When I wrote the last article, we were gearing up to start shearing and hoping for a dry window amongst the showers.

The ewes have now had their fleeces taken off and are looking well and will be thankful especially since we have had very humid conditions.

It’s very disappointing that the great quality, naturally produced wool in this country is worthless and especially when sustainability is such a huge topic of conversation at present.

In years gone by, we appear to have appreciated this natural product far more, with sheep farmers able to cover a whole year’s rent from their wool sales! Now the value paid will scarcely cover the cost of the shearing squad.

The first of the lambs headed away fat to Forfar Market on June 17. It’s a very strange feeling dropping them off and not being able to stay and see them sold. However, Gregor Hamilton did a grand job selling them and I was delighted that afternoon when the line was emailed through.

The lambs that remain have all been treated for flies and been given a worm treatment and are looking fit and well.

The market is not only an important hub of local business but also an area of common ground where current news can be discussed and friendships made and maintained. I am hopeful that we will see a return to the old ways soon.

As the year flies by and we head into summer, the weather remains changeable. However, we have managed to complete our first cut of silage and got it into the pit while the sun was shining, but due to a dry few weeks in May, it is a considerably smaller crop.

We have everything crossed that the rain and humidity we currently have continues and we have a bumper second cut.

The turnips and fodder beet are nevertheless, looking well, with the turnips now filling the drills. We have also started to turn over grass which will be seeded with stubble turnips and rape mix to finish lambs later in the year.

Calving is progressing well and after seven weeks we are down to the last 6% to calve which is great. One batch of 35, two-year-old heifers put to an Angus bull have successfully produced 35 live calves unaided and are now out grazing grass. They are being supplemented with a little feeding and will return to the bull shortly.

Creep feeders have been put out with the spring-born calves as we head towards six weeks of the bull running with the cows – they were swopped round after three weeks. Heifers will be kept separate until they join the main batch of cows to have their second calf.

We are continuing to put cattle away finished every month and are now down to the last few spring-born Charolais cross steers and heifers.

The summer will feel different for everyone involved in farming, with the cancellation of local agricultural shows. Like many youngsters, Fallon likes to take part in the young handler’s section, with her own home-bred Suffolk ewe lamb looked out ready for this year; so she is very disappointed. However, she’ll have lots of time to prepare for next year.

There is plenty at home to keep us busy and save us from wearying, but we will all enjoy some hard earned time off for rest and recuperation before harvest and the next busy spell.