Farming News – December 2024

In his book The Wood, author John Lewis-Stempel explains the historical importance of holly and ivy as animal fodder during the winter. He explains how he used to harvest the holly from above head height because it only produces prickles on the lower branches where cattle would otherwise graze. I haven’t climbed a ladder to check this. He also says that tree branches and their leaves were stored during the summer to provide ‘tree hay’ for the winter.

You will no doubt have heard about the protests over inheritance tax. The government require money to pay for social care and landowners are first in line to pay for it. When my father died in 1980, I had to work, more-or-less without wages, for the following 22 years, until I had paid back the debts. I have survived in farming by working 100 hours per week and spending as little as possible. The first time in my life that I have had regular money came as I started to receive my old age pension and at last, I can go out and have a coffee without wondering if I can afford it.