Farm & Conservation Blog
You are here: Home » Blogs » Farm & Conservation » 7th March 2011
Ploughing, Hen Makeovers and a Blast From the Past!
Posted: 7th March 2011
Ploughing
The recent good weather has allowed us to finally start ploughing and, despite the sustained rainfall at the end of February, the ground has dried up surprisingly well. The planting schedule for this year has been the subject of some last minute tinkering – land that I was considering leaving fallow to rest will now be put back to cereals. The shortage of wheat and barley across the UK this winter coupled with the increase in fertiliser and fuel has seen forward prices for barley of £200 /ton and many in the industry are suggesting that they could increase further.
Hen Makeovers
Our free-range hen enterprise is about to get a modern makeover with the addition of an all new mobile unit with automatic feeders, egg collection, lighting and ventilation. This new unit will help us reduce the amount of time we spend feeding and collecting the eggs and allow us to spend more time observing the hens and looking after their welfare. The mobile unit can be moved to fresh pasture every year so the hens will have access to clean, parasite free grazing.
Blast From the Past
Over the last two years we have invested in a number of pieces of farm machinery, some new and some second-hand. Many of the latter have come from auctions or farm dispersal sales which can sometimes throw up hidden gems. Last week I saw a sale advertised with a wide range of farm machinery up for auction. Among the listing was a swede drill which I thought could be a useful addition to our collection. Unfortunately when I arrived at the sale field the listing had failed to mention one important detail - you needed a horse to pull it!!! The machine was a little too old to be of use to us (unless we decide to open a farm museum). The trip wasn’t a total loss though as there was a fairly decent power harrow to be had – dumb luck is better than nothing.
Richard
Farm manager
Share on Facebook
