Good luck to John and Julie

TALKING about the farmers of the future, I thought how nice it was at the weekend hearing how one young couple were taking their first step on the farming ladder as first generation farmers.

John and Julie Wain, who live on the outskirts of Cheadle, had been to Leek market and purchased nine breeding ewes.

They really were excited and couldn't wait for their first sight of a new-born lamb.

Even after all the miles I have under my belt, it is still exciting when a new farming family is born.

I certainly know John and Julie aren't short of support, as in the few short hours since they became farmers they had advice from half the farmers in the parish, all giving a different account as how best to look after sheep.

I did point out to Julie that some of the first generation farmers, which included past NFU president Tim Bennett, had like them taken up the challenge of farming and been more than successful.