Archived News

19th September 2008

The main ‘summer’ harvest is over.  The oats, wheat and spring rape were all in by Wednesday evening and now the sun is shining on a daily basis!

Preparing the ground for the next crops has been delayed over the past month due to wet weather which slowed the harvest, delayed baling and removing the bales from fields and having the ground too wet to begin cultivations.

200 acres have been drilled with winter rape (oil seed rape) and on the heavier ground a lot of preparation was needed:  sub-soiling to loosen the soil, cultivations to break it down further using discs and press which prepare for the power harrow to make the final seed bed, drilling (planting the seed), rolling, applying slug pellets, spraying weeds and fertilising soil.  This is a total of eight activities necessary to grow crops on this dirt.

In comparison, we are now direct-drilling 160 acres of rape on the sandy soil at Shalford, where the seed is planted directly beneath the stubble. This ground may also need slug pellets, spraying and fertilising but these decisions will be made as and when necessary.  We certainly don’t undertake any of these applications unless required to protect the crop, they all take up time and are far from cheap. If we are lucky this could be just one pass over the ground.

The second part of the TB testing is underway and will be completed by lunchtime.

I am working on final amendments to my information board and leaflet which must go into production next week.

We’ve been asked to do a radio interview on BBC Southern Counties Radio, bright and early on Friday 26^th September to talk about Surrey Farm and Food Week.  We are hosting a farm walk/talk on that same day at 6.30pm - meeting at West Lane, Wotton. 

The Surrey Farm and Food Week culminates with the Surrey County Ploughing Match and Country Fair at Losely Park on 28^th September, I expect this will be a great day out.  For more information contact Surrey County Agricultural Society 01483 890810  www.surreycountyshow.co.uk