The cattle are housed and look content on their straw bedding out of the inclement November weather. They have been treated for fluke and worms and the young cattle have had their backs shorn to keep them cool on warm days. The cows are fed silage and barley straw and the store cattle receive higher quality silage supplemented by rolled barley and rape meal protein. All have high quality minerals.

We had our annual TB test recently with a clear result. The vet also pregnancy tested all the spring calving cows. The big quiet Aberdeen Angus bull had performed well, so all will calve in early April. We also tested five young cattle for BVD, for the third year, and received a certificate this week to say we are BVD free. We take great pride in managing the cattle so that they are healthy and contented and we are proud of the high-quality, tasty, beef we produce.

Beef is a fantastic versatile food. There are expensive cuts such as sirloin, rump and fillet to roast or have as steaks but also good value tasty brisket to roast slowly, cheaper flat iron steaks from the shoulder and skirt or bavette steaks from the flank which are delicious. Stewing beef can be used to make casseroles and pies, try shin beef for a tasty stew and of course there is mince to make bolognaise, burgers and curry.

In most of our towns in Mid Wales there are independent butchers, including two good butchers in Llanidloes, our local shopping centre. Why not have a chat to an expert and try something different?

Montgomeryshire NFU Cymru will be serving Welsh beef rolls at the county conference on December 11, at 7pm, at Maes Mawr Hall, Caersws, where the guest speaker will be Fran Barnes, NFU director of communications. I will also be handing over the chairmanship to Huw Bessent, a dairy farmer from near Machynellth.

Another date for your diary is the annual Montgomeryshire Christmas carol service in aid of RABI, which is to be held on Sunday, December 1, at 6pm, at Welshpool Livestock Sales. Everyone is welcome.