Content previously published in the Farmers Guardian
My hope in last month’s column that conditions would remain favourable for spring work was in vain as showery conditions returned.
We’ve had 30-40mm of rain so far this month. While soils are not wringing wet, the dry periods we have had were too short to really dry things out. Farmers have had to snatch any opportunities they can to make inroads into the spring job list.
As I write, the forecast remains somewhat unsettled, but hopefully changing by the time this article appears in print. A fine week or two would make a big difference.
We were rather spoiled by the very pleasant, dry weather last spring, but compared with where we were in 2024 we can’t complain. No two seasons are ever the same, and that’s what keeps the job interesting.
As mentioned last month, a small amount of spring barley has been drilled on light land, but there has been little progress since then.
There is still quite a bit of slurrying to do on silage ground, but with around six weeks to go before first cut that should be fine, provided we get some rain to wash the slurry in.
People were busy spreading nitrogen fertiliser last week on winter cereals where they could travel, thanks to five days of settled weather. A lot of urea is used these days so it is worth remembering that additional applications of unprotected urea must be applied by the end of March for Red Tractor assurance purposes.
Given the current turmoil in the markets, those who have bought enough nitrogen for the season will be more than happy. Those who have not face difficult decisions about how much to buy, assuming it will be delivered. Spending a bit of time calculating the value of the last kilograms they would usually apply could be very worthwhile.
Wheats here are not as far forward as in many areas of the country and we have avoided the associated problems. The crop tends to be drilled at the end of September or early October, so you can still see up the rows.
Generally, on good-bodied land there are no signs of manganese deficiency; we have treated lighter land crops as needed, together with phosphite to help rooting. There is no disease to speak of.
Dairy farmers will be hoping milk prices have turned a corner now. Several companies have said they are not going to reduce the price in April, and some have put it up slightly.
Fingers crossed that hope will be realised..jpeg)
Simon Nelson advises farmers on a wide range of arable and forage crops across Cumbria and into south-west Scotland.