Farming
The welcome return to a more ‘normal’ spring has allowed a less stressful spring planting campaign with barley, oats and peas for harvest 2025 all done by the first few days of April. Most of which was planned but we’ve also replaced some of the poorer crops which didn’t survive the wet winter. The colder temperatures are still holding back early growth and it’s only a matter of time before we start asking for some rain…., you never meet a farmer that’s happy with the weather!
Attention now turns to establishing areas of wild bird seeds and pollen & nectar mixtures for the coming summer, autumn and winter. These areas form part of our Countryside Stewardship agreement which is in the last year of it’s five year commitment. Following recent government announcements there’s no certainty of it continuing or how it will be replaced in 2026, we can only hope that we get some clarification soon.
Fundraising cake and plant sale for the Newbury, RDA
The annual fundraising cake and plant sale will be taking place on 14th May in Yattendon Village square. This is always a popular event and all the money raised goes to the Newbury branch of the RDA based at Wyld Court Stud.
Awareness event stops off in Yattendon
On the same morning of the RDA cake and plant sale, Yattendon square will be hosting 2 members of the British Horse Society and 2 Thames Valley police horses as part of the national campaign project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death). The British horse society riders are riding 86km from Lambourn to Windsor Horse Show in memory of a 2 year old horse that was killed by a car in Lambourn. The ride also aims to raise awareness of the dangers faced by horses on the roads and educating drivers on the best and safest way to pass them. The riders will be joined by local media and a mystery celebrity for a send off from the village square on 14th May at 10am so please join us to meet the police horses and show your support for the campaign.
Welcome to our newest commercial tenants
Ceres Rural are the latest addition to the variety of businesses based at Frilsham Home Farm on the edge of Yattendon. They are a national firm offering farming consultancy, technical support and business management on a broad range of rural specialisms. Just some of the topics they can help with includes crop management, grant advice, carbon counting, biodiversity offsetting, renewables diversification and business reviews.
