As the year draws to a close, we face a range of decisions. Some are fundamental as we look at the increases in costs, especially of fertilisers.

One of the options we are looking at is whether we should turn one of our slatted tanks into a slurry holding reservoir for bought-in pig slurry.

Given that pig slurry is high in phosphate and cattle slurry high in K ( potassium), we should theoretically be able to reduce our P and K purchases.

Just this week, a neighbour helpfully spelled out his own plans for slurry application to his growing crops

We also need to brush up our knowledge on how we can efficiently use nitrogen in the spring by applying slurry to the winter cereals.

Just this week, a neighbour helpfully spelled out his own plans for slurry application to his growing crops. Out on the land, this has been an extraordinary autumn and early winter.

Ditches are, for the time of year, drier than I can ever remember with ground conditions to match.

While all the sown crops look well with some of them perhaps too forward, especially the oilseed rape, I am surprised to see significant enough numbers of pigeons grazing the luxuriant crop. Normally, I wouldn’t expect pigeons until well into January and then they would normally go for backward late sown crops. This year’s crop is so luxuriant that some grazing would probably do good but nevertheless we will keep an eye on it and encourage some shooting.

Both tranches of the basic farm payment, as well as the protein and straw incorporation payments, have safely arrived

Meanwhile, we can draw a line for the year under the various Brussels and Department payments we were due. Both tranches of the basic farm payment, as well as the protein and straw incorporation payments, have safely arrived – a competent performance which should be acknowledged.