As I write we are getting through the best winter and spring I think we will ever see. It is a big contrast to last year and just brings firmly home that the reason for success (or failure) of any farming venture is down to the weather and the environment it creates.
The other big positive is that the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) ‘loan’ payments have come in for both our farms, so the bank balance for the moment looks relatively healthy.
But it is a poor state of affairs when the Government still cannot get its act together and develop a computer system to allow farmers to be paid quickly and efficiently.
It is strange that Government officials can make mistakes without a penalty, but farmers cannot.
Processors and end buyers are pushing down the price paid for fat cattle and lamb while production costs are rising
On the subject of bank balance, it is difficult to see a rosy future for livestock production in hill farming areas in the current economic climate.
Processors and end buyers are pushing down the price paid for fat cattle and lamb while production costs are rising.
Feed costs are up by £50/t, hay and straw prices are up by 20%, fertiliser is up by £40/t while calf prices are back £150/head, and lamb prices could be 10-15% down on last year.
As farmers, we cannot carry on with this state of affairs. There is no spare capital to invest in improvements or upgrades.
While we all have to try to remain positive for the future, it is difficult when looking at bank balances
Like many others, we have machinery to replace, fences to maintain, buildings to upgrade, but are unable to do so. It is only the fact that interest rates are still low that farmers are able to continue.
While we all have to try to remain positive for the future, it is difficult when looking at bank balances.
But I do think things will improve at some point. People have to eat and we deliver a quality product.
Unfortunately, at the moment people have their priorities a bit askew and food is always there and affordable.
Scanned
We scanned our ewes a couple of weeks ago and the results are a bit lower than normal, but by no means poor.
By lambing time last year our sheep looked like the walking dead
Although there are fewer twins, there are fewer barren ewes and overall the ewes are in very good heart and condition.
By lambing time last year our sheep looked like the walking dead. This year, it’s a pleasure working with sheep and a joy gathering on the hill seeing the ewes running in well.
On a hill farm we have to work with the vagaries of mother nature. I’ll be quite happy if by marking time most of the ewes go back to the hill with one good lamb following each of them.
Vaccinate
We are about a month off lambing and are currently gathering to vaccinate the ewes and the lambs they’re carrying against pneumonia and clostridial diseases.
We also keep in those scanned with twins, as well as those due to produce tups to sell and for us to use for breeding next year.
The singles are put back to the hill to lamb.
Calving
The cows are in the middle of spring calving. We got off to a bad start with a few issues and cows not getting back on their feet after calving.
We were concerned the cows were lacking minerals, so we undertook blood tests, etc, however the results that came back did not highlight any issues.
We are at a loss to know what the problem was. It seems to have resolved itself and calving is now going along quite well.