Gwyn Jones' Farm Diary

We had perfect weather in the Dordogne, hot, but within reason. I was surprised to see how dry it was, with severe water restrictions, and a hosepipe ban. There are thousands of acres of maize around the Riberac area, and in the past it has always looked absolutely fabulous, with water guns everywhere, creating the most amazing rainbows as one drives past.

The ample water, especially in July and August, ensures bumper crops, and terrific quality. This year, some of the rivers are dry, all the others are very low, and it all looks precarious. I understand that the drought in Spain and Portugal is much worse, and applications have been made to Brussels for financial aid.

Back in Sussex, we have a very different farm to the one I left. We were getting worried about grass, especially at Tillington, where Gwenan had started to feed the young heifers in order to keep to rotation length. We are now up to our ears in very high quality grass, which is excellent.

We shall mow behind the cows at Crouchlands on this round of grazing, which will set the grass up for the autumn, and next spring. There is a little bit of crown rust appearing (fungal disease which if allowed to get bad will turn your Wellingtons 'day-glo' orange as you walk through the grass), and we will make sure that we graze those paddocks next.

Calving started as I boarded the ferry (I am not as stupid as I look), and is going well, with calves everywhere. They look really good, and Carl and the team deserve full marks for stockmanship.

Farm Diary appears every week in the West Sussex Gazette

The full version of this article is in August 25 issue.