NEWS
Getting a green light - A massive investment into a 40.2m robotic potato grader was the highlight of a visit to Hugh Crane Farms at Upton. George Crane and his father Nick welcomed 25 members and guests, who were shown the 2013-built reservoir holding 330,000 cu metres or 72.5m gallons.
Now, barely one-third full, it was built on a 15ft to 20ft thick bed of clay and protected by willows to prevent erosion. While members stood in a "green light" potato store, George Crane explained that the special LED lights prevented greening of potatoes in store. The party was also greatly impressed by the investment in a heavy-duty compactor or baler, which could crush the waste contents of 12 potato bags into one 450kg compact bale. This has probably reduced his disposal costs by about £3,000pa. And many wondered whether there was the possibility for the Crane's compactor to be taken to other farms through a new local co-operative initiative.
For full report see minutes and reports in the left tab.
[22/10/26]
Beet entries invited - One of the club's longest-running competitions for sugar beet growers will be judged later this month. Entries for the best two acres and the best overall beet crops will be judged by British Sugar's Charlie Lockhart. The prizes will be presented at the club's annual dinner on Wednesday, March 24 at Salhouse Lodge by ABF's chief executive George Weston. Please send entries to the secretary, Michael Pollitt, via email - michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com or to my mobile
-07852 718342. The same field may be entered for both competitions. A map showing location, (W3W) or google map and the size of field and best field access would assist the secretary and judge.
[07/10/26]
A diamond celebration – A family gathering for 27 at the Recruiting Sergeant, Horstead, marked the diamond jubilee of Stalham Farmers’ Club member Malcolm and Valerie Nicholson. They were married at Hickling Church on Saturday, October 3, 1966. [06/10/26]
Brunstead Trosh – Friends, neighbours and machinery enthusiasts enjoyed a sunshine day and watched a 1930s Marshall thrashing drum and 1928 Marshall steamer at work.
Host Alan Beck, of Brunstead Hall, had grown the one-hectare crop of the 1860s wheat variety Squareheads Master. The 10-strong team was led by Scott Bunting, of Skeyton, who brought along Roger Coe’s drum, with a 1930s Lanz baler, and his traction engine, Monty, on Sunday, October 4.
The crop yielded about 25 cwt an acre but more importantly produced long lengths of straw in great demand from thatchers, who use it for ridges.
Two traction engines added a nostalgic touch alongside several veteran cars while a neighbour, Richie Hannant, brought along his 1914 Aveling & Porter traction engine, the Duke of Norfolk.
For another spectator, Tony Nicholson, it brought back memories from 60 years ago of working with threshing teams. “It was in March 1966 – the year that England won the world Cup – that we last threshed a wheat crop at Sutton. The combine harvester had taken over from the binders and threshing drums,” he added.
A barbecue run by Scott’s father Stewart raised donations for the Big C.
Please look at the pictures in the Photo Gallery!
[06/10/26]
Exciting programme planned for new season - From a large organic farm enterprise in Suffolk to the country's leading specialist salad grower, there's plenty to interest members, and guests, of Stalham Farmers' Club in the latest winter programme.
A visit to a specialist potato grower using a robotic potato grader kicks off the season later this month before the indoor season starts on Wednesday, November 11 with Henry Shropshire, of G's, and colleague Alex Duncan, of East Coast Growers.
On December 9, again at Wroxham Barns, John Pawsey and his son Rufus, will outline the challenges facing their fourth-generation Shimpling Park business, near Bury St Edmunds.
The New Year starts with another "double header" as Frances Roberson, of the RNAA's food and farming discovery trust, and award-winning ice cream maker and Mid-Norfolk dairy farmer Charlotte Dann, outline their ideas on promoting food and farming on January 13. And young farmers' club members are especially welcome to attend all our meetings.
While the date has not yet been settled, Tom Youngs, from Sankence Farm, near Aylsham, will talk in February about the decision to start a new beef herd. It was a quarter of a century ago that the dairy herd was dispered.
The club's annual dinner returns to Salhouse Lodge on Wednesday, March
24 and George Weston, chief executive of ABF (Associated British Foods) will be speaking and presenting the trophies and prize cards.
The chairman, Jason Cantrill, supported by vice-chairman William Love, hope this attractive programme will encourage more members, and guests, to support the winter indoor meetings at Wroxham Barns. Again, all are welcome to join the speakers and club officers for supper beforehand.
Supper is a two-course meal, which must be booked in advance and the secretary, Michael Pollitt, will circulate details before each meeting.
And meanwhile, entries for the sugar beet competitions are being encouraged as well as grain samples for the wheat and barley cups. For details, contact Michael Pollitt, 07852 718342, email michaelbpollitt@btinternet or ring 01603 486997.
[02/10/26]