The show season is finally upon us.  So is summer, with a blisteringly hot bank holiday weekend, with some heavy rain.  15 mm has just disappeared, so applying liquid N was sticky to say the least, but as soon as the rain stopped so did I, and it dried up so soon you could hardly tell it had rained. 

It’s currently half term and Chris is away so I am back on the sprayer.  The wind only drops when I am off the farm or in bed!  There are two nice days forecast for Thursday and Friday, which could be busy as I am helping set up for Rosie’s parents golden wedding anniversary.  No chance of conflict there then, though they are having it on the farm so I should be able to slip away for the odd load!

We are pretty well up to date, just the balance of N for protein to go.  As it was so dry I managed to buy AN @ £185 which was half the price of the liquid in the tank!  It did make it rain though so it had the desired effect, nice to have the choice.  It does make you realise the difference to margins purchasing and selling can now make in these volatile times.

The potatoes are emerging well, recent rain has really helped, but more would be good.  Beet and mustard are well established and clean.  Spring beans look a picture despite early powdery mildew.  I sprayed this with Octolan (chlorothalonil and cyproconazole) and Phorce to avoid the high cost of Folio Gold (metalaxyl m and chlorothalonil).  Phorce is a phosphate nutrient with apparent benefits in controlling powdery mildew in beans.  I must say I am impressed as the new growth is spotless and they are flowering well. (Don’t you just love the smell?)

George Dunn and I catch up on paperwork at Beef Expo before the early birds visit the stand.

We had a good day at Beef Expo in Malvern last Thursday, and are off to the Royal Cornwall Show next week where you will find us on stand 412 near the Pavilion Centre.  I look forward to seeing you there.  It will coincide with the start of irrigation and all its grief, but I should be far enough away in Wadebridge!