Archived News

26th September 2009

The summer harvest came to a close on September 14^th with the harvesting of linseed in Hammer Field.   The maize will be harvested in November.  

It was a tight squeeze driving the combine harvester out through the gateway of Hammer Field last Saturday, to return it to Manor Farm in readiness for our farm walk.

Sixteen people attended our walk- cum talk in glorious sunshine; looking at Friesian cross cattle, Belted Galloways and our small herd of pigs plus a field of large machinery and implements on display – some even sat in the combine cab!  

In a nutshell, and 3 and 3/4 hours (from walk start to last person leaving!), we looked at modern mixed farming and the contrast with the farming methods of our ancestors; how farming practices have developed and help to grow our business and more recently the need  to diversify if practicable in order that farming continues in Surrey. 

We rounded off the afternoon with a taste of Manor Farm Belted Galloway beef.  I prepared an oxtail stew, cooked slowly over two days and a roast fore-rib which went down a treat!

We had an enjoyable afternoon and appreciate the opportunity to talk about what we do here and why.  Thanks to our visitors for showing an interest in farming and taking time out to visit Manor Farm. 

Our recent offers on two farm tenancies have been accepted; paperwork to be completed and then on with the work.   Churchfield Farm, Gomshall was previously a dairy farm and will provide us with an additional 89 acres, primarily for grazing beef cattle and fence repairs will begin soon.

Tyting Farm was put out to tender by Guildford Borough Council.  Preparing a bid for a farm tenancy can take weeks, especially with our existing farm commitments.  The Tyting Farm tender needed particular consideration due to the investment required in the redundant farm buildings.  

Tyting Farm consists of 90 acres agricultural land and the remaining 28 is woodland and farm buildings. We aim to restore the farmland with its chalk and sandy soil, for grazing and have substantial work ahead to restore the redundant farm buildings and farmhouse. 

Whilst Laurence was immersed in paperwork this week, I had our latest Belted Galloway skilfully butchered by Pip (seen below), Henry and Tim.  I boxed up the beef which was collected by customers yesterday from Manor Farm.

Our recently drilled crops are suffering from drought conditions just as they really need the rain to become well established for the coming year. As Laurence was still harvesting this year’s crops, David was out drilling fields with the next rotation of crops.

Drilled so far: 185 acres winter wheat at Park farm and 15 acres at Gomshall; 330 acres winter rape from Wotton church to Crossways Farm on the north side of the A25, from Whitedown Road to Abinger - north of the railway and at Silent Pool; 40 acres of Lucerne along Raikes Lane and new grass seed was sown at Raikes today.

Drilling 50 acres of Triticale should begin by the end of next week, spring wheat in February, spring rape in April and maize in May.

Laurence is looking to grow his own cattle fodder as the cost of buying in cattle grub has increased substantially.  The Lucerne is being grown as an experiment and one field will be cut 3-4 times.  The Lucerne will provide protein and will be mixed with maize to provide the required carbohydrate.

It turns out that Christopher was pulling my leg (he does this quite often!) about Prudence already producing milk, it will teach me not to type before checking!!

Our boys may not have believed what I saw on Monday, had I not taken some photos!  The Surrey Air Ambulance was hovering outside our house and for a moment I thought it was looking to land in Percy and Phoebe’s field.  Eventually the helicopter landed on recently planted oil seed rape and the medical team disembarked to attend a road traffic accident, which thankfully didn’t require a patient air-lift.