Announcements & off-topic conversations
Grahame Hunter
Public
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This is a space for
- announcements which members wish to bring to the attention of the group as a whole, and that they prefer not to request for me to distribute in a general email.
- random topics and conversations outside the remit of more specific specific threads.
So, in brief, for anything the group want to discuss in what is still a public forum, but not relevant to another main thread..this is the place.
Wendy Alcock Fri 16 Apr 2021 9:48AM
So sorry to hear this about Tony. Thank you for letting us know John.
Steven Jacobs Fri 16 Apr 2021 6:40AM
Oh John, that is such sad news.
Tony was a brilliant scholar and a warm and open person. I am proud to have known him for the brief time that I did.
John Cherry Thu 15 Apr 2021 4:30PM
I feel dreadful that I've taken so long to answer your points Steven and now I've heard the ghastly news that Tony Allan has died. So, if you'll excuse me, I'll leave it a bit longer to answer.
Tony was an intellectual giant and the nicest man I've ever come across and I am just terribly sad
John
Tony Allan Fri 26 Mar 2021 9:51AM
Thank you Steven for your very informative comments. Your invitation to consider a long term approach to OurField including taller heritage wheat and weed control is timely. Also the use of nitrogen fertiliser, regenerative practices, agroforestry, nutrition and marketing. We need John to share what he is thinking. Tony ALLAN
Steven Jacobs Thu 25 Mar 2021 2:56PM
Hi,
There are several issues here then aren't there?
Weeds are an issue, they compete with the crop, plus if weed seed is not removed after the crop is cut then there are issues such as fungal infection of the grain.
We have discussed approaches to weed control and management. I know that people in this group have voiced opposition to use of herbicides such as glyphosate and John doesn't use a plough.
I wonder then what the long term strategy is?
Another factor I believe we have yet to resolve is use of fertiliser.
The choice is generally between each or a mix of these; green manures - clovers and such, animal manures or manufactured fertilisers.
That last one has an enormous GHG footprint. Research from Sheffield Uni showed that around half the GHG of a conventional loaf of bread is the artifical fertiliser ammonium nitrate, and much of that is from the manufacture of that product before it even gets to the farm.
Some farmers use harrows and hoes to take out or even just to stress the weeds. Timing is vital and it can be nerve wracking when a young wheat crop is already sprouting.
Variety choice has a key role too. Research shows that taller varieties are generally found to be more weed competetive than more recent;y bred varieties. Taller can refer to anything as recent as Maris Widgeon - 1960s - or as far back as April Bearded - 1860s.
Another advantage to taller wheats is they can grow well with less fertility. That would help if ammonium nitrate is not being used. It doesn't when it is being used, as taller wheats are more likely to lodge, to fall over, where a bag fertiliser is applied.
Anyway, food for thought if people are interested in such a discussion.
Do we want to look at what the long term strategy for OurField is?
Wendy Alcock Tue 16 Mar 2021 8:25PM
Thanks for the update John. As others have said I agree the idea of a beer sounds good if (some of) the grain is good enough. The various grades make it hard for lay people like me to comment, so I wanted to say I am happy for you and John L to use the grain for any purpose you think is best. Sorry not to be able to feed in more widely.
Cat Gregory Tue 9 Mar 2021 12:13PM
Sorry he’s just sent me a link that might be handy. It’s for barley but wheat is more or less the same:
https://www.ukmalt.com/uk-malting-industry/barley-requirements/
I think the assessment would need to be made by the maltster rather than the brewery?
Cat
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Cat Gregory Tue 9 Mar 2021 12:08PM
Hi all,
Thanks John for the update.
My partner is a brewer so I’ve just mentioned this to him.
Are we sure that the quality is good enough for malting? He seems to think if it’s not good enough for milling, it’s unlikely to be good enough for malting. Or at least that there isn’t a buyer for something that isn’t of a
certain quality.
So is there a way to get this assessed by the buyer (the breweries?) and maybe get some kind of guarantee that they will purchase once the grain is malted? I’m assuming malting would have a cost attached?
I think it’s a great idea but it only works if the malted wheat can be used.
Cat
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Tony Allan Tue 9 Mar 2021 10:26AM
John Letts has provided a lot of very relevant information and advice. I suggest you do whatever you have time to do. The beer making option sounds interesting but someone needs to have time to make things happen. If you (and we) don't have time I think the risks are too high to get involved in such a venture. Best regards Tony
Kirsten Foster · Sat 17 Apr 2021 11:52AM
I'm so sorry to hear that. I think I only met him the once, at a meeting at the E5 bakehouse, but his contributions there and throughout have been so instructive and important. Condolences to John and everyone else who knew him.