It’s usual that as the year draws to a close, I go through a list of who owes me money. All the bills from people I owe for various goods and services have to be paid so, not surprisingly, I look to see how much can I gather up as we approach Christmas. Top of the list is checking how the Department of Agriculture has performed.

The downward drift due to convergence continues but all the money has arrived safely in my account

This year, there were three separate payments. The first was the Basic Farm Payment including the greening element. This has all come. The downward drift due to convergence continues but all the money has arrived safely in my account.

The second element was the special protein payment on my beans – this was a welcome addition to a protein crop that yielded well – much better than in the shrivelled 2018 harvest and the price was also farther above barley than I expected, as was the payment, at roughly €150/acre.

The IT and logistical capacity of the Department in getting three totally different payments out on time should be acknowledged

The third department payment was the compensation for the Brexit-induced fall in beef prices. We were promised this would arrive before Christmas and this week, it has, though with the proviso that stock numbers are reduced by 5%.

The IT and logistical capacity of the Department in getting three totally different payments out on time should be acknowledged.

I also received, after what was a good harvest in yield terms, my seed wheat bonus but as usual I have left the collection of my wheaten straw money until Christmas week.

I foolishly negotiated a poor price for the valuable winter barley straw in early August

I have been selling the wheaten straw for the mushroom composting business to the same customer for years, so I am confident of a pre-Christmas cheque.

I foolishly negotiated a poor price for the valuable winter barley straw in early August before a national weather-induced shortage emerged, but at least the cheque has been safely lodged for some months.

As we face into Christmas, one of my nightmares is a storm or snow that knocks out the electricity. For peace of mind, I bought an inexpensive, small petrol-driven generator that will pump the water from the deep well to the cattle and the house.

On the land, at long last, the oats is beginning to peep above ground

I reckon we can survive without the full three-phase supply that we have. On the land, at long last, the oats is beginning to peep above ground, a full four weeks after we began sowing it on 17 November. We staggered the sowing over a few days and each day’s delay is very visible in the development of the plants.