Brett Vale Farming Diary - January 2026
I’ve racked my brains of another way to start the month’s entry but the weather is such a big part of what we do that its nearly impossible to ignore it! We have to keep the drains and ditches in good order. We started with a bit of snow, a short cold snap and now we’ve had a lot of rain!! The dry autumn has meant the soil is in good condition and the water is filtering through to the land drains and the ditches are running well.
The workshop has been busy with a wide variety of tasks. One of the farm pick-ups was a bit corroded in the buck framework and the sills had seen better days. Our multi-skilled team member, Rob, got to work patching up the buck and replacing the sills. This was a good opportunity to make sure everything else was sound ahead of its MOT in February.
The clod boards in one of the power harrows has worn beyond repair, the price of new ones were eye watering so we had a measure up, ordered some steel and Rob set about making a new set. Again, while this was in the workshop, we made sure everything else was ok. This included changing the gearbox oils, Rob found some leaking seals so changed them and replaced broken guards.
We have also been adding some branding to machinery so give us a wave if you see us out and about!
We try to move the majority of our grain over the winter months when we are quieter and can’t be out in the fields.
Wheat has been going to local mills, malting barley to nearby processors before it goes to our sister company, Mauldons Brewery in Sudbury, and feed barley to Ipswich docks for export.
We also had Anglia Grain Services come to farm to clean 30 tonnes of spring barley ready for planting this year.
Claas Manns and Horsch came to the farm to give training on the new drill which we bought at the end of last year. This included demonstrating the calibration procedure and how to set the down pressure to each seeding unit, plus advising on common wearing parts and which spares to keep in stock. Thanks to James and Lawrence for their help.
Away from the farm, I have been training for this year’s London Marathon on the 26th April. I attended the Manchester Marathon last year to support my brother, Will. The feel good atmosphere really struck me and I caught the running bug! Training is now ramping up and distances getting longer and more frequent. I’m looking forward to the spring when I can stop running in the dark with a beanie hat on!
I was lucky to get a charity place and will be running for the Kyaninga Child Development Centre in Uganda. If you wish to donate, the link is below. I, and they, would be extremely grateful for anything you can give.​
https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/oliver-pratt
Very many thanks and see you in a month’s time!
Oliver Pratt, January 2026
Photo Credit: Oliver Pratt