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81 Vol 21-1. May - August 2012

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79 Vol 20 - Issue 3 - Autumn 2011

78 - Vol 20 - Issue 2 - Summer 2011

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Just a note to let you know how we have enjoyed reading Practial Farm Ideas. It's one of the best farm magazines we have had for a long time and will pass it around for our friends to read - it's so interesting that you just can't put it down. Keep up the good work!

S.J.Perry, Exeter

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Good time for grass aerating

Cattle always seem to do well with sun on their backs, but they need feeding at the same time! As the dry weather continues so grass supplies get tight - everyone is praying for rain.

You want to make the most of it when it comes. Fields which have an impermeable surface, caused by cattle poaching, tractor tyres etc, can't absorb the summer shower - the rain stays on the surface and is evaporated when the sun comes out. Allowing the shower to quickly soak in below the surface means creating an absorbent surface.

It's a good time to get the aerator or spiking machine out.

There's a commercial aerator made by Glenside, which won a Silver RASE Award. Other machines have been made by Browns, Ritchie, Aerway, and others.

I made one myself in 1989, which is still in working order. At the time none were available commercially, and this cost just £200. It is 8ft wide and uses a scrap trailed mower. If I were doing the job again I would spend more time on the design, making it wider.

I featured my home made aerator in the first issue of Farm Ideas, Vol 1, Issue 1.

There are a few copies left, and I will bundle them with a new subscription at no additional charge.

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