I know it’s preaching to the converted, but the amount of bad publicity and press being aimed at farmers and agriculture just now is getting beyond a joke.

The livestock sector is under continual bombardment – from biased television programmes, social media, to demonstrations outside abattoirs, farmers are an easy target. We are apparently to blame for much of the environmental issues facing the world today.

The arguments used are often riddled with misinformation, half-truths and downright lies. I don’t propose to be an expert in any of the debates but I am continually amazed at the amount of “armchair experts” that appear out of the woodwork, and scientists who argue their points when I know they are only telling half the story.

I do think sometimes they are more to be pitied than scorned and we should carry on producing a quality product that is wanted both nationally and internationally.

Perhaps there is some hidden agenda we are currently unaware of

It’s maybe cynical to say, but I feel this farmer-bashing is to divert attention away from the main contributors to so called greenhouse gas emissions, which are the transport sector, general industry and power generation.

Perhaps there is some hidden agenda we are currently unaware of. Agriculture is responsible for less than 10% of these emissions, while the other three listed account for almost 75%.

Grassland is a very good sequester of carbon

It would be wrong to ignore the protesters, but rather than get embroiled in petty point-scoring arguments, we should try to promote and highlight the benefits of what we produce and the methods we use to do this.

Grassland is a very good sequester of carbon, and by grazing livestock on it, we also produce a quality food source. Effective grazing improves the soil structure and its health.

The benefits of grazing are easily seen in hill farming areas. Hill land where sheep have been removed are now wilderness areas of scrub that are difficult to even walk through. Grazing encourages the grass to develop a good root structure binding the soil. Steep ground suffers from erosion and landslides because it is not being grazed.

In general, British farming practices and methods are tried and tested, and are a good way of maintaining the countryside

The problem of landslides on the “Rest and Be Thankful” road in Agyllshire is a good example of this.

In general, British farming practices and methods are tried and tested, and are a good way of maintaining the countryside so it is there for everyone to enjoy. As farmers, we want to continue doing what we do best without unnecessary or unwanted interruptions.

On farm

Right now we are gathering to get tups back in. If they’ve done their job, the ewes will lamb in April/May giving us a crop to sell from next autumn through until next spring.

The last three months have been very wet, but temperatures have been higher than normal, which has meant more grass is available for longer. Hill ewes are in very good condition.

We have recently taken on another farm

We have had a few calves born this month, including one set of twins, but the bulk of the cows start calving next month.

We have recently taken on another farm next door to Duncroisk and along with another 700 ewes, there are 35 out-wintered cows that will be calving outside.

The system has worked well for this farm in the past. Springtime will be interesting to say the least.

Haulage

Our haulage enterprise has been fairly busy since Christmas.

However, normally we are flat out with fertiliser deliveries but merchants are finding farmers are slow to place their orders. This can only mean a huge bottleneck in the spring.

The haulage capacity is simply not there to ensure product is delivered on farm in time.

Product availability will also become an issue, and I can foresee a lot of angry phone calls, but we will just have to cope with the problems as they arise.

Read more

Get climate change science right, farmers demand

Methane needs to be treated differently – Mitloehner