Ruth Kimber’s Farmer’s Diary

March already! Farmers are getting itchy feet, desperate to start spring work, land condition is key.

We farm mostly clay and must be careful not to damage the soil. Some manure has already been spread and a little fertiliser. Fences must be checked before we let animals out, it’s surprising how much a winter blast can damage fences. We are hoping for an early spring, the grass is growing and the price of concentrate feed has risen sharply, so the sooner we can feed grass the better.

The dreaded TB test is this week, always worrying, a Somerset farmer friend has just had 41 dairy cows test positive, they have been taken for slaughter. They will now face a long road of frequent testing, fears of further animal losses, more restrictions on movements and not being able to replace the milkers. The emotional and financial stress is huge.

The verges along our lanes are spoilt with litter, mostly fast- food containers, drink cans and plastic bottles, not helped by another fast food take away opening locally. Many people collect discarded litter from the verges all year round but it’s easier now, before the spring growth. If only more people did this, it would make a real difference.

Why are we still using so much plastic?
The NFU had its annual conference online this year, one of the topics was Rural Crime. I was surprised to learn many crimes are not reported and those that are, often don’t get allocated to ‘Rural Crime’ so a tractor may be recorded as a vehicle! Funds are allocated according to the perceived need, backed up by crime numbers, please report all crimes, thefts etc. to obtain that all important Rural Crime Number, then funds will follow and help in the fight against crime in the countryside. Another issue; fly tipping, this is a really big problem; if rubbish is discarded on private land, it becomes the legal responsibility of the property owner, how can that be just? If you witness fly tipping please take note of vehicle details and report it.

On ‘Public funds for Public Goods’, still no detail of the new scheme is forthcoming.
The Indian government is proposing to change the way their farmers are paid, and allow them to deal directly with the buyers. Their government has tried to sell this notion as a positive, however with the millions of small individual farmers pitched against multi nation giants, they fear for their future. UK Indians are backing their farmers and sending finances and political support to them.

I see some parallels with our own struggle, dairy products selling to supermarkets, they produce the contracts, decide the Ts&Cs and PRICE. Thecountrysideisburstinginto life, snowdrops, celandines, primroses, and more, bluebell shoots are inches high already. Oh, to be in England!

Kimber’s Farm Shop BA9 8HD, B3081 Wincanton Racecourse Road.

kimbersfarmshop.co.uk

Tel: 0196333177

Open: Tues-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm

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