I’m very happy with how spring drilling has gone, as I’m sure many of you are. Around the middle of March some fields were still a bit too wet, but the weather was perfect and drying fields fast.

I had hoped to keep cultivations light, but with the need to dry some of the heavier land and reduce the winter rain’s compaction, the discing went a bit deeper and the power harrow came out to play.

This produced great seed-beds and, although soils are still relatively cold due to the relentless northerly wind, the wheat is up and away.

See also: ‘Mosaic’ cropping system helps cut winter barley costs

About the author

Anthony Becvar

Anthony Becvar is a third-generation farmer of an 80ha mixed farm in East Sussex on heavy Weald Clay. Crops include spring beans, winter wheat and spring barley, alongside diversification projects which include two breweries and an agricultural mechanic.

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I’ve included buckwheat in the mix, which I thought might be held back by the cooler soil temperatures, but it’s up and looking happy.

The pre-cultivation glyphosate treatment worked well, producing nice clean fields (currently). I know this might not last too long, but that will give me a chance to try out my new (to me) 8m Opico tine harrow.

I’m keen to reduce pesticide inputs and I’m still learning how to accomplish this.

I know it’s not a case of simply dropping rates, or withholding certain applications, unless you’re well down the line of improving soil and plant health and nutrition, holistically and with great attention to detail.

However, the weed, or “other plant” pressure is something tangible and allows deductions to be made around how to deal with them throughout the year.

I’ve been taking a more relaxed view on “other plant” populations in crops over the past couple of years.

Coupled with zero insecticides, the masses of mayweed on the headlands are a spectacle to watch when in flower and covered in a variety of insects.

The balance has been deciding what to allow and what to get rid of or reduce, before the combine chops it into a sweaty green mass.

The hope is that the tines will help me to keep weeds to a minimum that I can tolerate and the local insects can thrive on.

A level of living roots left at harvest is always a bonus, too, if it’s not caused moisture or serious admix issues.

There are obviously chemical solutions available should the tines not achieve what is needed, but it’s a big step for me to make a reduction in another pesticide on the farm.