PX Christmas party

No turkey in site, our Christmas party for the troops. An enjoyable evening in our local Chinese.

Only 7 months till Harvest!

 

Controlled traffic farming can boost yields and cut fuel use - 12/10/2012 - Farmers Weekly

Controlled traffic farming can boost yields and cut fuel use - 12/10/2012 - Farmers Weekly

New sheriff at Px

Matilda try's the chair out for size.

Becoming a liveryman

On Tuesday 4th December 2013, I was 'clothed' as a liveryman at the worshipful company of farmers.

Temperatures of -1c

The frost came in at 10.30 to minus 1 until the rain next morning at 08.30. Chris went through the night achieving 16.8 acres an hour. Fingers crossed the frosts continue. We need some minus 5 and deep penetrating to finish the drilling.

Nuffield director retires

John Stones retires after 11 years of being Nuffield Director. Letting his hair down. A fair well party on Saturday night after three days of the Nuffield conference. Excellent papers.

Ad maize harvesting

Pretoria energy harvesting rented land for maize going into their AD plant.

Sheep leave to visit the Ram

We loaded up the sheep today for them to go see the Ram for lambs at spring time.

Remembrance Sunday

11th hour on the 11th day on the 11th month. Westminster to Whitehall. Serviceman and ladies remembered.

Lord Mayors show

Worshipful Company of Farmers in the procession. Mr Streeter with his 60 year old tractor and a modern Claas Xerion with John Reynolds the master following. We enjoyed a lovely lunch in Fletchers Hall.

Bird boxes installed

We have put 8 swallow boxes on the Grainstore and one owl box. Swallow boxes are 8 meters high to allow them plenty of room to swoop. We will keep an eye out for any new residents.

Carting maize for a local AD Plant

Carting maize in a 75 cu yd trailer, to a central site to be clamped. Shane has come back from Ireland for three weeks to drive the 4wd MAN.

Preparing the area for straw

Our 25000 bale storage site has a make over. While its wet we are putting our time to good use.

More rain in Dry Drayton

Finishing the drilling seems a long shot with the daily rain. Sundays showers have turned into a storm. Frosts will be the next chance to drill.

Louise's wedding

My sister got married to Alex Lewis on Saturday at Dry Drayton church and then south farm near Royston. I had the pleasure of being chauffeur in the family Rolls Royce. We broken down but as luck would have it we were out side the farm so we changed vehicles. Louise had a lovely cake made with all of the family sat around the head table. A lovely day.

Footpath and permissive signs

We have has difficulties with people trespassing.
To avoid future difficulties we have had signs made up to show where the footpaths and permissive paths are.
We hope the education of clear maps and rules helps people to keep to the paths. We have had these made from plastic to avoid metal theft.

New permissive path

We are putting in a bridge over the ditch for the new permissive path to cross in dry drayton.

Hedge plants being ripped out

We have had to put up a fence to prevent further damage to the hedge plants. Hedge damage between Barhill and Dry Drayton has cost over £2670 in damage in one year just over 220 metres. We have 1800 metres planned in this area and we wonder if its worth the cost and energy if we live in a criminal society. How can nature and the environment prosper in an area where it's all about walking the dog and trespass. Even with permissive paths for people to enjoy the countryside, people are determined to walk where they shouldn't even to the destruction of wildlife habitats. As a community we must work together to stop the few spoiling it for the many. I went to the parish council meeting on Tuesday to tell them about the damage and problems. They where horrified about the damage and we must educate people to avoid it continuing.

JCB 550 80

Our new 5.5 tonne forklift for the Grainstore has arrived. We have a new 3.6 tonne bucket coming on Friday. This will take us to 5.2 minutes per 30 tonne lorry. An improvement from 8.4 on our current forklift. My yard is beginning to look like a JCB dealership.

Wet wet wet drayton

This morning I woke to see a message that the cat and subsoiler had found a hole at 1 am where it had a rest. Please bring back the sun and wind for a week. We had to take the subsoiler off to get the cat out and then the subsoiler had to be pulled from afar.
I'm hoping next week will be an Indian summer.