Winter barley safely in store for Allan Chambers
As I write, 1985 looms large in my mind. That year our wheat averaged 0.4t/ha at 29% moisture and our farming business almost went under as we were heavily borrowed at the time. Fortunately I warned our bank of the impending cash flow crisis and we worked out a deal.
The other lesson I learnt that year (90% of our farmed area was in wheat) was to adopt a sustainable rotation which would give a spread of crops and harvest dates. With the weather now even worse than that horrific year, I’m relieved our winter barley is safely in store, even though the yield was a disappointing 7.5t/ha at 17% moisture. The total absence of any sunny days has to be the reason for this being 2t/ha below our five-year average.
Fodder turnips have been drilled in to the stubbles at 3kg/ha. This is a very low seed rate, as I believe most recommendations are far too high. I don’t plan to spread any bagged fertiliser, as there should be enough nitrogen released from our well-manured soils to sufficiently feed this catch crop. We will watch it carefully, just in case. Our fields are fenced up to “horned lamb specification” and there are several potential customers.
With the wet autumn, one-quarter of our planned winter wheat area was left alone and another quarter failed to establish well. This means half the wheat is the spring variety Grannery and this may turn out to be a lucky turn, as it still looks healthy and harvestable. In contrast, winter wheat is about 20% lodged and will present a major challenge to my neighbour’s new combine, now being fitted with dual wheels.
Mistake of the month: There are too many coulds, shoulds and maybes in this article, but it might land me a job in the civil service should I go belly-up!
Allan Chambers farms 270ha of medium stony loam at Tullynaskeagh Farm, Tullynaskeagh, Co Down, with brother David growing cereals, grass for haylage and maize.
