David's Digest

Driving round the farm the other morning to check how the rape was doing (and whether predatory pigeons are still after it) I passed through a sharp shower. As it cleared, there ahead was one of the most beautiful rainbows I have ever seen. It was sharply defined against the dark cloud beyond and its spectrum of colours were spectacular.

I wished I'd had a camera with me - or perhaps a spade. For one end of it came to earth in the middle of the rape field. Did that indicate a pot of gold as I was told as a child? Of course not. But the crop certainly has more promise of profit than for several years as prices for next year hold steady so there is reason for some optimism.

Further on I disturbed three roe deer grazing a wheat stubble. We've seen more deer on the farm in the last twelve months than ever before. They had done extensive damage to cereal crops that was clear from the combine seat. Moreover we've arranged for a friend who is fully licensed to do so to thin out the population this autumn.

But the build-up of the wild deer population across southern Britain must create the possibility of uncontrollable foci of F&M and/or Blue Tongue. Don't get me wrong. I love to see a few deer about the place. But they are not all good news and I for one would advocate converting some of them into venison.