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This year is turning into a funny old one; and one we certainly won’t forget in a hurry. As if a virus pandemic wasn’t enough, we’ve had some very unusual weather lately too. When we should have been drilling the winter crops it was too wet, so a lot of fields didn’t get drilled until spring. Then when we really needed some moisture it’s been hot and dry - all very well if you’re furloughed from your office job and sitting on the patio at home topping up your tan, but not so great for farmers!
It does mean that fox control has continued through spring and early summer without the usual break, however. In a normal year, by April the crops are high enough to hide an adult fox, never mind a cub. Fox shooting pretty much grinds to a halt for a few weeks, other than the occasional stakeout on livestock fields, beside a chicken run or pig unit. And it doesn’t restart until the grass harvest gets under way and we can see the foxes in the hay or silage fields once again. This year, though, the arable crops were sparse due to late sowing and poor growing conditions. At least, that’s how it’s worked out in my part of the country. Your local situation will vary, depending on farming and land use in your area. Though I do hear that even on rough areas and moorland the lack of water has kept the growth short.