With three dry weeks, after the most prolonged spell of wet weather I’ve ever known, it’s great to be back out in the fields again.

We’ve just finished spreading and immediately ploughing in10t/ha of broiler litter, as per RB209, ahead of Quench spring barley, which I hope will be drilled by the time you read this.

I keep a close eye on our soil fertility indices by analysing yearly. With bought-in organic fertiliser showing a saving over bagged stuff and with more P and K being applied than the crop is reputed to require (all legal and above board), I need to know that the build factor causes no problems with lock-up of other nutrients or potential run-off.

If recent test results are accurate, we are not creating a problem, as phosphate levels have not risen beyond 3 on any field yet.

Our family have farmed Tullynaskeagh land since 1680, and David and I have spent some spare time revamping the old pig-iron field gates made by the local blacksmith for my great, great grandfather, William.

Shot-blasting revealed that they were stamped WC 1832.

Re-hanging is a heavy and difficult job, but they look really well even though it takes two gates to let modern machinery enter, where one did for the horse and cart.

Part of the reason for the tidy up is that we have recently become a DARD-sponsored Focus Farmer. Visitors are encouraged and will be given the Full Monty on the thinking, planning, running and results of our farming systems. Some will scoff, but all will be welcome.

Mistake of the month: Not for the first time, I forgot to disengage the moving floor of the not-quite-empty dung spreader when driving from field to midden. Shovelling 0.5t of manure off the road amused everyone except me.

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