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THIS year has been the most topsy-turvy 12 months that I can recall. The last 12 months has seen a number of extremely positive developments; however, there has been a series of extremely negative ones as well.

On the plus side, there has been a strong improvement in product prices such as milk and corn. Milk prices have increased by around 40 per cent to 25p/litre whilst wheat has in some cases nearly doubled. It is vital prices stay at this level to enable farmers to "catch-up" with investing in their business which on the whole they haven't been able to do for a number of years.

However, the year has seen a whole string of bad things as well. There have been the twin nightmares of foot and mouth disease and bluetongue. To this day, the government is still looking round for a scapegoat to blame the foot and mouth outbreak on; when in truth they are to blame for their lax supervision of the laboratories.

Then there has been the government's prevarication on culling badgers. They have now been dithering on this issue for at least two years and all the while the incidence of TB increases, causing constant misery for thousands of livestock farmers.

Also, whilst some prices such as milk and wheat have increased, many have remained in the doldrums. For example, beef and sheep producers have probably seen a fall in their income over the year leaving many struggling to survive. Then there has been the huge increase in farm costs. Feed, fertiliser and energy have all shot up in price this year and look as if they will rise further in 2008.

Nonetheless, as farmers we are always optimistic about the future. In my view, farming does have a good future and I think it is just beginning to dawn on people just how important we are. Let us hope next year will continue to see some improvement in the industry's fortunes.

As always, we are constantly on the look-out for new members. If you share our passion for British food and our determination to highlight that to consumers then please consider joining us. If you would like to find out more about the WFU and the work we do then please call our secretary, Ann Cross, on 01398 361212.

Finally, I would like to wish all SW Farmer readers greetings for the season and let us hope for a prosperous and healthy 2008.

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