Farming is a career to which the phrase “it’s a lifestyle, not so much a living” is attributable to.

When the sun is shining our days are so much more straightforward but during the winter when dealing with the physical elements I’m sure some people would question our sanity and motivation!

It has been a bit like Groundhog Day recently with the relentless rain and winds. We find ourselves in muck half way up our wellies feeding the livestock and replenishing their beds with fresh straw and dealing with issues such as Doris the pig removing her water trough from its wall fixings.

I was recently greeted by her stood in 6 inches of cold water and it’s not a job that can be left until “tomorrow”. I wouldn’t change my job for any other though. Farming is a way of life and we love the animals. It is very rewarding to look after them in the best way we can. Although paperwork is an increasing element of my job I wouldn’t have the same motivation to get up daily if I was stuck behind a desk.

One element we take great pride in is producing quality produce. I often asked if I get upset that some of the animals will ultimately end up in the food chain. My answer is always no. This may sound hard but ultimately we are able to provide the animals with a quality of life that they may not otherwise have had.

When it comes to producing pork lamb, beef or turkeys we are able to tell the consumers the full history of the animal and they know exactly what they are getting. Purchasing directly from farms/ local outlets may cost more but the provenance is a premium benefit over purchasing from supermarket chains.

There are no short cuts taken and this was highlighted over Christmas with a national supermarket chain selling turkeys that were not fit for consumption.

Elsewhere on the farm, the crops are currently fairly dormant and the next task will be preparing the fallow fields for drilling the spring barley in February.

Additionally the Teddy Rocks Festival returns in May and excitingly have just announced that their headline acts will be Feeder and Ash.

With this high profile event on the horizon the wet weather has meant that these fields have had to remain empty in preparation.

Finally my father is off on a wild bird conservation course so we look forward to seeing what ideas he brings back.