We have started apple picking and perhaps, by the time you read this, we will be near the end. For reasons unknown, our crop is not as large this year. We didn’t have a May frost this year, but our old trees do tend to be slightly biannual. Last year was a fairly good crop and, as we don’t use any inputs, they are liable to do their own thing. The apples go to a local cider maker and we keep a few for ourselves, making a small amount of apple juice, cider and perry, which we sell locally.
There is much talk in the farming press about the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and the government’s new Environmental Land Management scheme. It is not a replacement for the Basic Payment Scheme support payments that farmers get, but it will go some way to replacing that money, under the umbrella of ‘public money for public goods’.
Without wanting to get embroiled in the plant-based / meat debate, we are trying to produce high quality red meat, with minimal fossil fuel inputs. More grazed grass, more permanent swards of grass and very little grain fed. It is working well, but in order to make it work within the cheap food climate that we have, we need to access the SFI payments. It was therefore quite disappointing to hear news of delays from government last week, but they are doubtless doing their best and we will be ready to enter when the time comes.
It is quite confusing to work out all the options and work out what is best for our farm. Trying to juggle our economic stability, with our environmental and social responsibilities, is not always easy, but we are doing our best. Options in SFI range from soil testing, to not trimming hedges and not using fertiliser inputs on grassland. Together with orchard options, designed to prolong and improve our old apple trees; and planting new hedges and erecting new fences to protect those hedges, laid ones and water courses, the options list is extensive.
I am not going to complain about the scheme that the government has created; it has obviously taken a lot of time and effort to create. It is not perfect and there are inevitably going to be some unintended consequences, but I hope it will shake out right in the end. A spokesperson for the opposition said that they would seek to tweak it, not rip it up and start again, so either it that is too big a task, or the scheme isn’t too bad after all. Agriculture has always followed policy and profit and the coming years will be no different, but don’t underestimate the power of the food pounds in your wallet or purse, they are more likely to change the direction of food production than you think.
We have almost finished autumn calving and we have only assisted two of the 22 cows that have calved. That’s the way we like it, easy! The ewes are in god condition, ready for going to the ram in the coming weeks and I am also getting ready for hedge laying. I have around 400 metres to do this winter, so that will keep me busy for a few weeks. Generating firewood and rejuvenating a couple of old hedges. Well worth the time and effort. And in the meantime, we’ll keep moving fences and grazing grass.
We are on a much smaller scale here, but I don’t see that as a limiting factor. We have an opportunity to engage with our local and wider community and supply food direct from farm. We have done lamb boxes and sold apple juice, cider and perry. Our lamb is pasture only and our fruit is grown without any inputs, only sunshine and rain. If you are interested, please get in touch.
Yours, Rich
rich@risburycourt.com
49
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
BUSINE SS ON THE FARM
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