Midland Farmer - December 2022

Midland Farmer

EDITORIAL

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Midland Farmer is a controlled circulation magazine published monthly for farmers and growers in the Midlands (Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire) or companies supplying goods and services to the sector. 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.

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OPINION Johann Tasker

Environmental payments must be fair for farmers

hen times are hard, a reliable income is more important than ever. That is especially the case this Christmas – not just for for families grappling with the cost of living crisis, but for farmers too.

Ag-inflation has soared during 2022. Rising input costs have been fuelled by Russia’s war in Ukraine, supply chain challenges and the weak pound.

Yes, farm output values have risen too, but in many cases not by enough to offset higher input costs. While some farmers have done well, others have fared badly.

In previous years, the basic payment has cushioned farms against such uncertainty. Payments have been reliable, even if they haven’t always arrived on time.

The phase out of basic payments is a huge challenge. Due to disappear completely by 2027, payments arriving this month will already be 20% lower than they once were.

Defra ministers have repeatedly pledged to maintain the budget for farm support –although the new system of support will require farmers to undertake environmental

work in return for payments, rather than simply filling in paperwork.

The truth is more complex. While payments are being phased out, the environmental schemes due to take their place aren’t properly up and running. No wonder farmers are struggling to replace lost income.

Most producers are keen to deliver environmental benefits. But a survey by the Country Land & Business Association and Strutt & Parker has identified widespread frustration among potential applicants.

When asked why they had not applied, many farmers said payment rates were too low to justify the work required. But they also cited lack of information about the standards they were expected to meet to receive those payments.

If Defra wants farmers to do environmental work, green schemes must be financially viable. Farmers are willing to keep their side of the bargain. It’s about time the government did too.

Johann Tasker Editor

£25m fund to help farmers protect rural environment

ing forces on shared environmental ambitions, farmers and landowners are able to deliver a greater positive impact on our landscape than they could ever achieve alone.

Farmers are invited to apply for a share of £25m from the government’s Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund – which encourages collaboration to protect and enhance the environment.

The fund supports farming groups who work together to improve and create greener landscapes. It is part of the Rural Payments Agency’s efforts to support agricultural and rural communities across the country.

Joining forces

Funding helps farmers, nature groups and charities to give advice and share knowledge. Activities include restoring habitats for wildlife and improving biodiversity, creating woodland, improving air and water quality, or restoring historic environments.

Farm minister Mark Spencer said: “By join-

“This Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund is already helping to bring farmers and landowners together for the benefit of nature and the environment, and I encourage farming communities across England to consider applying.”

The Rural Payments Agency is particularly keen to see applications from new and existing groups to deliver large-scale environmental improvements in their local area, create valuable connections and share farming

knowledge.

Natural England chief executive Marian Spain said countryside stewardship was making a contribution to delivering the government’s environmental commitment to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030.

“By bringing groups of land managers together in pursuit of positive habitat management and species reintroduction, the facilitation fund leads to long term initiatives for nature recovery where partnerships strengthen delivery on the ground.

Sustainable production

“Natural England works closely with farming groups and we look forward to supporting further groups via the fund as they nurture wildlife-rich habitats that provide clean water and air and underpin sustainable food production.”

This is the seventh round of the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund. Some 180 groups with over 4,000 members have benefited from the funding so far, with this round of funding expected to benefit more than 40 further groups.

The fund supports the delivery of the government’s 25 Year Environmental Plan, and is a part of Defra’s plans for a renewed agricultural sector, centred around incentivising sustainable farming practices alongside profitable food production.

The application window will remain open until 25 January 2023.

Minister urged to encourage more food exports

The government has been urged to back British farmers and food producers when negotiating trade agreements with other countries.

Agricultural Industries Confederation chief executive Robert Sheasby made the call to Defra farm minister Mark Spencer at last month’s AIC Agribusiness 2023 conference, held at the East of England showground, Peterborough.

A UK-wide business task force was needed to examine the impact on business of proposed legislation and new trade deals and ensure joined up thinking between government departments, said Mr Sheasby.

He added: “We need the Department for Trade and Industry to get behind agricul-

ture when it comes to competitiveness and to make sure that when entering into trade agreements that UK agriculture and what it can provide is not overlooked.

Opportunities

Mr Sheasby said: “We should expect our negotiators led by their political leaders to find the opportunities that will assist growth in competitiveness.”

NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw called on Mr Spencer to bring the government’s food strategy to life. And both Mr Bradshaw and Mr Sheasby called for consistent carbon metrics so farmers and land managers could accurately assess their progress towards net zero.

Mr Spencer confirmed that Defra is looking at the issue of carbon credits from a UK, EU and global perspective. Any system must work globally and not deliver unintended consequences – such as big polluters buying up land to plant trees, he said.

HSBC Bank head of agrifood Allan Wilkinson accused the government of failing to engage with the sector on exports. The UK imports £58bn of food and has the world’s third largest food deficit, he said.

Export-focused governments were keen to encourage trade, said Mr Wilkinson. But there was a galling lack of interest in the UK given many export margins are higher than domestic margins – reflecting the UK’s competitive retail sector.

• Collaboration secures better results

• Goal is cleaner, greener landscapes

• Newer groups encouraged to apply

Mark Spencer wants to see more farmers working together

Funding helps farmer protect watercourses and livestock

Water company Severn Trent offers grants to farmers

Grant funding has helped Shrop shire farmer Angus Hawkins protect his livestock and wa tercourses – while managing the farm more sustainably.

Mr Hawkins runs a herd of 200 beef cattle, a flock of sheep, some goats and arable cropping across 200ha (500 acres) on the outskirts of Newport. The River Meese and Lonco Brook run through the farm and watercourse protection is a priority.

Farmers in the local catchment work with the Severn Trent Environ mental Protection Scheme (STEPS), run by the water company to improve infrastructure and best practice to en hance watercourse quality.

“Grant funding has allowed us to fence off watercourses, preventing cat tle from getting into the rivers and re

ducing the spread of water-borne dis eases,” says Mr Hawkins.

“We’ve also put water troughs in the fields and installed electric fenc es, so when areas of the farm inevita bly flood, we can split fields up to keep

the cattle off the flooded fields.”

The goal is to keep cryptosporid iosis out of the watercourses. One of the most common causes of calf scour in the UK, crypto can also affect the general public and can survive most standard disinfectants.

Health issue

This is why the water company is working closely with farmers to pro tect the environment – with the added benefit of boosting animal health, ex plains Severn Trent agricultural ad viser Cath Edwards.

“This disease-causing bacterium not only hinders animal performance, but when it gets into watercourses, it can cause a major public health issue too,” says Ms Edwards.

“If cryptosporidiosis is present –

Electric fences keep cattle away from flooded land

Left: Angus Hawkins

even at low sub-clinical levels – the chances are it’s impacting animal health and performance, with many trials showing reduced weight gain as a result. But farmers can prevent the disease taking hold.

The STEPS grant offers farmers in Severn Trent groundwater catch ments with cryptosporidium targets up to £10,000 of match-funding to pre vent parasites reaching watercourses. In return, this helps reduce the spread of the disease in livestock.

“We offer support with installing drinking troughs on hard standing and pumping water away from watercours es to troughs on dryer land. And at the moment, there’s the extra incentive of 75% funding for livestock fencing.”

Supporting farmers

Mr Hawkins has seen farm productiv ity increase since first receiving fund ing in 2018. The support is also helping us to incorporate more regenerative principles, such as mob grazing – mov in cattle every one to two days.

“We’re also keeping cover on the ground all year, and introducing mul ti-species swards, which also helps pre vent leaching into watercourses.”

“Mob grazing is allowing us to tran sition away from worming and fly sprays. We’re moving cattle more fre quently, breaking the worm cycle as we only graze the fields three or four times a year. This also means we’re leaving

STEPS grants still up for grabs

The Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme offers farmers up to £30,000 to help improve water quality.

Severn Trent principal catchment scientist Alex Cooke says farmers can apply for financial and technical support to invest in measures that reduce water pollution and protect the environment while supporting farm productivity.

Funding is usually worth up to £10,000. But in catchments where pesticide reduction is a priority, farmers can apply for up to £30,000 for washdown and disposal areas, and there is also up to 75% funding for watercourse fencing.

Severn Trent has identified three key concerns in its priority catchments and is urging farmers to pursue funded options that prevent pesticide, nitrates or cryptosporidium reaching watercourses.

“The match funding is available to both arable and livestock farmers, for a wide range of infrastructure and land management improvements.

“We hope this added flexibility will encourage more famers to work with us and apply for grants.”

The application deadline is 31 January 2023. For more details see p11 or visit www.STwater.com/STEPS

more cover and the cattle aren’t get ting down to the soil and coming into contact with liver fluke eggs.”

“Frequent movement also means cattle are spending less time hanging around muck, moving them away from flies on dung.”

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Arable

Mild autumn and high prices encourage winter cropping

• Favourable conditions buoy planting

• Big increase forecast in oilseed rape

• More winter barley sown, less spring

Favourable autumn conditions have seen a rise in winter crop ping this season, confirms the latest survey by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

This year’s Early Bird Survey of planting intentions indicates a contin uation in the rise of winter cropping for harvest 2023. These are unsurprising results, given the relatively favourable planting conditions for many growers this autumn.

The survey is carried out each au tumn to assess national cropping in tentions. It is undertaken by the An dersons Centre, with the help of the Association of Independent Crop Con sultants (AICC) and other agrono mists.

Grain prices

“The provisional results of this year’s Early Bird Survey are unsurprising,” says AHDB market intelligence ana lyst Olivia Bonser.

“Historically high global grain pric

less fertiliser to mitigate some of this cost, will be something to monitor go ing forward.”

Despite easing since record highs in spring, for example, UK feed wheat prices have remained historically high, driven by the war in Ukraine and the tight global supply picture, says Ms Bonser.

The intended wheat area for har vest 2023 is forecast almost unchanged on the year at 1,803Kha (-0.1%). The total barley area is estimated down by 1.7% at 1.089Mha, with a drop in intended spring barley plantings out weighing a rise in winter planting.

The winter barley area is estimat ed to be 4.1% higher year-on-year, at

454Kha. This is marginally higher than the 453Kha planted in 2019. If realised, it would represent the larg est winter barley area since 2003

The spring barley area is forecast down 5.4% on the year at 635Kha. This would be the smallest area since 2012 (618Kha). The estimated 2023 oat area sits at 162Kha, down 9.5% from 2022’s estimate (179Kha).

Oilseed planting grows

Oilseed rape planting intentions for 2023 are pegged at 415Kha, up by 13.4% on 2022’s estimate. This is a fair ly significant increase on the year, and if realised would be the second consec utive year of area growth.

With UK area information yet to be published for 2022, the data used in this release is the Defra June Sur vey England area, combined with the areas for Scotland, Wales and North ern Ireland from the AHDB Planting and Variety survey.

This year’s survey covered 502Kha and represents the intentions of farm ers across the UK during a snapshot in time. Data was still being collected for these provisional results up to 8 November 2022.

Much more rape went into the ground this summer, suggests the survey

The oilseed rape increase is significant

“

Do you qualify for a STEPS grant worth up to £10,000?*

STEPS is now open

It’s that time of year again when Severn Trent’s Environmental Protection Scheme is open for applications.

The main aim of the scheme is to protect water quality and the environment and Farmers applying for STEPS can choose from a list of pre-defined funding options to contribute up to £10,000 of match funding.

Applying for a STEPS grant is simple 1

Find out if your farm or land is in a priority catchment stwater.co.uk/STEPS

Deadline: 31st January 2023

Water Quality Priority Items

This round of the grant scheme focuses on key water quality options. Applications are competitive, and will be prioritised on how they address the key pollutants in the catchment.

2 4

Contact your Agricultural Advisor to arrange a visit to discuss what is best for your farm or apply online stwater.co.uk/steps

*Applications are subject to eligibility criteria. Terms and conditions apply.

3

Contact your local Agricultural Advisor for support with your application and the priorities in your catchment.

Application window is now open – the scheme is competitive and closes on 31st January 2023.

Applications still open for environmental funding

With just two months left until the 31 January deadline, farmers in the Midlands are being encouraged to submit applications for this year’s Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS).

This year’s STEPS programme is offering farmers up to £30,000 of match funding for farm improvements that help address water quality issues, while supporting productivity.

According to Adam Freer, sen ior catchment management scien tist at Severn Trent, there are sever al new priority items on offer in this year’s scheme.

“Options include funding for pesticide washdown areas, free rain water harvesting, soil testing for cov er crop applicants in groundwater catchments, and up to 75% funding for fencing in our cryptosporidium catchments,” he says.

There are a range of other op tions to choose from, all designed to help protect the environment and water quality.

How the grant scheme works “Farmers in priority catchment ar eas can apply for a variety of op tions that support infrastructure in vestments and land management changes,” says Dr Freer. “These ad dress issues such as nitrate leaching, pesticide run-off and cryptosporidi um bacteria reaching watercourses.”

Depending on the priority issue in your catchment, a range of items are available as detailed below:

Pesticide catchment areas:

• Pesticide washdown and disposal ar eas - 50% funding up to £20,000 is available on sprayer washdown ar eas, on the basis that they are built in under six months, with an additional 25% funding available, up to £30,000.

• Grass margins around fields to act as a buffer

• Biobeds and biofilters to deal with spillages or drips in sprayer han dling areas

• Alternative methods to control weeds in grassland

• Precision pesticide application equipment to reduce drift

Nitrate catchment areas:

• Cover crops, including under-sow ing maize - 50% funding, up to £10,000, is now available for this.

• Grass margins around fields to act as pesticide buffers.

Cryptosporidium areas:

• Livestock fencing along water courses – up to 75% funding is now available for this.

• Drinking troughs can be fully funded for providing new access to water.

• Roofed livestock handling systems and manure storage areas.

How to apply

1. Check your farm is in a priority catchment. Is your farm in a priority catchment area in the Severn Trent region?

Each of the Severn Trent surface and groundwater priority catch ments are affected by a particular pollutant, such as pesticides, nitrate, or cryptosporidium.

Visit: www.stwater.co.uk/aboutus/environment/working-withfarmers-and-land-managers/ farming-for-water/ to check which catchment your farm is in.

2. Choose your options: View the grant options available at www.st water.co.uk or chat to your local agri cultural advisor, who will be on hand to help and assist you in the appli cation process.

3. Submit your application before 31 January 2023. Go to steps.flexigrant. com/ to fill in the easy application form. We aim to notify all applicants of the outcome within six weeks.

STEPS funding supports Warwickshire farmers

Warwickshire-based farmer, Alistair McGregor, has used STEPS funding to help improve soil health and en vironmental biodiversity.

He has developed an integrat ed pest management approach involving the introduction of cover crops, herbal leys, and wildflower margins – as well as reducing pes ticide usage. This, along with tran sitioning to direct drilling has meant an increase in biodiversity, includ ing the encouragement of benefi cial insects.

To reduce the risk of pesticide spillage, he has also installed a pes ticide washdown area through the scheme.

“Since making these changes we’ve benefited from reduced in put costs, while maintaining high crop quality; all at the same time as

helping to reduce the risk of pesti cides leaching into watercourses,” says Mr McGregor.

Similarly, Martin Downes, an other Warwickshire-based farm manager, achieved his objective of reducing pesticide run-off whilst in creasing efficiency thanks to STEPS funding.

Mr Downes says: “Through the scheme, we’ve received grants for precision farming equipment, a pesticide washdown area, a bi ofilter and rainwater harvesting equipment.

“Schemes like these are funda mental to improving productiv ity while working towards wider environmental objectives. We’ve worked closely with Severn Trent for many years and will continue to do so in the future.”

For further information, please visit: www.stwater.co.uk/steps

Spring malting barley now launched into feed market

Aspring barley variety that combines high quality with consistent yields is being launched to feed barley growers.

SY Splendor, from Syngenta, was originally bred for the malting market. Although it was withdrawn from malting tests, it still offers useful features that could appeal to feed barley growers, says Syngenta marketing manager Kathryn Hamlen.

Uppermost among these traits are its consistent treated yield of 102% of control varieties across all regions on the 2022 AHDB spring barley Recommended List, says Mrs Hamlen. Splendor also has a high specific weight of over 68 kg/hl.

But the variety offers other characteristics useful in certain grass weed situations. “Spring cropping is a wellknown way of reducing grass weed populations because it gives growers more time to remove an extra flush of weeds before planting.”

On top of this, spring barley is a

competitive crop, which means it has more effect in suppressing grass weeds. But the other desirable traits of Splendor are its vigorous growth habit and stiff straw with good brackling resistance, says Mrs Hamlen.

“Early vigorous growth helps a variety to better compete against grass weeds from the beginning of the season – allowing good plant establishment before the grass weeds get a chance to compete.”

Stable characteristic

Stiff straw helps later in the season if grass weed populations are higher –and helps the crop better withstand grass weeds pulling it down, explains Mrs Hamlen.

“Meanwhile, specific weight is a stable characteristic, which means if you choose a variety that starts with a high specific weight, it will help to mitigate against the competitive effects that grass weeds have for reducing crop grain-filling.

“It is precisely because SY Splendor was originally developed as a malting variety that it has such a good specific weight,” says Mrs Hamlen.

The feed sector currently accounts for about 20% of the UK spring barley market, she adds.

SY Splendor was originally bred for the malting market

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PRECISE

Let’s be about farming

£1.5m Crop Research Centre opens at Warwick University

Afacility using gene-editing technolo gy to improve quality, resilience and sustainability of vegetable crops has opened at Warwick University.

The Elizabeth Creak Horticultural Tech nology Centre is a £1.5 million facility which will use cutting edge techniques such as gene-editing to improve vegetable crops. It includes the state-of-the-art contains Jim Brewster Laboratory.

Researchers will address issues relating to disease resistance, crop yield, adaptabil

to harness the rich resources of the UKVGB – including by gene-editing.

The centre will also train future research scientists in vegetable tissue culture and

Food systems

Murray Grant, Elizabeth Creak chair in food security at Warwick University, said: “We have a pressing need to grow and harness

Pictures: Mark Radford Photography

Government urged to help ease pressure on growers

Soaring energy costs and a shortage of people to harvest crops are a serious threat to the future of the UK’s fruit and vegetable industry, says the NFU.

Farm leaders issued the warning in the run-up to Christmas, reiterating the need for access to affordable energy and a skilled and secure workforce amid ongoing concern over high fertiliser and energy costs.

Production costs have increased by as much as 27% in the past 12 months –with products such as tomatoes, broccoli, apples, and root vegetables most affected, accoirding to new report, prepared by Promar International.

The situation could worsen for British growers, said NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair Martin Emmett.

“The horticulture sector is ambitious, innovative, and strives to be the best in the world, producing iconic products like strawberries, apples, and asparagus.”

Growth ambition

He added: “Despite challenging political and supply chain pressures, it has long held an ambition for growth, matched with government’s ambition for UK horticulture as set out in its National Food Strategy.”

etables and crops grown under glasshouses, have severe doubts about their business viability,” he said.

“Growers are doing everything they can to mitigate the impacts.”

Buying tactics

“But they cannot do it alone. If this pressure continues, it will be simply unsustainable for some businesses to continue as they are. In these unprecedented times, stability and confidence are critical.

The NFU has been in contact with the Groceries Code Adjudicator to ensure that it is aware of the pressures growers are under and alert him to the unfair buying tactics and practices many of our members face during discussions with retailers.

Despite food inflation at record highs, growers are not achieving the returns needed to run sustainable, profitable businesses, with additional further concerns on future energy prices following the end of the government’s six-month price cap.

1

The continued lack of a reliable workforce, both in permanent and seasonal roles, combined with sharply rising input costs, particularly for energy, had put many businesses on a knife edge, said Mr Emmett.

“Producers of high energy crops in particular, such as top fruit, root veg-

“It’s critical that UK businesses are able to have constructive dialogue with their customers about the pressures they are facing. To safeguard the future of British fruit and vegetables, we need sustainable farm gate prices.”

The NFU wants more visas issued under the seasonal workers scheme. It says recognising agriculture and horticulture as a vulnerable sector in terms of energy security would also help to ease pressure on growers.

“

Treatment range

LAMMA preview

Machinery event makes welcome return to traditional January date

• Two-day show expects 700 exhibitors

• New product and technology launches

• Refreshed features set to woo visitors

Top machinery show LAMMA returns to its traditional Jan uary date next month – for the first time in three years.

LAMMA 2023 will be held on 10-11 January at the Birmingham NEC. It will include exhibits from all the main farming sectors from companies who provide cutting-edge machinery, tech nology and equipment for the industry.

More than 700 manufacturers, dealers and distributors are expect ed to showcase the latest tractors, com bines, arable and grassland machin ery – as well as a wide range of new technology, services and tools for eve ry sector.

Fendt returns to LAMMA with a host of new machinery. It will include the UK launch of the new Fendt 700 Vario Gen 7, featuring a new 7.5 litre AGCO Power engine with outputs of 203hp for the 720 model and 300hp+ for the top 728 model.

“LAMMA is the the perfect place to launch the new 700 Vario Gen 7,” says

a fitting location for the show. It helps raise the profile of the agricultural in dustry in the UK and enables Fendt to show the best we have to offer.”

Innovations

Syngenta will unveil a raft of innova tions and new technologies to aid more accurate and efficient application and product use. The company’s revolution ary new EvoPac product packaging will have its first UK showing.

The pack is purpose designed to optimise results with the pioneering EasyConnect system – which Syngen ta says is set to become the industry standard closed transfer method for sprayer operators.

Meanwhile, Knight Farm Machin ery’s new Vario Select control system enables users to achieve totally even spray application when working on un even shaped field margins and around fixed in-field obstructions.

The system works by using combi nations of four different capacity spray

to 16 different application rates, typ ically from zero to 800 litres/minute.

Latest robotics

Other refreshed LAMMA features will include the Future Farming Trail and the latest cutting-edge robotics and au tonomous machinery for the farming industry – made by manufacturers big and small.

“We’re looking forward to welcom ing the farming community back to LAMMA once again,” says Nichola Bell, Head of Events for Agriconnect which organises the event.

“With sustainability, production ef ficiency and food security at the top of the industry’s priority list, LAM MA is the perfect place for farmers and business owners to find the right tools and strategies help them achieve their goals.”

Visitors can expect to see a return of familiar features like the Farm Safe ty Zone, the ability to earn CPD points and a wide range of seminars on con temporary topics in agriculture. For details, visit www.lammashow.com

LAMMA will be held on 10-11 January at the Birmingham NEC.

to take centre stage

first production model resulting from many customer requests for portable cleaning systems and the design and build of several ‘one-off’ solutions,” said

“Farmers now have the opportunity to make a cost-effective investment in their own system that will allow them to add value to their own crops and provide an additional revenue stream

thur Agriculture will be showcasing a Mecmar SSI 28 T grain drier on its stand. A working demonstration show ing how a Sukup grain drying silo op erates is also likely to be a highlight

and performance enhancing features including a full-length stainless-steel furnace, plenum air distribution sys tem and high open space perforated screens, all designed to deliver more

McArthur Agriculture's mobile grain cleaner will be unveiled at LAMMA.

“The next year will see the use of electronics to enhance the Mecmar’s grain drying process to minimise en ergy usage,” says Mr McArthur.

“Accurate collection of fuel and pow er data delivers a clear picture of run ning costs and farmers will soon be able to optimise the drier to deliver great er economy or performance.

“The demonstration shows how Sukup grain drying silos provide both functionality and value, which in many cases, offer an alternative to new grain storage sheds equipped with integrat ed drying floors,” says Mr McArthur. McArthur Agriculture is on Stand 8.644 in Hall 8.

Virtual fencing saves time and money

Global virtual fencing company

Nofence will be showcasing its latest technology at LAMMA –showing how livestock can graze with in a defined area out in the field with no physical fencing.

Nofence uses GPS technology, cellu lar communication, audio signals and solar power to create a virtual fence – all at the touch of a button with a smartphone app, explains the compa ny’s UK general manager Synne Foss Budal.

“When an animal steps over a Nofence boundary, the collars emit an audio cue to warn it of the bound ary perimeter. If the animal does not turn around upon hearing the predict able audio cue the collars issue an elec tric pulse.”

The collars also track the animal’s location. They include specially made solar panels to ensure long-lasting bat tery life throughout the grazing season.

“So, we are still relying on the animal’s senses to stay within the grazing pa ramete – but it is hearing rather than visual.”

Diverse applications

With more than two years of experi ence in the UK, Nofence has proven to be suitable for both conservation and intensive grazing systems.

“The technology has proved to excel in a diverse set of applications,” says Ms Budal.

“Our trial work and customer ex perience have shown that cattle can

and move fencing.

Nofence has also been a popular tool for upland producers wanting to max imise land usage and better manage grazing without investing in physical fencing infrastructure.

“It’s also a game-changer for farm ers and grazers integrating livestock into arable systems, allowing for flex ibility in grazing management while significantly reducing labour and in frastructure costs associated with setting up a grazing system on ara ble land.”

For more details, visit the Nofence on stand 7.946 in Hall 7.

Spreader offers large tyre option for spring

GT Bunning and Sons returns to LAMMA with a spreader equipped with a large diame ter, narrow tyre for farmers wanting to reduce crop damage when spring top dressing.

Bunning will be showing three ma chines at LAMMA 2023.

The Lowlander 120 HY HBD fea tures a set of Alliance 580/85 R42 IF tyres, offering a longer tread pattern and bringing the machine’s overall width down to 2,820mm.

A hybrid machine, it features the wider spreading design of larger mod els. This improves the shredding of cattle muck for greater accuracy, and weigh cells for rate control.

This tyre option helps farmers re tain the flotation benefits of IF tyres and is better suited to tramline widths when travelling through growing crops. Ben Johnson, UK and Ireland

sales manager for G T Bunning and Sons, says it will appeal for several reasons.

“The 120 HY HBD model on the

dress in the spring, so the narrower tyres and shorter machine offers good output whilst reducing crop damage.”

Elsewhere on the stand, the compa ny will be showing two further models – including a 120 HY TVA that features the recently redesigned large diam eter bottom spreading blades for in creased accuracy.

This machine will also be equipped with weigh cells, which allows the op erator to set a target rate for precise applications of products. A smaller 105 TVA will also be shown, aimed at smaller farms wishing to utilise their own manures. says Mr Johnson.

“We look forward to seeing exist ing and new customers at LAMMA in January. Demand for accurately apply ing organic manures continues to grow and our range of spreaders and tech nology can help to reduce input costs through precise spreading.”

Increased functionality remapping software

Abigger exhibition by Avon Tuning Agri and Plant at LAMMA will showcase their professional agri cultural engine remapping softward and

now has increased functionality allowing agents to remap virtually any tractor on the market via the OBD port, including the lat est Tier 5 machines.

Gareth Jones, from Avon Tuning Agri and Plant, says this improvement allows more users to experience the benefits of remap ping. The company is pleased to be return

ing to LAMMA in January, he adds.

“The demand for increasing work efficien cies through remapping is growing and the new software allows the latest tractor mod els to be remapped for both power increas es and fuel saving benefits.”

Mr Jones says Avon Tuning had a great first appearance at LAMMA in May 2022. “We have taken a bigger stand to showcase how accessible and safe remapping is to the agricultural market.”

Also on the bigger stand will be the Dim sport DF2TR workshop-based dyno, aimed at dealerships and engineers after a station ary dynamometer capable of testing trac tors up to 330hp.

For those interested in becoming an AT Agri and Plant authorised agent, a fully kit ted out service van will be on display to show the type of software required when install ing new maps on farm.

Machinery owners interested in a rem ap can find their local agent on a large map featuring the logos of their nearest author ised AT Agri and Plant agent. Avon Tuning engineers will be at LAMMA to talk about remapping opportunities and becoming an agent.

New designs increase versatility for HM Trailers

Atrio of trailers offering users the option to switch bodies to increase versatility and safe ty will be shown by HM Trailers at LAMMA 2023.

The Essex-based manufacturer will be displaying a pair of hook-lift trailers, in HL-16 and HL-20 designs with the former sporting a new half-pipe rock body, alongside a body prop version of its HM 1517 grain trailer.

The body prop on the HM 1517 grain trailer allows the body to be re moved without the need to mechani cally lift it off the chassis. A supporting leg on each corner allows the various hydraulics to be disconnected.

Benefits

The bare chassis can then be driv en away and fitted with other bodies, including a tanker, flatbed, and rock

unit. The changeover takes an hour to complete, with the added benefit of the body staying free of contamination and damage during storage.

Keeping specific bodies for their designated jobs will increase longevity, says Grant Perry, owner at HM Trail ers. This option may appeal to farm ers over a hook-lift design, he adds.

“The body prop grain trailer allows farmers to run a high-spec trailer chas sis with a removable body, without the added weight of a hook-lift design.

“We have seen that farmers want ad ditional versatility from their trailers, but many don’t require regular chang es to justify a hook-lift model.

“This option allows grain units to be swapped after harvest, avoiding damage and contamination from win ter jobs.”

The smaller of the two hook-lift

It has a high-spec chassis with removable body'

models

Self-cleaning

The benefits of the half pipe design in clude the self-cleaning nature, allow ing all cargo to exit the trailer without becoming lodged in the front corners. The model on the stand will be a 15m3 design with a standard hydraulic tail gate, says Mr Perry.

“We had users asking us for a halfpipe body for the Hook-lift chassis to

Pace Mechanical Handling makes LAMMA debut

Vegetable packing experts

Pace Mechanical Handling will showcase its range of ro bot palletisers, weighers, sack placers and stitchers at LAMMA.

Having recently completed its 250th installation and having been appointed sole UK importer and dis tributor to TMI, Pace director Nick Ce sare says now is the ideal time for the company to make its LAMMA debut.

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in enquir ies and orders from packers and grow ers looking to increase efficiencies and cope with labour shortages.”

Partnership

“Historically, our business has grown due to word of mouth and recommen dations from happy clients. This is very much still the case, but we feel that our partnership with TMI takes us to another level and we’re keen to really promote ourselves.”

Established in 2000, TMI is one of Spain’s leading bagging, palletizing and wrapping machinery manufac turers, offering an extensive range of end-of-line machines, which are used by some of the world’s largest manu

will display the HM19 halfpipe rock body, aimed at users requir ing a dedicated unit for carting bulky materials.

Supporting legs allow hydraulics to be disconnected.

Above left: The half-pipe rock body is designed for carting bulky materials.

cart rock, aggregates, soil, and other bulk materials. It is proving more versatile than the flat-bottomed dump trailer option and is a crossover from commercial dump trailer and Hooklift design.”

Farmers are interested in ways to make their investments go further and along with being able to switch between different bodies, from a safety aspect, it means maintaining only one set of wheels and brakes.

HM Trailers will be on stand 19.260 at LAMMA 2023.

New app to end spare-part selection misery

new product recognition app from spare-parts and agricultural accessories specialist Kramp aims to bring an end to the ‘selection frustration’ of choosing the correct spare part or replacement component.

Simply by taking a photo of the item in question, customers can use the tool to identify the part and its catalogue number, enabling rapid ordering – 24/7 – and delivery straight

The app uses artificial intelligence to scan and analyse an object in a

photo. It then tries to match the object against more than 500,000 items from the Kramp catalogue. If the user has a Kramp account, parts can be ordered for next-day delivery.

“In addition to the AI recognition, the app will also scan barcodes, which provides an alternative route for product identification and ordering, all through the same, easy-touse interface,” says Gene Orchard, Kramp product specialist.

“The app also supports sharing of product pages via email or WhatsApp, enabling queries to be checked and discussed with a dealer, before confirming an order.”

The app enables rapid ordering.

Kramp’s app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. It can be used by anyone, but full functionality – and the next-day delivery to any of Kramp’s 1200+ UK dealer locations – is only available to registered account holders.

Crop storage specialists BDC systems will debut a new post-harvest soft ware application at this year’s LAM MA event.

Developed by Skandia Elevator, Grain Balance’s Grain App allows farmers to eas ily and accurately measure, in real time, the loads of grain arriving on farm to go into stor age, the field in which it was grown and the yield per hectare.

“At any time, farmers will now be able to quickly and easily see the amount of grain they have harvested – no more guesswork around what field yielded what, or how much grain is in store,” says BDC sales director Andrew Head.

It has potentially never been so impor tant for farmers to take advantage of the available expertise to ensure they have the

right machinery in place to make harvest 2023 run as smoothly and as profitably as possible, he adds.

“Having entered information around the fields to be harvested into the Grain Bal ance’s Grain App prior to harvest, once com bining starts all that has to be done before tipping grain, is to open the app and input the field the grain has come from.”

Grain data

Grain Balance is connected via the inter net to the Grain Balance Scale, a sensor kit

which sits on the elevator taking grain into storage. The sensor collects data around the grain as it passes through the elevator.

Data is then sent to Skandia’s Grain Cloud. Here, the weight of the grain is cal culated and presented back to the farmer via the software app, which Mr Head says runs on any smartphone.

Latest developments to BDC System’s Moisture Monitoring System (MMS) will be another first for BDC at LAMMA.

“We have now engineered our MMS so it monitors the moisture content of the crop going into and out of the drier and then automatically controls the discharge rate of the drier should the mosture fall below or rise above the predefined levels,” says Mr Head.

This ensures the crop is discharged at a

constant moisture content. “The ability to automatically control the drier means that the drier’s energy-efficiency is greatly im proved. Energy is not wasted by over dry ing the crop.”

A 5t Svegma continuous flow drier will form the centrepiece of the BDC stand. Farm ers will be able to see how they can success fully manage wet grain – have additional ca pacity to cool hot grain if required.

Reputation

With Svegma’s proven reputation for out standing quality and efficiency its driers (5t to over 100tph) are used extensively by farm ers, farming co-operatives, commercial plant operators and maltsters.

BDC Systems will also showcase Skan dia Elevator’s next-generation H-Line eleva tors. The H-Line will be of interest to larger farm enterprises, commercial grain storage operators and milling plants requiring high tonnage grain handling capability.

Skandia’s H-Line delivers elevators that are easy to maintain, have optimised flow re sulting in less wear and tear to both the ma chinery and grain, plus they can now reach an overall height of 70m.

The BDC team is on stand 8.410 in Hall 8.

Andrew Head: Harnessing technology to maintain grain quality

Left: The moisture monitoring system helps improve drier efficiency

Livestock

Testing suggests M. bovis is more widespread than thought

Results from veterinary practic es across the UK suggest My coplasma bovis is more wide spread than previously thought.

A new surveillance programme in dicates M. bovis affects beef and dairy cattle across the country – although it can be easily detected through bulk milk serology testing, which the results suggest are more sensitive than other forms of detection.

“For a few years, I have suspect ed that M. bovis is more prevalent than expected,” says Graeme Fowlie, of Meadows Vets. “From working with vets across the country taking part in the surveillance programme, it’s be come clear that that is the case.”

The results, from vet practices across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, show that M. bovis is present in every region, in both beef and dairy herds.

“It is probably present in your area, so you should be aware of it.”

The disease causes pneumonia, mastitis, swelling, sore joints and oti tis., It is also likely responsible for a range of chronic underlying health is sues, which have a significant impact on welfare and productivity.

As part of the surveillance pro gramme, vets were offered free M. bo vis tests, regardless of whether herds were showing signs of disease or not. Of 41 farms taking part, 18 tested pos itive, six were inconclusive or void, and 17 were negative.

But the results also revealed some types of analysis were more sensitive than others.

The five bulk milk serology tests all came back positive. The 11 PCR tests – mainly of bulk milk samples – failed to show a single positive result.

Mr Fowlie said: “We have used blood tests on calves over five months old to screen herds. Dairies could also be screened via bulk milk serology. Sick animals can be identified with PCR testing of either nasal swabs, post mor tem material, joint fluid or milk sam ples.”

Since he started using these tests two years ago, Mr Fowlie has returned more positive samples than in the

would have been false negatives when using traditional bacterial culture testing, which is less sensitive, he be lieves.

Hard to treat

“One of the biggest problems with M. bovis is that it’s very hard to treat – it doesn’t respond to many common an tibiotics, so prevention is much better than cure,” says Mr Fowlie.

“That means screening herds via blood/bulk milk serology testing and PCR testing of sick animals/post-mor tem samples to confirm the presence

responsible for a range of underlying health issues

fidence in those results.

Farmers should adopt stringent biosecurity measures with careful herd management changes and vac cination where appropriate, says Mr Fowlie. Vets can now prescribe a mul ti-strain vaccine in the UK under the Cascade system.

When combined with appropriate testing, vaccines will enable farmers to take a proactive and informed ap proach to disease management.

The surveillance programme will continue this winter, with further free testing available to vets.

New appointment for forage seed specialist

Agronomy

Set up in 2004, Field Options markets a range of forage seeds – including grass mix tures, maize, fodder beet, and wholecrop for age mixes – as well as seeds for environmen tal schemes, green manures and game cover.

Other services include forage planning ad vice and supplies of specialist fertilisers, silage inoculants and crop protection agrochemicals to UK farmers.

Mr Montgomery joins Field Options follow ing the retirement of technical director Fran cis Dunne.

He was previously at Nick erson Seeds where he spent the last 14 years as a seed specialist. Before this, Mr Montgomery farmed in Zimbabwe, working in the dairy and beef sectors. He grew crops including for age and seed maize, soyabeans, groundnuts, field beans, sunflowers, tobacco, wheat and grass.

He will be responsible for bringing Field Op tions and ProCam closer together to deliver a better customer service. He holds an MBA in agriculture and food industries from the Roy al Agricultural University.

firm ProCam has appointed Simon Montgomery (right) as techni cal team leader for its Field Options division.

Pig & Poultry

Five-year plan for pig sector finally unveiled

• Funds to focus on three priorities

• Marketing, exports and reputation

• Pig Health Scheme comes to end

Industry leaders say a reduction in pork-related spending by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is understandable given funding constraints.

A five year plan covering the years 2022 to 2027 was unveiled by the AHDB last month. The levy body expects its funding for pork to fall from £10m to £8m – mainly due to reduced levy income following the contraction of the sector.

A change in the AHDB’s VAT status will also contribute to the fall in funding. The strategy says expenditure will be divided between three priority areas, with marketing allocated 40%, exports 33% and reputation 27%.

Export promotion will focus on identifying lucrative markets and optimising access for all cuts. For example, while whole muscle can be exported

to Mexico, extending that to include offal would give even greater benefit.

Inspire shoppers

The marketing spend will aim to inspire shoppers to choose pork for both home cooking and eating out.

It comes amid an ongoing debate over restrictions on promoting ‘British’ pork, and the AHDB’s Feed the Family for Less campaign.

Priorities for spending follow the AHDB’s 18-month-long Shape the Future initiative, which gave levy payers across all sectors the chance to tell the AHDB what it should focus on over the next five years.

Existing AHDB initiatives which will no longer be funded include the Pig Health Scheme, the Real Welfare programmes and the employment tool Pig Pro. Instead, the AHDB will pri-

The AHDB plan follows an 18-month consultation with producers

oritise marketing, exports and reputational work.

AHDB pork sector council chair Mike Sheldon said: “It is vital for the levy to deliver the very best value.

Enormous strain

“In May 2022, producers and processors representing over half of all pigs farmed and three-quarters of those

A word from AHDB Pork council chair

It’s been a brutal time for the pork sector, with the combination of Brexit and Covid creating a perfect storm, followed by hugely inflated costs of production resulting from the war in Ukraine.

Supporting levy payers through these unprecedented times is more crucial than ever.

Despite these daunting challenges, we can take great pride in England’s pork industry. With producers and processors operating to exceptional standards, British pork is preferred by most UK retailers, and there is demand from almost 100 other countries too.

With such strong demand comes strong competition to supply. It’s never been more important to act together – and that is where your levy comes in.

It is vital for the levy to deliver the very best value. In May 2022, producers and processors representing over half of all pigs farmed and three-quarters of those processed, told us how they wanted their levy spent via AHDB’s Shape the Future vote.

This turnout was an absolute credit to an industry that was under enormous strain at the time. It is symptomatic of

the true grit, hope and determination that we need for the future.

In the Shape the Future vote, you gave clear messages that your sector council has taken on board to direct the work of AHDB over the next five years.

This resulted in the three key themes of work below, which are detailed in this plan: Marketing. Exports. Reputation.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Shape the Future vote. This plan for the next five years is not the end of the conversation – rather the beginning.

As we all know, we will need to show agility during these turbulent times.

Mike Sheldon

AHDB Pork Sector Council Chairman

Help stop spread of avian influenza

Poultry farmers have been encouraged to take action and follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks throughout the winter.

It follows last month’s declaration of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across Britain in a bid to curtail the spread of the virus – which has seen thousands of birds culled throughout the summer and autumn.

Experts say simple steps taken by poultry farmers to improve hygiene on farm and in poultry houses can significantly reduce the spread of avian influenza throughout commercial flocks and across the country.

Dramatic reduction

BASF specialist Anthony O’Hare says poultry farmers should look to increase levels of hygiene in enclosures. Doing so will protect birds from viruses like avian influenza as well as other diseases, he says.

“Disinfectants can reduce the spread of diseases dramatically if used carefully and consistently. A focus on hygiene is one of the simplest and most economical ways to reduce the spread of disease and promote healthy conditions across poultry farms.”

Poultry producers can use Sorgene Xtra at a dilution of 1:250 for general hygiene and at 1:200 in poultry accommodation ar-

says Mr O’Hare. All buildings and housing can be re-stocked soon after application, he adds, suggesting the following approach (see panel)

“These simple steps and effective tools will help reduce the spread of

absolute minimum and prevent farmers suffering substantial finan-

Five-year plan for pig sector finally unveiled

processed, told us how they wanted their levy spent via AHDB’s Shape the Future vote.

“This turnout was an absolute credit to an industry that was under enormous strain at the time. It is symptomatic of the true grit, hope and determination that we need for the future.

“In the Shape the Future vote, you gave clear messages that your sector council has taken on board to direct the work of AHDB over the next five years.”

National Pig Association chief executive Lizzie Wilson said the NPA would continue to support the AHDB’s work. “This looks like a sensible ap-

proach, given the constraints on levy funding AHDB will face in the future.

“We broadly agree with the priorities identified – export development is key to our ability to maximise the value of the carcase and the AHDB has an important role in maintaining the industry’s reputation.

“The domestic market is also hugely important and it is essential that this work continue to be focused on effective promotion of British product. Of course, it is disappointing that funding in some areas is ceasing, but we understand the reasons for this.”

cial losses, as well as protect themselves, their friends and family, and their flocks.”

Preventing the spread

1 Thoroughly disinfect all accommodation. This is best done by pressure washing the sides and floors of bird housing with a quality bactericidal detergent before spraying with a disinfectant.

2

Bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms are often present on clothing and boots. Those working with birds should wear clean overalls and dip boots in disinfectant to reduce the risk of introducing harmful diseases. Before entering poultry housing, it is also good practice to wash hands with an anti-bacterial soap.

3Any equipment that is being used in conjunction with birdkeeping should be disinfected in a solution of Sorgene Xtra before being used. Solutions should be changed frequently.

LAND

Better contracts would offer 'real hope' to UK pig sector

• Producers still face big losses

• UK food security under threat

• Supply chain reforms needed

Farm leaders say major reforms are needed across the pork sup ply chain to avert the collapse of the British pig industry and protect the UK’s food security.

The National Pig Association’s sub mission to a Defra’s consultation on contractual practice in the sector sets out a blueprint for a fairer, more trans parent – and ultimately more sustain able – pork supply chain.

Key demands include the introduc tion of legislation to underpin new pig contracts. The NPA says this would allow producers, marketing groups and processors to negotiate terms that work for all parties, including ensur ing a fair price for producers.

The NPA also says better forecasting to improve business planning would in crease transparency across the chain, helping pork buyers make better use of the entire pig carcase, rather than just selective cuts.

The NPA’s submission to the con sultation, which closed earlier this au tumn, comes against the backdrop of a catastrophic 18 months for the in dustry that has seen producers rack

Many have been forced out of busi ness, with government figures high lighting an 18% decline in the pig breeding herd in the year to June 2022. With average pig prices still well below average production costs, more produc ers stand on the brink.

Norfolk pig producer and NPA chairman Rob Mutimer said: “We be lieve this process offers real hope for the British pig sector, which has tak en an absolute battering over the past 18 months.

Powerless producers

“It has become fairly obvious to all involved that the supply chain, as it stands, is broken.

“Contracts, where they exist, have proved to be not worth the paper they

The sector has racked up losses of more than £600 million

producers have been left powerless as their pigs have been rolled week after week.”

Combined with the war in Ukraine, Brexit-related labour shortages and soaring input cost, the situation had left the sector hugely damaged, said Mr Mutimer. The UK’s capacity to produce pork was now under threat, he added.

“We believe the measures that we and others who have responded are calling for will, if implemented, form the basis of a stronger, more coherent supply chain where all parts have the opportunity to thrive.

“But the government must act de cisively and quickly before it is too late for the pig sector – and in order to fulfil its stated aims of reinforcing the UK’s food security.”

Eight key demands from pig sector

The National Pig Association took soundings from across the supply chain before responding to the Defra consultation.

It says there was a clear acknowledgement from producers and the allied industry that contracts are unfair. Respondents identified a disproportionate spread of risk through the supply chain that must be addressed, it added.

“Our response stressed that change is needed throughout the wider supply chain, including the retail sector, not just between producers and processors,” said the NPA.

The association is calling for:

1 Contractual practice to be underpinned by legislation to ensure accountability and deliver change for all producers and processors.

2 Contracts to follow a framework to allow producers and processers/marketing groups to negotiate terms that work for both parties.

3 Penalties for out of specification pigs should not deliver a negative or zero value when contracted pig numbers have not been fulfilled.

4 Better forecasting to help inform business planning, including a mandatory monthly pig weaning survey.

5 Processors to submit details of contracted pig numbers to Defra for price reporting.

6 Full transparency for price reporting mechanisms.

7 Retail, food service and wholesale businesses to formally report the volume of cuts, carcase utilisation and origin of pork.

8 Retail and food service companies to buy a reasonable proportion of the pig carcase and utilise more British pork from it for products within their supply chains.

The association says pig prices need to be fair, transparent and negotiable. It says all parties should be able to negotiate a contract fairly, with one-sided clauses removed and a mechanism introduced for dispute resolution.

The supply chain, as it stands, is broken

“

Professional services

‘Diversification opportunities are everywhere’

Looking at your farm with fresh eyes can spark new ideas

The cost of living crisis is creating diversification opportunities for farmers – with more people looking to holiday at home.

More farmers are looking to generate additional income from diversification, said keynote speakers at last month’s Farm Business Innovation event, held on 2-3 November at the Birmingham NEC.

Ian Bell, of peer lending platform Folk2Folk said subdued economy brought great opportunities. “The rise in staycations, the climate emergency, Brexit, levelling up agenda and cost of living crisis all provide opportunities for farmers looking to diversify.”

Dairy farmer and award-winning cheese-maker Jonny Crickmore agreed. Farmers should think about the business prospects offered by their assets – and then consider which made most financial sense.

“If you don’t enjoy it, it’s not going to work,” said Mr Crickmore. “But don’t run before you can walk. Test things out and see what works. Most importantly, never stop learning.”

Leap of faith

Other farmers sharing their first-hand experience of diversification included Ally Hunter Blair, who has equestrian and glamping businesses on his Herefordshire farm. He encouraged fellow farmers to take a leap of faith.

“Use your skillset and learn from your mistakes,” he said. “Don’t see barriers on your farms, see opportunities. Look into your business with fresh eyes.”

William Roobottom outlined the scope for promoting farm-based businesses on social media. He has developed an extensive following through sharing videos about his sheep flock and encouraged farmers to have a go.

“Be honest and be authentic be-

cause that is what people want to see.”

Other keynote speakers included Patrick Wrixon who encouraged farmers and landowners to consider care farming. His care farm in Herefordshire provides opportunities for people with mental health problems to benefit from spending time outside.

“Our overall aim is to enable people to reach a point where they can manage their own health in a sustainable way,” he said.

Award winners

The exhibition halls at the Farm Business Innovation event were filled with businesses offering consultancy and advice services – as well as safari tents and glamping pods, renewable energy solutions, hot tubs and playground equipment.

The event’s annual innovation award was presented to Dairy Vend-

milkshakes and other products direct from the farm.

Winner of the sustainability award was Inch Perfect Trials – a company which offers trail bike experience days. It is the sole UK retailer of the fully electric EM trials bike. Organiser Nichola Bell, of Agriconnect, said it was a successful event.

“It’s an exciting time for us at Agriconnect too with this being our first year running these events.

As a team we have plenty of ideas on how to make the shows even better next year and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the NEC on 15-16 November 2023.”

maker Jonny Crickmore

New specialist for law farm Roythornes

Law firm Roythornes Solicitors has appointed a private client specialist with more than 25 years of legal experience to support its agricultural and landed estates network.

Focussing on Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, senior associate Ayesha Brown (right) will offer advice on all aspects of private client work including estate and succession planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, estate and trust administration.

Ms Brown said: “Roythornes take pride in its excellent client care and I feel privileged to be part of the team and available to support its clients and families through significant change in their lives.”

The increase in farmland values in East Anglia has been above the national average. With the uncertain economic climate, Roythornes believes professional services and advice will be

needed now more than ever.

Roythornes managing director Vember Mortlock said: “We are one of the top agricultural law practices in the country and support everyone from major blue-chip companies and established family businesses to new startups and individuals.

“What makes us stand out as agricultural experts is that we are up to speed on not only the practical aspects of farm businesses, but also the ability to help the families that own and run them. Ayesha is a fantastic addition to the team.”

Survey sheds new light on attitudes to ELMs

• Farmers open to environmental work

• Balance with food production important

• Schemes must be viable to participate

Farmers are enthusiastic about improving soil quality – but remain wary about joining government schemes encouraging them to do so, reveals a survey.

Most producers are keen to deliver environmental benefits but are cautious about signing up to initiatives such as Defra’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme, including the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), says the study.

That is one of the findings of the Future of Farming survey, carried out jointly by the Country Land & Business Association and Strutt & Parker. Almost 200 landowners and managers in England responded online during June and July 2022.

The study was carried out to gauge the way farmers and landowners feel about Defra’s new schemes being rolled out – and to identify how farms and estates are trying to build resilience within their businesses.

Concerns have been voiced about

to improve their environmental management and enhance nature than is sometimes portrayed.

Carbon audits

The number of respondents who have carried out a carbon audit during the past three years was relatively low (23%). But 56% of respondents said they were already making plans to reduce the carbon footprint of their farming business.

Only 40% of the respondents confirmed they have or were planning to enter the SFI within the next three years – which seems low considering the government’s target of getting 70% of farmers signed up by 2028.

But nearly two-thirds said they had signed up or intended to join the more established Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Some 88% said they would be likely or very likely to take action to protect or improve soil quality and 82% said they would be likely or very likely to

landowners are less enthusiastic about delivering are supporting public access, managing land to reduce flood risk and restoring cultural heritage, although many of these are situation dependent.

Farm resilience

Asked how they were improving business resilience, the most popular answers were diversification into nonfarming enterprises, benchmarking,

Looking after the environment must be properly rewarded, says Mark Tufnell

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) MYTHBUSTING

As Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) moves from being a Buzzword to reality, Mark Russell, Parter at Carter Jonas, thinks that there are a number of myths that should be busted early in the process: mark.russell@carterjonas.co.uk

MYTH 1: Size matters! Only one size will work, the larger the better. A larger site is likely to be more effec tive from an ecological and conser vation point of view. In terms of com merciality, it may also be cheaper per unit to create and manage. However, a small site in the right place can work where a developer needs a particu lar habitat in a particular place. Such as a small bit of wetland or a pond. In addition as the industry around BNG gets organised there will be aggrega tors like Carter Jonas who can bring the benefits of scale (in terms of man agement and relationships with de velopers) to a number of smaller sites from different landowners.

Myth 2: Anyone can do it?

Well yes and no. Yes if the site is in England and you have control of the site for 30 years from when the units are used you can be part of the market. So a tenant can join in if they have a long enough leasehold interest. However, given we may be talking about landscape and land use changes that goes well beyond the 30 years of the scheme we suggest that you discuss this with your Landlord first. Even where there

is a shorter term lease in place (5 year FBT for example) you are not exclud ed, but a higher level of co-operation with your landlord will be required.

Myth 3: This will devalue my land! If you want to sell up will it add or de tract value? The answer might not be the one you think. The simple view is that land with a restriction and low er intensity agricultural use will be worth less than before. However, if one has created a guaranteed in come stream for 30 years or via the landscape change uplifted the val ue of the whole farm then the over all impact on your asset might be a positive one.

Myth 4: It will be viable anywhere! Probably not. As with anything to do with property we always need to go back to “Location, Location, Location”. When dealing with BNG we need to add “Condition, Condition, Con

dition” into the mix. As BNG is linked to development how far you are from a centre of development is also impor tant (but do also see Myth 5 below).

The DEFRA metric reduces the ef fectiveness of a BNG unit the further it is away from the linked development. Currently there is debate as to where the boundary will be for the purpos es of calculations should it be Local Authority boundaries, County area or Landscape Character Areas (most likely to be a mixture of at least two of these) - we should know once the regulations are published.

Myth 5: It’s all about

BNG

No it’s not and whilst BNG is grab bing the headlines because it is close to having a framework against which value can be created ESG and Car bon should also be considered. These are not so location specific and will provide a second and third income stream into a Habitat Bank.

“

Natural

prises due to expected climate change.

CLA president Mark Tufnell said: “This survey has provided useful insights into farmer and land manager attitudes to the environment and signals that while many farmers and land managers are focused on food production, they are still keen to take steps to protect and enhance the environment given the right policies and payments.”

The 40% intention to enter into SFI was encouraging, said Mr Tufnell.

“When asked why they had not en-

tered SFI in 2022, the responses pointed to concerns about payment rates, but more frequently it was about waiting for more standards to become available or waiting to see if it would be a success.

“Only 2% said they were just not interested. These findings support the CLA’s call to Defra to fast-track the launch of new SFI standards and provide early clarity on payment rates so that farmers and land managers make informed decisions about the scheme.

“Similarly, it is encouraging to see

Payment rates 'not attractive enough'

More than one third of respondents who said they would not be joining the SFI imminently said it was because the payment rates were not attractive enough.

Farmers said payment rates were too low given the costs of delivery, with 19% suggesting the process was too bureaucratic and 20% saying they wanted to see if the early stages were successful.

Asked about the changes they anticipate making to their farming business over the

next three to five years in response to agricultural policy changes, the most common answers included increasing the profitability of core agricultural enterprises, adopting regenerative farming and increasing the area of land under agri-environment agreements.

Few respondents said they were currently selling soil carbon credits (3%). When asked whether they had concerns about selling soil carbon credits, 43% said they wanted to understand their own carbon foot-

the level of interest in Countryside Stewardship. Defra should capitalise on this and ensure that the scheme remains available until the replacement Local Nature Recovery Scheme is ready for full launch.”

Timely results

Rhodri Thomas, head of rural for Strutt & Parker, described the survey results as particularly timely – especially given the highly polarised debate around land use and the future of Defra’s ELM schemes.

print first and offset their own emissions

A further 32% said they were not confident in the current buyers or schemes available, while 28% said they were worried they may need to prove their own low-carbon credentials to customers in the future.

Just over one third of respondents said they may be willing to sell soil carbon credits within the next ten years. But 40% of respondents said they needed more information on what selling carbon credits entails.

Only 2% said they were just not interested

“

How planting trees can boost farm income

Tree planting and woodland creation can help secure a more sustainable future for farm businesses, say rural consultants.

Strategic tree planting brings financial and environmental benefits, says Robbie Brett, farming consultant with Ceres Rural. A range of grants can help establish and management of new woodlands, he adds.

“Woodland is long-term, so planning and management is critical. Knowing what you want to achieve with any woodland is important too – trees can lock up carbon and support nature recovery, as well as contributing to wider society goals.”

Grant details

Funding is available from the Forestry Commission, the Woodland Trust and via Countryside Stewardship – as well as from private initiatives. Trees are also subject to a range of tax reliefs if woodland is managed as a commercial investment.”

Both the Woodland Creation Planning Grant and the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) can be used to plan and pay for tree planting, although the initiatives have different min-

imum area requirements of between 1-5ha.

“These schemes provide up to £30,000 for planting and up to £8,500/ha for creating new woodland. Maintenance payments of £300/ha/year are included for the first ten years of the EWCO, which allows farmers to apply with several parcels of woodland.”

The Woodland Trust’s MOREwoods scheme covers up to 75% of planting costs and allows multiple blocks of planting, The trust’s MOREhedges grant subsidises hedging that creates ecological links with woodland.

Trees can also be included within Countryside Stewardship applications. Up to £6,800/ ha is available for the creation of new woodlands. Current payment rates are £1.28/tree, with some variation between native and non-native species.”

Selling carbon

For farmers wishing to generate a carbon-based income from new woodland, it is essential to register the plantation with the Forestry Commission’s Woodland Carbon Code before planting commences, says Mr Brett.

Carbon units can be sold as early as five years after plant-

New head of international farmland appointed at Savills

Land agents Savills has Jonny Griffiths (right) to take up a new role as head of international farmland.

Mr Griffiths – who grew up on a Cambridgeshire farm – will focus particularly on acquisitions and valuations of farmland around the globe for a range of clients, based on the theme of sound agricultural investments with a natural capital overlay.

He joins Savills from Nuveen Natural Capital, where he worked

on the establishment and implementation of its European farmland investment.

This included formulating investment strategies, origination, analysis and due diligence for farmland transactions

Long-term fundamentals for global agriculture remain solid, says Savills, with the world population expected to reach 9.2bn by 2100. At the same time, changes in diets will further fuel demand for farmland, it adds.

ing with the Government-backed Woodland Carbon Guarantee ensuring a minimum price for carbon credits but still allowing farmers to sell them on the open market, if preferred.

“Baseline your soil carbon before you start planting if you are planning to sell that as well,” advises Mr Brett. If carbon sequestration is the sole purpose of the

Savills executive director Andrew Harle said: “Our client base is both increasingly global in its outlook and conscious of the role rural land has to play in mitigating the effects of climate change and contributing towards net zero targets.

Mr Griffiths said: The international farmland space is very varied and there is no better time for Savills to be establishing first-mover advantage within this market amongst its competitors. I look forward to growing this new segment of the Savills business.”

new woodland, conifers may be the best choice, as they sequester carbon more quickly.

“Time spent considering the various options and the best way of achieving your end goals is a good investment.

“Most farms will have pockets of land suitable for tree planting and will be eligible for one of the funding schemes.”

A range of woodland and tree-planting grants are available

FINAL SAY Clodhopper

Ploughing still has its place

Farming has changed almost beyond recognition over the past 50 years – and not always for the best, says Clodhopper.

An old agronomist friend of mine has decided that next summer 2023 will herald his final farewell to farming.

He came from his father’s small farm to pursue a career in agronomy back in the 1970s. Having since walked thousands of miles over his lifetime, his skills are unquestionable and knowledge of all things farming unrivalled.

A few firms and many farms later, though, he has decided he has had enough. It isn’t that he has fallen out of love with farming itself – he came into the job to grow crops, maximise yields and feed the nation. And he has done very well indeed.

But in his heart, deep down he believes something has gone wrong with farming. He no longer feels the industry has the drive

it needs. Dare I say it, he has also probably fallen out of love with the job and how it has moved away from its original aims.

Many of his contemporaries will agree he has a point. And a good one at that.

Food production and the tried and tested methods that have stood the test of time are being abandoned in the clamour for Net Zero by 2050.

In the nettles

Very much a plough man, my friend maintains that in some circumstances the plough is still king. Yet many of his farms feel under pressure to leave the plough in the nettles and use other techniques to establish their crops.

This is not perhaps because those techniques enhance and improve the crop. Rather it is because of carbon and emissions and the pressure farmers feel to satisfy the latest trends – whether the conditions allow it or not.

He understands plant nutrition and soil health better than most. But his mantra has always been, “if you don’t put it in, you won’t get it out”. No wonder he feels that reducing pesticide and fertiliser applications are wrong if we want to feed the country.

At the same time, pressure of the job has never been greater – not only because of red

tape and mountains of paperwork, but because the fear of getting things wrong weighs heavily on his mind.

In his role as an agronomist, he has always been a sounding board for farmers with their ideas and cost assumptions. Time was when farmers used to spend what the crop in question to reach a successful harvest.

Unenviable task

These days, a fixed budget is produced as soon as the tractor leaves the shed and not a penny more is spent. Yet this fails to take into account the season’s growing conditions, costs or his agronomy skills.

No wonder then he feels undervalued and undermined by the constant need to decrease costs or reduce carbon levels.

He has become disillusioned with the need to defend what he does and he believes the industry has its chin on the floor.

His new junior has the unenviable task of following in his footsteps for the next 12 months or so – meeting established clients and trying to pick up some new ones.

It is a difficult job, especially as his current employer wants to go down the fee-paying route – a price charged per acre. He says farmers don’t like acreage payments and prefer to have any cost added to the chemical bill. We shall see how right he is.

In the meantime, retirement looms and he is ready to go. Another crop-walking has left the field. The industry is not where it should be or even certain where it is going. These days it is all drones and computers.

I wish him a happy retirement.

If you don't put in, you won't get out

Picture: Ian Francis / Shutterstock.com

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