Well, what a month May has been. A big birthday and a new granddaughter on the same day. What a privilege to be able to share my birthday with a beautiful little girl. Erin Jane Hickson-Cannon made her appearance at 12.11pm on a lovely sunny day and has so far been angelic.

Please excuse the ‘Erin’ spam as we are all rather taken with her. The race is on to see if we can get her on a pony before the boys find her an electric tractor. Going to Badminton horse trials after she was born was a dangerous visit to make.

GCSE and ‘A’ level exams will be nearing a conclusion by the time this is published, and I hope everyone achieves the results they need to go onto the next step in their lives. The important thing to remember is that they are only a stepping stone onto the next chapter.

Second cut silage is on the horizon and as I write this article a little rain wouldn’t go amiss. It feels like summer but without the heat. The nights have still been cold, and the days have been hot.

With first cut silage being taken so early we are hoping the grass will bounce back with a reasonable second cut, but we are in the hands of the weather (yet again). On reflection, we will take a dry year every year rather than the quagmire of 2024.

The maize has all been drilled and is growing nicely. This could also do with a drink. Dunging out has been completed, and with the wheat ears emerging the countdown to harvest is beginning. The combine is being serviced.

After 24 harvests we decided to assist the old combine and purchase a newer version. While it is not brand new, we are hopeful that it will streamline combining and keep both boys happy!

As much as I love the longer days, unfortunately the longest day of the year is looming. It seems to have flown by and before we know it the evenings will start to draw in.

With the new trade deals on the horizon with the USA, I cannot help but feel a little despondent for the future of agriculture.

President Trump’s 10% tariffs on imports from countries around the world still applies to most goods entering the USA.

US beef exports to the UK had been subject to a 20% tariff within a quota of 1,000 metric tonnes. Starmer has scrapped this tariff and raised the quota to 13,000 metric tonnes. In return, the UK has been given the same quota at a reduced rate. Many American farmers use growth hormones in cattle although it is not supposed to be exported as part of the agreement. How will they stop it?

American farmers also use sow stalls, battery cages, veal crates and chlorine washing, and do not have to adhere to the standards that are enforced on UK farmers. Many of these practices are banned in the UK. How is this a level playing field?

The tariffs on ethanol coming into the UK from the US have also been scrapped, which in itself raises alarm bells for the UK arable farmers. This could potentially mean the loss of a million tonnes of wheat sales into UK ethanol plants.

It would appear the Government feels the country can import food rather than producing it ourselves. It would also appear that no one in the Government is paying the slightest bit of attention to anything a farmer has to say.

Until next time, stay safe.