As you read my column I will be on my honeymoon in Alaska and, hopefully, catching some wonderful sights of wildlife and enjoying some time away from the farm.

Tom and I got married back in December 2022 and in our true style we will plan our camper van route on the plane and have the attitude of “it will be fine”.

May has been the month for establishing environmental margins and plots for one of our contract farming agreements, which has totalled a 20ha area.

See also: Variety blends: Do they work in oilseed rape?

About the author

Annabel Hamilton

Annabel Hamilton farms 1,030ha of arable in the Scottish Borders with her parents. The arable area grows 65% winter and 35% spring crops. She is Basis and Facts qualified and runs a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. The farm finishes more than 300 Limousin cattle a year.  Follow Annabel on Twitter @annabelhami11

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This particular farm had its Agricultural Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS) accepted back at the end of January.

With all the options needing to be established by 1 June, it’s been a great team effort to get the work done.

These schemes are very competitive. Only one of our farms was selected from two applications in the last round of applying.

I am sure we caused a stir in the local farming community as we began topping flowering oilseed rape, winter barley and wheat to make way for these options.

Someone did ring me and ask if we had a blackgrass problem. We do not!

While I am away, we take on another full-time member of staff. Colin will be joining us from a neighbouring farm and will become the main sprayer operator.

As our acreage has increased, I found it harder to juggle spraying and the business management. We all have to sit back and assess the work-life balance, which I am happy to admit I don’t always get right.

With an extra pair of hands, Dad and I will have more time to discuss the financial side of the business, where my knowledge is lacking and I want to improve on.

We very much look forward to welcoming Colin to the Bee Edge team, where his on-farm experience and knowledge will keep us moving the business forward and sharing the workload.