Finally, 2024 has crept towards its end. It’s not often that I wish time away, in fact I make a concerted effort not to as I never seem to have enough of it.

However, during parts of last year I’m sure I’ve been heard muttering under my breath that I wish that days of wet weather would pass; and that protracted, damp and mud-ridden hours of spring drilling, harvest and autumn drilling would just come to an end.

Last year I’m sure there have been hurdles and mountains for many to overcome and I hope that your resilience is standing fast and that you feel able to persevere positively.

See also: How low-input spring cereals SFI action may fit this spring

About the author

Anthony Becvar

Anthony Becvar is a third-generation farmer of an 80ha mixed farm in East Sussex on heavy Weald Clay. Crops include spring beans, winter wheat and spring barley, alongside diversification projects which include two breweries and an agricultural mechanic.

Read more articles by Anthony Becvar

Almost as if on purpose, 2024’s evil twin, the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has saved the best until last with the inheritance tax (IHT) relief bombshell.

It’s a devastatingly poorly thought out policy, using incorrect data and showing no consideration.

However, since my last article, more and more prominent economists have come forward to show the real impact and even offer what appear to be sensible options to reform the relief without breaking up family farms.

Will they change the policy for the better? Part of me thinks not.

But part of me thinks that with all of the (correct) information that has now been produced, they’d be a ridiculous laughing stock not to take heed of it and make changes.

But when has not looking like a ridiculous laughing stock ever mattered to UK governments in recent years?

By the time you read this, I hope you will all have enjoyed a happy Christmas with family and friends and booted 2024 out of the back door as we welcomed in 2025. Surely it can’t be any worse?