Íæż½ã½ã

I only started writing for Íæż½ã½ã 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.

I was incredibly lucky recently to be asked to attend the British Farming Awards as the ’plus one’ of my good friend Sheena Horner who was being recognised as the Íæż½ã½ã Farming Hero for 2021 (she had invited her husband first but he unfortunately couldn’t make it).

October started and ended dry and I cannot remember a kinder autumn than the one we are currently having. I am sure at some point the weather will turn for the worst and test us, but for now long may it continue.