We are now settled into the winter routine and the hedgecutter is busy. We cut the arable land every other year and then grassland and environmental areas every three to four years.

The team are also busy cutting and shearing ash affected by dieback, and we are planning a large roadside project with a third party to cut down all the at-risk trees.

More than 300 trees need to come down and it is incredibly sad to be removing diseased trees. It will affect the vista of the estate.

See also: What farmers need to know about ash dieback

About the author

Robin Aird

Arable Farmer Focus writer Robin Aird manages 1,500ha on the north Wiltshire and Gloucestershire border, with a further 160ha on a contract farming agreement. Soils vary from gravel to clay with the majority silty clay loams. The diverse estate has Residential, commercial and events enterprises. He is Basis qualified and advises on other farming businesses.

Contact:

Email: robin.aird@charltonpark.estate

Read more articles by Robin Aird

Grain markets are still moving with substantial momentum. It is hard to know when to jump in. We have contracted a third of our wheat tonnage to date and on both occasions been really pleased with the price.

When will the bubble burst? How a big a percentage do we cover? These are the two big questions.

Current prices are showing a profit of more than £100/t on harvest 2022. We have been busy loading lorries all month and the communication has been impressive.

We ask hauliers to call us the night before with the number and rough times for lorries the day prior, and then again 30 minutes before arrival.

This creates efficient loading times so we can turn them around in 15 minutes. It is a win-win for everyone.

This year we are hosting Countryfile’s Christmas in the Park, which is a Christmas fair along with filming for the show. It will be great to promote farming and interact with all the visitors.

We have a stand and will be selling our Christmas trees, gin and flour that have been grown and milled and not travelled more than 2.5 miles.

Our combine has completed its eighth season and we have just changed it for a three-year-old machine. The old combine depreciated at just over £16/ha.

With the forage crops now in our rotation I cannot justify a new machine, so a second-hand was sought. The saving was vast, but I know the depreciation will be a lot more this time.

Please remember to take a break at Christmas and enjoy time with family and friends.

The farm will still be there tomorrow, but missing family and friends is time that can never be recovered.

Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all.