Slowly Building: A Case Study in Direct Drilling and Biological Farming
The role of an agronomist this season has been challenging to say the least especially for those just starting out like myself. Hopefully, it is the last season like it we must witness. However, I have been fortunate to remain in work and I think myself lucky every day to be able to part of an industry I love.
The month of August is one to reflect on what has gone right and wrong throughout the year, to improve on what has gone wrong, and look for solutions to problems that have occurred.
Transforming Moreton House Farm: A Direct Drilling Journey
One recent transformation I would like to share is that of the modification made to a Claydon tine drill which is owned by farmer and contractor, Jeff Tabernor, who farms close to Stafford on sandy clay loam soils. Cropping 300 acres which includes a rotation of cover crops with wide range of species in before spring drilling and a short window cover crop where autumn crops are destined for. Clovers have also been broadcasted late on into standing spring barley which are now coming through nicely.
Innovative Practices and Reduced Inputs
A new liquid application system has been fabricated to the drill, by Jeff, to allow the use of microbial seed drenches to be applied at drilling to eradicate the use of fungicidal seed treatments that are detrimental to the soil. Jeff is now in his 5th year of direct drilling and the pesticide use is declining year on year. This year saw the struggle to fight off yellow rust in the wheat like anywhere else, so the T2 spray was the first to be applied which was that of epoxiconazole and Azoxystrobin; other diseases were minimal and weather conditions were monitored according to the forecasts. This fungicide recommendation was applied to all the wheat, but varietal choice will slightly alter this year to eliminate the use of a fungicide next year. This year the wheat did not break any records with an average of 5T/ha but overall, not a bad result considering the input costs and only 120 kg/ha of Nitrogen applied.
Here the Rye and Vetch is being drilled after wheat before the winter oats go in.
A Moore’s disc drill is also owned by Jeff in the hope that one day even less soil can be disturbed. Unfortunately, this was not able to be used after harvesting this year as soil only needed lifting slightly to let air back in.
Nitrogen usage is being cut down to reduce the risk of disease and a weak plant structure. Calcium ammonium nitrate is now used so that less carbon is displaced from the soil. Additionally, gypsum is used regularly due to the high magnesium index in the soils; this is applied with manure which fits in practically and is spread via a rear discharge muck spreader. Soil testing is carried out after harvest and a fertiliser plan will be made accordingly to each crop.
Evolving Rotations and Sustainable Initiatives
This year the decision has been made to drop oil seed rape from the rotation. Oats are going to be grown as the break crop alongside winter wheat, spring beans and grass for haylage, as well as now a small part of herbal leys in the grass paddocks. Parts of the farm will also go into the mid-tier countryside stewardship scheme to help enhance the wildlife and provide a balanced soil food web chain which will bring hope to fighting off pests with natural predators.
Positive Outcomes and Future of Biological Farming
It is reassuring to know that the system is working at Moreton House Farm. Variable and fixed costs are declining meaning more is left over from turnover due to a combination of things, but mainly soil health, as that is the most precious asset. The farm is now ready to take the next step into biological farming and move further away from the chemical approach. Exciting times ahead and is one of many farms I am proud to work with!