Paul Warburton
Paul Warburton
Paul Warburton farms
208ha (514 acres) of
mostly chalky loam at
North Farm, Shillingford
Hill, near Oxford. He is an
owner-occupier, running
the business in partnership
with his wife Hilary.
Cropping includes feed
wheat, feed barley
and oilseed rape
WHAT a month of frustration – 14 days of standstill hay-making due to lack of sun and threat of rain, an unfortunate combine incident, a disappointing Chancellors Spending Review and a £60 fine plus three points for doing the outrageous speed of 37mph in a 30mph limit.
But rising pressure, atmospheric not blood, has permitted another 10ha (25 acres) of hay to be pulled down last week with an above average yield. The only hassle has been two punctures and loss of electrical power on one tractor.
Anticipating a start to harvest, I backed our 1985 Claas 96 combine out of the shed last weekend for a wash off and clean of the cab etc. An unfamiliar bright light on the dash and audible hooter did not deter me from continuing round the corner to the yard. Only having cleaned and vacuumed did I check the manual for lights cause.
Shock horror! It was the oil pressure warning and the hooter is to alert those with poor eyesight! I dipped the sump – no oil. The oil had all leaked out of a perished rubber drain hose, post winter service.
Mill Engineers from Bibury were called, filled the sump and checked the oil pressure. Thankfully OK but they have taken an oil sample to the laboratory to test for metal content.
We await the result, no need to file finger nails in the meantime with a possible bill of £3000 looming if the engine needs attention.
The moral? Dont let the grain/corn-cart/dryer man drive the combine.
The Chancellors Spending review statement was much as expected; the devil in the detail and the jam spread "broad and shallow" tomorrow. In the meantime, the ship continues to take on water.
My neighbours started combining winter feed barley nearly a fortnight ago with yields variable; 5.6-7.4t/ha (45-60cwt/acre).
In the meantime, best of luck to all with harvest. May the sun shine, the days be long and breakdown free, and remember to be considerate to "her indoors". *
Fit for harvest, but will the combine be? Paul Warburton is waiting for the results of an oil test on his Claas 96.