The first of the slurry has now been safely spread, with very little damage to the land. Despite the heavy rain that fell for a short time as a result of Storm Brendan, the effect on land trafficability seems to have been limited, though I was disappointed at how some of the drains started flowing more vigorously.

We picked land for the first slurry application that had been grazed into late November. Some of the early closed up paddocks have, after a comparatively mild winter, more grass on them than I would like to put slurry on, so we will see how the rest dry out and if necessary, wait until a light first grazing has been taken. But the immediate slurry pressure has been taken care of.

This week, with the promised dry weather, we will see how the land ploughs up for the postponed oats and winter wheat. Last year, we got the beans planted in mid-February. At that stage, we could actually see dust behind the one-pass system. I am slow to count on a repeat this year, but we will still try and take the opportunity to make up for last autumn’s difficulties if we can.

TAMS

Meanwhile, I have received official notification that my TAMS application has been approved and I am now free to go ahead and purchase the qualifying equipment.

First on the list is a new fertiliser spreader - the one we are replacing has given good service over about six years I reckon, but the body work has, over the years, deteriorated badly and it doesn’t owe me much at this stage.

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