Still learning, but its worth it
Still learning, but its worth it
By John Allan
SIX years after converting to organic production, one Cotswolds farmer is still on a steep learning curve, but the rewards for each lesson learnt make it all worthwhile.
"Improved grazing and forage productivity mean more arable cropping can now be supported," says John Newman farm manager of the 647ha (1600-acre) Abbey Home Farm, near Cirencester.
Arable crops this year will cover 40% of the rotational area instead of the 14% they started on. The increased arable area will be sown to 50ha (123 acres) of field beans.
The move to field beans is made worthwhile by growing demand from the increasing numbers of organic livestock, while the extra pulse in the rotation will boost fertility. So far, nitrogen had been supplied by using silage leys of four year lucerne, red clover and ryegrass and two year red clover and rye, together with five year white clover, rye grass and chicory grazing leys. "The improving soil fertility has lifted wheat yields from an average of 4.2t/ha (1.7t/acre) to 5.0t/ha (2.0 t/acre), with some first wheats hitting 6.7t/ha (2.7t/acre) after lucerne," says Mr Newman.
But growing the cereals was not without challenges in the wet weather of 1998. "If I had known I would have 2500t of silage to hand I would not have undersown the spring wheat with a mixture including chicory. It was kick-started by the wet weather and was coming through the wheat at harvest!" Vetches ploughed down after set-aside also grew back through the wheat. In the end the crop was windrowed like oilseed rape and left to dry before combining. "The net result was 1.8t/acre of a very useful feed with 22% protein and 13.5ME."
To speed drilling Mr Newman is switching from an Amazone RPD to a KRM Opti-tilth combi-tine drill. Even on his heavier land it can travel at 7mph pulled by a 130hp tractor, and this has boosted the work rate from 8ha (20-acre) to 16ha (40 acres) in a seven hour working day. "Although the seed is sown rather deeper, the placement and emergence is good," he says.
The aim is to drill into a fine seed-bed and then roll to encourage a rapid and even germination to outgrow pests and to compete with weeds. "By doing this we have had only two acres fail out of 450 acres and I think this is waterlogging rather than slugs."
Six years of rotational cropping has kept the weed spectrum and density much the same across the farm. "But one field had some blackgrass showing in the red clover. So we took an early mulch cut before the blackgrass seeded instead of a first silage cut."
Having built up a successful organic arable enterprise, Mr Newmans next move is to diversify. A half-acre vegetable trial which tested crops ranging from chilli peppers in a polytunnel to potatoes is being developed in co-operation with an experienced grower. In addition a small pig and poultry enterprise will be created to supply a planned farm shop.
With six years of organic experience under his belt, Mr Newman says that it takes three to master the organic fundamentals and many more to fine-tune the system. Further tuning will include better nutrient budgeting, continuous networking to keep up to date on best practice and close attention to staff motivation, which has been especially important during the conversion period. *
Left: John Newman inspects a second year crop of lucerne, which provides three cuts of silage for the organic milk herd and builds fertility for ensuing crops. Right: First year Spark wheat after a four year fertility building ley of white clover/ryegrass/trefoil and chicory.
ORGANICEXPERIENCE
• Grazing/forage productivity allowing more arable crops.
• Increasing fertility improving cereal yields.
• Flexibility in management is needed.
• New drill to speed workrate.
• Keeping on top of perennial weeds vital.
• Diversification to vegetables and farm shop planned.