The end of the road

Well it has been a very long time since I have put a new post here but hopefully this will be a fresh start for me.

We are covered in snow, with up to 30cm's in places. Fortunately it snowed before it froze so we have no frozen pipes at the moment but that could be different bt morning.

I think to say it has been a busy year is putting it mildly. Ther has been so much going on here on the farm in addition to my commitments with the NBA, CAFRe and the NIRMSF. I will elaborate a little more on these later.

Suffice to say that were it not for being awarded a Nuffield Scholarship none of these thing would have happened. It is hard to believe that life does cahnge in the wake of a Nuffield but it does and in a pretty serious way. I have been thinking lately about what life would have been like had I done some things differently. I spent a few hours with my High School English teacher earlier in the week as he kindly agreed to proof read my report. Being honest I didnt like school and tended to work in the classes where I liked the teacher. Had I worked harder at school maybe I would probably never have been around the world or met the people I have who I now call friends.

The experience of the last two years also brings another point to mind. It is not qualifications or certificates that make the person but their passion, commitment and enthusiasm for what they do. I am maybe sounding a bit "gushy" now but Nuffield has proved to me that these three things cannot be bought or taught but have to exist within are are far more valuable than anything else.

Enough soppy stuff. The reason for this blog entry is to let everyone know that I have finished my scholarship report. The title is "Selection techniques and performance improvement in the suckler herd". I have given it final approval and it will hopefully hit the Nuffield International website tomorrow for download. This is a momentous occasion as I have never had anything published before and may not again after this!!

I would like to thank everyone that helped throughout my Scholarship wherever they are in the world. I met many wonderful people and visited many fantastic places. I am forever in your debt.

I will be emailing copies of my report in the coming weeks but if you would like one sooner please drop me a line.