Farm update 296 Harvest black oats, cultivation challenges continue, subsoiler gets to work.

[@casparAG]

nice to see a real combine working in your fields, Andrew 😅😂. Hope you and your family are well, thanks for another great update!

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

😂😂👍

[@peterdennis9359]

Nice update Andrew good to see the talk with Michael and look forward to more thanks

[@michaelsmith-dm3kb]

Brilliant video and very informative.A farmer that farms properly and looks after his soils.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

😊👍

[@johnwaddell7239]

Had never heard of black oats untill a few years ago when we had a Canadian farmer staying in our B and B and he was handing out a small sample bag to all the farmhouse Band Bs he stayed at ,he specialised in black oats and grew several thousand acres

[@charleswillcock3235]

To avoid repeating yourself for viewers who have been watching your for a while, visiting other farmers would be a great way to help educate us none farmers amongst your audience. There an awful lot of KZbin videos with AI voices, but I much prefer your delivery. Thanks for sharing.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thanks Charles, I’m hopefully seeing some maize silage being harvested this week and loaded into lorries with a Maus.

[@juliancope1925]

My favourite combine Claas lexion 8900 what a machine best in the market for me thank you for showing that Andrew 👏👏👏

[@jonstephens682]

Cracking update again Andrew. It is a shame you have to put in that SFI on that farm and it’s a shame there’s one less block growing food. Micheals farm sounds a fair set up don’t it? We used to have a sprayer jack we made out of an old artic trailer leg it worked really well. That sub soiler looks to be doing an amazing job.

[@daddymazzy4800]

It's great to see a lot of SIMBA gear still being used, even it's not entirely standard ,( looking at you ELITA ) anyway another great and informative video as usual. Keep up the good work.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Should last a lot longer if we carry on looking after it.

[@steveweth4123]

We bought the same jack this year for our sprayer, brilliant piece of kit 👍

[@amunford-gibbs929]

Another informative video Andrew, you & Michael showing us how it all happens out in the fields to produce food for us all. The Claas computer screens are amazing 😊 Narla wasn't going to be left out 😂

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

She never is, I can’t go anywhere without she’s with me!

[@ronaldlucas5360]

Thanks for the update.

[@MayorofDipshittery-lq7if]

Spent 2 hours in our local NFU Mutual office on Friday looking through our pensions, oh what fun we had 😳😳😳😳

[@davepayne586]

very good vodeo shows a lot what is going on,

[@robdavis5711]

Another smashing update! Michael comes across well on camera, lovely to see a bit of late harvest combine action! Sadly you’re absolutely right about the A17 and about the quality of driving - or lack of same - all along the A17 from Newark to Norfolk. I think there were five vehicles involved in that collision. The road should be a dual carriageway with the HGVs and caravans heading to Norfolk, but terrible overtaking is the problem more than anything… I see some shocking, really impatient driving every single day on my morning commute.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

You’re right Rob, but what would it cost to dual?!

[@elmton.john.1961.]

And more good farmland taken out of food production. 😢

[@bhw2851]

Enjoyed the combine cab chat with Michael, would be interesting to see how his canola copes with flea beatle with the chicken poop applied! Curious does the dyke dredgings affect the soil fertility for the following crop, ie will you adjust fertiliser dressing to compensate more or less?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

@bhw2851 I’ll do some regular updates with Michael and his brother James when they start the storage project. The dyke dredging’s are so small they’ll have no impact when they’re incorporated.

[@AndyChetwood-j1z]

Hi Andy good morning we are wet, love your vides Olly Joe and Tom allfamers growing food all over the place, looks like you are to wet this week, you my like to have a word with Olly, he's a bit sad at the moment I feel for him,!?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Yes, very sad, I plan on ringing him. 😢

[@cheechU38K]

Someone needs to invent a field cover to protect crops that rain would damage. Defra need to look at the weed issue that will cause hardship to farmers after SFI is over. Grants for electric laser weed control if glyphosate is banned.

[@Gearoid35]

Great content, that claas is some combine, the beans are going to be popular

[@alancurtis80]

Fascinating update, as always.

[@georgehay5929]

Great video Andrew

[@bumpkinrocks]

I'm amazed how well the stubble turnips are doing they're a ft high now with no flea beetle at all! There's been no OSR here for yrs so I guess the flea beetle have died out for now👌👍

[@andymercer8092]

Good update young man. We had over 30mm of rain in Wiltshire this weekend

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

We’re on about 18 up to now.

[@ian130262]

Valid point about the NFU Mutual policy. I had a Sainsburys home delivery van scrape the side of my car. Mutual paid out 4 days later.

[@tomvalentine9985]

I really enjoy your channel and this is not specific to this update but regarding SFI and other agri environmental subsidies, Ive followed the content and comments on this channel and similar others ( harrys farm etc) for some time now and I just want to clear something up for a large percentage of the commment contributors. SFI is NOT mandatory. All of those people that keep saying what a terrible thing it is that land is being taken 'out of production' may be reminded that it is still the farmer or farm advisors and landowners that have the choice to tie in with the govt. on the various schemes - and then talk as if under the burden of government policy for which they themselves have signed up for.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Sorry, I don’t understand what you’re really meaning? I know it’s not mandatory. What my point is it’s a whole farm we contract farm, going 100% into SFI. So for the next 3 years after the legume is established, we’ll only cut it. So a serious loss in income for us which we have machinery finance payments, for one, to still settle but with less income to do it unless we can find more work. Thats the angle I’m coming from.

[@tomvalentine9985]

@WardysWaffleAndrewWard I understand that Andrew with the specific case of that particular contract farm. My point was more of a general one reading through the comments for several months across lots of farming channels.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

@tomvalentine9985 aah, I see. You think some people think it’s compulsory.

[@tomvalentine9985]

@WardysWaffleAndrewWard There seems mixture of frustration and sympathy in the comments as if the subsidies are being forced on farms. I thought it was worth pointing out that for now we still have free choice to opt in.

[@bobcrawford2105]

Good deal with 8 R X having 5 year service warranty contract With repairs costing arm and leg these days you know have a fixed cost built in farm budget S F I crops not going to feed the nation

[@philipmetcalfe6289]

Great update. Looking like you might get a drop of rain this week to help soften the ground. Hope it remembers to stop this year !

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

We’ve already had 16mm, just hope someone remembers to turn off the tap when we’ve had enough!!

[@jasonsmith5487]

Great update Andrew the 8R is impressive how it grip's and no weight on the front. Is it as good as a wheel tractor when wet and slippery conditions. Be interesting to see the John Deere combine working in the beans, when you look around them I think they've took a lot of inspiration from New Holland.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

I’d say the RX is better in wet, there’s more rubber on the ground.

[@DaveAndrews-d6l]

Another fantastic update Andrew really interesting looking forward to the next update gòod to see a different combine when are trying a New Holland CR11 then

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Not this year!!

[@stevengerrard5836]

Great update shame about that land going out of production what has it come what a waste unreal.

[@adrianlayen4119]

Great update Andrew, good to see the black oats being harvested. The 8RX looks good, from watching your videos it's evident you look after your machines. If you had problems in the future with wet weather and compaction, would you consider ploughing some of the land? Looking at the SFI plots, will you hand pull the black grass in them. I know it adds costs, but would it be worth it when the land goes back to growing crops? Thanks Andrew.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Won’t ever go back to ploughing, all our existing kit does a great job at removing compaction and leaves it level, we used to plough and it was horrendous.

[@petergardner2334]

now that s a nice combine Andrew

[@peterwilson-qj2ds]

Another great update Andrew, hopefully we will get some rain as things are in need of it .

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

It’s raining now!

[@peterwilson-qj2ds]

@@WardysWaffleAndrewWard We have had a little here near Bury st Edmunds and I mean a little, hopefully you will get a bit more.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

@peterwilson-qj2ds we’ve had 16mm up to now so looking promising. Just hope my update next Sunday isn’t asking for someone to turn the tap off!!

[@roberthoward3723]

That Simba equipment still takes some beating.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

It does. That subsoiler is exactly 20 years old and still going strong. Will probably outlast stuff built today.

[@roberthoward3723]

@@WardysWaffleAndrewWard the job it still does is impressive

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Transformed it taking 2 legs out and that rubber tired packer is brilliant.

[@elmton.john.1961.]

I know it's not been a good year for the Capulat beans Andrew, but in a way Eric and yourself must have learnt what drill is best, when to drill etc, perhaps better to have had a bad year early on in the experiment.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Every day is a school day is never more appropriate than in farming! To be honest, they are no more at risk to not growing than a wheat crop, look at the amount of acres which was lost across the country due to water logging immediately after drilling. A later harvest date is Capulets only down side.

[@laytonphillips6667]

Great video andrew, elita doing a good job, so is the subsoiler really lifting it up. James at px has a tractor for sale if you need a bit more horsepower!!!!

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

😳🤦‍♂️😂😂

[@andykeeble1]

It must be so soul destroying seeing perfectly good acreage being lost to SFI. I cannot see any benefit to the governments current plans for agriculture other than to ( I may not got to heaven for saying this) make the cost of food even more under their control. Years ago, when I worked on farms, all the talk was of the grain mountain and milk lakes that our farmers were contributing to. Now we see more and more foods in our supermarkets that were grown elsewhere in the world. Sad times.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Just doesn’t make sense.

[@TheGrimReaper1]

Yes it used make my dad cry when he had to plough out land during the war my mum told me, even land that wasn’t fit for ploughing. If he could see what is going on now just to keep the bunnies and the polar bears happy steam would be coming out of his ears.

[@johnwarwick4105]

Dont understand why everybody keeps banging on about this food comes from supermarkets nothing to do with farmers. This is 100% it came from a top government adviser 😂

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

@johnwarwick4105 😊👍

[@LewiH9]

I didn't think the SFI was mandatory, just a personal choice.

[@RG-mk3ds]

I will second your comments on NFU mutual. We have been with them over fifty years and cannot fault them they might be a bit more expensive but it’s worth the extra when you do have a claim and need it sorting quickly and hassle free. I have read that the EA have done some repair work to watercourse banks in the Lincoln area, I look forward to hearing your opinion on this matter!

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Their version of repair is differ to you and me!

[@johnhyde8892]

Hi Andrew a great update, do you think you will change your combine, because of the damage if a deal was to stack up.

[@benpattinson1]

I’ve always been intrigued to know andrew, if the points on a subsoiler that’s going as deep as that hot when you lift it out of the ground.?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Yes! When it’s hard like now you’d be able to fry an egg on them. I’ll see if I can do that if the rain doesn’t get too deep!

[@tomwilliams8102]

How come you have no front weight on the 8rx? I found that it definitely helped with front track slip and hopefully more even track wear.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

We seem to get in ok without snd I know JD prefer not to and I think there is a max limit you can add?

[@ian130262]

Is it not possible to bale the black oat straw or were you concerned about the imminent rain?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Oat straw is always very catchy to be fit enough to bale, look at my video when I was with James Peck. We’re getting late now, I didn’t want any hindrance to anything after the year we’ve had. Risks need taking out not adding in!!

[@jcdeeley1]

Just wondering why you are putting some really good heavy land into SFI - is it as financially rewarding ?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

It’s the contract farm we work for, not me!

[@luisnunes7933]

Hello!

[@markyoull6744]

great opdate andrew narla things shes a greyhound

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

She’s as fast as one when she’s in top gear!!!

[@liambrophy7574]

Pity to chop the oaten straw

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

It would never be fit to bale with it being so green. Had to think about getting the next crop in on time.

[@theunisher7956]

Time for a new combine… lexion 8600?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Check book is padlocked!

[@casparAG]

if you could have a free tractor would you choose- quadtrac 540, the 8rx 410 or the xerion you got to have a play on.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Oooh, tough question. The 8RX for versatility but the Xerion for pulling and big jobs!

[@casparAG]

@@WardysWaffleAndrewWard xerion looked very well built. claas are a good company

[@stephenross1581]

Andrew, will the black oats be a good break crop for wheat ?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

I don’t think there’s a good enough market for them, maybe only as cover crop seed.

[@stephenross1581]

@@WardysWaffleAndrewWard I was more on about should you get a better crop of wheat afterwards 👍🏻

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

@stephenross1581 Ah! Hopefully but I think the beans will be as good.

[@class185]

Quadtrac would have pulled?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

A bit better, yes, I’m sure.

[@sparrow758]

You will make more money from Cereals 2025 than you will from farming I bet.......

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Depends where the markets end up as that’s what our remuneration is based on. 😊

[@andyhutch8262]

As a motorcyclist for over 50 years, I know what or where a motorcyclist can ride on the road legally, the one on your video is quite within his rights to ride where he is doing.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

It’s a blind bend and in the last 8 years, 3 motorcyclist’s have died on that bend overtaking when they couldn’t see.

[@grahamkelland]

People seemed to have forgotten about field's of set-aside back in the nineties,2000's full of every weed you could think of,Andrew would know about dealing with that. The capulate beans looks to be a make or break crop depending on the growing year,it'll be interesting to see if these are going to be a viable crop to grow in UK conditions and that's what Andrew's hoping to find out. I take it baked beans are mostly grown in the US where they seem to be able to grow everything! That 8rx is doing a cracking job why keep a big over priced heavy tractor just in case you might need it once in a blue moon! 29:42

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Spot on. To be honest, they are no more at risk to not growing than a wheat crop, look at the amount of acres which was lost across the country due to water logging immediately after drilling. A later harvest date is Capulets only down side.

[@richardbaker22]

Great video Andrew

[@johnhyde8892]

Hi Andrew a great update, do you think you will change your combine, because of the damage if a deal was to stack up.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Definitely not! Things are going to be very tight this year with having lots of fields without a crop to harvest.

[@johnhyde8892]

@WardysWaffleAndrewWard yes I understand that Andrew it just sometimes a deal can work well . Let's hope the heavy rain stays away and you can have very good harvest next year.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

We don’t need the prolonged wet and dry periods, it’s those we struggle with.

[@johnwarwick4105]

When the deal stacks up! Who do you think he is “Olly blogs” 😂😂😂. Its only a scratch in farming terms

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

@johnwarwick4105 😊😂