Farmer Focus: Battling to cut linseed without glyphosate

I suppose after such a dry spell we were bound to get a wet one, which has done the overwinter cover and summer catch crops the world of good.

They are certainly not going to be very special this year as September is nothing like August for biomass growth, but they’ll be good enough to capture any surplus nutrients, bind the soil together and feed the soil biology over winter.

Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to get the linseed cut before the weather broke.

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Richard Harris

Richard Harris manages his family farm in partnership with his father in south Devon. The farm grows wheat, barley, linseed, grass and cover crops, with a small pick-your-own pumpkin patch.

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We did manage about 3ha before blocking the trunk with green, very flexible stems.

Followed by an hour cutting it out. Not fit enough to flow.

This is mainly due to that fact it was a seed crop, therefore, no glyphosate desiccation is allowed.

This kept the stems green while the bowls were fit. Note to self, do not grow a seed crop again. Glyphosate is vital for this crop.

On the up side, the yield looks reasonable and with this current high pressure in place we should be able to harvest it before the autumn really sets in.

In between this rain we have been cutting our pumpkin patches.

Unfortunately, it’s not been the season for the summer crop. We are about 50% down on yield and size compared to last year.

With pumpkins around 90% water, it’s not a surprise, but still disappointing.

Usually a profitable crop, this year it will be tracking the wheat gross margins I expect, so not much cop.

But there you are, that’s farming for you, and we have done well the past few years, so the average is still worthwhile.

By the time you’re reading this, I expect we might be drilling some winter wheat.

Although there is an increase in disease and pest pressure with early drilling, it would be nice to see a full crop established going into the winter, all rolled down and sprayed.

If you believe the old wives’ tale, we could be in for a cold winter with the abundance of berries and tree seeds around.

Nature usually finds a way of balancing things in the end.