Thank you so much to the 60(!!!) parents and children who came out on a sunny Saturday morning to walk about the farm, learn more about the crops and spot the Meads Farm Big Five! Well done to all the children who trekked and raced up the hills and asked brilliant questions, we hope you enjoyed it as much as us!
The other main thing that’s happened this month (or more specifically hasn’t happened) is that is HASN’T RAINED! AT ALL! AND WE ARE ALL TOTALLY TRYING TO STAY CALM ABOUT IT. But sometimes failing. It is very hard to believe that this time last year it was only just dry enough to plant crops at Allerton but this year they have been in for months and now struggling for lack of moisture. This is the tricky thing about farming in the new extremes of weather we get. We try and adapt to the challenge and be ready for next year, only for next year to throw us the opposite problem. However, with the half term week (and a trip to Cornwall for us) coming up, no doubt this will soon change. Lets hope it does in the East as well as the West. Keep your fingers crossed and rain dances at the ready.
The crops are starting to struggle in the dry, but still looking very green and May is a brilliant time to be out on the farm. The barley is starting to wave and look lovely. We have some winter barley that are part of some trials. There are rows of different barley varieties that are being assessed for their resilience and yield which then goes to inform the seed company and therefore other farmers what varieties are best for what. We are looking forward to hearing the results, which will be particularly interesting given the dry spring.
Weather request: We would like rain in case that wasn’t clear (sorry!)