In your field

I am writing this on January 1, so Blwyddyn Newydd Dda pawb (happy new year all). May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door. Lang may yer lum reek (long may your chimney smoke).

Winter might have been a bit late in coming this year – here in the Scottish Borders the grass was still growing in November – but when it did it definitely came with a bang, or should I say storm.

I only started writing for Farmers Guardian this year after ‘Editor Ben’ [Briggs], as he is now known in our house, rang and asked if I could deliver positive, humorous and light-hearted family farming stories. I said yes, knowing my wonderfully weird family could provide me with content in telehandler-sized bucketfuls.

Keeping in line with the weather throughout 2021, November was incredibly kind to us and allowed us to get finished with lifting, cultivating and drilling in good time.

As we approach the Christmas period at a fairly rapid pace the order book for the butchery is looking very healthy.

We are now well into winter and have settled into a nice routine, with Isobel and I taking turns on feeding and checking cows.

I had to go over to a nearby market town, running a couple of errands. It happens to also be the town I grew up in.

When it comes to weather, things usually average out if you wait long enough.

For many years now we have run seasonal, rural courses on-farm. They are very down to earth, with lots of learning, plenty of laughs and limited numbers to ensure a hands-on experience and make sure everyone can fit around the kitchen table.

As I type, November is all but over and we have been very grateful for the kind autumn. Grass growth has meant one herd was still grazing into the third week of the month. That said, feeding of winter diet was close to 100 per cent.