Allan Chambers abandons his drainage plans
With any hope of autumn drilling of winter wheat gone, the next couple of months will be quiet on the farm.
I had hoped that some drainage work could be done on land designated for spring crops, but the continuation of this horrendous year’s weather has scuppered that plan. What we need is a drying east wind until mid-January and then get that expensive wheat seed in the ground. Late drilling does not concern me, as we have achieved excellent results in the past, but seed-beds need to be in good nick.
Our forage maize was harvested on 11 November. The yield of 35t/ha at 30% dry matter was disappointing (5t/h short of my guesstimate), but better than most reports. The combination of a late variety (Benicia) and plastic has meant a small margin over cost, but not enough to definitely secure this crop’s future in our rotation. We need to renegotiate our selling price with our customers, and base it on a percentage of the ruling wheat market. It is, after all, an energy crop.
The rejuvenated Ulster Arable Society continues to be a success story. We have,subject to some final box ticking, succeed in securing UK Regional Government funding, in conjunction with the HGCA, for research into the soil and yield responses to a range of organic manures. This much-needed work will give answers to many unknowns and will be eagerly awaited by all arable farmers. “Where there’s muck there’s money.”
The UAS, with help from Greenmount Agricultural College, and the UFU, are also finalising plans for a major arable conference on 15 January. A great line up of speakers will cover the theme: “Profit through yield. The way forward”.
Mistake of the month: Asked my accountant how much I would be charged for a particular item of advice I require. There are some things that you are better not knowing in advance!
Allan Chambers farms 270ha of medium stony loam at Tullynaskeagh Farm, Tullynaskeagh, Co Down, with brother David growing cereals, grass for haylage and maize.
