Farmer Focus: Drilling finished with near perfect seed-beds

And just like that September has been and gone. Autumn drilling will be completed soon and conditions have been excellent for autumn cereals – seed-beds have been near perfect.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for a small proportion of our oilseed rape, which has suffered.

A combination of slugs, a lack of moisture in the seed-bed at drilling and cabbage stem flea beetle has taken its toll on a handful of fields which we have decided to pull the plug on.

Second wheats and malting winter barley have taken their place.

See also: Leicestershire arable farm begins first-of-kind drainage trial

About the author

Annabel Hamilton

Annabel Hamilton farms 1,030ha of arable in the Scottish Borders with her parents. The arable area grows 65% winter and 35% spring crops. She is Basis and Facts qualified and runs a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. The farm finishes more than 300 Limousin cattle a year.  Follow Annabel on Twitter @annabelhami11

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We have not experienced the damage that flea beetle can cause until this year – going forward more vigorous varieties and even earlier sowing will be at the forefront of our minds.

A lot has happened in September. Arthur has started nursery two days a week, this has been a big decision for me, but one that most working parents have to make at some point.

Knowing that the business needs to keep moving forward, this gives me the quality time to plan and make decisions – I can’t leave all the decision making to Will and Carol!

Returning to work has been a natural process for me. If I am honest I have missed it.

In September my father-in-law celebrated the Killaney Aberdeen Angus herd being 75 years old, with a production sale over in Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, Arthur and I couldn’t make the sale, but Tom headed over to help John prepare the cattle.

Farming traditions such as this where the passion and skill is passed down through generations is vital in keeping agriculture going.

I know Tom is excited to get Arthur prepping and showing calves – but all in good time.

We have had an incredible run this harvest and autumn. Once again our staff have gone above and beyond to get the job done.

Sadly, we did see John, our youngest member of the farm team, leave us in October. He is off to New Zealand, which will be a fantastic experience for him; something which I never did and wish I had.