The time for drilling spring crops – our spring wheat and spring oats – and applying fertiliser to help promote healthy growth. Minimal herbicide, funcidide and insecticide sprays are applied to protect the crops and bird scaring ‘guns’ are put in place to try to keep pigeon damage as low as possible.
The season sees the combine harvesters running methodoically up and down the row of crop. These are high-tech machines that carry computer programmes of our field boundaries and crop layouts to ensure harvesting is carried out as efficiently as possible – important given the high cost of fuel. The produce – which will typically have been sold several months before – is taken to the various storage sheds for drying and conditioning.
The land is cultivated during this season, and drilling of the Estate’s main crops – cereals and field beans. Organic fertilisers are applied to boost growth. Grain and seed in our stores gradually leaves the farm, being collected by purchasers and contractors.
Again the land is cultivated in readiness for spring planting. The Estate’s hedges are cut and the farm staff are busy clearing ditches, checking field drainage and maintaining all farm equipment.
The Chaldean Estate operates in partnership with two local farmers sharing the significant capital cost of modern equipment. The partnership is Gilston Crop Management LLP and covers some 4500 acres in the local area. Chaldean and its contractors work very closely to ensure efficient production while taking care to operate with the best care of our environment.