-5 this morning

The battle to keep the livestock watered goes on, and keeping the livestock keepers warm while they work long hours outside is another issue.

However despite feeling chilly when outside, we are all very warmed by the responses Jon is getting to his award. There are now lots of news stories and good pictures of him appearing in all sorts of places. It is great to see genuine recognition and appreciation for his work.

Here are a few of the stories:

Harper Adams University College

Natural England

Three Counties Radio (Beds, Herts & Bucks)

Chilterns AONB

Farmers Weekly

Harvest over for 2010

The tricky 2010 harvest is finally finished at Offley. As I write this entry on a Saturday afternoon in early September, the tractors and men are working hard drilling oil seed rape for next year's crop, and baling straw which will be used by the livestock this winter as bedding and feed.

The first Wiltshire Horn lambs for the box scheme are already hanging in the butcher's chiller and will be packed and sold this week.

For those unable to get a copy of the Farmers Weekly, here is the on-line version of the article about Jon as a finalist for Countryside Farmer of the Year. Please click here.