John Walton: Perfect growing conditions has bulked everything up

Anyway down to business. I feel this month I should tell you a little more about me instead of banging on about DFB.

I am 42-years-old, Cheshire born and bred to the point I break out into a cold sweat if I venture out of the county. Married to Jill for ten years this year, we have three children William 9, Emma 7 and Polly 3. All are horse or pony mad, so along with any spare cash, my spare time ends up at Pony Club events. I do have my own horse called Ivan, a big daft Shire, a black Labrador called Milly and a Heinz 57 called Pepper.

What a difference a month makes. Last time we had just done first cut which was excellent quality but a bit short on bulk. At the time it was a bit of a worry whether there would be a second cut, and wholecrop beans and triticale were looking rather short.

Now, after near perfect growing conditions, everything has bulked up really nicely. The wholecrop is standing about five feet high and still growing. The red clover in the second cut is motoring away, so all we need is another dry spell in order to cart it in.

Good growing conditions means excellent vegetables for the Riverford/Stockley box scheme. All the summer planting is now done and you can nearly see things growing before your eyes (weeds included).

It’s the first year we have planted leeks in peat blocks, which means there are three or four plants per block. Not only does it condense the planting but it also means there is better root development, which when soaked with seaweed gives the plant a better head start which is important when growing organically.

The cows seem happy with the warm weather. We struggle with water pressure here which is exacerbated if it gets too hot. A borehole would be the answer but all they seem to find is brine - I’m open to ideas if anyone has any as long as it doesn’t involve breeding smaller cows!

OMSCO is now taking our milk and the change was without any major hitches; all we need now is to get the milk price up. Until next time, happy farming.

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