Farmer Focus: It was one of those emails you dread

A few weeks ago I got one of those emails you dread: The Environment Agency wish to do a farm inspection. Of course it would have to be right in the middle of harvest.

However, I was pleasantly surprised the inspector was more than happy to move the visit until we had finished combining, and – within reason – to a date that suited me.

See also: Farmer Focus: To plant or not to plant? That is the question

About the author

Keith Challen

Arable Farmer Focus writer

Keith Challen manages 1,200ha of heavy clay soils in the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire, for Belvoir Farming Company. Cropping includes wheat, oilseed rape and elderflowers. The farm is also home to the Belvoir Fruit Farms drinks business.

Read more articles by Keith Challen

The inspector highlighted that the visit was to get to know the farm and business, to understand the methods we employed and to discuss the use of fertilisers and manures and their impact. It was also to discuss nutrient management plans and to make sure we understood the rules.

I have to say, the inspector’s approach was a breath of fresh air and, rather than trying to catch us out, he offered support and advice through out the process.

He clearly had an understanding of the practical aspects of farming, which was hugely beneficial.

At the end of the inspection, we only had one non-conformance and we have been given a reasonable period of time to put it right. The Environment Agency often get a lot of criticism from farmers but in this instance I can only praise them for their approach and professionalism.

In other news, what looked like a 4t/acre harvest has ended up being a 3t/acre harvest. It’s all very frustrating and the financial implications from that are going to be quite constraining in the coming year.

One win has been using variable rate nitrogen applications based on biomass in last year’s wheat crop. Well over £20,000 was saved over what would have been flat-rate applications.

Agrii’s Rhiza platform made acquiring maps and creating application maps very simple with the ability to manipulate them before sending them to the sprayer. You can manage any bare areas or no-spread zones. It is refreshing to have this level of control that’s so simple to operate.

Finally, at the time of writing I’ve just completed drilling our over winter cover crops – hopefully just in time for three days of rain and a long weekend off with the family as I endeavour to get more work/life balance.