Anglia Farmer October 2021 by Countrywide Publications

October 2021

Anglia

Farmer

Serving the farming industry across East Anglia for over 35 years

Harvest 2021: How Camgrain added value to grain during catchy harvest

News Criminal gangs target GPS systems Arable Urgent action against wild oats Livestock Key to profitable suckler beef Property Study examines benefits of farm shops

Food for thought: Enterprise park is boost for region’s farmers

Fen Tiger Glad to see back of challenging harvest Pig & Poultry Warning over carbon dioxide shortage

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Anglia Farmer

OPINION Johann Tasker

EDITORIAL Editor: Johann Tasker | T: 07967 634971 E: johann@ruralcity.co.uk

Design: Mark Shreeve | T: 01502 725839 E: mark.shreeve@micropress.co.uk

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Anglia Farmer is a controlled circulation magazine published monthly for farmers and growers in the eastern counties. To be included on the circulation list, a farmer must have a minimum of 70 acres of land, or 50 dairy/beef stock, or 50 breeding sows/250 growing stock, or 15,000 laying hens/broiler chickens. Intensive horticulture units are required to have a minimum of two hectares. Subscription is £18 a year (including postage). No responsibility can be accepted by the publishers for the opinions expressed by contributors. If you no longer wish to receive this magazine, please email your name, address and postcode as it appears on the wrapper to annie.fish@micropress.co.uk © Countrywide Publications 2021 Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon Suffolk IP18 6DH T: 01502 725800 Printed by Micropress Ltd, Suffolk. T: 01502 725800

Action needed to secure food supply chain

he fragility of the food supply chain has been thrown into sharp relief over recent weeks. From lorry driver shortages to the panic buying of fuel and the importance of fertiliser have all made national news headlines. The NFU says the food and farming sector is on a knife edge due to an unprecedented shortages of workers. It estimates there are an estimated 500,000 unfilled vacancies across the industry. NFU president Minette Batters is right to say that the situation is not improving. In fact, images of empty supermarket shelves are becoming commonplace. Some commentators have already warned that Christmas could be ‘cancelled’. Last month, representatives from across the UK food supply chain called on Boris Johnson to introduce an emergency Covid recovery visa scheme to open up new recruitment opportunities as a matter of urgency. Some 12 organisations – including producers, processors, distributers and hauliers wrote to the Primie Minister calling for both short- and long-term measures to solve what has rapidly become a crisis.

Contents

SHORT OF STORAGE SPACE?

East of England Farming Conference ...46 Livestock.......................................................... 47 Pig & Poultry.................................................... 51 Property............................................................ 63 Final Say........................................................... 66

Competitive prices for all your agricultural & industrial requirements

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Johann Tasker, Editor

Vol 41 • No 10 • October 2021

News . ................................................................... 4 Arable . ................................................................. 8 Profile: Denham Estate ............................20 Post harvest ..................................................... 25 Profile: Camgrain ....................................... 32

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They believe such a visa would make it easier to employ workers from overseas. And they warned that without it more shelves will go empty and consumers will panic buy to try and get through the winter. This is not so much a shortage of food production as a failure of government policy when it comes to managing the economy. As the NFU points out: the food is there, but it needs people to get it to the consumers. Farm leaders have long called for better access to seasonal workers from overseas. Now those calls are being made by the general public too. Without them, it is hard to see how the UK will be able to feed itself. Some businesses have already curtailed production. Unless the government acts, more will follow. Some could go bankrupt. As the NFU and others argue, recruitment from outside the UK is vital for the future of the economy – including agriculture.

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OCTOBER 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 3

News Back British farmers at home and abroad, government told

arm leaders have called for a government commitment that Britain’s food production will not slip below its current level of 60% self-sufficiency. The NFU made the call on Back British Farming Day – Wednesday 15 September – as it launched a report highlighting the importance of domestic food production and its contribution to food security. NFU president Minette Batters said it was vital that the government demonstrated greater ambition in promoting British food at home and abroad – and praised the efforts of growers and livestock producers in feeding the nation. “British farmers produce some of the best food in the world. Not only is it delicious and nutritious, but it is produced to incredibly high environmental, animal welfare, traceability, and food safety standards – something not every country is able to say.” Over the past few years, too little importance had been placed on Britain’s food production, said Mrs Batters. This had been all too clear as the country has seen self-sufficiency in food drop from 78% in the mid-1980s to just 60% today. “As an island nation which is very well suited for quality food production, it would be a mistake to let that happen again and become even more reliant on the rest of the world to feed us,” said Mrs Batters. The NFU wants the government to complete a comprehensive study on UK food security later this year – covering the country’s production of

key foods and its contribution to global food security. It says this would be the first proper assessment of UK food security in over a decade – and the first under the Agriculture Act that requires reporting every three years.

TV star turned farmer Jeremy Clarkson with NFU president Minette Batters on Back British Farming Day

Public procurement The NFU argues that the UK could reduce its reliance on food imports by harnessing opportunities for different home-grown foods and increasing British sourcing in public procurement –

such as schools and hospitals. It also wants the government to introduce more ambitious food and trade strategies that will help farmers provide more quality, affordable and climate-friendly food to people at home and abroad. Mrs Batters said: “Delivering a comprehensive report into food security and taking appropriate action in response would show the government is serious and ambitious about boosting sustainable food production in Britain.”

Food export plan unveiled by Defra

lans to help growers and livestock producers boost food exports were announced by Defra to mark Back British Farming Day. The UK agri-food sector contributes around £20bn in exports each year, but only 20% of companies sell goods overseas. Defra said its initiative would help farmers access

4 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

the UK’s export potential. The plan includes more dedicated “agrifood attaches” to act as representatives on the ground to unlock key markets across the world. Defra says it will also encourage farmers to strengthen their technical expertise and understanding of export markets to ensure

food and drink exporters are able to benefit from market opportunities. Defra secretary George Eustice said: “Our farmers are the lifeblood of our nation – producing home grown food and acting as stewards of our natural environment. We want people at home and abroad to be lining up to buy British.”

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News

Criminal gangs in mass raid on region’s farms • Thieves target £10k satellite systems • As many as 40 machines targeted • Farmers urged to upgrade security

oving criminal gangs are again targeted farms to steal satellite navigation systems worth tens of thousands of pounds. Raids on farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and Hertfordshire last month saw as many as 40 machines broken into and GPS systems stolen in a single night. Victims included the Elveden estate, near Thetford. NFU Mutual is advising farmers to be extra vigilant, remove systems where possible and return machinery to locked sheds or out of sight. The rural insurer is also working with police to combat the problem. The cost of claims for stolen GPS systems almost doubled to £2.9m last year, said NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Rebecca Davidson. Determined gangs using new tactics could lead to even higher losses this year, she added.

Avoiding detection “Criminal gangs are hitting farms hard in one county and quickly moving to another to avoid detection. The roving gangs are stealing all makes and models of GPS control units, together with screens and domes.” Ms Davidson said the thieves had been taking advantage of the busy harvest to identify targets as farmers were working flat out to get crops in and use tractors and combine harvesters away from the farmstead. “These thefts are incredibly disruptive to farmers particularly when several GPS kits are taken in one raid,” she said. “GPS is a vital tool for modern farming and without the sophisticated equipment to guide tractors and combines, harvesting and cultivating work can be subject to delays while new equipment is sourced and fitted.” Farmers are being urged to watch out for signs of strangers in farmyards 6 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

and fields checking out kit – before returning to steal it armed with knowledge of where tractors are kept, and any security measures in place.

Home-grown criminals DC Chris Piggott, of the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS), said GPS theft was an international crime. “There are also home-grown criminals stealing GPS systems as people turn to criminal activity to make a quick buck.” With funding from NFU Mutual, NaVCIS is supporting operations to tackle organised agricultural machinery crime and is working with overseas police forces to disrupt international crime gangs. DC Piggott said: “German Police have infiltrated a Lithuanian Organised Crime Gang in conjunction with UK Police assistance, seizing 80 suspected stolen GPS devices from across Europe, 23 of these have been identified as units taken in the UK. “These criminals are well-organised and know what they are looking for – so it’s essential that farmers remove GPS kit when possible when

Units of all makes and models are being targeted

Advice to protect GPS systems Activate PIN security on GPS kit with your own unique number if available If your system is not pin enabled, mark your postcode to deter thieves and trace your property back to you Keep tractors and combines with GPS fitted stored out of sight when possible Remove GPS kit when possible from tractors and other machinery and store it securely when not in use Record serial numbers and photograph your kit Check serial numbers of second-hand kit offered for sale Report sightings of suspicious activity in fields and farmyards to police [source: NFU Mutual]

it’s not in use and store it securely. It’s also well worth beefing up security in farmyards, machinery sheds and on tractors.”

Security measures PIN security codes on GPS kit should be activated where possible. On older models without PIN security, farmers should mark kit with farm names and postcodes in indelible ink to make it harder for thieves to sell on. “High demand for GPS equipment is fuelling this type of crime and we are urging people to do careful checks on the sellers before purchasing second-hand items online,” said DC Piggott. “Anyone considering a purchase should get photos showing serial numbers before parting with any money and check with the manufacturer that it is not recorded stolen on their system before completing the transaction. “We also urge farmers to report suspicious activity including drones over farms, vehicles visiting that are not known to the farm, or trespassers on 101, and if a crime is taking place call 999.”

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Arable Swift action called for after ‘worst year’ for wild oats • Cereal crops are plagued with problems • Worst infestations seen for many seasons • Priority is to combat weed this autumn

rowers across East Anglia are being urged to prioritise wild oat control this autumn following one of the worst years for infestations in recent memory, Wild oats plagued many cereal crops last season – due to particularly difficult conditions for spring post-emergence and uncompetitive cereal crop canopies. Herbicide resistance also played a part, say experts. “The cold, dry spring meant there was little active weed growth in the main 2021 post-em spraying window,” says NIAB specialist John Cussans. “Then, when the weather warmed-up and we got some much-needed moisture, later-sown winter cereals were decidedly thin and uncompetitive. “This was an open goal for both already established and later-germinating wild oats. The fact that these can complete their life cycle in just a few weeks means a big seed return which must be managed this autumn rather than delayed until next spring.” Problems have been exacerbated by the increasing incidence of the winter wild oat subspecies alongside the traditional and common spring wild oat, says Mr Cussans. Herbicide resistance developed quicker in winter wild oats than spring varieties, he suggests.

Removal crucial Winter wild oats are also more likely to emerge in the autumn rather than spring. Their large and aggressive root systems mean they typically have double the impact on cereal yields as later-emerging plants – making the earliest possible removal crucial. Although immediate post-harvest cultivation can help to flush out blackgrass, Gowan weed management specialist Barrie Hunt says it can result in wild oat populations that are for or five times higher than the best no-till regimes. “Although it’s a very competitive 8 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

Wild oats have become a forgotten enemy, says Ruth Stanley

weed – five plants per square metre typically cause a 5% wheat yield loss – wild oats don’t suffer competition well either,” says Mr Hunt. “This makes the most competitive crop canopies important in managing it,” he adds.

“

A big seed return must be managed this autumn. “Unfortunately, that is not what we usually get with blackgrass management strategies that delay wheat drilling into late October – especially when seedbeds are less than ideal, winters are wet and cold, dry conditions restrict spring growth.” The focus on blackgrass means wild oats have become the forgotten enemy over recent years, says Ruth Stanley, country manager for agrochemical manufacturer Life Scientific. “It’s actually our most competitive grass weed, on a potential yield loss per plant basis.”

Five tips to combat wild oats

1 2 3 4 5

Leave stubbles uncultivated. A three-week gap or longer after harvest will maximise weed seed predation – and help combat meadow or rye brome too. Go no-till or full plough. A true no-till regime will ensure greatest predation, while full inversion will bury weed seeds below 20cm. Shallow tillage is the worst of both worlds. Encourage dense cereal canopies. These compete especially well against emerged wild oats and suppress late germination. Avoid late wheat drilling if you can.

Clean machines and seed. Good biosecurity will help prevent the spread of wild oat seed – both within and between fields – by combines, balers and farm-saved seed.

Use a herbicide. Avadex can be invaluable against wild oats germination. So too can ALS chemistry or Kipota, a reverse-engineered version of Topik.

Just one wild oat plant per square metre can result in a 1t/ha yield loss in winter cereals and 0.6t/ha in spring crops, says Mrs Stanley. Wild oats also act as hosts for pests and diseases – including barley yellow dwarf virus. A reduction in the use of ALS chemistry to control blackgrass has helped to fuel a resurgence in wild oat populations, says Mrs Stanley. Growers had forgotten that these herbicides are actually very effective at wild oat control, she adds. ALS chemistry still had a valuable place in control programmes. But it was important to prevent decreased sensitivity in the field by ensuring the correct products were applied – and to get the best performance from ALS herbicides.

Arable

Last orders for key sugar beet fungicide

ugar beet growers have less than two months to purchase enough Escolta to meet their crop protection needs for next season. The key fungicide will be withdrawn from sale after 30 November. A 12-month use-up period will follow – giving growers until the end of November 2022 to use up all stocks of Escolta and other products containing cyproconazole. The deadline follows a Chemical Regulation Directorate’s announcement that the end of November 2021 will be the last date for sales of cyproconazole-containing products. Cyproconazole and trifloxystrobin form Bayer’s broad-spectrum sugar beet fungicide, Escolta. Used against powdery mildew and cercospora leaf spot, it is also available with penthiopyrad for use in oats and with azoxystrobin for cereals, oilseed rape and beet crops. The news has been met with dis-

appointment given the role of cyproconazole in protecting sugar beet crops against rust and powdery mildew. Bayer root crop manager Lizzie Carr-Archer says: “Escolta remains the best performing fungicide available for protecting crops against the dominant disease threats.” Growers should calculate their requirements to avoid being left with unused stock after the 2022 season. The yield protection afforded by Escolta has eclipsed other fungicides. Across three contrasting seasons, the average yield benefit of two applications of Escolta was 15.6 t/ha over the untreated control and 4.3 t/ha over those sprayed with epoxiconazole + pyraclostrobin. Bayer has been working on an Escolta replacement for a number of years. It hopes to receive regulatory authorisation for Caligula – a product based on fluopyram + prothioconazole – ahead of the 2022 season.

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Arable

Consistency should drive cereal variety decisions

Cereal variety choices must strike the right balance between market suitability and business risk, says Jock Willmott.

ield and quality information from this harvest is yet to be finalised – but initial results and farmer feedback suggest consistent performance was scarce. Some harvest results have been hard to explain – making picking the right variety mix a difficult task. But it is clear that the 2021 growing season exposed the vulnerability of varieties to diseases – even those given high resistance ratings. It’s a fluid situation. The logistics of getting seed to farms after a delayed harvest must be weighed up against protecting the farm business from unnecessary risk by growing susceptible or inconsistent varieties. For those intending to home-save more seed this year, quality is slightly down and seed-borne disease levels are generally high. Growers may need to dress it hard, so start with a big pile. A good fusarium active seed dressing is likely to be required.

Poor performance When it comes to variety selection, there have been some very disappointing results. Some varieties have performed poorly – either due to susceptibility to disease or stress-related issues caused by weather extremes. After a very cold and dry April, the situation changed very rapidly from being comfortable going into harvest around May time to seeing a septoria explosion from mid-June. 12 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

We are still to fully understand the repercussions, but we hope growers don’t see the same issues again. With potentially fewer high resistance varieties to choose from, we have to assume that septoria pressure will be at least moderate next year. Yellow rust susceptibility is narrowing the Group 1 and hard Group 4 winter wheat options while septoria concerns are limiting the soft wheat choices.

Newer varieties It’s a shame that some of the newer material is not performing as expected. These varieties were marketed as able to take some of the pressure off and reduce risk. This means farmers should grow the varieties that they feel comfortable with – even if that means trading a slight yield penalty or lower disease resistance for consistency. With rust, it’s true that we have the chemistry to deal with it. But if we can’t spray it on time, it becomes a much bigger problem. Crusoe is my pick of the Group 1s, providing it is grown as a first wheat and its brown rust risk is monitored. Group 2 Extase has shown some yield variability in 2021, so it should be grown only as a first wheat with an Oc-

“

Farmers should grow the varieties that they feel comfortable with.

Septoria concerns are limiting soft wheat choices

tober drilling date until more is known. The Group 3 sector is tricky as all choices have some negatives. This group has been badly affected by susceptibility to septoria, due to the predominance of Cougar parentage. If you are growing one of these varieties, then all other factors must be in line.

Under pressure Remember, a thick crop drilled early is likely to come under a great deal of septoria pressure next spring. This advice also applies to the soft Group 4s Skyscraper, Spotlight and possibly Saki for the same reason. In my view, some of the established hard Group 4s are preferable to their newer counterparts. Varieties such as Graham and Gleam have been more reliable and consistent than recent introductions, even if they have lost the edge on disease resistance. Seed availability will dictate much of what is grown in the 2021/22 season, but previous experience of growing a variety can be invaluable. If you’ve grown something that fared particularly badly this year, there’s still time to change your line-up for next year. Jock Willmott is an independent agronomist with Ceres Rural. For details, visit www.ceresrural.co.uk.

Arable

Popular wheat variety expands area again • 2021 confirms variety’s top performance • Good results achieved in tough conditions • Strong resistance and agronomic package

nother increase in the winter wheat area drilled with KWS Extase is expected this autumn as the variety continues to grow in popularity. “It’s certainly caught the imagination of UK growers – whether they’re looking for strong yields, flexibility to target feed, milling or UKP markets or high levels of disease resistance,” says KWS UK country manager Will Compson. Considerably more KWS Extase is likely to be drilled this season than the 200,000ha harvested in 2021, explains Mr Compson. The reasons are a mix of factors, he adds – including good yields and a strong agronomic package. Concerns over the breakdown of Cougar-based varieties to Septoria – genes which many of the newer candidate varieties rely on for resistance – have strengthened Extase’s position, adds Mr Compson. “With the loss of CTL fungicide now making its impact on-farm, many growers are also looking at how they can make the best use of the variety’s Recommended List topping untreated yield of over 10t/ha.” In trials conducted in 2021 by the AHDB and distributors, KWS Extase remained one of the most consistent performers across the board despite another year of very challenging conditions. “A wet autumn followed by highly variable growing conditions in the spring characterised by widely fluctuating temperatures pre-summer and frosts prevalent even in April, made traditional agronomy challenging. “This had quite an impact on a wide range of varieties in some regions but despite this, KWS Extase has delivered reliable results. “ In AHDB and distributor trials across the country, KWS Extase performed well in 2021 with an average yield at 104% of controls (10.46t/ 14 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

ha) compared to its five-year mean of 100.5% of controls (10.81 t/ha).” The variety is one of KWS’ Sowing for Peak Performance (SPP) stable and is great example of how this initiative is shaping the characteristics of the company’s variety portfolio moving forward, says Mr Compson.

Bread-making quality “We’ve always been responsive to growers’ needs but acceptance of the effects of climate change and the need to address issues around carbon footprints and environmental factors is definitely accelerating this. “While KWS Extase is the highest yielding breadmaking variety on the 2021/22 RL at 10.8t/ha, I think the time when sheer output is the most important factor for varietal choice has gone,” says Mr Compson. “Functional traits such as disease resistance, standing power, drilling flexibility and drought resistance are equally as important in the modern era of cereals production. “The last two years have clearly show this with testing autumn drilling periods compounded by challeng-

“

KWS Extase is growing in popularity

It’s caught the imagination of UK growers. Will Compson

ing growing conditions the following spring. A modern variety has a very difficult job to do.” KWS believes Extase will be the UK’s most popular wheat for several years but appreciate the pressure on varieties grows year on year. “For a start there’s ongoing loss of chemistry, changing management practices, and the simple pressure of biology on resistance mechanisms, as many breeders have seen with the breakdown of Cougar-based genetics this year. “Thankfully KWS Extase does rely on these for its exceptional Septoria resistance, but it’s a powerful warning of why breeders need to continually look to improve varieties and the genetic traits they contain. “In the last year alone a total eight new KWS cereal varieties joined the 2021 candidate list following the addition of KWS Cranium winter wheat and KWS Tardis winter barley to the 2021/22 Recommended List.” In all, KWS had seven new wheats entering candidate trials. KWS Palladium is a breadmaking candidate whilst KWS Guium and KWS Brium are biscuit varieties and KWS Dawsum and KWS Henum are hard feed wheats. KWS Ladum and KWS Fixum are spring wheats and the company also had a new six row winter barley KWS Feeris which has BYDV tolerance.

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Arable

‘Mitigating risk is answer to profitable oilseed rape’ • • •

Seed is autocast from combine Earlier crop establishes better Companion crop combats slugs

etter risk management is the only way to grow profitable oilseed rape in the face of numerous challenges, says a Northamptonshire grower. Michael Gent and his father John say they have always grown rape – achieving yields of around 3t/ha on predominantly light land. Farming as GL Gent & Son, their mixed enterprise farm includes 500ha of combinable crops at Oundle. Prices of some £500/t this year have seen more growers expected to return to rape – despite the twin threats of adverse weather and cabbage stem flee beetle (CSFB) that have accounted for poor yields and lost crops in recent years. With a one-in-four rotation for rape – and many years of experience – mean the Gents view professional risk management as the only way to succeed with a crop that seems to have more than its fair share of luck attached to the end result. “Like many growers we’d historically subsoiled rape, not fully understanding the increased risk that soil disturbance can make to the threat of flea beetle,” says Michael, who has direct drilled rape using a 3m Weaving GD Drill since 2019.”

Soil moisture Despite its many agronomic benefits, direct drilling still involves the expense of an additional pass. It also requires a decent weather window – with the right soil moisture – amid the risk that drilling could be delayed. “Supported by advice from our agronomist, we’ve always believed in the benefits of establishing rape crops earlier on the theory that a strong, earlier germinated crop can grow away from flea beetle present in the early autumn,” says Michael. “An earlier crop is also better able to deal with harsher winter weather 16 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

conditions than younger, late drilled crops. Based on that theory it was only a matter of time before we began looking at a new system of autocasting the rape as we combined.” Earlier rape establishment via autocasting, or via any other alternative application method, can never be described as a complete agronomic fix – and there will always be other potential challenges for rape crops through the season. But autocasting is an effective option for cutting rape establishment costs and better protecting soil by reducing crop passes. It also improves sustainability and creates a micro-climate beneath the chopped straw where young rape plants can flourish. “Autocasting also helps to conserve soil moisture – critical to successful rape establishment,” says Michael.

Flexible solution To achieve this, the business invested in an Autocast V2 applicator – a broadcasting system from Techneat Engineering that can be used for both oilseed rape and cover crops. It was mounted on the header of the Claas Vario 660 combine harvester. “The key strengths of the Autocast V2 are that it’s simple to operate, quick to set up and easy to calibrate. The rapeseed is metered into an air-

Michael Gent (left) has invested in the Autocast V2 to successfully reduce his rape establishment costs.

A new crop of buckwheat recently established via autocasting – a popular choice of cover crop for many farmers.

stream that is then distributed to outlets spaced equally along the full width of the combine header. “A dual hopper system enables us to place rapeseed with a companion crop and slug pellets beneath the chopped straw as we combine, establishing both the new rape crop and the cover crop as early as possible. Mr Gent estimates that using the Autocast V2 for the first time this year has enabled the farm to conservatively save £50-£60/ha on rape establishment costs. “Given the considerable upfront investment in seed and inputs on oilseed rape, any reduction in the overall production cost of the crop has to be a boContinued on p18

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Arable Continued from p16 nus given the current financial risks linked to growing rape.” Risk mitigation is especially important for the business, given that most of its lighter land has a yield potential of about 3t/ha. Low-cost establishment and use of farm-saved seed where possible have both had a positive impact on net margins, adds Mr Gent. “When we’re able to combine both good financial returns on winter cover crops with low-input spring cereals, it helps to create a healthy overall profit margin for both our business and for our contract farming customers.” But the benefits of cover crops aren’t just purely financial. They are also important as the farm strives to improve its soil health linked to an anticipated move next January into a higher tier Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme. “Our long-term intention is to trial a number of different cover crops within the rotation including phacelia, vetch, black oats, mustard, berseem clover and buckwheat to evaluate what works best for both our soil and crop yields over the next five years.”

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Profile: Denham Estate

Suffolk estate reborn as haven for wildlife A passion for the farmed landscape is paying dividends for the Denham Estate, near Bury St Edmunds.

farm manager who has planted more than 14,000 trees says that they will benefit the environment and enhance the Suffolk landscape. Matt Driver says he is determined to maximise the ecological credentials of the Denham Estate, near Bury St Edmunds. The 300ha estate includes 180ha of arable enterprises and 62ha of grassland with more than one third of the land managed for the environment. “We’re a business first and foremost but we care passionately about the environment,” explains Matt. “Our goal is to be profitable – but it is also to make improvements all around – to make it a better habitat for wildlife and improve biodiversity.” The Denham Estate was once home

to a substantial fruit orchard – and there are still a number of heritage Bramley apple trees. Today, the main enterprises include a 300-strong herd of fallow deer, 600 sheep and combinable crops.

Matt Driver (right) with the bird seed mix

Sustainable farming In addition to the livestock, the estate grows wheat, barley and oilseed rape – as well as grass for hay and silage, grown to provide home-produced feed. It all contributes to the sustainability of the mixed-farming system. Grassland is very low input, with no applied fertiliser. “We don’t spray it at all – it’s just purely the animals grazing. It is totally unimproved which is an environmental benefit in itself as well as saving money on inputs.”

Purchased by the late Michael Gliksten in the 1980s, the estate is today run by his wife Cecilia. Matt is the only full-time employee working outdoors on the estate – with a focus on environmental management. The arable side is contracted out and livestock are managed externally too. “Our land is fairly heavy, so it’s not suited for vegetables,” says Matt. “Our contractors are George E Gittus – we have regular meetings of course, but they take care of everything and are brilliant.” Once managed in-hand, the deer enterprise is also contracted out. The herd is now owned externally rather 20 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

than by the estate – and grazes the pasture which has been opened up into parkland rather than smaller fields divided by lots of fences.

Environmental work Sheep are reared on a similar basis. The flock is now owned by a local shepherd but continues to graze the estate as it did previously. It all means that Matt has more time to devote to environmental management, rather than running the farm. “When I started, three of us worked here full-time running the arable and livestock. But we reassessed the way the estate was run as people moved on

“

We have field margins around almost every arable field

to other jobs. Working the way we do now makes business sense, and means that each area of the business is run by people with expertise in their own field.” As well as tree planting, recent years have also seen the creation of a 0.5ha lake, visible from the estate’s main house. Plans include more hedgerow planting and gapping up existing hedges which surround parkland-style permanent pasture and the arable fields. “Tree planting is something we’re really keen on,” explains Matt. “We have been members of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme

since shortly after its inauguration in 1993. We have over 30kms of field margins on the estate, and beetle banks to encourage wildlife and providing areas for owls to hunt. As well as whole fields containing assorted diverse habitats.

Stewardship features “It is something we’ve really developed. We’ve planted about 14,000 trees – including 40 different species and 7ha of new woodland – around the estate in different blocks over the past two or three years. “The lake is a great looking feature, but it’s there purely for environmencontinued on p23 OCTOBER 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 21

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Profile: Denham Estate continued from p21 tal reasons. There’s no financial benefit to having it – but again it is about creating a more diverse habitat that benefits wildlife.” Other environmental features managed under a higher-level stewardship (HLS) agreement include 6m buffer strips around arable land, floristically enhanced grass margins, wild bird seed mixtures, beetle banks and nectar flower mixes. “We have field margins around almost every arable field. Squaring off awkward field edges, and removing the least productive areas of arable land has improved the efficiency of the farming operation but it has other benefits too.” “It’s all about balance. Some will be pollen and nectar, some will be wild bird seed, some will just be grass and some will be floristically enhanced grassland. It’s about catering for different forms of wildlife.” Some areas of HLS generate a better return than others. Wild bird seed mixtures, for example, are much more expensive to establish. But a better return is achieved – financially at least – continued on p24

The lake – visible from the house – benefits the environment

OCTOBER 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 23

Profile: Denham Estate continued from p23 from field margins which are only cultivated once a year. Grass margins offer a good return too. They are mown once annually – to prevent them from encroaching into the main field. Grass is cut on a rotational basis to encourage wildflowers at different times of the year. Newly planted trees are fenced to keep away rabbits and deer. Matt did all the fencing himself, with the help of his father, to keep costs down. He also strims the area between newly planted trees to give them the best chance of survival. “Under the woodland creation scheme you have to have a certain percentage of native species. We’ve a mixture of native deciduous trees and exotic species – there are about 40 different species altogether. “We have chosen trees which we knew would work well with the soil types here – while also providing seeds and berries or a nice and warm winter roosting site. So we’ve got a mix of deciduous trees, evergreens and some pine in pockets as well.

Towards the future “It’s all about diversity and future-proofing what we do – the increasing prevalence of deadly tree diseases mean we could lose one fifth of our woodland if we had chosen just five species and then became infected with something like ash dieback.” “I like having as many natives as

24 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

possible. It is the same with the orchards we have on the estate. I’m planning new areas of orchard planting – if I can get traditional Suffolk orchard trees then that’s brilliant.” The estate’s environmental work has been recognised by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. It is studying the benefit it provides for species of bumblebees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats, mammals, and flowers.

“

Tree planting is something we’re really keen on Landscape features include a 12th century motte and bailey castle – a scheduled monument protected for its historical value. It was used for the launching of the East of England Rural Heritage scheme in 2005. But the estate is looking to the future – not just the past. A new farm shop recently opened as an important diversification. The E&G Butchery and Farm Shop offers produce grown and reared on the farm, as well as by other local food producers. “The aim is to make sure the estate is in better environmental standing than when I started here,” says Matt. “Of course, we have the arable and livestock side to the business – but my passion is to make sure that overall it works for wildlife too.”

Some 14,000 trees have been planted

Post harvest Food Enterprise Park heralds new era for Norfolk farmers • • •

Processing will add value to local crops First business is now up and running More ventures set to follow shortly

new centre of excellence for food processing – adding value for farmers – is taking shape on a 40ha site near Norwich. Norfolk’s Food Enterprise Park (FEP) at Easton started as a vision to create a new innovative site for food processing and production. Doing so will boost the value of local agriculture, while bringing employment and investment to the region. The enterprise park was inspired by a desire to increase the value of crops grown in Norfolk by processing them locally – rather than losing the business to other areas. Work has been quietly going on at the site for two years. Those turning the vision into reality include landowners Ian and James Alston, FEP director Clarke Willis and Brown & Co head of commercial Nick Dunn. One of the first businesses to call the site home – Condimentum – is already up and running. Condimentum uses mint and mustard grown by local farmers. It creates mustard flour and fresh mint in solution for sauces – boasting one of the only unique types of mustard mills to exist outside North America.

Vertical farm Construction is also under way for a “vertical farm” across 2ha of the site. The system grows fresh produce year round in climate controlled, vertically-stacked production layers. It will use renewable solar power for its light and power source. Meanwhile building work is going on at the site, which is within the Greater Norwich Food Enterprise Zone, to build the Broadland Food Innovation Centre – with 13 food-grade

From left to right: James Alston, Nick Dunn, Clarke Willis (Picture: James Bass Photography)

units to lease to food producers. A central hub will provide test kitchens with business and technical support. Brown & Co are the letting agents. These will form part of a 35,000ft² building on 1.25ha, owned and developed by Broadland District Council. “Work has been going on since 2019 to bring water, power, access and a fast Broadband connection to the site so businesses can operate,” says Mr Willis. All such works are now in place for Phase One with the site’s initial road entrance complete and a spine road currently being finished. Connection to the upgraded A47 planned for 2024 and a new entrance is in the pipeline.

Internal services Meanwhile, internal services in place include surface water capture using a filtration lagoon, foul drainage, mains water, broadband and electricity supply. Solar power is available and a large additional incoming power supply to be added early next year.

“

Our vision for the site is paying off

James Alston says: “Our vision for the site is paying off and we are really encouraged that so many food, drink and agri-tech businesses are seeing the benefit of clustering together and co-locating at the FEP.” Serviced plots up to 6ha in size are available to lease or buy. An added benefit is the close proximity to the Norwich Research Park. There are 19ha which benefit from a Local Development Order which means planning consent is fast-tracked so long as qualifying criteria are met. Mr Dunn advises around 5ha have already been sold on this basis to different food-related firms. “With these most recent completions and some really positive discussions ongoing with other potential occupiers, momentum at the FEP is really building,” he says. “The fast-track planning is a real plus, enabling qualifying occupiers an almost immediate start on site. This reduces uncertainty and considerably speeds up the development process.” OCTOBER 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 25

Post harvest

How to reduce mycotoxin risk in maize silage • Quality and yield looks variable • Aim to reduce losses from field • Compaction key to avoid waste

armers are being advised to pay close attention to detail when harvesting maize and take steps to minimise waste and preserve maximum quality. Although many maize crops look good, variable weather and a challenging start to the season meant mean many crops went into the ground late, says Lientjie Colahan (pictured right), technical sales support at Lallemand Animal Nutrition.

“Quality and yield is looking variable – so it’s important that farmers explore avenues which could help maximise quality and minimise dry matter losses between the field and feedout. This will

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This indicates a significant improvement in aerobic stability which was made possible due to the reduction of spoilage yeast populations when treating with the combination of L. buchneri NCIMB 40788 and L. hilgardii CNCM I-4785. Trial data also revealed that the

“

Maize can be difficult to compact

treated silage showed a lower production of some specific mycotoxins after it had been exposed to oxygen, supporting palatability and reducing a potential threat to cow health. Alongside using an inoculant, paying close attention to the management practices at cutting will also be ex-

tremely important to maximise maize silage quality, suggests Lallemand Animal Nutrition regional business manager Jon Barton. “In order to harvest as much of the farm as possible, at the optimum time and quality, farmers often need to make a compromise. This year it’s looking even more likely that farmers may need to be realistic and go with an average optimum quality,” says Mr Barton. “It’s important to keep your contractor informed about acreage, field positions, processing and clamping. This needs to be a co-ordinated team effort, in order to achieve the best possible feed for your livestock.” Regardless of timings, the importance of correct cutting should not be overlooked – maize should be cut 1020cm high or above the second node of the plant. This is because nitrogen accumulates in the bottom third of the plant. Cutting too low means an increased risk of ensiling problems and toxic silo gases. Cutting the plant higher will also reduce the risk of soil contamination which will help to reduce the likelihood of ensiling issues and the presence of spoilage microbes.

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Post harvest

5 A

tips to help maintain grain quality post-harvest

strong post-harvest strategy can make or break a successful season. Unpredictable weather has increased the need to ventilate and cool of stored crops – but this is only half the battle. A suitable control system to drive temperatures down as fast as possible is equally as important. With more than 45 years’ experience in grain storage technology, crop storage specialists Martin Lishman have developed a wide range of products to support farmers in their on-going battle to preserve grain quality while reducing energy costs. Keeping a close eye on the condition of stored crops is critical. The company’s innovations include the award-winning Barn Owl Wireless automatic crop monitoring system, the crop cooling Pile-Dry system and FloorVent Pedestals and Fans. Here are Martin Lishman’s top five post-harvest tips.

Temperature monitoring is key High temperatures can cause deterioration of grain very quickly, so it is essential to monitor the crop to ensure the temperature is consistent throughout the store and grain quality is maintained. Martin Lishman offers systems to monitor stored grain for a range of budgets, including the MiniTemp hand-held temperature monitor, its new Bluetooth brother, MiniTemp Blue, and Barn Owl Wireless, the fully automatic wireless monitoring and automatic fan control system.

Automatic fan control An automatic fan controller can bring with it many benefits. Automatically turning on and off cooling fans to make the best use of ambient air conditions ensures the fastest cooling possible but can also save at least 40% of energy costs. Plus, there is the added bonus of reducing trips to the store to manually turn fans on and off, or simply avoiding forgetting to do so.

Additional fans One of the simplest ways to improve the effectiveness of a pedestal cooling system is to use more fans. It is not uncommon to swap fans between pedestals when required, but this slows down the cooling process and requires more frequent temperature checks. Using one fan per pedestal ensures the cooling power is instantly available when needed and significantly reduces the possibility of hot spots in the grain or forgetting to move fans around.

Hot spot spears Martin Lishman screw-in TroubleDry aeration spears tackle hot spots by simply screwing the spear into the heap and using one of their high output green fans to suck cool air out of the affected area. They are ideal for a last-minute cooling solution.

Consistent quality control The challenge of achieving the highest quality grain relies on more than just good ventilation. Making sure the store is fit for purpose and carrying out regular assessments can help identify problems before it’s too late. Use insect traps to detect the presence of insects, sampling spears to cater for crop moisture testing or lorry load profile sampling, ambient air measurement devices and accurate moisture meters.

The Martin Lishman team has seen customers transform their crop stores, increase cooling efficiency and obtain a higher quality crop. The award-winning Barn Owl monitoring system by Martin Lishman

OCTOBER 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 29

Post harvest

Reminder to make sure tractors and trailers are safe on the roads • Driver shortage disrupts harvest haulage • Farmers forced to use own transport • Check tractor-trailer brakes regularly

armers using their own tractors and trailers to transport harvested crops are reminded to check brakes and hitch mechanisms regularly. The warning comes as the nation faces disruption to road transport because of a shortage of lorry drivers which is affecting deliveries to supermarkets, hospitality, the construction trade and agriculture. With the sugar beet and maize harvests under way, NFU Mutual says it is providing advice to help farmers make sure that tractors and trailers are correctly matched – and maintenance schedules are in place to minimise the risk of accidents. The rural insurer is also recommending that all tractor drivers take regular breaks to avoid fatigue. Routes should be chosen which avoid congested roads as much as possible, it says.

adding to the pressures. “Travelling across rough fields and through muddy gateways takes its toll on farm machinery so we are advising farmers to regularly check that brakes are working correctly, lights and indicators can be seen, and windows and mirrors are clean.” Safety campaigner and Tilly Your Trailer founder Jane Gurney said the lorry driver shortage was raising a huge concern about the maintenance of agricultural trailers that will now be running for prolonged periods of time on the road. “Many trailers work long hard hours and have had unqualified and inadequate maintenance over a number of years,” said Mrs Gurney, whose

son Harry was killed in a trailer accident in 2014. “When we launched the Tilly Trailer Pass in 2018 we did so on the back of personal tragedy and since then we have seen a growing number of trailers being submitted for inspection and annual registration. “The Tilly your Trailer initiative is the most comprehensive test available today to assist farmers to meet their responsibilities under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations in respect of agricultural trailers.” The scheme uses a network of qualified technicians to service trailers to the Tilly Pass standard. “We understand that this will never bring Harry back and for us the pain will never ease, but by working together we can help save other lives.” The Tilly Pass scheme provides safety inspections for farm trailers. For details, visit www.tillypass.co.uk.

Trailers must be safe – both in the field and on the road

Tilly Your Trailer To help farmers keep safe, NFU Mutual is supporting the Tilly Your Trailer initiative. It enables farmers to have their trailers inspected and get a Tilly Pass which confirms that they are safe for road use and comply with safety legislation. Gwyn Barlow, of NFU Mutual Risk Management Services, said: “Harvest is the toughest time of the year for arable farmers – and this year the nationwide shortage of lorry drivers is

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Profile: Camgrain

Camgrain reports positive results amid challenging harvest Central storage has proved its worth to farmers in a difficult season, says grain cooperative Camgrain.

armer-owned cooperative Camgrain preserved grain quality for hundreds of farmers following a catchy harvest which saw little grain cut under 15% moisture. The cooperative – which operates four advanced processing centres across East Anglia and the Midlands – says its dryers were working constantly to maximise returns for its members during a challenging summer. “Most cereal yields have been either on – or about – the five-year average,” says Camgrain operations director Philip Darke. “Wheat has averaged about 9.5t/ ha. It might not sound spectacular, but when the wheat price is somewhere between £180 to £210/tonne, that’s not too bad at all.” Harvest would usually start in East Anglia and then move West – but that didn’t really happen this year. “We started in all regions almost all at once – and there has been such a long tail it has been a drawn out process.”

In addition, the harvest further north and in Scotland was earlier than usual, compounding the shortage of lorries to move grain in England. Grain drying in a year like this is vital, says Mr Darke. “If you haven’t got access to a dryer, you’ve got a problem – you can’t go combining in the wet. And if you’ve still got cereals to cut in late September, you are already affecting next year’s crop.

Capturing quality “It’s great when the sun’s out to dry

the crop. But if the sun isn’t drying it, you’re not able to get the ground prepared for next year and you can’t drill the following crop promptly – and that’s an impact that is difficult to cost.” Camgrain serves farmers big and small. “Any larger farming operation has to keep going whenever possible despite the weather – our dryers mean you can do just that. It’s what they do in Scotland – cutting at 20% moisture – and we can do that too.” Timely harvesting means growers are also capturing quality, says Mr Darke. “If you haven’t got access to a dryer, wet weather can soon turn a quality malting or milling crop into a feed crop – as well as dramatically reducing yield potential every day that it sits in the field waiting to be cut, once maturity is reached.” Camgrain takes a straightforward approach to all grain which arrives at its processing centres. Founded in 1983, it has years of experience in dealing successfully with grain during continued on p35

It has been a drawn out process. But we got it finished. Philip Darke

OCTOBER 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 33

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Profile: Camgrain

continued from p33 harvests much wetter than this year. “It’s well documented that you should store grain only when its 1415%,” says Mr Darke. “But that’s assuming that you’re going to be keeping it in your own shed, managing it yourself and maybe selling it throughout the year.

Drying power “During the wet harvest of 2008, members cut at up to 23-25%. We didn’t lose quality then despite having less drying power then we have now – munching away at 180 tonnes per hour, all electronically controlled, simplifying the process. “Central stores can cope with significant volumes of members wetter grain. And that gives members the peace of mind that actually they can get out there and get on at 17-18% moisture – without having to worry too much about it.”

The peace of mind this brings is a key benefit for Camgrain members, says Ross Dawson, the cooperative’s farmer engagement manager. “The weather is our master in this game – it’s about the flexibility to capture quality, whatever the crop,” he adds. “Central storage is often compared to on farm storage in terms of costs – but people don’t often factor in their own time when they’re talking about on-farm storage, especially the time it takes to manage their own store and move pedestals and fans. And the cost of things like electricity. “When you store with Camgrain, you can grow whatever the farm needs to grow – and in whatever proportions – without having to worry about splitting your on farm store into two, three or four sections – depending on the crops you grow.” Another advantage is Camgrain’s ability to target premium markets by continued on p36

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Profile: Camgrain

continued from p35 blending crops to meet the optimum specification. Working with Frontier, the cooperative is able to guarantee continuity of supply every year in the volume required. “For a large processor or miller, this is a very attractive proposition,” says Mr Dawson. Rather than dealing with lots of individual farmers, they simply deal with us. It is much more efficient and means we can pass those premiums on to our members. Big strategic relationships like this make it easier to work with big end-users – whether its delivering 30,000 tonnes of milling wheat to Manchester or 30,000 tonnes of malting barley to Bury St Edmunds.

Consistent product “Our customers know they will receive a consistent product – large tonnages of grain that has been stored and dried the same way are far easier to deal with than smaller quantities that have all been stored slightly differently on 20 different farms.” The next five years are likely to see further integration of the supply chain, adds Mr Darke. This will deliver further benefits for farmers, processors and consumers alike. Provenance and traceability will become even more important, says Mr Darke. 36 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

Camgrain says more supply chain deals in the pipeline Camgrain’s supply chain arrangement with oilseed rape processor Yelo is the first of a number of similar agreements said to be in the pipeline. Yelo operates the UK’s only clean – non-hexane – oilseed rape crush at Stratford-Upon-Avon. The processing plant is situated alongside Camgrain’s storage facility – reducing haulage costs and distance. The state of the art production facility is powered by renewable energy. Yelo believes that keeping the manufacturing process to a minimum helps preserve the natural goodness of the rapeseed, yielding nutritious goods for human and animal consumption. Camgrain operations director Philip Darke says: “We are proud to be working with Yelo – supplying them with the raw materials re-

quired to produce UK-sourced and sustainable products from rapeseed with its unique manufacturing process.

Security “The long term positive relationship with Camgrain and our farmers is crucial for both parties to minimise supply chain costs, offer supply chain security to growers of oilseed rape and maximise the value members receive for their seed. Yelo manufactures products such as the sustainable dairy cow feed NovaPro, launched in February 2019, which promises to increase milk yields at a lower cost to the farmer and the environment, thanks to its novel manufacturing process.

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DRYING, PROCESSING, HANDLING, STORAGE

Post harvest

Success for 16,000t storage facility

grain drying facility with a capacity of almost 16,000 tonnes is enabling cereal grower Alan Cottrell to contract store grain for Frontier Agriculture. JA&D Cottrell worked closely with Nash Grain Services and BDC Systems to design the state-of-the-art plant. The business farms some 866ha near Wantage, in Oxfordshire. With an eye on continued expansion, Mr Cottrell says it was vital to generate an additional revenue stream. This meant ensuring a big enough capacity to store grain on contract for third parties. “It was important that the first phase of development enabled us to increase our drying capacity to 60 tonnes per hour. We needed to store our own grain and be able to dry and store grain for large grain merchants.” The machinery building holds a large volume intake pit, a Skandia Elevator 120tph intake conveyor with self-regulating inlets, additional Skandia conveyors and elevators, and an Aagaard 120tph heavy duty aspiration pre-cleaner.

Incoming grain This is linked to an outside located Svegma SVC9/6 60tph continuous flow grain dryer. A 120tph Skandia belt and bucket elevator and 120tph chain and flight top conveyor transport the incoming grain into a 160t capacity hopper bottom wet holding silo. Skandia conveyors are the only conveyors with self-regulating inlets, explains BDC managing director Andrew Head. With other conveyors the amount of grain entering the conveyor has to be regulated manually. From the silo, the grain is transported on demand through the Aagaard aspiration pre-cleaner, to remove any

light impurities, into the Svegma continuous flow grain dryer. If the grain comes in dry there is an option to bypass the dryer. From the drier outlet the grain can then be transported to various storage areas or bunkers. Mr Cottrell says all the machinery is easily accessible and blockage sensors are fitted so everything shuts down until it’s fixed if there is a problem. The first phase also included a floor store which is linked via Skandia conveyors to the machinery building. To reduce the initial build cost, above-floor BDC corraduct laterals were installed with mobile ventilation fans.

Mobile ventilation The second phase of development allowed additional grain storage and was designed with bunkers to enable the storage of different varieties of crops. Flight store levelling conveyors ensure maximum fill of the building. “Listening to advice from BDC and after weighing up the advantages of significantly improving the ventilation of the stored crop against the increased cost, we took the decision to install below floor aeration laterals,” says Mr Cottrell. “There is no question that below floor aeration laterals provide a much more even ventilation across each bunker, helping to ensure that grain remains in the best possible condition.” Grain’s moisture and temperature are monitored manually, with fans are turned off and on as necessary. But Mr Cottrell says he is looking closely at BDC’s Moisture Monitoring Systems. This system sends a text message if a pre-defined temperature is reached, allowing the grain store operator to remotely change the control on the dryer as and when needed.

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Post harvest

High energy maize can help offset low light levels • Good harvest for region’s maize crops • Low summer light levels impact grass • Maize can help boost grass energy

oor quality grass could by low light levels this summer could be eased by using maize to boost vital energy in livestock and dairy rations. Most maize crops coming off the field this autumn looking promising – but grass quality has been hit hard by the relatively poor conditions, says Wilson Hendry of forage specialists Grainseed. “Last year’s maize harvest started early due to lack of rain in the late summer, but this year’s harvesting started at the more traditional time of mid September and most plants have reached maturity and desired dry matter naturally.”

Little sunshine Summer 2021 was characterised by significantly lower than average sunlight with areas in central and eastern England receiving only 75-80% of the 30 year average sunshine duration recorded by the Met office. “Many people in these areas have moved towards earlier ‘Bred for Britain’ varieties in recent years. These require fewer heat units than traditional high yielders to mature and finish properly, so the impact of the recent challenging conditions will be limited. “But producers relying on silage and grazing land that has not been reseeded recently could find the photosynthetic efficiency of their leys to have been fairly low and this will be affecting sugar production and energy yields considerably. “Equally, growers sticking with later maize varieties in the hope of higher overall yields, could find themselves waiting for their crops to catch up and ultimately finding these have not produced as much energy and starch as they would have hoped.” Early varieties Early and ultra-early maize varieties such as ES Tommen, ES Lovely and ES Bonnie have generally yielded well 40 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

with decent quality. Starch contents of up to 35% and freshweight yields in excess of 42t/ha (17t/acre) have been recorded. This will typically be material with an ME of around 11.5 mj/KgDM – ideal for high output dairy and beef production. But it’s not the same situation for grassland with the low light levels this summer really taking their toll. Mid-September figures from the AHDB’s ‘Forage for Knowledge’ resource suggest average daily grass growth rates fell by 7.5kg DM/ha to 36.1kg DM/ha compared to a fiveyear average for the time of year of 43.4kg/ha. “More worryingly, the daily growth rate for this September is significantly lower than last year’s 62.2kg DM/ ha per day. That said, many producers did manage to take high volume cuts earlier in the season but quali-

ty is variable. For maize growers with high yields, it could be an idea to up its proportion from 50% of total forage fed so grass silage stocks are extended and the overall forage quality fed are increased, says Mr Hendry. “It’s also a good idea to carry out regular feed analysis of both maize and grass forages so rations can be finetuned to deliver high energy without any potential metabolic issues.”

Maize and grass silage should be assessed regularly, says Wilson Hendry

Cut higher to boost energy

roducers with a significant volumes of poor quality grass sitting in silage clamps could consider supercharging the energy of their maize even further, says Grainseed’s Neil Groom. “Maize crops are very tall in many areas this year and this should provide a lot of for-

ES Bonnie yielded well with decent quality.

age, but if you’re short on energy from grass, then upping the energy density of your maize could be advantageous. “If you’re harvesting maize into October and beyond, you can do this simply by cutting the maize a little higher to reduce the proportion of stalk taken and boost the energy and starch content accordingly.” Cutting at 50cm high instead of 20cm can increase both maize silage drymatter and starch content by 2%, according to the Maize Growers Association. “Trials showed an overall improvement to digestibility equivalent to plus 0.3 on the metabolisable energy since the bottom of the stems, which have more lignin and lower digestibility, are left in the field,” says Mr Groom. “Overall maize forage yield is reduced, but if total forage volume isn’t an issue – and quality is – it’s definitely worth considering. “With many grass silages lower in overall energy this season due to lower sunlight, producing a more energy dense maize component in this way could be extremely valuable.”

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Post harvest

Five-point checklist reduces post-harvest maize losses • Silage vulnerable to bacterial waste • 20% losses reported in some cases • Airtight clamp conditions are crucial

five-point checklist aims to help farmers reduce post-harvest losses and lock-in the benefits of maize this autumn. Growers should strive to reduce wastage when turning maize crops into silage – helping to maximise the crop’s potential as a high-energy, home-grown feed for dairy cows, says Volac silage expert Ken Stroud. There is some excellent maize about this season. But crops can harbour a range of undesirable microbes – including on dying leaves and rotting tassels that collect in leaf joints – which can feed on its nutrients and interfere with preservation in the clamp. Unless prevented, bacteria, yeasts and moulds can cause a 20% loss in dry matter – equivalent to losing two trailer loads of silage out of every 10 trailer loads delivered to the clamp and ensiled. “More importantly, losses aren’t just the least nutritious parts of the dry matter,” says Mr Stroud. “They are likely to be sugars and starches, which are the main energy sources that maize is grown for.” The five-point checklist of best practice advice to keep losses to a minimum is as follows:

Maize inevitably contains some dying leaf material

“

Maize can harbour some undesirable microbes

Harvest maize at its peak Maize is often regarded as only ready to harvest once it dies back. But the optimum is as soon as it reaches 30-33% dry matter content, Mr Stroud stresses, which is usually while it is still green. “Waiting longer can increase starch in the cobs. But if this is at the expense of leaves dying back, then the plant will become less digestible to the cow. Also, this dead leaf tissue harbours yeasts and moulds. Maize crops have some “Monitor the good potential this crop’s increasseason, says Ken Stroud ing dry matter

regularly. That way, you can give your contractor advanced notice of when 3033% dry matter is likely to be reached.”

Avoid the fermentation trap Avoid the trap of thinking maize always ferments efficiently. It can typically lose nearly a tenth of its dry matter through inefficient fermentation, says Mr Stroud. Inefficient fermentation bacteria feed on sugars, so the metabolisable energy of the remaining silage will also be lower. “Take steps to improve fermentation, for example by applying a proven bacterial additive. In trials, an additive containing the efficient fermentation bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum MTD/1 has cut dry matter losses by half.”

Head-off heating (aerobic spoilage) As well as fermentation losses, maize silage is prone to similar losses from heating – caused by yeast and mould growth in the

presence of air. Airtight conditions in the clamp are crucial to minimise these losses, says Mr Stroud. But this alone is not always sufficient, particularly in clamps with wider faces which, once opened, are exposed to air for long periods of time. Applying a dual-acting bacterial additive allows you to target both problems. Ecocool, for example, contains MTD/1 bacteria for fermentation, plus Lactobacillus buchneri PJB/1 to inhibit yeast and moulds. “It has been shown to keep maize silage cool and stable for more than 10 days.”

Clamp down on consolidation Do not compromise clamp consolidation. It can be tempting if in a rush, Mr Stroud acknowledges, but you could be living with the consequences of poor preservation from air in the clamp for a long time. “Shorter chop lengths are useful to aid consolidation, especially if maize is dry. So consider chopping to 1.2-2.2cm. Also, fill clamps at a maximum angle of 20 degrees to the horizontal and in lay- >> OCTOBER 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 43

Post harvest >> ers at most 10-15cm deep. This helps get maximum benefit from the compaction machinery. Typically, maize at 30% dry matter requires 25% of its weight arriving at the clamp per hour to consolidate it. So 100 tonnes per hour requires 25 tonnes, which means at least two machines rolling constantly.”

Keep out air Once air has been squeezed out, keep it out by creating as much of an airtight bag in the clamp as possible, says Mr Stroud. In practice, he says this means lining the walls with polythene side sheets down to the ground because concrete can be porous, and placing an oxygen barrier film on top of the maize, which ‘clings’ to it to seal the surface. “Side sheets should have at least a one-metre overlap on top of the oxygen barrier film, before the top sheet is pulled tight over the oxygen barrier film. Use a heavy, woven sheet over the top sheet to protect against damage, followed by plenty of weight. “Remember, clamp bases rarely suffer from heating and spoilage simply because the weight of the silage above.”

Take steps to prevent ‘bad bugs’ taking hold in the clamp

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Tight end stocks for wheat and barley

ommercial wheat and barley end stocks look tight at the start of the 2021/22 season, says the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Total imported wheat stood at 2.43Mt – some 331Kt higher than forecasts in May and up 130% from 2019/20. With UK production sub-10Mt, this may be no surprise to trade, says AHDB analyst Megan Hesketh. This was primarily driven by increased use of imported wheat in the human and industrial (H&I) sector, she says. “Despite this, wheat availability was still down year-on-year leading to a fall in ending stocks. Barley ending stocks finished tighter than previ-

ous years too.” Barley availability in 2020/21 increased year-on-year, with production up 1% to 8.12Mt and imports up 26% to 88Kt.Total domestic consumption rose 18% year-on-year, to 7.29Mt. This was mostly driven by increased animal feed demand. Maize saw an increase in domestic

Wheat availability was still down yearon-year, says the AHDB

consumption, up by 18% year-on-year, at 2.55Mt. This was mainly driven by a rise in animal feed demand. Maize imports were up 20% year-on-year to 2.86Mt, near 2018/19 levels. “Wheat production during 2021/22 is expected to recover. With autumn 2020 weather allowing a move back to winter cropping, expectations are for a wheat crop in the region of 14.5Mt. Though as mentioned above, stocks are low entering this season.” With higher production, we may see animal feed ration inclusions rise from 2019/20. Barley inclusion is expected to remain strong should the discount to wheat hold, though it is important to remember the UK barley picture also looks tight. “This year, there is also E10 ethanol demand to consider for feed wheat. So, supply and demand could remain tight for UK 2021/22 wheat,” says Ms Hesketh. “One key watch point is wheat quality. “The release of the provisional GB cereal quality survey (CQS) report shows domestic milling wheat varieties have detailed low specific weights to 7 September, due to inclement summer weather.”

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East of England Farming Conference

Speakers line up for farming conference

inal preparations are being made for next month’s East of England Farming Conference. The conference is due to be held on Thursday, 18 November, at the East of England Showground, Peterborough. It promises an expert line-up of speakers – with ample time for questions from the audience and networking by delegates. Organised by the East of England Agricultural Society, the conference is aimed at practical farmers – encouraging them to participate in discussion sessions and then take home inspiring ideas that can be applied to their farm businesses. Speakers will include Lord Deben, chairman of the Committee on Climate Change. As John Gummer, he was the UK’s longest-serving environment secretary and also served as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food.

Speakers include climate change committee chairman Lord Deben

Nitrogen

Soil farmer Other speakers include Essex farmer Simon Cowell – who won the 2018 Soil Farmer of The Year competition, which was organised by the Farm Carbon Cutting Toolkit and Innovation for Agriculture. He started getting interested in soil and its bi-

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ology twenty years ago and has been improving his heavy clay soils by stopping all tillage, making and applying highly biologically active compost and building mycorrhizal fungi populations. To prove the theory that a balanced soil food web can provide all the nutrients a crop needs, he hasn’t applied any phosphate or potash fertilisers in all that time and has started experimenting with cutting out nitrogen applications as well

Tickets on sale This year will be the first time the annual conference has been held since 2018. It was cancelled due to bad weather in 2019 – and then cancelled again in 2020 due to restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic. It means this year’s conference will be the first for organising committee members – now BASIS head of environment and public affairs Teresa Meadows and Leicestershire farmer and conservationist Joe Stanley. To find out more about the conference and to attend the event as a delegate, please book your tickets online via the website www.eoefarmingconference.co.uk

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Livestock Maternal performance key to profitable suckler beef • Calving at two years boosts profit • Clear breeding policy is important • Other countries show way forward

Calving heifers when younger increases productivity

uckler beef producers are being encouraged to optimise profitability by focusing on maternal performance rather than carcase traits. When it comes to raising the profit margin, AHDB’s new campaign ‘Maternal Matters’ brings the focus away from carcase traits and back to the maternal performance of the suckler cow. The importance of maternal characteristics is underestimated in the English suckler herd with only 82% of suckler cows producing a calf each year. This is different from the norm in other countries – including the USA, Canada and Australia. Improving suckler cow performance was the subject of a Nuffield Farming Scholarship undertaken by Sarah Pick, beef and lamb knowledge exchange manager for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

Breeding policy “I wanted to better understand the key drivers of profitability and the practices other countries are implementing to reduce costs,” said Ms Pick. “What really surprised me was that each suckler farmer I visited had a clear breeding policy which focused heavily on maternal attributes.” Fertility is five times more important than growth rate and ten times more important than carcase quality to the suckler producer, said Ms Pick. This suggested that producers in the UK might be missing a trick. Another significant difference between UK suckler herds and others Sarah visited was the age at first calving. “Calving heifers at two-years of age reduces costs whilst increasing

the number of calves the cow produces over her lifetime. In the UK, only 35% of suckler producers implement this practice, however, in other countries it has been commonplace since the 1970s.”

New campaign The AHDB has now launched a Maternal Matters campaign following the Nuffield study. The work will incorporate key findings from Ms Pick’s scholarship – and focus on heifer development and breeding. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness and increase the use of good maternal genetics within the English suckler herd. It will also inform producers of the management and selection practices required to enable greater cow lifetime reproductive performance and profitability. With the changes in agricultur-

“

Fertility is more important than growth rate

al payments around the corner, the AHDB says there has never been a more poignant time for suckler herd producers to home in on how they can make their herd more efficient and more profitable. The Maternal Matters series will look at ways to improve maternal performance and reduce costs, using maternal genetics to breed profitable females, calving heifers at two to reduce cost of production, reducing calf losses and heifer management for rebreeding success. The first podcast will be released on Monday 18 October. It will hear from case study farmer and AHDB board member James Shouler. He will speak about the benefits he has seen since calving at two years old. The Maternal Matters podcast will be published at https://ahdb.org.uk/ food-farming-podcast. OCTOBER 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 47

Livestock

Blood tests highlight need for pre-tupping vaccination

arrenness or abortion in sheep flocks earlier this year was likely caused by an insidious disease such as toxoplasmosis, according diagnostic results analysed by MSD Animal Health. Blood samples from sheep farms were tested when the subsidised FlockCheck diagnostic service was made available to vets in practice between February 2021 and June 2021. Data from 375 UK sheep farms suggest two-thirds of flocks had one or more ewes testing positive for the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which causes toxoplasmosis, said MSD animal health livestock veterinary adviser Kat Baxter-Smith. The continued high national level of exposure of UK sheep to Toxoplasma gondii highlights the importance

of vaccinating ewes against what is a productivity-damaging parasite, said Dr Baxter-Smith. “We consistently see about twothirds of UK sheep units testing positive for this serious, productivity-limiting parasite. Consequently, we urge all sheep producers to discuss their farm situation with their vet.” Toxoplasmosis also causes reabsorptions, mummified fetuses, stillbirths and weakly lambs – as well as barrenness and abortions. But its impact on flock profits is often significantly underestimated. “The industry focus should be on preventing infection in breeding ewes and the best way to do that is to vaccinate replacements well before they go to the ram. The clear industry advice is to ensure every ewe is vaccinat-

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ed before she breeds.” Normal biosecurity measures are not enough to control the disease, said Dr Baxter-Smith. Infected cats were one way the parasite spread to sheep, shedding toxoplasma eggs in their faeces which were then ingested by sheep on contaminated pasture. Sheep producers who recorded a flock barren rate greater than 2% dur-

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ing the 2021 lambing season should talk to their vet for advice well before tupping this year, even if diagnostic blood samples had not been taken.

Protecting ewes Dr Baxter-Smith said the Toxovax toxoplasmosis vaccine was known to protect ewes for at least two lambing seasons and could be given to breeding females at any time between four months and four weeks before tupping. Another underlying disease problem that often manifests itself as significant early lamb losses is enzootic abortion (EAE). This disease can cause devastating abortion storms affecting approximately 30% of ewes. “Once a flock has the disease it is likely it will never disappear due to its persistence in carrier sheep. The disease often arrives on farm through bought-in replacements and is passed on from ewe to ewe at lambing.” An infected unvaccinated ewe would more than likely abort, said Dr Baxter-Smith. But the Enzovax vaccine could protect ewes for at least three years. Breeding females should be vaccinated between four months and four weeks before tupping.

Climate-friendly sheep production The positive role played by UK sheep farming is being highlighted ahead of the United Nations climate change conference next month. Agriculture will be a key topic at the COP26 conference, which takes place in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November. World leaders will be among the delegates debating how best to avoid the worst effects of climate change. The National Sheep Association says the UK’s predominantly extensive, grass-based system of sheep farming is much more climate friendly than intensive meat production methods in some other countries. Association chief executive Phil Stocker said he was looking forward to sharing information with policy makers on ways UK agriculture can work with future farm support schemes

to further reduce the sector’s carbon footprint. Kicking off this activity as the countdown to COP26 continues, the NSA has been holding a series of webinars to discuss how an optimum balance can be achieved between meat production and climate change mitigation. As part of the UK Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan, the Nature Recovery Network is a major commitment, intended to improve, expand and connect habitats to address wildlife decline and provide wider environmental benefits. The NSA’s Breakfast Club webinars take place on the first Wednesday of each month from 8.30am until approximately 9.30am. They are free to attend. For more information, please visit www.nationalsheep.org.uk.

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Pig & Poultry Processors warn over shortage of carbon dioxide Pig and poultry sectors threatened

n ongoing hortage of carbon di- farms, it said. oxide could cause havoc to the Beef and lamb could continue to be pig and poultry supply chain, processed – but up to five days shelf meat processors have warned. life would be lost without carbon diFood grade carbon dioxide is a oxide in the vacuum packing process. by-product of the fertiliser industry – This could pose an additional problem but rocketing gas prices have seen two for retailers already grappling with a of the UK’s biggest fertiliser plants sus- lack of HGV drivers. pend operations indefinitely because BMPA chief executive Nick Allen production is no longer commercial- said: “This crisis highlights the fact ly viable. that the British food supply chain is The British Meat Processors As- at the mercy of a small number of masociation said an impending short- jor fertiliser producers – four or five age of carbon dioxide could cause mas- companies – spread across northern sive disruption to food supplies by the Europe. start of October. The gas had a vital role “We rely on a by-product from their in the food and drink manufacturing production process to keep Britain’s process, it warned. food chain moving.” Carbon dioxide is used in the The food and drink industry was slaughter process, packaging, and reliant on affordable energy and chilling stages of poultry meat produc- commodity prices. If one of these was tion. If any of those stages is slowed or thrown out of balance, fertiliser facinterrupted then so is the food supply tories either slowed production or – – with potentially disastrous results. worse still – completely mothballed The BMPA said some companies plants. would have to stop taking animals “While this is not a significant proband close production lines, leading to lem for the fertiliser manufacturers, a backlog of animals on farms. The pig it is of much more strategic imporindustry was already facing the im- tance to the country’s food security. ai163179350474_BioLumen 500_FARMER AD_AW.pdf 16/09/2021 12:58 minent prospect of a humane cull on And, it is this1structural vulnerabil-

ity that BMPA is seeking to address with government.” Mr Allen said the carbon dioxide market was so opaque it was hard to know how much gas was available at any one time. “Worryingly, we now understand that multiple plants in Europe, where we would have turned to for emergency supplies, are also to be closed.” The strategic nature of the problem required a strategic response from government. Just as the water industry was regulated to avoid public crises, the government should intervene to prevent a carbon dioxide shortage from happening again.

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Pig & Poultry

Top tips when collecting poultry data

emote monitoring technology that captures accurate real-time data will help poultry producers ensure better bird health, welfare and performance. During these challenging times, it is even more important that broiler producers use the data they are collating to make a difference on-farm, says Poultry Sense veterinary adviser Barry Thorp. “Collecting, analysing and interpreting data is a key component of successful poultry production, but it needs to be done correctly for producers to be able to spot any changes in the environment or behaviour,” says Dr Thorp. Here, Dr Thorp gives his top tips on getting the most out of data this autumn. 1 Collect as much data as possible – the more data you have, the easier it is to identify and interpret performance trends. 2 Collate data from different flocks

and sheds so benchmarks can be made to accurately compare production parameters. 3 Monitor data regularly to identify and correct any issues as soon as possible, before they have a significant impact on health, welfare or performance. 4 Use remote monitoring systems such as Poultry Sense, which use real-time data to identify minor differences that may otherwise go undetected. 5 Use this data to support farmer instincts – using data to support a gut-feeling about a problem adds a level of confidence to decision-making. 6 Make continuous improvements – use data to keep enhancing efficiencies, as what was good five years ago may not be now. 7 Access to realtime data will help maximise available opportunities when it comes

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Pig & Poultry

Pig health scheme returns this autumn

HDB’s popular Pig Health Scheme has returned this autumn with an enhanced benchmarking feature, following a coronavirus-enforced hiatus. Under the free-to-join scheme, assessors monitor English pigs at slaughter for 12 different conditions. This enables producers and their vets to track the health of their herd, with data being used to inform management changes to reduce levels of disease. AHDB Animal Health & Welfare Scientist Lauren Turner (pictured) said: “Pig Health Scheme assessments were suspended in March 2020 due to the increasing pressures plants and assessors were facing. “The industry put a huge effort into navigating the early stages of the pandemic and coping under extreme strain, but we know from talking to producers just how many are keen to start receiving herd health data once more.” The priority since last month has been delivering refresher training for assessors.

“We are fortunate that 10 of our existing assessors are now available and ready to kickstart the scheme once they have received their refresher training. To bolster numbers, we also have a group of seven new assessors who will undergo the full training provided by VetScore.” The plan is for a phased return of Pig Health Scheme assessments at several plants. Assessment dates will depend on the refresher training and initial quality assurance visits, with details shared online and in AHDB’s Pork Weekly e-newsletter.

Interpret data “It will have been some time since producers received a Pig Health Scheme report, so I would encourage everyone to take a few minutes to refresh themselves with our guide. This outlines what to do with your report and how to interpret the data.”

Pig Health Scheme in numbers 12 health conditions assessed 82% of farm-to-slaughter moves covered 214,919 pigs assessed annually 11 abattoirs participating in scheme Despite assessments being suspended for 18 months, AHDB has been working in the background to introduce a new benchmarking feature. This will enable producers and vets to quickly and easily see where their farm sits in comparison to the national herd. This will be available after the first quarter of data collection. Lauren added: “We have seen fantastic industry backing for the scheme, and I would like to thank everyone who is supporting us with the roll out of refresher training and early quality assurance visits – vital in getting the scheme back up and running.” Anyone wishing to sign up for the scheme can do so quickly and easily via their pig hub account or by getting in touch via PHS@ahdb.org.uk.

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Pig & Poultry

Student Kerri Coffey is working with Bedfordia Farms

Scholarship attracts new talent to sector • • •

Farms and students working together Placements are valuable work experience Range of opportunities in farming available

special scholarship to attract new people into the pig indistry is now in its ninth year – having seen 35 students spend a work placement in the sector. For students, the scholarship provides a clear career pathway and showcases the dynamic nature and variety of roles available throughout the supply chain. Students regularly find employment with their placement company after graduation. The Pig Industry Scholarship programme was developed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, National Pig Association and Harper Adams University. Attracting new entrants and inspiring the younger generation to pursue a career in the pig industry is key if the industry is to remain successful says Jen Waters, AHDB head of knowledge exchange for pork. “For businesses, it offers first access to a huge pool of talent and an opportunity to appraise students during what is effectively a year-long interview. It means relationships 56 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

can form between students and businesses early in their studies, leading to a continued interest and desire to remain in the industry.”

Placement Kerri Coffey, 23 from County Down, Northern Ireland, is partway through her honours degree in agriculture with animal science at Harper Adams University. She is currently on placement with Bedfordia Farms in Bedfordshire. An integrated farming and land management business, Bedfordia is involved in livestock, arable, grain laboratory, grain storage and estate management, and takes a modern and professional approach to farming. Before joining Harper Adams, Kerri gained a range of farm experience from across Northern Ireland, England and France, as well as working as a quality assurance auditor for a poultry factory. Her Pig Industry Scholarship placement will provide her with in-depth knowledge and practical experience of the pig industry as she spends six months on farm with Bedfordia Farms and a further six months with AHDB. Since joining the team at Bedfordia Farms in August, Ms Coffey says she has been working on one of the breeding units. She says she was thrilled when I was awarded the AHDB and Bedfordia Pig Industry Scholarship. “Before studying at Harper Adams, I was a dairy girl at heart, with the sole intent of wanting to develop my career in the dairy in-

dustry. However, in my first year of university we were taught about pig production and visited the Harper Adams pig unit. “I had never experienced pig production before, but I absolutely loved it and quickly signed up for more sessions on the unit. In my second year, I decided to follow my heart and applied for a placement in the pig industry. “I have already learnt so much. I am processing piglets by myself, I can carry out artificial insemination (AI) and vaccinate pigs, and I have been helping to wean piglets and assist at farrowing. All of which is a lot more than what I could do when I started.” Ms Coffey’s role at Bedfordia Farms includes helping to plan, organise and carry out trials relating to pig health, welfare and nutrition. The first trial relates to finding a replacement for zinc oxide in pig feed, as zinc will be removed from diets in the near future.

Seaweed trials The farm is also trialling the use of a seaweed supplement to see whether it might be able to replace zinc in the diet. And for the second half of he placement, Ms Coffey will be spending six months with AHDB’s Pork team. “One of the main projects that I will be involved with is developing case studies focusing on free farrowing systems. The conventional farrowing crates used in indoor pig production restrain sows to protect the piglets for the duration of the lactation stage. “When sows are not lactating, they are housed in small, unrestrained groups. However, in free farrowing systems, sows are not confined during farrowing or lactation. “I will be looking at the cost of implementing free farrowing systems, measuring key performance indicators, and finding out how farmers have adapted from using conventional farrowing crates to free farrowing systems.”

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ew performance standards for Hendrix Genetics Layers promise longer cycles, improved productivity and more sustainable egg production. Since the last standards were published in 2016, the norm for free range layer flocks has increased from 72-week cycles to 76-weeks. Now, Hendrix Genetics Layer Breeds are depleting regularly at 80 weeks for brown birds. Meanwhile, commercial flocks of Dekalb White Layers are repeatedly laying 500 eggs per hen housed over a 100-week cycle – making them what distributor Joice & Hill says are some of the most productive and efficient of all laying birds available. These longer cycles are a result of breeding for improved liveability and persistency. Combined with the improvements in egg quality later in the cycle, the result is record numbers of saleable eggs across the cycle for producers. “Longer cycles, more first quality eggs per bird and improved feed conversion will assist our customers in both their production cost and sustainability, says Joice & Hill managing director Nick Bailey.

The Bovans Brown is the best selling Hendrix Genetics breed in the UK, renowned for its robustness and ease of management. Improvements include nearly 11 more eggs and 700g of egg mass per hen housed for the same feed to 80 weeks. The birds have improved liveability and need 100g grams less feed to produce 1kg of eggs. Egg weight remains more or less unchanged with good early egg weight gain – but not at the cost of too big an egg at the end. Mr Bailey says there is a similar picture across all the company’s breeds, as Hendrix Genetics Layers deliver on its goal of longer cycles and more sustainable egg production – boosting margins for producers. The launch of the new standards reflects increasing consumer interest in sustainability and improvements in welfare standards, says Mr Bailey. Longer cycles are enabled through increases in laying persistency and shell quality towards the end of lay. The benefits of these longer cycles – combined with improved Feed Conversion Rates (FCR) – mean better lives for the hens and a lower carbon footprint for the eggs produced.

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Pig & Poultry

Ammonia trial cuts emissions and saves sector £15.3m

n ammonia monitoring trial has saved pig producers an estimated £15.3m by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The savings have been made because results from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board initiative have enabled the industry to firmly demonstrate compliance and best practice, saving it from environmental mitigation costs. Pig producers must meet the Best Available Technique (BAT) Associated Emission Levels (AELs). If they cannot prove they are doing so, they must upgrade and pay mitigation costs. The AHDB says the trial has provided welcome proof of lower emissions and allows for updates in regulating the sector through accurate annual pollution inventory reporting and future habitat risk assessments. The trial has provided a comprehensive and valuable study of ammonia emissions from different pig production systems, improved the industry’s understanding of emissions from the pork sector and demonstrated the reduction in emissions. The aim of the trial programme was to understand more about ammonia emissions from modern pig production, involving eight representative types of pig housing system, with each one monitored continuously for at least a year. AHDB knowledge transfer manager Zanita Markham said: “We are delighted to be able to present the most comprehensive and recent study of its kind. It demonstrates compliance on all housing types, which is to the industry’s credit.

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60 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

“Importantly, it also sets a benchmark against which we can measure further reductions in emissions in the future. The results also demonstrate that farmers have decreased ammonia emissions since the historic data was first published.” Until this trial, the Environment Agency used emission factors based on national atmospheric emissions data data. But, not all these figures met the BAT standards for pig housing.

Different systems The Environment Agency is now using results from the trial to inform new emission factors – a value which estimates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with different pig production systems. For example, the new ammonia emission factor for weaners on slats is 0.5kg of ammonia per animal place per year – significantly lower than UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) figure of 0.9kg which was used until now. Similarly, the revised figure for finishers on slats is 2.5 kg of ammonia per animal place per year compared with the previous figure of 4.1 kg and, for finishers on straw, it is now 2.1 kg compared with 3.6 kg previously. Natural England is also using the emission factors as part of planning applications. The report and findings

Air pollution standards and ammonia reduction International agreements on air pollution mean the UK farming industry must achieve a 16% reduction in ammonia emissions 2030. Until this trial, the pig ammonia emissions estimates on which the reduction was based were from studies over 20-years-old. The project sought to redress this by measuring ammonia emissions from different pig buildings today. Initial results showed that emissions are generally lower than 20 years ago. This provided the confidence needed to develop an accelerated programme of monitoring so the industry can work from a better baseline. The study shows that much existing pig housing is already compliant with the air pollution agreement – avoiding any unnecessary expense for producers who might otherwise have had to upgrade buildings.

Zanita Markham thanked producers who took part in the study Below: Eight pig housing systems were involved in the study

are available for Defra to use for annual reporting for international air quality obligations. An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We are really pleased to have worked with AHDB to provide evidence that will continue to support permitting decisions for the industry for many years to come.” AHDB senior environment scientist Harley Stoddart said the project had demonstrated the benefits of collaboration by providing robust evidence of ammonia emissions from a wide range of modern pig production systems. As well as Defra and the Environment Agency, the trial involved a number of pig producers. Ms Markham added: “We would like to extend our gratitude to all the farmers who participated in this study.” More details about the results and implications can be found in the Knowledge Library on the AHDB website at ahdb.org.uk. Producers with questions can email zanita.markham@ ahdb.org.uk.

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Pig & Poultry

African swine fever contingency plan tested

nationwide exercise to simulates an outbreak of African swine fever has taken place to test plans to contain and eliminate the disease if it reached the UK. In recent years, African swine fever has been circulating in parts of Asia and Africa, leading to the deaths of millions of pigs worldwide. The disease has also spread to parts of Eastern Europe through the movement of wild boar. While there has never been an outbreak of African swine fever in the UK, Defra said the simulated exercise was an important part of testing the UK’s plans to prevent and respond to a potential future outbreak. The exercise – named Exercise Holly – saw government departments and agencies work together to test the government’s contingency plans, enabling teams across the country to assess the UK’s state of readiness to manage swine fever. In a joint statement, the UK’s four Chief Veterinary Officers said: “The risk of African swine fever arriving in the UK is ever present and would have a

62 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

devastating impact on our pigs and pig keepers if it ever reached our shores. “We regularly test our contingency plans in this way to ensure we are ready to respond to potential future disease outbreaks. “Everyone can do their bit to help stop animal diseases spreading to this country through simple actions such as not bringing any pork products back to the UK and disposing of leftovers and food waste in secure bins that wildlife

Defra says African swine fever is an everpresent risk

cannot access.” The government continually monitors disease outbreaks around the world to assess whether there may be risks for the UK and takes action to limit the risk of the disease reaching our shores. Defra said the exercise would help improve the UK’s animal disease response through testing plans, instructions and the structures employed in managing an outbreak.

Property Farm shops can boost local communities and the economy

Code brings together landlords and tenants

Benefits of farm shops to be studied by experts

he value of Britain’s farm shops to the nation – and to farmers – is to be studied by researchers at Harper Adams University. Commissioned by the Farm Retail Association, researchers at Harper’s department of food, land and agri-business management will investigate the benefits of farm shops to local communities, the UK economy and the countryside. It is estimated that there are well over 1,000 premises up and down the country which would fall under the definition of a farm shop – though the research will aim to clarify this as it seeks to build a clearer picture of the sector. The study will draw heavily on a survey of Farm Retail Association members. The research is being led by Alastair Boot, senior lecturer in food retail and marketing. Findings are expected to be released in spring next year. “We know that farm shops are valued – both by the retail and agricultural sectors, and by the communities they serve,” said Mr Boot. “Many of us will have a favourite farm shop in our area, for instance – and there’s been some evidence over the past 18 months that, as we all strove to stay local, retail patterns have changed – with a growing appetite for British farm shops. “However, there is a need to build up a picture of the sector as a whole and its impact across the country – and this is where our research, commissioned by the Farm Retail Association, will come in. “Once we develop that clearer understating, it can be used to make the case for the nation’s

existing farm shops, and to help develop the sector further.” Farm Retail Association chairman Rob Copley said the study findings would help to promote farm retailers – and support farm businesses with planning application and funding bids. “This is the biggest research project that we have ever undertaken and the results will fly the flag for our industry.”

Lockdown boom Many farm shops experienced a boom during the coronavirus lockdown as consumers sought to buy local. The pandemic saw a new appreciation for the role of local farm shops and butchers as shoppers sought to avoid larger, busier stores. It is estimated nearly half of British shoppers avoided large supermarkets at the height of the pandemic, favouring farm shops and other local businesses that were able to provide essentials such as meat, vegetables, baking ingredients and other groceries to keep the nation fed. With the lost luxury of dining out, the National Sheep Association said local butchers and farm shops were able to provide fresh locally produced meat and vegetables as the nation turned back to cooking at home and “dining in”. NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “It’s time to return the favour by continuing to shop locally, using butchers and farm shops, but also asking supermarkets to identify where their produce was sourced.”

A new code of practice has been published for landlords and tenants looking to pursue projects on tenanted land which requires the other party’s consent. A similar code was published in 2004, to encourage agreements regarding agri-environment schemes and on-farm diversification. The new code follows similar principles but reflects the types of proposals more likely to be pursued today. It was published by the Tenant Farmers Association – together with other members of the Tenancy Reform Industry Group (TRIG). The goal is to help landlords and tenants present proposals and hopefully reach an agreement.

Five steps The code sets out five steps from encouraging early consultation to formalising any agreement reached in writing. It also advises what to do if agreement cannot be reached – with examples of what might be considered reasonable grounds for refusing consent. TFA senior adviser Caroline Foot said: “Tenants and landlords should always check their tenancy agreements as the first port of call, because consent of the other party may not always be required. Practical advice “However, where consent is required, the new code provides detailed but practical advice on how to open and conduct a reasonable discussion on proposals, and what might be considered reasonable grounds for refusing consent.”T The TFA and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) have been encouraging all rural landlords and tenants to work together collaboratively and compassionately during the coronavirus pandemic – including by putting any disputes on hold.

OCTOBER 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 63

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27/09/2021 10:59:24

Property

Is income from natural capital finally becoming a tangible reality? Tim Frost from Savills explores how farmers and land managers can make the most of natural capital

Landowners are bringing smaller quarries back into use

Dormant quarries could earn owners ‘tens of thousands’

Natural capital has become a buzzword within rural land management. It refers to the elements of nature that directly or indirectly produce value to society – changing how we view and value rural land. Examples include carbon sequestration in soil, the health benefits of access to green space, the protection provided by floodplains and wildlife conservation of habitats. But if these services are of increasing value to society, how can land managers be rewarded for providing and maintaining them? Particularly as the phasing out of BPS will leave farmers and landowners looking for new sources of income. Recently in England we have seen significant policy armers and landown- as close a match as possible to the announcements and funding set up with the intention of increasing investment in natural capital. Examples include the Woodland ers with dormant small- original stone. This was because Carbon Guarantee, the introduction of the Nature Recovery scale quarries could bring there can often be subtle changNetwork, the Environmental Land Management pilots and several them back into economic use as es in colour within a few miles of location and species-specific protection schemes. demand soars for local building a local quarry. These initiatives represent the first steps in converting natural capital from a theoretical concept into a tangible reality. But will stone. “We are already working with policy and regulation dictate how ecosystem services Savills become Ipswich Property consultants Fish- landowners to identify the locamonetised or will it be left to entrepreneurship to01473 drive234800 new er German say they are work- tions of these dormant quarries. Savills Ipswich income streams? ing with an increasing canSavills undertake the planning Savills Ips William number HargreavesWe from in Suffolk sets out his topTake tipsthe forNatural selling your farmInvestment Readiness Fund 01473 234800 Environment 01473 23 (NEIRF) as an example. The NEIRF opened earlier this year and is of landowners who are re-open- work in re-opening them and neWilliam Hargreaves from Savills in Suffolk sets out his top tips for selling farm private investment a competitive scheme which aims your to stimulate ing quarries to supply stone to gotiate the best terms with opWilliam Hargreaves from Savills inand Suffolk sets outmechanisms his top tipsthat for improve selling your farm the lose confidence if they’re and awareprotect of everything • Find out who buy market your farmbased and housebuilders – particularly in erators to maximise income foris likely tofrom William Hargreaves in Suffolk sets his top tips for your naturalSavills environment. Grants of out between £10,000 andselling £100,000 arefarm upfront. the best way to reach them. Points to discuss areas where planning authori- landowners. lose confidence if they’re aware of everything • Find out who do is likely buyapplicants your farm and with potential agents include: they have intended to to help create projects, build the capability upfront. the best way to reach them. Points to discuss sufficient market knowledge • The of gathering paperwork to attract financial investment, and a market for theirif they’re aware of every ties favour stone which matchlose confidence • and the local, Find out who is likely to buy importance your farmdevelop and with potentialthe agents include: do they haveshouldtonot national and even international reach to early be underestimated. Ensuring upfront. bestservices. way to reach them. Points discuss ecosystem recent from Defra demonstrates lose confidence if th • This Find out who initiative is likely to buy your farm and es existing homes. Fantastic opportunity knowledge and the local, • The importance of gathering paperwork ensure your farmsufficient market is seen by allwith prospective legal and compliance matters are addressed potential agents include: do they have a political economy intent kick starting private upfront. the best way to reach them. Points tonatural discuss capital national and even international reach to on early not be underestimated. Ensuring buyers? What most effective marketing knowledge with your full team ofshould professional advisors of gathering Landowners could generate a “It is a fantastic opportunity asis the sufficient market and the local, • The importance paperwork with potential agents include: do they have investment alongside public support. ensure your farm is seen by all prospective legal and compliance matters are addressed and pricing strategy? Should the land be lotted (typically a solicitor, accountant and land not be underestimated. national and even international reach to early should En sufficient market knowledge and the local, sizeable income – from premium the current demand for the stone • The importance of g buyers? What is the most effective marketing with your full team of professional advisors That’s not to say the private market for ecosystem services to suit different types of buyers? Should be is seenagent) will highlight any potential stumbling ensure youritfarm by all prospective legaltoand compliance matters are addre national and even international reach early should not be and pricing strategy? Should the land be lotted (typically a solicitor, accountant and land publicly advertised in order to create strong isn’t already developing. It is – and rapidly. Whether it’s planting blocks, helping to avoid a price reduction vernacular stone which has tra- means that masonry business- to suit different buyers? What is the most effective marketing with your full team of professional advis ensure your farm is seen bywill all prospective legal and complianc types of buyers? Should it be highlight anya potential stumbling competition or placed privately? further down line, or a buyer walking away. accountant and pricing strategy? Should the land the beagent) lotted (typically solicitor, and lan toorder offset carbon emissions or developers encouraging buyers? What is the blocks, most effective marketing ditionally been used in their re- es are actively looking for these publiclywoodland with your full team o advertised in totypes create strong helping to avoid a price reduction to suit different of buyers? Should it be agent) will highlight any potential stum biodiversity after building newstrategy? homesfurther – we down are seeing and pricing Should the increasingly land be lotted (typically a solicitor, competition or placed privately? the line, or a buyer walking away. spective villages and towns, says quarries, and from a• landowner publicly advertised in order to create Many farm sales are won or lost by first blocks,documents helping to avoid a price reductio Depending onstrong your useful to •suit different types of holding, buyers? Should it be land agent) will highlight private companies purchasing offsets and partnering with competition or placed privately? impressions, so it pays to do the basics: ensure further down or a buyer walkin could include: five yearstoofcreate cropping and the line, publicly advertised in order strong Fisher GermanThere consultant Wil- perspective the majority of the• Many blocks, helping to av areand won or lost by first environmental managers to mitigate their risk.support •soil Depending on your holding, useful documents buildings are clean andfarm tidy, sales verges remains strong demand for farmland yield records, testing, payments, competition or placed privately? further the lin impressions, itfencing pays tois do is the basics: ensure could include: five years of anddown Natural capital moving in the right direction. However liam Gagie. currently unused and hedgerows are cut as permitted, across the East of Englandsites – withare robust levels • so Many farm sales are won or lost by first planning history and drainage improvement • Depending oncropping your holding, useful docu buildings arehung. clean and tidy, verges and There remains strongsales demand for farmland yield records, soil testing, support payments, repaired and gates properly impressions, so it pays to do the basics: ensure of activity for both public and private ecosystem-based income streams will not simply appear – records. Certificates awarded for performance, could include: five years of cropping an “We are seeing a numberacross of overgrown.” • fencing Many farm sales areplanning won or lost by first • Depending on your hedgerows are cut as permitted, isverges East ofamenity England with robust levels history and drainage buildings arewill clean and tidy, and There remains–strong demand for farmland and notable increases inthe value for yield records, soilimprovement testing, support paym conservation or other noteworthy land have to collaborate and actively seek out impressions, so it pays to do the basics: ensure could include: five y repaired andmanagers gates properly hung. of activity forStone both public and private sales records. Certificates awarded for performance, small-scale quarries being rewas a premium prodhedgerows are cut as permitted, fencing is across the East of England – with robust levels land. However selling a farm is often a once in planning and drainage improvem achievements are also finding. history • Continue farming as though you were staying: buildings are and tidy,worth verges There remains strong demand for farmland opportunities for investment. A clean collaborative approach can benefit yield records, soil te and notable increases infor value for amenity conservation orand other Certificates noteworthy repaired and properly hung. ofwith activity both public and private sales a lifetime and it’suct understandable that records. awarded for perfor arable crops normal – you can gates be opened to supply local decision building potential toestablish generate hedgerows are cutaas permitted, fencing is worth finding. across the East of England –as with robust levels history and land. However selling a farm is often once in amenity from economies scale offers competitive advantage forplanning achievements are also • Continue farming as thoughofyou wereand staying: notable increases inacompensated value for some people might be a little and nervous about conservation or other noteworthy later or add a holdover clause to repaired and gates properly hung. of activity for both public and private sales Essentially, what could be done is an endless list. records. Certificates a lifetime decision and it’s understandable that establish arable crops as normal – you can be tapping into funding. stone, particularly in areas where a very income. land. good However selling a Re-opening farm is often a once to in allow •you achievements are also worth finding. Continue farming as though you were staying: taking the plunge. the sale agreement to continue and notable increases in value for amenity Instead, look at what should be done to ensure conservation or oth some peopleamight be decision a little nervous about compensated later add a holdover clause to– you lifetime and it’s understandable that Essentially, what could be done is an endless list. There isor also investment might not trickle down establish arable crops asthat normal can be your occupation until harvest is completed. there is a limestone belt. Planners dormant quarries earn land.could However selling the a farm often a once in concern achievements are al Continue farmingreaches as though were staying: your property the you widest audience, taking the plunge. saleisagreement to allow you• to some people might be a little nervous about Instead, at what should be done todone ensure compensated or continue add a lost holdover clause tolook And while there are always a number of to land managers –isgetting in authority and Essentially, what could be is an endl a lifetime decision and it’s occupation understandable that later establish arable crops asimpression normal – bureaucracy. you be makes an immediate andcan allows a To your until harvest completed. are very keen to see this stone landowners tens of thousands of taking the there plunge. your propertyInstead, reacheslook the at widest audience, the sale agreement to allow you to continue ‘uncontrollables’ when it comes to a sale, • If your property has issues with rights of way, should be done to e someofpeople might be a little nervous about avoid this, rural businesses must make surea holdover they understand the compensated later or smoothly add clause to what sale to proceed as as possible. And while there are always a number Essentially, makes an immediate impression and allows awhat could your occupation until harvest is completed. are also several steps that pounds sellers canevery take to yeartaking private water supplies or local developments, used in new houses. for something your property reaches the widest audienc the plunge. theprepared sale agreement to allow you to continue ‘uncontrollables’ when itthere comes a sale,athere market, to collaborate and innovate • If your developing property has issues with be rights of way, Instead, look at what whileposition: aretoalways number ofthe sale to proceed as smoothly as to possible. ensure they’re in the strongest And possible be open start. Buyers are less or likely todevelopments, an immediate impression and allow your occupation until harvest is makes completed. steps that sellers canittake to tofrom privatesecure water localhas the property opportunities for their land and businesses within it.your “It is common for villagesareinalso several that‘uncontrollables’ wasn’t currently generating property reaches when comes a sale, there • Ifsupplies your issues with rights of way,

Selling your farm in today’s market Selling your farm in today’s market Selling your farm in today’s market Selling your farm in today’s market

And while there are always a number of ensure they’re in the strongest possible position:

sale to proceed as smoothly as possible. makes an immediate i sale to proceed as sm

Buyers are less likelydevelopments, to also several steps that sellers can takebe to open from the start. water supplies or local these areas to have small historic anyare income. ‘uncontrollables’ when it comes to aprivate sale, there • If your property has issues with rights of way, ensure they’re in the strongest possible position: betake open Buyers are less likely to Talk to us today are also several steps that sellers can tofrom the start. private water supplies or local developments, quarries which have been closed There was also potential for Talk to position: us today be open from the start. Buyers are less likely to ensure they’re in the strongest possible Talk to us today William Hargreaves and are dormant – sometimes for sites to be restored in a posiTalk to us today 01473 234802 William Hargreaves as long as 40 years. But07870 in planquarrying had 999 113 tive fashion after Talk to us today 01473 234802 Tim Frost William Hargreaves ning terms it’s easier towhargreaves@savills.com re-open ceased. 07870 999“We 113 would urge anyone 01473 234802 01223 347 215 whargreaves@savills.com William Hargreaves these rather than to open brand who has a07870 dormant 999 113 quarry on 07966 255 977 01473 234802 whargreaves@savills.com 999 113 new ones.” their land to seek expert07870 advice tim.frost@savills.com whargreaves@savills.com Mr Gagie said reopening to find out how they can make the dormant quarries also ensured most of this opportunity.”

OCTOBER 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 65

FINAL SAY Fen Tiger

Good riddance to a challenging harvest A frustrating summer will live long in the memory of the region’s cereal growers, says Fen Tiger

hat’s the worst harvest you can ever remember? Do you judge it by the worst yields, the repeated breakdowns or the sheer amount of stress that any one farmer can take? Looking back, my worst yields were in 1976. Simply dreadful. My wettest harvests were 1985 and 2012. They were bad too. But 2021 has possibly been my worst ever harvest. Why? Because I simply cannot remember a more dismal and gloomy August. Temperatures during the month seemed stuck at about 16C. They weather forecast might have been mostly dry – but it was cloudy and most days all it seemed to take was a light drizzle to stop the combines.

Short tempers Having been relegated to grain carting, this year for me was somewhat easier. I still sit on a tractor seat alongside the combine for a neighbour. But it makes no difference stresswise whether the grain comes off the field at 15% or 25% moisture. Having put a foot outside the farming world, I have realised looking from the outside in how much stress I used to be under during the summer. It sounds harsh to say such things – and I am a very sympathetic person – but my neighbour’s stress levels have been through the roof. Watching him these last few weeks, his manner and demeanour have gradually headed south. Stop-start harvest tempers have become shorter and shorter. And then, with just 20ha (50 acres) left and the end in sight, the dreaded breakdown appeared.

66 ANGLIA FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

Not with my neighbour fortunately but with his combine harvester. An electrical fault. Perhaps a dodgy wire or sensor suggesting a problem that may or may not be there. A couple of hours stopped when a pressure warning light comes only to find out that the problem does not really exist. Or does it? A worried combine driver contacts the local dealer who sends out a fitter who confirms the problem is electrical. The following Sunday morning, he rings again only to be told the office is closed and additional charges may be incurred. So with no dealer support and the weather uncertain he presses ahead, eating into the last of the crop only to stop in a plume of white smoke and a large hole in the engine. Harvest grinds to a halt within sight of the finishing post. It is the first harvest engine failure in my experience. And it sums up the summer of 2021. Thinking back to the past 50 years or so, I can recall many trouble-free harvests. Mainly good weather – but not always above average yields. And hence stressful. I remember three inches of rain and strong winds laying flat large fields of wheat. The

“

My neighbour’s stress levels have been through the roof.

combine nearly stuck several times and a set of chains following it around wherever it went to pull it out of the mire. I also remember from seasons past a different array of animals getting into the drum. From dogs to deers. It’s surpising what a combine will almost swallow – a drone, a fridge, a tumble dryer and a tent in the oilseed rape with the kids still inside.

Tales of woe It’s a litany of disasters almost avoided. And sometimes not. A smouldering piece of linseed straw in the combine caused by a sharp flint? Luckily no damage done. Or the time my neighbour only half-changed the oil in his combine only to forget next morning and seize the engine. One of our trailer boys backed into a farm van in a field. He only had 16ha (40 acres) of spare space but still managed to find the parked van. I too have had my share of mistakes – but taken over nearly 50 summers, it hasn’t turned out too bad. There is not much of a better feeling as a farmer than sitting on a combine with clear blue skies, the yield monitor touching nearly 10t/ha (4t/acre) and the engine purring away trouble free. But that hasn’t been the case much this year. Many farms have questioned their combines and drying facilities. Bad weather often brings about those kind of thoughts – and many a rash decision has been made on the back of a dull, rainy summer. Few growers questioned their harvest capability last year – and maybe any possible answers are best left to a wet January day in the farm office Here’s hoping your harvest has long finished and your stress levels have receded.

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Anglia Farmer October 2021

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East of England Farming Conference

Profile: Denham Estate

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