My mother seems to be enjoying reading my columns each month because she gets to find out what machinery I have recently purchased.

Well Carol, the next item to arrive is a Kverneland 6 furrow plough, which our ploughman is eagerly awaiting.

See also: Video: UK’s largest agroforestry system integrates fruit and arable

About the author

Annabel Hamilton

Annabel Hamilton farms 1,100ha of arable in the Scottish Borders with her parents. The arable area grows 65% winter and 35% spring crops. She is Basis and Facts qualified and runs a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. The farm finishes more than 300 Limousin cattle a year.  Follow Annabel on Twitter @annabelhami11

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This season we have ploughed half of our ground, including ground rented out for vegetables.

We still see the plough as an important part of our armoury, keeping grassweeds to a minimum and incorporating farmyard manure.

We have in the past tried min-tilling ground for spring barley, but the yield hit put us off. For now, the plough remains a key part of our crop establishment.

As of the end of March, spring drilling has yet to commence. Ground temperatures remain below 6C so we are in no rush.

Spring drilling plans are Conway spring oats, Golden Promise and Diablo spring barley.

All spring seed is combined, drilled with fertiliser and treated with Kick Off, providing a combination of nutrients to give the seed the best start.

Both Dad and I enjoy growing a crop that has a story behind it, such as Golden Promise for Simpsons Malt.

It is a heritage variety dating back to the 1960s and its place in the market remains strong – particularly in craft brewing – and it is one of the main malts used by Timothy Taylor’s.

Like most varieties, Golden Promise does have its challenges. The main being it has no resistance to mildew.

My next mission is to build more grain storage. A couple of weeks ago, we all ventured up to East Lothian to visit three farms that had invested in grain drying and storage. So watch this space.

Stuart (main tractor man) and I also went to visit a local farming company to see a modified Horsch Terrano.

From visiting these four farms, my main take-home message was not to be afraid to spend money if it is going to benefit your business and staff.

I would like to thank the farmers who took the time to talk to us, highlighting our very supportive farming community.