LIZZY Etheridge and Andy Fussell of Fussells Farms recently gave a talk to the Westbury & District u3a on 12th April.
The club report, “You might remember Fussells condensed milk? Well, this is no longer produced, but enquiries still pop up from around the world!
“Andy explained that Fussells Farm is third generation, with the initial crops being just wheat and barley. As fallow fields are no longer allowed on farms due to global warming from too much carbon being released, Fussells undertook crop rotation with beans, maize, stubble turnips, grass, wheat, barley and oilseed rape.
“The oilseed rape crops are pollinated by a million bees (from Waggle & Hum), which live in several hives set up amongst the plants; crops are pollinated in return for honey. Crops are checked over by staff crop-walking, looking for stony, dry and clay areas, on which the plants cannot grow, though rape is generally quite a sturdy plant providing the cabbage flea beetle doesn’t attack it. The rape blooms produce pods full of seed; these need to be dry for sowing and are checked by rattling the seed-pods. A good rattle means the seeds have dried!
“Strategic planting is used on the farm, with barley being ready first, followed by oilseed rape and wheat. Fussels Fine Foods (one ‘l’ unlike the Fussell name with two ls!) is run as a separate company from the farm; it produces rapeseed oils, mayonnaise, and other goodies, which can be sourced from some supermarkets and the on-site shop. The companies also run trucks, fishing lakes, storage facilities and a brewery.”
The next speaker at the club is David Bailey (not that one!), who will speak about wildlife photography as well as hosting a quiz at 2pm on May 10th in the URC Hall, Warminster Road, Westbury BA13 3PJ. Park at the rear, off Butts Road via Hospital Road. £2 payable on entry.
