It is hard to avoid talking about the fact that it is still ludicrously dry. We are about halfway through our wheat and barley drilling, having started on the lightest soils to give crops the best chance of rooting well. We have now moved onto heavier land, where we are finding some moisture. Direct drilling has certainly helped preserve moisture in the soil profile, rather than cultivating fields into dust.

After a pause of around six days, we are looking to get going again following a little rain this morning. With roughly a week’s worth of drilling left, we do need to press on at some point, but it certainly won’t be a rushed affair. In some ways, these situations are harder to manage than when there is rain coming down the line. An approaching weather front provides a clear deadline; seemingly endless dry weather leaves much more room for indecision. I tend to thrive under pressure but deciding whether to push on or hold back is a conversation taking place on plenty of farms at the moment.

Oilseed rape has been a disaster, with 60% of our planted area now written off. Much less rain than forecast, combined with the dreaded flea beetle returning with a vengeance after a two-year sabbatical, has been a stark reminder of just how fragile this crop can be. We have, however, softened the financial blow by putting much of the area into establishment schemes, which return some of the seed cost if the crop fails. SFI has also helped us manage the risk: we planted the rape with three companion species that will count towards the SOH3 summer cover crop option, providing another source of income.

I mentioned jeopardy earlier. It may not currently be arriving in the form of rain clouds, but it is certainly present in the wider farming business. Cash flows are tight after another poor harvest, and risk management is the order of the day. Nobody welcomes a downturn, but I do enjoy the challenge of finding ways to improve, and I am determined to take the positives from it. Better times will come, but now is the moment to strengthen the foundations as UK agriculture enters what feels like a new era. Bring it on, I say.

Camgrain is a vital cog in the farming businesses I look after, and it is great to see the same practical, forward-looking mindset we are applying on farm shining through at Camgrain. I have been seriously impressed by the work Steven, Dan and the rest of the team have done over the last couple of years to streamline the business, make it more competitive and ensure it is fit for the future.

I am very proud to be involved with Camgrain. The growing positivity among members, non-members and the wider industry is becoming increasingly apparent as we get our message out, correct misconceptions and demonstrate all the fantastic things we do. Everyone in the business has a part in that, and your work makes a real difference to the farms that depend on you.

Thank you all - and have fun with the grain maize!