SFP money has arrived.

David Greasby runs a range of diversified farm businesses in partnership with his wife at Highlands Farm, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Oxon. Wheat, oilseed rape and potatoes are the main crops on the 95ha (227-acre) unit

Exciting -- we actually received SPS payment on 22 February followed later by a breakdown of the costs. One week on and another official document arrived showing more cash was due -- or so I thought until my glasses were unearthed and I realised it was only a confirmation of the total figure in euros.

On the positive front potato sales have gone well this winter with bag prices ranging between £400 and £600/t from the farmgate, although stocks are fast depleting. With the extreme weather and the exposed aspect of this farm there is no grass growth anywhere, which will undoubtedly delay the turnout of our weaned ewes. Despite this, blackgrass continues to flourish in the wheat and awaits an Atlantis spray once conditions allow.

We're fed up with building work albeit workshop modifications are nearing completion, which is a great achievement. It will be a welcome change to revert to farming where there is already a considerable backlog of work. The uncertainty over bird flu means we are poised to bring our free rangers inside once the "inevitable word" is given. It does seem simplistic that all registered flocks will be readily controlled while domestic poultry, which probably exceed the national flock in numbers are unregulated, unknown and potentially the biggest health danger in the whole miserable saga.

Finally, I think we are missing something in farming that was once a major support for the industry and led much of agricultural opinion and information. My question is simple -- where are the educational leaders from our colleges and universities? Do they have a voice and who are they? Maybe I'm out of touch or have they been nullified by official committees and dilution of effort elsewhere?

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Edited by Julian Gairdner, 020 8652 4084