farmyard. If you are going to be fair to your family and friends, close attention to safety aspects should be a priority when you buy equipment.