Anglia Farmer April 2023

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Anglia Farmer

EDITORIAL

Editor:

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Anglia Farmer is a controlled circulation magazine published monthly for farmers and growers in the eastern counties. To be included on the circulation list, a farmer must have a minimum of 70 acres of land, or 50 dairy/beef stock, or 50 breeding sows/250 growing stock, or 15,000 laying hens/broiler chickens. Intensive horticulture units are required to have a minimum of two hectares. Subscription is £18 a year (including postage). No responsibility can be accepted by the publishers for the opinions expressed by contributors.

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OPINION Johann Tasker

Budget changes not enough for our farming future

Planned changes to inheritance tax relief could help landowners and tenant farmers – but the government still lacks a coherent vision for agriculture as a whole.

Proposals included in last month's Spring Budget (see pages 4 and 60) would see agricultural property relief from inheritance tax extended to cover land in environmental land management – something which could encourage more farmers producers to join the new agri-environment scheme.

Analysts say the move will provide farmers with greater confidence that changes in land use will not put their tax status at risk – and they won't be penalised for helping to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Country Land and Business Association and the Tenant Farmers Association have both argued that agricultural property relief should be changed. And both organisations – representing landowners and tenants – have welcomed the proposal.

A public consultation is now under way. But this was not a Spring Budget that will

Contents

more broadly help secure a future for UK agriculture or food production.

Despite global geo-political uncertainty –including the war in Ukraine – there is still no government plan to strengthen UK food security – a key issue highlighted repeatedly by NFU president Minette Batters.

Ag-inflation remains high – and so too do consumer food prices. Despite easing slightly, high input costs still threaten to render food production unprofitable, with growers in some sectors already curtailing output. Energy prices are also prohibitive when it comes to ramping up production – with struggling farm businesses needing more support and certainty to keep people fed affordably during the cost of living crisis.

If the government wants a future for farming, it must take agriculture more seriously – and recognise the importance of domestic food production – not just for the thousands of family farms across the country, but for the benefit of UK consumers too..

Johann Tasker Editor

Farmers face 'cliff edge' following Spring Budget

• 'Not a budget for UK agriculture'

• Producers need greater support

• Action required on food security

NFU president Minette Batters has accused the government of failing to take food security se riosuly following last month's Spring Budget.

It comes after Chancellor Jere my Hunt failed to extend govern ment-backed schemes to ease the pain of sky-high energy prices. The NFU says the scheme should include the horticulture and poultry sectors –but the government said no.

Mrs Batters wrote to the chancellor ahead of the budget. In the letter, she urged Mr Hunt to prioritise food production – and called for an extension of government's Energy and Trade Intensive Industries discount scheme.

Soaring costs

Mrs Batters explained: “Ahead of the Budget, the NFU was clear that greater support is needed for the thousands of farm businesses which are trying, but struggling, to keep our nation fed amid soaring production costs.

“It’s therefore extremely frustrating that the ETII scheme was not extended to energy intensive sectors such as horticulture and poultry.

"It begs the question – where does boosting Britain’s food security fit into the Treasury’s growth plans?”

Support for growers and poultry producers under the Energy Bill Relief Scheme expired at the end of March. It was replaced with the government's Energy Bills Discount Scheme, which is due to run for 12 months.

But the NFU says this scheme offers far less protection to businesses because it replaces what was a price cap with a token discount.

A number of industries were identified for additional support under the

ETII – but agriculture and other farm level sectors were left out.

Calling for an urgent review into the government scheme, Mrs Batters said it was “irresponsible that the scheme completely overlooked food production – not to mention being wholly at odds with the government’s own ambition to produce more home-grown fruit and vegetables”.

Support and confidence

“An urgent review into the ETII is needed to ensure that essential and vulnerable food producing sectors, such as protected horticulture and poultry production, do not face a cliff edge after the end of the energy bill relief scheme.”

Ag-inflation, high input costs and

ongoing uncertainty over government plans for agriculture have all made it difficult for some farmers to invest in their businesses – although some budget measures were welcomed by the farming industry.

For more analysis of the Spring Budget, see page 60.

CLA opposes Labour's right to roam plan

The Country Land and Business has urged Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to scrap his pledge of an English “right to roam”.

Sir Keir has promised that a Labour govern ment would give the public unrestricted access over much of the countryside. But the CLA says the policy would have unknown consequences for nature, farming and public safety.

CLA president Mark Tufnell said the plan ig nored the need for such land to be protected for the purposes of food production, natural habitats and the vast array of environmental projects be ing undertaken by landowners.

“This act feels entirely incompatible with Sir Keir’s claim that Labour is becoming the party of the countryside,” said Mr Tufnell.

“We already have a fine network of public access, 140,000 miles of public footpaths in England and Wales, 3.5 million acres of public access land and significantly more in permissive access.”

An opinion poll commissioned by the CLA last year found that the public is sceptical about a

right to roam. Some 69% of the public said they felt walkers should stick to footpaths and areas of access land, whereas only 21% were in favour of a right to roam.

Farmers are struggling amid soaring input costs

Minette Batters

The CLA says walkers should stick to footpaths and access land.

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Remain vigilant despite fall in flytipping incidents

Fly-tipping incidents in the eastern region have fallen – but farmers and landowners are being urged to stay vigilant and help keep culprits at bay.

Despite the decline, a staggeringly high amount of illegally dumped rubbish is still being dumped across the region. Some 75,664 incidents recorded in 2021/22 – including hazardous waste. This was down from 79,726 during the previous year.

Anderson Fossett, of rural insurance broker Lycetts, said: “The figures are very encouraging, but it is important that landowners continue to remain vigilant if the downward trajectory is to continue.

“Making it difficult for criminals to access land is one of the most effective preventative measures you can take. Gates should be locked when not in use, fences should be in a good state of repair and hedges should be cut back to allow good visibility.

“Fly-tippers tend to operate under

cover of darkness, so exterior lighting should be installed, if possible. Securi ty cameras can also be an effective de terrent, and can help secure success ful prosecutions.”

As well as posing significant and en vironmental health risks, fly-tipping can result in a hefty financial burden for victims. This can stretch to many thousands of pounds in legal costs and clearing up the mess.

While local authorities pay the cost of clearing waste from public land, farmers and other landowners have responsibility for cleaning and removing waste from private land.

Expensive business

There were 564 incidents of agricultural fly-tipping in the region. Lycetts says clean-up costs average £1,000 but large-scale incidents can cost as much as £10,000 to clear away.

Nationally, the same official fly-tipping statistics show the number of incidents decreased by 4% to 1.09 mil-

lion. But this is still much higher than the figures recorded in 2018/2019 and 2019/2020.

NFU environment forum chairman Richard Bramley said: “Although it’s good news that the number of fly-tipping incidents has gone down, over a million reported fly-tips is still way too high and part of a concerning overall upward trend.

"Fly-tipping continues to plague the lives of so many of us living and working in the countryside and is something I witnessed first-hand recently when I had dozens of empty glass bottles dumped on my farm.”

£2.2m farm for sale on edge of Thetford Forest

An arable farm extending to just over 154 acres on the edge of Thetford Forest has hit the market for £2.2m with Cheffins.

Field Barn Farm is in a secluded location about one mile from the village of Weeting, near Brandon.

The farm includes a cottage and 19th century brick barn and stables with planning permission for conversion into a three-bedroom house.

Grade 3 land

Two grass paddocks extend to 1.5 acres with post and rail fencing. These lead on to a 151-acre field which surrounds the cottage and farm buildings..

Classified as Grade 3, the land is suitable for growing cereals, sugar beet and carrots, as well as other crops.

Cheffins director Jonathan Stiff said: “This sale is an opportunity for someone looking for a secluded and private home with scope for further extension or someone looking for a lifestyle farm or equestrian property.

“It could even provide an unusual development opportunity.

“We have seen a significant uplift in demand for farmland, as the number of buyers entering the market has increased but supply has continued to remain very tight.”

Field Barn Farm will suit a range of people, said Mr Stiff. Farmers looking to expand their operations would be in

The farm is a mile from the village of Weeting, near Brandon.

competition with those buying for investment or lifestyle buyers.

The farm is available as a whole or in two lots. Lot one comprises the cottage, barn and stables, two agricultural buildings and two grass paddocks. Lot two consists of the single arable field of 151.76 acres.

Clear-up costs average £1000 per incident, say insurers

The figures are still way too high

Arable

Optimise herbicide applications for effective weed control this spring

• Tailor sprays to on-farm condition

• Consider mix of control strategies

• Target weeds at appropriate time

Maximising herbicide efficiency will be key to controlling weeds while reducing input costs this spring.

Soaring ag-inflation means more farmers will want to get the most from spray programmes this season, says FMC technical manager Mat Hutchings. Doing so will help optimise margins while minimising any environmental impact, he adds.

“Herbicides are fundamental for the control of spring germinating weeds in winter cereal crops, and it will be difficult to achieve optimum margins if herbicide inputs are reduced – it’s a real balancing act.”

Spray performance

Growers should aim to maximise spray performance using appropriate a combination of appropriate tank mixes, cultivations and by tailoring herbicide applications around seasonal conditions, says Mr Hutchings.

“By allowing growers to apply their chosen products in one pass, tank mixing reduces compaction and helps to

reduce labour and fuel costs,” says Mr Hutchings, who recommends co-formulated sulfonylurea herbicides.

Wide spectrum

Co-formulation Ally Max SX – which contains metsulfuron and tribenuron –has wide weed spectrum control when applied alone but can also be used with an appropriate partner product if the weed spectrum dictates.

“It is a good choice for growers look ing to maximise their herbicide perfor mance” explains Mr Hutchings, who says growers should consider cultiva tions to help reduce weed pressures on top of choosing a suitable herbicide.

Choosing to direct drill, for example, could help discourage weed germina

tion. More traditional cultivation techniques could encourage weed germination and allow stale seedbed weed control ahead of drilling.

“When growers are considering these options, they should always speak to their agronomist and decide which methods suit their land before making any significant decisions.

Effective control

Growers should remain aware of unseasonable weather conditions which can significantly affect weed growth and herbicide performance..

Herbicide applications should be targeted at smaller actively growing weeds to give the most effective control, adds Mr Hutchings.

Where this is not possible growers should consider higher herbicide rates or water volumes to improve coverage. This is especially the case when controlling weeds like groundsel which can become large very quickly – and can develop waxy leaves in windy, dry conditions.

“Weed control can be challenging but it’s always better to reduce the risk of a problem before it becomes a major challenge later down the line,” says Mr Hutchings.

“Although some growers may be tempted to make cutbacks with products, I’d recommend always working with your agronomist to investigate how you can optimise applications rather than compromise them.”

Recommended List survey findings due

Results from a major survey are set to be published after more than 800 people provided their views on the AHDB Recommended Lists (RL) for cereals and oilseeds.

Opinions were gathered as part of a major review to ensure the RL remains a worldclass independent trialling project – helping growers select the most appropriate cereal and oilseed rape varieties for their farms.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is conducting a full analysis

of the responses, with a release of the headline results anticipated in the spring. Recommendations based on these results will then be implemented.

AHDB head of crop health Jenna Watts said: “We are delighted with the response level, which exceeded that of the previous RL review in 2018. I’d like to thank everyone who contributed. Around three-quarters of responses were from farmers, demonstrating their passion for varieties and this coordinated network of variety trials.”

In spring 2022, levy payers rated the RL 4.2 out of 5.0 for importance during a Shape the Future consultation. In response, the AHDB agreed to fund the RL and review it as part of its five-year sector plan.

The review aims to be thorough and cover many aspects, from the type and nature of the trials to the way data is analysed and variety decisions are made.

The AHDB says the results help it direct investment, so the RL delivers the most important variety data.

More growers are focusing on spray programme efficiency this spring

Targeted smaller actively growing weeds for best control, says Mat Hutchings (right)

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Reminder to follow nematicide best practice this spring

Potato growers are reminded to follow best practice this spring when applying granular nematicides – to ensure the products are used safely and protected for the future.

“Granular nematicides remain a vital tool for use as part of an integrated strategy to control nematodes,” says potato agronomist Simon Alexander, who is a working group member of the Nematicide Stewardship Programme (NSP).

“The NSP best practice brings together practical advice and forms part of the Red Tractor standard for growers,” adds Mr Alexander, who has outlined six key areas of the protocol that growers should keep in mind.

Qualify

All operators must have a PA4 or PA4G certification and must have completed the ARTIS Nematicide Stewardship e-learning course to apply granular nematicides. They must also be members of NRoSO

Calibrate

Applicators must be checked daily for damage or wear, to ensure all pipework is correctly fitted. The applicator must be inspected and certified as fit for use by a qualified National Sprayer Testing Scheme engineer at least every two years.

Single pass

The product should be incorporated within a single pass, immediately prior to planting with no granules left on the surface of the soil.

Shut off

All applicators must be fitted with a device in the cab that allows operators to shut off granule flow at least 3m from the end of each row. The allows for all piping to run out before the machine is lifted out of the ground.

Spillages

Use the same filling point in the field to allow any spillages to be identified quickly. Bury small spillages immediately to ensure no granules are left on the surface. If the spillage is large, remove it to an empty nematicide container, clearly label it and return it to the manufacturer, burying any remnants immediately..

For more on potatoes, see our Root Crop Special beginning on page 25.

Crop trials focus on sustainable cereals

Goal to make management easier

Arange of crop trials focusing on developing sustainable management practices for the latest portfolio of high output wheats bred by KWS UK.

Designed to tie in with the breeder's Sowing for Peak Performance (SPP) initiative, the trials will focus on five key varieties – although findings will be of interest to all wheat growers, says KWS technical trials manager Olivia Potter.

"It's all about developing genetics to help growers meet future challenges,” says Ms Potter. These include enhanced physical properties to build resilience in the face of climate change, better disease resistance to work more effectively with fungicides and higher yields to optimise productivity.

"Key to these traits being as effec-

tive as possible in the field is the estab lishment of best practice around avail able inputs and management options through working with a range of tech nical organisations and companies to develop this.

"This year we are particularly fo cused on how growers can build great er resilience into their rotations and the areas of activity in our trials pro grammes reflects this."

Nitrogen use efficiency

One key area will examine how to use nitrogen as effectively as possible in terms of cost-effectiveness, environ mental considerations and making sure yields and grain quality are op timised, says Ms Potter.

"Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) is under the spotlight like never before

remains small, we'll be looking at using the approach in two Group 2 varieties,

um, that have excellent milling

"The idea being to see how we

"We'll also be looking at the ty KWS Dawsum and how we can deliver the highest yields from this through cost-effective nitro gen management including how

moving to Yara's new low-carbon green fertilisers can help achieve sustainability targets."

Optimising fungicide use

The 2023 fungicide trials will again be focused on the varieties KWS Extase, Palladium and Dawsum with the addition of the new varieties KWS Zealum and KWS Ultimatum, adds Ms Potter.

KWS Zealum is a soft Group 4 variety with stiff straw, early sowing flexibility and distilling market potential. Group 2 KWS Ultimatum brings high untreated yields, good performance across the UK and the highest sprouting resistance in the breadmaking sector.

"The fungicide trials will be carried out in conjunction with Bayer and Corteva and, as in previous years, will look at the optimum levels of fungicides needed to support the various varieties' disease resistance profiles.

"We are very much of the opinion that chemistry and genetics have to work in partnership, both to get the most cost-effective yield

response and to protect the genetics of the crops for as long as possible whilte minimising the risk of resistance to valuable actives.

"In particular, we'll be focusing on Septoria resistance and have deliberately placed the trials in hotspots for this disease."

Cultivation options

The same five varieties will also be the basis of another major series of trials carried out with Dyson Framing Research looking at management and varietal choice for minimum/zero and conventional full tillage choices, says Ms Potter.

"We've looked at this in the past with some of our more established varieties, so it will be interesting to see how our new portfolio performs in terms of method of cultivation.

"Previously, later drilling varieties such as KWS Extase and KWS Cranium did well in minimum cultivation scenarios. In fact, KWS Extase produced a yield just 0.8t/ha less than the full cultivation approach during the

first year of transition to min-till.

"Both varieties have strong all round agronomic packages so that helps with their overall resilience, so varieties like KWS Dawsum and KWS Ultimatum should also do well with these approaches, too."

Spring cropping will also come under the spotlight in 'Project Lamport' with Agrovista which will be a rotations trial looking at spring wheat and barley options, particularly with regard to cultural control of blackgrass and other persistent grass weeds, she adds.

"We'll also be examining the role of cover crops in spring cropping and how they give the opportunity to improve soil structure, build valuable soil organic matter and add key nutrients.

"Our final major trial with Frontier is looking at nitrogen usage on a selection of new milling wheat varieties. Currently in NL2, they are from a range of sources and are expected to be commercially available in the UK in the very near future."

12 Buckingham Close, Bermuda Ind Est, Nuneaton, Warks CV10 7JT

Compared to blackgrass, shown here, Italian ryegrass produced twice as much seed

Trials shine spotlight on early weed control

• Early weeds are bigger threat

• Seed return and biomass key

• Look at spray application rates

Growers should seek to control grass weeds sooner rather than later this spring – rather than waiting for more to emerge, suggests NIAB research.

Farmers should focus on weeds with potential of a high seed return, not just from a crop competition point of view, says John Cussans, a NIAB specialist in weed biology and crop management.

“The message for early spring is the weeds you see in the crop right now are the ones that you are targeting,” says Mr Cussans.

“The ones that germinate later and are less and less of a threat to the crop, and less and less of a threat in terms of ongoing seed return.”

The trials assessed a range of grass weeds germinating at different times through an autumn-drilled crop. Weeds which emerged two or three months after drilling were four or five times smaller than weeds emerging with the crop.

Weed seeds that germinate later are less of a threat, says John Cussans (below left)

Farmers should target weeds when they

Less biomass

Compared to blackgrass, Italian ryegrass produced twice as much seed and wild oats had three or four times as much biomass. But weeds emerging in February or March had 10-20 times fewer seed returns – and much less biomass.

“It's a really nice overall picture,” explains Mr Cussans. “The larger the plant, the bigger the plant biomass, the more the crop competition and more seed return. It’s a beautiful linear relationship.”

The reduction in weed size and seed return with later emergence was even more marked than the NIAB team expected, says Mr Cussans. This is another reason for getting on top of weeds sooner rather than later.

“For many growers, there’s naturally a tendency to think 'I’ve got this weed that germinates through the season, I’ll wait until every last individual has emerged to target my application timing.'

Rates and timings

“In fact, we can now see that you would be better off focusing on rates and timings that get good control of those early germinating weeds – accepting that the smaller number of later germinating weeds may well come into the field.

Conducted in association with Syngenta, the trials reinforce the role of Axial Pro in early grass weed control. Overall, the strategy should be to get that maximum efficacy on early emerging weeds, says Mr Cussans.

Even with changing grass weed species and differing biology, farmers still need to really focus on making sure they get the best possible control of those individual weeds germinating alongside the crop in the autumn.

Tank mixes

Syngenta field technical manager Pete Hawkins says the advice from the trial for Axial Pro application this season is to target ryegrass and wild oats when they are smaller and actively growing.

Growers should prioritise fields with larger overwintered weeds and control weeds before fertiliser applications further strengthen their growth.

Tank mixing with growth regulars and broad-leaved herbicides can save time and make better use of application windows, says Mr Hawkins.

Application techniques

Optimising application techniques will ensure good coverage of weeds and achieve best possible control.

“We need to remember that there is a whole load of grass weeds to manage in the future; not just to focus on blackgrass,” explains Mr Cussans.

That means growers and agronomists should consider the different aspects of weed biology.

“Some of these other grass weeds –such as wild oats and bromes – have different biological characteristics to blackgrass.

“We are repeating the trial this year, where we have added an element of application timing and rates to complete the whole picture to help growers target these weeds much better.”

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BREAKING FOR SPARES

How adjusting septoria score can protect early wheat crops

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• Earlier drilled crops at higher risk

• Tweak sprays to match drill date

• Optimum economic dose rates

Tweaking winter wheat fungicide programmes to reflect drilling date can help mitigate yield losses from septoria, says ADAS research.

Winter wheat varieties sown on 23 September or earlier are at significantly higher disease risk from septoria than their Recommended List (RL) score suggests – most likely because these crops are exposed to septoria spores earlier in the season.

“The varietal RL ratings have been based on a drilling date of 7 October,” says Jon Helliwell of BASF. Adjusting applications of Revystar XE to reflectr the actual sowing date can prevent potential yield losses, he adds.

Bringing the drilling date forward by two weeks effectively reduces the variety's RL septoria

rating by 0.6, says Mr Helliwell. Likewise, crops sown two weeks later increased the rating by 0.6.

Relationship

The relationship between drilling date and actual septoria rating was proved in 25 trials over five years. The research team included scientists from ADAS, NIAB and the SRUC – Scotland's Rural College.

Mr Helliwell says: “If you drill a crop of LG Skyscraper with a resistance score of 4.9 two weeks early, this means you need to manage the septoria risk as you would a crop of KWS Barrel with its score of 4.3.

“But if you drill the same crop two weeks later than the standard date, the septoria risk is akin to a crop of Gleam.”

Steve Crayston's field of wheat, sown following sugar beet and spring barley

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crops established ahead of their usual drilling date.

Fungicide rates

BASF has been exploring the im pact of drilling date and variety with dose rates of Revystar XE since 2021. A best-fit line shows the optimum economic dose rate is higher where cultivar resist ance to septoria is reduced.

“This could come from a less resistant variety, or could come from a more resistant variety drilled earlier,” says Mr Helliwell. “Even the most resistant varieties, when drilled early, have an optimum economic dose at T2 of 1.1 l/ha Revystar XE.”

Adjust applications according to sowing date, says

The principle applies to all varieties on the recommended list. And Mr Helliwell says it is an important point to consider in a season when an early harvest last year gave many growers an opportunity to get winter wheat

In conclusion, dose can be used as a tool to mitigate the impact of Septoria associated with drilling early.

“By upping the rate applied to those crops sown on or before 23 September you can ‘buy back’ the yield,” says Mr Helliwell.

“It more than covers the cost of the additional fungicide.”

Inherent variations within the field means growers should choose a product with proven protective and curative action.

“We don’t want to rely on curative activity, but it important when dealing with the natural variability found on-farm.”

Wheat grower faces range of challenges

Cereal grower Steve Crayston faces a range of challenges when it comes to controlling septoria at Halstead, north Essex.

With five winter wheat varieties in the ground, septoria resistant ratings range from 7.8 for KWS Extase to 4.9 for Elicit.

Drilling dates add to the range of risk levels because sowing wheat started at the end of September and continued to the end of October.

“The autumn sown crops went in to really nice conditions, even those later drilled crops,” says Mr Crayston.

But drilling date isn’t necessarily reflected by the growth stage of some of the earliest drilled varieties, which are the most backward this spring.

“They tend to be a second cereal following sugar beet and spring barley,” says Mr Crayston.

“The first field we drilled followed oilseed rape. We applied digestate and drilled in the last week of September. It was rather dry, so it’s not a stunning crop. But it is still all there.”

Last month, Mr Crayston was focusing his thoughts on nitrogen applications and drilling spring crops. But he already had a good idea of his fungicide programme, which includes Revystar XE at T2.

“If it stays cool, it will be longer before we’re looking at applications. But if conditions warm up and everything gets moving, that [application date] will come forward.”

You can ‘buy back’ the yield

Jon Helliwell

Cereals tickets raise money for charity

Early bird tickets for Cereals 2023 are now on sale, with half the proceeds going to the Multiple System Atrophy Trust, a charity close to the host farmer’s heart.

The two-day event is being held on 13-14 June at the Thoresby Estate, Nottinghamshire. The 4,860ha estate has been in the Pierrepont family since the 1590s – and current incumbent Gregor Pierrepont had no hesitation in choosing the charity.

The trust provides specialist nurses and research to support people living with multiple system atrophy, a neurological disorder caused by degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. This can result in problems with movement, balance and blood pressure control.

“It’s very close to our hearts as it was set up by my aunt Sarah, who was afflicted by this very rare disease,” says Mr Pierrepont. A special Cereals fundraiser will be held in Sarah's memory on 13 June, he adds.

Organisers say the event will show case the latest in arable agronomy, ma chinery, technology and business advice. Exhibitor numbers are already 30% up on last year, with four new features, says event manager Alli McEntyre..

Precision agriculture

An energy and biomass hub will examine ways to navigate rising energy costs.

An ag-analyst academy will focus on precision agriculture; and farmers will explain how social media has changed their business.

The Isuzu off-road driving experience returns by popular demand. Visitors will also have the chance to ride alongside a selection of Bednar’s towed implements.

Crop plots remain at the heart of the event. This year will see five new crop plots and the return of the wheat and winter barley feature. Curated by Ceres Rural, it will showcase a selection of Recommended List varieties.

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The two-day event is being held at a new venue this year

Worm-eye view

Visitors will get a worm-eye view in the NIAB Soil Hole. The NAAC Drainage Hub will feature seminars with the chance to meet drainage experts.

Seminars will cover agricultural policy, net zero, regenerative agriculture, technology and innovation.

“Cereals brings together people from across the industry to share specialist knowledge, innovation, and a determination to tackle key challenges.”

Early bird tickets are £10 each until 13 April and £15 afterwards. Tickets on the gate will be £20. For full details, please visit www.cerealsevent.co.uk.

New winter wheat delivers for award-winning Norfolk grower

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Norfolk grower Mark Means says his first fully commercial crop of DSV Champion winter wheat is looking good – a year after the Group 4 variety achieved 16.2t/ha in AHDB trials on his farm.

The award-winning farmer has 32ha dedicated to DSV Champion at Terrington Marsh, near Kings Lynn. The variety topped the AHDB Candi date List in 2021/22 and went on to re cord the highest overall yield on the 2022/23 Recommended List.

As the highest yielding hard Group 4 wheat on the 2023/24 RL, DSV Champion achieved some 0.9t/ha more than the average of other varieties in AHDB trials grown by Mr Means.

“When it comes to growing wheat, we are quite experimental and being so close to The Wash our focus is on earlier varieties," he explains.

"Our aim is to grow crops which in tercept as much sunlight as possible to maximise yield – but without too much biomass to minimise the risk of lodging on our silty clay soils."

Being just 3m above sea level, the farm has soil moisture 2m below the surface. Combined with the milder coastal climate, summer tempera tures were kinder than some inland areas last year, says Mr Means, help ing to fuel exceptional yields.

Mr Means opted to grow a commer cial crop of DSV Champion following

positive feedback from other growers – as well as its impressive trial performance on his own farm.

"The AHDB plots were in a field of wheat on silty clay loam following vining peas and drilled on 11 October. Crop treatments followed RL protocols with the objective of no disease and our

Yield potential and lodging risk are among key traits, says Mark Means

yields were approximately 10% above the next highest in RL trials.

"Our winter wheat plots averaged 15.33t/ha and DSV Champion achieved 16.2t/ha, which gave me confidence that it would yield well in a commercial situation and I would have no worries about disease.

"We don’t see much Orange Wheat Blossom Midge here but I don’t want to take the risk, so the fact that DSV Champion is resistant is a bonus.".

When selecting winter wheat varieties, Mr Means considers yield and nitrogen use efficiency to be key traits. He aims to achieve 10.5-11% protein for

Another important trait is strong standing power. Yields can fall by 25% if a crop goes over. In a normal year, Mr Means aims to apply 200-240kg N/ha on feed, second and continuous wheats.

“Applying nitrogen early in the spring it is like lighting a bonfire –

DSV Champion has impressed growers continued on p22

continued from p21

once it goes on and the crop gets going you can’t stop it, but just have to guide it as best you can.

Reducing risk

"We have an N-sensor on our sprayer, use a nitrogen tester to prevent over-application, and we map for high and low lodging risk. We treat accordingly but sometimes things happen that are outside our control.

“We are increasingly looking to grow more continuous wheat. Some of our fields have a high clay content. The soil is too heavy for potatoes and the harvest window for lifting sugar beet is too short.

Rather than risking long-term damage to soil structure by growing potatoes or sugar beet, Mr Means says winter wheat is the best cultivator and subsoiler for his farm.

“Our aim is to create rooting structures which are as deep and adventurous as possible to maximise the opportunity for the plants to access nutrients and water."

It makes sense to focus on feed wheat varieties while minimising road miles, adds Mr Means.

“We are better placed than most, with large feed mills on our doorstep and milling outlets not too far away at Holbeach, Peterborough and Downham Market.

Breeding programme

Although DSV is a relative newcomer to winter wheat breeding, Mr Means believes the company has a very promising programme.

“Theodore, a hard Group 4, was the first DSV variety we identified as a potential to grow because of its cleanliness and ability to remain green to maximise sunlight capture, the only reason we didn’t grow was its bushel weight.

“Being next to the sea we are always looking to protect against fusarium and if we can, it reflects positively on bushel weight.

“DSV Champion has really taken the game on several stages."

Mr Means was named Sustainable Farmer of the Year at the 2022 British Farming Awards.

Judges praised his farming strategy – including improvements to soil organic matter, rainwater harvesting and use of enewable energy.

How to get the best from nutrients this spring

Crops must have all nutrients needed to get best returns this season

Nutrient availability will be vital for growers wanting to get the best returns from crop inputs this spring.

Primary nutrients such as phosphorus (P) and potash (K) are vital for plant growth. But high fertiliser prices could tempt some growers to reduce application rates in a bid to save money.

This could be a good way to reduce expenditure in the short term. But experts say growers should fully assess the longer term impact on soil reserves – and nutrient availability – before adopting what could be a risky strategy.

Although fertiliser prices have eased since last year's highs, they are still stubbornly expensive – prompting more growers to consider ways nutrients can be used more efficiently.

Maintenance dressings

Eastern region crop nutritionist and agronomist

Toby Ward has been advising farmers on the role nutrients play in the soil – and how they can help increase nitrogen use efficiency.

“It is understandable that some growers scaled back on applications of other nutrients to maintain nitrogen inputs last year, especially as commodity prices remained high,” says Mr Ward who works for Origin Fertilisers.

“But plants require up to 14 nutrients for growth and not applying maintenance dressings of P and K for an additional year could be detrimental for soil reserves. Nitrogen provides the building blocks of life and is key for protein formation within plants.

“Growers across the region will be nervous of scaling back too much on this essential input. But making more from what you apply is essential. Ensuring other nutrients are available to the plant will increase nitrogen use efficiency.”

Crops grown in fields where growers decided to take a P and K holiday last year could still have access to these vital nutrients – so long as soil indices are maintained at or above target levels in previous years, says Mr Ward.

Extended holiday

But an ongoing P and K holiday could see soil nutrient levels drop too low to support optimum crop yields. Even dropping from a low level index 2 for P or K, to a high level index 1 could result in deficiencies within the crop.

“It can take years to build reserves back up to the previous levels,” says Mr Ward. The RB209 Nutrient Management Guide warns that it will need more than a regular maintenance dressing – costing growers additional spend, he adds.

Potash is a macronutrient that is important for water regulation. A deficiency will be displayed by a scorching of the leaves along with lodging, while reduced protein formation and lower disease resistance are also factors.

Phosphorus is essential for plant establishment and growth. Without it, plants will lose root structure. This will inhibit the crop's ability to access other nutrients, such as nitrogen.

“If the plant available P and K levels are being run down over successive years, it is essen-

Our focus is on earlier varieties

tial that growers test the soil regularly to avoid levels dropping below required indexes. Growers should be exploring ways to optimise the application of any nutrient.”

This could mean applying a coated phosphorous fertiliser to avoid nutrient lockup – which in turn means applying less fertiliser because it is used more efficiently.

The coating within Origin Enhanced Phosphate is designed to prevent phosphorous being fixed in unavailable plant forms, explains Mr Ward. “It can be added onto any fertiliser containing phosphorous.”

Manure applications

This coating allows a higher percentage of the applied fertiliser to be available to the plant – which could reduce phosphorus fixation by 10-15%.”

Other ways of boosting P and K levels will be incorporating manures, both in the spring and autumn, which will have further benefits to soil structure, says Mr Ward.

“The value of good quality manures is becoming greater as growers can see the benefits to reducing bought-in fertiliser costs.

“Chopping straw behind the combine will return some of the nutrients taken up by the crop back into the soil.”

“Although prices remain high, giving the crop with what it needs is essential to get the most from inputs. Growers should be thinking long term about how decisions this season can affect crop growth and future nutrient availability.”

Above: Reducing inputs too much can be risky, says Toby Ward.

Top left: Nutrient application has a key influence on crop yields and quality.

Failed Rape?

Mammoth Millet - the perfect solution for failed crops of rape.

OSR Growers know the frustration and difficulty of realising late in the spring, that a crop of OSR isn’t going to be viable. This creates the dilemma of what to do - especially if the ground has been sprayed with autumn herbicides.

Mammoth Millet is not sown until early May, and can be direct drilled or sown after failed rape with minimal cultivations. Furthermore, the Millet now arguably offers as good or better a gross margin than OSR anyway - thus putting things back on track.

Gross margins over £1,100 per Ha.

Mammoth is a cheap,- simple and easy crop to grow and we are seeking new growers for 2023.

It can take years to build up reserves

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Mammoth Millet

Root Crop Special

£3000/ha sugar beet offer inundated with inquiries

Contract to supply Bury St Edmunds factory with early beet deliveries this September

Anew sugar beet contract which will pay up to £3,000/ha – regardless of crop yield – has closed after being deluged with applications from growers.

The contract offer was for early season beet delivered into the Bury St Edmunds factory for the 2023/24 crop year. Beet must be delivered into the factory during 4-13 September.

British Sugar said it development the “onetime” early beet contract in partnership with NFU Sugar. The processor added: “We have faced unique challenges this year, which require unique solutions to address.”

The new contract aims to bring additional homegrown beet into the Bury factory earlier so sugar is available at the Silver Spoon plant before the start of the main autumn harvest.

'Unique contract'

“To take advantage of this unique contract, you need to offer at least 5ha of extra beet over and above any existing contracts,” said British Sugar. “Requests will be processed on a first-come, first served basis.”

In a statement, British Sugar said the price offered would compensate for lower yields when beet is lifted early. It said the contract would require growers to lift and deliver beet between the agreed dates unless otherwise specified.

On top of the £3,000/ha payment, British Sugar said it would also pay an additional £40 tonne for all sugar beet received above 72.5t/ha. The overall contract offer would be capped at 1400ha nationally, it added..

Transport allowance

Growers will also receive a transport allowance up to 60 miles and a local premium – both based on the distance from the field to the Bury factory. This will be paid on delivered beet as per the standard beet contract.

The new contract states that growers will be expected to adhere to best practice. This includes the requirement for sugar beet land to be in an existing arable rotation and drilled by 15 April. Farmers must establish at least 80,000 plants per hectare to qualify.

Challenging year

It has been a challenging year for British Sugar. NFU Sugar, which represents sugar beet growers, said yields had been disappointing and the area of crop grown had been small during 2022/23.

As a result, British Sugar has faced a shortfall in sugar production. Opening the Bury factory early will enable the processor to reduce the amount of imported sugar it needs to honour its commitments to customers.

Challenging season for British Sugar

British Sugar says it is working with growers and customers to manage any potential shortfalls caused by this year’s crop.

It follows challenging weather conditions during the 2022/23 growing season, which affected sugar beet crops across Europe, not just the UK. Yields have been variable on farms across East Anglia and the East Midlands.

The contract offer is in response to a number of factors. Earlier this year, British Sugar said it had optimised its manufacturing processes and was looking at other management actions to balance supply and demand.

Alternative sources

It added: “This will mean possibly using alternative sources of high-quality white beet and cane sugars from across the world so we can co-refine with UK beet sugar for a limited period of time.

“We have managed these situations before and remain committed to our place at the heart of the homegrown UK sugar beet industry.

“We are very optimistic about the future of the UK beet sugar industry as part of a thriving rural economy, harnessing cutting-edge technologies, further decarbonising our supply chains, and seizing the opportunities that free and fairtrade offer.”

The processor was hit by a significant plant failure at its Cantley factory in Norfolk last December. The incident meant beet had to be diverted for processing at Bury St Edmunds and Wissington.

British Sugar agreed to meet the additional costs to growers.

Beet will be delivered earlier to Bury St Edmunds this year [Photo: Edward Crawford / Shutterstock.com

Root Crops

Plan blight control to reduce resistance risk

Potato growers are urged to plan their anti-resistance strategies for blight following the failure of a major control product.

Total control failure in potato blight management product mandipropamid (Revus) was confirmed in Europe last December – prompting warnings that British farmers must revise their own strategies too.

The resistant blight genotype (EU43) is yet to be identified in the UK – but growers were told to act now to protect potato crops because blight strains that start in Europe inevitably make their way over here, says Geoff Hailstone, potato lead at UPL UK.

“Farmers need to plan their blight control pro grammes carefully,” he warns. Resistance was confirmed in a joint study by leading agri-chemical compa nies and researchers from Aarhus Univer sity, Denmark.

While a concern, blight resistance to fungicidal products is not a novel sit uation for UK growers. Les-

sons have been learnt as a result of previous fungicide resistance issues, says Mr Hailstone.

Responsible approach

“The UK has a robust blight monitoring programme and a responsible approach to control. British producers still have plenty of options to choose from, but solo product applications must be avoided.”

Instead, growers should consult their agronomists about product mixing. “The advice should be to mix blight control products with at least one active ingredient from another group. And with each application, mixes need to be alternated.”

Growers should be mindful that all carboxylic acid amide (CAA) group fungicides, of which mandipropamid is one, could pose a threat because there is a cross-resistance risk between CAA products. CAA group products contain dimethomorph, benthiovalicarb, or mandiprop-

amid, says Mr Hailstone. “We need to monitor these fungicides, as there may be additional losses from this product group.”

A prudent approach would be to consider mixing single-site products like mandipropamid with a multi-site product like Manzate 75 WG (mancozeb) or using Proxanil (propamocarb + cymoxanil) which contain actives from low-resistance-risk groups.

Later in the season, Proxanil + Ranman Top (cyazofamid) are rated most effective on the Euroblight table to control tuber blight and avoid issues in storage.

Advice to protect blight fungicide efficacy

Confirmation of a single strain blight pathogen in Denmark has reinforced advice for growers and agronomists to prevent resistance occurring in the UK.

European research has shown that the gene mutation associated with CAA resistance is only observed in homozygous strains of pathogens – which significantly reduces the risk of further resistant strains developing.

In previous reports, the James Hutton Institute has highlighted how difficult it is for blight pathogens to make the transition to the UK against prevailing winds, says Syngenta technical manager Andy Cunningham.

“Revus (mandipropamid) remains as effective against the UK blight population as

has always been the case. The key challenge continues to be to assure that the CAA chemistry group efficacy can be protected as an essential tool for growers.”

Syngenta’s dedicated European trial protocols – in the presence of high disease pressure and CAA resistant strains – had shown that mandipropamid in mixtures with alternative modes of action had always delivered effective control of the disease.

Furthermore, the strategy reduced the level of resistance in the blight population. Adding a mixture partner was the most effective, along with alternating sprays with different modes of action that was also a useful additional tool.

The work also demonstrated that simply

raising the dose of CAA fungicide or increasing the number of sprays would prove counterproductive, thus increasing selection and the incidence of a resistant strain, says Mr Cunningham.

“Always mix CAA fungicides with a product with an alternative mode of action on blight, as well as to alternate sprays with different modes of action where possible. The overall number of CAA fungicides in the season-long blight programme should also be limited.

“Furthermore, maintaining spray intervals to assure preventative treatment and good application techniques to achieve full protection of the crop canopy will reduce the risk of any blight developing.”

The UK has a robust monitoring programme

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Andy Cunningham: growers still have options to control blight

Potato blight remains a catastrophic disease

Root Crops

Second year of success for beet nematicide

Agarlic-based nematicide has proved its worth in in dependent sugar beet tri als for a second successive season.

Trials of NEMguard DE in Yorkshire and Thetford during 2021/22 were very encouraging – despited the low risk of dock ing disorder in 2022, says Alistair Wright, a crop protection scientist with the British Beet Research Or ganisation (BBRO).

NEMGuard performed as well as Vydate, explained Dr Wright. Sugar beet plants were healthier from establishment relative to the untreated crop, he said.

In addition, root fanging symp toms were significantly reduced.

'Perfect dose'

Fully randomised trials were conducted by the BBRO during the 2022/23 campaign to build the body of data and replicate the initial results. Trials were supported by manufacturer Ecospray and Certis Belchim.

NEMguard again improved root quality, said Dr Wright.

“There is a perfect dose response to NEMguard from the Yorkshire site, with an improvement in root quality seen as the rate increased,

despite it being such a low-risk season.

“Everything looks positive from what we’ve seen so far and should build confidence.” Dr Wright advised growers to get soil testing

done ahead of drilling the 2023/24 beet crop.

“Get your drill ready and if you have an free-living nematode issue and risk is high, use it in 2023,” said Dr Wright.

BBRO guidance on application rate is to continue using NEMguard DE at 10kg/ha. But the dose response seen in the 2022/23 trials suggests that growers can move up to the maximum individual dose of 20kg/ha rate to get a healthy payback.

“Even if free-living nematode pressure is moderate, growers should see a return with the current value of sugar beet at £40/t,” said Dr Wright.

“If it turns out to be a wet year, the case is even stronger.”

Growers should ensure their applicators are serviced and calibrated ready for NEMGuard DE application this spring, said Jeremy Booth, eeastern technical account manager for Certis Belchim, which markets the product.

Nematode damage to a seedling (right), compared to a healthy beet plant (left). Photo credit: Blackthorn Arable

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Root Crops

How seed potato trials are helping to control disease

Researchers and farmers testing alternative solutions to protect the high health status of the UK seed potato industry.

With chemistry to protect seed crops fast disappearing from the toolbox, experts from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society Presidential Initiative are exploring ways agronomist can work with farmers to develop more integrated pest management strsategies.

Scottish Agronomy has been working with potato grower Jim Reid, who has been involved with seed potato trials for more than a decade at Milton of Mathers Farm, near St Cyrus, in south Aberdeenshire.

Agronomists and Mr Reid have been studying the benefits and prac-

ticality of spreading straw mulch and applying mineral oils to the crop can opy – and comparing this integrated approach with the effectiveness of us ing a pyrethroid insecticide.

Climate pressures

Trials in Aberdeenshire and Fife found that applying a straw mulch led to a 49% reduction in mosaic virus, with a 54% reduction when mineral oil was applied. A pyrethroid insecticide in creased mosaic virus.

Scottish Agronomy expert Eric An derson said science was needed more than ever to solve some of the climate pressures threatening crops. The need for collaboration with growers and researchers was critical for translating science in to practice, he added.

and we complement each other.

“Our skills base is largely complementary but too often scientists are guilty of working in silos, and there is a lack of joining up the dots through

More farmers were taking a nuanced approach to crop protection, said Mr Reid. “It is important moving forward that we listen to the science and look at how we can take more of an inte-

grated approach to building our resilience,” he said.

“We have taken a belt and braces approach to protecting our crops, regardless of the consequences and now we are seeing that aphids are becoming more resistant to pyrethroids and the few products we have left are disappearing. ”

No silver bullet

“There is no silver bullet, but thorough some of the work we have been doing in our trials, we have been able to demonstrate scalable, practical techniques which could be more widely adopted by the seed potato industry.”

Ewan Pate, who is vice-president of the RHASS initiative, said times were changing. For many years, the answer to problems like aphid resistance to insecticides involved chemistry. Now the answer was more likely to be biological or mechanical.

“It is scientific nonetheless and this interesting work at Milton of Mathers fits in very well with the 2023 RHASS Presidential Initiative, which highlights the science behind food and

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• Improve resilience to stress

• Greater root development which enhances nitrogen use efficiency

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• Reducing nitrogen pollution in ground water

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• Enhancing skin finish

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We can help you achieve these results by using our products with your blight sprays:

• Reducing nitrogen pollution in ground water

• Enhancing skin finish

We can help you achieve these results by using our products with your blight sprays:

Top: Alternative techniques include wildflower corridors from headlands to the middle of the field.

Above: Arable farmer Jim Reid, at Milton of Mathers farm in Aberdeenshire, has been at the heart of seed potato trials in Scotland for over a decade.

Root Crops

Greenvale teams up with Trinity AgTech

set ambitious, yet achievable goals to credibly reduce our carbon outputs, and convey them with integrity.”

ogy and will be an important player in this natural capital space.

Potato supplier Greenvale AP has partnered with carbon calculator company Trinity AgTech to measure progress towards the company's environmental targets.

Greenvale technical director Joann Reid said the business was looking to update its environmental strategy by identifying areas for carbon reduction before setting ambitious but achievable new targets.

Trinity AgTech's natural capital navigator package Sandy would ena ble potato growers on farms across the country credibly and confidently ana lyse their sustainability and carbon cre dentials, saidMs Reid

She added: “As a leading supplier of fresh potatoes and the UK’s largest sup plier of organic potatoes, we are active ly building a strategy to deliver against a growing demand for more sustaina ble produce.

Right partner

“We want to fulfil consumer and sup ply chain demands for sustainable, low carbon produce, so we’ve been looking for the right partner to work with that helps us meet these needs.”

The software would help Greenvale and its growers understand where they currently sit in terms of their natural capital and carbon footprint – and what the best options are for ensuring envi ronmental goals are met.

“The nature of growing potatoes cur rently involves relatively high carbon outputs. But, gathering rigorous ana lytics through Sandy will allow us to

Sandy was the obvious solution to partner with to strengthen the business resilience of their farmers and grower network, said Ms Reid. “We haven’t come across another natural capital navigator which offered the breadth that Sandy offers.

“The long-term aim of this new partnership is to create financial, environmental, and social resilience for Greenvale growers by capturing scientific data and analysis which growers can use to accurately pinpoint areas of opportunity.”

Trinity AgTech business devel

“Building an evidence base from credible data is crucial for good decision making. We’re looking forward to working with Greenvale and its growers through their sustainability journey.”

Other potato suppliers are increasingly looking at ways to demonstrate the sustainability of their supply chains. This includes adopting farming practices which protect soil, reduce the use of pesticides and enhance biodiversity.

In 2021, McCain announced that it was partnering with its growers and agronomists to implement regenera

• Carbon reduction is seen as key

• 'Crucial for good decision-making'

• Other suppliers are doing similar

Greenvale is among the country's biggest potato suppliers

Greenvale is among the country's biggest potato suppliers

Crop drying, ventilation and storage systems specialists.

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Email:

Root Crops

Vervaet Connect telematics for older machines

Sugar beet harvester manufacturer Vervaet has in troduced a backward compatible version of its Ver vaet Connect telematics system.

The system is suitable for machines produced during the last 7-12 years – depending on specification. It allows oper ators to use the latest efficiency-increasing technology for precision farming, management and remote-diagnostics.

Launched last January at a working demonstration by UK-importers J Riley Beet Harvesters, all Vervaet self-pro pelled machines are now equipped with Vervaet Connect as standard.

Yield mapping

The system allows operators to view real-time and histor ical machine data remotely through the MyVervaet online portal. Additional optional equipment makes yield map ping possible on sugar beet harvesters.

Vervaet Connect can be added to Vervaet Beet Eater 617, 625 and Q-616 beet harvesters manufactured from 2011 onwards. Fitment requires additional wiring and a touchscreen control terminal. Customers can trade-in their old screen against a new unit.

“By also offering Vervaet Connect for existing machines we are providing customers the opportunity to experience the system and gain the benefits for their business,” says Vervaet sales manager Jonathan Hoekman.

“We envisage Vervaet Connect as an addition suitable for every machine and every user. This year we are working hard to further improve the system with premium features accessible to everyone in 2023.”

The new updated Vervaet Connect will be available in two license levels – Connect Essential and Connect Premium. The basic level provides real-time machine tracking and remote access to operational data, service information and warnings.

Premium allows field-specific data to be exported to farm management software including retrieval of historic data to allow customer- and field-specific reports to be generated. Vervaet Connect can also be used for remote diagnostics, potentially reducing downtime.

Better rooting systems encourage higher yields at harvest

Micro-nutrition boosts beet yields by 10%

AYorkshire grower is using biostimulants and microbial nutrition to boost his sugar beet yield by as much as 10%.

Andrew Wilson is the fourth generation of his family to farm on the Castle Howard Estate, north-east of York. He has used several products from the OptiYield nutrition range over the past five years.

After increasing the marketable yield of his crisping potatoes, Mr Wilson teamed up with Simon Fox of OptiYield to devise a 6ha trial of OptiYield's Consortium-Z and BugBoost on Evalotta sugar beet planted on a medium loam soil.

Consortium-Z is a liquid microbial formulation of seven bacteria that stimulate and promote root and plant growth. The product aims to increase crop emergence, vigour and rooting, boosting performance while improving resilience to wet, cold, heat and drought.

Root growth

BugBoost has been designed to feed, stimulate and strengthen the growth of the microbial colonies that make up Consortium-Z. A biostimulant, it aims to increase root growth, helping the crop to make better use of nutrients within the soil.

Applying the two products at

planting helps crops produce a healthy root system as they establish – including a strong tap root that is fundamental in the plant’s ability to anchor itself in the soil and to store sucrose for harvest.

As with any crop, preparation of the seed bed is essential. Mr Wilson undertook his normal routine of adding farmyard manure in February, cultivation and flat lifting in early April with power harrowing and drilling at the end of the month.

The Consortium-Z and BugBoost were applied by adding a liquid applicator fixed to the five-row planter with one row left untreated as a control. Following planting, the trial area was then treated in the same way as the rest of the field.

The trial area produced a yield of 88t/ha – almost 9% more than the untreated area. Further analysis showed a 0.5% increase in sugars and 10% increase in marketable yield – increasing Mr Wilson's net margin by £75/ha.

“I wasn’t completely surprised by the increases in tonnage and quality because of our experience with Consortium Z on the potatoes. But I was surprised by just how much more resilient the crop was to challenging weather conditions.”

The telematics system is compatible with a range of new and older Vervaet sugar beet harvesters

New test for potato pesticide residues

Anew test has been launched by Eurofins Agro UK to detect pesticide residue detection.

Booked online, it comes some farm assurance schemes have implemented the need for growers to test every year – or at least have an evidence-based justification for fewer tests.

The potato industry is expected to make significant changes to the way potatoes are stored following the loss of approval for chlorpropham (CIPC). This may include the use of other chemicals like maleic hydrazide and 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene.

Farm assurance schemes are keen to see crops tested for potential residues to prevent chemicals being transferred to the food chain. Eurofins Agro offers a UKAS accredited pesticide residue test for potatoes which costs £160 per one kilo sample.

“The tests can be booked and paid for online, and results from samples that are sent directly to our laboratory take between three and four weeks,” said Sophie Cath, from Eurofins Agro UK.

The UK's system of statutory Maxi-

mum Residue Levels (MRLs) represent the maximum safe amounts of residue likely to remain in food products when a pesticide has been correctly used by growers who adhere to good agricul tural practice, said Ms Cath.

Vital data

“By using our tests, growers will receive vital data to ensure products are fit for purpose and will be able to provide evi dence to regulators and consumers that potatoes are safe by demonstrating that any residues present are below regu latory limits, or MRLs.”

Potatoes form a significant part of the UK diet and monitoring shows that sometines the crop contains pesticide residues – albeit at safe levels. The UK food industry continues to keep these residues to a minimum.

Until approval was withdrawn, chlorpropham was seen as a vital tool to control sprouting in stored por tatoes. It was applied to about 3.5m tonnes of potatoes stored each year in the UK but alternative strategies are now used.

The test aims to help reduce pesticide residues

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Marketing key to getting best from potatoes

Farmer-owned East Suffolk Produce is celebrating its 10th anniversary

Potato planting progressed in fits and starts this spring in east Suffolk – in terrupted by a fortnight of rain which delayed what was a promising beginning.

Planting began early for James Fos kett Farms at Bromeswell, near Wood bridge. But 90mm of rain in just 14 days put a stop to proceedings. Final ly, it dried up enough to get an early Marfona seed crop in the ground near Needham Market on 21 March.

“It started off good, and we were able to get ahead, much like everyone else,” says Mr Foskett. “But then we had a wet fortnight – not horrendous ly wet but consistently wet and not a lot of drying in between, which ground us to a bit of a halt.”

James Foskett Farms encompasses

Potato profile

James Foskett (left) with farm manager Mike Shapland Continued overleaf

Potato profile

some 1400ha (3500 acres) of light soil. As well as the home farm, it includes a combination of tenure types, rang ing from contract farming, farm busi ness tenancies and annual licences in a 35-mile radius around Bromeswell.

Main enterprises comprise 385ha of potatoes and 140ha of convention al onions, with some cereals and sugar beet. But the farm also includes 90ha of organic carrots, radishes, sweet corn, green beans, beetroot and butternut squash.

Lighter soils

“We were just over 20% planted on potatoes by mid-March – whereas usu ally we would be about 35% by now,” says Mr Foskett. “We also still have 40 hectares of onions to get in. You can push potatoes a little on the lighter soils – but you can't force onions too much.”

Growing a good crop is key to suc cess. But so too is good marketing. James Foskett Farms is a founder-member of East Suffolk Produce –set up by a handful of growers who wanted to market their potatoes more effectively.

Formed in 2013, the farmer-owned marketing group is celebrating its 10th anniversary – helping growers secure more sustainable prices for their potatoes and supplying the crop to a wider segment of customers.

The group originally comprised James Foskett Farms, Greenwell Farms, Home Farm (Nacton), William Wrinch Farms and RJ & HW Wrinch then joined by JA Low & Sons and Wix Farms a year or two later.

Also based at Bromeswell, the growers in the East Suffolk Produce group produce some 50,000t of ware potatoes and 5000t of seed potatoes across some 1300ha of owned and rented land in and around coastal Suffolk and Essex.

Diverse crops

All farms grow a diverse range of conventional crops including wheat, barley, sugar beet, cabbages, cauliflower and onions. But they all share the same philosophy – that marketing potatoes is best done as a group rather than individually.

The teamwork ethos extends from the field to the office. The group employs five full-time staff members, covering accounts, ware sales, logistics, seed sales, agronomy, field and store sampling.

“This allows us to cover all vital areas of potato production to ensure that we can achieve the best possible results for our growers and customers at all times,” says ESP managing director and agronomist James Wrinch.

“We are ideally located on the east Suffolk coast – and the mild climate

Field preparation and planting this crop of early Marfona took place on 21 March

and warmer temperatures provide frost protection for the early season crops that we specialise in growing.”

Group members focus on early production from the beginning of June for new potatoes and the middle of July for Marfona and Maris Piper. Desiree and King Edwards usually starting during the first week in August.

“We store Whites, Piper, Maris Peer and Charlotte through the season,” says Mr Wrinch. “Home Farm Nacton and James Foskett Farms also grow organic potatoes and other organic vegetables.”

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amount. Just in time delivery can be arranged all the way through until the end of May.

The seed business comprises James Foskett Farms, Home Farm Nacton and Greenwell Farms. In total, it produces 200ha of certified seed – much of it aged so it emerges faster producing a commercial advantage for the customer in the following ware crop.

ahead of planting a crop of early Marfona seed potatoes near Needham Market

ed grower group,” says Mr Wrinch.

“We offer all of our growers a tailor made agronomy service to meet their requirements and also engage in agronomy and consultancy work with non-members.”

The group takes its wider responsibilities seriously too. East Suffolk Produce is part of the Carbon Charter network of sustainable businesses

in Suffolk which explore ways of reducing their environmental impact and sharing best practice with others.

James Foskett Farms manager Mike Shapland says: “It works because we're all like-minded growers. We are geographically close but we are also like-minded in our approach, professionalism and attention to detail when growing and marketing potatoes.

“That gives East Suffolk Produce the confidence to go out on our behalf and negotiate confidently for good contracts – we've been able to deliver on those agreements. There is strength and depth when it comes to something like that.

“There have been glitches sometimes due to the weather, which is understandable. But we have been able to support each other as growers – covering any gaps for one another as and when necessary. That means it has worked really well for us.

“We're also relatively flexible as growers as well. We're happy to take on additional loads or chop and change as things move. It works and it has given us a reputation for going the extra mile and being customer friendly.”

Continued overleaf

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Potato profile

Contined from previous page

Before the East Suffolk Produce group was set up, the growers were supplying fewer than 30 customers. Today, they are supplying about 50. These are mainly in the prepack market, with some seed and one or two contracts for processing.

Doing it differently

“Rather than just trying to produce thousands and thousands of tonnes of white potatoes in September – which is the same as the rest of the country –we try to take advantage of our our geographical and climatic location,” says Mr Shapland.

“We're trying to fulfil contracts that are a little bit niche. That means early crops such as early Peer followed by Charlottes. We also do early Piper and early whites, with specialty varieties such as King Edwards and then finest Reds and things like that."

Research and development remains important. James Foskett Farms was the eastern region Strategic Potato (SPot) Farm for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board –part of the AHDB's excellence network.

Since the demise of AHDB Pota-

toes in 2022, Foskett Farms has been working with the Potato Partnership – conducting a number of field trials with a small group of other farmers and agronomy company Agrii. Trials so far have included varie tal performance and potato cyst nema tode (PCN) resistance. A website is due to be launched giving members pass

word-protected access to trial results and other useful information.

It works well, adds Mr Foskett.

“We're confident that we can make a return if we do our end of the job well

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Charlie Stevens, Josie Cockburn and Charlie Trembath in the East Suffolk

Push ahead urgently with review of pork sector, Defra warned

• Reform needed for secure future

• Fairer producer price mechanism

• Government must honour pledge

The government is being urged to push forward with its pork supply chain view – and help secure lasting reform and a fairer trading environment for struggling pig producers.

The past two years have seen pig production losses estimated at £750m while many other parts of the supply chain remain profitable, said the National Pig Association (NPA). The sector is suffering an ongoing crisis that simply cannot continue, it added.

More than 350 responses were submitted to Defra’s consultation on contractual practice in the pig supply chain last autumn, most of whom were producers.

“This not only gave Defra a very robust mandate, but also a comprehensive body of evidence to be able to make real progress on the outcomes we so desperately need,” said NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson.

Time running out

A proper and comprehensive review had the potential, ultimately, to bring about clearer and more certain contractual relations within the chain, underpinned by new legislation, added Mrs Wilson.

Defra minister Mark Spencer has suggested that Defra’s response to the pork consultation is due to be published imminently soo. But the NPA insists this must be just the start of a reform process – and the government must be fully committed to it.

A similar review of the dairy sector was initiated by Defra in 2020. This is still in progress with legislation expected this year.

Mrs Wilson said: “The UK pig sector does not have that sort of time and we

hope the lessons learned by the dairy sector will help us in this process.

“We lost an estimated 15% of the national breeding sow herd in the 12 months to June 2022. Although there are now signs of a return to profitability, the independent pig sector remains in an extremely fragile state.

“While we appreciate this is not going to happen overnight and any policy must be fit for purpose, producers need confidence to continue production.

“We need the risk to be more proportionately spread through the supply chain, and that will only come with far-reaching reforms.”

Eight key recommendations

The NPA made eight key requests in its response to Defra’s consultation last autumn. It sees those requests as a blueprint for what the NPA says would be a fairer, more transparent and more sustainable pork supply chain.

Demands

Key asks include legislation to underpin new pig contracts. This would allow producers, marketing groups and pork processors to negotiate terms that work for all parties – including a fair price for producers backed by an effective dispute resolution mechanism.

The NPA also wants better forecasting to improve business planning, as part of a drive to increase transparency across the chain. It wants buyers to make better use of the entire pig carcase, rather than just selective cuts.

NPA chief policy adviser Rebecca Veale added: “We have moved from a situation where processors did not have the capacity to take the number of pigs available, causing horrendous backlogs on farm, to one where we now have a shortage of British pigs.

“Pig prices are now rising as a result, but this degree of volatility is in nobody’s interests, which is why we want a more balanced trading environment, better forecasting and for buyers to take a longer-term perspective.”

The

NPA says

a fairer

supply

chain will benefit everyone, not just producers

We desperately need real progress

“

New director sought for fallen stock company

The National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) is seeking a new board director with experience of the pig industry.

NFSCo is the nationwide service for the collection and disposal of fallen stock. It is looking for a director who understands the livestock sector and its challenges – and who can relate to the context of the business with a degree of empathy for the people involved.

The company's aims and objectives include promoting high biosecurity levels while finding ways of reducing the cost of fallen stock disposal.

NFSCo says creating competition between fallen stock collectors helps keep prices low to farmers.

Cost-effective

The advert for a new board member does not specify a particular sector. But the new appointee will replace former National Pig Association regional director Ian Campbell – and the NPA says someone with a similar background will help NFSCo refine its service for pig producers.

The NFSCo board provides high-level oversight of company activities and performance while making decisions on behalf of stakeholders.

Previous board or committee experience is desirable, as is an understanding of operational processes, current technology and strategic planning.

NFSCo chairman Michael Seals said: “This is an opportunity for a forward-thinking livestock farming or veterinary professional to join our board to help shape and manage a service that is vital to the farming community.

“In return, being a member of the NFSCo Board will provide a platform to meet influential, and well-connected people in our industry and those associated with us. A rewarding role that will challenge your thinking.”

The non-executive paid role involves four two-day board meetings annually, plus other strategic meetings as required, totalling 10-12 days per year. The closing date for applications is Friday, 14 April.

For full details, email Jane Rockingham at jane@nfsco.co.uk.

excreted by the birds.

Changes to Wynnstay poultry diets have shown a 13.4% reduction in poultry phosphate excretion can be achieved through simple changes, which lower the requirement for monocalcium phosphate (MCP).

The revised rations required lower levels of monocalcium phosphate.

Below: Simple changes made a big difference, says Jim Turne

"It’s important to have an alternative option that doesn’t affect the cost of the ration or the performance of the bird, and therefore the most economic and sustainable option is to increase the dose of the phytase enzyme.”

Premier Nutrition poultry nutritionist Eloise Lawlor worked alongside Wynnstay to change the rations. A proportion of phosphorus found in poultry diets is in the form of phytate phosphorus which is indigestible and an anti-nutritional factor, she said.

Check

inlets to optimise controlled ventilation

Pig producers are being reminded to control ventilation rates accurately during cold weather to ensure pig welfare and avoid wasting energy.

“We often think about where we set temperature and minimum ventilation rates, but it’s easy to forget that the most important component of the ventilation system is the inlet – where the air comes in,” says Farmex ventilation specialist Hugh Crabtree.

Modern inlets usually involve a mechanised set of plastic units with a winch motor and cord. But these can stick if they become dirty or need adjusting.

“For the sake of good environmental control and energy saving, do it now,” says Mr Crabtree.

Wynnstay head of poultry Jim Turner says feed rations were adapted after concerns around phosphate pollution from poultry farms. Rations were adapted to reduce phosphate requirements, thereby reducing potential excretion, he added.

A triple dose of a phytase enzyme was added to all layer diets, with a 10.4% reduction in total phosphorus content in the diet – and a 13.4% reduction in phosphorus excre tion per bird per year, said Mr Turner.

Saving money

This was achieved by birds mo bilising bound phosphorus from the raw materials. As a result, the inclusion of MCP could be re duced – helping to save producers money while being good for the environment.

Anti-nutritional factors can influence nutrient utilisation, so reducing MCP levels and incorporating a triple dose of a phytase enzyme where suitable can increase calcium and phosphate availability and utilisation.

“This results in improved feed efficiency and reduces the amount of phosphorus being bypassed and excreted by the bird,” explains Ms Lawlor.

With MCP being a finite resource and phosphate pollution high on the agenda, changing feed rations is seen as a win-win. It can increase efficiency while protecting bird health, welfare and the environment.

Vaccination as the key to controlling OD post-zinc oxide removal

Oedema disease (OD) is caused by a toxin produced by Shiga toxin-encoding Escherichia coli (STEC). Typically, OD is considered mostly a weaned pig disease with signs occurring during the nursery period, usually within 2 weeks after weaning, although cases may be observed in later production stages as well. The disease may be sporadic and may affect only individual animals, but occasionally an entire batch of pigs is affected. It is important that OD is accurately diagnosed so that preventative measures can be implemented on farm. Currently Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is used to control the disease and prevent clinical presentation, however with the upcoming removal from pig diets, new solutions with the same outcome need to be found.

STEC bacteria colonises the gut of the piglet over 3–6 days, multiplying to high levels, mediated by presence of receptors susceptible to F18 which allow attachment of the bacteria to the intestinal mucosa. Following colonisation, Shiga toxin (Stx2e) is produced and absorbed into the circulation, resulting in vascular damage, increased vascular permeability, fluid loss and oedema as recognised as OD.

ZnO is commonly used to control the incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) after weaning, although the precise mechanism of action of ZnO has not yet been fully established. However,

many studies have hypothesised and demonstrated several beneficial effects of ZnO on different targets, as summarised in Figure 1 (Bonetti, 2021). One of these proposed actions is reducing bacterial adhesions to cells, therefore preventing the production of Shiga toxin, which provides a potential explanation for the success of ZnO in controlling OD.

Following the removal of ZnO, it is important to find another solution to controlling OD and the effects of the Shiga toxin on the gut of the pig. Vaccination has been shown to be a successful method in preventing clinical OD and reducing mortality due to the disease, which can be explained by the mechanism of action of the vaccine (Figure 2). Vaccination results in production of antibodies which neutralise the Shiga toxin, therefore preventing the damaging effects discussed previously.

Ecoporc Shiga (Ceva Animal Health Ltd) has a wide range of benefits including reduced incidence of disease and mortality in treated animals and reduced use of antimicrobials (Bastert et al., 2013). Vaccination with Ecoporc Shiga has been shown to significantly reduce losses particularly when ZnO is removed from the diet, with a recent study reporting the risk of death or culling as almost 12 times higher in non-vaccinated groups (Mesonero-Escuredo et al., 2021). Vaccination with Ecoporc Shiga has also been shown to improve FCR during the rearing period (Scollo and Mazzoni, 2017), therefore improving profitability for the producer.

For more information about Ecoporc Shiga or the diagnostic service offered by Ceva, please contact your vet.

Figure 1 - Beneficial effects and mechanisms of action of zinc oxide in post-weaning piglets (Source: Bonetti, 2021)

Figure 2 – Shigatoxin vaccination mechanism of action

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Study outlines alternatives to zinc in pig rations to beat diarrhoea

• Quest to reduce pig diarrhoea

• Work with suppliers to resolve

• Use mix of suitable strategies

Feed additives and nutritional changes can be combined with other strategies to combat post-weaning diarrhoea, says a study.

EU regulations have stopped the production of zinc oxide for therapeutic use – including its inclusion in feed rations to reduce diarrhoea in postweaned pigs. Any remaining product within the supply chain is expected to be exhausted this summer.

Alternative practices – including nutritional changes, management changes, and improving immune status – can reduce post-weaning diarrhoea and post-weaning mortality, suggests a study by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

Alternative options

The rapid evidence assessment (REA) was conducted by the AHDB in conjunction with Scotland's Rural College and the Pig Veterinary Society ahead of the upcoming ban on zinc supplementation in pigs.

Findings suggest a plethora of alternatives – but the study warns that no single intervention scores as highly on repeatability or reliability as the use of zinc oxide at therapeutic levels to control post-weaning diarrhoea.

es are as effective and inexpensive as zinc oxide in feed at therapeutic levels (2500ppm) in treating post-weaning diarrhoea in pigs. This highlights the need for a multifactorial approach tailored to each farm.

“This work provides a useful tool for the pork industry to navigate the loss of zinc oxide”, says AHDB animal health and welfare scientist Bethan John. Producers, vets and nutritionists should work together to decide the best practice for individual farms.

Gut health

A pig with a well-developed gut is less likely to suffer from post-weaning complications, such as diarrhoea. Reduced post-weaning dips in daily liveweight gain (DLWG) is also reported in pig-

Managing the removal of zinc effectively can be achieved by optimising gut health, maintaining good biosecurity and managimg colostrum effectively, suggests the report. This should be done in well-managed environments, it adds.

Acidification and fermentation can be used to reduce or control the disease-causing microbes that enter pigs’ guts through feed and water –although the AHDB says these techniques require substantial on-farm investment.

Altering the levels of certain nutrients can reduce stress on the developing pig gut. Research suggests reducing crude protein levels in weaner diets can lower the degree of post-weaning drops in performance.

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Defra rules out making changes to bird flu compensation

• No further changes likely in future

• Restocking is 'commercial choice'

•

Stronger biosecurity recommeded

The government has ruled out further changes to bird flu compensation – saying it is important to maintain a level playing field across the poultry sector.

MPs had called for the avian influenza compensation scheme to be revised so compensation is paid based on the number of birds alive in the affected flock at the point of disease notification, rather than the actual number of birds culled.

There have been 175 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza since 1 October 2022. This includes 148 cases in England, 21 cases in Scotland, five cases in Wales and

Therese Coffey: No plans for change [Photo: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com]

za outbreak. But Ms Coffey suggested there were no plans for additional government help.

Poultry producers at infected premises have a choice to either wait 12 months before restocking birds – or undertake secondary cleansing and disinfection to enable them to restock earlier, said Ms Coffey.

“The choice is therefore a commercial decision for the keeper,” she added.

“In many of the recent avian influenza outbreaks, epidemiological investigations have unfortunately highlighted a strong correlation to insufficient biosecurity measures.

“While it may seem attractive for the taxpayer to subsidise restocking efforts in order to maintain supply of poultry and eggs, we must make sure there is a level playing field within the sector.”

Countdown to Pigs Tomorrow conference

Communications expert Amy Jackson will share her thoughts about the best language to use when discussing key issues affecting the industry. This session will include a panel discussion on business reputation and animal welfare systems.

The afternoon of day two will focus on young producers, led by Flavian Oberio, vice-chairman of the Young National Pig Association. Youngsters will outline their hopes for the industry as it seeks to secure its reputation for future generations. For full details, visit pigstomorrow.com

more frequent, government chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss

Thousands of birds were culled to combat bird flu during the winter

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Grass & Forage

Novel grass 'could be a gamechanger'

• High yielding and drought tolerant

• Deeper roots increase resilience

• Better water and nutrient uptake

Scientists have developed a new grass variety which could be a gamechanger for livestock farmers facing increasingly extreme weather conditions.

Researchers at Aberystwyth University's National Plant Phenomics Centre found significant differences in rooting depth and behaviour when comparing new festulolium varieties with tetraploid ryegrasses.

Festuloliums are a cross between a ryegrass and fescue. A perennial festulolium, AberRoot has been bred by Aberystwyth scientists with the aim of developing characteristics suitable for our changing climate.

Robust variety

The new grass has a high-sugar content but is also tolerant to dry and cold conditions. It was bred by crossing an Aber High Sugar Grass tetraploid variety with Atlas Fescue, a native of the Atlas Mountains in north Africa.

Researchers compared root depths at 21, 42 and 77 days. They also looked at the effect of simulated grazing by cutting the grass at intervals similar to a rotational grazing system in the UK.

the tetraploid. After 77 days, it also had higher shoot and root dry weight – important for dry matter potential.

“It is clear the festulolium has greater rooting depth,” said Fiona Corke, Smarthouse manager at the National Plant Phenomics Centre. “When roots reach further, they can access water and nutrients deeper in the soil profile.”

This means better water and nutrient uptake – but it also improves carbon capture and soil porosity which provides better drainage and benefits soils which are at risk of flooding.

Simulated grazing

Researchers also noted simulated grazing was followed by a burst of extra root growth. Dr Corke said: “We want to ex-

nutrient efficiency.”

The new variety has a high sugar content and recovers well after cutting

AberRoot is the first perennial ryegrass based festulolium to be listed on the AHDB Recommended Grass and Clover List. It is expected to be available to UK growers in spring 2024.

Paul Billings, managing director of Germinal said: “We are pleased to see our Germinal Deep Root products showing such promising results. We will now conduct further trials to build up a bigger, more robust dataset.”

Germinal was committed to finding solutions to the challenge of producing food in the face of climate change, said Mr Billings. “Grassland is this country’s biggest crop and largest carbon store –and the foundation of sustainable livestock production.”

Kuhn offers £500 discount on new balers

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Baler centres offer demonstration events and online support through the MyKuhn customer portal. The discount

offer is valid until 31 July as part of an intiative encouraging farmers to go further with forage.

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Grass

is the bedrock of good livestock production

“

FARM WASTE PLASTICS RECYCLING

Dairy farmer reaps benefits after irrigating

maize crop

• Eases pressure of summer drought

• Worst affected maize area irrigated

• Financial and environmental benefit

ANorfolk farmer who irrigated maize to overcome last summer's drought says doing so was cost-effective –despite the expense.

Mark Larwood irrigated the worst drought-stressed areas of his 40ha maize crop at Oak House Farm, Larling. It helped ensure he produced sufficient forage for the farm's 250 Holstein dairy cows throughout the winter.

For more information please call Katherine Smith – 07590 850307 Tom Smith – 07801 416942

“Irrigation has become much more expensive following substantial increases in water and electricity prices – but ultimately the additional cost was more than offset by the benefits in maize yield and silage quality.

"Without it, we would undoubtedly have seen production fall substantially or had to buy in expensive additional forages and concentrates, assuming that sup-

plies were available.

“We have grown maize for 40 years as it suits our farm and what we want to do here. Maize is a high energy, high starch feed which reliably delivers high drymatter yields.

"It is very palatable and consistent in terms of feed value, so we have always fed a diet high in maize silage to optimise the performance of our high-input cows.”

Maize ration

Calving all year round, the farm's Holstein herd averages 10,700 litres per cow per year at 4.3% butterfat and 3.3% protein. The goal under the farm’s contract with Arla is to maximise these constituents.

“We want to produce as much milk as possible from forage, so maize silage makes up 70% to 80%

Claas and New Holland Grass Pickups in stock today

of the forage portion of the ration,” says Mr Larwood, who farms with his father Brendan, uncle Peter and three full-time staff.

“Maize is much more resistant to drought than grass, which is important because most of our farm is on sandy loam soil which is prone to drought.

"The average rainfall here is 600mm, but in 2022 we had just 450mm and very little of that fell in the critical growing period from March until June.

“When selecting varieties, out and out yield is not the only consideration, rather the overall quality, with enough starch to provide sufficient energy and reasonably early harvesting to allow a following crop of winter wheat or grass to be established.

"In 2022, two-thirds of the crop went into the extra-early variety Cathy and one-third into the ultra-early ES Tommen."

Variety choice

Cathy yields 104% of controls on the NIAB list and has delivered stable performance every year in trials, says Wilson Hendry, of forage specialists Grainseed.

"It's a variety characterised by very even growth throughout the season and has excellent drought tolerance on light soils. MGA trials have also shown it delivers su-

perb results under film.

"With a maturity rating of seven, it's a variety providing early grain maturity with high levels of ME at 11.5Mj/kg DM and starch at 29.0% from mature grains with large plants giving the potential to produce huge drymatter yields at 30%DM."

ES Tommen has excellent early vigour to speed establishment on heavier soils, but suited to a wide range of soil types, featuring large, erect cobs on big plants, plus excellent feed quality he adds.

"It's a variety characterised by early starch lay down in the grain for early harvest and the plant remains green, extending the harvesting window for an ultra-early maize."

"It makes excellent silage which is high in starch and has a high ME, typical DM starch and ME values being 33.5% and 11.6 MJ/kg."

Maximising performance

Despite the challenging conditions, both varieties looked very good through until June, but after three months with very little rain the decision to irrigate was taken, says Mr Larwood.

"Had we not started to irrigate then the plants would have started to shed leaves and the opportunity to do so would have been lost as the crop would not have been able to take up the water.

"Starting in early July, the maize received four irrigation passes over six weeks, 30mm be ing applied through a rain gun on each occasion. We irrigated about one-third of the total maize area which was most affected by drought conditions.

"The infrastructure was al ready available from when we grew potatoes, so the actual cost was about £45 per acre inch.

"In total, we invested about £180 per acre, but the payback made that very worthwhile.”

"Relative to the unirrigated area, where water was applied the fresh weight yield of maize almost doubled, from 17-18t/ha at 39%40% DM to 40t/ha at 33% DM, the latter figure being about average in a normal season.

"With maize from irrigated and non-irrigated fields mixed together in the clamp the overall quality was not far off what we would normally hope for, a remarkable result given the challenging conditions."

Thomas Scott Seating

Celebrating 96 years in business 1924-2020

Maize is more drought resistant than grass

Irrigating droughthit maize helped preserve crop yield and quality

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New folding silage fork launched for 2023 season

Attachment maker ProDig has launched a new folding silage fork ahead of this year’s grass cutting season.

The Mammoth and Taurus ranges of folding forks are available in widths from 3.6m (12ft) to 5.5m (18ft) with weights ranging from 1.5-2.2 tonnes. Tines are 50mm Hardox with a standard length of 1829mm (6ft) with a 2090mm (7ft) option for larger machines, says the company.

Centre section

Twin high tensile side tines are bolted in place for ease of replacement in the event of damage. An optional tine guard can be fitted for road safety when the fork is foldedwith a maximum width of 2.9m in the transport position

Up top, the spill frame is bolted to

the top frame and has been beefed up in line with the rest of the fork. A removable centre section is standard for machines with Z-bar linkage systems, while the entire spill frame can be removed for low roof situations.

Folding sides now feature an adjustable wing locking system for added strength and support even in the most demanding applications. Each wing is hydraulically held in place with an added double pilot check valve safety system.

This prevents creep during operation. It also protects against a wing falling during transport in the event of a hydraulic hose failure. Greaseable 40mm pins are fitted to the double clevis ram ends with 40x50mm replaceable bushings aiding efficiency.

The main pivot pins have been in-

Tyretech 24 Ltd

creased to 80x496mm. Again, these are greaseable and feature replaceable bushings to maximise performance and longevity.

The new bottom section is constructed from high yield 12mm folded and fabricated plates with an added 12mm Hardox wear strip fitted along the bottom to increase wear and improve component life.

The Taurus folding fork range can be specified with increased tine spacing if desired with an optional bolt-on maize blade. Both the Mammoth and Taurus range can be specified with customer logos or branding, as well as custom colour schemes.

The fork width is up to 5.5m, with smaller versions available.

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Partnership builds bigger and better silage clamps for less

How recycling reduces clamp costs

Recycled waste clay and topsoil from the construction industry can help slash the cost of a new silage clamp – or increase specification without extra charges.

'Muck-away' material removed from industrial, housing and civil engineering projects during site preparation is highly cost-effective and environmentally beneficial, says Will Wilson, of clamp experts ARK Agri.

“The bottom line is that everyday construction contractors are removing thousands of tonnes of high-quality material of the exact type required to build the sort of modern high capacity silage stores encouraged by the Environment Agency and planning authorities.

“You only have to look at the amount of new housing and warehousing going up around the country to realise how much of this material there is available.

Perfect base

“It’s a construction company’s worst nightmare to try and dispose of this with significant legislation and fees involved, [but] it’s a silage clamp builder’s dream.

“In conventional clamp construction the material, often a mix of clay and topsoil, is perfect for levelling bases and correcting levels on site.

With this in mind, ARK Agriculture has set up the first of what it hopes will be several muck-away partnerships with construction and haulage contractors to identify and deliver suitable material to farm businesses building new clamps, says Mr Wilson.

‘Win-win’ arrangement

“Muck-away has historically been tipped in areas like disused quarries or land fill sites but there are limitations to this method and the transport costs and fees are considerable.

“But by accepting this material, producers have access to a relatively lowcost building material with the money saved being used, for example, to subsidise their planning application, Environment Agency approval and even support the installation of a full ARK system.

“It’s a win-win all-round. The muckaway contractor gets a cost-effective site to tip material, the farmer gets a new subsidised clamp and we get to build a higher specification sloping wall installation.

Less risk

“Such clamps reduce the likelihood of pollution incidents and are welcomed by the Environment Agency and, because they are also extremely easy

company’s unique and patented design, says Mr Wilson.

“The sloping wall means the walls are extremely durable not moving under the pressure of modern clamp machinery and the earth bank provides a safe working platform for operators to cover and uncover clamps.

“Furthermore, it means material can be safely stored above the height of the wall and we estimate this can add as much as 10% to the capacity of the clamp for a given footprint.

High oxygen barrier film

Such developments combined with modern Silostop high oxygen barrier films (HOBs) are giving producers a real opportunity to move their forage production forward and make the most efficient use of home-grown feed materials while minimising environmental impacts, he believes.

"Building a new clamp rather than relying on baled silage can help dairy farmers reduce costs, minimise use of plastic on-farm and lower their carbon footprint significantly.

"Over 20-years, the cost of ensiling each tonne of silage would be halved, use of plastic would be nearly 20 times less and associated C02 production would be reduced by nearly 95%.”

There are now over 200 ARK systems installed across in the UK.

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Professional services

Plan to extend agricultural inheritance tax relief

Government plans could see agricultural inheritance tax relief extended to include land under long-term environmental land management.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the surprise move in last month's Spring Budget. The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers described the announcement as good news for landowners and farmers.

CAAV secretary and adviser Jeremy Moody said: “This is welcome news for landowners and farmers, who may have concerns about entering certain environmental schemes in case they forfeit agricultural property relief (APR).”

Call for evidence

Stage one of the process calls for evidence on the tax treatment of ecosystem service units. The aim is to understand the commercial operations and areas of uncertainty in respect

of taxation.

Stage two is a consultation about a possible extension of APR from inheritance tax to cover land in environmental land management – exploring how far APR may be a barrier to taking up environmental management options.

The call for evidence also seeks views on the Rock Review’s proposal to limit APR on let land to where it is let for at least eight years. This is a chance for all views to be considered, said Mr Moody.

The CAAV has voiced concern that limiting APR to land let for at least eight years could see any gains outweighed by land being let for shorter terms or not let at all. “It will not encourage anyone who is not letting to start letting,” says Mr Moody.

Long overdue

Strutt & Parker research director Jason Beedell said the launch of a new

consultation exploring the taxation of land used for the provision of ecosystem services was one of the most significant rural announcements.

“This is long overdue,” he said.

Mr Beedell added: “The potential expansion of APR [to include] certain types of environmental land management would give farmers greater confidence that changes in land use will not put their tax status at risk.

‘We have long argued that landowners should not be penalised for taking steps to address the challenge of climate change and biodiversity loss.

“It would be a welcome step. Coupled with government guidance on the stacking and bundling of ecosystem payments which Defra has already promised, it will remove another barrier preventing farmers from getting more involved in environmental land management.”

The closing date for the public consultation is 9 June 2023.

Tax relief could make ELMs more attractive

More farmers would sign up to Defra's Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMs) if it is covered by agricultural inheritance tax relief, say industry leaders.

Country Land and Business Association president Mark Tufnell said: “The CLA has campaigned extensively to change the definition of agriculture in the tax system to include ecosystem services.

“It is vital to give farmers and landowners the confidence they need to engage with environmental delivery, improving biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

“Without this change, we will see a perverse outcome whereby forward thinking, nature friend-

ly farming will be punished by the tax system.”

The change would also serve to encourage farmers to look afresh at entering into ELMs, said Mr Tufnell. “ELMs has laid a path that is worth walking, and we encourage farmers to look very carefully at it.”

That said, it was difficult to see what – if any –ambition the government had for the rural economy, added Mr Tufnell. Rural businesses continue to be held back by apathy in public policy, not least in the planning system.

“The rural economy is 19% less productive than the national average. Closing this gap would add £43bn to the national economy. Nothing in this budget will unlock that vast potential.”

Mark Tufnell: Path worth walking

More land could be entered into environmental stewardship schemes

This is long overdue

“

can your farm data tell you?

As farming becomes more complex and markets more volatile, we all know that optimising operations can help increase yields and reduce costs Farmers are increasingly turning to technology to help them make better decisions

One of the most valuable tools available to farmers today is farm data But what is farm data, and why is it so important?

Farm data is simply the collection of information related to your farm operations This can include everything from yield information, sales records and invoices, to spray records and equipment usage By collecting and analysing this data, you can gain valuable insights into your operations to make more informed decisions

The first perceived hurdle of using farm data effectively is collecting it, but many farms already have a wealth of it There are a variety of tools and technologies already being used such as sensors and farm management software Alongside other increasing technology such as drones and soil mapping As the data is collected, it can be analysed to identify trends and patterns either internally within your farm or against wider data sets

However, it's important to note that not all data is created equal To make informed decisions, you need to be able to trust the data you're collecting and analysing This means that the quality of the data is just as important as the quantity

For example, if you're collecting combine telematics from a sensor that has not been properly calibrated, the data may not be 100% accurate to the exact tonnage taken from a field, but it is going to be accurate enough for you to identify trends across fields Once that year's grain has been sold, the total tonnage can be analysed against your field telematics to reveal a true figure for each field Our software cleans, validates, and structures data before inputting it into our analysis platform, automating that type of previously timeconsuming activity

In short, farm data can provide valuable insights to you as a farmer As data use becomes more prevalent and the results of successful data implementation become more evident, farms are starting to seek higher volumes of data capture with higher accuracy of recording

Lauren Mann Relationship Manager 07496 416025 lm@yagro.com

What

FINAL SAY Fen Tiger

Looking back to go forwards

The past has lessons for us all when it comes to securing our farming future, says Fen Tiger.

My elders constantly tell me that farming has to look to the past to move forward and something has to change. I don't want to go back down memory lane but it does make you wonder what farming was once like – and what it has become.

This was thrown into sharp relief in late February when I saw on my travels a tractor pulling what can only be described as a rake-like machine. It was rear-mounted with a simple single blade about 6m long.

The machine was effectively tractor hoeing wheat – the purpose being to destroy blackgrass that had survived the pre- and post-emergence sprays. The wheat looked as if it was drilled in rows about 10 inches apart –so the hoe could work on GPS steering.

Wide and narrow

I took a closer look over the hedge when the coast was clear. Then I noticed that the drill hadn't been set correctly, so some rows were wide and others narrow. This meant manual steering was the only option, which ruled out any operator under the age of 40.

The results meant some wheat plants were covered up and the blackgrass was partially disturbed – although most of it was still attached by the root. If this operation had been done in drying conditions some of the black-

grass may have been killed.

But the wheat plant count was somewhat reduced – and it remains to be seen how much blackgrass survives. I was later told that the idea is to scalp the blackgrass so it stunts the growth and keeps the weed in the bottom of the wheat crop, preventing it from seeding.

My elders tell me this was common practice in wheat and beans in the late 1950s and early 1960s. But with the modern hoe costing upwards of £10,000 is it still a viable option? Looking at the field a month on, it seems the blackgrass will still rule the roost.

Costs and benefits

The other great innovation during the late 1950s was, of course, the Triple-D tractor, produced by Ernest Doe & Sons of Ulting, Essex. Capable of pulling a five-furrow Ransomes plough, it cost about £1950 and 289 units were built between 1958 and 1964.

I have tried to work out how affordable that would have been – by comparing prices then and now for farm machinery, wheat, houses and cars. Being barely old enough to remember that far back I have to rely on my elders again.

In the early 1960s, a Ford Anglia car would

set you back about £600. Nobody could agree on the average house price but land was worth about £200/acre. Wheat, as far as i can understand, was £40-50/tonne.

So a big question must be asked: With considerably more than 104hp needed to pull a five-furrow plough and the average tractor now costing £150,000, which year is best when land values today stand at about £8000/acre?

Smaller machines

Without going into too much detail, it is clear to me that wheat prices today should be much higher and tractor prices lower. And that is before we get embroiled in a conversation about modern machinery being far too heavy.

No wonder soil health and land drainage appear to be suffering. You don't have to look too far these days to see standing water in fields during winter because of soil compaction or damaged drains.

If older farms could cope with smaller machines, why does this not apply today? Larger and fewer farms farming the same amount of land, I guess – and the need to finish a field almost before you start.

Is there really no room for lighter tractors and equipment in the modern age? After all, if the need to control blackgrass – including the move to spring cropping – all points to yesteryear. So why not the machinery too?

It seems blackgrass still rules the roost.

The later Triple-D 130 used two Ford 5000 tractors, rather than the two Fordson Power Major used in earlier models

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