It has been quite a struggle to find something positive to write about this month, so I thought I’d share a recipe for a “farming 2022” cake, which has some pretty horrible ingredients.

First, take some ridiculously priced fertiliser, increasing wheat growing costs by £100/ha alone.

Next, add some increased fuel costs, up circa 30% since the start of harvest, and increased costs of machinery, labour and plant protection products – if you can get them.

See also: Pulses good option for growers as fertiliser prices rocket

About the author

Matt Redman

Farmer Focus writer

Matt Redman farms 370ha just north of Cambridge and operates a contracting business specialising in spraying and direct-drilling. He also grows cereals on a small area of tenancy land and was Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year in 2014.

Contact:

Email: office@mattredmanag.co.uk

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@redmanmatt

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Stir the mix well, see what it tastes like, and feel a bit sick.

Add to this the haulage issues which make product supply on and off farm even more challenging.

I have had a very delayed end to harvest, with 20ha of spring beans having to be left in field for an extended period due to shed clearance issues.

For the filling (the bit that makes it all taste better and holds it together) add your BPS, making sure you spill some of it over the edge of the bowl.

If you make this cake again next year, remember to spill even more, as you won’t be getting so much in 2023.

The icing on the cake this season is decent grain prices, which makes farming appear to be in a good place – if you look at it on the shelf.

However, get too close and you realise it isn’t so sweet – lower-than-expected yields, high ergot levels, some hefty claims, cleaning and additional haulage costs.

Thanks must go to the merchants who have worked hard to deal with the problems as best they can.

For the candles on this metaphorical cake, it seems some land agents believe farm rents should be going up.

I’ve got my tenancy extension discussion to look forward to, with the prospect of not getting a renewal if I don’t agree to an increase.

One positive which might mean this cake isn’t completely inedible is that crops drilled so far this season have gone into very good conditions.

It will be important to have well-established crops, given the strong possibility of reduced nitrogen inputs.

My advice to avoid a bake-off disaster is to carefully scrutinise your ingredients, see what can be tweaked, and plan well for a plain couple of years without the fancy bits.

Don’t be afraid to make some big changes while there is time – before it’s in the oven starting to burn.