Reaping what we sow

The past few months have been very busy at Nethermorton Farm, as the harvest has been in full swing. As the summer starts to draw to a close we can sit back and take stock of how the harvest has been.

We grew 100 acres of triticale (a cross between rye and wheat) of which half was cut in June and ensiled to be used as winter feed. The rest of it was then combined in the traditional way to provide grain and straw. Tests on this resulting grain have been very pleasing, showing figures similar to that of wheat. We have also produced some good silage which we are already starting to feed to the cows. Our baled straw was quite thick and plenty, and we were very pleased to get 265 big bales of straw.

The straw shed is totally full at the moment which is great, as straw is so expensive! However we will have to move some out in a month or two as the space will be required for cattle housing in the winter.

Despite the rain that has been falling recently, we have had very little grass growth throughout the summer. Although our 150 dairy cows have been outside, we have still had to feed them a full ration in the sheds. The good thing is that the milk production has been maintained, which will help to offset the feed costs.

In the spring I am going to try growing some ‘lucerne’ which is a legume crop; high in protein and energy. We hope to get three cuts a year for the next four years and I will make this into big bales for feeding to the dairy cows.

Term is due to start next week, so are we busy making sure everything is ready for the new and returning students. We are also taking one of our Simmental heiffers to the Moreton in Marsh show on Saturday, so we have our fingers crossed she brings us home a rosette.

Blog entry by Farm Manager, Jonathan Clarke.

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