Early July is the month where all arable farmers eagerly anticipate harvest. 

Each day we walk out into our crops and bite into the grains testing to see how hard they are. 

The winter barley is looking promising, but still a bit cheesy in its grain texture, so probably a couple more days to go if the sun continues to shine.

Yesterday we got our combines out in preparation for this year’s harvest. 

At the end of each season the combines are washed off and are serviced over the winter months in preparation for the next season. 

However we wanted to go over them one last time hoping to prevent any chance of a breakdown before we have even started.

Being a mixed farm we always have different things in the go. 

Our last grass silage pit has been cleaned and new sheets laid out for the last bit of second cut to be collected. Dad cut the grass yesterday and today, so hopefully we will be able to pick it all up and finish by Thursday. 

Once silaging is complete and the weather remains dry we will take the combines out for a spin in our winter barley.

Meanwhile I have also begun washing the calf rearing unit with plenty of disinfectant and a pressure washer. 

This takes a very long time to complete, but is really worthwhile. 

In August we shall start autumn calving, so it is really important that the new born calves are looked after in a clean environment. 

Like children, calves are very susceptible to catching bugs, so I try very hard to keep the bugs at bay in order to prevent any illness from occurring.

So there is much to be getting on with this month, and I have even managed to squeeze in my own wedding as well.

Hopefully my dad should allow me the day off, otherwise I am planning on spending the next two months in my combine. 

I wish everyone a fantastic summer, and the farmers all a good harvest this year.