This time last year we had taken delivery of a revolutionary new seed drill. This was the start of a radical change to our cropping system, (see “Time for a change”) doing away with all cultivation operations. If I could have chosen the worst weather for our first winter in the system, a wet mild winter with very little sunlight would be the decision. And that’s exactly what we got!
The wheat was planted into good conditions and grew away well for the first couple of weeks. Then we had a spell of cloudy wet weather which slowed the growth of the wheat – particularly on our heavier clay based soils. This weather was also the perfect conditions for slugs to multiply. As a result of this we have patches of slug damage across a number of fields.
With our previous crop establishment system of cultivations and occasional ploughing, slugs were not an issue. As alluded to in my previous ramblings here, one of the main aims of ‘No-till’ or ‘Conservation Agriculture’ is to move the soil as little as possible. The main reason for this is to protect the soil biology, everything from the worms, to the bacteria and fungi.
What I was preparing myself for was a steady increase in both pests (like slugs) and the beneficial soil biota. What I wasn’t expecting was the explosion of the slug population in the first year.
As we move further into the system there are many beneficial bugs and birds which predate on slugs and/or their eggs, which will increase in number – finding a natural balance. Changes in the crop rotation will also help mitigate slug problems with the worst coming in the oilseed rape and when wheat follows oilseed rape. Our acreage of oilseed rape has fallen significantly with the introduction of other ‘break’ crops such as peas, beans and linseed.
After a slow start to spring we delayed planting our spring cropping by a couple of weeks, due to the colder weather. But as I write this, all our crops are beginning to recover from the slow start to the year and the farm is looking well.
In March I had a visit from Caz Graham from Radio 4’s Farming Today who came to interview me about ‘No-till’ and the history of the Hosier family at Wexcombe in particular my great grandfather who, when he moved here in 1920, determined to improve the land and introduce dairy cattle to the more remote downland, invented a mobile milking machine (the ‘Milking Bail’). This was broadcast in early May and is still available on the iPlayer, if anyone is interested.
Open Farm Sunday is coming up again soon on June 5. This is a fantastic nationwide event where over 350 farms open their gates to the public in order to tell their story of food and the environment.
This year we at Wexcombe are doing it slightly differently to past years. In the past this has been run with a village fete type atmosphere, this year we are taking bookings now for guided farm tours on tractor and trailer rides. Visit my website for booking info. www.wexcombefarm.co.uk There are lots of other local farms opening their gates, I have listed some of the more local ones, but there is plenty more information on the Open Farm Sunday website (www.farmsunday.org) about timings, activities and venues.
Manor Farm, Avebury
Snap Farm, Aldbourne
Horton House Farm, Nr Devizes
Sharcott Pennings Farm, Pewsey
Manor Farm, Wilcot
