NEWS
INDOOR SEASON KICKS OFF - Members and guests are invited to the club's first indoor meeting at Wroxham Barns on Wednesday, November 11. Henry Shropshire, of G's, and colleague Alex Duncan, of East Coast Growers, will be speaking on the theme - "Preparing to farm for 2040, with success", from 7.30pm. However, all are welcome to join the chairman and speakers at supper beforehand from 6pm, sit down at 6.25pm.
The two-course meal, £20, will be cottage pie and Bakewell Tart, which MUST be booked in advance through the secretary Michael Pollitt. Please text 07852 718342 or email michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com or telephone
01603 486997 by Monday, November 9 (5pm). Payment may be made to the club's bank - Barclays - Stalham Farmers Club 20 99 21 Acc 40827886 or cash on the night. All bookings will be acknowledged and half a dozen places have also been booked.
[27/10/26]
GRAIN SAMPLES - Members and invited to bring samples of grain and barley to the meeting on Wednesday, November 11. It is also the 90th anniversary year of the barley cup - first presented in 1937. The club's winning sample will be judged against Jack Hammond's sample of Buccaneer, which won the Holt & District Farmers' Club's malting barley competition. Incidentally, the first winner in January 1938 was Mr Ivan Wright, of Stalham, and the runner-up, Mr James Alston, of Sloley.
Norfolk Agricultural Station, of Sprowston, was third and the reserve, Mr H J Cook, of Ludham.
Samples may be left at Sands Agricultural Machinery at Catfield, by kind permission of Neal Sands or delivered to Chris Borrett, of Adams & Howling at Little Plumstead.
Finally, it is hoped - rain and weather permitting - to judge the sugar beet competitions early next week. A total of 10 entries have been received for the whole crop and best two-acre.
[27/10/26]
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]