William Hamilton
William Hamilton
William Hamilton is tenant
on the 205ha (506-acre)
Rosery Farm, Little
Stonham, Stowmarket,
Suffolk. Main crops are
winter wheat and oilseed
rape but he also grows
winter beans and
vining peas.
NOT much news to report concerning our crop of Abbot wheat, where plants emerging from depth died off. Those which showed signs of regrowth seem to have come to a halt at the one-leaf stage.
A representative from the breeder came out last month to take some plant samples. I also gave him a sample of the left-over seed. I have since heard that the amount of seed dressing used was correct, and a further field inspection is due.
Angus has sprayed our seed crop of Savannah with a tank mix of dimethoate and chlorpyrifos to prevent wheat bulb fly attack. As this crop follows a crop of vining peas it seemed a wise precaution to take.
Still on the subject of wheat, half the quantity of Reaper due to be collected in December left the farm in early January. Shortage of shipping, Im told. As long as the cheque arrives on time, I do not mind.
The Reaper was exported from Ipswich docks only 12 miles away; we are fortunate to have that facility on our doorstep, which Im sure adds a welcome £1-2/t to our returns.
Every little bit helps at the moment. Luckily I only have 50t of wheat left to sell – most was placed last autumn.
For some time we have been searching for a replacement for our ageing (1985) Ford 6610 loader tractor. During a 598-mile dash round England one Saturday we found a suitable tractor in Lincolnshire. The deal done, the 1991 Ford 5610 has now arrived at Rosery Farm.
We were accompanied and assisted in our search by Frank Sherman, now officially retired, who spent almost 40 years selling Ford tractors and ancillary equipment to farmers in Suffolk. What Frank does not know about the subject could be written on the back of a postage stamp.
William Hamilton is happy to see the back of his wheat sold for export. Collection was delayed due to lack of shipping – Mr Hamilton hopes the cheque does not suffer the same fate.