Mark Ireland
Mark Ireland
Mark Ireland farms with
his father and brother at
Grange Farm, North
Rauceby, Lincs. Sugar beet
and barley are the core
crops on the 1004ha (2481
acres) heathland unit
HARVEST began here on July 15. Winter barley results have been slightly disappointing so far. Yields vary from 6t/ha (2.4 t/acre) for Leonie and Diamond up to 7.3t/ha (2.9t/acre) for the best Pearl. Quality is as yet unknown.
Overall, that is 0.9t/ha (0.35t/acre) down on last years average and less than our budget. Not a good start with a base feed price at £52/t.
Fortress oilseed rape on the other hand has exceeded our expectations with a yield of 4.2t/ha (34cwt/acre) and is now awaiting delivery to a local feed mill at £148/t, no bonuses to be added.
The closure of our local New Holland dealership has prompted others to target our area. We have already been joined by a John Deere 9780 CTS equipped with a 25ft header. As is to be expected with a new machine it went very well, daily output well over that of our TX66s.
However, there are two problems. Firstly, the yield meter tried to convince me that we were cutting barley at 11t/ha (4.5t/acre). Secondly, I dont think now is the best time to be making large capital investments unless a large saving in harvest operations can be proved.
That said, we appreciated the opportunity to have a lengthy demonstration to find out both the good and bad points of the machine.
Are many people aware of the current draft consultation looking at environmental standards in farm assurance schemes? Pressure from several different groups, citing an inconsistent approach towards environmental standards across different assurance schemes, has resulted in a quite unbelievable draft document for consultation.
I thought that current ACCS standards cover most aspects to supply our markets with a safe crop, at no extra return to ourselves I might add. But I am wrong. The draft document proposes that farms should appear tidy to the general public, with entrances clear of rubbish and non-essential vehicles.
A written conservation statement will be required, hedges must not be trimmed before August, and much, much more. Where will it all end? *
The consultation document on including environmental standards in assurance protocols is quite alarming, says Mark Ireland.