Real Results Grower: Daniel King
Daniel King, D.S & J.E King & Son, Pasture Hill Farm.
Pasture Hill Farm comprises over 700ha of tenanted and contract farmed land. The rotation includes milling, feed and seed quality wheat, winter barley, oilseed rape, winter beans, linseed and spring oats. Wheat is grown on a two-year rotation and yields, on average 9.5t/ha.
For Daniel, successful farming is underpinned by paying attention to detail, achieving balance and spreading risk. Whether it’s nutrition, controlling weeds or staying on top of disease. Balance is key – while the priority will always be business-focused, the environmental impacts of activities are always in Daniel’s mind.
Being part of the Real Results Circle meant Daniel got to see how Luximo® worked on his farm and on the black-grass population he has here as well as talk to the BASF team about their learnings.
About Daniel
Daniel is a conscientious grower, who seeks to maximise returns by paying close attention to detail. That approach is equally applied to marketing of crops as it is the agronomy.
Daniel’s a thirst for knowledge. It’s one of the reasons he’s involved in the Real Results Circle and regularly hosts trials.
For Daniel, successful farming is underpinned by paying attention to detail, achieving balance and spreading risk. Whether it’s nutrition, controlling weeds or staying on top of disease, he’s meticulous.
There are a wide variety of crops at Pasture Hill Farm, many of which are sold forward – further spreading risk. Balance is key – while the priority will always be business-focused, the environmental impacts of activities are always in Daniel’s mind.
Sustainability and looking to the future of Pasture Hill Farm
What are you doing to ensure your farming operation remains sustainable and resilient for the future?
“I’m trying to keep machinery costs as low as possible, as well as looking at different crops and varieties to reduce inputs. At the other end, I aim to be savvy with the grain market – selling into those where I know I’ll make a profit. Currently, being sustainable and resilient is about keeping a handle on costs.
“Much of that also carried environmental benefits. By reducing the number of passes at cultivation from three or four to just one, we’re protecting soil biology. We’ve not used insecticides for two years now and apply very few, if any, slug pellets. In some cases, we’re using genetics as a way of avoiding pest issues. For example, I won’t grow varieties unless they are orange blossom midge resistant.
“We’re also in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and using buffer zones and strips to protect water courses and hedges.”
How is IPM integrated into your farming operation?
“At a macro level, I’m focusing farming efforts on the highest yielding areas of the farm and putting the less productive areas into a stewardship scheme. Included within that is hedgerow management – an important habitat for beneficial insects.”
“Our crop rotation prevents the build-up of pests and disease, but at a crop level, the best example is probably our approach to black-grass control where late drilling, crop variety and seed rates are all part of staying on top of the weed.”
Why did you get involved in Real Results Circle?
“So as I can gain more knowledge about how growing crops and new technologies.”
How has your involvement in RRC benefited you and your farming business?
“It’s made me think differently and broadened my horizons.”
What do you get out of by hosting the Real Results Demo site?
“I got to see, Luximo 2-3 years ahead of its launch, for example. I got to see how it worked on my farm and on the black-grass population we have here as well as talk to the BASF team about their learnings.”
Why farming is the Biggest Job on Earth?
“Farming provides food for people to eat, looks after the environment and supports the rural economy.”