I was down at a very busy Carlisle cattle mart last Wednesday when I heard the news. At first it was met with denial, but it soon became clear that all the good work and high hopes of the last few weeks were in vain.

As the news spread it was like a dark cloud began to hover, the light just went away. Trade suffered, then the lock down began. It took until 2am the next morning before the mart staff could get licenses approved for all animals to leave the premises. We were lucky, I was selling an old milk cow and was second in the ring so no such problems for me. I count myself very lucky.

Since then another 2 positive cases have come to light, and Cumbria is in trouble. Autumn sales are the life blood of this rural County, they are the farmers harvest when the hill sheep and cattle are sold. This causes a great problem for our county farmers, not only are the farmers without any income, but the livestock are outstaying their welcome and are eating the winter rations that were meant for their relatives that get to stay put on the farm.

The knock on from this is that extra feed will have to be bought in to compensate, and as the big grain producers of the western world are now being driven to produce bio-fuels there is a huge world-wide shortage of grain and the price here has doubled. Tups and replacement ewes can't be bought, so next years lambing will probably be hit hard. It is true that straight to slaughter routes are up and running, but with export closed then it is a true buyers market.

As I mentioned earlier, I count myself very lucky. My glass is half full, if a little chipped round the edges. We are very busy calving and it is going well - so far! Healthy calves all over the place. The kids are now at an age where they come in very useful. Still young enough to find a baby animal cute and not old enough to slam a door in your face when asked to help. It will change I am told.

Autumn is well and truly here in Roadhead, a white frost on the north facing house slates this morning. Another sign summer is over, brambles are ripe and ready for the pie and the sloe's are ready to meet the gin. Can't wait.

Seeing the 3 kids busy on the farm puts life into perspective for a while at least, It could be much worse.