Ollie Martin is responsible for the arable and grain business enterprise across Bedfordia Farms’ 2,450-hectare operation, with 27,000 tonnes of grain storage, near Bedford. He studied agribusiness management at Writtle University College and has had previous farm management roles in Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Fife.
I always look forward to the winter months, the expectation being that an arable farm quietens down at this time of year and everyone has a chance to take a breath and perhaps ponder reflectively. Maybe even read a book or something. The reality is somewhat different as is illustrated by the fact I am already four days past the deadline for submitting this column.
The list of kit due to pass through the workshop is long and the ailments of said kit wide-ranging. Fortunately, we have a capable team able to tackle most machinery-based headaches. Add in seemingly endless miles of hedges to trim and ditches to de-silt, muck to move, slurry to re-locate and straw to shift and we aren’t exactly looking for something to do. It is of course also the time of year to cram in plenty of training, learning new skills and refreshing existing knowledge to keep us all at the top of our game.
Wheat
On the whole, the farm looks well thanks in part to a very wet November bringing us back to field capacity for a time. All the crops were grateful of it, particularly the wheats sown in to a cultivated seedbed. What’s good for the wheat is also good for the weeds of course and it is looking likely to be a high pressure year for black-grass in particular. Low dormancy combined with a complete lack of precipitation in September led to a late flush which is no doubt putting high pressure on the residual chemistry. Fortunately, we were able to get Avadex Excel (triallate) applied to the entire area thanks mainly to our ‘new’ applicator. It seems we picked a good year to finally ‘nail’ the Avadex job.
Oilseed rape
The oilseed rape has finally received its propyzamide application. We had to wait patiently for soil temperatures to drop and land drains to stop running. The stewardship of propyzamide should be of the utmost priority for all users with its long-term future in some doubt. Its loss would be another nail in the coffin for oilseed rape, particularly on black-grass prone ground.
In the mix were Astrokerb (propyzamide + aminopyralid) with prothioconazole for phoma control and some boron based on tissue sample results. The crop looks good, far exceeding my expectations in mid-September when I was convinced we would be ripping most of it up. I put this largely down to our inherently fertile soils which seemed to help see the crop through a drought stressed period soon after emergence.
It’s difficult to put a true value on regular applications of the organic manures we are fortunate to have access to. Flea beetle larvae are present although not in the numbers I had expected. Pigeons, thus far are conspicuous by their absence, much to the disappointment of our unofficial shooting team.
Beans
The beans emerged rapidly in the unusually warm soils of late autumn. So rapidly in fact that we very nearly missed the boat on the pre-emergence herbicide application (which included glyphosate). Cue rapid change of priorities for the spraying team. I am confident there was not a hint of panic in my voice down the phone.
Despite being sown in to marginally wet conditions the crop has emerged evenly – testament to the diligence of the man on the seat checking the coulters were all flowing at regular intervals.
I have spent a significant amount of time recently firming up our medium to long-term cap-ex plans. With lead times continuing to become ever more drawn-out and the investment required to acquire kit becoming ever more uncomfortable, sound budgeting is the order of the day. We recently ordered a sprayer that is not due on farm until the middle of 2024. Meanwhile the pickup I ordered in October 2021 is still yet to materialise. A story familiar to many reading this I am sure.
All that remain to be said then is an optimistic Happy New Year! Here is to hoping it is prosperous for everyone.
