They don't let me lose on tractors much these days. But when the pressure is on and there are urgent jobs to do I'm pleased to oblige. The younger generation sometimes seem surprised that I know how to drive and that I quite enjoy it.
The other morning I was allowed to Cambridge roll a field of newly drilled oil seed rape. It had been min-tilled and it was important to consolidate the soil around the seed to preserve enough moisture for germination (yes, even after the wet summer) and to help frustrate predatory slugs whose numbers are said to have doubled this year.
What I didn't expect as I set off around the perimeter was an infestation of rats. I must have disturbed dozens, some as big as cats as well as several young. They were presumably looking for wheat grains left behind the combine and still near the surface after shallow cultivation. They scurried to the hedge where I presumed their holes were as I passed.
I don't ever remember seeing as many rats on arable fields at this time of year. I can only assume their survival rate through last winter was high because it was so mild and that the wet summer caused them fewer problems that it did us. Whatever the reason it's clear that as soon as the food on the fields runs out and/or the weather turns chilly, those blighters will head for the grainstore in the farmyard.
Note to self: get stock of rat poison ready for when that happens.