Arable Farmer Focus: Lack of rain concerns Keith Challen

The distinct lack of rain is taking its toll, with spring rape suffering the most. Winter wheat is also starting to give up on lighter patches, and I cannot help but think harvest is beginning to look like it is going to be an average affair.

We have desiccated winter oilseed rape – Excalibur first, followed by Castille and then the rest of the hybrids. All were treated with a tank mix of 4 litres/ha of glyphosate with 1 litre/ha of pod sealer. Pollen beetles have descended on the spring rape with a vengeance, numbering more than 30/plant, just to add to the work load.

Seeing as I’m more of a “glass half full” rather than “half empty” sort of man I’m not going to mention the football, but instead congratulate England’s rugby squad on making the Aussies “have it” in their own back yard, which must have rekindled memories of 2003. And of course, we must not forget the cricket – once again we are teaching the Aussies a thing or two.

Harvest staff have arrived so we have set about cleaning stores, servicing trailers, polishing tractor windows and if things get really desperate we can paint the flag pole. Joking apart, running on a skeleton staff nine months of the year does leave a host of jobs for the run up to harvest.

It’s with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat that I tell you this will be my last report from Farmeco. As a parting gift my employers have arranged for our ACCS inspection on my final day. I will leave safe in the knowledge that all is up to spec.

My next report will come to you as farm manager for Belvoir Fruit Farms. As well as 800ha (2000 acres) of some of the prettiest countryside in this part of the world, it is also the heaviest.