Rural Review

While most of us had a reasonably good May Day Bank Holiday, catching up on the little DIY jobs you didn't get finished over Easter (just for the quiet life!) or enjoying a nice day out with the family, I would probably guess that the residents No 10 Downing Street had better days - something that no DIY expert will fix in a hurry!

As we traditionally begin April with fun and games for the fools amongst us, I can't help but feel that little bit optimistic for the coming 'brighter' months. There's just something about spring that cheers me up after what seemed a very long winter.

Hello again folks... Well, what a few weeks it has been since I last put pen to paper! With Sammy Wilson shunning everything Eco-Friendly and Michelle Gildernew coming up with great ideas on how to dish out grants, it seems that our two 'so-called leading political parties' are making a right mess of things!

February seems to be the month that our Pork Industry is hitting the streets and headlines to have their very serious plight heard! While most of us ponder over what to get the wife for Valentine's Day to keep her happy for another 12 months, there is a very harsh reality out there for our British Pig farmers who might not see another 12 months in business!

As autumn is certainly tightening its grip on us with the occurrence of last week's Autumnal Equinox, I feel the need to comfort eat as the darker nights slowly draw in. This is especially true after reading a recent 'We Love our Steak' survey, commissioned by the Livestock and Meat Commission. It made me chuckle that almost half of Northern Ireland consumers like their steak cooked well done…

As August shaped up to be the wettest on record, I had the surprise of my life when I came home from my holidays in the glorious sun! To find my neighbouring farmers and the rest of Northern Ireland surrounded by flooded fields and water logged crops with many animals already being housed was an unbelievable shock to say the least!

As I put pen to paper to write my monthly Agricultural judgment, I can't figure out what's annoying me more; my sunburn or the heavy rain beating down outside!! I don't know about you but, the typical Norn Iron summer is playing havoc with my wardrobe never mind the farm. Not knowing whether call for my hotpants or the silage mower is a serious issue, thank goodness I'm not a Bee as I'd never stick the pressure!

They say 'Love is in this air' this month. Well, maybe for the most Romantic of you farmers out there! Unfortunately, the only love for me at this time of year is the good old Crème Egg!! Thankfully Cadbury's don't give me the option of Organic or Free Range, as I don't think my MLA salary could afford a major price rise on my bad habit!

If you are feeling the pinch in your pocket, then you are not alone!!

Pheww!!! Another year and another close shave with the rain!! I'm sure I'm not the only one who took advantage of the early summer weather recently & got my silage in nice & dry!

I don't know about you, but as May Day quickly comes around once again, I can't believe it's creeping up on another Balmoral Show. 'Country Comes to Town' in what is certainly the highlight of the Northern Ireland Agricultural Calendar.