Farmer Focus: It’s good to be back to my sunny self
John Pawsey © Phil Weedon I realise most of my recent Farmer Focus columns have been rather gloomy, but with cultivations under way for harvest 2027, I am pleased to say I am back to my sunny self.
An early harvest also left us with two weeks in hand, so there was no pressure to work long hours preparing fields for autumn sowing.
There were no late evenings, we had every weekend off – it was something resembling a normal life.
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I even had time for a lunch with a farming friend. When I suggested, “Let’s discuss how we make money out of our land,” he replied, “You are asking an unanswerable question!” So we ordered lunch instead.
Our barns at Shimpling hosted the village dance, complete with caller and folk music. I ran the bar all night and have never worked so hard in my life.
The barns have also been busy with weddings, bringing a stream of jolly, colourful people to the farm.
Then came a trip on a farming friend’s wooden Broads cruiser on the Norfolk Broads.
My host was so generous with the medicinal claret that, by evening, I was unable to find my shoes. I’m told it was an excellent evening.
A visit to G’s Fresh farm near Ely was equally memorable, although rather more educational.
Their Johnson-Su composting setup is impressive. Results have been so encouraging that they are expanding the system across their UK enterprise.
They are carrying out fascinating research into farming while reducing pressure on our resources. I came home with plenty to think about.
Back home, we have had enough rain to get our fertility leys and winter cover crops growing well.
Another dollop before drilling starts would be welcome. With Señor El Niño on the way, we are not planning to sit on our hands while the weather is perfect.
