My last session of the day at this year’s Groundswell brought me back down to earth with a bump….
The session, The Problem of Labour, looked at the exploitation of migrant and short-term labourers on British farms and how the alternative agriculture sector can be part of the solution.
We heard an excellent panel discuss real-life examples of horrendous living conditions seasonal labourers have experienced on UK farms recently.
Not just living conditions, but ridiculous working hours, poor welfare facilities and sometimes changes to terms without communicating to the workers.
A mentor of mine once said to me, “If the accommodation you’re offering isn’t good enough for your son or daughter to live in, it’s not good enough for anyone else.”
It was a sobering session to say the least, especially after the positivity, smiles and community feel I had witnessed (again) at Groundswell this year.
But I do feel that it was right to hold the session at the festival; these more niche sessions hold the most value to me personally, and I am not sure where else in UK Ag they can get the same sort of platform.
I also think that the general farming Groundswell ticket buyer can do (and is doing) such good work in this area. They are putting so much effort, time and money into improving their soils and nature on their farms; it goes without saying that the same level of commitment is going into their people as well…. doesn’t it?
After all, if we want to grow products that we are proud of, ensuring the people who plant, pick, process and pack those crops are treated fairly must be a top priority.
Details on this session can be found on the Groundswell website.
On the farm, harvest is progressing very well indeed – it’s the furthest ahead I have ever been with harvest at this time of year. I’m easily achieving 160-hectare combining days, helped by the early-morning starts and not needing to worry about moistures, etc!
The second heatwave we had in June seemed to be the point where crops said enough is enough and shut down. Of course, the long dry spring/summer has really hit the yield potential of these crops. They looked so good coming out of the winter, but that heatwave was the final straw.
Winter wheat on heavier ground is holding its own; lighter land has really suffered. Even in a single field, we have seen huge variations in yield depending on the soil types.
I do think the spring barley will be a reasonable crop; we will see in the next few days once the combine gets stuck into it. I am convinced the system we put in place to establish spring cereals goes a long way in preserving moisture and giving the crop the best chance in dry years.
No soil movement is done in the spring. Instead, we cultivate (where needed) and seed a cover crop in the summer. This is then drilled straight into some seven or eight months later with the Condor, Avatar and finer drills.
Despite the poorer yields, I want to wish everyone a safe and fun harvest. Try and enjoy it; it’s a special time of year and must still be celebrated for what it is – a result of everyone’s hard work during the past year.
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ig – @thriveinfarming
