The Future's So Bright

A point to note, our governments do not so much allow private individuals to speculate on food and energy, rather they do not prevent the speculation. A fundamental difference and a liberty to which I for one am much attached. After all, it was the freedom to speculate that predominantly gave rise to the discoveries and inventions that then allowed so much energy and food to be produced and consumed. It becomes a circular argument. Not to say the modern day financial system is without its faults (another time) and speculation causes ripples and can puff bubbles, however, very rarely without an underlying momentum that is firmly embedded in the physical market place. This is particularly true with such deep markets as exist in food and energy. Generally, in my experience, it is expediency, petty politics and incompetence that give rise to such distortionary, devastating circumstances.

I would agree with 'Voland' that it is 'irresponsible laissez-faire and lack of planning' that are the real issues. Disjointed, reactionary government rather than malicious conspiracy. As Tim Lang has often responded when asked what the UK government's stance is; 'food policy?, sadly, we leave it to Tesco'. We have all been speculating and reaping the benefits of 3 decades of soft commodity price deflation (food prices have actually been going down for over 100yrs), the result of many factors. It was inevitable that at some point those deflationary pressures would reverse, particularly given the growth in population and GDP in China and India. What's amazing is that it hasn't happened earlier (oil bottomed in 1998 at $8bbl vs $125 now). Ultimately the brokers speculating are simply an extreme microcosm of the society (race?) in which we all share and, to a greater or lesser extent, are all complicit, that promotes consumption over compassion, more over less but also gives us the freedom to decide where we stand, as individuals, on all these issues.

The sun is out, the seed is drilled and finally the cows are in the field. Friday was a long day, we weighed all the calves, tagged all the cows who were missing a tag (quite a job, tagging a horned Sussex who doesn't want to be in a crush and definitely doesn't want her ear pierced). The grass has come on, we lack clean fields (and fences) so there's a fair amount of daily animal herding but all the barns are empty and mucking out will start next week.

It has been wonderful to watch the farm bloom in the short time I have been here; from the snow blanket of April 6th, to the humid heat just a month later. Lambs, calves, piglets full of joy and boundless energy. A multitude of birds from chickens, geese, phesants (shooting season is closed), guinea fowl (got some cheap day olds), turkeys (soon) to sparrow hawks, herons, cuckoos and cormorants. Deers, badgers, foxes, moles all contribute to the daily cycle and, of course, the bees are now very active. Max got a hive for his birthday and 2 days later he got his first swarm from the bush outside Stein's house. When I am able to stop for a moment, feel comfortable in my exhaustion, to look at the beauty surrounding me and gaze toward the unfurling landscape beyond, I am struck by the magic of it all.