Steve Heard: Still storing milling oats that should have gone in March

Now the hydraulic wheel motor rebuild is once again complete and she is ready for the 09 campaign.

In recent years the swather has fallen out of favour with many, but for me the extra effort is rewarded by an earlier start to harvest and thus some clear ground to cultivate.

Once again I have resisted any temptation to try harvesting our acreage with just one combine and so our two Lexion’s, having had their annual winter overhaul, are now polished ready to go.

Early July and I am already hot under the collar. Not because of the intense sunshine, but more from immense frustration.

Last season, I grew something over 1,200tonnes of milling oats and while the majority were taken away to a Belgium mill in January, I am still awaiting movement of 400t grown for conservation grade.

As farmers we have been encouraged to grow for our local markets and supply quality products for the specialist market, yet I am still storing oats that should have gone from the farm in March.

After much chasing, four loads have been collected this week to go to store, the last of these rejected for supposed wheat contamination at 1.6 per cent.

The load has been returned and I have conducted several tests of my own, all well below the 1 per cent limit.

I may be cynical but any movement of commodities at a good margin above the current market price always seem destined for problems.

Unable to get a satisfactory answer I drove to the Bedford mill armed with several samples, but why is it necessary to arrive at their office door unexpectedly in order to get any answers?

Wishing you all a good harvest, let’s hope yields give a pleasant surprise again as they did last year, but that the sample is somewhat drier.

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