In such uncertain times I am pleased to see farmers across the land doing their bit as key workers to supply the people with one of the essentials of life, their daily bread, writes Hugh Besent, NFU Cymru Montgomeryshire County chair and Machynlleth farmer.

It has given us a focus and determination to produce as much wholesome food as we can. I can but hope that the powers that be see what a treasure it is to be able to feed our own people from our own land.

Indeed, we could do with a conscious effort on behalf of the government to source more home grown and home manufactured items of all kinds in the future, but we will have to wait and see.

I am also pleased that farming has kept us very busy, especially in the last fortnight. The cows are out, and although our herd are autumn calvers, the spring flush, as the cows enjoy fresh grass in the fields, has meant a good yield in the last few weeks.

We are fortunate that we supply a farmers’ co-operative which produces mostly cheese and butter which has been in much demand since the beginning of this crisis. So much so that the price for South Caernarfon Creameries farmers will be kept the same for June milk. This is not the case for all dairy farms. It is terribly worrying for companies who do not have buyers and cannot adapt to market changes.

We have had our first cut of silage in with not a drop of rain on it. In April we had a total of 34 mm of rain, which is much lower than the norm. We have never cut silage in April before, and have hardly used up last year’s crop, but in these strange times we need to be ready for whatever happens. Having had our third TB test within nine months this year, we have again thankfully gone clear. The heifers have finally gone out to pasture and the calves will soon be following them.

It all goes to prove that we don’t know what’s around the corner, which is probably a very good thing. At this time, I am also proud that my eldest daughter, who, when her business in a gym in Cardiff dried up, found herself a job as a cleaner, porter and generally helping nurses in the University Hospital in Cardiff. She has had a very tough six weeks, but there the virus seems to be abating. Hopefully that doesn’t mean it’s on its way west, but if it is, we will need to be vigilant. Take care and keep safe.