The Single Application form is completed and submitted for another year.

No doubt there were many broadband connections being stretched to the limit to get the applications done. Unfortunately, our connection went into meltdown over the last 10 days and we had to resort to our backup system. It is yet another example of how rural life is impacted by the poor communication network many of us must endure.

Sowing

Spring sowing went well, with the new tractor and drill, and my son Andrew at the helm. There was a bit of time spent setting up the GPS system, but once it was working it did a great job.

A wet spell in the middle of sowing caused a short break, but we soon got going again. The spring barley is in the ground, but it is now struggling with the lack of moisture. Last week we were looking forward to a deluge of rain, but unfortunately little came. We are already thinking about fodder and bedding for the year ahead. The silage pit is empty for the ?rst time in three years. Also, the winter barley is beginning to shoot with very little height to the crop, so it looks as though straw could be in short supply for a second year in a row.

Silage

Before we can get started on cutting silage, the first round of improvements will have to be completed. The concrete floor in the silage pit has now become so rough that we have decided to tar it, as well as putting in a new effluent tank.

The next improvement is to an old redundant building that has become unsafe, and is being taken down. If we don’t take it down it will probably fall down by itself. By removing it, it will allow us access into two cattle sheds from both ends, which will mean we no longer have to drive through one court to get into the other one. Opening up the ends of the sheds should also make for a much healthier environment for the housed cattle.

Calving

The calving cows seem to have come to a standstill. Maybe nine months ago the bulls were busy basking in the warm sunshine rather than getting on with their work.

It is not going to be long before we are starting to think about getting bulls ready for going out this year, which now focuses the mind on how to overcome late calvers. We have decided that any cow not calved in the nine-week period will not be given the chance of the bull and will be fed and sold.

Thankfully, we have plenty of bulling heifers in the pipeline to replace these cows.

Read more

Farmer Writes: outwintering leaves heifers fit for calving

Spring watch from a crow's nest near you