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Last week I visited farmers in Northumberland to see for myself the devastation caused by Storm Arwen on farms across the North.

I had to go over to a nearby market town, running a couple of errands. It happens to also be the town I grew up in.

When it comes to weather, things usually average out if you wait long enough.

Autumn has been kind in Cornwall; prices have been good and tourism has been spectacular, so we should be cruising to Christmas with optimism and happiness.

For many years now we have run seasonal, rural courses on-farm. They are very down to earth, with lots of learning, plenty of laughs and limited numbers to ensure a hands-on experience and make sure everyone can fit around the kitchen table.

As I type, November is all but over and we have been very grateful for the kind autumn. Grass growth has meant one herd was still grazing into the third week of the month. That said, feeding of winter diet was close to 100 per cent.

Just recently, Dad wandered into our yard with a look on his face that meant he had some bad news.

I was incredibly lucky recently to be asked to attend the British Farming Awards as the ’plus one’ of my good friend Sheena Horner who was being recognised as the Farmers Guardian Farming Hero for 2021 (she had invited her husband first but he unfortunately couldn’t make it).

I start with a falswhood. Did you know that the carbon footprint of the Coca-Cola company is greater than that of the entire UK livestock industry? No?

October started and ended dry and I cannot remember a kinder autumn than the one we are currently having. I am sure at some point the weather will turn for the worst and test us, but for now long may it continue.