admin | July 26, 2007
The Harvest
The oilseed rape became ripe earlier in the week and on Tuesday the sun broke through the clouds and we were able to begin harvesting the crop. Unfortunately all the heavy rain over the past few weeks has meant that the soil is so waterlogged that the combine harvester is unable to travel on [...]
sara | July 10, 2007
The oilseed rape harvest is approaching here on the farm. Normally the crop is ’swathed’. This is where a machine cuts the crop and lays it back down on the ground in rows with the seed pods intact. The rape is swathed approximately 2 weeks before the combine harvester comes along and picks up the [...]
admin | June 6, 2007
The farmers on our farm are busy silage making at the moment.
On Sunday the field of grass was cut and left to wilt in the field. Today (Wednesday) the grass was baled and then collected from the field and wrapped in the farm yard so that the grass can become silage.
When I arrived home this afternoon, [...]
admin | May 23, 2007
What Are Potato Crisps?
Potato crisps are a snack made from potatoes. The potatoes are peeled, washed, sliced and then fried in vegetable oil before they become potato crisps.
The Journey From Seed Potato To Potato Crisp
Field Preparation – The fields are prepared for potato planting. They are ploughed and then fertiliser is applied. Then the field is [...]
sara | April 19, 2007
March and April is always potato planting time on our farm. We normally finish planting the seed potatoes by Good Friday so that my husband can participate in the Good Friday tradition in our area – watching the rugby in our local town.
Planting Seed Potatoes Planting Seed Potatoes Planting Seed Potatoes
This year the seed potato [...]
admin | February 27, 2007
Plants and crops are living organisms.
Crops are specific plants that are grown in a vegetable patch, allotment or field.
Plants and crops need certain conditions in order to grow.
What Do Plants And Crops Need To Grow?
Sunlight
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Water (H2O)
Nutrients
Correct Temperature
Plants and crops absorb water (H2O) through their roots.
This water (H2O) absorption is the means by which plants and [...]
admin | January 29, 2007
Potatoes are mainly grown for human consumption.
Potatoes are now part of the British staple diet.
The market price of potatoes fluctuates according to supply and demand.
Potatoes are put in storage to meet the demand for year round potatoes.
They are susceptible to frost and must be stored in insulated buildings to keep them in good condition.
Potatoes are [...]
admin | January 28, 2007
Barley is a cereal crop.
It is a strain of grass that is cultivated and harvested for it’s grain.
There are many different varieties of barley, some are sown in the Spring and some in the Autumn.
Spring sown barley is known as Spring barley and is harvested in early August.
Autumn sown barley is known as Winter barley and is [...]
admin | January 28, 2007
Oats are a cereal crop.
They are a strain of grass that are cultivated and harvested for their grain.
Oats were commonly fed to cattle and horses.
The production of oats has declined since the mechanisation of farming and the replacement of the horse by the tractor.
The decline has also come about because barley is a higher yielding [...]
admin | January 24, 2007
Oilseed rape is known as canola in America.
Oilseed rape is grown for the oil extracted from it’s black seeds.
It can be used as a break crop in a rotation mainly based on cereals.
Oilseed rape can be Spring sown but it is mainly Autumn sown.
Autumn sown rape has a higher yield and oil content.
This crop is [...]
