Richard Curnock is making a fresh start running a family farm in Worcestershire and enjoys the lighter side of life.
Three weeks ago I was all set to bestow on you my thought-provoking and deep meaningful insight as to how the political powers of this country were evolving and the impact it would have on agriculture and its structure. They say a week in politics is a long time; well three in farming can really have your mind in a spin.
I must admit to having found the whole election process and the following week rather interesting, there you are I have said it now, and the live debate with Clegg in the middle being flanked by Compo and Foggy enthralling, but we have now moved on while keeping one eye on the press just in case the Con–Dem(ned) throw us a curve ball.
Joking apart, I wish them well for it is reassuring to know that in Caroline Spelman we have a minister who already has an insight not only into agriculture, but also Defra and the NFU.
Anyway, time has moved on and my mind is back to the day-to-day running of the farm. My expectations for this coming harvest are not high. Wheat has struggled throughout. Planted in extremely dry seedbeds made it a tough start and then to try and control black grass with pre-emergence was hit and miss. The cold winter was a pleasing change but in contrast the recent hot spell seems to have accelerated the emergence of the ears on a very short stem. Straw could be in short supply this season.
Winter barley looks good but will not fill the piggy bank whereas winter oats and beans seem very average. I have not seen as many fields of beans and OSR planted as I have this season, even less straw.
We have had a pre-service check done on the combine to identify wear and tear and to prioritise repairs. Six belts had varying degrees of cracks so we settled on replacing four at an average of £200 each, as well as a few bearings. As 50% of my combining is contract work I dare not skimp otherwise some of the less easily accessed bearings and belts may be risked for another season.
The ewes have been shorn and the first fat lambs sold live weight at just over £2 kg. As long as that price holds it will make those long nights more acceptable, but we will never say no to a little bit more.
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