Fen Peas

With Abi, the sampler, at a wedding today it was down to me to do the sampling. It's incredible just how many people are about early even on a Saturday. One happy soul this morning said "with these weather patterns it could be 2007 all over again"! I think it's time to expand the Menorcan operation.

read more...

This morning we welcomed visitors from Defra and the NFU to the field to give them first hand experience of how a pea Producer Organisation works. Looking at the pictures it is hard to believe that this farm, near Grantham, had 42mm of rain the previous day. After driving the machines they were then shown the sampling station and how we assess the maturity of the crop. Over lunch we were able to discuss what the future may hold with regard to the CAP reform, and other matters. The warmth of the last few days and nights means the peas are on the move, so we will start 24 hours from tomorrow evening just as Italy kick off against West Germany!

read more...

Today provided a chance to look at crops further ahead. Mixed bag would be the report. The heavy rains are beginning to take their toll with pockets of footrot showing. Peas do not like wet feet! The last field drilled (below) is still looking good but whilst there, the storm clouds were gathering and by nightfall between 25mm and 42mm of rain had fallen! These crops are suffering at the hands of mother nature.

read more...

Day 1 of our 2012 Pea Harvest. Perfect conditions for harvesting, quite dry under foot for this year, men and machines working in harmony. Just did a 40 acre field to set things up and will go again on Friday when we host a visit. TRs were variable 102 to 116TR. This is probably down to the mixed maturity on the plants due to the cool wet flowering period. Yields were good but need to be there will be some issues later on in the programme.

read more...

Given what we saw yesterday it was time to wheel the new sampler out for 2012. We started sampling this morning and the peas did read higher than I thought, 91TR. They will still be ok to be left until next week given the weather we are expecting.

read more...

Technos success! Now, do these agree with what you imagined?

read more...

For once you are going to have to imagine, once you have read this. Visuals are proving a problem to upload but technos are working on it. Drilling was finally completed last Saturday. A late finish but not the latest. The pods on the early crops are now beginning to hang like grapes with little green marble shapes growing inside them. I'm sure that's not too difficult to picture! Transport has also been busy getting its kit ready for use as well. Now close your eyes and imagine!

read more...