Shropshire Farming Talk: Rural reflections
2024 was undoubtedly not a Vintage year, farming wise. We have all been depressed with the weather. Did we have a summer?
It certainly didn’t feel like it, with rain coming in strange outbursts usually at the most inconvenient times.
Was there any warmth? Very little, and certainly not a lot of sunshine hence crops haven’t matured or bulked up to their potential.
Then of course we had ‘Storm Darragh.’
We have lost some magnificent trees to dreadful Darragh, but I’m sure more fortunate than many coastal areas.
Politically in 2024, where do you start.
The Conservatives had their election result coming but was the rural vote fooled by Labour?
They seem to be doing their best to reduce family farms and businesses to extinction, with any tax system in their agenda.
In the next sentence they talk of growing the economy but are family businesses not part of the economy?
Apologies if I have become a grumpy old man but the 10pm news is all doom and gloom.
One nice thing recently was the Boxing Day hunts seemed to be well and enthusiastically supported up and down the country which is always a great sight to see.
Let’s hope they have a great season without any trip ups.
Trail hunting has got to be a wonderful way of enjoying our glorious countryside.
Also a quick reminder for any farmers that the Big farmland Bird Count is fast approaching, so please get involved.
It’s a very rewarding experience and reminds us of the role we play in supporting nature at home.
by Steve Barker, Shropshire GWCT chairman.
