tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13351361332981197672024-03-13T07:11:01.844+00:00Farmer JakeFarming, of all kinds, is my passion. I started my career at Seale-Hayne Agricultural College in Devon, and have managed farmland, crops and livestock ever since. I am now the Farms Manager at Overbury. Fanatical about the education of everybody about, growing healthy crops, farming, food production, using technology, conservation and rural life. No-till Conservation Agriculture farm, 2013 Nuffield Farming Scholar and member of the Global Farmer NetworkJake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.comBlogger375125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-24612819274201049242020-11-20T20:23:00.001+00:002020-11-20T20:23:34.064+00:00Crimper Roller <div dir="ltr"><br> <br> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioMdPdTKlceDrK0_dActYsr2tj4Fl9jgpwL9LL0zObrXARZmRLIOfcKLPFbUIQTrEydgjUZDcSALA0Gy7M93MangCbAShXkNzKxD24LjtAobUKrSCjqPDJYI88BuZhYZFVA7gq6uggt4/s1600/IMG_8799-714103.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioMdPdTKlceDrK0_dActYsr2tj4Fl9jgpwL9LL0zObrXARZmRLIOfcKLPFbUIQTrEydgjUZDcSALA0Gy7M93MangCbAShXkNzKxD24LjtAobUKrSCjqPDJYI88BuZhYZFVA7gq6uggt4/s320/IMG_8799-714103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6897304370048327794" /></a></div> <br> <br> <div dir="ltr">Jake Freestone N.Sch <div> <div>Farm Manager - Overbury Enterprises</div> <div>www.twitter.com/no1farmerjake</div> <div>www.farmerjakef.blogspot.com</div> <div>www.youtube.com/no1farmerjake</div> <div>www.overburyfarms.co.uk<br> <div> <div><br> <div> <div><br> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-23194525740432883322020-11-19T20:56:00.001+00:002020-11-19T20:56:03.963+00:00Microbiome Results<div dir="ltr"><br> <br> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpqOH10Dr_cfcAxX0SS1dPufkedLu0FO53TU5QgRbz9u5ckf0QTWxbw6ruNS-iQlkdAQIpTQ9ltIngm8OmcpmgHRaMNexW3HpS5KRCD4hjyfiffQTQdQ9XdiasfmdK4fLPuEIvRupHJs/s1600/IMG_2202-763999.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpqOH10Dr_cfcAxX0SS1dPufkedLu0FO53TU5QgRbz9u5ckf0QTWxbw6ruNS-iQlkdAQIpTQ9ltIngm8OmcpmgHRaMNexW3HpS5KRCD4hjyfiffQTQdQ9XdiasfmdK4fLPuEIvRupHJs/s320/IMG_2202-763999.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6896941660135809874" /></a></div> <br> <br> <div dir="ltr">Jake Freestone N.Sch <div> <div>Farm Manager - Overbury Enterprises</div> <div>www.twitter.com/no1farmerjake</div> <div>www.farmerjakef.blogspot.com</div> <div>www.youtube.com/no1farmerjake</div> <div>www.overburyfarms.co.uk<br> <div> <div><br> <div> <div><br> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-49636444402191382632019-02-22T13:07:00.000+00:002019-02-22T13:07:10.382+00:00Farming in Amazement<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkrpii84Aq3fsS-KsvxzLnjlZ4TeIe6_ozg5vXe6vp3ewRohZKZ64t5l6f4HHes71G8l_VtEW-GqHingptUq1WdjJaHxlLxzAYsrhJbVVpJLz7ugD4B6NqWR-bsh8N-Qgsk8Qu7Uvb8c/s1600/IMG_4070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkrpii84Aq3fsS-KsvxzLnjlZ4TeIe6_ozg5vXe6vp3ewRohZKZ64t5l6f4HHes71G8l_VtEW-GqHingptUq1WdjJaHxlLxzAYsrhJbVVpJLz7ugD4B6NqWR-bsh8N-Qgsk8Qu7Uvb8c/s400/IMG_4070.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ewes Grazing Cover Crops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Farming never ceases to amaze me! This time last year we were gripped in the clutches of the 'Beast from the East' and this year, (at the moment) it feels like the 20th April not the 20th February. Soil conditions are lovely and the first doses of fertiliser are being applied on smooth dry fields. Under the surface the soil has benefited form the dry summer and dry winter, with increasingly good structure being observed every time we dig a hole. The ewes in mid pregnancy now are jumping about like spring lambs every time they are moved from cover crop to cover crop field.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeqyw-xEiSnssZ7_rVlWfbVKEyykSyB5fqjKI53mif9zQRO1NuGicEGaKOOHH0FBYxTvPud6KaOMAt6c7fOVhpcN1bN293QmBhHizbt4MQwCm-DtDo_XLoAssS9Ubaljajlgy8svgJ9M/s1600/IMG_4063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeqyw-xEiSnssZ7_rVlWfbVKEyykSyB5fqjKI53mif9zQRO1NuGicEGaKOOHH0FBYxTvPud6KaOMAt6c7fOVhpcN1bN293QmBhHizbt4MQwCm-DtDo_XLoAssS9Ubaljajlgy8svgJ9M/s400/IMG_4063.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soil Structure After Sheep Grazing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The pressure is on the grazing girls to eat fast as spring crops need to be planted soon. With dry weather forecast hopefully we will start planting next week, almost 2 months earlier than last year and 3 weeks earlier than normal. First on the planting list will be spring barley, followed by the peas in a few weeks time.<br />
The sheep have a done a great job grazing off the rye and vetch on the hill and soon they will be split up into their grazing groups ready for lambing and its back onto the grassland then. The use of cover crops has some many wider benefits as well as reducing costs in the farming system system. Under this stone on the headland I discovered a fantastic population of Carabid (Ground) Beetles all waiting to pounce on any unsuspecting prey. There are over 350 species in the UK, does anyone know what these ones are? The adults and larvae will feed on other invertebrates, slugs, snails and carrion. Some smaller species will also feed on aphids, so they could be a very helpful ally in the season ahead.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCu7KI6R_rb-Cm8fcqloRy6zdaZ2Je_4K4n1RbgtjR4eSqyyu5Zy2lv7QFzAr_1ga5kye85zJb1g1Rl3jnUWJVVziYT7YqzgWyVcbQRGO_prlvS6cRp5iHjGJldgsQNIMC-F6GKIvLEr4/s1600/IMG_4059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCu7KI6R_rb-Cm8fcqloRy6zdaZ2Je_4K4n1RbgtjR4eSqyyu5Zy2lv7QFzAr_1ga5kye85zJb1g1Rl3jnUWJVVziYT7YqzgWyVcbQRGO_prlvS6cRp5iHjGJldgsQNIMC-F6GKIvLEr4/s400/IMG_4059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carabid Beetles In Cover Crops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One slight worry that I have is that we are too dry. There is no water in the ditches and the springs are low as well. Could this be another very dry, drought year on the back of 2018? Time will tell but if we can get our crops established now into good conditions to allow roots to grow, develop and explore as much of the soil as possible we stand the best chance of making the most of the weather ahead.<br />
<br />Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com1337tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-11793922780168642932019-01-29T21:41:00.001+00:002019-01-29T21:41:10.402+00:00Cover Crop Benefits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK0h-V5gxuDiaZOz5HYGghISnQqqoIshF-6-ayF-enYvDODTfvSv7y7_xvM7NF0UgWfgaeQEKHioLCZYltJxtKGAunCwpStIq1H8_Vyg4lAmzazuIlR4LSwk3S9qv79_K2JsJarZWccM/s1600/IMG_3676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK0h-V5gxuDiaZOz5HYGghISnQqqoIshF-6-ayF-enYvDODTfvSv7y7_xvM7NF0UgWfgaeQEKHioLCZYltJxtKGAunCwpStIq1H8_Vyg4lAmzazuIlR4LSwk3S9qv79_K2JsJarZWccM/s320/IMG_3676.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catchment Sensitive Farmers Meeting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had a really fascinating day in Dorset today, exploring the use of cover crops to capture nutrients, (mainly nitrates) and stop them being washed through the soil profile and into ground water. The day was organised by <a href="http://www.wessexwater.co.uk/catchmentmanagement/">Wessex Water</a> and the <a href="https://catchmentbasedapproach.org/learn/catchment-sensitive-farming/">Catchment Sensitive Farming</a> organisation. Fellow Nuffield Scholar Tim Stephens and his team have put together a matrix of different cover crop species and seeding rates to look at establishment, nutrient capture and suitability within the field. The catchment also has porous dotted around the fields and every 2 weeks from October to the end of January samples are taken and the levels of nitrate in the water assessed. These values are then turned in to a Kg/Ha of nitrogen to give farmers a vital guide as to where leaching is occurring in the farming rotation and how much is being lost and when leaching occurs.<div>
It seems that the worst leaching occurs after Oilseed Rape and Wheat, probably due to the higher levels of fertiliser they receive but also due to the very inefficient way these plants use the applied nitrogen. Wheat for example is only about 60% efficient when looking at applied or synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. Where cover crops are used the leached level of nitrogen is about 50% that of land farmed without cover crops. This has a significant impact when looking at the catchment as a whole. It is great credit to Wessex Water that they have decided to take this partnership approach to try and reduce diffuse pollution working together with the farmers in the catchment.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS9QUy1cLlx_VVj4tniRMGgistJH21gZD9zsn5CB1cFm9_4bfQZWwoSPCTdltPZ7rVn2fvQVPNil2E49WtXwL1DoWEBDZiQX1MVvw8BqkOTb_5HOBw6jwx6sUMZkmsIqLQfhTFydqpe8/s1600/IMG_3677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS9QUy1cLlx_VVj4tniRMGgistJH21gZD9zsn5CB1cFm9_4bfQZWwoSPCTdltPZ7rVn2fvQVPNil2E49WtXwL1DoWEBDZiQX1MVvw8BqkOTb_5HOBw6jwx6sUMZkmsIqLQfhTFydqpe8/s320/IMG_3677.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beneficial and Pest Numbers in the Cover Crops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also on hand were a team of entomologists who have been assessing the impact of cover crops on the insect population. The picture above shows the numbers of insects trapped over a 7 day period. The 2 trays on the left show the beneficial's and on the right are the pests. The top half shows the numbers and type captured in the cover crop field (oil radish and phacelia) and the bottom half shows what was captured from a control field i.e. no cover crop. This level of detail is very encouraging. This clearly demonstrates that cover crops are hosting higher insect levels all round but significantly more beneficial insects that will predate the pests. This is so important when looking at using an Integrated Farm Management approach to try and reduce the amount of pesticides we might want or need to use. There were lots of carabid beetles, who's larvae predate slugs which is also very positive. The benefits weren't just in this cover crop species mix. the photo below shows what was captured within a buckwheat, oil radish and phacelia mix. The predator list includes, carabid beetles, springtails, harvestman spiders (not really spiders at all), ants, spiders, and parasitic wasps. The pest list includes mites, flies, aphids, snails and a slug.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLOU4U8bW6vP_X3gDcvOlXVZ6hMsLWmFofn6R-CEAH5O2Xf_fgWJrErlpva5wvmib1olHs9SwWTBTusqVqJcP1KwEsg33e9xPvqOtdDgwt-xbk6Csbw_YG30vbn5DttkQ4Q9dKoy8xu4/s1600/IMG_3678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLOU4U8bW6vP_X3gDcvOlXVZ6hMsLWmFofn6R-CEAH5O2Xf_fgWJrErlpva5wvmib1olHs9SwWTBTusqVqJcP1KwEsg33e9xPvqOtdDgwt-xbk6Csbw_YG30vbn5DttkQ4Q9dKoy8xu4/s320/IMG_3678.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beneficial Insects and Pests trapped from Cover Crops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The session continued in the local village hall with a great presentation on 'Making the Most of Cover Crops' by Ian from <a href="https://www.oakbankgc.co.uk/">Oakbank</a>. Ian talked about different cover crop mixes, how and when to establish them, and the merits of diverse mixes and the impact of this type of farming can have to the on the bottom line and the better environment. A great day of learning.<br /><div>
<br /><br /></div>
</div>
Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-18141932976841734702019-01-14T11:43:00.002+00:002019-01-14T11:43:46.332+00:00Inter-Cropping Insight<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ggKz9xObKB2WDMmjcc4SVr5Vb6bxe7vMKoPK5nQRk8Wo1RmgZHyjSyQjkaZSWwlhVuepBHVWdTtDLYDPzFsKaoEnB0WJj6FZz5sunu-zQC106bHBdZdNT9jdQIpL2dGN2E7-BKeGZI8/s1600/IMG_3478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ggKz9xObKB2WDMmjcc4SVr5Vb6bxe7vMKoPK5nQRk8Wo1RmgZHyjSyQjkaZSWwlhVuepBHVWdTtDLYDPzFsKaoEnB0WJj6FZz5sunu-zQC106bHBdZdNT9jdQIpL2dGN2E7-BKeGZI8/s320/IMG_3478.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inter-cropping Sprayed Off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back when we planted the oilseed rape crops in August we also planted their companion crops. This year we used 10Kg of vetch and 2kg of Berseem clover/per hectare. These companions have grown very successfully through the autumn and into the winter. During the winter we sprayed a weed killer on most of the crop to remove the companion crops as well as weeds like sow thistle, mayweed, brome and black-grass. This herbicide does not affect the oilseed rape crop. Both of these legume crops are able to host soil bacteria to make plant available nitrogen from the atmosphere, something that the oilseed rape crop in unable to do. We hope that as much as 30-50Kg/ha of nitrogen will be available free of charge from these companion crops, easily covering the initial cost of the seed. This could be worth between £25-£41/Ha.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU0Q85VHe8tTbvBGjUSGJj_Rl-bHj1ue3G0BcBFUk3byVJbIFLi9OCIpOdnz244u_TsMckqR8XKrVpilG-rykJyGDdRA02JvPjN4w6pfUwvuCZYsACXKh1SJa1r4ScYvwSQ8tuifGw1k/s1600/IMG_3479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU0Q85VHe8tTbvBGjUSGJj_Rl-bHj1ue3G0BcBFUk3byVJbIFLi9OCIpOdnz244u_TsMckqR8XKrVpilG-rykJyGDdRA02JvPjN4w6pfUwvuCZYsACXKh1SJa1r4ScYvwSQ8tuifGw1k/s320/IMG_3479.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canopy of Sprayed Off Inter-cropping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The picture above shows the crop where the companion crop has been sprayed off. We can measure the GAi (Green Area Index) or amount of green plant material with an app on a mobile phone. This picture shows a GAi of 1.34. There is about 50Kg/Ha of nitrogen in every GAi of an oilseed rape crop. Therefore this crop has captured 67Kg of Nitrogen. The picture below, where the companion hasn't been sprayed off, has a GAi of 3.05 indicating a potential level of 152Kg/ha of nitrogen in this whole canopy. Whether all of this canopy will relate to available nutrients for the oilseed crop to capture is something we don't know but its very interesting to see these levels of free nitrogen, even accounting for the 25Kg of fertiliser applied at planting.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeUIo0B9p7yqp7iKYjEuFtvu37UGYyALwDU___XUTx0KMTB2GPooZDU5G9SYQuJvMeQAtzUC-seiFx5JrjCyP6p_UEShPNoBdawo69vZbcu_vGP8PX0LNUsIyj3890QqcuDkk9etwU9k/s1600/IMG_3481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeUIo0B9p7yqp7iKYjEuFtvu37UGYyALwDU___XUTx0KMTB2GPooZDU5G9SYQuJvMeQAtzUC-seiFx5JrjCyP6p_UEShPNoBdawo69vZbcu_vGP8PX0LNUsIyj3890QqcuDkk9etwU9k/s320/IMG_3481.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canopy Of Inter-cropping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We are planning to leave this area of the field until harvest to see what effect it has on the overall yield of the combined species. We should be able to reduce the amount of nitrogen this part of the field receives in order to keep the crop standing but also to rely on the nitrogen being created by the vetches and passed over to the oilseed rape. Time will tell what the outcome will be!Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-29741457440962239022018-12-20T18:00:00.000+00:002018-12-20T18:00:03.820+00:00Conservation Cattle<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGhWQLm_UfX9JmWyt0xWalcsu50nfST__ctpln1-aZNyBvA1kvJpxesGfy7OJzmEHth7Lhnju0Ckdlizo1vHaTX370tv4im8Vbfpg5gQo-p_H05czg0_FWDLVj976FWZiEGW1Of-pCRQ/s1600/IMG_3267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGhWQLm_UfX9JmWyt0xWalcsu50nfST__ctpln1-aZNyBvA1kvJpxesGfy7OJzmEHth7Lhnju0Ckdlizo1vHaTX370tv4im8Vbfpg5gQo-p_H05czg0_FWDLVj976FWZiEGW1Of-pCRQ/s320/IMG_3267.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Poll Cattle Grazing Old Grassland<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This winter we have an exciting new project on the summit of Bredon Hill. At about 950ft above sea level we have some very thin soil which has been growing enough grass for our sheep since about 1990 when it was converted from crop production. All of the grasses and wild flowers have naturally appeared from the soil seed bank or from birds bringing them in. <div>
The grassland has become quite old and matted so a change in grazing technique was required. As we have cattle of our own we have very kindly adopted, for a few weeks, some young heifers from the Kemerton pedigree Red Poll herd. Their job is to eat the standing grass, which as this time of year is like a hay crop, and tread in the inedible bits. All of these hooves will push the uneaten old and dead grass into the soil where the biology (bacteria and fungi) will start to break down the material and recycle the nutrients.</div>
<div>
Over time this will improve the quality of the grassland enabling wider species to be introduced. The cattle are being fed hay, which we made back in July, from the species rich tower field with the hope that these ancient species will be moved across to improve the diversity of the sward in the neighbouring fields. The cattle will be socked quite tightly to make sure they eat the right amount of grass and moved on accordingly, always with a supply of hay nearby.</div>
<div>
It's a great example of how farmers can work together to get the best results for all parties. These cattle are traditional breeds and will be very happy on the hill whatever the British climate will throw at them.</div>
Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-78260138172013209972018-12-16T20:19:00.003+00:002018-12-16T20:19:38.866+00:00Aphid Alert<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ogUx1yPLBunXmg3nxvAOZVkMCidceMbA2kmYBAYjwapgxEy91YPAHLpogf33ZZkEzw_nXxBaYcX6bRTs8ESR831QI0IFdHwFbYrAttPcXEiFlo_-NqBUb3GM1f7b4JhqGhGHQR5ZR3U/s1600/IMG_3255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ogUx1yPLBunXmg3nxvAOZVkMCidceMbA2kmYBAYjwapgxEy91YPAHLpogf33ZZkEzw_nXxBaYcX6bRTs8ESR831QI0IFdHwFbYrAttPcXEiFlo_-NqBUb3GM1f7b4JhqGhGHQR5ZR3U/s320/IMG_3255.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheat Drilled into Oat Stubbles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think this could have possibly been one of the best autumns for establishing winter crops I can remember for quite some time. After the very dry summer months we started to get rain at just about the right time. This rain enabled weeds to germinate in the stubble's and cover crops before the main crops were planted. We had enough rain over the planting period to make sure that the seeds we planted germinated rapidly and emerged very quickly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This year we have only used seed dressings with Zinc and Manganese on them to kick start the growth of the young plants, except on 1 block of barley we are growing for seed. Every year we have tested leaves for deficiency and these trace elements have always come up short.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One dilemma I have had is whether or not we should be spraying an autumn insecticide to control aphids. The aphids (Bird Cherry-Oat and Grain Aphids) could be carrying a virus called Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus which stunts the growth of plants and reduces yield. The only problem is you don't know if the aphids in our crops are carrying the virus and if the plants have been infected until the spring, when its too late to treat. The <a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/">AHDB</a> has developed a tool to assess when you should spray for aphids. This can play a crucial role when we are using Integrated Pest Management to responsibly use pesticides. This means that when we see a pest, we monitor its development and then spray with the correct product, with the correct amount of water and the correct dose rate to take the pest out. The tool can be found <a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/bydv-management-tool">HERE</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As we are trying to reduce the levels of insecticide we apply on our fields I have decided not to spray half of the wheat area that was later planted but rely on our beneficial predators to help reduce the numbers of aphids. There are always lots of spiders webs across the fields and the aphids should provide a tasty snack! The <a href="https://www.gwct.org.uk/">Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust</a> did some research which indicated that the effect on beneficial insects of that autumn spray was still apparent the following June.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Providing grassy margins around our field boundaries and beetle banks within larger fields also help create habitat for beneficial insects to live ready to strike at invading aphids. We will see in the spring whether or not this was a good decision! We need a good hard winter to help kill off as many aphids as possible.</div>
Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-7317512755936758582018-11-09T06:56:00.000+00:002018-11-09T06:56:12.553+00:00Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19NHBB7Ei4NcLii81DSwP1NOAuvRtfu75cnXCFlYPZNDp0kO8SPs8R8-7io9x0asMeJ9MWRfkoYvBT6ZBxIW1-tCBYLoa5TPfJDO7LywiIf9PwdoWUtu_AUtB4fiYruxXKkym6qcFmgk/s1600/20180911+New+England+OSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19NHBB7Ei4NcLii81DSwP1NOAuvRtfu75cnXCFlYPZNDp0kO8SPs8R8-7io9x0asMeJ9MWRfkoYvBT6ZBxIW1-tCBYLoa5TPfJDO7LywiIf9PwdoWUtu_AUtB4fiYruxXKkym6qcFmgk/s320/20180911+New+England+OSR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Well what a trying autumn it has been for our oilseed rape crops! 2 years ago the EU restricted the use of, and has subsequently banned neonicotinoid seed dressing on our crops. These insecticide seed dressings were a valuable tool in terms of getting crops established when dealing with a tricky pest called Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle. The insecticide was applied to the seed and when the plant grew the chemical was taken in by the plant. This meant that when the beetle took a bite out of the plant leaves it received a dose of insecticide and died. This meant that we didn't have to spray for the pests when the crop had emerged with an indiscriminate insecticide across the whole field. There are parts of the country where it has become impossible to grow these crops anymore. Why should that be a problem? For several reasons oilseed rape is a very important crop. It enables farmers to have a rotation, growing different crops in the field every year rather than continuous cereals. It's actually pretty profitable, which means we can invest in our farms and the countryside. The oil that it produces is valuable to the country as its turned into bio diesel and vegetable oils, and the yellow flowers are a really important source of pollen and nectar for bees producing honey.<br />
If the UK stopped growing oilseed rape, the grains would still be imported from abroad. Last year 200,000 Tonnes of oilseed rape was imported from Australia, where these chemicals (and others), banned in the EU, are still permitted. So in effect we would be exporting our environmental conscious abroad.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uDMnTk_1RlgK-gWKOYbWvCKFeuKqr5bqh-Oh4B4oKSmsv-liSJ-VE17834mQ3dW227g_3kZVKTg0UZOwl8BTHJ-uqAVQ6VwExZm6PFdjYnhOLd82gO60fmuCyAiA2jgUsJR-k-B45Ls/s1600/20180905+Cabbage+Stem+Flea+Beetle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uDMnTk_1RlgK-gWKOYbWvCKFeuKqr5bqh-Oh4B4oKSmsv-liSJ-VE17834mQ3dW227g_3kZVKTg0UZOwl8BTHJ-uqAVQ6VwExZm6PFdjYnhOLd82gO60fmuCyAiA2jgUsJR-k-B45Ls/s320/20180905+Cabbage+Stem+Flea+Beetle.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
We have learnt a lot from the this years establishment of the crop. There are a lot of practical, physical tools that we can apply using the principles of IPM (Integrated Pest Management). Drilling date has been key to getting crops established and to have grown at least a true leaf before the beetles attack. The weather and crucially moisture at drilling is key to getting oilseed rape established quickly. Direct drilling helps retain valuable moisture at this key timing for the crop. Placed fertiliser enables a quick get away when the plant starts to grow. High levels of crop residue also help conceal the crop from the beetles, but comes with the added issues of slugs hiding in the straw ready to pounce. For the last 4 years we have been planting companion crops (buckwheat, vetch and clover) to help mask the crop still further. These companions also have benefits of weed suppression and the legumes are able to fix a certain amount of free nitrogen from the atmosphere.<br />
We haven't sprayed any insecticide on the oilseed rape crops this year. Partly because we are trying to farm without using insecticides as we want to encourage our beneficial insects to predate the pests and partly due to the fact that I am not sure exactly how efficient they are due to pest resistance. It seems that they are becoming resistant to the active ingredient so their extended use is probably not justified.<br />
Either way new research is needed to find out more about the pest and how we can manage or disrupt its life cycle. What percentage of the population is resistant? What environmental trigger makes them hatch? How long is the feeding period for?<br />
These are some of the issues faced on the farm by one crop and one pest. We have a massive challenge to maintain active ingredients that enable us to continue to grow food in the UK. Food sovereignty should be very much at the fore front of the thinking of the population in a post EU world but we will need to tools that will unable us to product this food for an ever increasing population. Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-86572942276354406732018-10-14T21:12:00.002+00:002018-10-14T21:12:25.336+00:00Harvest Roundup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUnw8i0Ct1gtyuPmN52WWVu4WLXMpl3LbHZPUN5vhCt9qVgpEGW0sESdN0OtmuBzdOiMylzgHYOeovk7c_ecHJgyow1s1rsIEHCCcyNFkGS8dSBYtZh6EG7TjJ_qghIk00IxsL79_lhA/s1600/IMG_1929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUnw8i0Ct1gtyuPmN52WWVu4WLXMpl3LbHZPUN5vhCt9qVgpEGW0sESdN0OtmuBzdOiMylzgHYOeovk7c_ecHJgyow1s1rsIEHCCcyNFkGS8dSBYtZh6EG7TjJ_qghIk00IxsL79_lhA/s400/IMG_1929.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Harvest 2018 was a very interesting time with some very strange results, although probably not surprising considering the weather that has been thrown at the crops this year. The weather went from a very late cold spring (snow ploughing at the start of March), through to a warm spell at the end of April and then straight into summer. We had some rain at the end of May and then into a very hot and dry June (3.8mm) and July (36mm). The winter crops didn't fair too badly on the whole and grain quality was fantastic. The milling wheat averaged about 10% down from our rolling average and proteins were very high, and with good hagbergs (stretchyness for flour). We trialled a new monitor, called a <a href="https://www.nextinstruments.net/products/cropscan">Crop Scan</a> in the combine this year which measures the protein levels of the grain as we harvested. This gave us some very valuable real time information of crop quality. It also showed the grain moisture. This was installed by <a href="http://www.precisiondecisions.co.uk/">Precision Decisions</a> and supplied by <a href="https://www.agri-epicentre.com/">Agri-EPI</a> and is a very interesting piece of farm equipment.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPi0Qk9XomEDa0enPaQ0d2vs2PRGzmmGCojIibngW8mxmwPbwyxRhDMU15EhUWiF-ualS-TVO28erGRHhTZxSaFDmNZYeJc3b08dgW4VDHYJ_f-d-CYuuiob7DXDf2Zt-PV48vAu1h7Y/s1600/IMG_1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPi0Qk9XomEDa0enPaQ0d2vs2PRGzmmGCojIibngW8mxmwPbwyxRhDMU15EhUWiF-ualS-TVO28erGRHhTZxSaFDmNZYeJc3b08dgW4VDHYJ_f-d-CYuuiob7DXDf2Zt-PV48vAu1h7Y/s320/IMG_1823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Winter Oilseed rape was down 10% but the winter malting barley actually increased its yield from last year. The disappointment came when we started combining the spring crops. These were typically 30% down on our historic yields, although quality was good. The recent increase in prices due to lower world yields will not make up the financial difference incased by lower yields. On the plus side we didn't need to buy any diesel for drying the grain and all of the farm machinery behaved very well with no real hiccups!Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-39054125102465029272018-06-17T17:15:00.000+00:002018-06-17T17:15:40.203+00:00#YourHarvest, Get the Message Out There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvj__8Kdctm4j4WT7TTSFV_EmDlgkLx97yjK6nBwHn9atkhQuDUU0tltEkcRWZAVtRPFPWmo-HcuhpIbtCUP-WEDGWG_o9hF0xqE2uKRNVRiA9PSEh5DtnXgNaMcluP8X3KjHB1bYfXE/s1600/IMG_1020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="645" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvj__8Kdctm4j4WT7TTSFV_EmDlgkLx97yjK6nBwHn9atkhQuDUU0tltEkcRWZAVtRPFPWmo-HcuhpIbtCUP-WEDGWG_o9hF0xqE2uKRNVRiA9PSEh5DtnXgNaMcluP8X3KjHB1bYfXE/s320/IMG_1020.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
At the <a href="http://www.cerealsevent.co.uk/">Cereals Event</a> Tom Bradshaw, (National Farmers Union - Crops Board Chairman) launched a campaign to highlight the importance of the arable sector; raising awareness of its importance to many other sectors of UK Agriculture. Much of the grain we produce goes to feed poultry, pigs, cattle and sheep, in addition to supplying us with bread, beer and proteins. Without a profitable and vibrant arable sector this could open the door to cheaper imports, produced to lower standards, using chemicals and products that are not registered or licensed in the UK.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Grain is probably one of the easiest crops to store and then export around the world. If stored correctly it will last for years. The infrastructure is in place around the world to move grain from farms to ports and then its a relatively cheap cost to move that grain around the world. This could give us opportunities, if we can produce quality wheat but that is not reliable year on year due to the vagaries of the UK summer weather.Realistically the UK only produces about 1% of the worlds wheat-we are small fish in a very large commodity pond.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So here is the idea. If you are an arable farmer (or any farmer for that matter) use this harvest as an opportunity to show people what you do; what you grow and how that is relevant to everyone else in the country. Tweet loads of pictures of #YourHarvest and use the hashtag.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Find your local <a href="https://www.mysociety.org/wehelpyou/who-is-your-mp/?gclid=CjwKCAjwjZjZBRAZEiwAPeLSK2NzO21UWxcyRKSgbyFoxt7BsH1XczxUPj2zwNilr6iUG5n-ybvQ0BoC-ZgQAvD_BwE">MP</a> and invite them out to the farm. In fact invite those from neighbouring constituencies as well and spend a few hours doing a spot of show and tell. Remind them about the technology we use to ensure we are efficient with our crop inputs, that pesticides and fertiliser applied stay in the field. Show them the margins with wildflowers; the wild birdseed mixtures; the fallow plots and the woodland, the new hedges and the trees planted. We have to get this message across. 2 hours is nothing compared to what is at stake over the next 25 years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-54209586220953248962018-05-13T11:36:00.003+00:002018-05-13T11:36:44.115+00:00"To Spray or Not to Spray?"-That is the QuestionWe have just completed the <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/684003/future-farming-environment-consult-document.pdf">Health and Harmony</a> consultation organised by Secretary of State for DEFRA Michael Gove where we were asked to put forward our views about the new Agricultural system post Brexit. There was a lot of noise and gesturing from many sides of the argument about what our country side should and must produce. Very sadly the words 'Food Production' were missing from the initial phases of the conversation and ultimately this is only part of the argument. Our ever shrinking and ever compromised countryside has and can produce a wide range of 'public goods' It can provide, food, environmental benefits, jobs, clean air and water, it can provide habitat and food not just for people but also for our wildlife, but it needs a balanced approach.<br />
Lets also be clear that between 2006-2012, 224,200 Ha was developed in the UK (Professor Heiko Balzter-Leicester Uni) for infrastructure, roads, rail, houses, golf courses and wind turbine's. This squeezes the natural world into smaller and smaller segments. More people in the countryside, more disturbance means less wildlife. This was observed in the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak when public rights of way were closed during the breeding season and farmland bird numbers rose.<br />
This blog isn't a piece about how we should be supporting farmers to produce food. It is about supporting farmers to provide what many are already doing-a balance of environmental resilience, economic return and healthier foods. But this way of farming does not come without its risks and sometime for no reward and this Michael Gove, if you are reading this, is where farmers who are doing the right things need support. Let me give you a scenario.<br />
<br />
We are a notill farm cropping arable crops and this spring has been the wettest and coldest for a long time, but this farming that's in our bloody, we know the risks. One of the challenges we have set ourselves as <a href="https://leafuk.org/">LEAF</a> farmers is to reduce our impact on the environment and I have set a challenge to not use insecticides on the farm. The theory being that natural predators will increase with the habitat we have created and help us control pests when they appear. Great in theory but here is a dilemma in some spring sown Linseed.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqo5LjINdc8K1KP2TRvXBkjZLTpjXPQQJEvgp7Zj9kBxgS2ky7NgIVRziGaL_UG8eYxHltwVwPPUZ6uABLEzLapMOldlLnul1jmowjirLYgjBgMy091R-ZkgZtC58wLcrFBRHr6BwUssc/s1600/32b37ed5-90c4-4940-9d79-b1a79898f6f3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqo5LjINdc8K1KP2TRvXBkjZLTpjXPQQJEvgp7Zj9kBxgS2ky7NgIVRziGaL_UG8eYxHltwVwPPUZ6uABLEzLapMOldlLnul1jmowjirLYgjBgMy091R-ZkgZtC58wLcrFBRHr6BwUssc/s320/32b37ed5-90c4-4940-9d79-b1a79898f6f3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linseed with Flax Beetle Damage- Photo from David Miller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The notches you can see are being caused by the flax beetle, (one visible top half toward the right) of which there is no seed dressing to control (not a neonicotinoid solution in this case). We use an economic threshold of 3 beetles in a 5cm row of crop to assess the economic return to make the case for spraying field wide insecticide. Out of stubbornness; I don't want to use insecticides, I try to turn a blind eye to this economic threshold, and environmentally we want to do the right thing. If we don't spray then the plant population could be reduced by 50% and the seed yield at the end of the day will be less than half. This is because fewer plants will be less competitive to weeds, loose vigour and so yield suffers a disproportional reduction. Linseed is worth £375/tonne and has a target yield of 2.25t/Ha, meaning this field (7.5ha) could loose over £3,500 in income (1.25t/Ha @£375/tonne), for a treatment and application cost of £75. (whole field). The economic argument is obviously very clear if you were Mr Hammond sitting in the treasury Dept the decision would be very easy. Are there some alternatives to spraying?<br />
We as a LEAF farmers, as many other farmers do something called IPM (Integrated Pest Management) which encourages us to use lots of other options before resorting to a chemical solution. In the case of this field this meant looking at some options ahead of spraying, including:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>A long rotation (never grown Linseed here before),</li>
<li>Increasing seed rate, to compensate for some pest damage,</li>
<li>Planting when soil temperatures are warm, (to enable the crop to establish evenly and quickly), </li>
<li>Using no-till techniques to avoid the soil drying out (reducing establishment),</li>
<li>Removing weeds before we plant to reduce competition.</li>
</ol>
<br />
We want to farm without insecticides in the hope (and others experiences) that in the long term the build up of natural pests and predators will balance out but in the short term we need an economic return or we won't make it to the long term goal.<br />
You can't look after the green if you are farming in the red and who pays the price for using less pesticides? At the moment the farmer carries all of the risk which if society wants us to use less artificial inputs then the reward must be greater to be able us to handle these losses. Alternatively the imports of food coming into the country must adhere to the same standards. If that's the case then currently we should not be importing any Soya beans (protein source) or Maize (corn) products from the United States as the majority are grown using plant breeding techniques not allowed in the UK and Europe and are treated with many agro-chemicals that, although safe, are not licensed in the EU.<br />
<br />
It's a complex path that we have to tread in order to not disadvantage any UK farmers in the future. Maybe as a result of the Health and Harmony Consultation a no insecticide commitment by the farmer should be rewarded with suitable compensation for crop losses to ensure better biodiversity whilst keeping farmers in business?<br />
<br />
Just for information the field was sprayed with a heavy heart last Thursday.Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-27723528481403951542018-04-22T23:43:00.001+00:002018-04-22T23:43:09.478+00:00Amazing Mother NatureThere has always been a saying-'You can't fight Mother Nature', and it is so true. From the heavy snow we had at the beginning of March; through to the very wet Easter weekend, the weather never ceases to amaze me. March saw a record rainfall and snow melt of 95mm (almost 4") and then followed the very wet Easter weekend where we saw another 48mm of rain arrive to sit firmly on the top of our already cold and damp soil. Soil temperatures at the start of April were only 4.2 degrees and nothing was really growing. No daffodils, a few hardy snowdrops but the farm crops refused to grow.<br />
Fast forward to the 16th April and after a couple of sunny days, with some brisk winds, the soil dried enough to get planting spring barley, into some pretty good conditions. All of the fields destined for spring cropping had a cover crop growing on them over the winter. Some were grazed and others were not.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoV_anXC33_TaHEkuL470doroCmZj3gksUPFK4PvM7IjK-OEeUEi-EtQnPVocM2AdjLxMTLILzSdZE0hqEgGwV4ENnPrkk_roipwap401aDMrtfeVJQo2g5tJpOueGCKyWcRDTXP_aNvs/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoV_anXC33_TaHEkuL470doroCmZj3gksUPFK4PvM7IjK-OEeUEi-EtQnPVocM2AdjLxMTLILzSdZE0hqEgGwV4ENnPrkk_roipwap401aDMrtfeVJQo2g5tJpOueGCKyWcRDTXP_aNvs/s320/IMG_0455.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting Spring Barley 16th April 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_2035952633"></span>This was the first field that we planted. The cover crop was a mixture of vetch and oats which the sheep grazed before Christmas. The top was nice and dry but conditions under the surface were a little damp, but we had to get going. Derek made a start and before long the fields were planted (2 days) and we moved on to plant other crops. I had a look on Friday morning to see if the seeds had germinated (started to grow) and to my astonishment-not only had they germinated but there were small shoots appearing. I measured the soil temperature at 14 degrees, and with plenty of moisture the seeds were off to a flying start.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA02Qi_w97_pGmMjPtxGvRYe2gmkBFv1a0ft5695HmH-N77GmlcRZjrC8En9y0Xi6nK1C6qEHyIfK34yxLYw_czqiDiulcwhQ4d3nTTtbYteqSoGKYTVWg2e6TfO5yhWOMoqyPqMYFwUI/s1600/IMG_0499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA02Qi_w97_pGmMjPtxGvRYe2gmkBFv1a0ft5695HmH-N77GmlcRZjrC8En9y0Xi6nK1C6qEHyIfK34yxLYw_czqiDiulcwhQ4d3nTTtbYteqSoGKYTVWg2e6TfO5yhWOMoqyPqMYFwUI/s320/IMG_0499.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barley Seeds Germinating After 4 days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I called into the field today to see how things were progressing only to be met with small green shoots bursting up from the clutches of the soil. Incredibly after 6 days, almost to the hour ,we had some crop emergence. I have never known such a short period from planting to emergence as I have witnessed this year with the barley.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocsePKxvc6N4TMwlYkcUVjEvFS8VPT39qAHA-3cMDM1aVmYEzlZzWvrkEvK7S6dojliiu_cFUdn9labT7e_LQh1UQDM39Ek1EUKiuiovwjyYfeG520ykc9vkR3ulJ0rEfh1l549WhTXU/s1600/IMG_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocsePKxvc6N4TMwlYkcUVjEvFS8VPT39qAHA-3cMDM1aVmYEzlZzWvrkEvK7S6dojliiu_cFUdn9labT7e_LQh1UQDM39Ek1EUKiuiovwjyYfeG520ykc9vkR3ulJ0rEfh1l549WhTXU/s320/IMG_0554.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barley Plants Emerging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To me this really is amazing because only a few weeks before we were sitting looking at wet, cold fields with little prospect of planting anything this spring. The crop has a long way to go before it will hopefully be harvested. It will be attacked by pests and disease, which we will have to regularly check for. It might be hot or cold, dry or wet from now on, but for now, the little plants are on their way!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-64252020045290926122018-03-07T18:14:00.002+00:002018-03-07T18:14:59.889+00:00Snow Joke<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iibi1Nc79ijLPLMiktiAQDXxtfQyZaDWNPNQRrK9QysESG6mbmOqunRrcipftzRa-bbti8108hbJeb_cFPjMzq3lBY0JPwXGm2f5Au-KG5lvgqKHVaFKlUHhxGwlUTfvmKPv5_51UKc/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iibi1Nc79ijLPLMiktiAQDXxtfQyZaDWNPNQRrK9QysESG6mbmOqunRrcipftzRa-bbti8108hbJeb_cFPjMzq3lBY0JPwXGm2f5Au-KG5lvgqKHVaFKlUHhxGwlUTfvmKPv5_51UKc/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overbury in the snow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well mother nature certainly has a great way of bringing us back down to earth with a reminder of who really is in charge! Last week we saw temperatures plummet to -8 degrees with added windchill taking the temperature down into double digits below zero. Then came Storm Emma sucking Siberian air across Europe and freeze blasting the UK.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a funny kind of way we were very lucky to only have a few inches of snow, but when the wind blew the trouble started. Our small roads, bordered with beautiful hedgerows acted as sinks for the snow to settle in. Many of our roads, including the one to the main farm had 5' of snow drifts making them impossible to get through even with a 4 wheel drive truck.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WjCgQeN5rK4mH0mbwz-eoryCikDiNrK4iBL7rzj1YNEWBIiBicWLZYRYxntTwnQOrK9lF_vVkXy3hzcUxc1DgBbaI_1NX2c94e-wtb7oZYv60KZhwgFDqENmCrFEzrN5Zy2y2fbcK8c/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1334" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WjCgQeN5rK4mH0mbwz-eoryCikDiNrK4iBL7rzj1YNEWBIiBicWLZYRYxntTwnQOrK9lF_vVkXy3hzcUxc1DgBbaI_1NX2c94e-wtb7oZYv60KZhwgFDqENmCrFEzrN5Zy2y2fbcK8c/s320/IMG_0053.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearing snow on the Eckington Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Like many farmers we have some good equipment that could be deployed to help clear the snow. Working on behalf of Worcestershire County Council to clear the larger trunk roads before moving into the smaller lanes to ease up more local traffic. In total we had 3 team members (Tim, Derek and Gordon) out for 2.5 days clearing snow around Bredon Hill. I think we have been very lucky, lambing is not due to start for another month and my heart goes out to those spending hours rescuing stranded livestock.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If there are a few messages that these events can draw out, they would be that community spirit is not dead, much help was available to clear driveways, collect shopping and shovel snow from valley gutters.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Farmers have an active role to play, not just to produce food and look after the natural resources but also to keep the roads open to allow others to go about their daily lives. Next time you get stuck behind a slow moving tractor and trailer of hay, or a combine harvester moving around the lanes, just pause for a moment and think they are doing their jobs just as you were able to get through the snow to do yours.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi_jH1ZclPaRLDJATCt-HtHrssI8MOqFvm2rDIBS4jYv0s2E7mwFsZkDpv2S4uH-fYfnKEfmXrE4FPT0ANeFex3iVcM7E6FpiZZEdTOTOI0XBqjACuLobLu1oM3mbLkAfJs6rCiUT_ec/s1600/IMG_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi_jH1ZclPaRLDJATCt-HtHrssI8MOqFvm2rDIBS4jYv0s2E7mwFsZkDpv2S4uH-fYfnKEfmXrE4FPT0ANeFex3iVcM7E6FpiZZEdTOTOI0XBqjACuLobLu1oM3mbLkAfJs6rCiUT_ec/s320/IMG_0071.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drifting snow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3 days later we are all back to normal, with only a few farm tracks impassable to vehicles smaller than a tractor and the sun is shining. Spring feels like it is just around the corner. We will have to wait and see!<br /><br />Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-26139575279536274392017-12-18T17:11:00.000+00:002017-12-18T17:11:04.332+00:00Grazing Ewes on Cover Crops<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbw6DPfrPrI8VoKvK3JafnJYGRDOVXkYs0dpTZW208SYZaWak9fuKwvXfJvSJ-CThDqPiRSdNgnxlSgPxj4zRlTCtY8vlCDy19KVLv9wAyKiz87PwPoN3RANXCXKBesrhHdIcEZQaT17E/s1600/20171218+Ewes+on+Cover+Crops.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbw6DPfrPrI8VoKvK3JafnJYGRDOVXkYs0dpTZW208SYZaWak9fuKwvXfJvSJ-CThDqPiRSdNgnxlSgPxj4zRlTCtY8vlCDy19KVLv9wAyKiz87PwPoN3RANXCXKBesrhHdIcEZQaT17E/s320/20171218+Ewes+on+Cover+Crops.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ewes Grazing Cover Crops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Well the rams have really been doing their stuff in the last 4 weeks with almost all of the ewes now hopefully pregnant. In the first week over 600 ewes were mated, as indicated by the chalk dye that the rams leave of the rumps of the ewes during mating. The colour is changed every week so we have an idea of which ewes are likely to be lambing and when. The gestation period is about 5 months so we're on for a mid April lambing, which next year will be outside for the majority of the flock for the first time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
At the moment all of the ewes are out grazing the cover crops on the arable fields. The cover crops are a mixture of forage rye and vetch or black oats and vetch with a few extra goodies thrown in for good measure. These extras include phacelia, buckwheat and berseem clover.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The hard spell of weather recently, although it didn't last very long, has certainly knocked the cover crops down but it hasn't killed them and we are getting some regrowth on the rye fields. This will hopefully continue over the winter and into the spring to enable another grazing before the ewes lamb and the fields are planted with spring cropping. The field below is due to be planted with <a href="http://www.soya-uk.com/">Soya Beans</a> in late April so we should get a second grazing before then.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmMBz4nj6pBc6QAvCoLg3CvH2q3sKlkuL7KZs9Sm8Pinxy6yBVbfXNmV5EhyphenhyphenFgUgkRY9vvrXi9vmOdGBH8bDwbgvGflzxdBNynLXirLqRZiru8py9OfKAiSDzk1EqjbqgWMci83-weFQ/s1600/20171218+Covercrops+Post+Ewes+Grazing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmMBz4nj6pBc6QAvCoLg3CvH2q3sKlkuL7KZs9Sm8Pinxy6yBVbfXNmV5EhyphenhyphenFgUgkRY9vvrXi9vmOdGBH8bDwbgvGflzxdBNynLXirLqRZiru8py9OfKAiSDzk1EqjbqgWMci83-weFQ/s320/20171218+Covercrops+Post+Ewes+Grazing.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover Crop After Ewe Grazing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The ewes are doing a great job of eating the majority of the green material. But it's not just the cover crops, volunteer wheat and some black grass as well, whilst trampling some of the material into the soil to feed the microbes and worms. This is a great news as the field/soil surface looks well protected from the heavy winter rainfall that we must surely get at some point. We'll have to watch it on the heavy land fields so that we don't get too much surface compaction if it gets too wet, but we are not there yet. The soil has restructured itself beautifully on the clay soil part of the farm enough to carry stock, but it has taken 3-5 years of no till to reach this point. There is still a long way to go until the spring so we'll have to see how things progress.</div>
<br />Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-53982502209093780992017-11-16T15:39:00.000+00:002017-11-16T15:39:02.763+00:00Crimper ConundrumThere is so much public awareness of the perceived issues with Glyphostate at the moment even though 3300 studies have shown it to be a very benign chemical when used correctly in the field. With any potential restriction on its use being enforced on us I wanted to have a look at an alternative method of killing a cover crop before we plant our harvestable, or cash crop, into the field. To me a cover crop can only enhance the soil and the wider environment. It shields the soil from rain, reducing runoff and erosion; it feeds the soil biology with carbohydrates and encourages the development of below ground microbial populations; provides winter feed for our sheep; increases soil organic matter to hold more nutrients and water-its a no brainier for the farm and the wider environment.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQcmd77aI-RFarCaLZRYc6mltlbhFIO9yqUZA-_Pxx2dMiJCta5ZwTuBxxw6buxDcCBWx1oCTfMBX2vizc0jhHUsYtN74B7crg8pA6UBWpMSYkmjvhvzV7gh5Gtrq8cfeI7UK0K2XbSY/s1600/IMG_8855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQcmd77aI-RFarCaLZRYc6mltlbhFIO9yqUZA-_Pxx2dMiJCta5ZwTuBxxw6buxDcCBWx1oCTfMBX2vizc0jhHUsYtN74B7crg8pA6UBWpMSYkmjvhvzV7gh5Gtrq8cfeI7UK0K2XbSY/s320/IMG_8855.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Oat and Vetch Covercrop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Without glyphosate the termination, or killing, of these crops could prove to be very tricky in our maritime climate. The cover crop can grow rather large and I don't want to have endless passes with toppers or cultivators to kill the cover crops. Doing this is expensive, uses fossil fuel and releases CO2, cultivations mean even more CO2 released from the organic matter held in the soil, as it is exposed to oxygen, it means more tractors on the land, causing compaction where they drive which can lead to poorer water infiltration and therefore soil erosion. So what's an alternative?<br />
<br />
With a loan of a crimper roller from <a href="https://www.cotswoldseeds.com/">Cotswold Grass Seeds</a> (thank you) we had a little play in a large cover crop of black oats, vetch, phacelia and berceem clover.<br />
<br />
The idea of the crimper roller is to lay the plants down and squash the stems with metal blades in the hope that this bends or cuts the stems stopping nutrients getting up the stem into the top of the plants, end result being the killing of the cover crop, and any nests or wildlife that gets in the way-but we'll gloss over that for now!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQEVOHkm3AenX1HTZHeiyAwkBHqkSWQABZBDChJ7Eq2THi32LP-6dAchctcLwBljO4a1c9HtEfbwXnCK_Frm703FBm1E7cp_3rz6D5aIW34PEP-ZfQIsduRjuKorAcYh1UreFVpg-Xas/s1600/IMG_8802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQEVOHkm3AenX1HTZHeiyAwkBHqkSWQABZBDChJ7Eq2THi32LP-6dAchctcLwBljO4a1c9HtEfbwXnCK_Frm703FBm1E7cp_3rz6D5aIW34PEP-ZfQIsduRjuKorAcYh1UreFVpg-Xas/s320/IMG_8802.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimper Roller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We tried the crimper roller on the back of a tractor at first and drove in reverse to make the chevrons point in the right direction but ended up going in round in circles! So we unhitched the weights from the front linkage of another tractor and set off across the field at 10kph, with the crimper on the front with a bit more success! The roller weighed in at 620Kg for a 2m machine so about 310kg/m.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4mvWQgr_nFNh7myW4X3Hlhc9v5fsrKudTlNzdClFDraOxH0nsFfy9x4ueUz-2YTX04w3aVc0fb5rBgGIIHH7-elJ0QKasszuHChmarUOPaBQqSYpu-jmleLQsg4om1bG-tUlOzMkn1M/s1600/IMG_8865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4mvWQgr_nFNh7myW4X3Hlhc9v5fsrKudTlNzdClFDraOxH0nsFfy9x4ueUz-2YTX04w3aVc0fb5rBgGIIHH7-elJ0QKasszuHChmarUOPaBQqSYpu-jmleLQsg4om1bG-tUlOzMkn1M/s320/IMG_8865.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimped Covercrop 7 Days Post Crimping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I came back to the plot 7 days later to see if it had actually worked and I am sorry to say that it didn't. The oats seems to still be alive and the vetch, which I though would have been totally animated, were still just about hanging on. The concern for me is we need to find something that works consistently every year and as every season if different. We need to grow significant levels amounts of green matter and these need killing-somehow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maybe we used the wrong machine, maybe at the wrong time for the plants growth stage,or at the wrong speed or it wasn't heavy enough? Maybe we need to graze some of the covers down first to weaken then plants? Maybe it just doesn't work in our climate where we don't always have a frost to follow up and finish off the wounded crop? Who knows and more work needs to be done, but for now I am not impressed.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-49033554989465022622017-11-16T14:31:00.002+00:002017-11-16T14:31:25.752+00:00Great Companions<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Great Companions,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">For the last 3 years we have been
experimenting with companion crops in our oilseed rape fields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The companions are mainly based around
legumes to try and increase the amount of atmospheric nitrogen that we can capture
and then make available to our farming system, and why wouldn’t we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The atmosphere is 76% nitrogen and yet our
cereal and brassica plants cannot use any of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But legumes can-and they do it very quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">For the first time we have been using
berseem clover and vetches together, all planted at the same time as the
oilseed around the middle of August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
has amazed me how quickly the seeds geminated and the speed at which they have
continued to grow.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-7kQSaX7tPFLFYsy9MlbMn37rxtfmv-tp2BLTktUrIY76eYSpNnpI38Z0C6PgMwugfeLz8u3kNLap5aObmfZDg4GCgZ0JlzDGSy7rttHUEaARKCAzvYMPkpjzoKWz_uf5w62aNM93Xg/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-7kQSaX7tPFLFYsy9MlbMn37rxtfmv-tp2BLTktUrIY76eYSpNnpI38Z0C6PgMwugfeLz8u3kNLap5aObmfZDg4GCgZ0JlzDGSy7rttHUEaARKCAzvYMPkpjzoKWz_uf5w62aNM93Xg/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US">Almost immediately
the plants germinated in the no-till soil, where the surface hadn’t dried out
and the vetch was soon putting a decent tap root down in to the soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This I think has helped the oilseed rape,
slightly slower to germinate, by starting to create routes down through the soil
in search of nutrients and water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After 6 weeks I dug up some of the vetch
plants to reveal that they had already started to nodulate and the bacteria has
started to convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into a plant available
form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This works really well when the
soil is aerated, (soil needs oxygen) there is a host and the right bacteria are
present in the soil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The oilseed rape plants look healthy, the
weeds have virtually all been competed out and with no broad leaf weed
herbicide,</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDFKHCXUz3Q1j2KRu0HhjVSPvdhEIwPAbIjUyL0rRvS6_Z0yzQwqu83hx4jxWzqQntEhwnzc2_d2iX5Rd8ACeV4sf_-F8RErRobLFO4ruGpXNJBzmEBRUTyrnJwB7LSG3Bc6uJYSF_w8/s1600/IMG_8461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDFKHCXUz3Q1j2KRu0HhjVSPvdhEIwPAbIjUyL0rRvS6_Z0yzQwqu83hx4jxWzqQntEhwnzc2_d2iX5Rd8ACeV4sf_-F8RErRobLFO4ruGpXNJBzmEBRUTyrnJwB7LSG3Bc6uJYSF_w8/s320/IMG_8461.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"> due to the canopy development and we are producing nitrogen for
free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will see how the companions develop
over the winter before they are all terminated, releasing their stash of nitrogen
for the oilseed rape plants to use next spring and summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-68790059561892696422017-10-23T12:38:00.002+00:002017-10-24T09:32:01.821+00:00Pondering Picking Peas <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUSLE8IYKCrmSf_fPtcoAlU36R8-eY4Fijh9OKQjEAXTZ90jm-Q2SzPm2DLqiBgtta0cgh1IQyIHACzYHtpi5yxlDnPs1BuCP8Yv-s9ERzggYaWXj-2blg-6YIDLcP9uOs4AEf9yOR6A/s1600/20170419+Peas+Darkes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUSLE8IYKCrmSf_fPtcoAlU36R8-eY4Fijh9OKQjEAXTZ90jm-Q2SzPm2DLqiBgtta0cgh1IQyIHACzYHtpi5yxlDnPs1BuCP8Yv-s9ERzggYaWXj-2blg-6YIDLcP9uOs4AEf9yOR6A/s320/20170419+Peas+Darkes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peas emerging 19th April</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the first time we have no-tilled all of the hand picked peas up on the Bredon Hill. Previously the crop had been cultivated to create the seedbed to plant into. Historically the fields would have been ploughed in the autumn and left bare over winter, then cultivated ahead of the drill (planter). More recently the fields were cultivated (quite deeply) ahead of the drill and then planted, but not any longer! The picture above shows the peas emerging through a sprayed off cover crop of oats. The oats were planted the previous autumn and left to grow over the winter. The plants were using the sunshine and nutrients available to them to capture carbon, in the form of plant material-roots, stems and leaves and also feeding the biological process in the soil with sugars which the plant releases through the roots.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IAnj_ttPSZWCdYQuFWNvCDoSQcl7E23yXkuVY0pdLQK7e48NAm4fHfYgFiNI4NY2usxWvXHF58Bd_Jq5Ta6ux14yCfxeCyxriQEZLky0BeMDxsp-5hShJvStNo2MgbihgYE9o7xGBDE/s1600/20170511+Peas+Darkes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IAnj_ttPSZWCdYQuFWNvCDoSQcl7E23yXkuVY0pdLQK7e48NAm4fHfYgFiNI4NY2usxWvXHF58Bd_Jq5Ta6ux14yCfxeCyxriQEZLky0BeMDxsp-5hShJvStNo2MgbihgYE9o7xGBDE/s320/20170511+Peas+Darkes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peas in row 11th May</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once the crop was sprayed off with glyphostate, to kill all the green material, the seeder planted the peas. It was a very dry spring this year but by not cultivating the soil we held all the available moisture-enough to get our crops to establish very evenly.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyvIz9tjZ_Kk8vmUKI8tb8BTEMgUPw5ij7yx2Ls4_6S2fOHF9oIUFPfEaStg9Tm5BAF-7TkFkLfS2H7oatrlUawTc8sJe8mCfKzlEQw5PQHI9EelfGeYn8Z8__4I2pS0eTyZ4h0IJgQE/s1600/20170526+Peas+Darkes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyvIz9tjZ_Kk8vmUKI8tb8BTEMgUPw5ij7yx2Ls4_6S2fOHF9oIUFPfEaStg9Tm5BAF-7TkFkLfS2H7oatrlUawTc8sJe8mCfKzlEQw5PQHI9EelfGeYn8Z8__4I2pS0eTyZ4h0IJgQE/s320/20170526+Peas+Darkes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peas meeting across the row 26th May</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you can see from the pictures above the crop established very well and continued to grow on and produce a very good yield of quality peas for the fresh vegetable market. This year the fields designed for peas have once again been cover cropped with oats and they are preparing the seedbed for next years peas which we will start to plant from the end on March 2018.Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-27468232463961538212017-03-07T15:22:00.001+00:002017-03-07T15:22:06.932+00:00Agroforestry with Kellogg's<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypRbyw3rB892Q28hh6hT0GnmdS4Rw8OtJJHktm1WTbdMqDfxCGxLyi4JJpkj4s6j7Lv-PalktYPEim5hIZpjLeoPmuh2uPAGm630SD4rpV4pdl1OQCamrfxPn6jq2B6cpNgtcRBqrLUc/s1600/IMG_5999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypRbyw3rB892Q28hh6hT0GnmdS4Rw8OtJJHktm1WTbdMqDfxCGxLyi4JJpkj4s6j7Lv-PalktYPEim5hIZpjLeoPmuh2uPAGm630SD4rpV4pdl1OQCamrfxPn6jq2B6cpNgtcRBqrLUc/s320/IMG_5999.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agroforestry Oats and Fruit Trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US">My introduction to Agroforestry was a great experience and one that
has opened up my eyes to viewing farmland in a very different way. As part of the <a href="http://www.kelloggs.co.uk/en_GB/whatwebelieve/the-origins-farmer-programme/kelloggs-origins-programme.html">Kellogg’s</a> origins group (link)
we were very lucky to be given a tour of the Agroforestry enterprise at Blue
Bell farms, by Steven Briggs. Steven
farms as an organic farming tenant growing wheat, oats, and some vegetables on
some very good soil near Peterborough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US">The 125 acres of agroforestry is laid out across six fields in 3m
bands of fruit trees separated by 24m of cropped land. The trees are on shortish, root stocks so the
fruit can be picked, and the fruit trees pruned by hand and so that the roots don't get deep enough to interfere with the land drains.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tRW1m8Uu4g2nyA22zey7Rpeg5elyBOTJM48dzPR4c6XnE2mnZu38c_cn3U946wVOlVzocsmlUOtCkv5EBaenNXtzv2eFt1_pSE6me2BzgqIv_RjXcUz3MQnW-_2vxZy4apwPAjBtrT8/s1600/IMG_6001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tRW1m8Uu4g2nyA22zey7Rpeg5elyBOTJM48dzPR4c6XnE2mnZu38c_cn3U946wVOlVzocsmlUOtCkv5EBaenNXtzv2eFt1_pSE6me2BzgqIv_RjXcUz3MQnW-_2vxZy4apwPAjBtrT8/s320/IMG_6001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agroforestry Fruit Trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The system looks at the land in a 3D way. The trees are able to put roots down below
the crop root zone to capture nutrients and moisture lower down in the soil
profile. Most arable crops root between 1-2m whereas the trees go down to 10m
so there's little competition for these plant essentials. The tree divisions increase the crop edge
effect and the leaf mulch falls onto the cropland, returning nutrients as they
decompose. The trees also act as a
wind-break; for every 1’ of tree height you get a 10’ wind reduction effect,
very important in the flat fen lands.
This reduction in wind also reduces the notorious ‘fen blow’ of topsoil
across the fields and enables more spray days.
Spray days on an organic farm you ask?
Steven's soil is short of manganese so regular applications are applied
to supplement the soils deficiency to the growing crops.</span><!--EndFragment-->
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdyG5AL1WOSctfjfvhgyYtoREHZ1NWxTsEZM1NqQA-gwFnQedzY_SLxZA8bDMv43pwfLWPUOt4Pva8DO8CgNcTUCVaXtn2ra4KVruPWdOBrVR4ZK6O6NIkFhSyuTNj7S42blgTalcYZo/s1600/IMG_6007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdyG5AL1WOSctfjfvhgyYtoREHZ1NWxTsEZM1NqQA-gwFnQedzY_SLxZA8bDMv43pwfLWPUOt4Pva8DO8CgNcTUCVaXtn2ra4KVruPWdOBrVR4ZK6O6NIkFhSyuTNj7S42blgTalcYZo/s320/IMG_6007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ploughing Overwintered Stubble</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US">The strips that the trees are planted on can be planted with pollen
and nectar so that in the short term will provide brilliant insect
habitat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overtime these will turn into
brilliant beetle banks providing habitat and food for beneficial insects
helping control pests. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The system is run
with a 6m Controlled Traffic Farming layout to keep machinery wheelings running
in the same place, except where the overwintered stubbles are ploughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US">So are there any down sides?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To be honest there we’re too many. Yes it ties up the land for a long
period of time as you need to write down the cost of the trees, so OK if you
own the land but difficult if you are a tenant and a 3 year FBT makes this
impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a large capital
cost, even planning at 120 trees/Ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Over time the yield from the crops reduce as the yield from the trees
take over but if you have a market for the fruit then the output is
significant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes a lot of sense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US">Everyone who visited was really impressed with the system and it
certainly made everyone think a little more about some of these techniques could be employed on their own farms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-81067157722475575172017-02-24T09:28:00.000+00:002017-02-24T09:28:12.482+00:00Glyphosate - A Key Ingredient<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7uQmFhtB8Ql2kkHaQctAAgJjyZmv21h8c0kH7AYf9DHDqt63JUfFNuomsSG1jwKSg7_PUBsQjGR2_HvAV7iFvFOhgHvgSV1rUTF4T5-fgCPBpQHW3NMhTYlZyJePVWJq1qhmHwUdSNM/s1600/20170223+Ploughed+Field.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7uQmFhtB8Ql2kkHaQctAAgJjyZmv21h8c0kH7AYf9DHDqt63JUfFNuomsSG1jwKSg7_PUBsQjGR2_HvAV7iFvFOhgHvgSV1rUTF4T5-fgCPBpQHW3NMhTYlZyJePVWJq1qhmHwUdSNM/s320/20170223+Ploughed+Field.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over-winter Ploughed field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not that long ago, the land at Overbury would have been ploughed over the winter time to prepare it for the next crop. This is a destructive process for all of the organisms; bacteria, nematodes, fungi and earthworms that live in the soil. It was the only way farmers had to control weeds and create a seedbed suitable for our equipment to plant the seeds into. Many fields destined to be planted in the spring would have been left in this ploughed state over the winter period. We now know that is method of land preparation; and we are catching up with the rest of the world, is a very bad practice for many reasons.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The most significant reason is that we are adding air to the soil, which reacts with the carbon locked in the soil, releasing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, a significant ingredient in global warming, adding to the changing climate threat. The tractors that we use release Nitrous oxide as they burn the diesel, (just like diesel cars) and ploughing uses a lot of diesel. Moving the soil also destroys its structure, meaning that small particles of silt, are washed through the soil taking pesticides and fertiliser with them. They wash down to the depth of the cultivation and fill in the pores resulting in the surface level water logging. This water logging means that any subsequent rain can't infiltrate into the soil and so runs off causing surface erosion. Soil erosion can be reduced by 90% buy not cultivating and using Conservation Agriculture techniques. The soil particles end up in the streams and water courses silting up the stream beds, reducing water flow capacity and can potentially lead to flooding further down stream. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are the soil inhabitants to consider as well. Cultivation destroys their habitat and their food supply and we need them to help our plants (and therefore our food), to collect nutrients from the soil. Worm populations can be reduced by 50% by ploughing. We need the worms to aerate the soil, digest the soil and restructure it, adding glomalins (glue) to stick the particles together and recycle dead and decaying plant materials. A healthy soil is one that can sustain itself with as little human interference as possible and that means not cultivating.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ugz5t6Ga771nV1MQ9rlmnHfX31PZhL3MYWM_rmqduLcjcyFJficrfv3GC2HJ8blC5FSWkhUPYo1dWzEvrOCfSjKwexuzqTeFB7vjKDQewTE5NsCn7xZLJmhzhIKIh_YxaSq97r_p6Hs/s1600/20170223+Oil+Radish+Covercrop+Whiteways.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ugz5t6Ga771nV1MQ9rlmnHfX31PZhL3MYWM_rmqduLcjcyFJficrfv3GC2HJ8blC5FSWkhUPYo1dWzEvrOCfSjKwexuzqTeFB7vjKDQewTE5NsCn7xZLJmhzhIKIh_YxaSq97r_p6Hs/s320/20170223+Oil+Radish+Covercrop+Whiteways.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A field after winter with cover crops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Soil is also greatly improved by keeping it covered, using plant material or previous plant residue, a theory nicknamed 'soil armour' in the U.S. This concept uses plants to intercept rain droplets, keeping the soil surface open and aerated. The plants in the picture above have been growing all winter, capturing available nutrients, taking carbon from the atmosphere and locking it up in the organic matter of the plant, restructuring the soil, feeding our soil biology and providing a brilliant habitat for birds and mammals, Our cover crops this year have hosted brown hares, starling, redwing, field fare, lapwing, meadow pipets, yellow hammer, chaffinch, linnets, snipe, woodcock and many others across these fields. Compare that to the ploughed field above where it is mainly lifeless.</div>
<br />
From the environments point of view cultivation's are not a good idea.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So why the long blog about protecting the soil? Well this method of farming, called no-till or zero-till, is under threat from misinformed lobby groups trying to get the active ingredient 'glyphosate' banned from all of our European crop production systems. It is a very safe herbicide, (weedkiller) that we use instead of cultivation to kill weeds and cover crops, prior to planting our next crop. It has been a valuable tool available to farmers for the last 40 years. Without glyphostate there will be serious implications to our food security and the negative effects of cultivation, (listed above) in terms of mechanical weed control will return. It is used across the world and is one of the most rigorously tested of any pesticide, that is currently registered for use. An<a href="https://www.efsa.europa.eu/"> EFSA</a> (European Food Safety Authority), concluded in a peer reviewed report (published EFSA Journal 2015;13(11):4302in) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans and the evidence does not support classification with regard to its carcinogenic potential".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The only body to conclude that glyphostate might pose a health risk is the <a href="https://www.iarc.fr/">IARC</a> (International Agency for Research on Cancer) who concluded it is "probably carcinogenic to humans". According to the IARC's own classifications glyphostate is in the same category as drinking very hot drinks, working as a hairdresser and working night-shifts. Glyphostate is safer than orange juice, bacon and indeed coffee, so we need to keep it in perspective and look at the benefits it delivers in globally feedin the world.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Without glyphostate, as part of an Integrated Farm Management approach UK yields of wheat and oilseed rape (canola) will drop by about 20%, primarily due to weed competition. We will need to use 546,000 Ha more land to replace this lost production. Our farms will not be able to compete with other growers using it around the world. Profitability would fall and cheap food imports will be sucked into the country; in many cases produced to lower environmental standards. Mechanised weed control, including ploughing will return; reducing our soil organic matter, biological life, disruption to ground nesting birds and fewer environmental benefits. It will be a gloomy picture. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We need to look at the whole system to appreciate how decisions impact on each other and if the cause and effect can be beneficial or not. Nothing is simple or black and white. I know that not being able to use this proven, safe chemical will impact severely on what we do and how we do it; eroding the positive environmental benefits of no-till farming.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg6qADM3Yaq4v_Y3-krGhfgcLCwxBSn2DS9LDjcJqgAnAJ04bgz4oIdXl9StED95IJpVlyk2D5lw5BZh1xLZmH4c5ogtmFmSMiyjJsIM9JvtpcGLFyRmDTJwOsAxoGols_yWVUJeWw_k/s1600/20161001+Cross+Slot+in+Radish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg6qADM3Yaq4v_Y3-krGhfgcLCwxBSn2DS9LDjcJqgAnAJ04bgz4oIdXl9StED95IJpVlyk2D5lw5BZh1xLZmH4c5ogtmFmSMiyjJsIM9JvtpcGLFyRmDTJwOsAxoGols_yWVUJeWw_k/s320/20161001+Cross+Slot+in+Radish.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No-till planting Into Cover Crops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-68881154587049917662017-01-23T17:48:00.000+00:002017-01-23T17:55:57.222+00:00A Shout Out for the Worms!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzDKrNoy9nqtdmiyPVVfNdixZuZXC_5qO4jQ0utm6rVcNtxDUEKiTQdFNQ__e3eTd6OX4l-5OKP5em9nEXLYUJrbG_2fmDZt22gK6MxgNCqijN1xQO56BQBrmr8zKZejvn26sGTsJ7AE/s1600/IMG_5567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzDKrNoy9nqtdmiyPVVfNdixZuZXC_5qO4jQ0utm6rVcNtxDUEKiTQdFNQ__e3eTd6OX4l-5OKP5em9nEXLYUJrbG_2fmDZt22gK6MxgNCqijN1xQO56BQBrmr8zKZejvn26sGTsJ7AE/s320/IMG_5567.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing to count worms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At long last we have finally managed to get some time in the field to do some worm counting. I have been trying to find a few hours for quite some time BUT at long last we have created a bit of a benchmark. It should have been done at the start of the switch into no-till farming but as always its not until you start something that you realise what is important and believe me-these guys are important! So what did we find out? Firstly that there are many factors that have an effect of worm numbers. The first field we sampled was on our sand and gravel fields with a high sand content. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We randomly sampled 4 separate areas within the field, each sample measured 20cm wide x 20cm across and 30cm deep. This field is only into year 2 of no-till farming and as you can see from the photograph below the worm numbers are quite low. On this field we had an average count of 11 worms/sample section with a minimum number of 6 and a maximum number of 15. Our target is 16 worms in a spade full, so roughly our sample size. We measured the soil temperature as a point of reference to see, when we re-sample, what effects this might have on the population and all sample points were geo-tagged so we can return.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This field averaged out at 268 worms/m2 which is slightly short of our target population of 400 worms/m2. So there is some work to be done! By reduced cultivation or no-tilling our fields and by returning crop residue, or by adding compost as worm feed we should be able to build populations over a relatively short period of time.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmJNhbeT-6OX2Yq9q5euvtWr3shFQVxGHCSQepgNEq3zpnhb4gxxjKdqjm_k2bKjB074POBEbknRHD_jkfeZA8arVCsxhgTvrxLA5i-Vk8sy85Yhcvd4CIaiSua3KxJHLUNXhUSZStnE/s1600/IMG_5570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmJNhbeT-6OX2Yq9q5euvtWr3shFQVxGHCSQepgNEq3zpnhb4gxxjKdqjm_k2bKjB074POBEbknRHD_jkfeZA8arVCsxhgTvrxLA5i-Vk8sy85Yhcvd4CIaiSua3KxJHLUNXhUSZStnE/s320/IMG_5570.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worm count form Bottom Heath-Sandy field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The next sample field was up on Bredon hill at an altitude of 900ft above sea level in a field planted with winter wheat, after oilseed rape (same rotation as the sandy field). Up here the worm populations were very pleasing with some sites hitting 45 worms/sample. Most of them were epigeic worms, which move around in the upper surface layers of the field feeding on crop residue and will help to recycle the decaying material. The counts ranged form 12-45/sample area.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQVVUTr_ihg2jPd4iH_diWGV8GUmbv8sm8TdWp9hJKaBmgnueHyuT-gY1BEOwzvOQhBIkBE1-2wMBOSdBfRzeDNZeofe0KPtd0hl2TVXKeNAn0O-qrDD5JGIc2IR4lOcDSnFPL2k8tNM/s1600/IMG_5572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQVVUTr_ihg2jPd4iH_diWGV8GUmbv8sm8TdWp9hJKaBmgnueHyuT-gY1BEOwzvOQhBIkBE1-2wMBOSdBfRzeDNZeofe0KPtd0hl2TVXKeNAn0O-qrDD5JGIc2IR4lOcDSnFPL2k8tNM/s320/IMG_5572.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worm count from Shaldons-Cotswold Brash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But why bother, what is the point of having more worms, what do they do for us in the middle of an arable field?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Worms are important for many reasons; their burrows aerate the soils, moving fresh air (oxygen) down into the plant rooting zone, breathing life into the deeper layers of soil. We must not forget that soil is made up of 25% air. Worms also feed on soil, reformatting its structure in the form of casts on the soil surface. These casts are rich in available plant nutrients held in a stable organic state, unlikely to leach through the soil surface. These castings can contain 7 x more phosphorus, 10 x more potassium, 5 x more nitrogen 3 times more magnesium and 1.5 x more calcium than the surrounding soils. Recycling the dead plant material is also a key role played by these sub terrain dwellers, coming up to the surface and dragging down plant material such as straw, leaves and any organic material we may add. They are also key when it comes to field drainage. The burrows of Anecic worms can go down 2-3 meters which are very helpful for taking storm water down into the subsoil and stopping it running off from the fields, helping reduce flash flooding events further down the catchment. Worms are also food for others, so a good supply can only benefit the populations of birds and small mammals increasing overall farmland biodiversity. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF73-G72pvSfvkup-17vL6f440e840y5GXJI1p3lMYcchudfeXab33E_fcuwCyVI3owV7X3QIxQXph1Bj6syq7dB4poR0uA3MEsZgztZPeqrkTIL5oR18v_vTpODC-9zOpckik9SxEGI/s1600/IMG_5042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF73-G72pvSfvkup-17vL6f440e840y5GXJI1p3lMYcchudfeXab33E_fcuwCyVI3owV7X3QIxQXph1Bj6syq7dB4poR0uA3MEsZgztZPeqrkTIL5oR18v_vTpODC-9zOpckik9SxEGI/s320/IMG_5042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worm Cast in Shaldons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is more to do. I will be sampling the heavy land fields (4 years no-tillage) and some other areas of the farm that have recently been cultivated to see what numbers are lurking in the soil. We will be looking at increasing the feed for worms to continue their growth in some areas. Can we get too many worms or will dry summers and cold winters even out the populations? Only time and monitoring will tell. If you want to find out more information then please consider joining the <a href="http://www.earthwormsoc.org.uk/">Earthworm Society of Britain</a> who are looking for new members and people to search for and record their worm populations.Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-10418836124904943492017-01-03T10:22:00.000+00:002017-01-03T10:22:15.374+00:00Open Farm Sunday Reflection<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjEf5Fn_oB9gKdmsBkS_9zTO5mJUcBcjfxkXxTB3STZs3eIYgscA_yr2m-2TmSiUBTG_PJuYMaWgTvH7_ExsoyqVRTGKBSvNYO_wENhil9rE8GKbKQz5yB7pwR6Eh4VlO4e1gNvGONmM/s1600/OFS-statistics-2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjEf5Fn_oB9gKdmsBkS_9zTO5mJUcBcjfxkXxTB3STZs3eIYgscA_yr2m-2TmSiUBTG_PJuYMaWgTvH7_ExsoyqVRTGKBSvNYO_wENhil9rE8GKbKQz5yB7pwR6Eh4VlO4e1gNvGONmM/s640/OFS-statistics-2016.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open Farm Sunday in numbers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The New Year is a great time to look back at the achievements of the previous year and cast an eye to the coming year and what might be coming over the horizon. <a href="https://farmsunday.org/">Open Farm Sunday</a> is always the first date that goes into our farming diary at <a href="http://www.overburyenterprises.co.uk/">Overbury</a> and although our visit is quite low key and limited in numbers, it's a great opportunity to talk real farming issues to those guests who book onto our tractor and trailer rides. Our contribution is small, but collectively our industry, when it puts it's mind to it, can achieve great things.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had a quick look back to 2011, when it was a wet and cold event at Overbury and nationally 120,000 people visited events. Staggeringly 2016 saw in excess of 260,000 people visiting our open farms. Some of the quotes from host farmers in 2011 still ring true today:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"highly rewarding and the feedback has been extremely positive",</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I feel really proud to talk about the food we produce and the work we do for the environment".</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Those messages are still so true today. Our food and the environment, in which it is grown and nurtured, are so important and in the coming months and years we must not loose sight of this important message. As negotiations take place about how we exit from the European Union (Brexit) it is a matter of national importance to secure a safe supply of home produced high quality, nutritious food from a protected but managed environment. Our countryside is under pressure from more houses, more people and more access, it's something that won't change or reverse so we all need an understanding of how our countryside works. Farm visitors also get so much out of the events, it really is a two way conversation:</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Wow, absolutely superb day. Thoroughly enjoyed every part and my children had a great time"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Showed a good insight into live on a working farm"</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the great world of on-line social media to get #OFS16 trending is a great achievement and it really does help to spread the word to see what we actually do. In 2011, 362 farmers opened their farm gates. In 2016 this number had risen to 382. My challenge to our industry is to get out there, welcome people and get involved before it is too late. Now is the time to add June 11th into your diary, the next Open Farm Sunday event. If you are unsure about what is involved or concerned about any aspect of becoming a host, there are free <a href="https://farmsunday.org/open-my-farm/information-events">training sessions</a> run by <a href="http://www.leafuk.org/leaf/home.eb">LEAF</a> to give you all the information you need. So there it is, an easy New Years resolution, host an Open Farm Sunday event, make a difference to your industry and have some fun!</div>
Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-24534905959190632882016-11-11T18:00:00.000+00:002016-12-06T16:06:49.504+00:00Loosing Our Biggest Asset-or not?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL47UDof0kr-WZO7eW_l8c5Xr-HCzPHGdcqAnbc8iikBMZ2MQUxmx9dsQ5nqAaB0KA0ZVL99oAPLK4ngorZTMOsPDKW8aJ2tTyovkkLBW7t9mvvKl1Rd2H83SkDVfayDInOKENBzlgNQ/s1600/20161025+Overbury+Lydar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL47UDof0kr-WZO7eW_l8c5Xr-HCzPHGdcqAnbc8iikBMZ2MQUxmx9dsQ5nqAaB0KA0ZVL99oAPLK4ngorZTMOsPDKW8aJ2tTyovkkLBW7t9mvvKl1Rd2H83SkDVfayDInOKENBzlgNQ/s320/20161025+Overbury+Lydar.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LiDAR Image of the Carrent Catchment - source Environment Agency</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Every day is a school day and so we have to keep learning about our environment and how we interact with our natural surroundings. We are just starting to develop a local group of farmers, with help from <a href="http://www.gloucestershirefwag.org.uk/">Gloucestershire FWAG</a> called the 'Carrant Catchment Restoration Project', with the aim of increasing water quality and biodiversity in the local stream that originates around Bredon Hill. One of the most staggering bits of information came from our local <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency">Environment Agency</a> and uses <a href="http://www.lidar-uk.com/">LiDAR</a> information to look at the erosion risk from farmland. At first glance this sea of red shows high risk areas all over he top of the hill! Quite alarming. We then have to start looking at land use, and some of the red areas are taken out of the equation with woodland and the grassland. We mustn't ignore the grassland-as significant soil erosion can stem from overgrazed or compacted grassland, but it's the arable area of the hill that is by far and above the largest proportion and so poses the largest risk of erosion.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Surface runoff is caused when the field is at water capacity or when compaction is present, both cause the next rainfall to run downhill taking soil particles with it. These particles are potentially carrying fertiliser and pesticides off down into the nearest water coarse, causing the very typical brown water often seen after heavy rainfall events.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILW2GGQynGJLuQeeBRkxrr_RBTI-oYB208DDi6082kUl7vkCdRpvc40Fr1Qr9b53FHsuryNYlt1s6DtLy5IFn1_KKd_zHiaov9j2eS_bUshJzYR7p0ZTSNcVC-K8inVAxwSQLB2q_ocM/s1600/20161014+Stanleys+Walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILW2GGQynGJLuQeeBRkxrr_RBTI-oYB208DDi6082kUl7vkCdRpvc40Fr1Qr9b53FHsuryNYlt1s6DtLy5IFn1_KKd_zHiaov9j2eS_bUshJzYR7p0ZTSNcVC-K8inVAxwSQLB2q_ocM/s320/20161014+Stanleys+Walk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Barley Rooting Structure on Bredon Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our new system of zero tillage (no till) crop farming is the best way to stop erosion from happening on our fields. The system means that the soil is not disturbed so it can structure itself to allow more water to enter it, reducing runoff. By leaving crop residue or by growing cover crops the soil surface is protected form rain droplets, stopping surface compaction from happening. By not cultivating the land we are not burning the organic content of the fields, reducing green house gas emissions. From a water storage position the organic matter acts like a sponge so the more we have, the more water we can store before it runs off through the soil profile into the groundwater. The picture above is from a field that has been in zero tillage for 4 years and is really starting to come to life in many ways. The crop residue is present and under that a crumbly mixture of roots and soil particles attached to the roots of the plants. This is just the start of what I hope our soils will turn into over time.</div>
Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-87240414087499714322016-11-11T14:00:00.000+00:002016-11-11T14:00:16.065+00:00Reed Bed Catchup<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQqhFWg5ypj82uJeFcgKRMCaoX78FJhSWLVatxakpbjoebUf8vdh_SL95V-4qMB22HbagE4WSZ-QNtHFRbOjBhb7sFWgoP9EnEIGh69zx7RhdBBrdPJvNxl51NKrYy0B4WYc-Cj998Wg/s1600/20161111+Reed+Bed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQqhFWg5ypj82uJeFcgKRMCaoX78FJhSWLVatxakpbjoebUf8vdh_SL95V-4qMB22HbagE4WSZ-QNtHFRbOjBhb7sFWgoP9EnEIGh69zx7RhdBBrdPJvNxl51NKrYy0B4WYc-Cj998Wg/s320/20161111+Reed+Bed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed bed on water Coarse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was November 2011 when we dug out the reed bed and silt trap at the far end of the farm to try and intercept the ditch water and improve the quality of the outfall into the Carrant Brook. The silt trap was used to slow down the water and allow the heavier particles (of silt) to drop out of the water. The water then carried on through the reed bed in a shallow wide spread to allow the roots of the reeds to take nutrients, nitrate and phosphate, are he main two form the water and capture those nutrients in the form of plant material.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After quite a slow start the reed bed has really taken off providing a great habitat for bird species like reed buntings as well as a more general habitat improvement next to the hedge and copiced willows. We have just started a water sampling project with Gloucestershire University, so it will be really interesting to see what effect a very small investment in time and energy can have on the water leaving the farm.</div>
Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com1Ashchurch Rural, UK52.013430989344279 -2.070856261962944752.008544489344281 -2.0809412619629448 52.018317489344277 -2.0607712619629446tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-5677672341671173692016-10-26T12:37:00.000+00:002016-10-26T12:37:01.462+00:00Buckwheat Cover Crop<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDE-6FY9XyU3Eq7J77le68EPT7Uv58lW3LgeUFx6Co0iulbVCLAkObEql6_SXAAR3IESJB-QImnhitXUq-j_pjC2onCR4dHJVHnnn9jUBHHPdXy1sD1Wg_vfzTLrel-3W3v6H4Qz5vio/s1600/IMG_3516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDE-6FY9XyU3Eq7J77le68EPT7Uv58lW3LgeUFx6Co0iulbVCLAkObEql6_SXAAR3IESJB-QImnhitXUq-j_pjC2onCR4dHJVHnnn9jUBHHPdXy1sD1Wg_vfzTLrel-3W3v6H4Qz5vio/s320/IMG_3516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buckwheat Emerging After Peas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">We tried a single species cover crop this year in a very quick slot after the hand picked peas up on the hill on those fields that we harvested early enough. The Buckwheat was planted right behind the pea pickers and rapidly covered the ground. The idea was for these roots to start to undo some of the damage to the soil caused by the heavy traffic (tractors and trailers) during the harvest. The crop grew for 8 weeks and was really flowering well (below top left), almost too well and we are finding a few seedlings in the following wheat crop, which isn't causing me too many alarms. Buckwheat will die when temperatures get to below 5 degrees. The bottom picture </span>shows the <a href="http://www.crossslot.com/home">Cross Slot</a> opener (seed placement bit) actually planting the seeds and the third picture (top right) shows what the field looked like after the drill had passed over the field.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0lMri_n7csar27BTdsXyuAfKyZfmgOoatu-Xg5Mi0UJqkYYOajtYUzMqolR1ITVhBlq2xodlMYAyBYNrh4xeO7BSz9-okO5R4Bepq_nD88PKOmlYq10Vi23CWriMGjw9sbCvz4B5HOU/s1600/IMG_3968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0lMri_n7csar27BTdsXyuAfKyZfmgOoatu-Xg5Mi0UJqkYYOajtYUzMqolR1ITVhBlq2xodlMYAyBYNrh4xeO7BSz9-okO5R4Bepq_nD88PKOmlYq10Vi23CWriMGjw9sbCvz4B5HOU/s320/IMG_3968.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross Slot Drilling into Buckwheat Covercrop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It certainly looks very different to a conventional field, without the green lines on a brown background but to me this is how mother nature plants her seed, no cultivation just the seeds working into the ground. It really is a case of retraining the mind to actually appreciate what is happening in the field. The residue of the peas and the buckwheat is spread on the soil surface with the seedlings making their way up through to the light. By next harvest all of that residue will have been returned to the soil by the worms and the weather, recycling the nutrients locked up within it. Where the system really benefits the wider environment in in terms of carbon capture. Without cultivating the soil the carbon retained within it, in the form of organic matter, stays in the soil, it is not oxidised and released to the atmosphere. So the soil is not being depleted and the dead plant material is slowly being turned into organic matter and then humus. But it will take a long time! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kYL61BxrvJTv9t-WAku85nEzXOfZOPB4D897Qhw6pE1nnv-O8FrVcvZq4p9vHCoB8ndniAWINyRaDu6pTXPWguAkBSOKs3ibboxt7lIFjbXBlqsbfxEtU21k6T4Yv94H6fTFt9jhVB8/s1600/IMG_4317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kYL61BxrvJTv9t-WAku85nEzXOfZOPB4D897Qhw6pE1nnv-O8FrVcvZq4p9vHCoB8ndniAWINyRaDu6pTXPWguAkBSOKs3ibboxt7lIFjbXBlqsbfxEtU21k6T4Yv94H6fTFt9jhVB8/s320/IMG_4317.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheat Emerging through Buckwheat Covercrop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Wheat after cover crops have all emerged really well this year which is always a great relief!</span>Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1335136133298119767.post-14543056430543091052016-10-21T20:00:00.000+00:002016-10-24T14:10:55.144+00:00Zerotill Barley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi025wceaYcupuEeYmw6-dulyhyEb2OxpszlvijCgiBMsp0_sJ9HpOALo76pcAe3EijuUMv7O2qRCvPrsV84CEwYKcNNQxE7bxfL-NCDT91tHfDTIekNt2ubh4eEr8dZL87LmbE36EdM4Q/s1600/IMG_4352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi025wceaYcupuEeYmw6-dulyhyEb2OxpszlvijCgiBMsp0_sJ9HpOALo76pcAe3EijuUMv7O2qRCvPrsV84CEwYKcNNQxE7bxfL-NCDT91tHfDTIekNt2ubh4eEr8dZL87LmbE36EdM4Q/s320/IMG_4352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have to say that I am really pleased with the way the winter barley has emerged this autumn. Drilling started on the top of Bredon Hill on the 22nd September and continues down in the Vale a couple of days later. This field is down behind Beckford and is following spring barley, which is normal in the rotation. Oilseed rape will follow this crop. The barley is destined to be harvested in July 2017 and will hopefully make the grade for Molson Coors Growers group and <a href="https://www.carling.com/">Carling</a>. The planting machine (or drill) planted these fields with a target of placing 350 seeds/m2. We have been using variable rate seeding depending on soil type. This system uses GPS technology to locate the tractor and change the seed rate depending on the prescription that it has been loaded onto the on board computer. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With the crop having established so well it will certainly be able to fend off any slugs that might try and eat the leaves. We did apply one application to the surface after the crop had been planted to protect the seedlings. Now it's a case of watching and waiting to see what weeds appear through the straw mulch, in an ideal world there won't be any that are too expensive to control. We will have to wait and see. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are so many benefits to the environment in farming this way; the soil is covered and therefore protected from erosion, the straw acts as a mulch reducing weed competition and the residue (previous straw and leaves)breakdown acts as a brilliant source of food for the arm of worms growing under the soil surface. </div>
Jake Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09504859388807702234noreply@blogger.com0