Month - May

May
Dairy cows at grass. At this stage of the year grass growth is very vigorous and livestock will usually be only given access to small areas at a time.

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May
Silage making. Grass is cut and then chopped by a forage harvester which blows the grass into a trailer. This is transported to a clamp where it is compressed and sealed to make silage.

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May
May is a key month for the production of silage which can either be made into a clamp or in big bales as per this image.

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May
Sheep shearing begins. Nowadays the value of the wool only just covers the cost of shearing.

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May
Winter wheat now exhibiting stem elongation and a closed canopy that allows the crop to out compete any weeds.

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May
Spring barley being sprayed with a fungicide to control disease.

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May
The strong yellow of the oil seed rape crop is present in the countryside in both April and may, dependant on whether the crop was a winter or spring sown variety.

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May
Bees play a critical role in the pollination of crops. Farmers are always pleased to have hives nearby.

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May
The distinctive rows of the potato crop. Potatoes were first introduced into the UK about 400 years ago.

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May
New potatoes are expensive but extremely tasty.

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May
Fresh asparagus, a traditional delicacy.

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May
The early stages of the dandelion "clock". Dandelions have been cultivated for both food and medicinal purposes for centuries.

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May
Bluebells in full flower in coppiced woodland.

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May
The first leaves emerge on the hazel understory in coppiced woodland.

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