THERE was a great need for farmers to try to make life easier for themselves on the farm, said John Bailey.

This was particularly important at a time when farming was becoming much more difficult and demanding all round. He suggested that, apart from speeding up cultivations, there were other worthwhile areas to consider.

Slightly larger main tractors could speed up work rates and make the most of the time windows and labour available, which coud be a boon to the one-man band.

Consider having the courage to go for one combine when possible, and larger trailers making fewer journeys were an excellent long-term investment.

For many, grain storage was a long-term problem requiring attention and for some a new floor drying store would be ideal; it was difficult to afford but also difficult to do without.

The second spring peak of work, involving mainly spraying and fertilising, could be very stressful, owing to waiting for the less windy days to be able to act.

"Splitting the fertiliser away from a liquid system may suit some farmers and a boom pneumatic sprayer will increase the number of days available over spinning disc machines and also pay for itself in less costly fertiliser," said Mr Bailey.

Ultimately, a more drastic solution might be necessary, involving sharing machinery and even labour, or contracting out part or all of the work to contractors, machinery rings or neighbouring farmers.

"Alternatively, smaller farms will increasingly become part-time farmers farming the land, living in the farmhouse and perhaps using the buildings and the room available to them for other enterprises," said Mr Bailey.

"There are many encouraging examples of this happening, giving a satisfying life style."