{"id":1308094,"date":"2024-05-22T06:20:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T05:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriland.ie\/?p=1308094"},"modified":"2024-05-21T21:12:43","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T20:12:43","slug":"armagh-grower-commits-to-growing-winter-crops-only","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsail.agriland.ie\/farming-news\/armagh-grower-commits-to-growing-winter-crops-only\/","title":{"rendered":"Armagh grower commits to growing winter crops only"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Co. Armagh cereal grower, Tim McClelland, is maintaining an effective crop rotation by focusing on winter crops only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McClelland said: \u201cToo many late spring planting seasons, poor seed beds and the problematic September harvests that followed were the key reasons for me switching solely to winter crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not to say autumn planting throws up more than its fair share of challenges. Last back-end was a case in point, but the system I have put in place suits the land that is available to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McClelland farms close to the village of Tandragee, where his farm extends close to 270ac. His cropping mix comprises winter oats, wheat, barley<\/a> and oilseed rape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe business is LEAF-accredited. This means that we are certified by a lead\u00ading glob\u00adal assur\u00adance sys\u00adtem that officially recognises more sus\u00adtain\u00adably farmed prod\u00aducts,” the cereal grower said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n McClelland\u2019s oats are sold to the nearby White\u2019s milling operation. Part of the Fane Valley group, the business specialises in the production of porridge and granola.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRape is a very effective break crop and is followed by wheat in the rotation that is now in place on the farm,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n