January will be gone in a blink of an eye. Already, the diary is filling up with National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) meetings, inspections, and the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) conference.

It’s a month I am always keen to get out the way as we wait for longer daylight hours to greet us again.

See also: Reasons to address farming succession grow stronger

About the author

Annabel Hamilton

Annabel Hamilton farms 1,030ha of arable in the Scottish Borders with her parents. The arable area grows 65% winter and 35% spring crops. She is Basis and Facts qualified and runs a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. The farm finishes more than 300 Limousin cattle a year.  Follow Annabel on Twitter @annabelhami11

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In early December we all attended a “First Aid at Work” course. I haven’t been on one for a few years, and I must admit I found it well updated and to the point.

It was a good use of time, and we now have a defibrillator installed on the farm – something I hope we will never have to use.

December was a tough month for our family as a week before Christmas we sadly lost my uncle to cancer – Stuart Maurice Gordon, a farmer and, in his heyday, keen agricultural engineer who was a very close family member and friend. He will be hugely missed by us all.

A family bereavement makes you realise how lucky you are to be surrounded by loved ones, but it also reiterates how important it is to have your affairs in order, especially when involving in a family business.

Last week the five of us sat down. Dad, Mum, Alisdair, myself and Rosie. I have two siblings, Alisdair who works in commercial accounts and Rosie, who is a technical officer for an agricultural merchant.

This family meeting was about asking the tough questions that arise when discussing wills, powers of attorney and other details.

Since I returned home, these discussions have become more frequent, and we now see it as an important part of moving forward and everyone being on the same page.

I am fortunate that my parents are forward thinking and don’t have their heads buried in the sand.

Unfortunately, there are too many examples of family farms which have fallen apart due to lack of communication when it comes to deaths in the family.

Farming succession relies on planning, transparency and communication. Don’t be afraid to ask the difficult questions, because if you don’t ask, you don’t get.