Yesterday was officially the first day of autumn - so the days are getting shorter, the nights colder, and guess what? We have a shortage of gas with the knock-on effect of a shortage of carbon dioxide, which could lead to shortages of food.
Unfortunately, the 'powers that be' don't seem to understand how so many industries are dependent on each other and that many items can't be turned on and off like a tap.
We as a country are only producing 52 per cent of our food and we're very dependent on imports. This, I feel, leaves the country very vulnerable.
We mustn't be complacent. 'Dig for victory' comes to mind, but I'll get off my high horse now and get back to farming at Churncote.
This week we're involved with TB testing of the cattle, so fingers crossed all is well.
Cow update, September 27: All well, thankfully...
So far the weather is being kind and the oilseed rape has been sown. Out of personal interest, I have sown one field early, on August 13, and one on September 20. This is in an effort to beat the aphids which can decimate a crop. 
Next we move on to drilling barley, which is used for livestock feed. Finally, we'll drill the wheat, which is suitable for biscuit or animal feed.
On the farm it's coming to that time of year for the sheep to get passionate, so they are all being inspected for their suitability to breed and rear lambs.
On the Covid-related side of things, we are very pleased that customers are wearing masks when they come into the shop. The cafe is making a good recovery after being closed for so much of the time and the weather has helped because many patrons have been able to sit outside.
Well, time for me to stop writing and to go and drive a tractor.
Stay safe, and thanks...
David

It's August 11 and the wheat harvest is commencing at Churncote. So far this year, harvest has been on and off because the weather can't seem to be able to make its mind up. The weather presenters keep promising a heatwave, but where is it?
Sorry, it's been two months since the last missive and a lot has happened in that time.
The first cut of silage has been harvested, the lambs have been weaned from their mothers and the winter barley has been harvested. 
Also, the rams have had a pedicure! Because they're so large, we use a roll-over crate that restrains them and presents their feet facing upwards. Next job with the sheep will be to examine the ewes with a view to culling the ones not suitable to keep for breeding.
This summer we've also been working on restoring a wetland for waterfowl. This has involved damming a water course and using  form of sluice gate to control water levels.
Covid restrictions have been lifted, but for the protection of staff and customers we would appreciate it if people would continue to wear a face covering in the shop. In the cafe we felt it was important to leave the tables distanced so that patrons felt more comfortable. For the present, at least, the outdoor seating is offering more covers.
Staycations appear to be having a huge influence on the cafe and the shop, so we hope our new customers are enjoying the experience and will come again.
As ever, stay safe,
David

They say time flies when you're enjoying yourself. Well, we have been very busy with spring work and the shop has been exceptional with an early Easter and the start of the BBQ season.
Suddenly I was served notice it was time for a farm audit.
​Now, I have to admit that I am not very savvy with some technology, so to be told that this was going to be held on WhatsApp caused me much trepidation.
Basically a farm audit is a glorified paper chase, so my afternoon was spent diving in and out of files to prove that there was written evidence to all the happenings in the farming year.
I am pleased to say, that although a fault was found 'which pleased the examiner', we have passed the test and we are still farm assured.
One of the next jobs on the farm is to vaccinate all the new-born lambs. This is to protect them from clostridial diseases. These are bacterial diseases - and the first symptoms are generally sudden death! Obviously, prevention is better than cure.
By the end of May we should be shearing the sheep, which is not only harvesting the wool, but is beneficial to the sheep, so they don't over heat.
What we need is for someone to come up with a really good use for the wool, because at the moment, it has no value.
We have fertilised the crops, tending them with loving care. But it is so cold they are refusing to grow. I'm sure many of you are having the same problems in your own gardens.
I am pleased to report that Esme, who worked with us for a while, has finished college, passed her exams and has landed herself a job with a firm of solicitors.
Roll on May 17, when hopefully the cafe will open for indoor seating. I know the kitchen are working on an exciting new menu, but I daren't interfere.
Stay safe.
David

March 25th is traditionally known as Lady Day. It's also known as Rent Day. Traditionally agricultural rents were paid on Lady Day and on St Michaelmas Day, September 29th.
Today also has special significance for me. It is 100 years since my grandfather took on the tenancy of Corner Farm, just down the road from Churncote. The Clarke family have been on the Onslow Estate ever since.
As you can imagine, we've seen many changes in that time. The days of milking cows by hand, ploughing and cultivating with horses and threshing corn with a threshing box and steam engine have long gone.
Agriculture is moving into the realms of robotics and GPS guidance, which allegedly is far superior to man. However, it's worth remembering that it requires people to design and input all the data...
Life on the farm at the moment is all about lambing the main flock of sheep, now coming to the end. The weather has been particularly kind to us this year and it's so pleasing to see the lambs gambolling out in the fields.
The spring barley crop has been sown, and at a later date it will be undersown with grasss, so that when the barley is harvested there will be a cover crop of grass which will absorb carbon dioxide and provide a root structure that helps to improve the health of the soil.
This crop is rotated around the farm on a yearly basis.
Easter is only 10 days away and things are gearing up in the farm shop in preparation. With the present Covid restrictions, many people will be eating at home, so hopefully we can fulfil all their needs.
It's very pleasing to see the rates of infection and deaths dropping so dramatically. Hopefully we as a country will soon be back to some sort of normality.
In the meantime, stay safe.
David