Harvests are definitely getting earlier. The good intentions to have everything sorted and ready in plenty of time are failing with annoying regularity.

In theory, by the time you read this we should have started winter barley and winter linseed. Others locally have already made a start. In reality, however, it is unlikely that is the case.

Looking at the forecast, the weather gods seem to have woken up and there are little rain cloud pictures every day for the next fortnight.

See also: Harvest 2023: Stuttering start in between the showers

About the author

Matt Redman

Farmer Focus writer

Matt Redman farms 370ha just north of Cambridge and operates a contracting business specialising in spraying and direct-drilling. He also grows cereals on a small area of tenancy land and was Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year in 2014.

Contact:

Email: office@mattredmanag.co.uk

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@redmanmatt

Read more articles by Matt Redman

Last year, the purchase of a new dryer guaranteed a dry harvest. The question is, will it get used this year?

And should I panic and try to get that winter fabrication job done to improve the filling of it? Rushing about to do that is bound to seal the deal for another dry harvest, surely.

Spring crops have been struggling and are not looking very special, but with a few recent showers, warm temperatures, and lots of sunlight the spring beans are bursting with flowers and will hopefully prove better than anticipated.

Spring barley will be variable, and it could prove tricky to pick the right time to combine before heads start falling off.

The countdown is on for the deadline to submit my new Countryside Stewardship scheme for 2024, and I am even more unsure which direction to take. Establishment and management costs are increasing, and option costs barely covered them before.

I’m reluctant to not enter a new scheme, having seen the effect of the current one on the farm’s wildlife.

The high cost of production this year also pushes me towards doing more, but the memory of last year’s wheat price makes me question it. It’s a decision that will be dragged out until the last minute.

The number of farm businesses advertising for harvest staff, having been let down at the last minute or still not finding anyone, is concerning, and doesn’t appear to get any better each year.

Does the internet and social media make the problem worse or just more visible?

Regardless of an early harvest, shortage of staff or challenging weather – all of which add significant strain to businesses and people – as an industry we must address the poor safety record.

There is no excuse. It is something I’ve written about numerous times over the past few years, and things are not getting better.  

If nothing else goes to plan this harvest, stay safe and make sure everyone else does too.