Farmer Focus: The best worst harvest ever
Keith Challen © TIm Scrivener Harvest 2025 was the hardest easy harvest we’ve ever had. It was easy because machines went well and there was virtually nothing to dry.
No cereals were cut below 13% moisture, which maximised weights.
However, it was also the hardest because it will be our lowest average yield in my 16 years here. Without doubt the extreme weather is to blame.
See also: Suffolk farm faces tough decisions on environmental measures
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I know it’s not extreme in global terms, but locally it is.
The wettest winter on record followed by the driest spring/summer for 50 years. It’s definitely an unforgettable year, which ironically we’d all love to forget.
We’ve had a summer of demoing combines and I’d like to thank all those involved.
We even were lucky enough to host a Case roadshow for a couple of days which couldn’t have gone better, except for a local farmer who felt it necessary to have a rant and be unprofessional.
I guess every village has one!
The combines themselves were all very impressive, but in the current climate unaffordable on our acreage. The decision was made to put swapping off for another year and review.
Our Fendt combine has gone particularly well, and compared to new prices represents good value for money.
And with only one breakdown the reliability is there too.
Five days of rain is forecast. While some rain is welcome we don’t need the September rains of the past few years.
With this in mind, we’ve pushed on and completed cultivations. Everything was carried out with a couple of home-made low disturbance subsoilers at minimal cost.
Composted manures were spread, leaving just cover crops to drill before the main drilling campaign starts in a couple of weeks.
Finally, I want to have a moan again about the government’s hypocrisy.
Net- zero ambitions are being shoved down our throats, while in the background deals are being done to import American ethanol, causing the closure of British plants.
It is just bonkers.
