Farmer Focus: Will we come out of a Brexit stronger?

So the result is in, a decision has been reached.

Whether you were for or against, the time has come to start the future together, to stop the repercussions and back-biting, and work for the sake of this great nation.

Politicians must now stop the rhetoric and reunite to build confidence in communities that feel isolated, and work solely for the greater good and not personal gain.

See also: Read more from our Livestock Farmer Focus writers 

The coming months and years are going to be difficult, and many plans and negotiations will be required to stabilise the economy, develop new trading relations with our neighbours and further afield, and re-establish ourselves in the world market place.

I have a feeling agriculture may come out of this in a strong position due to our unique selling points and worldwide recognition of the quality of our products.

See also: What will government do if we leave EU?

On the weather front I now have webbed feet and am slowly developing gills – and I’m an indoor pig producer.

My thoughts go out to the outdoor producers, as they must be up to their waists in water and mud – a bit like Glastonbury.

The unit is looking much tidier as we continue to clean areas that have needed attention for some time.

I was asked why we are doing this as there is no financial gain. My reply was that since we started the number of rodents has diminished greatly and we can now target bait points better.

The other main advantage has been the ability to access drainage covers and soakaways in this wet weather.

See also: Finally turned a corner with pig performance

I have always tried to encourage people to develop skills.

As such we regularly take on vet students as part of their training course.

Our next candidate starts this week.

It is always a challenge on both sides as a battery of questions comes our way that make us think why we carry out certain tasks.

Piglet scour still persists but the level of severity has reduced significantly and at present is our only area of concern.

Tony Bayles runs a herd of 1,000 sows producing 7kg pigs and all his own replacement stock on contract to a large local producer.