Alpaca update and is it time to give up drilling wheat for 2020 harvest?

[@stuartbrowning3074]

Any misapprehensions, that farming was an easy business, have long been displaced, by your excellent educational films. Personally I’ve learnt an awful lot about the difficulties farmers face, in trying to manage the land, and grow crops. Much appreciated!

[@MoultrieGeek]

Indeed. I thought you just added seed, horse poo and then the wheat fairies took over. I couldn't have been more wrong as Harry has shown us. I had no earthly idea that modern farming was so complicated and fickle.

[@peterscandlyn]

Yes, this. Harry drills through to the essentials so easily - makes it completely understandable.

[@jsleeio]

Welker Farms is another good one to watch. Quite a different scale of operation to Harry here but very interesting for it

[@imnotamechanic3491]

So true, being able to follow along in real time really gives you an appreciation for business decisions and risks involved. It's not as simple as bad weather=no crop, the crop choice seems crucial and market values as a result of weather means that its really all a bit of a gamble. Do I plant something I know will grow well and get less, or plant something a little more dependent on good weather in the hope for a bigger profit if the gamble pays off. And of course all in the context of a long view of what you planted last year and what you will plant next amongst a whole lot of hard work to plant and harvest it.

[@Playingbyear]

You can’t keep a good journalist down. Harry is a natural commentator, and it’s just as interesting to hear him talking about farming as about cars. Made for 📺. Bravo! Not the TV channel, probably more like Countryfile.

[@tonymaries1652]

Much better than Countryfile. I live in the country and everyone here calls it Towniefile!

[@paulusrailton]

I'm absolutely addicted to watching the Harry Metcalfe channels, it's proper English country class TV at its best

[@richardhintonracing]

This bloke is an excellent natural broadcaster. Keep it up Harry both Garage and Farm are unmissable and lift your spirits when new ones are flagged up it is lovely stuff.

[@EleanorPeterson]

Agreed, Richard. I love the calm pace of Harry's material and the lack of any looming TV-style agenda. The great joy of being able to produce your own stuff for broadcast is that you're in complete control. Your hands aren't tied by TV executives and legal departments and political considerations and stylists and 'quotas' and (worst of all) the opinions of brain-dead focus groups. :-)

[@BAMovin]

Thank you from the San Francisco Bay Area. Merry Christmas.

[@desmo750f1]

As a townie now living in rural Bedfordshire, not far from where Harry started his career at Shuttleworth, I really enjoy these videos. They give me some understanding of what is going on around here.

[@virgiltracey9130]

This is why it is so important to support British farmers, and other producers in this country. I’m glad to say I’m one of those sad people who stand in supermarkets reading the labels to see where things are produced and always buy British if possible.

[@harrysfarmvids]

Great to hear. I 'm increasingly coming around to the idea that the best thing we can all do to reduce our carbon footprint is to buy local. Makes lots of sense on so many levels..

[@antonoat]

Surprised to see how stony your land is, at least it's not flint! Seasons greetings Harry to you and your team, let's hope 2020/2021 is a better year for you and fellow farmers. Moving forwards as we leave Europe I'm sure the public will really get behind our farming community and things will go from strength to strength. Cheers.

[@marinedrive5484]

R.I.P. Cuthbert; off to the glue factory, but he had a good life. Merry Christmas from New Zealand, Harry. And let's hope for a bit of a reprieve from the rain in January 2020.

[@johnsmith-mm1vt]

Cuthbert will be fed to the hounds of the hunt.

[@EleanorPeterson]

@@johnsmith-mm1vt - Yep. I was just about to say that. And they charge you £50 for free meat! What a cheek! I've no time for huntin' an' shootin' types, so I'd have arranged a private funeral six feet down near a favourite tree. Yes, I know there are strict rules, laws and regulations regarding 'fallen stock' and TB and foot and mouth disease and so on. Perhaps a (witnessed and filmed) cremation would have been more appropriate. Certainly cheaper.

[@treyquattro]

@@johnsmith-mm1vt *Cuffbert

[@judebrown2672]

Respect to you and all British farmers. Just subscribed from Harry's Garage.

[@jep1912]

A melancholy end to the year Harry. Wishing you better luck and growing conditions in 2020. Chin up! Merry Christmas and thanks.

[@mrmoran0077]

Gorgeous creatures, the farm across the river from me in Sutherland have had one for a while and it's become something of a local celebrity due to his "adventures". I passed him the other day and notice he now has company which is nice

[@harrysfarmvids]

Alpacas don't like to be one their own, was he escaping a lot? If so, that's why

[@jonathangreen287]

Harry both my kids aged 9 and 6 watch all your farm videos. Educational and entertaining. Keep up the good work old chap

[@rickyg1247]

great stuff, as a petrolhead, I am subscribed to Harry's garage and was offered a look at Harry's Farm, my wife was very excited to see the lovely alpacas (sad about Cuthbert). Great piece on the challenge of arable farming in sodden England, as an ex poultry farmer and agricultural engineer I still learned a bit, Thanks

[@since-jx1ix]

Just bloody brilliant Harry. My dad was a farmer till 25 years ago (retired) and he wholly approves your no nonsense and honest explanations to life on the farm. Much like your car pieces your effortless style is a pleasure

[@sweed58]

I've been farming all my life in southern scotland and find harry's vlogs very interesting

[@nigelw512]

Short sighted Alpco, coming from anyone but Harry I wouldn't have believed it. Plus RIP Cuthbert

[@allsearpw3829]

Really nice creatures ,Alpacas . thank you for the info and now I know why the crops change in the fields we use to pass on the A 227 FROM Winchester to Petersfield

[@gmr409]

Leave it to Harry to make farming genuinely interesting. As a host, Harry has a wonderful demeanor that’s almost perfectly suited for educational television. Kids in school should be shown these videos.

[@abergwynantfarmvideos]

Well at least the sun is shining and the ground has dried up for you Harry, probably a bit too well in April 2020 and everyone is asking for some rain again. That's farming for you.

[@paulthorpe766]

Agree entirely they are lovely Harry with their nice temperament (and tufty mop-top haircuts) and make me smile every time I see one - Good innings for Cuth' but it's sad though nevertheless 😥

[@bejay69]

Merry Christmas Harry

[@chrisflemington819]

Thanks for your first year of Harry’s Farm videos. They’ve been very interesting and educational and I’ve enjoyed being bought up to date on modern farming. Best wishes for Christmas and the the new year.

[@greyrock551]

Merry Christmas Harry. Best new channel of 2019 - thanks so much for spending your time on this.

[@31415926535ism]

Merry Christmas Harry to you and yours, Alpacas and all. Our fallers share the fate as yours. Keep up the great content, you are a natural at it.

[@DavidMoore-lz4bh]

Merry Christmas Harry , look forward to all your videos in the new year

[@newzealandluxurylifestyle111]

Another great video - many thanks Harry. Hope it dries up soon! (And loving the jaunty feather in your hat - that's a sign of an optimist at heart...)

[@HROM1908]

I love the fact that you are making these videos. All the best to you and your good lady wife for this Holiday Season. At 77 I am always learning and your videos are a real tonic to offset my big city upbringing.

[@richardallsop7282]

Harry, once again a very interesting 'VLOG', thank you, Wishing You A Very Good Chrismas, Regards, RichardA.

[@egdiryellam68]

Your comment about Alpacas not worried by the cold, it is the opposite in South Australia the heat doesn't seem to worry then either. This last week has seen the temperatures in the high 30's to low 40's Celsius, its not very often they are seen in the shade. If you keep live stock sooner or later you will have dead stock, we occasionally have an old Alpaca die. If you not able to get around to check the animals until mid morning, any animal that has died over night will by that time be half eaten by a couple of wedge tailed eagles.

[@chunkychinn]

Here’s hoping 2020/21 will be better for you Harry. Love this channel and Harry’s garage. Have a lovely Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and all your family.

[@paultaylor9652]

Thanks for all your videos, farm and car. Merry Christmas Harry & Family.

[@4SmokingTailpipes]

So so interesting! Your positive outlook is very infectious and a joy to watch from what has been a very trying business over the years.

[@timogaleon1630]

Here’s to a dry and sunny January! Best of luck with that.... Merry Christmas and wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year.

[@ianinnes8063]

I hope its a gd new year for u harry . Pls take care merry xmas and all the best 2020 . To you and ur family . Sorry u lost ur alpacca always a loss when a member of the animals dies . Loved barney hes a lovely animal . Ive allways liked the alpaccas too . They are very inquisative indeed . Lol funny beasts but lovable i think . . Anyway . Chat soon . Thanks for ur vids allways love watchin them .love ur roadtrips too . In ur garage channel too . Ian innes ...

[@newzealandluxurylifestyle111]

We'd love to see some videos about the area too please - we love the Cotswolds...so features about anything in the area would be great. We always enjoy the Garage videos and sometimes in them you can catch a wee glimpse of lovely Burford as you pass thru....

[@flytwin1772]

I am growing up on a dairy farm and now I getting an idea about wheat and linsey as well, thanks Harry and happy x-mas

[@johnhaynes9910]

Merry Christmas to you and your family Harry. Even though I am not a farmer nor have any connections to the industry, I really enjoy your output and especially as in this episode where you share your thoughts and reasons for what has happened and how you plan to react going forward and so on, really good stuff :)

[@JJ_MacLeod]

Great video Harry - really good to have an insight into your alpaca herd. We struggled to get the wheat in to but have managed to get in a reasonable acreage (just need to look after it now!).

[@johngallop4761]

Love these videos Harry, I respect your positivity, keep ploughing through!

[@wayneprice6393]

Brilliant and educational as always Harry..... merry Christmas to you and all the family..... Let’s see what happens next year mate.....💪👍

[@jamesavickers5961]

I love the farm vlogs so interesting and informative just like your motoring films thanks

[@sgtc4538]

Really good editing, professionalism, enthusiasm and contest - as always with Harry. Keep it up, keep going Harry, Many thanks.

[@rpjwhite]

Merry Christmas Harry.

[@adamct44]

Lovely content Harry. Merry Christmas to you and you’re family.

[@Balfour99]

Harry another super video, sorry about the weather a real shame after all the hard work. Thank you for the candidness about the budgets. Enjoyed the RR hybrid video as well, you focus on the important bits from an owners point of view rather than other spurious nonsense. Good luck in the new year.

[@robingleby650]

Love your “Harry’sFarm” really enjoying the knowledge I’ve gained from watching your great new channel Harry. Can’t believe how many of us Petrol head followers have switched over to your farm videos. Keep up your great work for 2020 and I hope you and your family have a great Christmas. Kind regards Rob

[@puirYorick]

Alas, poor Cuthbert. I knew naught of him, Harry. I hope he had a good innings. Life as a roving lawn ornament is probably enviable among his kind.

[@xxxdodacion7395]

Enjoy the updates Harry, cheers from California

[@paddyboy557]

Very good VideoHarry and nicely handled the dead animal no beating around the bush and keep it hidden good on you. Im over in the USA for the festive season all the best

[@beauchamphuberville1355]

Very interesting. As a person in business in a different arena its an insight as to the thinking and processing...Really appreciate the insight.

[@motorhomenarrowboat1]

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for sharing. I hope you get the weather need.

[@edwinharvie6174]

Always fascinating Harry - thank you. I look forward to these coming out.

[@neilpatching7443]

All the best for you and your family over Christmas and the New Year Harry.🥳🥳

[@ronmccullock1407]

You are a true gentleman Harry

[@BikeVisionScotland]

Thanks for the update on the state of the land/crops... " Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year"

[@Quagmire925]

A very Merry Christmas to all at Harrys farm. 🎅

[@farmerlamb2372]

Neighbour's of mine did have 450 guanaco (type of alpaca) very easy to look after, I'd look after them when they'd go on holidays

[@ericpisch2732]

Fascinating as always Harry :D love the alpaca’s

[@nickjennings3500]

merry christmas Harry, love the farm & garage videos. Looking forward to next year with 2020 vision 😉

[@shannons1886]

Fascinating regarding your alpaca.

[@acdrones48]

Have a happy Christmas on Harry’s farm. Another great video. Very informative to us non farmers out there. Look forward to seeing what’s goes on the farm in the new year. 👍👍

[@harrysfarmvids]

Thanks for feedback, the main aim of HF is to make non-farmers more aware of what goes on throughout the year. Just didn't expect this Autumn to quite so testing from an arable point of view! Thanks for watching

[@martinmillar8447]

This channel is ace. Best of luck and fair winds!

[@mscastleton]

Merry Christmas Harry. Having been a farmer and agronomist all my life I know exactly what you are talking about.

[@drchunkybiscuit9973]

Thanks Harry & Merry Christmas & a very happy New Year to you & all of your family!! 🎅❤

[@martianmuppet]

Hope 2020 goes better Harry. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@thcenterprisellc112]

I’d love to see a video about how you feed your animals! Love the content your one of the best farming vlogs in my mind keep up the great videos mate !

[@archibaldchimpin]

Good luck Harry, keep up the good work, I find these videos fascinating

[@nicholasrigg8999]

So look forward to these videos, keep them coming!

[@matthewwinn4198]

Another very informative Vlog Harry. With your presenting skills you could always turn the farm into an agricultural college to offset the losses. Of course I'm not serious but I do hope your business can take the hit next year and that you continue to be an excellent land manager. Happy Christmas.

[@Earlywinters09]

Very sorry about your old stud Alpaca. Seems farming is not for the faint-hearted.

[@johnyost9721]

thanks for that, Harry.

[@gorrington007]

Merry Christmas to you and the family... Love the garage/farm videos....

[@brianelifritz4806]

Sorry about your animal passing. I had to put my dog down this year because he was suffering. Not easy.

[@alastairscruton715]

All the best for the new year

[@kerrygleeson4409]

Always interesting Harry and have a merry Christmas and happy new year 👍🇦🇺🚜 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

[@paulf2529]

Great video Harry, have a good Christmas.

[@patrickbrown3141]

great vids Harry!!!! keeper coming!

[@philhicks5818]

Merry Christmas Harry , let’s hope we can all get drilling in January, although it’s more likely to be at least feb

[@harrysfarmvids]

Let's hope so..

[@markspeller5722]

I much prefer Harry's updates than viewing the rubbish that is Country file. Keep up the mood work.

[@GeneHunt406]

Happy Christmas Harry & family

[@ianleitch9960]

Merry Christmas Harry, and hopefully a prosperous New Year - 2020 or 2021 ;-)

[@jgvgjv2980]

Lovely animals your alpacas Harry

[@IOWPCV]

Have a good xmas Harry.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Who'd be a farmer? Respect to you Harry, and all the other farmers out there. BUY BRITISH..!!! These guys deserve our support.....

[@sharpbends]

Merry Christmas & happy farming :-)

[@clasijuls1]

your alpacas are gorgeous

[@FeelsDonkMan]

Great stuff, so fascinating.

[@jeffreykrout3034]

Great hat Harry ! Aces

[@jg8959]

Merry Christmas and an awesome 2020 sir, power to you 👌👍

[@simonprice1938]

Hi harry, As far as drilling goes, as long we've not gone past the point of non vernalisation, if it drys up enough to drill it why not... Dont forget the record crop from the Northumberland area didnt get drilled till early oct if I remember rightly But if you do have to let it fallow ok, giving the land a rest is not a bad thing. I know it's not earning but the old boys knew a thing about the four crop rotation, which included fallow..

[@harrysfarmvids]

Fallow would be good for the soil but it's not great when you haven't budgeted for it and there's bills to pay!

[@Rodderslithgow]

I love alpackers, there my favourite animals

[@drmexicoii]

Have the feeling barney is going to be a new KZbin star!

[@tris7]

Hi Harry, Any thoughts on Spring Linseed? I'm trying it for the first time. We're on heavy land so we haven't got any wheat in the ground. Like you, I'm putting my failed wheat land into a cover crop to push the reset button and get a first wheat in 2020. The other half I'm putting into Spring Linseed, its about the only thing I can think of with a possible profit margin.

[@stiannobelisto573]

Forget cars, finally found out where the cool guys hang out

[@shazmeister2005]

Question for Harry, what do you do with the linseed?

[@johnfurnival4133]

Excellent video Harry, sorry about Cuthbert, highs and lows of farming, let’s hope for some better weather in the new year

[@boriss.861]

Harry please give us your opinion on the SFP?

[@derekdenton5137]

Australia calling,please send the rain to us,Seven years without Rain in some parts.Is it to early to discuss your thoughts on leaving the EU,and challenges ahead,great videos

[@SR104]

Great content as usual 👍

[@dennissheridan8836]

Harry, correct me if I'm wrong but if you have standing water it means your soil is not permeable and the water cannot be absorbed. If you deep plow in a soil amendment, even sand, you break up the clays and make the ground more absorbent. If I'm piping out my backside let me know.