What % of winter crops not planted or destroyed

[Wombat]

Reading this thread just about sums up this year for me. I've lost count of the number of disasters we've had. It's seriously depressing, when as @Two Tone says you have tried your hardest.

I sometimes remind myself that farming was all I ever wanted to do and I'm lucky enough to have found a way to do it - a problem so many people would give their right arm for.

But I notice wheat is down another £4 a tonne today so who cares if we haven't risked our whole life savings this year?

In the end, yes I am grumpy and pee'd off as I put a lot of hard work into drilling stuff on my own and was super happy on the 18th with how well it went and was chitted . ( lot can change in seems in 2 weeks)

but so far this year my brother in law had a quad bypass at 45, my 11 yr old broke his arm that badly he needed to have it plated and my dad spent a week in hospital during the middle of this autumn drilling with acute pancreatitis. So in the end as long as we are all stood the right way up that’s what matters.
Anyway 2023 isn’t going to be going into the best year of my life short list

 

[EddieB]

More a case of not planted than destroyed here, although I may not know the outcome of the last bits of what we have drilled just yet.

 

[Two Tone]

In the end, yes I am grumpy and pee'd off as I put a lot of hard work into drilling stuff on my own and was super happy on the 18th with how well it went and was chitted . ( lot can change in seems in 2 weeks)

but so far this year my brother in law had a quad bypass at 45, my 11 yr old broke his arm that badly he needed to have it plated and my dad spent a week in hospital during the middle of this autumn drilling with acute pancreatitis. So in the end as long as we are all stood the right way up that’s what matters.
Anyway 2023 isn’t going to be going into the best year of my life short list

Frustrating when you have put so much hard work into it and it subsequently goes wrong

More a case of not planted than destroyed here, although I may not know the outcome of the last bits of what we have drilled just yet.

At least not having planted means that seed can be used next year and the pre-em costs are saved.
Where as lots of money has been spent on crops that have subsequently drowned or given up due to waterlogged soils.

I’ve got 3 fields of un-drilled beans. I’ve taken the decision that there simply is no point in attempting to plant them while the forecast continues to show rain. Then it will seriously need to dry out.

If this is a result of El Niño, which so far is following textbook predictions, then as we get further into Winter, it will stop raining and turn cold and dry. However that dry weather will not dry the the soil enough to risk planting until well into Spring.

It’s just a case of holding tight. Though it will be very tempting to take as much advantage of SFI and reduce financial risk on anything other than good quality land.

 

[Wombat]

Frustrating when you have put so much hard work into it and it subsequently goes wrong

At least not having planted means that seed can be used next year and the pre-em costs are saved.
Where as lots of money has been spent on crops that have subsequently drowned or given up due to waterlogged soils.

I’ve got 3 fields of un-drilled beans. I’ve taken the decision that there simply is no point in attempting to plant them while the forecast continues to show rain. Then it will seriously need to dry out.

If this is a result of El Niño, which so far is following textbook predictions, then as we get further into Winter, it will stop raining and turn cold and dry. However that dry weather will not dry the the soil enough to risk planting until well into Spring.

It’s just a case of holding tight. Though it will be very tempting to take as much advantage of SFI and reduce financial risk on anything other than good quality land.

I think it was harder this year as I was 100% on my own and doing after work, no one to run me for a tractor or bring me a bag of seed. Gets a bit soul destroying working till 1:30am then you have to walk back and forth for a tractor then the loading shovel with a torch just to see the rain feck it up.

 

[Two Tone]

I think it was harder this year as I was 100% on my own and doing after work, no one to run me for a tractor or bring me a bag of seed. Gets a bit soul destroying working till 1:30am then you have to walk back and forth for a tractor then the loading shovel with a torch just to see the rain feck it up.

Yes, actually it was the same for me. I’m a one-man-band too. I haven’t worked quite that late, but plenty late enough. Long hours and weekends for what it turns out to be a waste of time, that would have been better left well alone and the input costs all saved.

On top of which what we are about to get over the next few days ruining what has survived so far.

 

[Renaultman]

Yes, actually it was the same for me. I’m a one-man-band too. I haven’t worked quite that late, but plenty late enough. Long hours and weekends for what it turns out to be a waste of time, that would have been better left well alone and the input costs all saved.

On top of which what we are about to get over the next few days ruining what has survived so far.

Bloody hell hats off to you and @Wombat I'd be lost without my son, I have no desire to ever employ anyone else but wouldn't like to do it on my own.

 

[Two Tone]

Bloody hell hats off to you and @Wombat I'd be lost without my son, I have no desire to ever employ anyone else but wouldn't like to do it on my own.

Thank you. The trouble is that I am at an age where I am struggling to do it on my own. I do have help with busy days working with the deer about 3 days a year and at harvest time with corn carting.

The problem is that the farm cannot support another full time staff member. But I’m really starting to seriously realise that it isn’t doing my health any favours. It isn’t the physical side of it, which isn’t easy, but it is the worry and anxiety of running it all that has really taken its toll this year.

Last year was an easy year, yet I had two fairly major health scares. It is highly likely that those health issues were caused by a delayed reaction to a very stressful work situation from the year before. I do not want history to repeat itself!

The Farm’s Chairman has recently passed away and his son, who I get on really well with has somewhat been thrown into the deep end. He really is doing well, but it’s a real shame he has to do so in such a difficult farming year.
I’m going to have to look seriously at reducing my workload by taking advantage of a SFI agreement, on top of the 2 CS agreements (hopefully the 2nd one will be accepted) we already have in place.
The son wonders how on earth I do it all, which unfortunately his father took for granted, which caused my earlier problems. But I simply cannot continue to do it all as it is now. Especially in any year half as difficult as this one!

I know absolutely for certain that I am far from the only one in my situation.
Our health is more important than the farm and we must realise this despite it being inbred into us how important farming is to us.

Take care all - seriously!

 

[Renaultman]

Thank you. The trouble is that I am at an age where I am struggling to do it on my own. I do have help with busy days working with the deer about 3 days a year and at harvest time with corn carting.

The problem is that the farm cannot support another full time staff member. But I’m really starting to seriously realise that it isn’t doing my health any favours. It isn’t the physical side of it, which isn’t easy, but it is the worry and anxiety of running it all that has really taken its toll this year.

Last year was an easy year, yet I had two fairly major health scares. It is highly likely that those health issues were caused by a delayed reaction to a very stressful work situation from the year before. I do not want history to repeat itself!

The Farm’s Chairman has recently passed away and his son, who I get on really well with has somewhat been thrown into the deep end. He really is doing well, but it’s a real shame he has to do so in such a difficult farming year.
I’m going to have to look seriously at reducing my workload by taking advantage of a SFI agreement, on top of the 2 CS agreements (hopefully the 2nd one will be accepted) we already have in place.
The son wonders how on earth I do it all, which unfortunately his father took for granted, which caused my earlier problems. But I simply cannot continue to do it all as it is now. Especially in any year half as difficult as this one!

I know absolutely for certain that I am far from the only one in my situation.
Our health is more important than the farm and we must realise this despite it being inbred into us how important farming is to us.

Take care all - seriously!

Our farm won't keep 2 either but my Son does a lot of work for other farms and I jump in a wagon when we're quiet. That with a bit of contracting keeps us going. I think we are a similar age and it certainly isn't as easy and, unfortunately, enjoyable as it was.

 

[warksfarmer]

Plenty of time to plant winter wheat yet. Had good crops planted in Jan and Feb.

 

[Zippy768]

Plenty of time to plant winter wheat yet. Had good crops planted in Jan and Feb.

In theory yes, but reality....

 

[4course]

Here 100% sown, 15% still emerging needs some dry as saturated ,10% almost full rows not the best think some will not make it , 70% all up and surviving looking ok 4% struggling 1/2% under a lake and1/2 not there slugs or flea beetle .

10 days since i posted the above having had a walk round today of the 15% still to emerge I reckon about 1/2 of it will be ok The 10% almost in full rows other than the odd ponded area is improving .the 70% still looks ok the 4% strugling has increased to 10 % though not given up on it yet the lakes have all but gone and cant find any sign of slugs so reckon we are about 90% so all not lost as who knows what spring will bring .

 

[4course]

Plenty of time to plant winter wheat yet. Had good crops planted in Jan and Feb.

dry jan would help but are we better with less tons and a better price hopefully or do we try for a crop and risk more expense im coming to the view over the years that first loss is best loss

 

[Two Tone]

No idea when it is going to dry out enough to drill this field!

 

[bobk]

No idea when it is going to dry out enough to drill this field!View attachment 1147380View attachment 1147373

Cyprus

 

[Two Tone]

Cyprus

Yes. Coral Beach Hotel and the field is on the low road between Coral Bay and St George, near Oniro.
Actually, parts of the Island beyond St George into the Akamas look quite green due to some rain they had in October.
But there is still a Sun. Quite a shock to see dust too!
It just doesn’t want to work in the UK.

 

[Trying]

Yes. Coral Beach Hotel and the field is on the low road between Coral Bay and St George, near Oniro.
Actually, parts of the Island beyond St George into the Akamas look quite green due to some rain they had in October.
But there is still a Sun. Quite a shock to see dust too!
It just doesn’t want to work in the UK.

I’m just the other side of the harbour. Ivi Mare hotel. Had sun every day but slightly cloudy today here.

 

[Two Tone]

I’m just the other side of the harbour. Ivi Mare hotel. Had sun every day but slightly cloudy today here.

At least it isn’t bloody raining!
And it is warm
Somebody else we know also staying at Ivi Mare right now from Pitlochry. Hoping to meet up with them next week.
Ironically never actually met them but spoken most weeks over the past 27 years.
Have to come 2,500 miles to actually meet them. But at least in much better weather than at home!
Enjoy your stay. If it’s anything like as good as here, you’ll be back every year, just like us. About every other person here is a repeater.

 

[Trying]

At least it isn’t bloody raining!
And it is warm
Somebody else we know also staying at Ivi Mare right now from Pitlochry. Hoping to me up with them next week.
Ironically never actually met them but spoken most weeks over the past 27 years.
Have to come 2,500 miles to actually meet them. But at least in much better weather than at home!
Enjoy your stay. If it’s anything like as good as here, you’ll be back every year, just like us. About every other person here is a repeater. View attachment 1147526

Lovely here. 4th time here at this hotel. Second time this year. . We leave Wednesday after 10days.
It’s a small world sometimes.
I’ll listen out for a Scottish accent. Is he a farmer too?

 

[Trying]

At least it isn’t bloody raining!
And it is warm
Somebody else we know also staying at Ivi Mare right now from Pitlochry. Hoping to me up with them next week.
Ironically never actually met them but spoken most weeks over the past 27 years.
Have to come 2,500 miles to actually meet them. But at least in much better weather than at home!
Enjoy your stay. If it’s anything like as good as here, you’ll be back every year, just like us. About every other person here is a repeater. View attachment 1147526

Lovely here. 4th time here at this hotel. Second time this year. . We leave Wednesday after 10days.
It’s a small world sometimes

Lovely here. 4th time here at this hotel. Second time this year. . We leave Wednesday after 10days.
It’s a small world sometimes.
I’ll listen out for a Scottish accent. Is he a farmer too?

pics from either side of my loungers.

 

[Two Tone]

Lovely here. 4th time here at this hotel. Second time this year. . We leave Wednesday after 10days.
It’s a small world sometimes.
I’ll listen out for a Scottish accent. Is he a farmer too?

No, Co. Accountant