Feeding the many

Walking in the sun through the ripening fields of wheat, beans and rape here on the Northamptonshire/Oxfordshire border. Closing on harvest-time. Heaven on earth.

It had me thinking about the miracle of food production that has taken place over the past century.

Although we hear continuously about food shortages in various parts of the world, and the supposedly calamitous effect of population growth, nevertheless billions more mouths are fed now compared with a hundred years ago – the result of continuous innovation in all aspects of farming.

Walking the dog

I’m a regular walker these days, most days that is, and usually on country footpaths. I absolutely love it. Each week brings new sights, sounds and smells. At the moment we are in peak season for buttercups and cow parsley.

I do tend to shy away from paths where I meet aggressive dogs. Over time that rather narrows my options.

Last week, returning to the village from an hour in driving rain, I was charged at by a snarling beast, grey, with a distinctly wolfish look. He banged into me, snarling and slavering, but without getting purchase on my person. I was probably saved by the thick, shiny raincoat I was wearing.

“He’s only playing,” announced his owner as he ambled past. That’s what they all say. If we were a gun-owning society, he might have an ex-dog by now. Playing, indeed.