From LEAF Farmer Duncan Farrington
July Newsletter
They came, they saw,
they touched, they smelt, and they heard all about farming and where their food comes from. Open farm Sunday was a great success this year, with the sun shining and several local farmers and neighbours helping out to ensure all those who visited had an enjoyable and interesting day on a farm. Around 300 people from near and far came along to play on tractors big and small, see the animals close up, hear about bumble bees and wildlife, and to try some of the tasty delights on offer.
Thank-you to all those who came along, and to those who gave up their time to ensure the day was a success. We also raised just under £400.00 for the local Air Ambulance and LEAF. This year Open Farm Sunday was hosted by 420 farms nationwide, which by popular demand from the Archers’ Addicts fan club included farms in the mythical village of Ambridge. A total of around 150,000 people visited a farm near them.
Now the banners are down, the toilet signs removed and the empty cups and glasses tidied up, we get back to the day job. With the intermittent summer weather, oil production in Farrington Oils is going very well, and dressings are being made as fast as they can; so much so that I have taken on an extra part time person from the village to help keep up with demand.
On the farm we are looking at how to improve our wildlife margins. Currently these are mostly strips of native grass species around the fields which harbour some birds, small mammals and insects. However continuing research shows that if we can actively manage such areas, to establish habitats such as pollen and nectar rich plant species, we will be able to greatly increase the numbers of pollinating insects in these areas, which is both great for the wider environment and great for the crops we grow which rely on such insects for both pollination and predator control.
Growing such wildlife areas sounds fantastic, and has been something I have been keen to do for some time. However on our heavy clay soils which are good at growing weeds, we will need to put just as much effort into ensuring these new delicate non-competitive species thrive, as we would into growing one of our crops. Luckily with the increasing knowledge of experience from various bodies who have been working on such projects for several years, I now feel more confident we can hopefully achieve the results we are after. Initially we are preparing a seedbed to plant the seeds later in the summer. Then it will take around two years of timely mowing, raking, and herbicide control before we know if we have created the habitat we were after. If successful such habitats can last for over ten years with careful management, so it will be interesting to see the results. Not surprisingly we are only trying a few areas this year to see how we get on. Then if successful we will try some more next year, along with a few more areas of managed wild bird cover also.
Next it will be harvest, and full steam ahead. Until then there is the rest of the World Cup to enjoy or endure, depending on your love of football and your nationality. Of the record so far, the Scots are, no doubt loving every minute of England’s performance.
