SPRING has suddenly arrived, and we are amazed at how the clay once again has suddenly transformed from a sodden waterlogged mass, to something one can walk on without difficulty.
Now we really are challenged with workload, and as we rush to apply Nitrogen to all silage and grazing fields (with terra-tyres of course - it's not that dry!), a bit of rolling on some silage fields; we are also busy working down the maize fields as
we started drilling at Tillington last Saturday.
The seed beds are very good after the long winter, as the ploughed ground has benefited from weathering.
n With 850 acres to get in the ground by the end of the month, the challenge is on, and there are a few hiccups (aren't there always?), such as waiting for the contractors to inject liquid waste from the treatment plants in the ground at Ripley and Milford.
I am also going to grow a small area of 'bio-maize' which is specifically for the AD plant.
This apparently is a much bigger and taller plant, which lifts the total energy producing potential for an acre of ground. I will not be amused if this tall variety is flattened by wind as we approach October.
We also want to apply dirty water on to some of the grass fields as conditions allow, but we need the tractor with the 'terra-tyres' for that job too, so I have to prioritise.
With the cows suddenly bawling at the yard gate wanting to go out, some fencing work needs to be done in hurry and a general check and tweaks to the electric fencing system.
Water troughs need turning on, checking, cleaning and doubling up again where we borrowed them for extra capacity in the yards for the winter.
Cow-tracks need to be scrapped and a thin layer of soft sand-stone applied for cow comfort and to protect their feet.
In the meantime the routine work of milking, feeding and bedding continues, with the 'virtual' cow gobbling up the waste and more, but at least not having any 'character' to challenge us.
Building work continues on the bio-digester site as we fine-tune the operation and having lived with it for a few months we can decide where best to place concrete areas for storage etc.
We have had some shields made to extend the two feeders, which will now solve the problem of spillage, which occurred when the computer switched them on when fully loaded, making the place look a mess.
n Walking the farm on a daily basis, I see how rapidly conditions and the countryside change, with frothy blossom in the old plum orchard, flowers everywhere in the woods, and frantic activity by badgers, as they indulge in a spot of spring-cleaning.
The skylarks are showing off as they fly high in the sky, singing loudly to attract attention, and general nest building in the woods and hedgerows; it's all happened so suddenly this year.
