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After many years of complaining about dry springs here in Sussex, I finally got my comeuppance this year, with March and April both delivering more than 100mm of rain.

One of our good friends once said to us: You should write a book on your farming life. This was mainly due to all our mishaps, bad luck and sometimes stupidity. So I suppose this column gives me the opportunity to keep a note of it all.

Heather Hancock is chair of trustees for The Princes Countryside Fund.

With thanks to the National Pig Association, its March magazine begs an important question or two about business psustainability™ for farmers in all livestock or crop sectors.

Legislation on pig contracts has come as welcome news for a sector which has faced a long, deep crisis, but Government must now deliver on the promises made if it is to claw back the confidence of producers.

James Rutter is the chief creative officer at frozen ready meal specialist COOK

As I look out at the picture-perfect snow covered fields, I’m thankful we’re not lambing for another three weeks.

I was always coming down to my grandparents’ farm in the school holidays and was always keen to take over the farm from Nan and Grandad one day.

Pubs are fantastic places: friendly locals, patient bar staff, an ear to chew, tasty food and tastier drink; the good ones tend to have all of these elements.

Five years ago this week, the Beast from the East held its icy grip on farms across the country, sheep were buried alive under many feet of snow, the thawing of frozen pipes became a daily task and isolated communities were cut off for days on end.