The past five weeks have flown by, and I can’t quite believe we are into the middle of March and Arthur is seven weeks old.

It seems that, at the moment, our agricultural industry is facing new challenges on a weekly basis.

This is bringing uncertainty for all of us, and it takes a great deal of motivation and determination to keep going and look positively at the future of UK farming.

See also: Strip-till cultivator brings big maize establishment savings

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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As a family business, we are looking forward by addressing the risk and vulnerabilities that face our sector.

As part of our business improvement strategy, we need to provide long-term security for the farm with an additional monthly income that will support current and future generations.

This comes in the form of free-range eggs. Our planning application for a 32,000 free-range, laying-hen unit was submitted at the beginning of March.

We wait in anticipation at the outcome of this planning process.

This is a huge undertaking and has required courage and a positive outlook on the risks that are associated with these projects.

But we believe this is the way forward to creating a sustainable financial future for our business.

Let’s just hope the local villagers and neighbours support our decision to head down this route.

Our local community has become more urban over the past few years, and the local Facebook group certainly allows people to voice their opinions without giving much thought to the reasoning behind such projects.

Fertiliser applications have begun and all winter crops have had their first dose of nitrogen and muriate of potash applications are under way.

Winter crops look well after a fairly kind winter. Compared with last year, we seem to be off to a good start.

Spring drilling has not yet commenced. We aim for the end of the month, so are in no rush to get going.

Winter ploughing is complete, so our focus is beginning to shift to spring drilling, machinery maintenance, cattle work and fertiliser applications.