18 stoner

"ELS" Ben?

@ Dean, just seen the price of that stuff, guess none of it comes cheap!

Not real sure of an alternative mix Ben, depends how much coin is available and how keen the client is get get shot of it for good. You need to remember it is oficially a Bi-annual so will tend to regenerate easily. Also another thought, what will you do with the "topped" arisings? Its obviously not a great idea to take away for foodstuff but also consider much of the ragwort is now well on in flower and some will have set seed, so cutting and leaving could leave hassle for next year. It is obviously acceptable to collect it and burn if you wish. Yet again finance depending i suppose.

If all else fails Ben, might be worth looking at Grazon. Its not cheap but should be effective, especially if you are going to top the paddock but wait for a bit of regen then hit it.

I think you missed my level of sarcasm!

:thumbup:

You going to put some pics up of your trimmed hedges then Ben?

Thats what I would suggest Brian, go with NFU for your requirements. As others said, I was with them for years but now with Trust due to height restrictions but NFU will be cheaper and not bad to deal with.

Some of the quotes arent by those who posted them here for some reasons! Things have changed lots over the years in agric. The most significant things I have noticed in say the last 20 years are staffing levels and machinery size. It appears a more efficient way of farming in recent times has been to reduce staff numbers and increase size of machinery. By reducing "unit" numbers, ie tractors, there are less staff required obviously but other cost reductions are also made, such as servicing, insurance, and even finance. Staffing levels have generally been reduced through natural wastage but there is now a tendancy to only have a bare essential of full time staff and make numbers up at busy times when required. A big saving overall. These measures IMO have been key in helping most farmers survive over the years in what appears to be a relativelyt l;ow corn price in comparison to years gone by. As Nick says, many many farmers made massive profits years ago but for the layman, these days should not be seen as the norm of making a living. Todays turnover and profit is more balanced I feel. Farmers have had to change tack in recent years, moving forward from the steriotypical emmerdale farm type set up, to a modern business run enterprise where the accountant has a much bigger say.

Going here again this year after a brilliant time last year. All tribute bands but all very good, and such as "Badness" were the ultimate in live entertainment:thumbup: Latest News | Tribfest The world's biggest tribute band music festival .

Less overheads per acre:001_huh:

Only just read this Liam, I dare say your Grandad is real upset about it, he is from the generation when almost everyone could be trusted. Lets hope someone spots it, some good detailed in the pics of it there.

Thats clarified it a little Matt, the order of harvest around here usually goes winter barley, winter wheat, then spring barley, spring wheat. The beans do sound well on though, years back it was almost a winter job combining them, and a regularly done in sept/october! The season does seem a little out of sync this year but following the floods of(I think it was 2000) we were baling barley straw in february so anything can happen yet!

Matt, do you mean winter wheat and spring barley? Otherwise, I think you may have wheat and barley mixed up if they were both winter sown

Brilliant, cheers for the link.

Ok, there was a bit of an issue on the local news today about trips there in the school hols Johnny. No worries mate. Get it booked, as Ian says the kids love owt like that:thumbup:

Is that the one thats been on the Calendar news tonight? You winding us up?

Where were you on about going Johnny, any in particular?

Not from me mate, sorry:001_tt2:

:lol: You selling vids Tom?

Now that was a lot shorter than my version:lol:

I think thats a no then! Years ago,(now I sound like an old fart) many farmers(with livestock) used to start harvesting way before the corn was "fit". It would be brought in at a higher than normal moisture cont. and put in a tower. Around here they were called Boythorp crop stores. The corn would be blown into the tower and filled as quickly as possible before it started to sweat and go mouldy, as unripe corn usualll does. The tower would be then sealed airtight and left until the autumn and fed to mainly cattle or sheep. There were said to be benefits in this almost pickled foodstuff, not found in any other grain, but Im not real sure what they were! Many of these towers have been taken down now around us, and presumably a more upto date and easier modern way of getting the most nutreints out of corn has taken over. I must add, I have been out of agric. for over 10 years now so things may have moved on a bit!

Something satisfying about dosing round up on new chits:thumbup: Does anyone ever do prop corn nowadays?

Nice one, that made the story:thumbup:

There's a few around us who just like to first out there though. Think its so they can go down the pub and bragg they were the first to finish etc. Might of cost them a lot more to get it in and dried, but Im sure you know what I mean!