Last week we made a few more bales of hay, far less than what that field would normally produce but we are grateful for anything.
 
John and his combine emerged from the barn eager to get started on the winter barley; only to return a couple of hours later!
 
The crop was ready but the Glyphosate has taking its time to desiccate the Mayweed. The crop was not sprayed with a pre-emergence due to the onset of rain in September which continued until March.
 
It seems it has been ‘summer’ for months. During the long, hot and dry spring we got used to waking each morning with the sun streaming through bedroom windows and not a cloud in the sky. We quickly became accustomed to knowing the weather was set fair day after day.
 
Without doubt the beautiful spring suited the crowds of walkers out on their daily exercise during ‘lockdown’. However in truth it did not suit us farmers. During April and May we prefer a mixture of sunshine and showers to keep the crops and pastures watered, and the earth warm to encourage freshly sown seeds to swell and germinate, and everything else to gather strength and grow like Billy-o. 
 
Instead the combination of the drought and excessive heat did little to encourage anything to grow, other than the crowds out on their daily exercise.
 
Now we could do with some settled weather to complete hay making and prepare to harvest arable crops. Despite the odd shower, there is still precious little grass to mow, let alone for the cattle to graze.
 
The grass fields need rain, but the arable crops which are now almost ready to harvest don’t! As ever we farmers are never satisfied and will always find something to moan about!
 
It is encouraging to see the majority of the public going about their business wearing face masks. There was a sense that people were beginning to become complacent, believing the pandemic was over and the threat of catching Corona Virus had receded.
 
Clearly it has not, and by encouraging the wearing of masks, if nothing else, they are a stark reminder that we cannot return to ‘normal’, but must remain vigilant.
 
The use of disposable masks is a problem as they are being dumped all over the place. We find them in our fields, along the roadsides and no doubt dustbins are full of them. Not only could they spread disease, they are also an environmental hazard. Having only just reduced the scourge of plastic waste, these masks, previously used only by medics, are creating an additional scourge.
 
Reusable masks are the answer and should be adopted. Not only are they more practical and fun, they also stop us posing as fake doctors, nurses and care workers.
 
Looking around the world to countries like Australia, Spain and India, all of which thought they had the disease contained, it is concerning to see they are experiencing isolated but significant surges in Corvid 19. Alarmingly in the USA, Brazil and other South American and African countries, the original daily toll continues to escalate.
 
We should be grateful that between the Prime Minister and his medical and scientific advisers, they are monitoring the national and international situation closely, and reacting swiftly and decisively. They are taking action which will hopefully prevent further significant outbreaks.
 
It will be interesting to see, when the dust eventually settles, just how substantial the discrepancy is between those who have died as a direct result of catching the virus, and those who already had serious underlying health issues, including being diabetic due to severe obesity. And, the very old who probably should have been allowed to die anyway.
 
I suspect the answer will surprise many, particularly those so eager to criticise Boris and his advisers.

The South Downs National Park Authority has a new chairman. Mrs Margaret Paren has retired and been replaced by Ian Phillips.
 
In last week’s WSG article both the departing and new chairmen, paid tribute to each other while mentioning what they consider to be the role of the SDNPA.
 
It was disappointing that Mr Phillips referred to his ‘vision’ of a ‘People’s Park’, and how he aims to work with communities and the public, but no mention of those who manage the land.
 
Neither he nor the departing chairman referred to the farmers and landowners who own 85% of the land which falls within the National Park. Nor the work they do to maintain and enhance the unique heritage of South Downs.
 
When you consider that only 15% of the SDNP is publically owned, it is disappointing that the decades of sustainable farming practices, including livestock grazing and arable farming, so important in maintaining and protecting this remarkable landscape, which is clearly considered to be so special, was ignored. This does not bode well for future relationships between the farming community and the SDNPA.
 
The public obviously enjoy walking, riding and cycling along the South Down’s Way, but as was so graphically demonstrated during lambing yet again, public access and livestock farming are not always compatible.
 
The number of cases of sheep worrying, mutilation and deaths caused by rampant dogs, is wholly unacceptable. Sadly the SDNPA did little at the time to police the footpaths, and any signs they put up were ambiguous to say the least. It would have been more helpful if park wardens were out day and night ensuring the public treat the ‘privilege’ of walking across private farm land, particularly during lambing, with respect.
 
I hope the new chairman will make one of his first priorities to engage with farmers and landowners and learn what the SDNPA can do for them, rather than follow in the footsteps of the past ten years when it has clearly indicated that farmers play second fiddle to the Park authority and the public.
 
This includes day to day management, and also the thorny issue of planning. An area where the Park’s bureaucratic approach, including hefty fees and a lack of understanding of the importance of certain projects which are vital to support the sustainability or enhancement of family farms.
 
It is also time to put a curfew on the time when the public may access the South Down’s Way. It is not acceptable for hordes of cyclists to pass through farmyards at the dead of night, with head lamps shining and screeching voices, between the hours of 9pm and 5am. Hardworking farmers are regularly woken in the dead of night, by noisy cyclists passing beneath bedroom windows and clattering gates.
 
At this time of year in particular, cyclists travelling late at night and disturbing the peace is unacceptable. Not only are they a public nuisance, they are also in danger of serious injuries as they hurtle along dangerous terrain in the dark. I understand that on a number of occasions the emergency services have had to turn out with ambulances and helicopters to rescue seriously injured cyclists who have hit obstacles in the dark, from inaccessible locations.
 
Rural crime is escalating dramatically. Farms are mostly isolated and offer easy and multiple access routes. Those of us who have not already experienced losses have certainly been staked out by potential criminals.
 
Farms have had tractors, trailers, Land Rovers, quad bikes, chain saws, forestry equipment, sheep, cattle, turkeys and dogs taken. Hedges, fences and gates are no deterrent for those intent upon gaining access. These delinquents clearly know exactly what they are coming for.
 
The police have fortunately geared up their focus on rural crime with the introduction of the dedicated rural unit. However, the need for legislation to back up their actions is now well overdue.  

Since the start of lockdown, we have received deliveries from Wayfield Park Farm Shop. They were and still do deliver weekly boxes full to bursting with everything we need from fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat – all kinds, and delicious pies, biscuits, cakes, and bread of all descriptions and varieties.
 
During the height of the epidemic Markus and Liz personally delivered to 6 or more homes per day, seven days a week, within a radius of 10 miles of their Farm Shop at Pyecombe. And now, as lockdown is eased and people are getting out and about, are these once grateful customers remaining loyal and continuing to shop at Wayfield and other Farm Shops and independent stores which ensured we could feed our families?
 
No, of course not, old habits die hard and memories are short. Most of those who so relied on their local Farm Shop and community independents have returned to shop in the supermarkets.  Liz and Markus now deliver to just 6 homes per week!
 
So much for buying local and supporting the businesses which pushed the boat out and served their local communities by going the extra mile, and stepping in to provide a reliable service when the multinational supermarkets failed to get their act together. 
 
One of the main topics of the summer is free speech. Unfortunately it appears that there is one rule for the extremists, LGBT & Xs, the far left, the PC brigade and those intent upon bringing down the British establishment, and another rule for the rest of us.
 
The former say exactly what they want however inflammatory, divisive, insulting and untruthful, and those who dare to offer an alternative view, and in most cases a more honest opinion, are silenced, denounced, cancelled, shamed, censored or worse.
 
The establishment is clearly rattled and are cowering beneath the shadow of the militants. Everyone seems to be apologising for being honest and speaking the truth, for fear of being publicly shamed at best, or losing their jobs and becoming unemployable, at worst.
 
It is time to stand up to these infantile and dangerous bullies. There is power in numbers and if we all speak up, say what we think, bombard the airwaves, media and press with old fashioned honest common sense, never mind if it is PC or not,  we will in time smother the extremists. Allowing this particular deadly virus to creep through our democratic society, is not an option. 
 
We must all put our heads above the parapet, no cover and be silenced. The ‘thought police’ will be hard pressed to interview us all. These dreadful perverted, clearly brainless individuals and their followers, will, when held to account and challenged, give up their futile quest to seize control and destroy the very glue which holds our wonderful democratic nation together.
 
People want affordable houses. Currently there is no such thing on the market whether to buy of rent. Boris quite rightly is telling us to get back to work, including building houses.
 
Across the country there are plans for housing developments. Many are held up by inefficient local planning departments and bureaucracy, and a lack of funding, man power and sites to tip waste. When they do start to build, the process is slow and hindered by building regulations, often related to ‘environmental’ issues.
 
At the end of the War thousands of ‘temporary’ houses were built to accommodate those whose homes had been destroyed or made uninhabitable. The pre-fabricated houses were assembled quickly using innovative materials such as steel and aluminium. Although intended to be a temporary measure, many survived for decades. The cost of these homes was affordable to buy or rent.
 
Perhaps now is the time to take a leaf out of the post war era, if that book has not already been destroyed by those who wish to erase our history.  

On 5th February I wrote, “Last week the CBI reported the biggest surge in confidence on record among manufacturers, and companies planning to revamp investment. Unemployment is falling to its lowest since 1974, employment is at 33 million, the highest-ever.
 
“The pound is rising - credit is readily affordable - the property market is picking up, and there is a significant drop in Government borrowings.
 
“The British economy is bigger than the 18 smallest EU countries combined.
 
“The UK economy is envied by of the rest of Europe; our manufacturing industry is accelerating at a healthy rate - 200,000 new jobs have been created in the last three months - wages are up at twice the rate of inflation.
 
“The UK is attracting talent into our economy, right on Europe's doorstep. And, as Andrew Gundlach, President and co-CEO of Bleichroeder said, "The whole point of Brexit was to align with the high growth of America and China, not the low growth of Europe."
He added, "Boris is a charismatic, election winning Prime Minister who has forced through Brexit partly thanks to the sheer force of his personality and his ability to outmanoeuvre his opponents.”
 
Then along came Corvid 19 which has thrown a proverbial spanner in the works. Thoroughly messing up our economy, the jobs market, business confidence and employment.
 
However, the United Kingdom is still the country it was in February. Despite the froth of the critical minority, including left wing firebrands, the BBC, unions and anarchists, all doing their best to undermine the Prime Minister and the Government by reinventing ‘project fear’. The British public have retained that Bull Dog determination, and the feistiest hound of all is Boris, at the helm.
 
Like the phoenix which rises up from the ashes and obtains new life and energy from the sun, so will the UK emerge from the ashes of Covid 19. Ours is still the country of choice for international companies, entrepreneurs and economic migrants.
 
Although battered and bruised by the pandemic, the majority of British workers and viable businesses are keen to get back to work, revitalise the economy, and recognise post-pandemic opportunities.   
 
Farming leaders, ‘celebrities’, some back bench MPs and media commentators, have jumped on the ‘protect farm businesses and food standards’, band wagon. I may have missed something but I am not aware that Boris, George Eustice or even Liz Truss have indicated they are willing to ignore the 1990 Food Safety Act, which is the framework for all food legislation in England, Wales and Scotland, which was updated in January 2018.
 
Has anyone actually heard any Government Minister suggest disbanding the Food Standards Agency, an independent body which works closely with local authorities to enforce food safety legislation, which covers food IMPORTS and exports, safety, traceability and labelling?
 
Article 11 of the legislation, states that food which is IMPORTED shall comply with the requirements of food law. Article 16 states that labelling, advertising and presentation, shall not mislead the consumers.
 
These and many other articles make it abundantly clear that British Food Standards are maintained, and IMPORTED food must follow UK standards of production, including animal welfare, and safe and ethical livestock production.
 
British farmers are amongst the best in the world and our standard of food production is unequalled. From birth to slaughter welfare is the main priority of farmers who spend 24/7, 365 days a year, caring for our livestock. 
 
Ministers do not intend to allow IMPORTS to undermine British farmers’ profitability, but sadly ‘fake news’ has become deafening. We all like to take centre stage on our soap boxes but if the result whips up a damaging storm which impairs the ability to negotiate vital Trade Deals, then perhaps it is time to step back and brush up on the true facts. 

My mornings are looking up as our neighbour’s very un-politically correct parrot has resumed his very loud wolf whistling, as I pass by their field on my early round checking the steers. His cheeky call cannot fail to put a smile on my face and bring a spring in my step. He may offend my feminist sisters, but me – not a chance!
 
What on earth has happened to our British Bull Dog Spirit? It is time to cease apologising for everything, and stop looking back and finding fault amongst our ancestors. What is important is now and tomorrow, not yesterday. Leave the past where it is, leave history and its icons, buildings, statues and institutes in place for others to learn from and understand.
 
Our country and indeed the world, following this appalling pandemic, must stop being distracted by our PC and woke cousins, of many colours and political persuasions, and concentrate upon the job in hand – finding a cure for the virus, getting people back to work and our economies back on track.
 
There are far too many people who should know better fuelling unrest. Take for example the Archbishop of Canterbury who is urging the Church to ‘reconsider portraying Jesus as white and to think, “very carefully” about its controversial monuments in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests’. How dare he suggest that statues at Canterbury Cathedral will have to come down, just because a black man was killed by a police officer in the USA?
 
Why was the Cambridge academic Priyamvada Gopal, who sent a message on Twitter saying, ‘white lives don’t matter’, promoted to a full professorship by the university, while the guy who flew a banner over a football stadium saying ‘white lives matter’, was interviewed by police, and criticised by football managers and the BBC?
 
Nick Buckley who has helped thousands of disadvantaged youngsters, and received an MBE six months ago for his good work, has been dismissed by the trustees of Mancunian Way, the charity he founded nine years ago. This Good Samaritan did nothing more than speak the truth by warning of the ‘neo-Marxist’ policies of Black Lives Matter UK – which include tearing down capitalism and abolishing the police. He said, they risked dividing communities.
 
And now there is a ‘race row’ between Bernie Ecclestone and Lewis Hamilton. We know that Hamilton wants to pull down most of the statues in London and thinks ‘capitalism’ should be abolished. Talk about biting the hand which feeds him! And now Bernie has stepped into the row by saying, “black people are more racist than white people”!
 
I don’t think ‘Black Lives Matter’ has so far spilled over into the farming community but I had better not speak too soon – give it time. My neighbours have black cattle and ours are brown. Some have black and white Friesians and others Blond d’Aquitaines. We now have white and black sheep at Ote Hall, and of course most of us have at least one black sheep in our family - perhaps that saying will now be doomed!
 
We are still waiting for the rain which has been promised time and again. We had a couple of five minute showers, and then the sun came out and the wind blew, and within minutes the ground was bone dry once more. We hear that others around the region have had some decent downpours but by the time it reaches our part of the Sussex, the clouds are empty.
 
Last week we cut a couple of fields for hay which we had left hoping they would produce a thicker crop. One produced ten bales, where there were forty last year, and the other thirty seven, rather less than last year when we made one hundred and ten! Let us hope that second cut materialises.