Archived News

9th December 2013

The fodder beat harvester has a puncture, but it was impossible to jack–up in the field whilst there was still fodder beat in the tank.  With the beat now unloaded, this huge tyre should be repaired tomorrow.

Despite a few technical problems, Laurence has been getting used to driving this harvester and lifting the crop more efficiently; it’s a very different machine and process from the combine harvester.  

When the fodder harvester arrived in September the crop was still on the smaller side, which made harvesting and setting up more difficult. However with just a couple of hours harvesting per week, 180 tonnes has been picked from 8 acres and Laurence thinks the harvester is now set up and prepared for the remaining 172 acres.

The crop is now reaching maximum yield potential and the fodder beat are much larger and easier to lift; they can remain in the ground until the end of March but with risk of frost damage whilst in the ground. 

I collect the smaller beat left behind during the set up and feed it to the pigs.