Farmer Focus: Harry adds to the positive outlook

What an October it has been. With all the current financial and political gloom surrounding British agriculture, I thought readers might welcome a little positivity.

The weather this autumn in Norfolk has been the kindest we’ve had for as long as I can remember, making planting crops a pleasure.

No driving around looking for a dry enough seed-bed to go at, or checking the weather app every few hours, like in recent years.

See also: Crop Watch: How a new herbicide fits in weed control plans

About the author

Robert Scott

Robert Scott farms 1,450ha of arable in mid-west Norfolk for seven different landowners. He grows combinable crops and sugar beet together with cover crops, grass leys and extensive countryside stewardship schemes. He also finishes 2,000 lambs a year. robert@thscottandson.co.uk Instagram: @thscottandson

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All our planned cereals and grass were planted by 11 October.

We then established a further 70ha of winter wheat after harvesting coriander and early-lifted sugar beet, followed by a gentle rain on 19 October.

A crop well sown is a crop half grown, as they say.

Pre-emergence plans have been carried out in good conditions, and we’ve already started on the winter jobs list.

The mild weather has kept the grass growing, hopefully in time to flush our ever-expanding flock of ewes.

The cover crops and turnips have also pushed on strongly ahead of winter.

Like many in the east of England, I’m very happy with how the farm is looking.

The cherry on top this month was the arrival of our son, Harry, on Tuesday 14 October.

His timing was perfect, allowing me a fortnight at home with him and my wife, Flo, without worrying about the farm.

Harry was born at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where the maternity staff were simply superb. Everyone we met showed real dedication, professionalism and kindness.

It’s hard not to draw parallels between them and the farming community – both filled with stoic individuals quietly getting their jobs done to keep the country running, while policy, taxation and politics inadvertently spoil it all.

Still, I’m optimistic about the future. Farming goes in cycles, and perhaps now the only way is up.

If Harry decides to take on the farming mantle one day, I hope that by then primary food production will be truly valued by society.

Thankfully, he has time on his side and the world at his feet.