Church Farm
Lister Haigh are pleased to be associated with David Blacker and the Ridings Machinery Ring
Knaresborough : 01423 860322 Harrogate : 01423 730700 Boroughbridge : 01423 322382
www . listerhaigh . co . uk principle that I ’ d sooner have less cultivation to do so I ’ m now chopping all my straw and nothing goes across my field other than for the growing of crops , that ’ s where I ’ m looking for the cover crops to provide the organic matter .’
Blackgrass problems are being kept at bay because of David ’ s vigilance .
‘ I haven ’ t had too much difficulty with it as yet as I spend quite a lot on herbicides trying to keep it that way , but that doesn ’ t mean it isn ’ t around and I certainly don ’ t take it for granted . I ’ m presently having more problems with sterile brome than blackgrass as there are not that many herbicides that can deal with it .’
David ’ s land is generally heavy with the majority being clay loam over clay and when wet weather comes as it did last year and in 2012 , this causes him and his fellow farmers additional problems .
‘ We get various soil types in the same field but it ’ s mainly heavy lumpy stuff and it is the clay underneath that makes life particularly difficult at times . In the wet seasons the land just can ’ t cope and we are all now having to spend serious money on updating the drainage systems .’
It was the aftermath of the exceptionally wet 2012 that led to one of David ’ s biggest management decisions on the farm .
‘ I ’ m now strip tilling using my Mzuri Pro-Til drill . Four years ago I was ploughing half my land and tilling the other half but what happened with the weather in 2012 tipped me over to strip tilling completely and I ’ m now working almost everything from the top . We were making so much mess trying to establish crops when ploughing that year and it was doing more damage than good .’
Westaby ’ s Ltd Cape Farm , Sheriff Hutton , York , YO60 6RT Phone . 01347 878307 / 878703 Fax . 01347 878771 Email . westabys @ btconnect . com
Machining & Fabrication Services
• Hydraulic Cylinder Manufacture , Repairs , Rotor Balancing
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• On-site hose repair , servicing etc .
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• Everything you need for the workshop
Fuel Conditioners & Cleaning Systems
• Up to 5000 hp fuel conditioners made to requirements . • Systems cleaned & fuel regenerated
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www . farmers-mart . co . uk Dec / Jan 2017 55