sussexboy
Member
- Location
- east sussex
The weather as it is, be it snow, rain, cold, wind, floods, but is this weather we've had last autumn, this spring, something to get used to or once in a lifetime?
Is this the perfect storm?
- Thread starter sussexboy
- Start date
- Location
- South shropshire
If the last 11 months weather are to be the norm the northern hemisphere is in need of a reality check re food supply. Thankfully we have no ewes and lambs to worry about, but the coming season,mshould it ever start is going to be tough even with some half decent weather.
I agree,farming as we know it cannot carry on like it has if these weather patterns continue.We don't have sheep,but most neighbours do,our grass fields have not been stocked for 5 months and are completely bare and yellow looking despite being in good heart,so have grown nothing all winter.Neighbours have no grass whatsoever to turn sheep and lambs out onto,with fast diminishing hay and silage supplies and no sign of it warming up for at least 10 days,things are getting critical.
Big Blue Yonder
Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders
it feels like the longest winter ever and no sign of let up next week
no grass in this area ewes and lambs being turfed out to bare pasture
with ring feeders
ewes were housed early January due to saturated fields and fluke burdens
ewes been on licks since last October to keep condition on and hard grub since December
no grass in this area ewes and lambs being turfed out to bare pasture
with ring feeders
ewes were housed early January due to saturated fields and fluke burdens
ewes been on licks since last October to keep condition on and hard grub since December
smbflame
Member
- Location
- near bridgnorth
weather is certainly having the last laugh .another year like the last one would be a complete disaster(move to dryer climate .my farm is in the severn valley as really took a beating(drainage and ditchs)need urgent attention .my father says always the optamist farming is big risk ? people always think they can get a return every year .it really makes me laugh when farmers and agents push rents sky high(we all need that safety cushion)im just glad ive got cattle and sheep not completly reliant on corn sales just dont look at my wheat lol
sussexboy
Member
- Location
- east sussex
agreed peoples, shocking for livestock!! also, what can you make of the first field of wheat drilled 21st sept and last field of oats drilled 11 oct the two best fields we have, everything inbetween is poor at best, including osr drilled 20th august which is a total right off, this weather is not making sence. its got the feeling of more than a one off..
- Location
- Nr Malvern... SW Worcestershire
Also in the Severn Valley...very glad we no longer have any livestock..lambing is a total nightmare...most cattle farmers are running out of silage and straw..and as for any grass growth..not with 2" of snow on totally sodden pastures...
I am looking to see how arable farmers in Canada prosper with just 100 days frost free..but they do not have the rainfall that we have to contend with...I think we are going to be wall to wall spring wheat...too late for beans and I am not sure spring rape will yield enough to pay for the inputs...rotation..
smbflame
Member
- Location
- near bridgnorth
I here what your saying jim (I no any form of livestock are hard work and in general I beleive farming with diseases and weather plus financial pressure (it only leaves us with area payment to cushion sumwhate ) ive lost 80acres of rape replanted with own seed from 2011 xi19 last dry spell(we all do what we can to survive ) believe me my father was worried alot when we started to lamb touch wood not too bad best of luck to every one and try help your neighbers if possible . Sorry for rant