FARMERFOCUS
FARMERFOCUS
Ian Pigott
Ian Pigott farms 690ha
(1700 acres) of owned,
rented, share-farmed and
contract-farmed land in
partnership with his father
from Thrales End,
Harpenden, Herts. Wheat,
oilseed rape, spring barley,
beans and peas are the
main crops on the flinty,
medium clay soils
A LITTLE knowledge can be dangerous, they say. For example, here are a few comments made by my welly-wearing, well-meaning, townfolk neighbours in the past week.
"You dont seem to be doing as much combining as you usually do…"
Another, as the rain continued to fall; "Why has all that straw been left unbaled?"
Finally, to cap it all: "I see Tony Blair is at last taking the sides of the farmer with this new organic farming handout…"
It is best to try and see the funny side of such observations.
Oilseed rape and barley are in the shed. I have to admit oilseed rapes agronomy continues to confuse me. We established crops in several different ways; Shakerator, disc, then drill; disc and drill, and even disc then broadcast. The former was the most consistent performer at about 4t/ha (32cwt/acre) and there are still obvious weaknesses to the latter systems which did about 3.2t/ha (26cwt/acre). Varieties Escort and Royal showed limited variation in yield. Lets hope Chicago continues its weather market.
The Pearl barley has looked very well all year and yielded above expectations at 7.9t/ha (3.2t/acre). Screenings are a tad high and nitrogen about 1.9%. Sadly, its performance hasnt been enough to avoid it being relegated from the rotation.
To quote Robert Kerr of Glencore Grain back in April, in light of record wheat plantings "the worst thing that could happen to the grain market this harvest is a large crop with poor quality." Personally, I would go one better and say the worst thing that could happen to an arable farmer would be a small crop with poor quality. We are yet to start the wheat but I fear that we are not going to see the bumper harvest predicted back in April, especially in second wheat.
Hopefully, by the time this goes to print the sun will be shining again and, to coin a Canadian toast, we will have a golden harvest, a full belly, a heavy purse and a light heart. *