Farm Life - February Filldyke

by Roger Hill

‘February Filldyke’ would occur almost every winter in years gone by. It was when we had a lot of snow during January and at the beginning of February. That would melt followed by heavy rain, thus filling the ditches, rivers and reservoirs.

Today with climate change, weather patterns are more unpredictable with more storms resulting in floods but usually less snowfall. Hopefully as farmers we can play our part by planting more trees, creating absorbent soil structure on the poorer and steeper land and work in harmony with nature to stem the flow of rivers.

Having said all that, the core business of food production must not be forgotten. Our enthusiastic and extremely talented young farmers need to be encouraged to continue to expand high quality, sustainable food to feed our nation.

They have the advantage of well researched, fine tuned winter rations for their animals. A little different from what ‘we oldies’ grew up with consisting of hay, oats, kale (now a human delicacy), flatpole cabbages and mangolds (mangels) - Google them! The more we can produce in this country the less miles we use to import goods. Until next time, Roger

Our sheep overlooking the Exe Valley and the village church Website: quoit-at-cross.co.uk