The rain can’t come fast enough for Minette Batters

Wiltshire is in desperate need of rain. The level of water in the River Avon is on a par with the drought of 1976. Rain is now forecast and it can’t come soon enough. Heifers have started calving, and having been put to an Angus bull, are coping well with having their first calf at just under 24 months of age.

I’m running in the London marathon for the Junior Diabetic Research Foundation, and presuming I can still walk, it’s back to London the next day to help Jim Paice kick-start the Great British Beef Week. Of course it’s easy to argue that with store cattle prices where they are, do we need to promote our sector? I honestly think we do. Retail prices will lift and we must keep the British consumer buying British beef – other proteins like chicken and fish are easy to cook and much more likely to remain affordable.

Why does our beautiful farmed countryside look as it does? Because of our grazing herds, and as for climate change, British beef is part of the solution, not the problem. Ultimately, it’s down to us to create our own ‘good news’ story. Which is why Ladies in Beef are on a mission to raise a substantial sum for Help for Heroes – it’s a deserving charity and a great mechanism for promoting British beef.

Producers and industry organisations can apply for a poster and a Help for Heroes fundraising pack by calling 0845 491 8787. Please do register for a payzone card.

Farmer Focus: Minette Batters

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