Farm Life

A weekend of heavy rainfall and strong winds following the tail end of Hurricane Zeta has seen farmland ravaged by flooding.

Avian Influenza has been confirmed at a small commercial premises near Deal in Kent today

This week, I want to talk about something which has been in the back of my mind for quite some time, even more so since I started farming in my own right and probably since I grew up on a farm where my desire to be like my father and uncle first started.

Not only do I trade on farmers’ markets, I am a director of the community interest company which runs our village market.

Well, the back end of the year is definitely here and it is cold and wet. We are currently trying to finish off tailing and dipping the ewes, but the weather here is playing havoc with our plans by bringing what must be the wettest stretch we have seen since February.

Being innovative and facing change head on has been central to success for Leicestershire arable farmers Leigh and Donya Donger. Clemmie Gleeson reports.

Last week saw the return of the British Farming Awards (BFAs). And while there may not have been close to 800 people meeting face to face at a glittering ceremony, the importance and reach of the awards may have been greater this year than ever before.

Catherine Hynd, 27, is from Jedburgh, Scottish Borders. She graduated from Heriot-Watt University with a degree in business management and is working towards becoming a rural bookkeeper.

Farmers have been urged to take extra caution when operating machinery and driving on roads following industry concerns about darker nights and reduced visibility.