Photo of the Week: Thatching reed harvest and a special birthday

This very special Photo of the Week not only shows off the traditional farming technique of harvesting thatching straw, but also pictures lead tractor driver John Kerslake who is 90 years old this month.

Harvest commenced on 30 June – the earliest ever for John, who has been harvesting reed with the Massey Harris Sunshine binder since his father purchased it new in 1945.

“It has been one of the better years, despite the dry spring, with yields of 6t/ha,” notes John’s grandson Ed Partridge, who captured the image in Poughill, Devon. 

See also: Wetter farming: Growing typha for the construction industry

© Ed Partridge

The triticale has grown well, standing at more than 1.4m tall with stiff stems. The reed is stood for one to two weeks to dry, before tying into bundles. 

“It takes about 25 labour hours/ha to cut, stook, bundle and carry in the shelves, which will be about three weeks from start to finish, weather depending,” says Ed.

John farmed on a mixed farm near Tiverton until 2000, before passing the binder on to his son-in-law Brian Partridge in 1989.

The binder has since been used on the family beef, sheep and arable farm every year to cut thatching reed, where John has remained the main tractor driver.

As if that wasn’t enough, John has found time since retirement to steward at the Mid Devon Show and judge county and national ploughing matches.

We can only hope that we are as active as John when we reach 90.

The family farm has also diversified from its main enterprises of beef, sheep and cereals to running a commercial truffle plantation.

You can upload your harvest photos to our Harvest 2025 Photography Competition gallery, and your general farming photos to our Farmlife Framed gallery.