Country diary: There’s only one topic of conversation among farmers at the moment

It’s well after teatime but we are working late, scanning yows. There is a regular clunk as the scanning crate doors open to let one yow out and another in. I have to juggle my spray cans so I use the right colour on the yow to show if she is carrying a single lamb, twins, triplets or is geld – empty. The scanner works quickly and shouts “twins” or “empty”.

The barn is full of activity. The scanner and myself by the door, but also…