Arable Farmer Focus FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Driving tractors while on phone must stopTravelling across the UK in an advisory role, from the North to the South, the West to the East, I see tractor drivers concentrating more on their mobile phones, than… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: The Champions League of drilling conditionsThis autumn has been very kind so far, and near perfect for no-till drilling; the Champions League of conditions in many ways here in South Devon. In mid-September we had… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Could AI help us make more informed decisions?This autumn continues to be chilled. Not in a nippy way, but in a non-stressed way. We’ve been able to approach autumn sowing in an almost lackadaisical manner, with sunshine… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Early end to wheat drilling and OSR failuresAt the time of writing, we have just 11ha of wheat left to drill for a neighbour, following potatoes. Our own drilling campaign came to an end on 28 September,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Drilling earlier in dry conditions saves fuelUsually I don’t even start to think about drilling winter wheat until the end of October, as the blackgrass usually likes to germinate in mid-October. This year, however, is different… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Continuing the experiment with AIAutumn cereal drilling is in full swing in mid-west Norfolk. Unseasonably dry weather is allowing swift progress and a healthier work-life balance. This year, we have cultivated some brilliant seed-beds… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Sometimes talking nonsense is just what's neededThe potatoes are slightly better than anticipated in terms of quality and yield. That’s not to say they are going to make any money, but they could definitely be worse.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: A sleepless night to get my SFI submittedThe impact of the recent spring and summer droughts on our light land was taken to a whole new level this year. There is even threat of worse weather next… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: My agronomic decisions to reduce BYDVWe have made great progress sowing our 2027 crops. With good conditions in September, everyone was itching to start. It is a balancing act, and starting early has a lot… ARABLEFarmer Focus: Government couldn’t care less about farmingIf the Sustainable Farming Incentive debacle last month proves anything, it is that this government couldn’t care less about nature, and that they care even less about farming. We were… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Drilled up in September and a change of combineA famous YouTubing farmer once said October drilling is for losers. I’m sure that’s not true. However, the fear of being caught out by weather and the fact the stale… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Crops look good after kind New Zealand winterWe had a kind winter here at Valetta, no prolonged wet spells like the last couple of winters and stock have done well. Spring growth of grass seed crops has… More articles
