I am a rural surveyor in Bath, specialising in farm agency and estate management. But that's only half the story: when I'm not out and about on Savills business I can be found hard at work on my own family dairy farm in North Wiltshire.

When you work in the countryside, every season offers a fresh challenge, both practically and professionally. At this time of year, with the harvest completed and Michaelmas reviews, renewals and new season launches in place, we turn our attention to the winter campaign.  

My week typically begins with an office meeting. We spend much of our time out on farms and estates so it’s a good opportunity to catch up and review any issues. The remainder of the day is generally spent dealing with enquiries from the weekend, updating clients and tackling any desk research or paperwork needed for the week ahead.

This week my team and I visit a farm to pitch for a sales instruction. We cover a variety of sales, ranging from pony paddocks to full-blown farming estates, but the set-up today is a 200-acre grassland farm with a family trust ownership structure. An initial walk around the property is followed by a round table discussion to chat through sales considerations – it's vital that we understand a client's objectives and in the rural sector these can be wide ranging. Commercial interests, tax planning, family structure and value can all shape a sales recommendation.

Once back in the office we put together a written report, outlining our thoughts on price, strategy, timing and the team involved. Then it's time for me to clock off and head back to the family farm to help with calving which is well underway and demands all hands on deck.

Next up this week is a meeting with a client whose farm is subject to transport improvement works with associated storage and access required by a utility company. We are working  to review the losses incurred by the business and quantify any compensation that should be payable. Licence fees, crop loss, reinstatement costs are all on the agenda, together with a catch-up on the farming world and local gossip. 

Towards the end of the week, I attend a quarterly farm management meeting on a commercial 800-acre arable farm in the Cotswolds. We manage the in-hand farming operation on behalf of an investor, with an appointed local contractor in place. The meeting comprises a review of sales, operations, budget and maintenance, together with a drive around the property in the 4x4. These meetings are crucial to efficient management of the farm and keeping on top of the financial performance. Afterwards I’m off to rugby training to have a run around with my team mates.

The weekend brings me back to home farm life with a bang. The daily routine begins to take a rigid shape at this time of year with the dairy herd requiring a full winter ration to keep the milk flowing and body condition maintained. I'm up at 6am to help with the morning feeding and stock duties. We are finished with the essentials by 10.30am and I won't be needed until the afternoon milking shift which gives me a chance to get out on my bike and make the most of the late autumn sunshine.

Sunday offers no reprieve. We rear our own bull calves to supplement the dairy enterprise and by 6.30am I'm loading beef cattle that have been sold for finishing. Cattle loaded, we get on with the feeding regime and make sure all the stock are happy before retiring for breakfast ourselves.

But it's not all work and no play: if I’m lucky, the afternoon will be free to catch up with some friends over lunch and watch Bath at the Rec. 

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