What an autumn! October is a critical month – a fine one shortens the winter, with cattle out mopping up the end of the grass.

But critically, a fine October allows the winter crops to be planted in good conditions, so at least there is a crop to work on.

Over the weekend, we finished planting the oats, a day earlier than last year. The winter barley is all up, with tramlines fully visible.

Last year, we applied no aphicide, but with the warm, still weather, we were afraid to take the same chance this year.

This year’s rape crop is really advanced – perhaps a bit too much for comfort

We also got out a herbicide. I wasn’t that surprised to see reports of oilseed rape planting up around 25%-30% this autumn. At this year’s price of €500 plus/t and with an aspiration to head towards a 2t crop, oilseed rape has moved from being a breakeven break crop to a profitable crop in its own right, all going well.

This year’s rape crop is really advanced – perhaps a bit too much for comfort – but looking at it, I don’t expect much trouble from pigeons during the winter.

The only crop left to sow now is the spring beans. Theoretically, the window for this crop should stretch from March 1 to mid-April, so there is no point in worrying at this stage.

This year, I have not attempted any fertiliser buying

I am, at this stage, much more worried about the unbelievable rise in fertiliser prices. Normally, at this time of the year, I would be getting quotes for February/ March delivery. This year, I have not attempted any fertiliser buying on the assumption that some kind of centralised European action will be taken to ensure supplies in the interests of food security, but so far nobody seems to have given this aspect of the looming fertiliser supply crisis any real thought.

On a brighter note, I was glad to see that the Department of Agriculture has, with commendable efficiency, lodged the 70% basic farm payment to my bank account.