Spring 2024 Newsletter
In this issue, as well as our Estate update, we feature an article on a 56 Million-year old rock that was found on Chaldean Estate.
In this issue, as well as our Estate update, we feature an article on a 56 Million-year old rock that was found on Chaldean Estate.
As we all know it’s been a wet winter and cold late spring. That has had an impact on our work especially out on the land.
Since my last report, we have managed to get all our spring crops planted and most are now showing through. Although drilled first, the spring barley is behind the spring oats. The winter sown crops are looking better now they are growing away and some of the gaps are starting to fill by the tillering crops. Most fertilisers have been applied and the first application of fungicides have gone on. Given the wet conditions disease could be an issue, for example there is a lot of yellow rust developing. This affects the flag leaf – the main receptor of sunlight to fill the grains. Farming can be seen as harvesting sunlight and turning it into energy in the form of either a grain, grass for meat or diary, and vegetables to feed ourselves or other animals.
We are not expecting significant yields this year, the crops are slow to go through their growth stages and given the poor establishment will not grow as well as hoped. This of course will impact on a farmer’s income, especially as prices are constantly under pressure, due to world market trading. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine helped for a short period but even they are managing to export grain now.
So, the name of the game is to produce as efficiently as possible, making use of the better land we have, using environment options on poorer land or areas. We have applied to go into the new Sustainable Farming Incentive, with options extending our choice from Countryside Stewardship. Legume fallows are being used instead of traditional break crops and we plan to use whole year fallows more extensively too.
We are partners in a farm contracting business, Gilston Crop Management, which allows us to spread the cost of our operations across a larger area, achieving better economies of scale. Gordon Morrison has been chairman of Gilston Crop Management for some 17 years and, following his decision to retire as chairman, a tree was given to him and recently planted in recognition of his work for the partnership (pictured). The tree is a wild service tree, a rare native British tree, found in ancient woodlands. The fruit are sweet and brown and known as checkers, given to children in the Middle Ages.
As conditions have warmed up slightly, demand for firewood has reduced. We have used the time to get ahead with firewood processing ready for next season. Thinning operations in woods this year have been delayed again by the wet weather.
We are seeing the consequences of a thriving deer population with much browsing of coppice regrowth and natural regeneration seedlings being eaten. We have stalkers out on the estate to try and control the numbers although it is a slow and laborious process. Again, wet conditions do little to help. One of the problems is a lack of demand for venison either through butchers or restaurants. So please help by asking for and consuming venison. Completely free range, very low fat and exceedingly tasty.
Thinning operations in 3 woods should take place over the next quarter. This will open up areas of woodland allowing for new growth, removal of poor or diseased trees (particularly ash) and create a wider variety of habitat. All work is agreed with the Forestry Commission under our woodland management plan and subject to an agreed felling licence. The timber produced is then used in our logging and timber business next year once it has seasoned.
Spring is quite a busy time in the vineyards. The established vines are pruned back to a main leader which is tied down to the cross wire. This forms the basis of this year’s growth. The vines are now in leaf and, following the wet weather, are now growing fast now the sun has come out. We seem to have been lucky again and missed any frosts at the wrong time. Because it has been wet until now the likelihood of fungal disease is strong, so spraying has started early.
The new vineyard has been cut right back to the second bud point, some 2/3 inches from the ground. This will encourage their roots to push down and properly establish the plant.
Again, now that the ground is drying up, we are seeding the intervine areas with a grass and wildflower mix (pictured). This will help the soil with some nitrogen fixing and avoid erosion from run off. It should also look much better and be easier for the staff to work from.
The final job for this spring is the application of a compost mulch along the rows of vines. This is a garden/green waste compost which will help reduce weed growth and help preserve moisture, should we have a hot dry summer.
As I write this, the sun and warmth has finally arrived. Crops will grow quickly now, moving fast through their growth stages.
We are planning to enter various areas of the farm into environmental options in the new DEFRA Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme. Support payments have been redirected from direct area-based payments to ‘public money for public goods’. Plans are being drawn up to add environmental margins to many fields, protecting water courses and allowing room for hedges and wildlife corridors. An assessment of all our hedges will take place over the next 12 months to help form a plan for their future management. This may include reduced cutting, gapping up, coppicing or perhaps just leaving them to grow. The intention is to have a variety of habitats from different age hedges, and the benefits to wildlife should then follow.
You may have read an article recently in the Bishop’s Stortford Independent about a rare rock formed 56 million years ago that has been moved from Adderley Road to safety in Bishop’s Stortford’s Castle Park.
Hertfordshire puddingstone, the county’s mineralogical claim to fame, is virtually indestructible but examples have a habit of going missing. Two Stortford Residents, both members of East Herts Geology Club were determined that the rock in Adderley Road would not suffer the same fate and enlisted the support of the town and district councils.
At the beginning of May a crane and a low loader were used to hoist the stone from its neglected position and, with the help of two workmen and their diggers at Castle Park, delicately manoeuvred it into place (photo courtesy of Bishops Stortford Independent).
This is of particular interest as the two-tonne conglomerate, shaped like “a starfish without its tentacles” was unearthed by our previous Farm Manager, Peter Glogner, in 2005. He was draining land on Chaldean Estate when he ran over an object, which broke the drawbar of his plough, and the unusually large example was unearthed.
It was agreed that siting the stone in the park would be much more suitable and make it more accessible to the public. A display board explaining what it is and why it is important will soon be erected.