Farming Diary by Mark Barrow, partner, Armitstead Barnett:

WHEN I wrote my December article, I remember saying it was turning out to be an exciting month.

The month got even more exciting when my daughter Penelope was born between Christmas and New Year. I’m currently writing this at the family farm as we introduce her to all things cow and sheep. Whilst her mum is looking forward to shoe shopping with her, I can’t wait to get her in her first set of wellies.

The last few weeks have involved lots of night shifts and changing nappies but I have tried to keep an eye on what’s been happening at the office and across the agricultural industry in general. At first glance, increases in product prices are hugely welcomed, but it is worrying for many to see costs increasing at a much higher rate - with electric costs more than doubling, fertiliser costs increasing threefold and fuel costs continually rising.

From a stewardship perspective, we have heard a high proportion of 2021 applications have been accepted. However, there are a few that we are waiting on despite the supposed start date of January 1, 2022. As usual, Rural Payments Agency responses when asked for a progress update are non-committal, which doesn’t help farming businesses to plan ahead for the year.

I can’t help but feel that the objective to simplify farming and environment management has become ever more complex with the introduction of schemes and grants such as the Environmental Land Management scheme - which is heavily dependent on land management and soil plans - the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, the various levels of the Farming Investment Fund and so on. Now, more than ever, it’s going to be important for the agricultural community to find that resilience they’ve had over the years and to look at diversification and technological improvements whilst working together with other farmers and professionals.

For those thinking the time may be right to retire or look at new opportunities, the lump-sum exit payment is due to commence this year and we’ll let you know as soon as full details are released. Rural property prices are holding up well - from well-equipped farms, smallholdings, meadow land and stables through to larger blocks of rough grassland and amenity. Within the profession, we have seen an increased interest from outside the community, such as lifestyle purchasers looking to relocate and buyers looking for land for alternative uses such as carbon sequestration or amenity purposes.