This week has been focused on clearing all the plants in readiness for applying compost. On the basis of staying within organic concepts this has not meant the simple solution of using more Roundup, but using a mulch mower to clear all weed growth. The main two orchard areas of 4500 plants have taken two and a half days to clear. Again it has given an opportunity to remove the moth caterpillers which are particularly bad in the area this year.
The highlight in the week was a visit by a nearby fruit farmer with very preliminary discussion on a partnership in product creation next year. This is particularly exciting because this farm is also relatively new to fruit, growing new varieties that are being readily accepted into premium markets. Partnership has become a means of delivery when resources are limited. This is particularly important at the moment as our sea defences are under imminent threat of failing. Farmland is not considered by government agencies to have sufficient value to attract capital spending. As we also live in a highly designated conservation area ( National Nature reserve; SPA;SAC;SSSI and Ramsar site) any works to protect our shoreline have to comply with EU Habitats directive and national guidelines. Achieving improved defences requires innovative ideas and bringing together all parties that may benefit to contribute time/expertise/funds. Developing a sea buckthorn business I see as a similar concept. Developing markets can be a £million high risk campaign. Doing it in partnership has to generate resources and reduce risk.
So I come back to that topic of standards. All products are created through supply chains of business of all sizes. All to some extent are reliant on each other, but large companies are focused on minimising their risk of failure and maximising their opportunity to bring in profit. So it stands to reason that smaller companies (SMEs) will be at a disadvantage. Competition drives finding ways to maximise reward and this can be the driver that makes small business grow.
So SMEs are at a disadvantage, but that is often countered by the desire to succeed with a passion that may not be found in a larger organisation. Where there is a will there is a way. The issue is always being aware of maintaining a stable core business so that there are enough resources to solve problems that come out of the blue.
The advantage of sea buckthorn is that it has many product opportunities. Opportunities that can be developed dependent upon the resources that one might have to create them. Whether a simple food or drink; a cosmetic or nutraceutical each requires levels of processing to achieve a consistent product to take to market. Consistent means that one has to specify production standards and that has the advantage that the buyer of those products knows what they are getting. There is no guarantee however that in a competitive market it will gain a premium.Growing sea buckthorn is labour intensive and with critical issues still focused around harvesting. I would say that gaining a premium is essential to provide growers with a reasonable return. In reality supply chains rarely pass premiums down the line to growers – so it is up to growers to shorten the supply line so that they have more control over their income.
One of the issues that makes hand picking difficult is the size of berry. This year I have been picking Habego, Askola and Hergo. Habego has been averaging around 55-62gm per 100 berries; Askola has been high yielding but a smaller berry at 42-56gm/100 berries which when bunched tightly on a branch is difficult to pick when ripe without bursting berries.
When I compare these with the theoretical berry size of Siberian varieties I am hoping that life will get easier. Elizaveta – which of course is the variety that I have had issues with is declared as having a 100 berry weight of 100; Inya 85;Augustina 120; Altaiskaya 85; Chuiskaya 89. Some of my habego plants have had larger berries this year and these have been less tightly packed together and so easier to pull off.
Lisavenko also issue figures for the amount of effort it takes to pull a berry off. So variety klaudia appears good at 110-130gm ( although berry size 75). The classic Chuiskaya pull off at 114-137g – again relatively easy. Two newer varieties that i also have on farm – Jessel has a large berry at up to 110, but requires 160-170g to pull off, Etna – a 90g/100 berry size has a similar pull weight. So next year will be interesting to compare these larger berries with ease of and rate of picking.
One final point – I mentioned that the caterpillers have been bad this year. Having cleared the whole site of infestations by Friday, I returned on Saturday afternoon and again found another 7. Today ( Monday) I have only found one so hopefully they are starting to give up, but the damage they do is fast and comprehensive, so it certainly a management issue to look out for next year.
