Arable Farmer Focus FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Combine breakdowns and variable crop yieldsHarvest started at Southesk on 21 July, fully a week earlier than normal and has already produced more than enough drama both crop and operationally related. The combination of three… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Yields 30% down on 10-year averageAs across much of the country, harvest came early to Shimpling Park Farm this year. It was hardly surprising, as all our crops came into ear at least a fortnight… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: New farm sign prompts neighbour commentI had an interesting conversation with one of our neighbours who lives along the farm road. I had recently installed a new farm sign with the usual notices – CCTV… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Flash harvest gives low yields and no profitsHarvest seems to have been and gone in a flash. The going was dry to very dry, with underwhelming results - the straw yield was also closer to the pre-harvest… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Yields akin to those in OzHere in barren West Norfolk harvest has nearly finished. We cut 90% of our crops in July, leaving just spring beans to gather in. It has been a straightforward affair… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Harvest finished at time we used to start itWe have just finished harvest, right about when we used to start. The oilseed rape and wheat, while not vintage by any means, have yielded enough to make a positive… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dry days test patience - and profitI know I’ve said previously in this column I prefer a dry time to a wet one – and we won’t be the first people to refer to irrigators as… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Yields vary by up to 5t/ha in the same fieldThe wheat harvest started on 13 July, which is the earliest by far since I’ve been at Belvoir. Even the heaviest of the clay soils couldn’t hold up to the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: A la carte weather is rarely on the menuHarvest is halfway through at this stage, and it's wonderful to be able to get up and work every day with no weather interruptions. That's the positive side of our… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Harvest gets off to an encouraging startIt is 22 July as I write this, and harvest is in full swing across Herefordshire. As you travel the county, it is clear that August is going to be… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Opting for new dairy as arable no longer paysWe are actively working towards milking cows by July 2028, alongside desperately trying to find a way to remain arable farmers. Likely with a simplified arable rotation and a greatly… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: My next idea is more Zen than YENAs I write, the combine (or parts of it) should be heading over to Little Goldsmiths Farm for harvest 2026. This will be the first time I’ve started harvest before… More articles
