Stewart Hayllor
Stewart Hayllor
Stewart Hayllor farms
400ha (1000 acres) as a
family partnership from
Blackler Barton,
Landscove, Devon.
Combinable arable crops
are complemented by 32ha
(80 acres) of organic
vegetables, 180 dairy cows and contracting work
EARLY in May we hosted a Soil Association mechanical weed control demonstration, as reported in FW (Arable, May 17). Several different manufacturers turned up to show off their products, from small hand held and operated tools to large tractor mounted machines.
Unfortunately, while the weather on the day was good, the previous day was very wet which prevented any chance of putting the inter-row weeders through our crops. Hence the format of the day had to be hastily rearranged with static demonstrations around the yard.
Front, mid or rear mounted equipment is being constantly developed to remove more of the weeds closer to the crop. Innovations such as star weeders with flexible fingers that overlap between the crop caught my eye. Video and computer controlled guidance systems that allow very close working at high speeds also impressed me. Several people commented that with less skilled drivers available, guidance systems will find a place. I tend to think skilled drivers will still be needed, but that output could be greatly increased.
Flame weeders were shown working, ranging from hand held burners to a big 6m rear mounted unit that took off down the field like a jet aircraft. Our own experience with flame weeding in carrots shows a well-timed pass can be worth up to £1200/ha (£500/acre) in savings on hand labour.
Catchy weather with a few good days broken up by heavy rain showers over the past few weeks means we have plenty of soil moisture, good news for the potatoes. Winter wheat is approaching flag leaf timing and will receive an epoxiconazole/strobilurin mix.
Yield potential is well up on last year, but with prices looking less than rosy I have decided to forward sell much of the crop to our dairy cows at £100/t, not that I have told my brother, Andrew, who manages the herd yet. That should help later in the year when we compare margins. However, he will probably double the cost of manure back to our organic crops! *
A welcome boost. Wheats yield potential looks more promising than last year, says Stewart Hayllor, from Landscove, Devon.