Hi, I'm Tom Sewell a second generation farmer from Maidstone in Kent. We have 850 acres of combinable crops plus around 150 acres cut for hay. We have been min- till for 15+ yrs based around discs and rolls with a sumo trio preparing land for osr and beans. This season we have direct drilled all but 100 acres of wheat after osr, and that was a mistake! The dd land is by far the best for us, this year cultivation has led to poor soil structure, water logging and rotting seed and higher slug nos. The dd land has coped with the high rainfall much better and worm numbers are high.
Of our 850 acres cropped only 67 is owned! (As dad started from scratch!) we share farm and rent the remaining acres. All land and machinery is fully bought and paid for. We have not used any P, K or lime in the 15 yrs since I've been home from Harper Adams and most years first wheat yields are 10t/ha or thereabouts. We used an 11 year old Horsch CO4 this year in standard form to drill 260 acres of osr in August which all looked fine before snow and pigeons embraced it!
We are well overcapacity for our acreage but prefer to push on when conditions allow and when soil/ crop conditions are most favourable. We use 3 John deere tractors, biggest is a 175hp 7810 which is 16yrs old. Combine is 570tt Lexion and we spray with a Bateman RB 26 which is the only machine to enter the field between drilling and harvest as we apply all liquid fert.
I am looking for a jd750 a to add to the Horsch after a successful demo/contracting operation by Simon Chiles in less than ideal conditions mid November.(drilling wheat after linseed)
In November I was awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship, sponsored by HGCA, with my study subject being
"Long Term Benefits of Direct Drilling"
So this year for me is going to be very interesting. My wife is also expecting our 4th child in April!
I have joined the BASE UK group so am looking forward to meeting up with many experienced no-tillers over the coming months.
Finally I am embracing social media and can be found on twitter @tandssewell or check out our website sewellfarms.co.uk
Of our 850 acres cropped only 67 is owned! (As dad started from scratch!) we share farm and rent the remaining acres. All land and machinery is fully bought and paid for. We have not used any P, K or lime in the 15 yrs since I've been home from Harper Adams and most years first wheat yields are 10t/ha or thereabouts. We used an 11 year old Horsch CO4 this year in standard form to drill 260 acres of osr in August which all looked fine before snow and pigeons embraced it!
We are well overcapacity for our acreage but prefer to push on when conditions allow and when soil/ crop conditions are most favourable. We use 3 John deere tractors, biggest is a 175hp 7810 which is 16yrs old. Combine is 570tt Lexion and we spray with a Bateman RB 26 which is the only machine to enter the field between drilling and harvest as we apply all liquid fert.
I am looking for a jd750 a to add to the Horsch after a successful demo/contracting operation by Simon Chiles in less than ideal conditions mid November.(drilling wheat after linseed)
In November I was awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship, sponsored by HGCA, with my study subject being
"Long Term Benefits of Direct Drilling"
So this year for me is going to be very interesting. My wife is also expecting our 4th child in April!
I have joined the BASE UK group so am looking forward to meeting up with many experienced no-tillers over the coming months.
Finally I am embracing social media and can be found on twitter @tandssewell or check out our website sewellfarms.co.uk