I’ve just spent the past month starting my day at 4am.

For those of you wondering: Why the early starts? I am one of these strange breeds of arable farmer who also likes sheep, 250 to be exact, which I fit in around my real job.

Although it is a busy time in the lambing shed or out on the quad bike with the dog, it offers the chance to enjoy the sunrise and put my mind at rest.

It allows me to plan the day ahead, before the phone starts to ring.

About the author

Neil MacLeod

Neil MacLeod manages 1,600ha of mixed soils on the east coast of Angus, Scotland. The majority of the land is in arable production with diversified enterprises consisting of soft fruit, sitka spruce, environmental stewardship, and renewable energy.

Read more articles by Neil MacLeod

Planning for all of us is crucial. For now, our focus at Southesk is arable spring work, finishing our Sitka harvest, the start of the soft-fruit season, new grain store construction and our Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application.

See also: Low-carbon premiums could soon benefit arable farmers

What wasn’t in my plan was being landed a whole farm carbon audit request, from a major supermarket retailer through one of our grower groups.

It’s bad enough the audit wasn’t requested during the “quieter” winter months, but I question why I must submit one at all.

We are members of Leaf, Red Tractor and Scottish Quality Crops, and to adhere to their standards, our two-year-old carbon audit is sufficient.

It is also eligible to be submitted as part of the new Whole Farm Plan to be completed with this year’s BPS application.

So, if our current carbon audit is sufficient for the Scottish government and the relevant quality assurance schemes, what right does a supermarket have to request another one?

Am I naive in assuming that the quality assurance organisations should offer an element of protection for its members so that this situation cannot arise?

If not, would it be too bold to suggest that legislation is put in place to stop what is in effect retailer bullying?

A whole farm carbon audit for a business such as ours involves dissecting what information is relevant from each farm enterprise so that the outcome is as accurate as possible.

Accuracy, however, requires time – which unfortunately is a rare commodity in the spring.