Blogs

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.

It is the season of school nativity plays – Covid-19 permitting – and I listen to the strains of Away In A Manger sung by some angelic voices and some rather discordant reedy voices.

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.

Last week I visited farmers in Northumberland to see for myself the devastation caused by Storm Arwen on farms across the North.

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.

Autumn has been kind in Cornwall; prices have been good and tourism has been spectacular, so we should be cruising to Christmas with optimism and happiness.

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.