Bycott Farm Diary December 2024

So, that’s 2024 pretty much wrapped up. I hate to sound like a scratched record, but yet again it’s been all about the weather. But then, perhaps it always will be, this is the South West of England after all.

The Judges’ scores are in! Winter and spring oats exceeded expectations, first wheats were very good and summer bird food plots did really well. On the other hand, winter barley was not great and continuous wheats were disappointing. Summer cover crops – vetch, radish, clovers and sunflowers did so well we’ve since added more into the headland strips. Keeping the flowers going into winter seems to make sense.

Over 2 days in mid-September we hosted Vaderstad and Mzuri on the farm, they were keen to demonstrate what their drills could do for us. Each had a day and an entire field to themselves. Looking at both fields now, they are looking exceptionally good.

I’m glad we drilled in September. The window that the drier weather provided, also allowed us to apply pre-emergence herbicides.

It was a different picture during mid-October. We managed to go out during one afternoon and apply BYDV sprays. Travelling was tricky to say the least.However, the Bateman RB35 driven by Chris, our contractor travelled across the fields extremely well. We were very impressed.

To summarise, it’s been another tough year for our industry. The uncertainty surrounding SFI, Countryside Stewardship and capital grant works are taking some working out. Like we always say, let’s hope for a better time next year.

I hope you all enjoy a well-deserved break before we do it all again and look forward to seeing many of you at the shows in 2025.