Here we are at the very end of 2014. It has been a good year as far as stock and crops go. The spring was frost free and warm dry weather came at the right time for harvest of the fruit. Silage and even hay were made without too much stress for a change. Livestock always appreciate dry weather and have come inside looking well.

As I write this, I am surrounded by all the excitement of the children about Santa’s visit (we have six grandchildren under eight!) and amid all the preparations that have to be made.

But what have the farming community been doing? From way back in 2014 we have been planning the run up by planting food crops to harvest at the right time, preparing the right animals for the Christmas shows and ensuring that enough of the right foods are in the shops on time.

So when we hear about so called ‘workers’ having two weeks off we are very envious. On Christmas day itself (and every other day) stock farmers, who form the majority in this area, have to get up early to milk cows, feed young stock and sheep before they had breakfast themselves. And this to be repeated at the end of the day.

Back on our farm it has been a busy time getting the last of the cattle back home and indoors. Suckler cows and heifers have been pregnancy scanned with very good results. Early lambers have also been scanned but we do not anticipate as heavy a crop as sometimes. So we look forward to 2015 with hope that it will be free of disasters and election winners get there for the right reasons and not just political point scoring and are mindful of who feeds us all.

All that is left for me to do is wish all readers of my monthly scribing a happy and prosperous New Year.