Farmer focus, livestock: Victor Chestnutt is excited by the prospect of more bodies to feed

I put pen to paper at the end of our most challenging winter day. With sub-zero temperatures, our farm lanes are solid ice covered with six inches of snow – making feeding livestock a huge challenge. Tractors and loading shovels seems to be stubborn to start in the morning and have a mind of their own, as they slip and slide around the yard, and this is not helped by the fact our yard is on a slope.

The Northern Ireland Modernisation Programme has seen its second branch released with a vast over-subscription from farmers wishing to avail from the 40% grant of a maximum of £4000 for eligible items.

I can’t help feeling the grant schemes of yesteryear were more efficient at drawing down government money, and the results could be seen on almost every farm in the countryside rather than fancy booklets for each part of every scheme.

As we approach 2011, there is much to be excited about with the world population rising, an increasing profile of food, and an inexhaustible demand for energy.

No doubt the New Year will see increased debates on the shape of CAP post-2013. I for one would advocate that support is directed at those who farm the land with a minimum amount of food produced for every hectare being the qualifying criteria.