Farmers share “harvest rollercoaster” updates
22nd July 2024
As more and more farmers have started this year’s harvest, Farmers Guide issues the latest update from around the country.
North Norfolk
Grove Farm, trading as Pitt Farms Ltd, in Gimmingham, has started harvesting its winter barley.
Farm owner, Alistair Cargill, said that he has seen 88mm of rain and average temperatures of 14.5ºC in the last 30 days, but despite this, the team has begun harvesting at the same time as last year, almost to the day. OSR cutting is due to start imminently.
Mr Cargill added that he is expecting good yields as the farm experienced very good establishment in the autumn and the crops are looking very good in the ground.
“Lodging hasn’t been an issue this year as cover crops have taken up a lot of the moisture,” he added.
Pitt Farms Ltd farms a total of 3,000 acres, including contract work, just over 1,000 acres of which are combinable crops. The rotation includes winter barley, OSR, sugar beet, potatoes and vining peas.
They have adopted regenerative agriculture practices and are in Countryside Stewardship, with 100 acres to be wildfarmed next year. They also keep 30 Belted Galloways, which are very good at grazing the water meadows.
Suffolk
Sam Dye from Brooms Barn Research Station located near Bury St Edmunds said: “Trying to harvest in 2024 is like trying to harvest on a rollercoaster.
“One minute you’re up and it’s 25 degrees and you’re preparing to harvest your winter OSR. And the next you’re back down crop walking in wellies and coats.”
He added that this harvest will be a “race against the weather” to get as much harvested as possible before the rain returns.
Cheshire
Michael Shaw of Arbuy Farm in Winwick, Warrington, farms just over 650 acres with a rotation that includes barley, wheat, oilseed rape and a small acreage of potatoes.
The team has been running a fleet of Fendt tractors and a Claas Combine.
Mr Shaw also has 600-head of mainly Belgian Blue bull beef unit rearing from a milk machine and finishing weight on barley and concentrates.
READ MORE: Early harvest updates from around the UK and Ireland
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