Back on 15 December, Louth held its fifth annual tractor run, hosting 143 tractors. This event wouldn’t go ahead if it was not for the volunteers and, of course, farmers and their machinery.

Even in these difficult times that farmers face, they were helping to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

One reason for choosing this charity is that, unfortunately, everyone knows someone who has lost someone because of this awful disease.

See also: First case of glyphosate resistance confirmed on UK farm

About the author

Mark Stubbs

Mark Stubbs manages his 700ha family arable farm in Lincolnshire, in partnership with his parents. The farm grows wheat, malting barley, oilseed rape, linseed and cover crops. Mark won the highest yielding winter wheat crop in this year’s YEN awards.

Read more articles by Mark Stubbs

While walking around the excellently decorated tractors – which would have taken many hours to decorate with tinsel and fairy lights and “No Farmers, No Food” signs – I was able to gauge the general public’s opinions of our industry at present, as well as of the event itself.

Many said the event was now a tradition, and it was great for the kids to come and see the large decorated tractors and learn where their food comes from.

Others said: “We like to come and support the farmers in these difficult times that the Labour government has created.”

I also spoke to some of the drivers, who said they had entered because it is now a social event and a chance to talk to fellow farmers.

It is a good fun event to be part of, and spreads farming awareness.

One driver, accompanied by his wife, said it was a “date night” for them, as they so rarely have time to relax on farm.

It was good to see so many young farmers enter and support the event – they are the future of farming, and we need to ensure they actually have a future.

As the tractors set off for their two-hour tour of the town and surrounding villages, I stood with the crowd to cheer them on and see the joy on the children’s faces as the tractors roared by, sounding their horns.

As I was heading back to my car I bumped into the local Reform candidate – the only politician to put in an appearance, which was very disappointing.

He was keen to give me a statement which was that Reform understands the importance of British farming, they find it unfair what the Labour government is doing to farmers, and if Reform were in power they would scrap the inheritance tax changes.

The event has so far raised an incredible £16,000 for Cancer Research UK, and the appeal is live until the end of February.