So often in past articles I have written about low prices, vagaries of the weather, and generally on a slightly pessimistic note. So this time I am looking at the positives.
The weather, we know, has been terrible, but the ponds and reservoirs have plenty of water; so too the aquifers, so no shortage of drinking water. Plenty of wetlands for the ducks and waders and I have seen more lapwings around this winter.
I have always said, “Good land is not dear”, and last year, if you had good land and grew a good crop of potatoes with good skin finish for packing quality, you are on a premium price.
Likewise with the best land making in excess of £15,000 per acre, it is reassuring for landowners that they have a valuable asset and the city and corporate investors are interested in buying.
If you are going on holiday abroad, then the pound to the eurorate will not suit, but for our exporters the eurorate is quite favourable.
I must mention the horse meat scandal: whatever the cause, the best outcome is that the British consumer can turn to their local butcher and know with confidence it is locally sourced, genuine beef, and that it will boost our own beef producers.
To finish on another positive, spring will be here soon, but this cooler weather has extended the snowdrops and daffodils into a longer wonderful floral display.