Down-to-earth demo (From Gazette & Herald)

Down-to-earth demo

OVER 70 farmers attended the latest Forward Farming event held at Welburn Manor Farm, near Kirkbymoorside.

A cultivations demonstration was arranged by Russells Farm Machinery Ltd and 25 hectares of stubble was rapidly turned over and sown to winter wheat.

A Kvernland variable furrow width plough was the first implement to break the ground and there was a lot of interest in the Vaderstad Super XL combined drill and cultivator which produced a fine, firm seedbed from the ploughing in one pass.

It was interesting to contrast the plough-based systems with the Sumo cultivator system, which was creating an excellent seedbed direct from the stubble. In such a dry autumn, seedbed moisture retention is crucial for good crop establishment and there should be a useful opportunity to see which system produces the best crop later in the season.

Host farmer, Major Johnny Shaw, drew comparison with last autumn when, in stark contrast, prolonged rainfall hindered establishment.

"The poor start was compounded by winter flooding and we were unable to apply any herbicide before the spring," explained Major Shaw. "The slugs had a field day and added significantly to growing costs."

Precision agriculture expert Clive Blacker presented data relating to the fields being cultivated. Mr Blacker highlighted the correlation between soil maps and yield variation across each field and suggested that significant cost savings could be made by the variable application of nitrogen using the Hydro N-Sensor system.

Karen Stanley, of the Farm Wildlife Advisory Group, updated visitors on environmental issues, including the proposed Entry Level Scheme which DEFRA expects 70pc of farmers to eventually subscribe to. Welburn Manor Farm has recently entered the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and six-metre field boundary strips are being established to provide additional wildlife habitat.

The farmer-led Forward Farming arable project is organised by Bishop Burton College, near Beverley, and details of forthcoming events are available from Bill Meredith on (01964) 553059.

Bill Meredith

agriculture sector head

Bishop Burton College

Updated: 11:55 Wednesday, October 22, 2003