I've been wracking the brains over the last few weeks on how the BEAM problem is going to be overcome.

You have to reduce stock numbers by 5% from June for the next 12 months to avoid paying back money.

It’s against my nature to have to pay anything back, but reducing stock just goes against The Dealer’s adage for life: “One more cow, one more sow, one more acre under the plough.” Less just doesn’t have the same rhyme to it.

With calves at good value back in March, there was a spending spree and the place is full to the gills with stock. With beef prices rising, I’m holding on for more so don’t want to sell too early here either.

So after a lot of thought, there’s only one solution and that’s to get the other half a herd number. We’ll transfer a few stock out to herself for the 12 months and the job is oxo.

Just have to make sure that no stock are sold out of that herd number during the year. I’ll keep the cards I think.