From plough to harvest

THIS year’s Main Ring attraction at the Henley Farm & Country Show is a display of machinery highlighting the plough to harvest process.

The machinery, which has been lent to the show by the local farming community, is used at various times during the year, depending on the crop, season and weather.

Visitors will be able to see the pieces used for ploughing and cultivating the earth, including turning and mixing the soil, so it is ready for a new crop to be sown.

Drilling and planting machinery used to place seeds into the soil, at varying depths depending on the crop, will also be on display. Other pieces will show how crops are sprayed and fertilised, how they are monitored and treated, only when necessary, to support healthy plants. Various options can be used, from organic (manure, compost and lime) to fertiliser and chemical fungicide and herbicides.

When it comes to harvest time, ripe, mature crops and grain are collected and separated via machine.

Some machines produce grain in the machine and straw either spread on to the field or left in a swath to bale.

Meanwhile, the produce tent will display the best of what domestic growers have to offer, with 75 classes covering fruit, vegetables and flowers.

There are also classes for preserves, cookery and baking, arts and crafts, photography and children, including build a scarecrow.

The event has been organised by Donna Guile, of Nettlebed, for 25 years, and each section of the produce tent will have at least two judges.

The scarecrows will be judged by Tom Dunn, the president of the Henley and District Agricultural Association, which organises the show.

All classes will be judged according to Royal Horticultural Society rules, using the current society handbook.

The cups will be presented in the produce tent as near to 3.30pm as possible and prize money must be collected before 5pm, otherwise it will be donated to show funds.

For more information, including how to enter, email donna.guile1@icloud.com