General
News
Sustainable Farming
Incentive – new offer
Cereals event
Innovation aims to wow visitors
Groundswell
Thousands prepare for two-day festival
Harvest Preview What to expect after challenging season
Livestock
Blowfly warning for local sheep farmers
Fen Tiger
How to keep ramblers on the right track
EDITORIAL
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Next month’s general election has been described by NFU president Tom Bradshaw as the “most important in a generation” for British food and farming.
He’s not wrong. Farmer confidence is at its lowest for more than a decade. Growers and livestock producers are grappling with the phasing out of direct payments, high input costs and uncertain commodity prices.
It used to be that the Conservatives were the party of the countryside – at least for the vast majority of farmers who would religiously place their cross in the blue box on election day. But that is no longer the case.
Right and wrong
Farming faces huge challenges. Rising input costs and volatile commodity prices are the bane of many farm businesses. So too is increasingly unpredictable weather. But some challenges are much less fair.
British growers and livestock producers are rightly expected to adhere to high standards. Yet at the same time they are wrongly expected to compete with food imports grown and reared using methods that would be illegal here.
After the past 10 years, it is clear that the Tories can no longer rely on the farming vote. A recent poll by the Country Land & Business Association found that swathes of the countryside are defecting to Labour and the Liberal Democrats after years of economic neglect.
Despite covering 85% of the UK, rural communities feel unseen. Their support is up for grabs. The rural economy is 19% less productive than the national average – yet closing this gap would add £43 billion to national GDP.
Little wonder that CLA president Victoria Vyvyan says many rural votes feel politically homeless. But there is still time for parliamentary candidates to grasp the key issues and help unleash the potential of the rural economy, she adds. Recent years have seen a rapid turnover of prime ministers. But general elections come around less often. It is important to consider all the options before we vote, rather than placing our cross in the usual place out of habit.
Johann Tasker Editor
More than 100 options to generate additional revenue are now available to producers who sign up to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).
The government’s latest offer –which increases the number of SFI options from 23 to 102 from July –was published on 21 May as the government made a flurry of announcements before calling the general election.
The SFI pays farmers to take actions that can help improve farm productivity and make farm businesses and food production more resilient, while improving the natural environment and climate.
The 102 actions include 22 existing actions, two of which have been merged. On top of that, there are 23 new actions – including on precision farming, flood and water management, agroforestry and no-till – and 57 actions previously offered through
For the first time, farmers who didn’t receive Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments can now begin the process of applying for an SFI agreement. This means new entrants to farming can enter the scheme.
Defra says it will start inviting applications from this month, making the expanded SFI available to most farmers at scale by the end of July. By then, guidance should be available to help applicants carry out the actions.
Farm leaders welcomed the news. NFU deputy president David Exwood said it was “encouraging that the new offer appears to be improved, broader and more flexible – changes the NFU has been asking for”.
Mr Exwood urged farmers to take a consider the expanded SFI offer. Applicants should first register their interest with the Rural Payments Agency, which will then invite an ap-
New options are available for farmers who improve the environment
plication when the offer opens.
He added: “It is important now that Defra and the RPA ensure that all these schemes have the resources needed to make delivery a success, with clear timelines for the application process.”
This would provide further clarity and allow farmers to put together a comprehensive SFI agreement. “It's vital the next government looks at the agricultural budget to ensure the UK farming sector is resilient and thriving.”
Would-be MPs are being urged to recognise the role of food and farming as candidates pitch for the rural vote ahead of next month’s general election.
Confidence among farmers is the lowest since the NFU began its annual state of the industry survey in 2010. Farm businesses are being hit by the phase-out of direct payments (86%), rising input costs (80%) and red tape (80%).
Describing the general election on 4 July as the “most important in a generation for British food and farming,”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The stakes are very high. If the next
government gets it right, then this huge sector can grow, contributing even more to the UK economy, to the health and welfare of Britons and to the environment. But farming is under huge pressure.”
The NFU is working to ensure prospective MPs from all political parties understand the importance of boosting home-grown food production and supporting farmers who look after the environment, added Mr Bradshow.
The union’s manifesto outlines what it believes the next government must deliver to support the nation’s farmers and growers. It includes food security, fairer supply chains and trade agreements that recognise high food standards.
• Trio of arable farms come to market
• Properties for sale separately – agent
• But also available to purchase together
Three Norfolk farms with a combined value of almost £10.7m have come to market in what agents believe could be the county's biggest farm sale this year.
The productive and versatile arable farms, spanning 965 acres of land between the villages of Mileham and Gressenhall near Dereham, are currently farmed as a single unit. The properties are being marketed separately – but are also available as a whole.
Reed Lane Farm, on the edge of Mileham, has a guide price £4.5m. It includes a 700-tonne grain store and four-bedroom farmhouse at the heart of some 404 acres of land, says agent Savills.
Rawhall Farm, between Mileham and Gressenhall, has a guide price £4.6m. It includes grain stores and commercial farm buildings with a four-bedroom farmhouse on about 438 acres of land.
Stewardship schemes
Other associated lots include three-bedroom Rawhall Farm Cottage, valued at £485,000; and 123 acres of land at nearby Vale Farm, near Gressenhall, which is for sale with a guide price £1.1m.
All three farms are within a Countryside Stewardship scheme and have
recently entered a Sustainable Farming Incentive agreement. On top of arable cropping, rental and environmental income totals £190,059.
Savills rural agency director Christopher Miles said the sale was a great opportunity to acquire three productive arable farms in close proximity which were efficiently farmed as one unit– but would work equally well as separate holdings.
“It’s a significant sale – the largest to come to market in Norfolk so far this year – and potentially one of the biggest of 2024. There may also be an opportunity to add a further 91 acres of land bordering Reed Lane Farm through separate negotiation.”
‘Attractive proposition’
The farms would likely be an attractive proposition for investors and for farm-
Rawhall Farm includes 438 acres of land and buildings with a £4.6m guide price.
This is a great opportunity “
ers who want to expand or relocate, said Mr Miles. Acquired over some 10 years, the farms were some distance from their primary holding.
“Following a recent acquisition of a neighbouring farm to the main estate and the knowledge of other investment opportunities [our client has] decided now is the right time to consolidate their operations nearer to home.”
The capacity to store crops and machinery at Reed Lane and Rawhall is also an advantage. The cottage at Rawhall is available as a separate lot, while Vale Farm consists of bare land close to Rawhall Farm.
Arable land is cropped in a rotation of wheat, barley and oilseed rape, with all three farms in mid-tier countryside stewardship. Hedgerows and trees have been established to enhance the landscape.
Abluetongue outbreak is highly likely this year, say government experts who are urging farmers to remain vigilant for the virus.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said there was a very high probability of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV3) being introduced into Great Britain again during 2024 following last year’s outbreak in southern and eastern England.
Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by biting midges. It affects cattle, sheep, and other ruminants such as goats and deer – as well as camelids such as llamas. The vi-
rus does not affect people or food safety.
APHA said it expected the virus to arrive via midges blown over from northern Europe. Midges are most active between April and November but the exact timing of a potential incursion will depend on the temperature and wind patterns.
Farmers should monitor livestock frequently, ensuring their land is registered with APHA and their contact details are up to date. This makes it easier and quicker to locate animals in a disease outbreak.
The impact of bluetongue depends on animal species and virus strain. Some animals show no symptoms while others suffer reduced productivity, such as lower milk yields. In severe cases, the virus can be fatal.
APHA and the Pirbright Institute identified the first case of the disease in Great Britain last November. Since then, 126 bluetongue cases have been confirmed across 73 premises across four counties, including Norfolk and Suffolk.
There are no authorised vaccines available for bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV3) in the UK or Europe.
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• Real-time information now available
• Helps growers make better decisions
• Benefits for range of crop enterprises
The latest version of a free Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tool includes a new benchmarking feature so users can compare control strategies.
In a season of early pest, disease and weed pressures, more than 880 farmers, agronomists and advisors have used the free IPM Tool to create over 1200 bespoke IPM cropping plans.
The latest update includes a benchmarking functionality for users to view real-time crop risks and information – locally and nationally – and compare their IPM actions and practices with other growers.
The new function will enable growers and their advisors to understand important trends for risks affecting their particular crop at any given time. It can also help inform IPM planning decisions for the upcoming season.
Benchmarking data is dynamically updated as IPM cropping plans are completed so users always have access to the latest information, says ADAS consultant John Gadsby, who led the development of the tool.
“The ability to see how other farmers are approaching IPM interventions will give users a chance to learn from all those who have completed an IPM plan, and ultimately provide a means for peer-to-peer learning with an ever-expanding pool of farmers.”
‘Really
ADAS project coordinator Philip Walker said: “The latest update shows we have considered that a real time functionality is a useful addition and allows users to make up to date decisions for practicing IPM.”
The IPM Planning Tool is proving
An upgraded weather app is helping growers improve the timing of crop protection treatments – ensuring they are safe and effective.
Released by Sencrop, the new weather app module helps users select and apply the most appropriate fungicides, insecticides, or bio-solutions. It then provides specific recommendations for each product.
A four-day local weather forecast is used to identify the best treatment time amdmake a pinpoint application – taking into account wind speed, humidity, temperature and rainfall.
Growers can compare their IPM actions with other farmers
“
It means better up-to-date decisions
to be a useful and popular support for farmers and agronomists.
Among the users who have been impressed are mixed farmer Thomas Clayton, who runs a range of arable, root crop and livestock enterprises in west Suffolk.
“The IPM Tool has been really useful for us managing crops across such a diverse rotation,” he says.
“It allows us to see we are on the right track for IPM during the season and gives us the opportunity to adapt our approach for the year head.” BASIS crop protection and environmental advisor points are available for completing the tool. For full details and to download the IPM Tool, visit www.ipmtool.net.
Users can view their fields and crops, and select the area of interest, says Sencrop. They then choose the type of product they want to apply, and the app will generate hourly weather forecasts for the next four days.
Mark Herriman, of Sencrop, said: “When it comes to forecasts, we compare the data collected by the station with the main existing weather models and then aggregate the most reliable forecasts for the chosen location.”
Sencrop App helps ensure pinpoint applicatons
The forecasts continuously evolve as the station records local weather data, explains Mr Herriman. This ensures the best forecasts at all times,, he adds –helping growers and agronomists to make better decisions.
“It's difficult for farmers to take into account so many meteorological parameters – but applying products at exactly the right time will improve efficiencies, reduce waste and benefit the crop, ultimately boosting the bottom line.”
(Fertiliser and seed bags, all sizes & types of spray containers & cardboard collected off farm).
Collections over East Anglia, further afield on request.
For more information please call Katherine Smith – 07590 850307 Tom Smith – 07801 416942
Celebrating 96 years in business 1924-2020
• Go-ahead for entire 2024 season
• Will help protect vital seed stocks
• Good potato health maintained
An emergency approval has been granted for paraffin oil product Olie-H in seed potato crops – helping growers tackle non-persistent aphid-vectored viruses.
Non-persistently transmitted potyviruses – sometimes called mosaic viruses – are the most problematic viral diseases affecting British potato production. Currently, the dominant species is potato virus Y (PVY).
PVY is most damaging in ware crops grown from secondary infection of seed. Depending on the variety, affected plants can lack vigour, producing smaller and sometimes misshapen or cracked tubers.
When aphids probe the leaves of plants infected with PVY, they
within minutes or even seconds of probing an uninfected plant.
This in contrast to persistent viruses like potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), which take much longer for an aphid to acquire and become infectious.
Aphids that colonise potato crops – such as the peach-potato aphid – are key to its transmission, say experts.
VCS Potatoes agronomist Graham Tomalin, who oversees seed potato crops across East Anglia where PVY is a significant threat, said news of the successful application was a welcome boost for growers.
“It’s been an excellent team effort to gather all the evidence
This wider range of vectors and speed of transmission make it hard to manage. Key vector species have developed resistance to pyrethroid insecticides – including to their rapid ‘knockdown’ action – so it has only become trickier in recent years..
Mineral oils
Applying mineral oils as adjuvant scan manage PVY. These work by coating the crop’s leaves with a thin film, which disrupts the acquisition and transmission of virus by the aphid’s stylet.
Certis Belchim UK potato crop manager Caroline Williams said that until now mineral oil products have only been permitted from emergence up to tuber initiation (BBCH 40) in seed potato crops.
This led to the emergency application for Certis Belchim product Olie-H to be used from tuber initiation onwards. Applicants were Horticulture Crop Protection, Seed Potato Organisation, GB Potatoes, SAC Consulting and VCS Potatoes.
Ms Williams said: “The successful application means seed growers will benefit from the proven efficacy of oils for the entire growing season in 2024, helping suppress non-persistent virus levels in seed stocks.
“We recommend that Olie-H is always applied to a dry leaf and growers avoid applying it in the heat of the day. It’s also best used as part of a virus control programme containing translaminar insecticides like Teppeki and InSyst.”
Olie-H attributes
• Suppresses transmission of non-persistent virues like PVY
• Works by coating leaves with a thin layer of oil
• Oil reduces the likelihood that the aphid’s stylet (mouth parts) will pick up the virus as it probes an infected leaf
• Unlikely to control persistent viruses like potato leaf roll virus (PLRV)
Label information
• Maximum individual dose 6.25L/ha
• Maximum of six applications per season
• First application from BBCH 40 (tuber initiation)
• Spray interval 7 days between applications
• 18m buffer from surface water
• 3-star drift reduction nozzles must be used
• Minimum water volume 200–400L/ha
Stewardship requirements
• Applications timings and growth stage must be recorded
• Always follow the product label
• Highest yielding 2-row winter barley on the 24/25 RL
• Robust disease resistance package
• Excellent specific weight
A relatively early maturing variety, it has high resistance to yellow rust, brown rust and mildew, based on limited data.
Cope says Everlong has a wide drilling window – either as a late autumn-drilled wheat or as a true spring wheat option for the feed market. It is said to clean, easy to manage, and produces the boldest grain of any spring wheat.
Early maturing winter barley candidate variety Aretha boasts high yields and tall, stiff straw. It offers Type 1 & 2 Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) resistance, providing
Right: Gemma Clarke launches the rebranded business
Below: Cope says it is supporting growers with high-performing varieties
We’re forging “
ently across various sites with good resistance to downy mildew.
Cope managing director Gemma Clarke said the launch of the three varieties and the unveiling of the company’s rebrand marked a new era for the business. All new varieties would be available through merchants, she added.
Ms Clarke said: “Not only do we want to support farmers with leading varieties, but we’re also forging long-term partnerships with breeders, growers and producers, to support resilient food systems.
“We work with world-leading UK and EU plant breeders to increase genetic gain, by developing climate adapted, low input, healthy, high-yielding crop varieties and we reinvest 25% of our earnings into research, development, and trials.”
Equipment - Livestock - Feed - Fertiliser - Seed - Cash Flow
Equipment - Livestock - Feed - Fertiliser - Seed - Cash Flow
Diversification Projects - Building - Debt Consolidation
Diversification Projects - Building - Debt Consolidation
Equipment - Livestock - Feed - Fertiliser - Seed - Cash Flow
Diversification Projects - Building - Debt Consolidation
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• 6-month to 20-year terms
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We bring the personal touch back into farm finance. For the personal touch, ring George Bridgman on 07522 731193 george.bridgman@abfltd.co.uk
Only available in England, Wales & Scotland
Aground-breaking project to show how pulses can reduce greenhouse gas emissions is looking to recruit eastern region growers.
The Nitrogen Climate Smart (NCS) project aims to increase pulse and legume cropping in arable rotations to 20% (currently 5%) – and displace up to half the soya imported into the country for animal feed.
The PGRO-led initiative involves a consortium of 17 industry partners –and hundreds of farmers. It seeks to rapidly evolve knowledge and understanding of growing peas and beans – while testing and trialing new feed rations.
Funded by Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme and delivered by Innovate UK, the consortium aims to reduce emissions by 1.5Mt CO2e per annum – equivalent to 54% of the maximum potential for UK agriculture.
PGRO chief executive Roger Vickers says achieving the goal will be steered by science – and proven by farmers through a series of paid-for on-farm trials. These are being coordinated by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN).
Bringing together knowledgeable individuals like this – and sharing ideas between partner organisations – is at the heart of NCS, explains Mr Vickers. “There’s never been a project on this scale with this much ambition.”
Ten innovators – called Pulse Pioneers – have been selected to receive payment in exchange for working with scientists. They are co-designing trials to carry out on their own farms, with crops being drilled this spring.
BOFIN founder and farmer Tom Allen-Stevens says has been delighted by the level of interest from across the farming industry. But he wants to make sure East Anglia is represented as the second year of trials gets underway.
“The engagement we’ve had has been fantastic,” he says. “We’ve had a huge amount of media coverage and well over 300 peo-
Home-grown pulses could replace imported soya in animal feed
Roger Vickers (below): Good for environment and for growers
ple have got involved with our PulsePEP, exceeding our initial target.
“We’ve obviously hit a chord – people are enthused, engaged and love the concept behind the project. But we were surprised when we realised that no farms from the Anglia region were involved in the first year of the trial.”
“People often question the returns, but I’m interested in the bigger, wider picture of what we can do. We’ve got to try to understand the benefits of pulse crops. However, we need to know the failures too, such as harvest losses.
Growers can sign up at ncsproject.co.uk. “It’s a shame that such a vital area in England for arable farming isn’t represented by our group of Pulse Pioneers – but we’re determined to remedy this as the project moves forward.”
Lincolnshire organic farmer Paul Barnes is among the cohort of Pulse Pioneers. He says he was keen to join the NCS project to increase his understanding of the crop – and their
“Being organic, I need to fully understand the benefits of including them in a rotation and where they should sit.”
Fellow Pulse Pioneer Rob Waterston, who farms near Newbury in West Berkshire, has grown winter beans for the past six years on his farm, with varying results. He has adapted the way the beans are planted but is keen to explore other options.
“If farmers can learn more from each other and share ways to make beans a more profitable crop, then that must be a good thing,” he says.
“With the Sustainable Farming Incentive, it would be quite easy to not grow beans, or any other break crops. The safer bet would probably be to go down the legume fallow route and just take the money.
“But we still need to grow food in this country. And there’s no denying that beans are a great break crop, but unfortunately there are some years where they don’t return a profit.
“The wheat crop that follows our beans always looks good, so they must be leaving some nitrogen in the soil, but how much? More research is needed into how much nitrogen beans fix in the soil and what the benefits are to soil health.”
Beans and peas have untapped potential to reduce greenhouse gas emisions
There’s
never been a project on this scale
The PulsePEP online platform has become an important hub for farmers wanting to achieve the best from their pulse crops and reduce carbon emissions. Led by ADAS, it is also a place to discuss best-practice pulse cropping.
Now, BOFIN is calling for this discussion to be turned into action, says founder Tom Allen-Stevens. “For a four-year project to have this much engagement in the first year is great. But we need to build on this now and get proper action on the ground.
“We are already one year into the four-year project and our energy and focus must now be on delivering what we need to in order for this project to fulfil its potential.”
An urgent step required is for the 300 farmers who have signed up to the PulsePEP to establish their carbon baseline using the Farm Carbon Toolkit, says Mr Alan-Stevens.
“This is a vital measure as the GHG emissions from these farms will be tracked throughout the project and form a fundamental part of the dataset,” he adds.
“If we’re going to prove to the industry that we can have a farmer-led imitative like this then farmers must lead. We’re here to help but the driving force and engagement must come from those on the ground.”
To find out more about becoming a Pulse Pioneer and joining the PulsePEP, visit ncsproject.co.uk
• Recommended for all farming systems • Desirable agronomics for early drilling • Excellent disease & OWBM resistance
• High-yielding, flexible and reliable
• Consistent economic performance
• More biogas varieties in pipeline
Arenewed focus on hybrid rye as an energy crop for anaerobic digestion could lift the UK planted area well beyond 50,000ha, say industry experts.
“Hybrid rye is super flexible in the rotation and an excellent choice for growers,” says Agrovista arable seed product manager and agronomist Ted Williams (below left). “It can be drilled early or late on any soil type – helping to spread the harvest.”
Other benefits of hybrid rye include low seed rates, rapid spring growth, exceptional water efficiency and an aggressive root system that can scavenge for moisture and nutrients.
These attributes equate directly into economic benefits for growers seeking to improve profit margins by lowering input costs, explains Mr Williams.
It also offers good nitrogen use ef-
ficiency (NUE), requiring up to half the fertiliser of a second wheat and has far less susceptibility to take-all, making it an attractive option as a second cereal.
Crop management
“On inputs it ticks all the key sustainability boxes and is relatively straightforward to manage compared to other cereal crops. In challenging climatic conditions, such as recent hot, dry summers, it adapts well and generally copes much better than either wheat or barley.
ing area in the short-medium term.
“But it’s not completely bullet proof, and with low seed rates and a wide autumn drilling window it can be susceptible to slug activity, so growers do need to be cautious, particularly with late drilling and in wetter autumns.”
That point aside, the financial return on a 10-12t/ha hybrid winter rye crop make it a compelling argument for growers to include it in their rotations – especially with sluggish winter wheat prices.
When it comes to anaerobic digestion, wholecrop freshweight yields up to 50t/ha on good land are regularly achieved by established varieties such as SU Performer and SU Baresi – both bred by German breeder Saaten Union and available via Elsoms Seeds.
Wynnstay combinable crop seed specialist Danny Richardson (left) agrees that the cropped area could double in size within half a decade. He’s already seen a 10-15% increase in farmer customers growing hybrid rye in the last two years.
But Mr Richardson says new mar-
“We see future interest in hybrid rye coming from mixed farms, specifically those that grow feed crops for their own livestock. A switch to ryebased diets within the pig sector is already happening.”
Trial results have shown little difference in liveweight gains between rye and wheat-based diets, with improved gut health and reduced levels of aggression favouring rye over wheat.
Another potential new market could be bio-ethanol production. Although wheat is still the primary source for this, rye could do the job equally well – if not better, given rye’s requirement for fewer inputs.
Mr Richardson says his customers have been particularly interested in SU Performer and SU Arvid – with many rye growers now splitting their area between these established varieties and newer ones coming onto the descriptive lists.
“With wider market opportunities for hybrid rye, combined with possible future yield penalties for maize crops, I can certainly see the area of hybrid
tively short time frame.”
Saaten Union UK general manager Stephen Goward (below) says rapidly rising input costs, an emphasis on sustainable farming practices and recent extreme weather events are among the reasons for more UK growers to include hybrid rye in their rotations.
“We see tremendous opportunities for market growth in winter hybrid rye. Grain yields of 10-13t/ha are readily achievable with a crop that is relatively easy to manage and can be grown on all soil types.
“Many growers have found that it out-performs both wheat and barley as a second or third cereal and with a wide drilling window from September to early November it is incredibly flexible within the rotation.”
Of 13 varieties currently on the UK descriptive list for hyrbird rye, six are bred by Saaten Union. They include dual purpose variety SU Baresi, which can be grown for biomass or grain, achieving a yield of 103%.
The breeder aims to introduce one or two new varieties each year – including wholecrop varieties for anaer-
omass, relatively early to mature and stiff strawed so should appeal to growers across the UK.
New to the UK for 2024 is SU Karlsson. An out-and-out biogas variety, it has outperformed other SU and competitor varieties on gas yields by 4.5% in our trials – with a robust disease package which includes a score of 7 for brown rust.
For growers looking for an agronomic insurance policy, Mr Goward says all SU varieties are blended with a 10% population rye pollinator.
SU Bebop flowers at the same time as the main crop and helps to reduce ergot infection, he adds.
Now that’s a special combination!
Winter Wheat
Exceptional specific weight (79.9 kg/hl)
Very high yield potential across all regions of the UK
Super flexible on-farm with a wide sowing window
• Wet season focuses decisions
• More efficient and higher yields
• Proper consideration required
Growers switching to liquid fertiliser are being advised to start planning now for the autumn cropping season.
A wet eight months mean more arable farmers are moving away from solid fertiliser, says Phil Burrell, head of crop nutrition for Yara. Now is a good time to start planning for the 2024-25 cropping year, he adds.
“Large parts of the arable area haven’t been planted with winter cereals, the oilseed rape crop has continued to present challenges – and there are still farmers out there who haven’t got any spring barley drilled.
“It’s been very challenging and it’s inevitably going to lead to fertiliser carryover as we go into the new cropping year. For farmers thinking about fertiliser strategies and moving from solid fertiliser to liquid, now is the time to start planning.”
The main difference between liquid and solid fertilisers is that liquids come in solution form rather than solid granules or prills. Beyond these basics, there are other factors to conside when thinking about switching to liquid.
Liquid fertilisers are available in a range of different formulas including nitrogen, nitrogen-sulphur mixtures, and nitrogen-phosphate-potash and sulphur (NPKS) mixtures. Like solid fertilisers, they are applied to the soil.
First, liquid fertilisers are applied with a crop sprayer, so farmers need to consider their sprayer capacity, so they don’t put it under too much pressure. Secondly, fertiliser can be corrosive, so good sprayer hygiene is essential.
Another consideration is
the concentration of compound NPKS fertilisers. Nutrients like potassium are water soluble so it is not possible to achieve the same concentration in a liquid as you would in a straight solid fertiliser, such as muriate of potash.
Although there are limitations to using liquids in some farming systems, they can bring improved operational efficiency, says Mr Burrell. Liquids are stored in a tank, so don’t require any shed space, he adds.
“You won’t need to take bags off the lorry, put them in the shed, then bring them back out of the shed and put them in a trailer to take down to the field. Plus, you’ll have no bags to dispose of at the end of it. There are several efficiency savings here.”
Liquid fertiliser can also encourage farmers to upgrade their sprayer and go to a wider tramline to improve output as well as reducing labour costs. If farmers strategically locate their liquid fertiliser tanks, application can be a one-person job.
Preparing to switch
Achieving these benefits requires some preparation.
Before the storage tank arrives, a reinforced concrete base must be put down for it to sit on. The tank should be bunded for best practice, with safe access –such as ladders over the bund – for delivery staff and farm workers.
The location of the tank must also be risk assessed – which a good supplier should be able to assist with. The last thing you want is a tank in the middle of a busy farmyard – it’s a recipe for an accident,” says Mr Burrell.
“Now is the time to start planning
“Before switching to liquid fertiliser, one of our farm business managers would visit the farm, do a site survey, and make sure it’s away from watercourses, aquifers, pylons, electric poles, and traffic.”
Sprayer nozzles also need
to be changed. A conventional crop protection nozzle sprays a fine mist to target the leaf of the weed or plant. Liquid fertilisers use a dribble bar or specific fertiliser nozzle so a steady stream of liquid hits the soil.
“Our team has lots of knowledge on application and can advise on the best type of fertiliser nozzle for your sprayer, whether that be a dribble bar or a singular nozzle with multiple outlets to make sure the liquid goes where needed.”
Liquid fertiliser enables more flexibility with timings. Unlike solid fertiliser, liquid can be applied in the rain – applications can be made even when the weather is changeable. Applying liquids early where possible also minimises scorch risk later in the crop’s life.
Using liquid fertiliser minimises the impact on the environment thanks to the improved accuracy that’s possible. “When we think of the outsides of a field, we don't want to be putting fertiliser where it's not needed, particularly into the environment.”
As well as environmental benefits, there are also yield benefits, particularly for farmers with irregular-shaped fields and lots of headlands, says Mr Burrell.
Farmers should plan now before switching to liquid fertiliser, says Phil Burrell
The UK’s only manufacturer of slug pellets has received a King’s Award for International Trade –recognising the company’s growth in overseas sales.
Supplying both the farming and the amateur home and garden sectors, Nottinghamshire-based Doff Portland has seen overseas sales growth of 300% over three years. Exports now represent well over 10% of the business.
Doff Portland chief executive Ben Shapiro says: “For our agricultural exports, the award acknowledges Doff’s success in France, which is testament to the market’s acceptance of our latest formulation of ferric phosphate slug pellets.
Weather-proof
“We recently launched the same formulation in the UK under the Firescale brand and look forward to continued growth in both markets,” adds Mr Shapiro, who attributes the company’s success to its expertise in pellet manufacture alongside innovation
Ben Shapiro: Doff Portland supplies slug pellets to farmers and gardeners and investment.
“Our team has designed and registered a high-quality, rain-fast pellet –formulated for British weather using British wheat, which is proving popular with farmers, both at home and in France,” says Mr Shapiro.
“Quick turnaround has been key, to ensure thousands of tonnes of product can reach farmers – whether in the
UK, or on the continent, at short notice. We understand pest pressure is closely linked to weather conditions and a responsive service is critical.”
UK farmers gain from the export success, with slug pellets manufactured using British wheat which is then milled at the Nottingham plant. Doff Portland’s local sourcing and manufacturing methods mean the process has the lowest carbon footprint in the EU.
Mr Shapiro also points to the company’s growth in retail exports to the EU. Growth has resulted from the company extending its UK authorisations for slug control to over 15 EU countries. This has facilitated the export of a wider product range spanning biocides, herbicides, and insecticides.
“Navigating the hurdles of Brexit over recent years has been a challenge, but it’s credit to the entire team and our suppliers that we’ve secured a portfolio of key authorisations and established ourselves in important EU markets with both retail and agricultural customers.”
Highly recommended for all regions of the UK, this topperforming conventional variety boasts the highest yield. Featuring large pods and abundant seeds, it ranks as the No.1 choice. Developed in Britain specifically for British farmers, its superior yield, vigour, and establishment surpass even that of Campus.
beet too. Offering long-lasting control against cercospora, rust, powdery mildew and ramularia, Revystar ® XE helps crops stay disease free and greener for longer. Visit
The latest farming innovations, demonstrations and technical developments will take pride of place at this month’s Cereals event.
To be held on 11-12 June at Bygrave Woods in Hertfordshire, the two-day show will include new products and scientific techniques being developed to improve crop health, farm efficiencies and profitability.
Organisers say the catalogue of exhibitors exceeds 450 arable-focused companies, with some 98 new firms coming on board this year for the first time – showcasing everything from regenerative agriculture to cutting-edge precision techniques.
Arable farmer and new exhibitor James Hart is founder of Husk Data. He will be demonstrating how his business can help farmers eliminate paperwork and save time while collecting data and improving operations.
Unable to find a tailorable digital application, Mr Hart developed his data management system for his own arable enterprise and diversifications. He launched it for other farmers as a desktop and mobile application in 2022.
“Data capture is an increasingly vital element in determining a farm’s efficiency. As we move forward, so is calculating carbon reduction payments and providing proof of action under schemes like the Sustainable
With six members of staff, three enterprises, and 1,000ha to manage, Mr Hart designed the HUSK application to be flexible, functional on/offline, and simple to use – be that by a one-man-band or a large, staffed enterprise.
Data capture is increasingly vital
Registering online, the farmer or contractor logs farm and field details and sets up staff user accounts. They can then create a series of tailored forms that prompt the data they want to collect, from cultivations and inputs to diesel usage and grain movement. All users then simply download the mobile app.
Data can be inputted as figures, notes, file attachments and pictures, for which the latter can be time-stamped and geotagged – a valuable feature when submitting evidence of work under schemes.
New exhibitor Regenerate Outcomes is helping farmers and landowners pursue an education-based approach to regenerative farming, to generate both ecological and economic gains for their businesses.
With expertise in farming and project finance, Regenerate Outcomes works alongside soil health consultancy Understanding Ag. It has also partnered with Agricarbon to monitor soil organic carbon stocks under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).
Combined, it provides a robust one-to-one mentorship programme which not only improves the ecological condition of land, but also generates new revenue streams, says Understanding Ag director Tom Dillon.
“The programme offers one-to-one soil health training with the aim to help farmers reduce input costs and improve plant health,” he says .
“As soil health improves, it is expected that soil organic carbon stocks increase and the need for greenhouse gas emitting inputs also reduces. This data is collected according to the VCS, so that the farm may qualify to earn third-party verified carbon credits.”
Being adaptive rather prescriptive, the programme works alongside a farm’s changing plans, government schemes, stewardships, and other projects or partnerships, says Mr Dillon.
Farmers who join the programme will also become part of a network of regenerative farms, enabling them to have a sound knowledge-board made up of like-minded farmers, he adds.
For details, visit www.cerealsevent.co.uk.
More than 600 crop plots from 25 exhibitors will give visitors to Cereals access to the latest in crop breeding, protection, nutrition and science at the two-day show on 11-12 June in Hertfordshire.
“The plots are looking well,” says Will Davies, farming consultant at Ceres Rural, who has overseen their management. “The site has coped well with a challenging growing period, which is a credit to site manager Jonathan Backhouse, NIAB’s Shawn Coleman and our host farmers Alex Farr and Edward Wainright Lee.
“The plots will allow visitors to see firsthand varieties, nutrition, biological products and inputs, as well as new innovations and niche crops. And there are more exhibitors than ever – it’s a great opportunity to see all they have to offer in one place.”
Agronomists from Ceres Rural guide visitors though the event’s winter wheat and barley plots, as well as offering independent, says Mr Davies.”
Putting plant science into practice, NIAB will be featuring over 20 different crop species across its 11 crop plot features.
“Cereals is a great opportunity to share the breadth of our research and practical farm innovations with growers and agronomists,” says NIAB’s head of communications, Ros Lloyd.
On the agenda will be the winter wheat and barley variety choice feature, with 32 listed and candidate varieties. And the 20m-long, 2m-deep soil hole will demonstrate the science behind regenerative agriculture.
Cropping options in the face of climatic pressures will also be demonstrated in NIAB’s bi-cropping and protein crop features – including lupins, peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas – as well as a wheat blends and novel crop showcase.
As well as regen ag, NIAB’s showcase will address fungicide and nitrogen strategies –the latter exploring how alternative fertilisers, biostimulants, and biological products can help reduce soil-applied nitrogen.
Diseases will also be addressed, with the latest on septoria as well as brown and yellow rust, and how natural diversity can improve disease resistance against disease like fusarium foot-rot.
Having had its biggest autumn for launching new varieties, Senova is focusing its spotlight on what’s coming in the winter wheat and barley market.
Taking a top spot on Senova’s plots is the
breeder’s group three winter wheat newcomer, Almara. Recommended for the northern region, where it has given its best yield performance, it is also suitable for distilling, and meets biscuit quality requirements for both the domestic and export markets.
Three new hard feed winter wheat candidates will also be on offer – Riley, Rufus and Memphis – all high yielding (105 to 106% treated – UK).
Barley growers can see winter feed barley candidates Organa and Kitty. “Organa is a BYDV-tolerant two-row – there are currently no BYDV-tolerant two-rows on the market,” says managing director, Tom Yewbrey.
Six plots of Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) options will be on display – representing an opportunity for visitors to explore how they might be included on their own farms, says senior CSF officer Mark Taylor.
The six plots feature a number of popu
showcase how amino acid biostimulants can improve soil microbiology, plant health, productivity, and nitrogen efficiency.
Nitrogen strategy plots will include crops treated with three nitrogen application rates – no artificial fertiliser, 70kg/ha of soil-applied urea and 150kg/ha of soil-applied urea, each treated with a 100% natural L-a amino acid and nutrient biostimulant.
Side-by-side, the plots will show the potential for artificial nitrogen reduction. “The plots are showing very little difference between the crops that received 70kg of artificial fertiliser and 150kg,” says AminoA managing director Richard Phillips.
KWS will be showcasing four new winter wheat candidates and three new winter barley candidates, plus new technologies in sugar beet breeding.
Selected from the plant breeder’s 10-strong winter wheat candidate list, KWS Vibe, KWS Arnie, KWS Solitaire, and KWS Mongoose will be representing groups one through to four, respectively. KWS Solitaire will put confidence back in the group three market with its Cougar-free parentage and respectable septoria score.
and nectar flower mix; autumn-sown legume fallow; spring-sown legume fallow; springsown bird mix; and a spring-sown cover crop.
“We’ve got 23 SFI options available,” says Mr Taylor. “This summer, Defra is launching a further 100 options, of which a spring cover crop is very likely one of them.”
The SFI offering is applicable, practical, and realistic – and generating interest, but Mr Taylor’s key message is that the SFI will continue to evolve.
With more growers looking to reduce artificial inputs like fertilisers and chemicals, the biostimulant manufacturer AminoA will once focus its plots on high health, low input. Oilseed rape (Ambassador), tricticale (Fido), and winter wheat (Typhoon) plots will
For bold yields, KWS Arnie will pique interest as the first KWS Extase cross, while
KWS Mongoose offers the group four market the perfect combination of specific weight, yield, and orange wheat blossom midge (OWBM) resistance.
The breeder’s two-row winter barley candidates – KWS Heraclis and KWS Valencis, and six-row hybrid candidate KWS Inys –offer step-changes in their respective fields. “KWS Inys is our first entry into the hybrid barley game, and in NL2 trials it was the highest yielding,” explains Olivia Potter, technical manager for conventional cereals.
The breeder will also have a sugar beet offering, with a new cercospora-tolerant variety, Chyma KWS. “Listed by the British Beet Research Organisation, Chyma KWS has a good all-round disease package and a high yield (101% of controls),” says sugar beet agroservice manager Martin Brown.
Farmers are invited to attend a special Land Drainage Hub hosted by the National Association of Agricultural Contractors at Cereals.
Experts will be on hand on both days of the two-day event to pinpoint the best way for growers to upgrade drainage following one of the wettest seasons in living memory.
With recent waterlogged fields still fresh in farmers’ minds, the ‘Conversation about Drainage’ will take place adjacent to the NAAC Land Drainage Hub. It will feature companies who are experts in field and land drainage, explains NAAC chief executive Jill Hewitt.
“The benefits of drainage are proven, but the main obstacle is the investment cost. Drainage is the build-
ing block of all soil management, and we will be calling for a government re view to incentivise drainage to bene fit productivity, flood protection and profitability.”
The exhibition will include a demonstration area, hosting a drainage trencher and plough. Visitors will get to learn how the machines differ and operate, alongside a topical discussion on the importance of drainage.
NAAC Land Drainage chairman Rob Burtonshaw, of agricultural contractors Farm Services, said, "We will be challenging the devastating impacts of climate change by looking how to offset increases in rainfall with appropriate water management systems.
“The past year has highlighted the vital importance of well drained land, and we have all seen the impact on improved trafficability, crop growth and yields.”
Drainage can be expensive – but investment brings huge benefits
• Why bother with drainage?
• How drainage helps soil structure
• DIY or get a contractor in?
• Costs and return on investment
• Where to start a drainage scheme
• Do we need government funding?
Other speakers will include George Firth, of trenching and drainage specialists Lincolnshire Drainage. Meanwhile, Midland farmer Will Oliver will review the impact of drainage on his land on the Leicestershire/ Warwickshire border.
Farmers and contractors looking to undertake their own drainage surveys can take advantage of new package from Mastenbroek and Trimble.
The package brings together the new DA2 Catalyst and access to WM-Subsurface software at a £6,000 price point.
It is the first time the DA2 has been available to UK drainage professionals and farmers – and half the cost of previous solutions.
“Drainage contractors and some larger farming groups asked us if we had a portable, relatively lowcost survey tool,” says Mastenbroek technical director Fred Clarke.
“Until now, we've not had a solution we were completely happy to offer people.”
Powered by the Trimble Catalyst GNSS positioning service, the DA2 receiver, combined with a Catalyst service subscription, delivers centimetre accuracy to location-enabled Android devices.
The DA2 can be attached to a pole for handheld surveys or mounted on a vehicle. It delivers precision and
position quality to any location-enabled workflow, with increased accuracy and reliability near trees and buildings.
The DA2 is used with the free WM-Survey II app, allowing users to create basic field surveys for water management activities. This allows elevation points across a field to be easily mapped to create a land drainage design.
WM-Subsurface software ensures the optimal placement of land drains in sub-surface drainage water management projects, helping to drain fields adequately and increase crop yields. The software allows users to produce 3D models of fields, determine watershed zones, enable flow arrows and tributary lines, calculate pipe sizes and print out maps showing required drain lengths and materials needed.
For full details, visit Mastenbroek on stand 413 at Cereals.
The survey stick means farmers can conduct their own drainage surveys
Plant breeder Limagrain will showcase its portfolio of varieties at this month’s Cereals event – returning to the show after several years absence.
The company says it decided to return to Cereals following the publication of the 2024/2025 AHDB Recommended List, which features a number of Limagrain combinable crop varieties.
“Producing the highest yielding varieties, backed up with desirable agronomic characteristics is an exceptional achievement for any breeder,” says Limagrain arable technical manager Ron Granger.
High-yielders
Visitors to stand 606 will be able to find out high-yielding winter wheat LG Beowulf, LG Caravelle the highest yielding two-row winter barley and the highest gross output oilseed rape varieties LG Armada, LG Adeline and LG Academic.
Group 4 hard wheat LG Beowulf yields 106% across the UK and shows the same consistency of performance across the east and west regions. Alongside these yields, it offers a good grain quality, with a spec weight of 78.3 kg/hl.
LG Beowulf produced these exceptionally high yields consistently in National List and RL trials over regions and seasons – in both the unusually
dry summer of 2022 as well as the exceptionally wet summer of 2023.
Offering UK yields of 105.6%, LG Caravelle is the highest yielding two-row winter barley since joining the Recommended List in 2023. It has a specific weight of 71.4 kg/hl.
Of the oilseed rape varieties, LG Armada has a yield of 107%, with LG Academic 1% behind at 106%. LG Adeline takes pole position on the Northern List with a 108.3% yield.
Limagrain experts will also be on hand to discuss the breeder’s other varieties – including maize, forage crops and SFI options – as well as an opportunity to enter a prize draw to win free seed.
“We are here to listen and share our expertise on how to get the very best out of Limagrain genetics,” says Mr Granger.
“As a company, the Cereals Event provides us with us the opportunity to do this directly with the farming community we serve.”
Different modes of action to help weed resistance strategies
Proven formulations for reliable performance
• New varieties added to list
• Consult breeders and BBRO
• Data is limited on tolerance
Growers are being advised to dis cuss their requirements with plant breeders before ordering sugar beet seed tolerant to challenges faced by the crop.
Six new sugar beet varieties have been added to the British Beet Re search Organisation recommended list for drilling in 2025. They include varieties tolerant to Beet Cyst Nema tode, AYPR rhizomania, yellowing vi rus, cercospora and ALS herbicides.
New varieties are Chyma, Josephi na and Smart Uma – all from KWS UK; Magpie from SesVanderHave; and ST Tweed and ST Trent from Strube UK. Three varieties were withdrawn which means the 2025 list comprises 22 varieties.
for example, was determined elsewhere and not in the recommended list trials.
Data is limited on the tolerance of the new varieties to foliar diseases such as rust, powdery mildew and cercospera. Chyma KWS tolerance to cercospora,
Chyma KWS has tolerance to cercospora but unsuitable for early sowing. In recommended list trials, it produced 101.0% adjusted tonnes at 16.9% sugar content – but the trials did not determine its cercospora tolerance.
Lower sales by British Sugar restricted profits for parent company Associated British Foods during the six months to March, suggest latest figures.
Interim results show ABF global sugar revenues reached £1.170bn compared to £1.168bn for the same period in 2022/23 – equivalent to a 9% increase when measured in constant currency.
Operating profits improved significantly – from £86m to £121m – driven by lower losses at Yorkshire biofuels plant Vivergo and stronger performance in Spain. But
this was partially offset by the phasing of profits at British Sugar.
British Sugar sales were lower during the period, said the company. This was due to lower stock levels held over from last year's production campaign, which ABF said was severely affected by adverse weather.
“We were also impacted by lower co-product prices in the period,” says the interim report. “As expected, profits were somewhat lower as a result.
“However, despite some disruption caused by wet weather, sugar production
Smart Uma KWS is ALS tolerant –likely to produce higher yields when used with partner ALS herbicides than with conventional products. Treated with non-ALS herbicides, in trials it yielded 95.3% adjusted tonnes with
Mike May, who oversees the annual recommended list, said: “Growers should discuss options with the BBRO and breeders who will have more information on their performance and use in the presence of the specific problem.”
In terms of the other new varieties, Josephina KWS from KWS UK produced 99.5% adjusted tonnes at 17.3% sugar content. This was the highest on the list. It had the lowest number of bolters in the early sown bolter trials.
ST Tweed from Strube UK produced 98.2% adjusted tonnes at 17.0% sugar content. It had lower establishment than the other varieties.
Magpie from SesVanderHave UK produced 97.7% adjusted tonnes at 17.1% sugar content. ST Trent from Strube UK produced 97.7% adjusted tonnes at 17.2% sugar content – the second highest on the list.
The BBRO said it should be noted that many differences between individual varieties are small and not statistically significant and should be treated with caution.
from the 2023/24 campaign is expected to be 1.1 million tonnes, significantly ahead of last year’s unusually low crop (740,000 tonnes) and broadly in line with historical levels.”
Meanwhile, the report says British Sugar continues to make progress in decarbonising its operations.
“In the period we approved two projects: the replacement of a coal boiler at our Cantley plant and new evaporators at our Wissington plant to increase efficiency and significantly reduce energy usage.”
Sugar beet growers have been granted emergency authorisation to apply a second foliar spray of InSyst (acetamiprid) to control peach-potato aphid.
The emergency authorisation follows a joint request by British Sugar and NFU Sugar, which represents some 2,500 beet growers. It was granted on 9 May by the Chemicals Regulation Division of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Non-Cruiser treated crops are at particular risk of virus yellows infection, which can devastate sugar beet yields. The emergency authorisation has an expiry date September 2024 and the HSE says it will not be renewed this year.
Although effective against aphids, routine applications of
neonicotinoids such as acetamiprid have been banned since 2018 over concern that they also damage pollinators, including bees.
The emergency authorisation allows a second application of InSyst only following a first foliar spray of InSyst and a secondary foliar spray of flonicamid, marketed as Teppeki. Authorisation is for non-Cruiser treated sugar beet only.
The HSE says emergency authorisations should normally be needed for no more than five years while longer-term solutions are developed. “The longer a particular situation lasts, the more difficult it becomes to characterise it as an emergency,” it says.
“While there is no firm time point for this and each emergency application is considered on a
Two new sugar beet varieties from Strube will be available for drilling in spring 2025, says the plant breeder.
ST Trent and ST Tweed offer competitive performance with low bolting. ST Tweed in particular offers comparable yields to Morgan – with lower disease expression for rust, powdery mildew and cercospora.
“We expect this variety to be highly reliable and stable in its ‘real world’ performance - even more so over a long growing season where a late harvest date is planned,”
says Strube UK managing director Richard Cogman.
It will be the third year of recommendation for proven Strube varieties Morgan, Stewart and Button – the latter offering tolerance to Beet Cyst Nematode (BCN), helping to protect against yield loss, combined with strong establishment.
For the steadily fodder and energy markets, Strube is offering the varieties Clemens, Degas and Gahan. These varieties have proven themselves to be consistently reliable, offering growers excellent feed value, says Mr Cogman.
The news follows the recent announcement that French seed
the requirements for special circumstances.”
Terms and conditions attached the emergency authorisation state that growers making a second application of InSyst must undertake aphid counts. They must also record the growth stage of the crop and the area sprayed.
Many non-Cruiser SB crops had reached the minimum application threshold of five green wingless aphids per 20 plants by mid-May, according to the latest figures from the British Beet Research Organisation.
complacency saying aphid numbers were expected to rise quickly with warm weather forecast.
Careful management is now critical. If aphids were at threshold numbers, crops should be treated accordingly. Beneficial predatory insects were now appearing which would help to address the aphid issue, said the BBRO.
Cruiser-treated crops should be protected for 8-10 weeks from drilling so many should not require a foliar insecticide at this stage. Growers should ensure they record the drilling date of each crop to be clear where aphid monitoring is a priority.
Tolerance: Rhizomania UltiPro
Highest yielding variety available
Deleplanque chairman Eric Verjux said the two decisions would strengthen the company’s position as an international plant
at the latest. “This strategic move will reinforce our development objectives, particularly in the sugar beet seed market.” he added.
High consistency of performance
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Ways to master disease control in sugar beet will be top of the agenda at a special industry webinar this month.
Hosted by BASF in collaboration with British Sugar and the British Beet Research Association, the webinar will feature a presentation and topical advice by independent agronomist Craig Green.
Other speakers will include Mark Stevens (BBRO), Andrew Dear (British Sugar) and Iain Ford (BASF). The webinar is scheduled to take place on 14 June. BASIS points will be available for attendees. For details, visit www.bit.ly/BeetDisease.
BBRO experts will also be present on 20 June at the Morley Innovation Day, which includes the AHDB Strategic Cereal Farm East Open Day Morley Farms, Deopham Road, Morley, Wymondham, NR18 9DF.
The day will showcase the latest arable advice and research from UK agribusinesses and research organisations. The freeto-attend event will feature a
Experts will discuss ways to get the best from sugar beet
British Sugar has recruited Emily Whitmarsh as technical sales manager for LimeX – the most widely used liming product by UK farmers.
A byproduct of the sugar-refining process, LimeX is popular with farmers for its fine particle size and the presence of additional plant nutrients. One tonne of LimeX typically contains 9kg of phosphate, 8kg of magnesium and 6kg of sulphur.
Operating across the region and beyond, Ms Whitmarsh will service customers outside the beet-growing area, strengthening the team supporting the sale of LimeX from British Sugar’s factories to growers nationwide.
From a farming background, Ms Whitmarsh completed a degree at Harper Adam University before beginning the MDS graduate development scheme. Placements at BASF, Greenvale and CFUK followed.
After spending a few years running a 1000-sow outdoor breeding unit near Bury St Edmunds with her partner, Ms Whitmarsh says she was keen to return to a sales role when the opportunity to join the LimeX team became available.
“Friends on the MDS programme had spoken highly of British Sugar as a company to work for. They are a big part of the agricultural industry in our area, and the role is a great op-
tions and static exhibitions.
The BBRO team will be on hand to discuss topical issues of the season, including the latest information on virus yellows. Scientists from the John Innes Centre will also be attending the day to talk about tackling virus yellows disease.
Representatives from the NIAB Soils and Farming Systems team will be explaining their latest assessments and research findings on new diverse wheat lines managed using regenera-
The AHDB will present research from AHDB Strategic Farm East, hosted by David Jones at the Morley Agricultural Foundation. Topics will include grass weed control, precision support for managing BDYV risk and better nutrient use efficiency.
AgroVista technical staff and agronomists will be available to discuss long term trials undertaken as part of Project Lamport – including soil health and cultural controls to reduce reliance on pesticides, particularly when manag-
by working with customers.
“The correct pH is fundamental to soil health, which is a major focus for the industry. LimeX is a great product, and I’m looking forward to developing opportunities in areas not traditionally associated with LimeX national business manager Glenn Carlisle said he was delighted with the recruitment. “Emily is a great addition to the LimeX team. Her appointment builds on our plans to expand LimeX sales beyond the beet-growing area.
“We already have a loyal customer base among vegetable brassica growers as far afield as Cornwall, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Emily will support these farmers and develop opportunities in the broadacre arable and grassland markets.”
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• Combats virus yellows disease
• Safe and long-lasting protection
• Effective and pollinator-friendly
Ascientific breakthrough could provide UK farmers with environmentally friendly protection against a key sugar beet disease.
Researchers at the Norwich-based John Innes Centre have developed a non-chemical molecular approach to protect crops against virus yellows –a disease which can reduce sugar beet yields by as much as 50%.
Research leader Dr Yiliang Ding says her team has successfully used naturally occurring ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules to design anti-viral
products which target and degrade virus yellows inside sugar beet plants.
The discovery is a boost for UK growers who have struggled to control virus yellows since the routine use of neonicotinoid seed treatments was banned in 2018 over concern about their impact on pollinators.
Beneficial insects
Because the RNA technique specifically targets the virus, Dr Ding says it could protect sugar beet in a way which is safe and long-lasting – with
no detrimental effect on bees or other beneficial insects.
Agronomists and growers believe the discovery could help to secure a sustainable future for the crop – one which is good for farm businesses and for the environment, as well as for the wider economy.
Virus yellows is a complex of three viruses transmitted by aphids.
Once it takes hold, the virus reduces the photosynthetic capacity of sugar beet leaves, reducing the crop’s yield and sugar content. Sugar beet yields have fallen since the neonicotinoid ban.
A virus yellows epidemic in 2020, for example, saw yields plummet by 25% compared with the five-year average, costing the industry more than £65m, according to Defra figures.
Although the government has authorised the emergency use of neonicotinoids under strict conditions when the virus yellows risk is deemed high, en-
vironmental campaigners continue to warn against their use.
Instead, growers have been trialling alternative methods of combating the disease – with varying degrees of success. Cover crops, for example, have helped repel aphid populations but hampered growth of young beet plants.
“
The discovery is a boost for growers
The latest findings have received international recognition.
Earlier this year, Dr Ding became the first UK plant scientist to receive a Blavatnik Award, recognising her work in the life sciences and the potential of RNA technology to improve plant health and yields.
Dr Ding said: “It’s wonderful that the global community has recognised the importance of plant science in trying to solve the critical challenges of feeding the world, improving crop yields, and combating plant health threats.”
• Revised forecast for net margins
• Farmers face risks and volatility
• Growers advised to take action
The likelihood of lower profits this harvest will emphasise the need to shield arable businesses against high levels of risk and volatility.
A typical arable farm will generate just £80/ha in net margin – equivalent to profit before rent and finance – for combinable crops from harvest 2024, according to revised estimates by Strutt & Parker.
This is 60% lower than in 2023, which itself was a year in which net margins dropped significantly on the previous couple of years because of high input costs, says head of farming Jonathan Armitage.
mainly due to lower fertiliser prices, income from crop sales is forecast to be down on 2023 levels, due to expected lower yields, he warns.
A challenging season is set to culminate in a challenging harvest.
ing more land into schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).
“Even when applying this ‘best case’ scenario, our analysis points to worryingly low net margins for an average-performing farm for harvest 2024, considering the level of risk involved,” he explains.
Six months of wet weather, changes in commodity prices and reduced basic payments are set to culminate in lower combinable crop yields and tighter cereal margins this summer, says Mr Armitage. Although variable costs have fallen considerably this year,
This means growers should assess and address the full range of risks faced by their businesses as part of a strategy to shield farm finances from high levels of volatility, says Mr Armitage.
The analysis assumes growers managed to drill spring crops on any unplanted winter crop area. But in some areas this proved impossible, with growers also enter-
Editorial credit: David Calvert / Shutterstock.com
Growers should assess risks to their businesses, says Jonathan Armitage (left).
“The impact of the weather has been felt everywhere, but some areas are clearly worse affected than others and different soil types will also have an impact, so in that sense farm profitability is somewhat of a postcode lottery.
“Our estimated net margin for a higher-performing combinable crops business is much higher at £271/ha –based on the assumption that they will achieve higher yields and with lower fixed costs than the average business.
“However, this figure is still significantly lower than our 2021 baseline when the net margin was £622/ha.”
Assuming that crop rotations and yields return to more normal levels for harvest 2025, then the net margin is
forecast to rise to £214/ha for an average-performing farm and £449/ha for a higher-performing farm.
“The estimates highlight the importance of applying the behaviours and attention to detail needed to get into the top 25% of performers,” says Mr Armitage.
“Research consistently points to the top-performing businesses being led by, and employing, people who have a mindset which is open to change, an attention to detail, a focus on marginal gains and who are constantly looking for new opportunities.
“This message is more important than ever in this business environment. So, too, is actively managing risk which is a way for growers to put themselves in the driving seats of their businesses and protect themselves from the worst effects of extreme volatility.”
The past winter and spring has been among the wettest in living memory.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) can be valuable in terms of implementing a more active risk management strategy. The SFI allows growers to take out the worst-performing areas, or lowest margin crops within a rotation, and replace them with a fixed return with almost zero risk. The return may not be as high as that produced by a really good crop, but it does avoid the risk of costly losses.
Taking this approach should also mean that growers can focus their efforts on the more profitable crops in the rotation, managing them in a more timely fashion to make them even more profitable.
Working capital required by farming businesses has risen significantly over the past three years and the costs of machinery and equipment have also risen, so securing favourable terms for funding is a priority. Shopping around for the best deal and getting the right financial structures in place is becoming an increasingly complex process with businesses often needing specialist advice to guide them through the process.
Good farm business consultants often have access to financial brokers with relationships with every major lender in the rural and agricultural sector, who can unlock competitive deals.
Higher-performing businesses have lower overhead costs per hectare, which is largely down to lower machinery costs, although their labour, property and administration costs also tend to be lower because resources are being deployed more efficiently
If businesses are reducing their cropped area, they will need to look for ways to reduce their fixed costs with possible solutions including machinery sharing and greater use of contractors or alternative business structures such as a joint venture or contract farming agreement.
Other strategies for reducing risk might include taking a different approach to crop marketing to reflect the greater production risks growers are now facing. Spotting opportunities to sell into special markets which deliver a premium is another possibility.
Having a staff member unavailable for a long period because of illness or injury can also be incredibly difficult, so some farming businesses are now offering private healthcare as part of their financial package.
Farmers are being encouraged to take an integrated approach to grain store pest management – using a mix of methods to combat rodents.
Unless controlled, stored grain could be ruined by rodents seeking harbourage on farms. Rats can thrive in a grain store and multiply quickly, with one breeding pair escalating to 1,250 in just one year.
“Farmers should take an integrated pest management approach and use a variety of baits to combat resistant rats and prevent infestations that can result in grain losses and contamination,” says David Reece, of pest control specialist LODI.
Mr Reece suggests that protecting grain stores does not have to involve the use of rodenticides – and farmers should select bait carefully to avoid wasting money baiting resistant rats.
“Farmers can take many non-chemical measures such as proofing buildings, identifying areas that rodents may be using for
“Rodenticides should contain actives such as cholecalciferol or brodifacoum be cause some rats are now resistant to the previously popular actives bromadiolone and difenacoum.”
Mr Reece has five tips to protect grain stores from rodents:
1
Look for signs of rats and mice such as droppings and gnaw marks. Make a farm plan and regularly walk the farm to look for burrows and record where rodent activity is apparent.
Just because there are signs of rodents it doesn’t mean baiting in that area will always be totally effective. Understanding areas that rodents are using to access food and water can help make trapping or baiting much more effective.
2
Rats do not like open spaces, so farmers can reduce activity by keeping their farm, especially areas around grain stores, clear of rubbish, weeds, and objects
a big difference. Preventing access to food and water by securely storing food, repairing dripping taps and making sure there is no food available outside will reduce the likelihood of rats seeking harbourage and breeding on a farm.
3
Proofing a building by ensuring there are no access points for rodents will help to reduce the risk of infestation.
Small measures like using mesh smaller than 10mm to cover gaps in grain stores will help to prevent both mice and rats gaining access.
4
Establishing bait boxes at least four weeks ahead of baiting will reduce rat’s neophobic behaviour and improve bait take.
Rats have a fear of new objects – a condition known as neophobia. Therefore, placing boxes ahead of time and even adding non-toxic bait can help the boxes become trusted.
5
When non-chemical methods have been exhausted, the use of rodenticides to control rats and mice should be carried out methodically and carefully.
Fast-acting bait Harmonix contains cholecalciferol and can control a rodent infestation in just seven days. It is not an anticoagulant so can be used inside and out –and poses less threat to non-target species such as birds.
Using a bait that is highly palatable and appealing to rodents is a particularly important consideration in grain stores where food is plentiful.
www.plugandcool.co.uk
Farmers and grain store managers are being invited to attend a training event to improve their pest control strategies.
Co-hosted by pest control supplier Killgerm and BASF, the oneday event in North Yorkshire costs £60+VAT. It will include live demonstrations, presentations, group discussions and practical sessions from industry experts.
The training day will run from 8.30am to 4pm on Thursday, 20 June at Top House Farm, Rawcliffe Bridge. Attendees with appropriate stewardship certificates will receive a 3kg tub of
Selontra and a 3kg tub of Monitoring Paste. Delegates will also receive a complementary breakfast and freshly cooked fish and chips for lunch. Attendees can expect to cover topics such as trapping and baiting techniques, wildlife management, proofing and monitoring methods, as well as advice writing environmental risk assessments.
BASF country business manager Laurence Barnard says there will also be an in-depth review of the Red Tractor specification, along with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss with representatives from Assured Food Standards.
A similar on-farm training day announced earlier in the year sold out almost instantly, says Mr Barnard. Places are limited and food will be provided – including fresh fish and chips for lunch.
“The agenda is packed with interesting topics to help broaden farmers’ knowledge on rural pest control,
Above: Practical demonstrations are included in the programme
Left: Laurence Barnard: baiting and trapping techniques
as well details of the updated Red Tractor framework and how this impacts rodent control on farms.
“The rural setting means we’ll be able to give guests real examples of problems that the farm might have experienced, as well as provide practical demonstrations showing how to combat these issues. It is going to be an unmissable day.”
For full details and to book your place, visit www.bit.ly/farmrodents
• Motorists feel uneasy over-taking tractors
• Increase forecast in vehicle accidents
• Look out for other rural road users
Farmers and seasonal workers are being reminded to take care this harvest when grain carting and moving machinery on the road.
Collisions between farm vehicles and other motorists are 61% more likely between the start of May and the end of September, according to the latest figures from NFU Mutual.
Some 25% of motorists people in the UK feel uncomfortable navigating agricultural vehicles on rural roads, says the rural insurer. To avoid unnec essary accidents, all road users should be patient and look out for hazards, it adds.
With the unseasonably wet weather continuing throughout March and April, NFU Mutual is concerned that a rush to complete tasks could lead to an increase in incidents involving tractors, trailers and other farm vehicles.
The next few months will see higher volumes of agricultural traffic than in autumn and winter – much of it wider than many people are used too. The summer months also coincide with a greater amount of holiday traffic.
The latest claims data from NFU Mutual shows that collisions between agricultural vehicles and third parties were 61% more likely to occur between the start of May and the end of September 2023 than in any other months.
On average, there were 447 of these accidents per month during silaging,hay-making and harvesting – a rise of 6% on the same period in 2022 – compared to 276 per month between October and April.
NFU Mutual rural road safety spe-
cialist Sara Western says: “With silaging under way in many parts of the UK, we’re beginning to see more tractors, trailers and large agricultural machinery such as combine harvesters on our rural roads.
Wide and slow
“Unfortunately, our claims data shows that, year after year, accidents involving these agricultural vehicles and third parties are significantly more likely during the harvesting season.
“Agricultural machinery is larger, wider and slower than other vehicles, which can tempt road users to overtake, but it’s vital to overtake only when it’s safe – when you can see a clear road ahead, there are no field openings, and you have space to pass.
“
All road users should be patient
“Where it isn’t possible to allow traffic to pass, motorists and cyclists should remember they are likely driving only a few miles or to the next field opening, so be patient, give agricultural vehicles room to turn and don’t drive too closely to them.”
There were over 1,000 deaths on rural roads in 2022, according to NFU Mutual's most recent rural road safety report. Published last year, the report analysed the latest Department for Transport statistics.
steeply during the summer
Ensure all equipment is road worthy and pay particular care to trailers which may not have been used for months.
Check brakes and indicators and ensure your vehicle has reflectors and a beacon. Use the Tilly Checklist to inspect your trailer.
Be aware of vulnerable road users or hidden junctions, making contractors aware of these junctions and commonly-used walking, cycling and riding routes.
Familiarise yourself and your contractors with the speed limits for your vehicles.
If your agricultural vehicles leave mud in the road, remember to clean it up.
When turning, indicate in plenty of time and check more than once for road users on your inside.
Be respectful to fellow road users, but only allow them to pass when it is safe to pull over.
Crop nutrient specialists UPL report good interest in wheat growers keen to trial an alternative method for increasing grain protein.
The company has given away 20ha of its biostimulant Ary-Amin to 50 farmers this spring – a popular try-before-you-buy offer with growers keen to take advantage of milling wheat premiums of more than £50/ tonne offered for harvest 2024.
Low soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) levels following the excess winter rainfall have exacerbated the annual challenge of achieving 13% grain protein, says UPL head of marketing Gemma Nokes.
Milling premiums
“This season, whether a grower achieves
as a natural growth stimulant for boosting green area index and chlorophyll formation.
Compatible with all of the major T3 fungicide options, the biostimulant is produced for cereal crops and oilseed rape – and is is specifically formulated for use from stem elongation to grain fill, says Ms Nokes.
“By providing the crop with ready-built amino acids, the plant can better use its resources, improve energy usage, build pro-
Milling premiums this year could be worth £500/ha, says UPL
tein more quickly, and overcome stress.” It also helps increase carbohydrate synthesis and improves nitrogen use efficiency.
Ms Nokes says UPL is supporting growers taking part in the trial with grain protein analysis to measure the impact of the biostimulant on protein levels.
Mark Weatherhead Ltd
Telephone: 01954 210 355
Mobile: 07885 202 005
Hardwick, Cambs CB23 7QL
Ajam-packed programme of exhibitors, demonstrations and talks promises to greet visitors to this year's Groundswell event.
Entering its ninth year, the Groundswell festival provides a forum for farmers and others interested in food production or the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of conservation agriculture – including no-till, cover crops and improving soil health.
The two-day event featuring talks, forums and discussions from leading international soil health experts, experienced arable and livestock farmers, agricultural policy experts, direct-drill demonstrations and agritech innovators.
Aimed at all types of farmers, Groundswell was founded by the Cherry family on their mixed farm in Hertfordshire. Brothers John and Paul Cherry have farmed for more than 30 years, converting to a no-till sys-
The Groundswell event is set to be another major crowd-puller
tem in 2010.
“We started Groundswell out of a sense of frustration that no-one was putting on a summer show to which we might want to go,” says John.
A visit to the fabulous No-Till on the Plains Conference in Salina, Kansas, showed us what could be done. One
Groundswell tickets are on sale for £85 including VAT (single day) and £125 (both days) – with discounts available students and group bookings of 10 or more.
The two-day event takes place on 26-27 June at Lannock Manor Farm, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire. As well as field demonstrations and static exhibitions, the show includes speakers across nine different stages.
Similar to last year, alongside ‘first principle’ sessions for those at the start of their regenerative journey, the event includes a series of extended advanced sessions for those keen to dive deeper into the science and practical applications of regenerative farming. For full details, visit groundswellag.com
of the most striking things was how hungry for information the farmer delegates were about the soil and the ecosystems that lived in them.
“A lot of the speakers were describing some fairly radical farming ideas and techniques and their audiences were lapping it up. We thought that if the good people of Kansas were ready for this, we sure as hell ought to be ready in Europe.”
“
The event goes from strength to strength
Groundswell continues to go from strength to strength – welcoming more than 5,500 visitors annually. This growth reflects increasing interest in regenerative agriculture – and the benefits of such systems in terms of carbon sequestration and flood prevention.
“Despite these other interest groups, Groundswell remains a show ‘for farmers, by farmers’; we aim to explore ways of working with nature to grow food in a profitable way,” says Paul.
“As the new saying goes: resilience is fertile – and profitability is one of the key factors that makes your operation resilient. It’s all very well regenerating your soil, but if you are not making money while you do it, you won’t be doing it for long.”
Aregenerative slurry inoculant will be exhibited for the first time at Groundswell by manufacturers Sylgen Animal Health.
Called SlurryForSoil, the inoculant has been specially formulated for soil and plant health, says Sylgen director Geoff Hooper. It reflects the company’s commitment to foster sustainable and profitable agricultural practices, he adds.
“Our product represents a paradigm shift in slurry management, offering farmers a powerful tool to enhance productivity while enhancing the soil biome, and by facilitating the reduction in fertiliser use, lowering carbon footprints.”
Mr Hooper says he chose to exhibit SlurryForSoil at Groundswell because the event serves as a forum for farmers, growers and other people interested in food, the environment and regenerative agriculture.
“It provides an unparalleled plat-
form for industry stakeholders to immerse themselves in the latest ad vancements and best practices within the realm of sustainable food produc tion and environmental conserva tion,” he adds.
“When formulating the product, we were inspired by a core factor of the world’s most resilient ecosystems –bi odiversity. It’s why SlurryForSoil™ contains 18 different soil-borne mi crobes,” explains Mr Hooper.
SlurryForSoil is fast gaining a reputation for its ease of use and wide-reaching benefits, claims Sylgen. “It also helps farmers reduce their re liance on synthetic fertiliser –another key facet of the regenerative mindset.”
Most recently Leprino Foods an nounced that it would fund its use across suppliers’ farms in GB – a move that could potentially save near ly 4,000t of emissions through the in oculants ability to reduce the need for synthetic fertiliser. and yields,” he claims.
Kuhn’s popular Striger 600R strip-till cultivator will be a main feature on its stand at Groundswell, highlighting how growers can reduce soil movement to improve structure, along with lowering operating costs.
The Striger works soil in precise narrow bands to match seed placement. This leaves the rest of the field undisturbed, which saves fuel and helps to improve soil structure across the field.
Kuhn arable product specialist Edd Fanshawe believes Groundswell is an increasingly important show for a growing market. Growers are interested in optimising their costs of production and improving soil health, he says.
“More growers are looking to reduce soil movements through innovative cultivation techniques and models we are displaying highlight the versatility of the Kuhn range and how it can be adapted to different field techniques.”
The Striger features a series of row units that are independent from the frame, with a depth gauge wheel at the front followed by an opening disc to cut through trash. Debris clean-
ers clear any surface residues from the strip.
A leg then loosens the soil between depths of 70-300mm. Following deflector discs prevent soil from leaving the strip before rear press wheels reconsolidate the planting line to preserve moisture.
“During a recent maize trial, the Striger was compared to a conventional establishment system. Key out-
The Striger improves soil
establishment and early growth.
The Striger 600R will be joined by a Performer 4000 with SH 600 tank and seeding kit fitted. The SH 600 option was introduced last year and offers growers the ability to sow a cover crop in a one pass system.
The machine will be on stand F42 in the demonstration field at Groundswell. Mr Fanshawe says: “Machine travel at harvest was noticeably bet-
Poor mineral levels in grass following one of the wettest winters on record could result in livestock deficiencies and production losses, say experts.
Testing fresh grass will indicate how well minerals are being taken up by the crop, suggests Lisa Hambly, head of grassland and forage agronomy at Mole Valley Farmers. Soil tests should also be considered, she adds.
This could be a broad-spectrum test or an animal health soil test. “If you know your soil has an underlying issue of over or under supply, you can take action to prevent any problems."
Slurry analysis
"Having studied a lot of slurry analyses, you can see a massive difference with what is coming through the diet. If something appears in the slurry but does not show up in the soil analysis, it is being fed in the diet.
"Oversupply can be just as important as undersupply. Minerals that can’t be stored will just come out of the back end. Phosphorous is a prime example of this, which becomes a pollutant you have paid for.”
Alison Bond, technical services
manager for Nettex and Rumenco, says land flooded for any length of time during the winter could see its mineral content affected – with knock-on effects for grass quality and livestock.
These can interfere with the availability of other minerals and impact the availability of other major elements such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. Iron levels can also increase where there is compaction.
“This can prevent other minerals from being available to the animal. Areas known for high levels of molybdenum could see exacerbated levels caused by the overwinter conditions. For cattle close to calving, those levels are extremely important.”
Magnesium levels can also be di-
Reduced performance
Poor fertility
Twitching and nervousness
White muscle disease
“Take action to
luted by fast-growing grass, says Dr Bond. "If that grass is also relatively low dry matter, so it's moving through the rumen quite quickly, the animal won't be able to take up all the available magnesium.
"Blood tests can demonstrate in the short term what is going on in that animal before any physical signs are picked up. They can help understand how available some of those elements are in grass.”
Mineral supplementation options include free access in blocks or buckets and inclusion in compound feeds or through individual boluses. Bespoke minerals can be formulated where a mineral audit has been conducted.
"What an animal needs today might be very different from what it needs in six months, depending on what you are trying to do with those animals. It's about looking at supply versus what they actually need."
Sheep farmers are being warned to act now and take measures against blow fly – with red alerts being sent to farmers in East Anglia.
Elanco ruminant technical consultant Matthew Colston says farmers should be vigilant and consider a cost-effective preventative treatment to protect flock health and productivity before strike occurs.
Blowfly can cost as much as £184 per breeding ewe. But Mr Colston believes even this figure is an underestimate. “We recommend protecting your flock by applying an Insect
Growth Regulator (IGR) product,” he says.
Blowfly strike can happen very quickly, with 94% of farmers reported to have been taken by surprise at the speed of an outbreak. Treatments are best applied early in the sea son and forecasts should be checked regularly. Blowfly Watch alerts can help identify the optimum time to apply a preventive treat ment before cases occur, says Mr Colston. Farmers can also report cases of strike on the Elanco Blowfly Tracker to alert other farm ers to local cases.
For details, see www.blowflywatch.co.uk
• Limited spring grass growth
• Inoculant to help fermentation
• Wet soil risks contamination
Afocus on dry matter when ensiling grass this season could encourage good fermentation following the wet spring.
Much first cut grass is high in fibre and lignin and low in sugars, with increased thatch and wet ground conditions increasing the likelihood of contamination. All these factors will mean making quality silage will be a challenge this year.
“Grass has not had the best conditions to start the season, with many people unable to graze, top, roll or fertilise this spring,” says Lientjie Colahan, forage technical support at Lallemand Animal Nutrition. “A lack of sunshine has limited normal spring grass growth.”
Good fermentation
To help mitigate these problems, Mrs Colahan advises farmers to aim for the optimum dry matter – about 28-33% DM – because this is central to achieving good fermentation.
“Using a mower with a conditioner, tedding and also monitoring dry matter closely can all help get the grass dry before putting it into the clamp.”
An inoculant should also be used to help promote good fermentation and preserve what quality you have been
grass treated with only bacteria, con tained half the levels of lactic acid as the Magniva treated grass, because they could not access additional sugar to drive the lactic fermentation.
“The rapid lactic acid production encourages the pH to drop rapidly, promoting quicker fermentation and better nutrient retention,” she says.
The idea that wetter grasses will be stable during feed-out is no longer relevant because the UK climate has changed in the last 40 years – and we are experiencing warmer winters and generally higher average temperatures.
“This extra 8C of heating in the con trol group is the equivalent of losing 28MJ of energy for every tonne of silage fresh weight that is unstable. This equates to 5.4kg of milk lost.”
By combining homo- and heterofermentative bacteria with a specific enzyme formulation, we are ensuring you get a rapid and efficient fermentation followed by a stable, palatable silage during feed-out.
“Further research compared Magniva treated silage with the control and showed that the digestibility of the treated silage was 19% higher than the control silage after eight hours, again showing that cows can get more from the treated silage.”
• Good for farm and environment
• Much improved forage availability
• Better in-season grass recovery
Aregenerative approach to beef grazing cattle is helping a Shropshire farmer take his family business one step close to self-sufficiency.
Since returning home 15 years ago to farm with his parents, Angus Hawkins has been keen to make use the family’s grassland to cut costs and boost the long-term viability of their livestock enterprise near Newport.
Supported by fast-food chain McDonald’s and sustainability experts FAI Farms, Mr Hawkins says regenerative grazing is yielding positive results for beef profitability – and for the environment too.
Switching to a regenerative system involved implementing an adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing setup. This focuses on regenerating land to help protect pastures, improve recovery rates and increase plant biomass.
The switch has required a shift in mindset and considerable infrastructure changes. But Mr Hawkins says grass is now available all year-round for his livestock – and he is one step closer to total self-sufficiency for the 200ha mixed farm.
of peatland soils present a particular challenge. “We’ve got a lot of bottom ground that floods and normally have a three-month window to graze a lot of grass,” says Mr Hawkins.
“With climate change bringing more extreme seasons, we wanted to make sure we were protecting ourselves against changing weather patterns. “Keeping a tall sward on the peatland helps maintain moisture, reduce airflow and keeps the peat cooler.”
ing fodder beet for forage. We split fields into paddocks, of roughly one hectare each, grazing the cattle in bigger groups and moving them more regularly.”
This approach to grazing massively benefitted productivity. “We can now grow the cattle on grass all summer then outwinter them on fodder beet. The following spring, the aim is to be finishing just on grass.”
Once running a suckler herd alongside store cattle, Mr Hawkins says the family initially trialled a more intensive approach. But they found that fluctuating input prices cast too much uncertainty over profit margins.
“Weighing up the financial aspects and issues with bovine tuberculosis, we decided to get rid of our suckler cows, in favour of buying in dairycross calves as weanlings to finish,” explains Mr Hawkins.
Another strategy was to rethink the grazing strategy to expand beef numbers and keep a lid on input costs. “The main aim was to make sure we’ve got grass all year round, to enable us to feed our livestock in a cost-effective way.”
The farm’s 60ha
The more Mr Hawkins learned about regenerative grazing systems that prioritise soil health, the more it appealed as a ‘win-win’ solution.
“We only have one shed to house cattle in, and we had seen some issues with calf pneumonia, so adapting the grazing system offered us the opportunity to start outwintering too and maintain stock numbers all year-
“The increase in forage volumes produced by the herbal leys has been awesome. We’ve found we have grass in front of the cattle all the time, helping to maintain growth rates but minimising day-to-day costs at the same time.
To make the most of his grass, Mr Hawkins and sought advice from grazing consultant Marc Jones, who runs a beef and sheep herd in mid-Wales and is similarly transitioning to an AMP system with guidance from FAI.
Before the AMP transition, Mr Hawkins let cattle graze down to the ground before moving them to a new paddock. He now moves them sooner and leaves more grass behind after grazing to encourage sward recovery.
Although AMP grazing is context-specific and looks slightly different on every farm, the rule of thumb at FAI is to graze around 25% of available forage in spring, increasing to 50% during summer, and 50-75% in autumn.
“This opened the door to rotational grazing with herbal leys, as well as grow-
Mr Hawkins explains how this currently works on his farm. “We’re aiming to start grazing each paddock when the leys are knee high, then move the
cattle once it’s grazed down to around ankle length.
“We allow a minimum of 30 days respite between each graze to ensure the land has enough time to rest and regenerate. Looking after soil structure is key.”
The whole process has taken more than five years – including learning about soil science and the ecological principles behind AMP grazing. But Mr Hawkins says the biggest lessons have come from putting theory to practice.
Sharing advice
“We were trying a totally new grazing system [but] I also wanted to revert some arable land to herbal leys to accommodate more cattle, so the main challenge was getting the fencing infrastructure set up right.”
Grants from Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Severn Trent’s Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS) helped with the financial investment. Funding was also provided for additional water troughs.
“We’re in a high priority cryptosporidium catchment so had funding support for post and wire fenc-
of Telford has also presented challenges, with the occasional theft of electric fencing energisers – and having to navigate public footpaths established across the farm while making grazing changes.
Mr Hawkins says it has been invaluable to share his experience of overcoming these hurdles with other beef
The switch has made farming more enjoyable, says Angus Hawkins
producers who are also transitioning to an AMP system with support from
The outcomes have been pleasing, he adds. “It’s a great forum for asking questions and getting other farmers’ perspectives on how to make changes successful. It prevents us making the
“Managing grazing more will help lower our worm burden too – with the AMP system, we’re not grazing the cattle right down to the soil so they are further away from the worms. Ideally, we want to stop using bought-in
The benefits are not just financial. Mr Hawkins says AMP grazing has also improved drought resilience, as well as enhancing soil health and biodiversity. “It definitely makes farm-
“I’ve noticed a boost in farmland wildlife, including more owls and dung beetles. It could be that trying to work with nature more closely to encourage grass growth has opened my eyes to what’s around.”
For more details about the grazing system, visit www.faifarms.com.
Members of the Green Tractor Scheme Office: 01763 287 317 I Yard: 07934482383
info@kelshallplastics.co.uk I www.kelshallplastics.co.uk
To find out more about our farm profiles contact our farming team on 01502 725862
• First UK-wide livestock theft officer
• Intelligence gathering and sharing
• Livestock theft cost £2.7m in 2022
The UK’s first national livestock theft police officer has launched a new initiative to get on top of the crime.
Funding provided by UK rural insurer NFU Mutual has enabled the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) to recruit Martin Beck, who has 30 years of policing experience in the field, as its first UK-wide livestock theft prevention officer.
Mr Beck’s role involves gathering livestock theft-related intelligence though a new initiative code named Operation Foldyard. It will share that
The appointment comes as the toll from livestock theft reached an estimated £2.7 million in 2022, according to the latest figures from NFU Mutual – an 8.7% increase from the previous year.
Mr Beck said: “I will be working to ensure information is shared between the police forces and their key partners. As the intelligence picture grows, I expect to see individuals involved in livestock theft targeted and disrupted.
• Ensure livestock are clearly marked
• If possible, graze away from roads
• Check livestock regularly if you can
• Consider high-tech marking system
• Join a Farm or Rural Watch scheme
• Ask neighbours to report sightings
• Call police – don’t tackle criminals
Information about livestock theft can be reported confidentially via www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111
“
experience. Mr Beck will work with police forces to help them understand the crime and how to investigate it so more prosecutions can be brought.”
While livestock theft is distressing to farmers and the animals involved, it is also a cause of food crime – and can present a risk to public health as the quality and safety of stolen meat products cannot be guaranteed.
Martin Beck is the UK’s first
“Livestock theft needs to be exposed for the harm it is causing, and the people involved are criminals,” said Mr Beck. “We are regularly seeing both small and large numbers of thefts across the country.”
Matthew Screech, NFU Mutual’s lead on livestock claims, said: “Livestock theft causes horrific suffering to animals which are often treated badly by thieves and sometimes even slaughtered out in the fields.
“Martin’s experience as a rural police officer in Devon and Cornwall makes him ideally qualified to take up the role of the UK’s first national livestock theft prevention officer and we are delighted to be providing funding for his new role.”
“Livestock theft is no longer about single animals being stolen – it’s now a highly organised crime often involving 50 or more sheep being taken in one raid. It can have a devastating effect on farming businesses.
“As the main insurer of the UK’s farmers, we support a range of initiatives set up to tackle the growing menace of rural crime because we know it’s an issue which deeply concerns farmers and country people.”
• Innovations in management
• How to get the best from staff
• Technical and business skills
Smart solutions to the challenges faced by farming will be theme of this year’s National Farm Management Conference, due to take place this autumn.
Run by the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM), the one-day event will explore innovations in intelligent systems – including how new technical and business skills can get the best from farm businesses.
The conference will be held at on 7 November at the QEII Centre in London. Speakers will discuss emerging technology – such as artificial intelligence (AI) – and how it will make good people management skills even more important.
IAgrM director Victoria Bywater said: “The rapidly evolving environmental and political landscape means it’s clear we need to be able to manage our farms and supply chains even more intelligently than we’ve done in the past.”
UN Food and Agriculture Organisation chief economist Máximo Torer will set the global scene for the day with a view on commodity prices, input costs and outline the challenges of scarcity of supply and cost inflation.
John Shropshire, chairman of vertically integrated fresh produce grower G’s, will relate these issues to the management of his own business. Andrew McLay, from Innovate UK, will look at innovation opportunities and challeng-
es in the agribusiness sector.
IAgrM chairman Richard Price said: “It’s a pivotal time for the industry and ensuring the current workforce and new entrants are well equipped to take on challenges we’re yet to experience is vital to maintain a resilient agri-food supply chain in the UK.”
A special session will discuss people – specifically leadership in agriculture and personnel of the future, with speakers from Harper Adams University, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Morrisons and Forces Farming.
Artificial intelligence
Lincolnshire farmer and Agreena partner Thomas Gent will then chair a session on ‘What sort of intelligent farm systems will we need for the future?’. This will look at the role of automation and AIas it pertains to future agricultural management.
“It’s a pivotal time for farming
Jack Bobo, from Nottingham University, will join the session alongside Ed Ford, from Dyson Farming; and Matt Percy, vice-president of Business Innovation with a specific focus on artificial intelligence from John Deere in the USA.
To finish the day, delegates will hear views from farmers David Jones from Hatton Bank Farm and sisters Kate and Vicky Morgan from East Yorkshire, on how farms can employ high quality people, automation and innovation.
For full details and to secure your ticket, please visit www.iagrm.com
Farmland prices hit an alltime high in the first quarter of 2024, with bare agricultural land in England and Wales reaching £9,250/acre.
The increase represents a 1% rise over the previous quarter, taking the annual rate of price growth to 6%, according to the latest farmland index from global property consultants Knight Frank.
Farmland values outperformed other major asset classes over the 12-month period, including the FTSE 100 (+4%), UK house prices (+1%) and prime central London residential properties (-2%). Only gold, with an 11% increase, fared better.
‘Remarkably resilience’
"The farmland market has remained remarkably resilient amid economic headwinds," said Knight Frank head of rural research Andrew Shirley.
"Our research highlights that low supply volumes combined with strong demand from a wide range of buyers, including those looking to participate in environmental schemes are supporting prices."
Drivers include increased government funding for environmental land management programmes, buyers with rollover tax liabilities to mitigate and limited publicly marketed land for sale.
Additionally, recent HMRC confirmation that land enrolled in environmental schemes still qualifies for agricultural property relief on inheritance tax, has provided reassurance among landowners.
Certainty from the government had added some confidence, said Mr Shirley. But he added: “The market remains a little uncertain. The loss of the Basic Payment Scheme may now be starting to bite, which could boost supply.”
Looking ahead, the general election could also slow down market activity – prompting vendors and buyers to adopt a 'wait-andsee' approach until there is more clarity with a new government.
About 30 years ago, I bought an 80ha (200-acre) block of land that nobody else was interested in purchasing.
It was a gamble. Like today, the early 1990s were a time of change. The 1992 MacSharry reform of the Common Agricultural Policy meant an uncertain future for farming. Few people could see a clear way forward for agriculture.
In the end, the purchase turned out welldespite several anxious moments, including a 15% interest rate when the UK tumbled out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism on Black Wednesday.
Apart from a few dodgy characters fly-tipping, my landowning experience has been a good one. But there was a sting in the tail. Despite carefully checking for legal rights of way on purchase, one field is still regularly used as a short cut by the public.
Trespass
I recently encountered two people who regularly walk across the field. I reminded them for the umpteenth time it was private land. The usual response in cases like this is for
On this occasion, one of the walkers admitted it felt wrong to trespass – but he told me trespass was a civil rather than a criminal offence and therefore could not be prosecuted. Other attempts to restrict access have had little effect. Some near neighbours have erected signs and in one case a fence only for the terrible two to climb and smash their way through.
I am told that England will eventually follow Scotland and open up the countryside to all and sundry. I am pretty certain this does not include the right to trample crops and let dogs off leads – but try enforcing that.
The unofficial right to roam began during lockdown in 2020. Frustrated that only 8% of all land is publicly accessible, the first recent mass trespass followed in 2022.
Restricting access has little effect “
In fact, about half of all land is owned by just one percent of the population. But my argument centres around the fact that I took all the risks to purchase my 80ha and it is wrong that all and sundry can walk across it without my permission.
What sticks in my throat is that farmers are accused of destroying the local bird population and yet the very route used by walkers is an old stewardship margin which has been left to encourage wildlife and provide food for barn owls.
Of course, some campaigners claim that letting the public roam willy-nilly across the countryside makes people feel more connected to their surroundings – so they take more care and notice if things are wrong.
Other groups claim exercise in the countryside is good for physical and mental wellbeing. They argue that opening up the countryside for public exercise would alleviate pressure on the NHS and the taxpayer.
That may or may not be the case. In any case, we need to be respectful of the environment and look after the land. Hence the Countryside Code, which reminds us all of our rights and duties when out and about.
It’s clear that disagreements between landowners and ramblers will continue for decades to come. Most ramblers respect rights of way. But a small percentage do not. They disregard ‘keep out’ signs no matter how friendly the message is phrased.
At the end of the day, it is all rather exhausting. I have lost count of the time spent challenging everyone walking across my field. And even when I don’t see them, I know they’ve been there by the amount of rubbish
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