As we move into spring , we are thinking very much about the growing season ahead. Fields of grass are starting to grow, encouraged by the milder conditions. Ian applied the first dressing of fertiliser to both ours and Kevin' s winter cereals. We planted a mixture of wheat, barley and oats. However there is a great deal of uncertainty about the season ahead. As fertiliser, fuel and energy prices continue to rise to levels not experienced before, we mustn't forget how these increases will impact on most of our inputs.

In the global world we now live in there will not be a nation that does not feel the repercussions of the latest situation and sparing a moment to reflect on the hardship currently faced by the Ukrainian people. It does seem difficult to understand such events taking place in a "civilised world."

Going forward it will be interesting to find out how our farming businesses will fare over the next few years. The EU Basic Payments Scheme is being phased out over the next five years,so year on year until then, the money we receive will be reduced to nothing but costs will continue to rise. At the moment there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the future Environmental Land Management Scheme and how this will deliver benefits to farmers. The main problem being the diversity of farm businesses throughout the UK.

Returning to Manor Farm, weaning of the January-born lambs has begun. Two thirds - 400 ewes - have now been separated from their lambs. An original stand alone pop- up tunnel, affectionately known as the O2 is now empty, so after a spring clean it is being used to house, ewes and lambs from the flock of elite March lambing ewes, which began on March 10. Kevin has told me this second wave of lambing is progressing well. At the end of the week 90 ewes had given birth.

The ewes separated from the early born lambs have temporarily been turned out in a field next to the O2, before being transported to fields in The Park ,where they will be able to graze peacefully, away from their boisterous " teenage" offspring. Their lambs will remain in the pop- ups until they are finished for the new season lamb marketing in a few months time.

The ewes lambing now will be turned out onto grass with their lambs. Firstly Kevin and his family have to make sure that each ewe and her lamb/ lambs have bonded properly, also that there are no problems,such as mastitis (an infection of the mammary glands) . It is also important to make sure the lambs are getting enough milk and that the ewes are well and also eating and drinking sufficiently. This is done by putting each ewe and her newborn lambs into individual pens for a few days ,so that their health and wellbeing can be regularly assessed. Each ewe and lamb is marked with a coloured number, which will help them to be quickly reunited if they should become separated once out in the park. Kevin' s father Francis will be tasked with checking them every day.

Could I just ask that if you are walking dogs at this time of year, please keep them under control and keep to the footpaths. Last year passed without an incident involving dogs ,so please keep this season stress free for all the ewes and lambs . Thank you .

The first group of ewes and newborn lambs were temporarily put into the O2, as the weather wasn't very nice at the end of the week. Hopefully the sun will shine and they will be turned out soon and will be able to settle down in their new surroundings.

Melissa's group of bottle fed lambs have also been weaned and I believe she already has a few new lambs that she has to bottle feed, usually lambs from multiple births. As a ewe only has two teats she is only able to look after a single or twins. Often a foster mother can be found for some of the extra lambs, but there are always a few needing a bottle.

Recently some of the small flock of pet ewes have given birth. Palini, a grandmother and oldest member of the flock at 12 years of age had twins, a black ewe lamb and white ram lamb. All doing well!