Arable Farmer Focus FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: I’m in the mood for analysingThe rain has come and things have certainly perked up. The catch and cover crops are up in rows and looking reasonable. They should make a good cover before the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: I subconsciously define myself by the businessI’m aware the stress of increased costs and two poor harvests is weighing heavily on me. Once drilling is complete, I know a thorough business review and reset is needed.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: pH drops rapidly in wet wintersI feel bad saying this after what some people around the world go through, but the rain finally arrived and we’ve planted oilseed rape and cover crops. Previously, I had… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: We became part of combine fire statisticAugust 2026 has certainly been one to remember - although that is probably the upbeat way of putting it. We often read about machinery fires in the south of the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: It's the end of the road for sugar beetAugust can often be a wet month here, and 2026 hasn’t been an exception. We had 63mm of rain in the month, which is nearly as much as May, June and July combined. Thankfully,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: It's as if someone threw a tin of green paintWhat a difference over 100mm of rain has made. We are no longer breaking shear bolts or wearing metal away on our cultivation equipment as quickly. We have been able… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Drilling oilseed rape in three methodsWith harvest finished in record time, the combines are now sitting waiting for the beans. They can be frustrating to wait for, especially after we had weeks of good weather… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: It was one of those emails you dreadA few weeks ago I got one of those emails you dread: The Environment Agency wish to do a farm inspection. Of course it would have to be right in… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Wait for rain is agonisingAs the days tick by and August draws to a close, we are still agonisingly awaiting some rain here in Herefordshire. Since the beginning of June, we have recorded a… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: A rewarding trip home down memory laneThis month I have had an adventure, a trip back home of sorts and down memory lane. I grew up on a dairy farm in South Auckland, and when I… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Harvest done, thoughts turn to soil testingHarvest is done and dusted. I was anticipating another dismal and disappointing year, especially having seen posts on social media of so many with underwhelming yields. Happily though the oats… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Watching crops melt away was heartbreakingThis harvest has been the ultimate giver of false hope. Crops looked full of potential, but high temperatures and a lack of rain, resulted in poor yields. I always try… More articles
