A fox is partial to a bit of cat for supper, given half a chance

It looks a very decent cut, which is just as well considering how little we ensiled the first time around.

I see many still cutting for the first time, having waited for the crop to bulk up; I am happy now with the decision I took, although at the time it was worrying to see so little in the clamp.

We have sprayed all the maize and it was very much just in time, as the weeds also took advantage of the rain and shot up, competing vigorously.

The plants were under too much stress in the dry weather for us to spray, but now that they have had a good drink, we could tackle those fiendish weeds.

The maize overall looks good, but I am concerned about the plants growing locally on clay; they have had a tough time and need to recover after this rain.

We did put a lot of muck under them, so hopefully they will soon get going.

One of our little heifers calved this week, as a result of an incident involving the bull nine months ago. She had jumped over the dividing rails into the older group of animals running with the bull, and thinking that she had not been in there long, I put her back in her own group in the morning.

It crossed my mind to get the vet to give her an injection, but as these things happen from time to time, I assumed it would be alright.

She is a lovely little heifer, and the calf is well grown and very sharp; she comes in to milk twice a day now and seems very grown up.

We'll see how she goes, and she will need a little individual care and attention, with a longer dry period at the end of lactation in order to catch up.

Are we about to see a food labelling 'fudge'?

I am concerned that the government does not seem to be on top of things this week as the vote takes place in Brussels.

Having made huge political capital over this whilst in opposition and in the run up to the election, both parties were expected to make sure that this issue was put right.

Consumers have the right to know country of origin when buying food, and it is worrying to hear that Defra is still opposed to better labelling, and that the Food Standards Agency, who has also been against, is briefing the MEPs.

It is of course the MEPs who have the vote, and we have heard voices from government telling us that whipping MEP's is 'difficult'.

Expect to lose credibility if this does not get sorted Mr Cameron-Clegg; you cannot have it both ways.

We are told that we are a country of animal lovers. I would suggest that our obsession with animals, at times, is closer to hysteria.

Let me give you a few examples to prove my point. 'Countryfile' is now the most popular 'factual' programme on television, which I find hard to believe, but given its coverage on the farm in the Cotswold's, and the bovine TB problems in the cattle there, I am rather pleased, because it should foster greater understanding of the issues, and the terrible price farmers pay everyday as they lose valuable and in many cases highly prized stock.

However, in Wales, the Badger Trust have appealed the High Court decision against them, and are holding up the much needed cull of badgers in Pembrokeshire, which together with cattle movement controls, would assist in eradicating this disease over time.

The appeal will be heard on the 30th of this month, and if they lose again, will the Badger Trust accept that they are on the wrong side of the law, or will they appeal to the House of Lords in order to hold things up further?

Are they so terrified that a cull will prove once and for all that bTB can be reduced and eventually eradicated; a disease, which has cost farmers and the taxpayers millions?

Foxes have hit the news in a big way following the attack on the twin girls in London.

I can see why many people would be shocked by such an attack, and indeed it is very unusual, but the amount of abuse aimed at this family on internet sites has been appalling.

To suggest that the mother is in some way affiliated to the re-introduction of fox-hunting is absurd and cruel.

The reaction by some, over the possibility of a fox cull in cities has been completely over the top.

Celebrities have been quoted widely, with one well known actress waxing lyrically about feeding foxes in her garden, and how well they get on with her cats.

I can only comment that they must be very well fed indeed, because a fox is quite partial to a bit of cat for supper, given half a chance.

They will often take kittens on farms if they find them.

Where does all this end? Given that wheelie-bins have made an urban fox's life much more difficult, as they are denied easy access to food, will we see more attacks on pets? Do we even know how many urban foxes there are?

Will it take some nasty inner-city disease to bring people to their senses, as foxes foul their gardens and public areas?

Any talk of controlling numbers, which is far kinder on the animal as well as ourselves is fiercely resisted, and deemed a 'massacre' or 'annihilation'; it is very difficult indeed to have a reasoned debate, or discussion without a huge emotional reaction.

What has brought about this change? Is it disconnection with the countryside? Is it the lack of understanding when it comes to nature, despite the graphic images on television wildlife programmes? Is it maybe the way we live our lives?

Is it some form of inner loneliness, or inability to connect with people, or detachment, that makes so many humanize animals and have such a huge emotional reaction to the slightest hint of control in numbers?

What ever the reason, it is a worrying and growing trend.

There is a real need for information and education, with reasoned debate on these issues, before it all gets totally out of control.

'˜Countryfile' is now the most popular '˜factual' programme on television, which I find hard to believe, but given its coverage on the farm in the Cotswold's, and the bovine TB problems in the cattle there, I am rather pleased, because it should foster greater understanding of the issues, and the terrible price farmers pay everyday as they lose valuable and in many cases highly prized stock.

n However, in Wales, the Badger Trust have appealed the High Court decision against them, and are holding up the much needed cull of badgers in Pembrokeshire, which together with cattle movement controls, would assist in eradicating this disease over time.

The appeal will be heard on the 30th of this month, and if they lose again, will the Badger Trust accept that they are on the wrong side of the law, or will they appeal to the House of Lords in order to hold things up further?

Are they so terrified that a cull will prove once and for all that bTB can be reduced and eventually eradicated; a disease, which has cost farmers and the taxpayers millions?

n Foxes have hit the news in a big way following the attack on the twin girls in London.

I can see why many people would be shocked by such an attack, and indeed it is very unusual, but the amount of abuse aimed at this family on internet sites has been appalling.

To suggest that the mother is in some way affiliated to the re-introduction of fox-hunting is absurd and cruel.

The reaction by some, over the possibility of a fox cull in cities has been completely over the top.

Celebrities have been quoted widely, with one well known actress waxing lyrically about feeding foxes in her garden, and how well they get on with her cats.

I can only comment that they must be very well fed indeed, because a fox is quite partial to a bit of cat for supper, given half a chance. They will often take kittens on farms if they find them.

Where does all this end? Given that wheelie-bins have made an urban fox's life much more difficult, as they are denied easy access to food, will we see more attacks on pets? Do we even know how many urban foxes there are?

Will it take some nasty inner-city disease to bring people to their senses, as foxes foul their gardens and public areas?

Any talk of controlling numbers, which is far kinder on the animal as well as ourselves is fiercely resisted, and deemed a '˜massacre' or '˜annihilation'; it is very difficult indeed to have a reasoned debate, or discussion without a huge emotional reaction.

What has brought about this change? Is it disconnection with the countryside? Is it the lack of understanding when it comes to nature, despite the graphic images on television wildlife programmes? Is it maybe the way we live our lives?

Is it some form of inner loneliness, or inability to connect with people, or detachment, that makes so many humanize animals and have such a huge emotional reaction to the slightest hint of control in numbers?

What ever the reason, it is a worrying and growing trend.

There is a real need for information and education, with reasoned debate on these issues, before it all gets totally out of control.

Farm

Diary

by Gwyn Jones

A fox is partial to a bit of cat

for supper, given half a chance