There has been much talk about whether the UK can go on its own without the rest of the EU. Nice thought, as we have spent much of the last few centuries at war with them. However, the time has come to accept that we need them as much as they need us.
We don't need to give up our sovereign right to govern the country and set our own taxes and laws, but we do need a sense of cooperation. How many of you could really farm without any subsidy and can we honestly say it makes sense to export our surplus grain to the other side of the world when we have a ready market just across the channel?
Back in the groove now on the farm after the Christmas break, hedge cutting and some ditch work are drawing to a close and Ian is ready to re-emerge from the workshop. I have had more than enough of pen or should that be mouse pushing in the office. So thoughts are turning to spring field work.
We have beans and later on our forage maize to establish. Also, as a first, we are trying some spring oats in the pursuit of the holy grail of spring crops. We have a contract in place and the variety Canyon selected. No doubt this topic will feature here again as the season progresses and if it all falls apart, I can hear the sounds of "I told you so" ringing in my ears already.
The truth of the matter is we need spring crops. They have a huge impact on grass weed control. In fields with blackgrass the effect is a large reduction in plants in the following winter crops. The difficulty is finding an economically viable option.
Farmer Focus: Simon Beddows
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