Eastern Farms Ltd >>


precision nutrient management. In addition, tissue samples are taken throughout the growing season and micronutrients ap- plied as needed.


Help comes from two agrono-


mists: Ian Jackson from ProCam and David Parish of NIABTag. Having two works well, says Mr Leadbetter: he can bounce ideas off them and get maximum ben- efit from their advice. And with margins so tight, attention to de- tail is crucial.


“Every year is different – with the dry conditions in this grow- ing season we need potash, and the wheat has needed boron. And we use a lot of foliar magnesium. “It’s important that the very


last leaf, where the main yield comes from, is as healthy as the first, and the longer we can keep it green the longer it will keep feed- ing the grain.”


Earlier this year, Anna com- pleted a three week course in advanced


agricultural busi-


ness management with the Wor- shipful Company of Farmers at Cirencester. Stepping away from the business was a valuable ex- perience and she returned with a more objective approach to run- ning the business.


CONTACT


T: 07834 233152 E: anna@easternfarms.co.uk W: easternfarms.co.uk


BUSINESS FACTS


• Precision farming with RTK guidance


• Minimising soil compaction • Training a priority • Environmental schemes


“ Office


“I realised I needed to step up and run the business more effective- ly. I do a lot of practical stuff on the farm but I knew my time was probably better spent in the of- fice. We were encouraged to think about the bigger picture and not get bogged down with day to day tasks; to be more focused and have financial data at our fingertips so that if, for example, a land tender arrived on the desk we would have the information ready to respond to it.


“I feel more in control now,


which is really important as we head towards Brexit. The business will have to be efficient to survive. I made good friends and contacts: there were 18 of us on the course, including two from Germany and one from Australia, and we’re go- ing to take turns hosting a reun- ion each year.”


Across the business train- ing is given high priority: “With the cost of machinery, the finan- cial and environmental impact of any mistakes and operators work- ing out on their own it’s important


COMMAND PEST CONTROL LTD


• RODENT CONTROL • GRAIN FUMIGATION • GRAIN MONITORING


PROUD TO SUPPLY CHARLES LEADBETTER AT EASTERN FARMS LTD


mark@commandpestcontrol.co.uk www.commandpestcontrol.co.uk Command House, Church Lane, Preston St Mary, Suffolk CO10 9NQ


• PRE-HARVEST STORE TREATMENTS 01787 248049


Arable operator, Sam Russell, prepares a T1.5 fungicide and herbicide mix to spray on wheat


66 ANGLIA FARMER • JUNE 2017


I realised I needed to step up and run the business more effectively


they feel confident in their work,” says Charles. “As well as PA1, 2, 3 and 4, Sam and I have complet- ed training in teleporter handling, taking tracked machinery on the public highway, and, most recent- ly, a course in using chainsaws.”


Schemes


Environmental schemes – ei- ther ELS, HLS, or, most recent- ly, a mid-tier Countryside Stew- ardship, are managed by Anna. Overwintered stubbles on light- er land encourage brown hares – though hare coursing is a big problem – and drainage ditch- es are flailed one side each year. Under the newest scheme are pollen and nectar mixes,


flower-rich buffer strips to pro- vide pollen and protect water- courses, and winter birdfood. Another source of funding has helped with the planting of 3km of hedgerows in the past two years, and there’s more to plant this autumn.


Chemical containers are tri- ple-rinsed and cardboard boxes flattened into seed bags and col- lected by Harby Agriculture once a year for recycling. Charles and Anna are look- ing for a second full-time ara- ble operator to give extra work- ing capacity across the business. The aim for the future is to farm more land and possibly to invest in haulage and storage.


Charles Leadbetter is looking for a second full-time arable operator to join him and Sam Russell (left) on the farm


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76