The Farming Year

This is very much like a school year as it starts in September and runs to August.  Being a mixed farm this is the typical nature of our work that we undertake throughout the year:

• September
  - Commence preparing the ground for the year's winter crop
  - Drilling winter crops
  - Cut field hedges in arable fields

• October
  - Check on the growth of the winter crop
  - Apply post emergence herbicides if needed
  - Movement of contract sold crops

• November
  - Bring the cattle in
  - Maintainint the farm hedges including cutting
  - Repairs to fences, gates and other essential work
  - Movement of contract sold crops

• December
  - Maintaining the farm hedges
  - Repairs to fences, gates and other essential work
  - Receive Single Farm Payments from DEFRA
  - Movement of contract sold crops

• January
  - Maintaining the farm hedges
  - Repairs to fences, gates and other essential work
  - Lambing for the sheep

• February
  - Let the cows out if the weather is right
  - Decide the cropping regime for September
  - Fill in all DEFRA Single Farm Payment documents for the year
  - Spread limited quantities of fertilisers such as Nitrogen, Potash, Lime and Potassium

• March
  - Sell the crop if not under contract
  - Drill spring crops
  - Spread fertilisers of Nitrogen, Potash and Potassium as necessary
  - Spray any chemicals for crop protection

• April
  - Order seed for the next year
  - Spot spray weeds in grassland
  - Spray any chemicals for crop protection if required
  - Spread fertilisers of Nitrogen, Potash and Potassium as necessary

• May
  - Last sprays and fertiliser applications
  - Spot spray weeds in grassland
  - Spray any chemicals for crop protection if required
  - Cut and make Hay and or Silage
  - Prepare store for winter crop
  - Clean down the yards

• June
  - Pray for good weather!
  - Service all machines ready for harvest movement
  - Spot spray weeds in grassland
  - Spray any chemicals for crop protection if required
  - Cut and make Hay

• July
  - Put the Bull in with the cows
  - Pray for good weather!
  - Spot spray weeds in grassland
  - Sort out crop sale contracts
  - Cut and make Hay

• August
  - Pray for dry weather!
  - Harvest both winter and spring crop
  - Take to store for contract sale
  - Take to store of the farmer who has bought crop
  - Cut and make Hay
  - After the crop is removed prepare the ground for new crops

Then the cycle begins again.