Photos from last few days 1) Church on Sunday morning with Kelly and Matthew.
2) Dinner with Nuffield group recieved a gift from Indian visitor
3) Video of Flora Holland
Tuesday 28 February 2012
Monday 27 February 2012
CSCin full swing
Well, I have met and not yet remembered the names, of all the other international 2012 scholars, and the contemporary scholars conference is in full swing. Thus am not up to date with the joural blog...
Sunday morning, with the option of a sleep in, I actually chose church. I was hoping for a westminister abbey like building and a really good singalong. The church was not quite as I hoped, but still a lovely building, and it was a nice service. Unfortunately, as first day of lent, the songs were all slow, and a little droney, and a lot out of tune :)
We spent Sunday arvo presenting ourselves and out topic to the group, which was really great to see where everyone was from and who they were all about! Another beutiful meal in the hotel, and not a too late night!!
A 6am start Monday to get to Floraholland, a HUGE co-op in the Netherlands that sells 98.5% of the flowers in this country. It was amazing to see their auction system of buying/selling flowers, and absolutely amazing to see the number of flowers they pump through their sheds everyday. I still do not really understand how the right flower gets into the right truck by the end of the day, and down to the right florist! It was beutiful to see and smell th flowers too!!
We spent the rest of the day listening to speakers, and discussing the topic of co-operatives. It was really interesting, and something that affects every single farmer, so made for a lot of discussion. The Netherlands has a huge number of co-ops and they work really well. I am not convinced they're the
best option in WA, but they definitely do have a place in the right environment!
Everyone was really exhausted and flat when we left FloraHolland, but we headed off straight away for a boat cruise of the Netherlands port. It was really amazing to see the number and size of some of the boats!! We had a fantastic meal, and a really fun night.
Today is anther early start, so off to breaky for me! photos tonight!!!!
Sunday morning, with the option of a sleep in, I actually chose church. I was hoping for a westminister abbey like building and a really good singalong. The church was not quite as I hoped, but still a lovely building, and it was a nice service. Unfortunately, as first day of lent, the songs were all slow, and a little droney, and a lot out of tune :)
We spent Sunday arvo presenting ourselves and out topic to the group, which was really great to see where everyone was from and who they were all about! Another beutiful meal in the hotel, and not a too late night!!
A 6am start Monday to get to Floraholland, a HUGE co-op in the Netherlands that sells 98.5% of the flowers in this country. It was amazing to see their auction system of buying/selling flowers, and absolutely amazing to see the number of flowers they pump through their sheds everyday. I still do not really understand how the right flower gets into the right truck by the end of the day, and down to the right florist! It was beutiful to see and smell th flowers too!!
We spent the rest of the day listening to speakers, and discussing the topic of co-operatives. It was really interesting, and something that affects every single farmer, so made for a lot of discussion. The Netherlands has a huge number of co-ops and they work really well. I am not convinced they're the
best option in WA, but they definitely do have a place in the right environment!
Everyone was really exhausted and flat when we left FloraHolland, but we headed off straight away for a boat cruise of the Netherlands port. It was really amazing to see the number and size of some of the boats!! We had a fantastic meal, and a really fun night.
Today is anther early start, so off to breaky for me! photos tonight!!!!
Saturday 25 February 2012
Amsterdam
An early start to get to Heathrow by 5.30am, also meant that I hardly slept for the night worried about the alarm clock!! But got to the airport no worries, and made the short trip over to the Netherlands. A train in Rotterdam, and taxi to this VERY flash hotel that we have booked into with all the Nuffield crew. Unfortunately, I missed the bus for the tour of Amsterdam, which I was very disappointed about. Originally it was meant to depart at 12, but the plans were changed and it didn’t get through the pipeline to me!!
But never mind, I got to go for a jog around the park, then a short rest before I hired a bike (cause that is what you do in this city), and cruised down into the city for a coffee. Thought there would be coffee shops galore, but not to be. I eventually found a good one, after riding on the wrong side of the footpath most of the way! The sun disappeared, and I had to head home quickly as the temperature dropped rapidly.
So now waiting for the bus to get back so I can catch up with all the gang. Here is a terrible photo of me on my bike. Very comfortable bike btw!!
Friday 24 February 2012
Friday at Rothamsted Research Centre
I headed off early from John and Wendy's to meet Stephen Moss at the Rothamsted research Centre in Harpenden.
Steve is weed specialist, and has spent most of his working life studying black grass, the equivalent of our annual ryegrass. It was interesting to chat about management techniques they are using to control this difficult weed, but unfortunately they are not doing anything different from what we are doing with ryegrass.
I also was able to chat to Alison, a scientist that had been involved in the large farm scale field trials of GM crops in England about 10 years ago. The trials were to determine if GM crops had an effect on native birds and wildlife. The results concluded that GM silverbeet and canola did have an effect on native biodiversity, but GM Maize did not. Unfortunately, a lot of the results shown to the general public, alluded to the idea that it was the GM plants themselves were affecting the biodiversity, rather than the timing of ther herbicide sprays. It is so important to get the message accross clearly!
Rothamsted are about to begin a GM wheat trial. They have invested a huge amount of money in the security of the trial, and are even going to employ a full time security guard for the site.
I had a quick look at the oldest running wheat and grass trials in the world, although it is obviously not the best time of the year to look at trials!
I had to scoot my little bluey back to Cambridge, and just got onto the train to London before dark. I have booked into what I now call 'my' b and b in Kings Cross. John has me organised as how to get to the airport by 5.30am tommorow, taxi and train. So lucky to have him organising my public transport !
Looking forward to heading to Amsterdam tommorow, and catching up with all the Nuffield gang!
Steve is weed specialist, and has spent most of his working life studying black grass, the equivalent of our annual ryegrass. It was interesting to chat about management techniques they are using to control this difficult weed, but unfortunately they are not doing anything different from what we are doing with ryegrass.
I also was able to chat to Alison, a scientist that had been involved in the large farm scale field trials of GM crops in England about 10 years ago. The trials were to determine if GM crops had an effect on native birds and wildlife. The results concluded that GM silverbeet and canola did have an effect on native biodiversity, but GM Maize did not. Unfortunately, a lot of the results shown to the general public, alluded to the idea that it was the GM plants themselves were affecting the biodiversity, rather than the timing of ther herbicide sprays. It is so important to get the message accross clearly!
Rothamsted are about to begin a GM wheat trial. They have invested a huge amount of money in the security of the trial, and are even going to employ a full time security guard for the site.
I had a quick look at the oldest running wheat and grass trials in the world, although it is obviously not the best time of the year to look at trials!
I had to scoot my little bluey back to Cambridge, and just got onto the train to London before dark. I have booked into what I now call 'my' b and b in Kings Cross. John has me organised as how to get to the airport by 5.30am tommorow, taxi and train. So lucky to have him organising my public transport !
Looking forward to heading to Amsterdam tommorow, and catching up with all the Nuffield gang!
Wheat in controlled growth room used for extracting genes from wheat.
Thursday 23 February 2012
John Innes Centre
After spending another night with David and Christine, I headed off this morning to the John Innes Centre in Norwich. At this centre, they do a lot of ground breaking biotechnology research in horticulture and agriculture. Catherine Reynolds, the communications manager there, was the perfect person to talk to in regard to my nuffield research project. Her team is in charge of informing the consumer and media about what GM actually is. They have taken the approach of rather than keeping what they're doing there a secret, they invite everyone who is at all interested to come in and have a look. Nothing is kept hidden from any consumer, researcher or green group. I have heaps more to say about what I learnt with her but now really need to get to sleep, so maybe when I am at the airport I can update on that!
I have got back to John and Wendys tonight. Ben Webster came over for a cuppa and it was really nice to see him and his wife and daughter. Then ate some more delious food and drank some more delicous red wine, and rolled myself up to bed!! :) What happened to that AFD I was meant to have today ?.........
Night
I have got back to John and Wendys tonight. Ben Webster came over for a cuppa and it was really nice to see him and his wife and daughter. Then ate some more delious food and drank some more delicous red wine, and rolled myself up to bed!! :) What happened to that AFD I was meant to have today ?.........
Night
Wednesday with David Hill
We started the day with a visit to James Nelstrop, who started and runs the whisky making business 'English Whisky'. James was also a Nuffield and I had met him in Adelaide last year. It was amazing to see how he had started a business from scratch and built it up to what it is today. The taste test at the end was terrible, but very much enjoyed the look around.
We were then able to look around David's farm. His main crop is grass seed, and he has a large seed cleaning plant set up in his sheds. The crops all look like they could do with a drink, but they are also just coming out of a very cold spell so look a little sick from that too. The photo below is a picture of Davids sheds. They were SO old and the buildings were amazing!! The old house on the farm was really something to look at!!
After lunch, we visited a large farmer in Colton, Ian Arlston. Ian was a Nuffield, and he has done amazing things with his farming business. After nearly going broke many years ago in the spud industry, Ian now runs; a large business office rental site, a grain storage and drying (20,000 tonne), a self storage for townies (sea containers), water resovoir storage and on-sale to farmers down stream, as well as the farm business growing and packing spuds, growing canola, wheat and barley. Really innovative guy. He also wants to start a site on his farm called the Norfolk food hub.... but that will take a lot of explanation..... The photo below is Ian and David in Ians 15,000 tonne storage shed, which stores his own wheat and that of many of his neighbours.
We finished they day at a tiny English pub, with the low ceilings and terrible unbubbly hot english beer. We met some friends of David and Christines there. Mary Kemp, is a chef, and did a nuffield scholarship on pork in Australia. It was interesting to talk to her about GM food and her perception of it as a chef. Photo below is David, Christine and I at the little pub!
Eating WAY to much yummy English food, and it is way to cold to get out in the shorts for exercise..... so anyway bring on hockey training when I get home.......
We were then able to look around David's farm. His main crop is grass seed, and he has a large seed cleaning plant set up in his sheds. The crops all look like they could do with a drink, but they are also just coming out of a very cold spell so look a little sick from that too. The photo below is a picture of Davids sheds. They were SO old and the buildings were amazing!! The old house on the farm was really something to look at!!
Eating WAY to much yummy English food, and it is way to cold to get out in the shorts for exercise..... so anyway bring on hockey training when I get home.......
Mardlers group
The day started with a walk through Coton, John and Wendys local village. A small, pretty countryside town. I explored the church and found my great, great grandfathers gravestone. John then took me into Cambridge and I picked up my little blue puegot car!! So small, and just fit the suitcase on the back seat.
It was great to get in the car to start next adventure. I had detailed instructions on how to get to my destination, but missed the first turn off, so ended up weaving through small towns for an extra half hour. It was really the best, tourist route to go in the end!!
Next stop was Dureham, near Norwich. David and Christine Hill welcomed me into their home like I was family!! David was a Nuffield scholar, and they farm their 1400acres with canola, wheat, and grass seed. They are both very passionate about agriculture, and are very frustrated by the huge regulations placed on agriculture in England, and the influence of green groups over political decisions (like every English farmer I think!!).
We headed out to dinner with a farmer group called the ‘Mardlers’. They meet once a month over the colder months, 8 times a year. ‘Mardler’ in some old language stands for leaning on the gate and having a chat, but this group of farmers do far more than that. A guest speaker comes to each meeting to talk about all different aspects of agriculture. Tonight we had a farmer who is working his farm in collaboration with his 2 neighbours to achieve economies of scale and improve profit, whilst stilling maintaining ownership of his own land. After the speaker is dinner, and a round table discussion on the topic with the speaker. It was great to chat to a few of the farmers in the area.
Monday 20 February 2012
Sadler cousins in Cambridge
Monday 20th February; It was great to be whizzed out of the city and into the countryside today. It is really beutiful and just as I had imagined, except for the number of people and cars still everywhere!! John and Wendy Sadlers farm is on a major roadway and there are cars zooming by 24/7. John showed me around his small farm, which is cropped with wheat and canola. They are in a drought, and hoping for some rain very soon. As they are, it is hard to believe that these crops will every yield 10t/ha, but once it warms up and they put some Nitrogen on, apparently they go gangbusters! The biggest problem at the moment is the pigeons, and John showed me his novel way of keeping them away with rocket launchers...
We spent the afternoon at a neighbouring farm Childery. Martin is a large and innovative farmer in the area, and crops 1400ha's (massive in this area). He grows wheat, canola and barley, and also runs a grain storage and recieval site on his own farm. He is very pro genetic modification, and thinks that eventually England will follow the world with growing GM crops.
It is hard to relate the farming here to broadacre farming in WA. I can see why they have to have the chemical restrictions, as the young office worker driving past the booomspray on his way to work would be quick to notice a waft of ester coming in the air vents. It is just so populated. Everything that happens on your property is seen by hundreds of people everyday.
 |
| John Sadler lighting a rocket launcher to keep the pigeons off his canola crop. |
 |
| John Sadler in fron of his home in rural Cambridge |
It is hard to relate the farming here to broadacre farming in WA. I can see why they have to have the chemical restrictions, as the young office worker driving past the booomspray on his way to work would be quick to notice a waft of ester coming in the air vents. It is just so populated. Everything that happens on your property is seen by hundreds of people everyday.
 |
| DAP fertiliser in the Childery shed ready for next season. All has to be in bags, no bulk allowed. We finished the day with dinner at my cousins house, Rob and Suzie Sadler. They live on the farm with John and Wendy, but Suzie runs her own farm about 40 miles away. John and Wendy have had to diversify the farm, due to their small acreage, so as well as renting out business offices on their property, they also run a Bed and Breakfast. I have been treated to one of their rooms, and they have been extremely hospitable!!! Time for breaky down decky!!!!!! |
Sunday 19 February 2012
Seeing the sights LONDON
London
Well, Here I am in sunny London........ FREEZING!!
The 'agricultural' nuffield adventure is still yet to officially start, but I have had a great time looking around this fantastic city with my cousin John Sadler. Yesterday we did the London eye to get a good view of the city, wandered the markets and the streets of London. Today, I am set to hire a bike and see a bit more, before seeing a theatre show tonight!!
Tommorow, is Cambridge with my farming relatives John and Wendy Sadler and family - looking forward to seeing the beutiful countryside!
over and out.
The 'agricultural' nuffield adventure is still yet to officially start, but I have had a great time looking around this fantastic city with my cousin John Sadler. Yesterday we did the London eye to get a good view of the city, wandered the markets and the streets of London. Today, I am set to hire a bike and see a bit more, before seeing a theatre show tonight!!
Tommorow, is Cambridge with my farming relatives John and Wendy Sadler and family - looking forward to seeing the beutiful countryside!
over and out.
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Countdown
16 days till I head off on my first adventure!
Everyone's advice, dont plan too much and leave plenty of spare time.... has totally gone out the window. One contact, leads to another, leads to another! So a busy, but exciting trip to England ahead.
Here is the itinery thus far - few final tweaks to finalise, but nearly sorted.
Linda Eldridge (2012 scholar) has also kicked me into gear with organising the Canadian leg of my trip, so am really excited about catching up for a week with her there!!
Everyone's advice, dont plan too much and leave plenty of spare time.... has totally gone out the window. One contact, leads to another, leads to another! So a busy, but exciting trip to England ahead.
Here is the itinery thus far - few final tweaks to finalise, but nearly sorted.
| Date | DAY | What |
| 17th February | FRIDAY | Depart Perth 4.30pm |
| 18th February | SATURDAY | Arrive London 5.25am |
| 19th February | SUNDAY | Cousin John IN London |
| 20th February | MONDAY | SADLERS - Farming Cousins in Cambridge |
| 21st February | TUESDAY | SADLERS |
| TUESDAY pm | DAVID HILL MARDLERS GROUP - Dinner | |
| 22nd February | WEDNESDAY | GM Supporter & Nuffield Scholar David Hill Norwich |
| 23rd February | THURSDAY | John Innes Centre/Sainsbury Lab-Norwich |
| 24th February | FRIDAY | Rothamsted Research station - Harpenden |
| 25th February | SATURDAY | CSC |
| 26th February | SUNDAY | CSC |
| 27th February | MONDAY | CSC |
| 28th February | TUESDAY | CSC |
| 29th February | WEDNESDAY | CSC |
| 1st March | THURSDAY | CSC |
| 2nd March | FRIDAY | CSC |
| 3rd March | SATURDAY | CSC |
| 4th March | SUNDAY | FREE DAY |
| 5th March | MONDAY | Jealottes Hill Research Station - Bracknell |
| 6th March | TUESDAY | Paul Neve/ Home Grown Cereals Authority - Warwick |
| 7th March | WEDNESDAY | Alistair Leake - Allerton Research Project - Loddington |
| Alison Pratt NFU | ||
| Graeme Matravers - organic farmer - Long Whatton | ||
| 8th March | THURSDAY | Rad Thomas - Pro GM Farmer - Leicesteshire |
| 9th March | FRIDAY | Dr Andrea Graham - NFU - Stoneleigh |
| 10th March | SATURDAY | FREE DAY |
| 11th March | SUNDAY | DEPART LONDON 10.50AM |
| 12th March | MONDAY | ARRIVE PERTH 3PM |
Linda Eldridge (2012 scholar) has also kicked me into gear with organising the Canadian leg of my trip, so am really excited about catching up for a week with her there!!
Also attaching a photo of me in the bare paddocks of Wongan Hills at the moment - Hot, dry and dusty. I am almost looking forward to 0 degrees in England ?!?!?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)