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In the eastern part of the country, farmers are eagerly awaiting some much-needed rain. However, here in the west, we have been experiencing a different story. The heavy rainfall we received last weekend brought about 40mm of rain in just an hour, reminiscent of the autumn of 2023.
Unfortunately, this sudden downpour has not been beneficial for the grass seeds we had recently planted. While fields planted using reduced tillage have managed to withstand the rain, those that were ploughed are in a bit of a mess. We are now hoping that there won’t be too many bare patches, so we can quickly address them come spring.
Ironically, we now need a steady amount of rain to prevent the soil from capping before the seeds can emerge. The continuous rainfall has also delayed our plans to drill cereals in a timely manner this year. It looks like we won’t be able to start drilling until mid-October, but we are making the best of the situation by preparing for the Farm Carbon Toolkit’s annual field day held at Boycefield on 26 September.
The event focused on “The value of mixed farming,” bringing together experts in regenerative agriculture to discuss the challenges facing the combinable crops sector. With stations showcasing soil health, mob-grazing demonstrations, and arable workshops, the event was informative and engaging for the 150 attendees..Panel discussions were held to further delve into the importance of mixed farming practices in today’s agricultural landscape.
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Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.