77pence to the Euro exchange rate on 30th September will be used to calculate SFP to be received in December. This is less than last year?

Most farmers will have to complete a Field Maintenance form detailing where hedges are adjacent to arable land. This involves marking the hedges on a map, and listing the fields on the form. This must be done by 31st October.

Points to note:
1. Hedge must be at least 20metres long
2. Hedge must be in effect stock proof
3. Hedge must be adjacent to arable field – no track, ditch between field and hedge!
4. Arable fields include temporary grass.

If you require us to assist in this process please phone the office

Many thanks to all those who called with us at the Pembrokeshire show. The winner of the prize hamper was Teifi Jenkins – congratulations. We hope you all enjoyed some hospitality and look forward to catching up over the next few weeks and months.

Average first cut yields are down on normal by around 2-3 tonnes per acre. Second cuts may make up some of the shortfall but is unlikely to cover it all. It is essential to budget forward your winter forage requirements, allowing for some spring buffer. Think about alternatives as soon as possible, remember you won’t be the only one who may be short of forage. Bale up any excess grass on the grazing platform, think about buying standing crops of whole crop, or grass, consider putting young stock on straw, price up bulk feeds.

Try and be ahead of the game – it will save you money and stress later on.

Some mowers are out dropping grass for second cut. A grass test will be useful to check that the nitrate levels are low enough. If in doubt go for an acid additive to guarantee fermentation. Yields are looking good, so maybe this winter could be better than last.

We are currently looking to employ a full time business recorder. The role involves visiting farms to collect data and produce management accounts. We use the Farm plan software, and provide full training as necessary.
If you are interested please send a CV and covering letter to

office@carawales.co.UK

Now most silages are clamped, attention should turn to the aftermaths. If you wish to graze, aim for 50 units of nitrogen and 30 units of potash. 3,000 gallon per acre of slurry will more than meet the potash requirements, so if applied opt for straight nitrogen to reduce staggers risk.

If the fields are to be utilised for second cut, aim for 75 units of nitrogen and 45 units of potash. If you can avoid grazing these fields, regrowth will be quicker and cleaner. Allowing these fields to be shut off, will help see clamps fill again after last years shortage.

Silage is now well under way, with many already done. It is perhaps useful to remind yourselves of some of the important points to give better results

1. Additive doesn’t make bad silage good
2. Don’t mow too early in the morning or late at night
3. Always ted out the grass
4. Consolidate quickly in clamp
5. Get the sheet on quickly, with some weight on top

It is worth trying to get these points right – you will be feeding the silage for 5-6 months!

Farming Connect can still fund 80% of advice to farm businesses in Wales. This advice can be used for all aspects of advice from nutrition to fertiliser advice through to business plans and cash flows. Contact Nerys in the office for more details.

We produce benchmark data for all categories of farm, and customers find it to be one of the most useful pieces of data produced. The results of benchmarking allow farm businesses to identify areas of weakness and opportunity.

If you are interested in becoming part of the benchmark, contact us. All data is collected by our own farm recorders, using Farmplan software. An annual report is given, with the benchmark data and advice on areas to examine. The cost of this service depends on enterprise size, but offers fantastic value for money, and a proper business MOT.