I must start by apologising for the lack of monthly blogs this summer: The spring started off very hectic with Richard and I moving into the farmhouse, and unfortunately, we ended up without any broadband for 12 weeks and then harvest arrived. As per usual on the farm, there has not been enough hours in the day.
We have had a somewhat trying harvest this year. Sadly, due to the adverse weather conditions last year, the yields have been low, and at times travelling in the fields with the machines has been challenging but the last of our crops are now harvested and the combines are being cleaned and serviced as I type, ready to be put away for winter. Thankfully, some of our fields produced more corn than we expected so it is not all doom and gloom, but we will certainly be tightening the purse strings this year… no new tractors for Richard!!!
The hard work, however, seems to be starting now. The boys are frantically busy ploughing and working land, so Richard can follow on with seed drill, and get next years crops sown before the bad weather starts. We are making good progress, and have all of our winter barley sown, 90% of our wheat, and hopefully (ground conditions permitting) will be starting to sow our winter beans today. We had high hopes of having all of our fields drilled by now, but the heavy rain we had last week has hampered that. We cannot complain though, as we in a much better position that we were in last year, and what is already drilled in the ground is looking well and growing nicely.
It has been a very busy year for us this year, contracting. We have done a lot of work for other farmers in our local area; harvesting their crops, crop spraying and also doing silage work. Not to mention, lots of Avadex application and ground works. These are jobs we all love, and it will be sad to put the machines back in the shed, once we finish the maize harvest this month.
At home, all is well on the farm. We have adapted well to the new routine. Martin and Judith have taken a (small) step back and are enjoying some more free time together and mini retirement. I say mini, because farmers never retire, they just slow down a little. Jake and Simon have worked their socks off this harvest, and we have been very lucky again this year to have such a super team around us. As I have mentioned before, we could not do what we do without our staff and contractors.
We had some very exciting new this month, we have won another award this year:
Agribusiness of the Year 2024 – County Durham
This was totally unexpected and so lovely. On top of this, we have also been nominated for another award with Northern Farming Awards – so watch this space!
TURKEYS! Our KellyBronze turkeys are growing fast and looking fabulous! They have been such a delight to look after this year. I am very lucky that despite taking over the reins from Judith, she is still in the wings helping me and keeping a watchful eye over the flock. Our order books are open on the website. Have you ordered yours yet? Sales are coming in thick and fast, so do pop over to our website and get you order in to avoid disappointment: www.drydenfarms.co.uk or Call or text Tanza on 07736-018822.
Until next month.
Wishing everyone all the best,
Martin, Judith, Richard, Tanza & George