Lew Peters, of Bittaford Wood, Ivybridge, writes: In answer to the letter entitled Turbines threat to the economy, Gazette, June 6, Catherine Langham displays a lack of awareness of the current problems facing Devon's dairy farmers. I worked on a mixed farm of under 300 acres milking under 50 cows of Fresian and Guernsey breeds, in 1970. The farm employed four workers. I gained a diploma in agriculture at Seale Hayne college , and, so feel I am qualified to comment on the subject. The days of moderate-sized, mixed farms being economically viable without drastic changes are gone. Since that time, the market has changed . UK and European authorities and supermarkets have been major drivers for this change, plus the consumer desire to pay less for dairy products. Over the years, due to these factors, the return on milk production has dropped dramatically, such that many farmers have reduced milk production and even more have shut up shop completely. The only way to make any money for the paltry payments for milk is to increase the herd size, reduce the labour force and automate – hence the rise of 100-plus herds milked in robotic milking parlours, by one or two staff. Considering the sky-high power costs , I am not surprised enterprising farmers wish to install wind turbines or solar panels to save money on energy. Good for them. On the subject of electricity supply in general, we simply have to get real and tolerate all forms of electricity generation if we are to keep the lights on in the next decade. From some of the comments aired in this newspaper over the recent years, some people seem to adopt the small-minded 'little Englander' view. We face a power generation – and for that matter refuse disposal – crisis, so we need to wake up and smell the coffee.