After three and a half years as a contract shepherdess, I have recently taken on the role as farm manager at Lazonby Estates in Cumbria, England.

As a 24-year-old female and first generation farmer it’s been an exciting and overwhelming first couple of weeks.

I’m settling into my new role, the increase in responsibilities, and getting to grips with the land, agreements and agistments (renting of pasture out for grazing).

We are farming just over 1,000 acres in hand on the estate, where we have our own flock of ewes and pedigree Texels and are hoping to expand our flock over the next few years.

We also winter and summer sheep and cattle, with a small proportion of animal grazing crops, so it is giving me mixed and varied opportunities.

We are currently on a May lambing system, lambing outside with North England Mules crossed with Texels and Suffolks.

The last couple of weeks have been preparation for lambing, vaccinating and bolusing as we are cobalt-deficient here.

All the ewes have been body condition scored and drafted off accordingly to ensure the correct diet prior to lambing. The ewes have been housed and fed on top-quality haylage only since January and are in fantastic condition for lambing, which is a great position to be in. The ewes will now be set stocked for lambing and, once lambing finishes, they will be put on to a more intense rotational grazing system.

Looking at the broader agricultural scene, I think the biggest thing lingering over most farmers in the UK is of course Brexit and the impact it may have on our industry.

We are all aware there is a bumpy and uncertain road ahead and I personally believe it is our own responsibility to make sure our businesses and livelihoods are as prepared and protected as possible.

It will unquestionably be a challenge. However, here at the estate we are taking steps forward to ensure we are as productive as possible and therefore as efficient as we can be.

We are cutting costs, assessing our management systems and budgets to become as self-sufficient as possible. None of us can afford to solely rely on that brown envelope anymore.

Of course Brexit may also open many doors for our industry, which will be exciting and potentially prosperous, we’ll just have to wait and see.

I’ve always had a massive passion and love for animals and the outdoors, and agriculture combines the two together perfectly for me.

I never feel like I’m going to work and I don’t dread Mondays or live for the weekends.

It’s always been instilled in me to reach for what you want with both hands and don’t stop till you get there. So the combination of that, my stubbornness and my determination keeps me motivated and committed to succeed.