Will’s World: High hopes for harvest and hot lunches
© Richard Stanton We broke a harvest record yesterday. Not for yield, unfortunately – though early indications are that it’s going to be pretty decent this year – but for start date.
We got into our winter barley on 8 July, smashing our previous record, set in 2006, by a whole day.
Say what you like about this prolonged period of dry weather, and our grass is certainly in need of some rain, but at least you can get things done.
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This is what it must be like growing grain in places like Australia, where you don’t have to constantly worry about incoming rain.
Need to knock off early for a cricket match? No worries, mate, we’ll go again tomorrow. Not usually something we can contemplate here in North Wales, so we’ll make the most of it while it’s here.
Health kick
I had the unbridled joy of combining the fields next to the farm yesterday, which is something those of you lucky devils who farm entirely in a ring fence probably can’t comprehend.
No logistics to think about, no vast array of supplies to run about, just get in the cab and go, and when you’ve finished for the night, a lovely evening stroll home while contemplating a good day’s work done.
As this harvest season starts – and I’ve now got several months of tractor time ahead of me where I won’t necessarily be at the farm – I’m thinking about a particular challenge, and that’s healthy eating.
Like a lot of people in their 40s who suddenly become aware of their own mortality, in recent years I’ve tried to look after myself more.
I’ve often thought that us farmers look after our livestock better than we do ourselves, so I’ve tried to do something about it.
Regular workouts and a far healthier and more balanced diet have led to me feeling immeasurably fitter, both physically and mentally – and as a result, a (hopefully) better farmer, dad and husband.
There’s also the fact that the present Mrs Evans very obviously married down by several levels, and it’s always in the back of my mind that one day she’ll wake up and realise this, so I need to stay on my toes.
But long days on a tractor aren’t necessarily conducive to eating well, and as someone who bores extremely easily, if I’m not being disciplined, I’d always reach for an unhealthy snack for instant gratification.
So long sandwiches
It’s not as if this country’s food system helps with that, either. Every garage and convenience store seems to sell little that you could remotely call healthy.
Anyway, I’ve got a birthday coming up, and this year I’ve requested something that’s going to help me with this, thanks to a similarly minded friend who gave me the idea.
He regularly posts videos online from his tractor cab of delicious looking home-made hot meals, served from a magical device that I didn’t previously know existed – the electric lunchbox.
“Say goodbye to sandwiches and enjoy warm food!” the blurb says. “Simply plug in and heat up your food with the 80W fast-heating system”.
Imagine now the aromas gently filling your cab as you drive along, your mouth watering with the anticipation of eating a tasty hot lunch that’ll keep you powering on through the rest of the day.
Heck, it’ll probably even make you more money – a happier farmer is a more productive one, after all. And all this for circa £20? You can’t go wrong.
May your yields be high, your thoughts pure, and your lunches hot and tasty. Happy harvesting everyone.