Alister Davies started farming sheep in much the same way as anyone else. But then he had an epiphany, transformed nutrition, grassland management and daily liveweight gain, and this year had sold every lamb with U and R grades before the end of June.

When we were in lockdown, one of the key challenges for our agritourism business and for others was not knowing how long the lockdown would last.

Well, as per usual, July has flown by. All silage is baled and although it has been a catchy and frustrating time, we have ended up with plenty of decent crop.

Calves from the 320-head British Friesian herd at Thornington Farm continue as the farm’s own heifer replacements, go for dairy beef or to other suckler herds.

We are only a few months into our venture and after setting up the milk hut in a morning, I get on with my regular farm jobs, such as calf feeding and the like.

We had a bit of excitement in the garden last week. I had a text from my wife to phone the local farmer after she heard a moo which sounded too close. It was, and 75 cows and their calves had got out and were walking down the street.

Harriet Lyon, 19, from North Yorkshire is about to embark on her second year at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Here she shares her latest blog with us on what life as an agricultural student is like, in a somewhat different year to what was expected.

As I write this article on July 16, I am delighted to report that the MacLeod family managed to fit in a ‘staycation’ having just returned from a four-day trip to Wester Ross and a stay in my uncle’s chalet. 

Nearing the end of an extraordinary season, we can count ourselves lucky Covid-19 has affected our working lives much less than many. But then again, we have the weather to contend with.

Edward Dungait, 27, from Morpeth, Northumberland, is an arable farmer and owns 263 hectares (650 acres) of land under Farm Business Tenancy and the Agricultural Holdings Act in partnership with his parents. He is also the current National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs vice-chairman of council.