Country diary: This glorious part of Britain should be shared, not withheld | Sarah Laughton

Long Dean, Cotswolds: On the farm, my mind is turning to winter feeding, but a row over a local public footpath is brewingI'm leaning against the gate having just walked the cattle back to their leased grazing. With their TB tests all clear, they're here to make the most of the still plentiful grass. I'm always looking to delay winter feeding for as long as possible, but especially this year. The weather conditions meant more silage was made than hay and the barn is not as full as I would like. However, I won't need to be feeding late into the spring to accommodate calving - the bull spent the summer working, but not effectively. A 25% conception rate is a disheartening return, especially in a small suckler herd.I position the "cattle grazing" notice at the field entrance, careful not to leave it sticking out - too irresistible for a bovine head in search of a satisfying scratch. I'm meticulous about my notices, as a courtesy to walkers but above all to protect my stock, and I always date them so that people know to take them seriously. Not, of course, that they always do and, like every farmer, I have more stories than there is space to recount here. Continue reading...