Gerald Potterton

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Farmer Writes: are we happier today than people were in 1926?

Gerald Potterton's thoughts turn to the incredible progress in agriculture in the last 100 years.

FARMER WRITES 22 April 2026

Farmer Writes: are we happier today than people were in 1926?

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Farmer Writes: why astronauts have really flown to the moon

Farmer Writes: why astronauts have really flown to the moon

FARMER WRITES 8 April 2026

Farmer Writes: maybe I'll become a summer grazing farmer

Farmer Writes: maybe I'll become a summer grazing farmer

FARMER WRITES 25 March 2026

Farmer Writes: back out and working in the fields again

Farmer Writes: back out and working in the fields again

Farmer Writes: back out and working in the fields again

FARMER WRITES 11 March 2026

Farmer Writes: why virtual farming tours were best for me

Farmer Writes: why virtual farming tours were best for me

Farmer Writes: why virtual farming tours were best for me

FARMER WRITES 25 February 2026

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Farmer Writes: I've planted my own hare's corner

Farmer Writes: I've planted my own hare's corner

Undaunted, I decided to do my own thing without state aid and planted 800 trees in the new ‘garden’ or as we’ll call it now, the hare’s corner.

FARMER WRITES 19 November 2025

Farmer Writes: why many of our fields are no-till ready

Farmer Writes: why many of our fields are no-till ready

It is, on our heavy flat land, the principal reason why I like min-till; the good trafficability it provides, allied to the fact of how level the fields become when ploughing ceases.

FARMER WRITES 19 November 2025

Farmer Writes: as a tractor, I would be an ageing Fendt

Farmer Writes: as a tractor, I would be an ageing Fendt

Putting on my socks used to be something that I could do, without even thinking about it. Now it’s a big deal.

FARMER WRITES 19 November 2025

Farmer Writes: overindulging on looking back on the past

Farmer Writes: overindulging on looking back on the past

It’s not a good way to be, but I suspect most people who are prone to bouts of depression are similar.

FARMER WRITES 19 November 2025

Farmer Writes: three places very close to my heart

Farmer Writes: three places very close to my heart

Two are avowedly Christian and the third one has Pagan roots, but that was put right by a turbulent visit of none other than St Patrick.

FARMER WRITES 19 November 2025

Farmer Writes: a poke around someone else's farmyard

Farmer Writes: a poke around someone else's farmyard

But a dairy farmer in what passes for his workshop is like me in the lingerie section in Marks and Spencer – we’re both quickly passing through and very uncomfortable about the whole experience.

FARMER WRITES 19 November 2025

Farmer Writes: red tape could lead to a wipeout in farming

Farmer Writes: red tape could lead to a wipeout in farming

Between climate change and increasing regulation, farming is becoming a very tough business.

FARMER WRITES 19 November 2025

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