When David Cameron announced a referendum on leaving Europe, I wrote in these pages that ‘this is poker political dynamite and could damage our democratic system for the next 20 years'.

Even I am amazed how these words have come true, as the Conservative party tears itself apart.

If he acts like a bumbling idiot, adorns a smile, with a twinkle in his eye, and stumbles over a few large words, he will automatically achieve his desire

We have a highly intelligent prime minister who firmly believes that thinks if he acts like a bumbling idiot, adorns a smile, with a twinkle in his eye, and stumbles over a few large words, he will automatically achieve his desire.

He would have chosen remain as a path to power if he thought it would be more successful in his quest for the keys to number 10.

Uncertainty

The outcome of the impending election is the most uncertain of modern times. Many Tories who wanted to remain are threatening not to vote at all and a few may vote for minor parties.

The vacuum of Tory supporters may be filled by anti-Corbyn Labour voters who want out.

So, for certain, Corbyn will lose. Boris’s success depends on the minor parties - Green, Farage and Libdems not attracting Tories in large numbers. If they do, Boris will have to seek a coalition.

Corbynism

I am sure six months of Corbynism would be such a disaster it would send the majority of voters scurrying to the safer haven of a Conservative government.

Unfortunately, our relationship with Europe is most likely damaged beyond repair. We will have to leave Europe, but on slow and well-regulated terms.

For farming, this will mean the UK government will feed the nation on surpluses from around the world to keep the price of the shopping basket down.

For dairying, this means, for survival, more and more producers will have to adopt the Irish model of seasonal milk from grass.

On the farming front, I understand that over the years, the Scottish and Welsh dairy farmers have received very good grants from Europe because they are in less favoured areas. This has meant Scotland has increased milk production by 25% in the last 12 years.

Milk production

This milk is not needed in Scotland and processors are about to charge to have it tankered out. I once heard one of the Wiseman brothers state ‘you want milk where the chimney pots are'.

Any attempts to provide processing for this milk in Scotland or the north of England will fail, as the Scots will not be able to adopt the Irish model due to geography and harsh climate.

Welsh producers have already adopted low-cost milk-from-grass systems successfully and are nearer the chimney pots.

Cows are settling into the winter regime and are starting to perform. We will start serving the autumn-calving group shortly and, so far, they are showing signs of bulling strongly, which means the diet must be good.

There is still some grass that needs taking off the paddocks, but it is so wet I can’t even leave the young stock out to clean it up.

Pedigree

I understand the Holstein society is concerned because of a fall in pedigree registrations and classifications. Hopefully, there is glimmer of light that the Holstein and the Friesian societies will work more closely together to ensure their survival.

With the future of the dairy bull calf in jeopardy as supermarkets demand that the calf has to be fed, bedded and watered for eight weeks after calving, a Holstein bull calf worth £5 at a week will not yield at eight weeks the cost of weaning, so a more robust animal is required.

Use of Friesian genetics will provide this - something the other end of table has been doing very successfully in the last 40 years.

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