Gwyn Jones' Farm Diary: September 15, 2005

Suddenly, we are in autumn. The drop in temperature at the weekend, the nights drawing in, and the difference between day and night temperatures is more pronounced. It is still dry, and overall very pleasant, even though the shorts are under a little pressure for the first time.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Sep 2005, 12:01 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:36 BST

Cows are calving madly, the fresh calved cows are in at night now, as we all get used to the winter routine of scraping, bedding and feeding. Still some maintenance to do, but the end is in sight. The grazing has some crown rust appearing, which gives footwear that 'dayglo' look. Hopefully, the little nitrogen we still apply, and a mower after the cows will sort it all out and set the pasture up for next spring.

The maize is getting close to harvest, and I hope the weather holds until then. The difference when harvesting is done in the dry is incredible. No mess, no worries about the crop being rained on, the ease of clamping. It looks a great crop, and the one seed I planted secretly in Lorayne's garden, tells me the cobs are now soft cheese. A little way to go then, but depending on the weather, it could be in September or early October. At the moment we are feeding some maize made last year to the fresh calved cows; soon we'll have 4,000 tonnes more!

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We launched our NFU 'Vision' and MDC 'contracts' documents last Friday, to the press. It all went very well, and now we wait for the debate. Response has been swift, with many telling me about the things they don't like in the document (no surprise there then!) but good feedback from those in power, who I am relying on to help us change this milk industry, before it destroys itself.

Full column in West Sussex Gazette, September 15

Related topics:West Sussex Gazette