Listening to Phil Hogan mapping out the future of farming for the EU’s remaining countries at a conference in Edinburgh this week seemed a bit like Groundhog Day. Once again, the focus was on environmental outcomes, encouraging efficiency and delivering public goods: all aspirations of the previous reform, which resulted in Greening, advisory services and agri-environment schemes.

There is to be a continued drive to lower the average age of farmers; whether that’s on paper or in the field, remains to be seen. Plus the EU Commission wants forestry and farming to play their part in tackling climate change.

However, the EU is not built for radical overhauls, with change made incrementally by strained and lengthy negotiations. Like previous reforms, it’s likely to boil down to minimising redistribution of support to prevent different member states from complaining too much.

Speaking to senior Commission advisors, what they don’t mention is the system will still focus large chunks of direct revenue funding into farms based on how many hectares they can put on their single application form – with a few tweaks through capping of big payments or front-loading for smaller farmers.

One of the massive battlegrounds will be on production-linked payments between the pro-coupling eastern countries and the market-driven northern EU members.

However, public discourse will veer away from direct payments and coupled schemes towards environmental payments, tackling climate change and cutting payments to “fat-cat” farmers.

In sharp contrast, the UK will debate its future farm support within the glaring eye of the public.

Politicians may talk about offering an anchor of support by retaining payments to farmers – and even running a system in line with European rules in the short term – but the reality is the farming budget will only ever be a general election away from drastic changes.

Expect the farming budget to be mentioned far more frequently on Thursday’s Question Time and to crop up in political flyers: size and spending will need to deliver votes. Unlike the past when it was forced, six years at a time, upon the UK by Brussels bureaucrats, rural policy will be under public scrutiny like never before.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The public has a special place for farmers, even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes. Retailer shelves have significant amounts of British product on the shelves; we wouldn’t see the newer Lidl and Aldi chains backing British if it wasn’t a brand that worked.

There is also real interest in where food comes from, whether it’s current Channel 5 series, Springtime on the Farm, This farming life or Jimmy’s food factory, consumers like to know where their food comes from and learn more about the people who produce it.

So the stage is set for the industry to re-engage with the public to ensure sensible funding and schemes are devised and keep the nation fed and countryside looked after.

Check your fodder and straw stocks

It’s vital we all check our fodder and straw stocks, particularly those who may have an abundance. The price of fodder and straw will plummet once grass starts to grow, so excess should be sold now.

Farmers who struggled to make enough feed last year are in dire straits, so if you are sitting on silage that you won’t be using then consider selling it on. RSABI are receiving more working farmers than ever before contacting them with issues.

Prices have jumped up for feed and straw as farmers look to cover themselves for a late spring. So hopefully this pulls excess onto the market, evening out supply and demand. So this weekend, count out your bales of straw or silage – and if you think you have enough to cover yourself until turnout, then call your mart, merchant or machinery ring to arrange a sale.