Midland Farmer January 2021 by Countrywide Publications

January 2021

Midland

Farmer Serving the farming industry across the Midlands

Livestock: Farm leaders join forces to oppose live export ban

News Step-change for agriculture in 2021 Seed varieties Revised ratings for recommended list Crop management Low-down on spring pulse options

On the rebound: Wheat bounces back after challenging season

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Midland Farmer

OPINION Johann Tasker

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

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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. If you no longer wish to receive this magazine, please email your name, address and postcode as it appears on the wrapper to jade.soanes@micropress.co.uk © Countrywide Publications 2020 Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon Suffolk IP18 6DH T: 01502 725800 Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd T: 01502 725800

Looking ahead to a better future

he start of a new year is usually welcome news – and the start of 2021 is more welcome than most after what has been a terrible 12 months. Last year had more than its fair share of challenges from beginning to end. A record-breaking wet winter, a dry spring and the worst harvest for decades. And that’s before we’ve even mentioned the coronavirus pandemic. The new year allows us to look to the future. And we do so in the belief that things will be better – and certainly in the hope that they won’t be any worse. It is fair to say that farming faces some big challenges – many of them bigger than those faced by other sectors of the economy. As well as Brexit, growers and livestock producers face the biggest changes to farm support for some 50 years. Direct payments – a vital source of income for many farm businesses – start to be phased out this year. Due to be gone within seven years, they will be replaced by a new system of support requir-

Contents

ing farmers to undertake environmental work on their land. In this issue of Midland Farmer, we look at the implications of this major change in farm policy. Direct payments make up the bulk of profits on many farms. Without them, it is clear that farmers will have to work harder to stay in business. It is clear too that early planning will be key. The farmers best placed to survive – and indeed thrive – will be those who run a tight ship by astutely optimising their output and income streams while keeping a lid on production costs. It’s easier said than done, of course. But it has seldom been more important. And as farm business consultants point out, there are still great opportunities to improve financial performance in many sectors of the farming industry. If we get it right, a stronger and more resilient farming industry will be best able to meet many of the challenges that lie ahead – this year and beyond. Happy New Year – and all the best for 2021.

Vol 10 • No 1 • January 2021

News .................................................................... 4

Seed varieties ................................................ 29

Arable .................................................................. 8

Livestock .......................................................... 33

In the field ........................................................12

Midland Machinery .................................... 37

Spring crop management ........................... 17

Final say ........................................................... 39

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News Step-change beckons for agriculture in 2021 • Phase-out starts for direct payments • Bigger focus on profitable enterprises • Opportunity to improve performance

rowers and livestock producers are being urged to adjust quickly to a brave new world which includes the phasing out of direct support. The coming year will see a step-change for UK agriculture – and a new business environment which is likely to be more testing, according to an Outlook 2021 report by Andersons farm business consultants. “The hope is that 2021 will see life return to the ‘old normal’ after the upheaval of Covid-19 – however the farming sector faces a further set of challenges,” said Richard King, Andersons partner and head of business research. “The end of the transition period marks the start of the real Brexit. The friction in trade between ourselves and our trading partner will be much greater – leading to higher costs which may well be passed back down the supply chain.” Independent trade deals with

other countries could be on the horizon said Mr King. While this might be good for some sectors, it could be bad for others – and it could pose a special challenge for farmers. “The danger here is that access to our agricultural market is granted in return for concessions elsewhere. UK farmers could be faced with low-cost competition, possibly produced to different standards.”

Productivity This year will also see direct payments start to be phased out. Payments to farmers will be halved by 2024 and gone altogether by the end of 2027. This means some farmers will have to increase their productivity to stay in business. Recouping any lost money will take time and effort, said Mr King. “There will be less support as of right – and land managers will be expected to deliver something

to society in return for the funds they receive.” This should not necessarily be something to be feared. There were still great opportunities to improve financial performance in all sectors of the farming industry, said Mr King. “Without the distorting effects of direct support, there can be a greater focus on the areas of activity on farm that actually make a profit. Over time, a stronger, more resilient industry should be able to meet many of the challenges that lie ahead.” Tenant Farmers Association chairman Mark Coulman said 2021 would be a year for big decisions. Individual farmers needed to decide if the future was one within which they could see their businesses thrive. “There has been a significant amount of interest in the Basic Payment Scheme lump sum exit proposals, particularly among farm tenants who are towards

the end of farming careers and without clear routes for the succession of those businesses. “Further details about how that scheme will run should be available in the early part of the year and I fully expect a significant number of individuals to see that as a viable option to take when it becomes available in 2022.”

The future will see a stronger, more resilient industry, says Richard King

Support available as loneliness and anxiety rise

ural insurer NFU Mutual has launched a winter campaign to support people who are finding things difficult. Coronavirus lockdown measures are taking their toll on the mental health of communities across the UK, according to NFU Mutual research. More people are feeling stressed (+7%), anxious (+3%) and lonely (+2%) than six months ago. The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust donated over £1m to 20 UK charities in 2020. Increased donations were made possible by an additional pledge of £750,000

4 MIDLAND FARMER • JANUARY 2021

to help support organisations through the coronavirus crisis. The insurer is working with the Samaritans to share the charity’s tools and resources. The charity’s Real People, Real Stories campaign aims to reach people most at risk – particularly men aged 20-59 – in the agricultural industries. NFU Mutual head of reputation Jo Lumani said: “We‘re proud to be championing the Samaritans as they work to support those facing isolation. The emotional and practical support offered around the clock is vital for all our communities.”

The Samaritans currently responds to a call for help every seven seconds. The charity is open day and night, 365 days a year, and provides support through a listening service – including by phone, email and letter. In the six months since March 2020, volunteers have provided emotional support more than 1.2m times. Some 1-in-5 calls for help are about coronavirus, with volunteers suggesting it is mentioned in almost all calls. Anyone can contact the Samaritans free on 116 123. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. You can also visit www.samaritans.org.

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News

New chair for Red Tractor assurance scheme

hristine Tacon (right) has been appointed chair of Assured Food Standards – the company which operates the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme. The former Groceries Code Adjudicator replaces Dame Lucy Neville-Rolfe, who announced she was standing down last year after opposing measures designed to prevent farmers from being undermined by substandard food imports. Ms Tacon joins Red Tractor with decades of experience as a leader and advocate for the British food and farming industry and with an extensive background in change management, regulation and the food chain. She ran the Co-operative Group’s farming business – the largest of its kind in the UK – for more than a decade. In 2004, she was awarded a CBE for services to agriculture and she is a direc-

tor of the £250m farm input purchasing AF Group. Until October 2020, Ms Tacon was a responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice by large grocery retailers. Her job was to ensure big supermarkets deal fairly with their direct farm suppliers. Ms Tacon said: “With uncertainty on standards of food imported into the UK post Brexit, this is a great time to be working on British standards and ensuring they are fit for purpose for all its stakeholders.”

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son lamb came onto the market. It focused on promoting lamb’s versatility and ease of cooking – particularly around barbecue season. The £440k campaign – which ran in July and August – included radio sponsorship, print and digital advertising. It generated a return of £5.59 for every £1 spent on the activity and sales of an additional 261t of fresh lamb. An extra 272,000 shoppers purchased fresh lamb after seeing the campaign. It used money from a £3.5m fund of money from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Hybu cig Cymru and Quality Meat Scotland. A joint statement from the three levy boards said: “We’re confident that the positive results leaving lamb top of mind for dinner inspiration will have carried over into the early Autumn as we moved into Septembers Love Lamb Week.

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Arable Wheat area rebounds as oilseed rape continues to decline • Better autumn affects plantings • Growers opt for less risky crops • Concerns remain over ﬂea beetle

ilseed rape plantings have fallen to their lowest for almost 35 years, reveals the latest Early Bird sowing survey by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. At 318,000ha, the UK oilseed rape area is at its lowest since 1986 – a decline accelerated by tough weather and crop losses last year, as growers show caution about its economic viability and pest prevalence. The survey also confirms a resurgence in winter wheat plantings – helped by better autumn conditions. The estimated wheat area stands at 1.815m hectares, up 28.3% on last year but in line with the five-year average of 1.802m hectares (2015-19).

Better drilling AHDB analyst Anthony Speight said there had been a significant increase in

8 MIDLAND FARMER • JANUARY 2021

“

Drilling has gone significantly better than last season

the overall winter cereal area. “Drilling has reportedly gone significantly better than last year, when many growers struggled to get crops in the ground due to wet conditions. “The exception is oilseed rape which continues to decrease, with many growers challenged by the threat of cabbage stem ﬂea beetle, but this has led to some more niche crops gaining ground.” Winter barley has also seen an increase in intended area after poor weather in late 2019 led to a widespread switch to spring cropping. This season, an estimated 394,000ha is intended for winter barley, up 24% year on year.

Spring barley Equally, the area intended for spring barley has fallen by 30% on last year to 767,000ha. Despite the decline, this area still remains slightly above the five-year average of 711,000ha. The drop in rape has resulted in a growth in other break crops, with oats continuing to increase by 3.6%. Other cereals, such as rye, triticale and

mixed grains, are seen to be increasing by 40.8% and pulses by 7%. The AHDB Early Bird Survey is carried out each autumn. It is undertaken by the Andersons Centre, with the help of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) and other agronomists.

Cropping intentions This year’s survey covers 615,000ha. It represents some 13% of the UK area for the crops surveyed. Data was collected for provisional results up until 25 November 2020 and will be finalised later. The survey is used to estimate the cropping intentions of UK farmers. A more detailed regional update is due to be calculated following Defra’s release of its final UK production estimates in December. In previous years, the survey has proved to be an accurate forecast of actual harvested areas. However, the final harvested area and yields depend on weather conditions throughout the season.

Fewer growers are drilling oilseed rape, confirms the survey

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Arable

Ballot confirmed on potato board future

he Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board has formally announced a balloton the continuation of the statutory potato levy. It will go ahead next month. The yes-or-no vote on the future of AHDB Potatoes and the work it delivers on behalf of potato growers and buyers will take place from midFebruary 2021 for four weeks. It will follow a separate ballot on the statutory levy for horticulture. The potato vote comes after 8.5% of potato levy payers – equivalent to 176 potato growing or buying businesses – submitted valid requests for a ballot. Under statute, 5% of levy payers are needed to request a ballot for it to proceed. The AHDB will contact potato growers and buyers in the coming weeks to ensure they are aware of the ballot. Each potato growing or buying business who has paid levy in the 12 months up to the ballot closing is entitled to one vote. All potatoes levy payers are invited make their vote count and the AHDB

is holding a series of virtual ‘town hall’ meetings in January and February during which it will put its case for the levy body to continue. The AHDB will highlight its delivery record and its new strategy for the potato sector. It is also encouraging levy payers to explore a new area of the AHDB website to find out what they get for their levy at ahdb.org. uk/potato-levy.

“

We want our levy payers to make an informed decision about our continued existence Nicholas Saphir

AHDB chairman Nicholas Saphir urged all potato growers and associated businesses to talk to us about the AHDB about its work and future plans – either through the town hall meetings or one-to-one with regional knowledge exchange managers. “We are in no way underestimating the huge variation in sentiment towards AHDB but we also want our levy payers to make an informed decision about our continued existence and what they would lose if the levy was stopped.” The ballot will be run by an independent company called UK Engage. Once complete, the results of the ballot will be submitted to the farm ministers in England, Wales and Scotland, who will decide on the future of the statutory potato levy.

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Arable

Fieldwork looks towards spring this month

IN THE FIELD

Growers should keep a watching brief on crops – but avoid rushing in, says Richard Overthrow

anuary can still hold opportunities for drilling if required – either late winter crops or early spring varieties. If you find yourself eager to plant early spring crops, remember this will not necessarily lead to better crops, it is purely a logistical measure. Next month is plenty early enough to be seriously thinking about spring crop drilling. Infections of mildew and yellow rust in wheat were reported last month and if insufficient cold weather has occurred these diseases will still be around. If still present these need watching though should only be treated if the life of the crop is threatened. Hopefully, we can address these infections with a T0 fungicide though this is a long way off. With last autumn being not too dissimilar to the previous one, many winter cereal crops will have been sown but not treated with pre-emergence herbicides, due to limited opportunities. Many will therefore be relying on contact products such as Broadway Star, or for black-grass Hamlet or Atlantis. These should be applied sooner rather than later before target weeds become too large so look out for suitable weather windows to get them on as soon as is practical.

Target weeds If the target weeds are known 12 MIDLAND FARMER • JANUARY 2021

spring germinators such as meadow brome however, some delay may be necessary to allow the weed population to appear. In some areas winter wheat sowing continued into December so once again there will be a number of late developing or backward crops that will need careful management. Late sown and backward cereal crops will need fairly prompt first nitrogen applications in order to discourage tiller loss – but they won’t respond to anything applied this month. It’s unlikely that ground conditions will allow top dressing anyway, but any nitrogen applied so far ahead of the start of spring growth will be wasted.

Oilseed rape Many oilseed rape crops have established and grown well so should be examined to determine canopy size, with a view to future fertiliser management. If still large and three-dimensional as the first nitrogen timing approaches, the total nitrogen ap-

plied should be reduced from the usual 200-plus kg/ha of nitrogen. Some crops will have no such concerns, however, with canopies that are plenty small enough. There may also still be outstanding applications of propyzamide or carbetamide to be applied to oilseed rape. If there are any treatments still to go on, cutoff for Kerb (and Astrokerb) is the end of January, and for Crawler the end of February. Oilseed rape crops may still show fresh infections of phoma, however any infections developing now are unlikely to affect yield as there won’t be sufficient

“

Better spray opportunities may arrive later but this usually means weeds are bigger and harder to control

Mildew now should be treated with a T0 fungicide later

Timely tips • Start thinking about drilling spring crops • Backward crops need careful management • Apply contact sprays before weeds get too large • Be aware of wheat mildew and rust • Look for light leaf spot on rape

time to form stem cankers. Any mild and wet periods from now on may encourage light leaf spot however, so further treatment for this, at or even before stem extension, cannot be ruled out even if autumn treatment was applied. › Richard Overthrow is a regional agronomist with NIAB TAG, the UK’s largest independent agronomy organisation with several research centres in the Midlands. For more details, call 01223 342495.

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Arable

First ever sugar beet pricing platform launched • Growers can lock into sugar prices • Benefits across the UK supply chain • Project to be rolled out if successful

rowers can now manage and fix their own sugar beet prices following the launch of the first ever sugar beet pricing platform. The pricing platform enables growers to take advantage of new futures-based contracts agreed between NFU Sugar and British Sugar in its latest contract offer. It has been developed by supply chain service company Czarnikow. Offered via Czarnikow’s client platform, Czapp, the platform will initially be tested by a pilot group of growers as part of a year-long pilot programme. The intention is then to roll it out more widely across sugar beet contracts. The pilot will allow growers and British Sugar to price beet independently of each other for the first time ever. This means

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growers can lock in prices when it is attractive to them and British Sugar will only have to pay the price that they have independently set. NFU Sugar board chairman Michael Sly said: “This is a hugely exciting project and something we have been working hard on for a number of years, in response to calls from growers for more control over their sugar beet price.” Growers will be able to see the realtime value of the sugar they are growing in their crop for the first time ever. They will then be able to make independent pricing decisions based on that pricing data. Mr Sly said: “This can be a win-win for the industry. It will give growers ﬂexibility to lock in >>

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Farmers will have more control over prices, says Michael Sly JANUARY 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 15

Arable >> attractive prices at a time to suit them and take the opportunity and risk the market offers them into their own hands.” Czarnikow director Jonathan Williams said the pricing platform had taken a lot of creative thinking from NFU Sugar and British Sugar. Growers and the processor would both benefit by taking direct control of their own price management. “Independent pricing is here to stay, and it’s only going to increase in volume and sophistication in future years,” said Mr Williams. British Sugar agriculture director Peter Watson said the processor had recognised the desire in some growers to take more risk and price their own crop. The new contract agreed with NFU Sugar would allow this to happen. “This year’s pilot scheme is truly innovative for the sugar beet sector with growers able to take positions on the sugar market for a proportion of their crop, much in the same way as other cereals crops. An exciting opportunity for all in the future.”

NFU denies secret lobbying on neonicotinoids The NFU has rejected claims that it secretly lobbied the government for growers to use banned pesticides on sugar beet. Environmental campaigner George Monbiot accused NFU Sugar of campaigning “behind closed doors” after the union asked growers to not to publicise a letter written to Defra secretary George Eustice.The letter – in support of an application for farmers to use neonicotinoid treated seed – highlighted the problems experienced by growers who have seen crops devastated by virus yellows

disease. NFU Sugar chairman Michael Sly said the reason that the letter was not forwarded or circulated more widely was because the specific nature of the application meant it only applied to sugar beet growers. Mr Sly said there were currently no other effective protections against virus yellows, which threatened the viability of home-grown sugar. He added: “The application was not made in secret, in fact it was reported on in the media.”

Seminar looks at brackish water for irrigation Using brackish water for irrigation will be discussed by experts attending an online seminar. Water resources for irrigation in eastern areas are likely to come under increasing pressure from the slow creep of saline intrusion below ground. This means coastal soils could be exposed to greater levels of salinity. The threat of saltwater inundation from ﬂooding has also focus attention on water resources.

Salinity is often associated with more arid parts of the world, but there has been less research in northern European climates. But the potential to grow viable crops under more saline conditions – whether from more brackish irrigation water or due a coastal ﬂood, is being explored by the EU Interreg project SalFar – or Saline Farming. The project involves partners from seven countries. In the UK,

Iain Gould is the lead researcher for the team at Lincoln University. He will present the project’s findings this month to a meeting of the UK Irrigation Association. AHDB-funded trials by the Innovative Farmers Field lab are also researching using brackish water for potato irrigation. The UKIA seminar takes place on at 10am on 13 January. For details, visit www.bit.ly/ brackishwater

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Spring crop management Roadshows give low-down on spring pulse options • Four events cover all crop aspects • Follows launch of descriptive list • Better meets grower requirements

rowers looking to sow pulses this spring are invited to take part in a series of seminars this month – to learn more about optimising the crop in the rotation. Hosted by the Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) and Syngenta, the four Pulse Roadshow events are taking place online due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The four webinars will cover four distinct topics. They include different varieties and the market; pest management and IPM strategies for pulses; disease control; and weed control in field beans (see timetable, below).

The events will cover technical aspects of growing pulses, says Roger Vickers

Speakers include technical experts and researchers from the PGRO and Syngenta, as well as Frontier pulse manager Andy Bury. It follows the online launch of the PGRO’s descriptive list of varieties last autumn. The new list format replaces the recommended list which had been in existence for more than 35 years, publishing data on how prominent and novel pulse seeds have performed in independent trials.

Technical insight PGRO chief executive Roger Vickers said the new format replaced a yieldfocused system. It provided growers with valuable independent data which encouraged breeding innovation and market development. “As the role of pulses in rotations has grown and evolved, we feel a descriptive list is much more in line with modern grower requirements and will enable us to showcase a wider range of varieties to suit different systems.”

A challenging season meant lower pulse yields during harvest 2020. But Mr Vickers said he was pleased that the roadshows were going ahead in 2021 and the events would help growers get the best from their crops. He added: “I’m keen to harness digital platforms to continue to bring growers together and offer knowledge and insight on some of the more technical aspects of growing peas and beans successfully. “While we can’t meet in person and enjoy a social element to the roadshows, the webinar format gives us new opportunities to reach more growers who can join us from their farms or workplace and I am looking forward to a great turnout this year.” Syngenta’s Rebecca Stilton said: “Pulse growers will have some new crop protection options for next season. The PGRO and Syngenta roadshows are the ideal way for growers and agronomists to keep up to date with all the latest developments.”

WEBINAR TIMETABLE 18 January: Andy Bury from Frontier Agriculture and PGRO principal technical oﬃcer Stephen Belcher will discuss the market for pulses and varieties for the market. Ref: CP00912010. 19 January: Pest management and IPM strategies for pulses with Dr Max Newbert from Syngenta and Dr Becky Howard from the PGRO. Ref: CP00912011. 20 January: Syngenta technical manager Michael Tait and PGRO plant pathjologist Dr Lea Herold will talk about disease control in field beans. Ref: CP00912012. 21 January: Weed control options in peas and beans with PGRO principal technical oﬃcer Jim Scrimshaw. CP009012013. Meetings start at 9am on Zoom on the date indicated. BASIS and NRoSo points will be available for attending – with details to follow after the meetings takes place. Register at www.syngenta.co.uk/events. Alternatively, email syn.events@syngenta.com with the subject line: ‘PGRO/SYN 2021’ and the ‘CP’ event reference number or call 0800 652 4216.

JANUARY 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 17

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Spring crop management

Online pesticide guide includes comparison tool

host of new features are included in the latest Online UK Pesticide Guide published by the British Crop Production Council. The online version of the UK Pesticide Guide – known as the ‘Green Book’ – includes an easy-to-use product search and comparison tool. It details all pesticides, plant growth regulators and adjuvants that can be legally used in the UK. The resource is used throughout the agriculture, horticulture, forestry, amenity and pest control sectors. It is an essential reference manual for sprayer operators, farmers, park and green-keepers, advisors, agronomists and industry professionals. BCPC general manager Julian Westaway said: “Having access to the latest pesticide information is vital for all those involved in their use and application. This is the one-stop database for all pesticide products approved in the UK. “The online version has undergone

modifications to its look and feel as well as improved functionality to support your crop protection decisions, giving users access to in-depth product data, clearly presented for easy reference.” The product comparison tool allows users to tailor their search by multiple attributes, which can be filtered and sorted. This makes it particularly useful when buying pesticides, allowing comparison between similar products. Users can to select products with simpler buffer zone requirements to reduce the complexity of recent pesticide regulations and aid compliance. It is also useful for planning pesticide use, accessing product information and safety data sheets. The 2021 UK Pesticide Guide print version, now in its 34th edition, goes on sale in January 2021, and includes a crop-pest index, pesticide profiles, suppliers and distributor contact information, and key information on

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pesticide use and legislation. The new platform is optimised for PC and tablet use and regularly updated. An annual subscription to the Online UK Pesticide Guide costs £70+VAT. It is available at www. ukpesticideguide.co.uk. The print version is available for £59.50 + P&P, with 50% discount for users with an online subscription. Up to three BASIS points and two NRoSO points are available depending on the purchase option.

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Spring crop management

LG Raptor ‘could outyield market leader’ by next season

pring bean LG Raptor continues to produce outstanding yields and has moved to a P2 rating at 105% over control on the latest PGRO descriptive list. “Yield is the most important factor for spring beans, and is a major focus in our breeding programme,” says Limagrain UK pulse breeder Will Pillinger. Raptor showed excellent uniformity last season which translated into a uniform sample, he added. “The success of this approach can be seen as LG Raptor moves closer to recommendation offering extremely high yield potential that could see it out-yielding the market leader by next season,” says Mr Pillinger. But high yields need to be backed up by solid agronomics and traits. Mr Pillinger says Raptor achieves this, being fairly early to mature. It also

stands well and offers a good disease package including rust. This combination of traits makes it an enticing variety. LG Raptor is suitable for human consumption, fish feed and animal protein markets so offers a range of different opportunities for growers in 2021/22. Tom Barker, pulses product manager for Limagrain UK, sums the variety up. LG Raptor’s consistent yields and disease resistance package mean it will be taking a big bite into the spring bean acreage, he says. Large blue pea LG Aviator has also moved to a P2 rating with a yield rating of 103% over control. It is one of only three varieties listed to offer resistance to powdery mildew – and is rated 7 when it comes to tolerance to downy mildew. For each node that LG Aviator

produces, there are three pods. With more pods at the top of the plant rather than spread through the plant, it makes for more even maturity with less competition for light – helping to build yield. Agronomically there is much to like about the variety, says Mr Pillinger. “It’s early, and has good ratings for standing ability and straw length (6) – making it one of the best agronomic packages of any other provisionally rated varieties.”

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Spring crop management

Accurate application still key to blackgrass conundrum

wo Avadex applicators supplied by Cambridgeshire-based Techneat Engineering are helping to ensure blackgrass control on a Wiltshire farm. Targeted use of Avadex (tri-allate) alongside regular roguing, cultural systems and

sterile seedbeds are all part of a successful blackgrass strategy employed by farm manager Tom Hallett across 1,640ha for JM Stratton & Co at East Farm, near Codford. “Although we have worked extremely hard to reduce our overall blackgrass burden to a

manageable level in most fields, its unlikely we will eradicate it completely,” he says. “The whole issue now is one of containment and targeted control.”

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winter barley, where chemical options are much more limited than on winter wheat. Mr Hallett purchased the first of two Avacast GR applicators from Techneat Engineering in 2015. The busy autumn period meant the farm had not always able to secure an Avadex contractor within the critical 48 hour window following drilling, he explains. Both Avacast applicators are mounted on 6m drills. Avadex Excel 15G granules are applied at the same time as seed is drilled – saving both fuel costs and time by removing an additional pass with a machine.

Smart move “This also helps maintain our system of controlled traffic and protects the soil,” says Mr Hallett. “They’re accurate and simple to operate with metering matched to the forward speed of the drill.” Investing in two applicators was a smart move, he adds. “I would estimate that we’ve now recouped most of the original investment costs on the applicators from what we’ve subsequently saved on contractors during the same period.” The set-up on both machines is straightforward. The Avacast hopper is positioned just in

front of the drill to make it more accessible for refilling. Spreader plates are correctly positioned every 500mm along the full width of the drill. This provides a double overlap and even distribution of the Avadex granules. Mr Hallett says it is also important to ensure the plates are positioned well behind any soil disturbance so Avadex doesn’t contact the seed.

Good coverage “We calibrate once before use and the machines are as accurate now as the day we bought them,” says Mr Hallett. Avadex is applied at exactly 15kg/ha. In optimum conditions, drilling at a speed of 10-11kph we can apply up to 50ha of Avadex per day, although this is tempered by some smaller fields and fields further away from the main farm. Technical back up and support from Techneat on both minor repairs and during the initial set-up period was excellent, adds Mr Hallett. No modifications or alterations have been required since purchase. “Going forward we also have the option to use both applicators to spread slug pellets whilst establishing rape or to apply cover crops if desired. The range of potential options is definitely another bonus.”

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Spring crop management

Tiller for easier cover crop incorporation

uhn Farm Machinery has launched a shallow soil cultivator for the breakdown and incorporation into soils of cover crops, other plant residues and organic manures. The EL Biomulch is a development within Kuhn’ established EL Cultitiller range. It is aimed at farms seeking to improve soil organic matter levels through the increased use of cover crops and organic fertilisers. Kuhn says the machine has potential to reduce the need for plant desiccating agrochemicals and can aid incorporation for biofumigation and have a role in cultivating grassland for renewal or following crops. The EL Biomulch is currently available in a 3m working width, designed to work at up to 10kph ds.qxp_Layout 16/05/2019 09:06 Page and is1suitable for tractors up to16 160hp. It is particularly effective in combination with a front mounted shredder when working

in tall and dense cover crops. The rotor is fitted with 72 angled blades giving a complete mulching operation across the full working width. Blades have a 95° degree angle to maximise the effectiveness of root and plant residue destruction while avoiding soil smearing and crust formation. The machine is designed to

operate within the top 3-5cm of the soil. Working depth controlled by four adjustable wheels at the front of the machine. Adjustments can be made and depth gauges ensure the machine is always set level. A hydraulically adjustable hood allows close control of the finish and can be operated from the tractor cab. The machine

can be used with the hood fully closed for increased safety when working near public spaces. Designed to the same mechanical specification as Kuhn’s EL Cultitillers, the EL Biomulch has a heavy duty duplex gearbox and adjustable rotor speeds to allow adaption for different applications.

The EL Biomulch in combination with a front mounted shredder

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Spring crop management

New agronomy service for regenerative agriculture

new agronomy service has launched for farmers adopting regenerative agriculture techniques. The Groundswell Agronomy and Consultancy service aims to provide all sectors of agriculture with the solutions they need to maintain and improve farm business profitability in the face of a gradual reduction in basic payments. It is the brainchild of Groundswell show and conference co-founder John Cherry and his agronomist Richard Harding. Regenerative agriculture is a system with three key principles at its core, permanent soil cover, diverse cover crops and direct drilling. Mr Cherry said the service would reimagine the way agronomy is practiced, help re-introduce livestock enterprises in innovative ways, focus on “stacking” farm enterprises to maximise profitability and seek to move towards a circular economy.

“The service is available to any farmers interested in investigating anything from a complete system rethink or just one technique of conservation or regenerative agriculture. It can be tailored to provide as much, or as little, ongoing support as required.” Mr Cherry, of Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire, added: “Farmers often talk of feeling isolated when surrounded by peers who may or may not be supportive of a change to the radically different farming system from the one they are used to. “Groundswell Agronomy advisers will provide the advice needed to ensure your rural business is financially resilient and agronomically sustainable whatever your farming system; arable, mixed farming, horticulture or mainly livestock.” The service will include farmerled collaborative research with each Groundswell agronomist acting as a

facilitator of this work, combined with financial and physical benchmarking of small regional farmer groups. Regenerative agriculture required a long term approach and research would drive innovation, said Mr Harding. “The core underlying value of the service is independent advice and knowledge transfer through industrywide collaboration.”

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Seed varieties RECOMMENDED LIST 2021

Revised disease ratings for recommended list varieties • Wheat rust ratings now weighted • 21 cereal varieties are added to list • Better resistance and higher yields

ajor changes to wheat rust disease-resistance ratings are included in the latest Recommended List for cereals and oilseeds. Published by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, the 2021/22 Recommended List also sees the introduction of new disease ratings for winter rye (brown rust) and winter triticale (yellow rust). AHDB list manager Paul Gosling said the latest list offered a rich mixture of broad-appeal and niche varieties – serving as a foundation for integrated pest management (IPM) and brings opportunities for a wide range of markets.

“

Ratings are now more sensitive to changes in rust populations

eties removed. Five new Group 3 biscuit winter wheats had been added, some with potential for distilling and export. Two new hard Group 4s provide extra options for growers. The Group 4 varieties include a specific recommendation for resistance to Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) to the RL for the first time. A new soft Group 4 variety with excellent distilling quality also features for the north region. Five new feed varieties feature on the list for winter barley. Three new two-row varieties offer improved yield, as well as good agronomics and quality. Two new six-row varieties offer better disease resistance and untreated yields.

Yield increases The two new spring barley varieties bring welcome advances. One is under test for brewing and potentially offers large yield increases over the current market leaders.The other, a feed barley, delivers strong yield and good overall agronomics. For the first time, the winter oilseed rape list includes pod-shatter resistance data. The five new varieties, all hybrids, bring modest improvements in yield and disease resistance, compared with established varieties. Although most oilseed rape recommendations are for the East/ West region, a newly listed variety offers particularly strong yields for the North region. For variety details, see page 30.

More sensitive “Wheat brown rust and yellow rust ratings are now weighted, so the most recent years’ results have the largest inﬂuence on the rating. This makes the rating more sensitive to changes in rust populations, while still building on a valuable three-year data set.” For wheat yellow rust and spring oat mildew, the AHDB has also changed the way it calculates disease ratings, relative to our susceptible and resistant variety fixed points, said Mr Gosling. ‘This reset means, compared with the previous edition, the same amount of disease will result in a lower rating score,” he explained. “For rust, some varieties have dropped by as much as three rating points. We stress this is largely due to the way we calculate the ratings, rather than an indication of a major shift in rust races in 2020.” New additions The latest recommended list sees the addition of 21 varieties, with 25 vari-

Early Yellow Rust

JANUARY 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 29

Seed varieties

Latest varieties ‘meet complex agronomic challenges’ The latest Recommended Lists aim to help growers meet the complex agronomic challenges they face in 2021/22 – and beyond, says the AHDB. WINTER WHEAT New Group 3 biscuit wheat LG Prince combines group-leading UK treated yield (103% of control varieties), with good disease resistance, though the lower specific weight of 74.8 kg/hl may not suit everyone. Stablemate from Limagrain, LG Illuminate, is just behind on UK treated yield (102%) and offers better specific weight, at 76.6 kg/ hl, and a good disease package. Its earlier maturity (+1), good northern yield and distilling potential may attract northern growers. LG Quasar offers a similar package to LG Illuminate, with slightly lower quality, while LG Astronomer, though a little behind on yield, has a very good disease-resistance package, including a septoria tritici rating of 7.4, combined with a specific weight of 77.8 kg/hl. However, a mildew rating of 4 and North yield of 98% may limit its appeal. The last of the new biscuit wheats is Merit from Elsoms – recommended for the East. Its yield in the East is especially good and a Hagberg Falling Number of 255 and specific weight of 76.5 kg/hl will prove attractive. Its disease-resistance package is only let down by a mildew rating of 3. All

new soft Group 3s have resistance to orange wheat blossom midge. The other new winter wheats also have interesting stories. They include KWS Cranium (hard Group 4), which has good UK treated yield (104%), a reasonable disease-resistance package and quality, with a Hagberg Falling Number of 277 and specific weight of 75.4kg/hl. But it is its late-sown yield (sown after 1 November) of 108% of controls that stands out. Although based on a more limited data set, it will pique the interest of many growers, especially those with one eye on blackgrass control. The other new hard Group 4 feed wheat is RAGT Wolverine

– first to be awarded the new specialist BYDV-resistant category. But its yield is a little behind the leading feed varieties, and ratings for septoria (5.3) and yellow rust (5) may put off some growers. The final new winter wheat is the soft Group 4 variety Swallow, with recommendation for the North region. Limited data reveals it has a relatively early and good yield, which will appeal to northern growers. But its main talking point is that it has been rated good for distilling, with consistent performance over the last three years – comfortably outperforming all other varieties in 2020 distilling tests. Under high BYDV pressure in the Lincs trial RGT Wolverine (left) had significantly fewer symptoms compared with the control varieties

WINTER OILSEED RAPE The five new winter oilseed rape varieties are all hybrids. With UK recommendation, LG Aviron equals the top-yielding variety in the East/West region at 109% of control gross output. Aviron also has a good northern yield at 105%, making it the second-highest yielding variety in the North. It also features good disease resistance, including to Turnip yellows virus (TuYV), in addition to pod-shatter resistance. LG Antigua is recommended for the East/West region and 30 MIDLAND FARMER • JANUARY 2021

equals the East/West yield of LG Aviron (109%). It also has good disease resistance (including TuYV) and pod-shatter resistance. Also recommended for the East/West region, DK Expectation, from Bayer, has a gross output of 107%. Its good disease package includes a resistance rating of 8 for stem canker, as well as TuYV resistance and pod-shatter resistance. A further East/West recommendation is Respect, from LS Plant Breeding, with a gross out-

put of 106% and a stem canker resistance score of 8. However, it lacks pod-shatter and TuYV resistance. The final addition is herbicide-tolerant variety DK Imprint CL, from Bayer, with UK recommendation. It has an East/ West gross output of 95% and North gross output of 91%. Once again, stem canker resistance is good (rating of 8) and it features pod-shatter resistance. The variety has a light leaf spot rating of 6 but does not have TuYV resistance.

SPRING BARLEY A new spring barley variety for brewing, Skyway from Agrii, offers a significant yield improvement over the market leaders, with the UK treated yield of 106% of controls, with a similar yield in the East and 108% in the West. Specific weight is very good at 68.7 kg/hl. Although data is limited, good disease resistance is suggested by its untreated yield of 96%. As with all malting varieties, the success of Skyway will depend on its commercial malting qualities. Farmers should speak to merchants before drilling to help establish market potential. The single sfeed variety added is Cadiz from Senova, with recommendation for the East and West regions – with treated yields of 105% and 106%, respectively (based on limited data). Its untreated yield of 94% suggests good disease resistance. Specific weight is good at 67.4 kg/hl.

WINTER BARLEY Three new two-row feed barley varieties all sport UK treated yields of 106% of controls. KWS Tardis has a specific weight of 69.1 kg/hl, with a good disease package and untreated yield. Bolton, from Elsoms Ackermann, also has a good specific weight (68.6 kg/hl) and disease package. Bordeaux, from Senova, has a very good specific weight of 69.9 kg/hl. It comes with a reasonable disease package, but a rating of 4 for rhyncho-sporium and net blotch. Two new six-row hybrid feed varieties from Syngenta show improved disease resistance and good yields. SY Kingston has a treated UK yield of 107%, excellent specific weight of 69.7 kg/hl, a good disease package and an untreated yield of 88%. SY Thunderbolt, also with 107% UK treated yield, has a specific weight of 69.6 kg/hl, a good disease-resistance package and an untreated yield of 88%. Both varieties are also relatively early maturing (-1).

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Livestock Farm leaders join forces to oppose live export ban • Export ban possible after Brexit • Defra sides with welfare lobby • Trade in livestock ‘is essential’

ndustry leaders are taking joint action to ensure livestock exports can continue after the government unveiled plans to ban the trade. Proposals to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening were published by Defra last month. The government said it marked the start of a renewed push to strengthen the UK’s position as a world leader on animal welfare. The proposals form part of an eightweek consultation seeking views on how to better protect animal welfare during transport. Defra said livestock commonly endured excessively long journeys during exports, causing distress and injury.

The government wants sheep slaughtered prior to export

one of 29 organisations who signed a joint industry letter to government, highlighting the major disruption that could be on the cards for animal exports.

High welfare Association chief executive Phil Stocker said: “We really need clarity and support from government to ensure that high welfare animal exports continue. Unfortunately, whether we reach a [Brexit] deal or not, we are not out of the woods.” Sheep producers have already faced years of uncertainty due to Brexit. Proposed changes to legislation and the bureaucracy would no doubt cause further interruption for animal exports, added Mr Stocker. “We hope that by combining forces as an industry, Defra will respond to the positive suggestions in this letter

‘Needless stress’ Defra secretary George Eustice said: “Now that we have left the EU, we have an opportunity to end this unnecessary practice. We want to ensure that animals are spared stress prior to slaughter.” Some 6,400 animals are transported from the UK directly to slaughter in continental Europe annually, according to Defra figures. Animal welfare campaigners have long called for the trade the be outlawed. But farm leaders are fighting back. The National Sheep Association is

and make some further policy changes even at this late stage that could at least reduce some of the disruption.” The RSPCA said sheep and dairy calves were among the livestock most commonly exported from the UK on gruelling journeys that could last tens of hours, exhausting the animals and causing suffering and even death.

UK standards Long journeys could cause fear, exhaustion and dehydration. Animals were sometimes exposed to temperature extremes and lack of food, water or rest. Once they had left the country, heir welfare was also no longer protected by UK standards. RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said the charity shared the government’s goal to ban live exports. There is absolutely no reasonable justification to subject an animal to an unnecessarily stressful journey abroad simply for them to be fattened for slaughter. “Banning live exports for slaughter and further fattening would be a landmark achievement for animal welfare. We’re also encouraged to see that the government will also consult on reduced maximum journey times for all transported animal.” Mr Sherwood said the RSPCA had received overwhelming public support for a ban. “It’s clear that bringing a complete end to live animal exports would be very well received, and of course make an enormous difference to the welfare of the animals.”

Breakfast Club launched for sheep producers

n online Breakfast Club aims to help sheep producers adjust to a new way of working following the end of the Brexit transition period. Launched by the National Sheep Association, the club will bring farmers together for a weekly online breakfast seminar. The webinars will be held on four consecutive Wednesdays starting at 8.30am on 20 January.

Each week, the one-hour webinar will see industry leaders and experts deliver concise and useful information to help sheep farmers improve their businesses during what continues to be an uncertain time for the sector. The webinars will include NSA office holders and corporate supporters. NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “We hope they will be engaging and useful short sessions

that can be enjoyed over breakfast before the day’s jobs really begin.” The four sessions will cover changes to existing UK trade deals, the future of UK farm support, the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme and a focus on differences to legislation between the UK’s four devolved nations. For full details, visit www.bit.ly/sheepbreakfast.

JANUARY 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 33

Livestock

Early maize decisions will help ensure crop success

arly decisions will encourage successful maize crops this year – with newer varieties offering a financial advantage over older cultivars. Varieties which mature at the right time and produce high quality forage should be the objective to optimise return on investment, says Tim Richmond from LG Seeds. Growers should select 2021 varieties soon to get their first-choice option, he adds. Advances in maize breeding mean newer varieties offer a considerable financial advantage over older cultivars. An analysis of LG varieties shows that over the last 17 years, dry matter yield per hectare has increased by 20% or 2.98t/ha. At the same time, starch yield has been increased by 24%, equivalent to over an extra 1 t/ha and ME yield by 27% or an addition-

al 43,750MJ/ha due to a combination of higher yields and superior quality.

Latest genetics “This extra energy is enough to produce an additional 8,200 litres per hectare, delivering an exceptional financial benefit from choosing the latest genetics,” says Mr Richmond. This year, variety availability

Growers should place early orders for imported seed, says Tim Richmond

“It provides a good way to compare varieties and develop a short list to meet your circumstances. Varieties not on the BSPB/NIAB list will have had only limited testing in the UK and are probably not worth growing.”

could be compromised depending on import arrangements.All maize grown in the UK is from imported seed, with potential delays at the ports impacting on available seed at time of sowing. Making the selection soon and getting seed organised early will be a prudent business decision, says Mr Richmond. Growers should use independent data to inform decisions, rather than just taking the breeders word for it, he adds. The BSPB/NIAB Forage Maize Descriptive List organises independent testing for forage maize varieties. It compares the major maize varieties grown in the UK marketplace across the key growing locations.

Mr Richmond advises selecting varieties based on a number of both agronomic and feed quality criteria. The first is maturity. Increasingly the market is moving towards varieties in the early and very early classifications with a FAO rating below FAO 180. They require fewer Ontario Heat Units (OHU) to reach maturity and need a shorter growing season to mature. They can be harvested sooner, in better conditions and ensure a successor crop can be established in good time.”

Comparisons The list compares varieties based on dry matter, yield and quality characteristics. These include starch and energy levels, as well as agronomic data incorporating five years of trials across variable growing seasons.

Yield and quality Once varieties have been identified in the appropriate maturity class, the next stage is to refine the list based on the yield and quality potential of the variety. Mr Richmond stresses the importance of focussing on quality to maximise forage intake potential.

“

Varieties not on the list are probably not worth growing

How to avoid post-weaning growth checks in calves

areful management of dry food intakes is helping a Derbyshire farm achieve exceptional performance from dairy bull calves with no growth checks around weaning. Andy and Sue Collins finish around 60-80 dairy bull calves annually on an intensive system at Park Farm, Stanley. Finished cattle are sold at 12-13 months. Calves are usually purchased direct from local dairy farms at 2-3 weeks old, says Mrs Collins. “We use an Energized Calf Milk twice a day and feed six litres per calf, except in cold weather when we increase this to seven litres but keep the concentration the same. We are looking for calves to double their arrival weight by the time they are weaned.”

Energy supply Calves are mainly Holsteins with a few Montbeliardes and Brown 34 MIDLAND FARMER • JANUARY 2021

explains Mr Ford. The first is a change in the source of energy from milk to solid feeds, he adds.

Andy and Sue Collins finish around 60-80 dairy bull calves annually

Swiss. Mrs Collins is looking for intakes of around 0.5kg/day of concentrates at four weeks old, gradually increasing to close to 1kg/day at six weeks. Weaning starts at around seven weeks old when calves move onto once a day milk feeding to ensure dry feed intakes are adequate to maintain total energy supply. Milk is stopped when intakes of dry feed are 2kg/day.

Massey Feeds ruminant specialist Richard Ford says new high-quality milk replacers mean dairy and dairy cross calves can achieve excellent growth preweaning. However, the momentum can be lost if energy intakes drop resulting in a growth rate check. Calves face considerable challenges around weaning which can increase the risk of a growth check,

Solid feed A three-week old calf receives almost 100% of the energy intake from milk but this proportion reduces as the intake of solid feed increases. At weaning, 100% of energy will come from solid feed and forage, making high dry food intakes critical. “At the same time, we change the energy pathway to the calf,” Mr Ford continues. “In milk replacers, the energy source is predominantly glucose. “Post-weaning the energy source is Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) from rumen fermentation. So not only are we changing the source of energy, but we are also changing the source at a time when the rumen is developing.”

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Midlands January 2021

Machinery

Farm thefts prompt plea to ‘Lock up your 4x4s’ • Thieves target iconic Land Rovers • Traditional Defenders in demand • Criminal gangs scour countryside

surge in thefts of Land Rover Defenders has prompted warnings for farmers to increase security measures as criminal gangs scour the countryside. Thefts of the iconic vehicles are back on the rise after a decrease from AprilJune. Land Rover ceased production of the traditional Defenders in 2016 – and thieves are now targeting the 4x4s for spare parts. NFU Mutual rural Affairs specialist Rebecca Davidson said: “Defenders continue to be a target for thieves and every week farmers and enthusiast owners are waking up to find their precious Land Rovers gone – or stripped of bonnets, doors and wings.” The cost Defender theft increased by 34% to £2.1m in 2019, according to NFU Mutual insurance claim figures. The level of thefts then dipped but over the past few months they have risen once again. Ms Davidson explained: “There’s

“

Farmers are waking up to find their Land Rovers gone.

a burgeoning black market for parts, with many of these beloved classics getting dismantled in driveways and farmyards, or being whisked away to chop shops.” At least four Defender thefts a week were being reported to NFU Mutual in January 2020, with numbers falling to six per month from April to June. But thefts have risen sharply again and are heading back up to pre-Covid levels. Ms Davidson said NFU Mutual was warning people in the countryside to be on high alert. She added: “Trackers, alarms and storing vehicles out of sight have all been effective measures protecting these British icons.” First launched in 1948, Land Rovers have become a prized choice for classic vehicle owners – as well as still being used every day on farms across the country long after the last Defender rolled off the Solihull production line.

Vintage value NFU Mutual has insured thousands of Land Rover Defenders from the days when the first Series I models appeared in the nation’s fields. It is advising owners to use a mixture of physical security and sophisticated electronic measures to protect vehicles. “With prices of Series I models

Partnership helps streamline Trimble Agriculture support. See p38

TOP TIPS

VEHICLE SECURITY Keep the vehicle locked at all times when not in use Fit an accredited alarm for security and tracking device to your vehicle Fit a mechanical immobiliser such as a steering wheel or pedal lock Mark component parts using a forensic marking solution or system Keep the vehicle in a lockable building or park in well-lit areas Have the vehicle identification number etched on windows Consider fitting a hidden battery isolation or a fuel cut-off switch Take photographs of unusual features, modifications, damage or repairs Ensure valuables are removed from the vehicle Don’t share information about your vehicle on social media [Source: NFU Mutual]

soaring due to their vintage value, organised criminals are scouring farmyards and country properties to spot examples they can steal,” explained Ms Davidson. The insurer also works closely with the National Vehicle Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) – the national police unit that works to protect communities from vehicle finance fraud and associated serious and organised crime.

Wheel following for trailed sprayers

Land Rover Defenders and older series vehicles are being stolen

uhn has introduced an automatic steering axle system as an option on its Metris 2 and Oceanis 2 trailed sprayers – enabling more precise driving and reducing crop damage. Fitting a machine with steering axle technology is usually a timeconsuming task, with brackets to make and the linkage to attach to the rear of the tractor. The Track Assist system replaces the mechanical connection with a gyroscopic sensor, which is fixed to the rear of the tractor with a magnet. Sensors detect the steering angle of

the tractor and the sprayer follows the tractor’s trajectory. Track Assist has an operating angle of 23º on the Metris 2 and 28º on the Oceanis 2. The system activates across a forward speed range from 2-22kph. This ensures efficacy working at the headlands and safety when in transport mode. The Track Assist system also realigns the sprayer with the tractor when reversing, to increase the ease of manoeuvrability. It is priced the same as a mechanical wheel following system for these Kuhn sprayers. JANUARY 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 37

Midlands Machinery

Partnership helps streamline Trimble Agriculture support

rimble Agriculture has partnered with TeamViewer to provide remote technical support to farmers in the field – saving time and money. In the case of any technology issue, the support team can access the in-tractor display screen remotely and troubleshoot the problem, helping farmers to get back to work more quickly while delivering performance improvements. TeamViewer can be accessed on the Trimble TMX-2050, GFX750 and GFX-350 displays – enabling technicians us to connect with customers and provide real time support without the need for lengthy travel, says Trimble regional sales representative Lee Clarke.

Although support staff could already view the Trimble displays remotely, they couldn’t directly control them. This meant they would have to talk the farmer through the troubleshooting process step-by-step. Now, they can log in remotely, says Mr Clarke. “Wherever tractor drivers are on farm they can access the information needed to make smart decisions on various tasks,” he explains.

System in action Mixed sheep and arable farmer Rob Hodgkins has used the TeamViewer system on a couple of occasions. Once was when using RTK precision technology for drilling. The problem occurred in the middle of a field. “The system wasn’t set up

Remote technical support is now available to farmers in the field

specifically for our tracks, so it was leaving a little gap – I tried to find out how to fix it but on my own it was impossible,” explains Mr Hodgkins. “While on a call to a Trimble

technician I hot spotted my phone to the display and opened TeamViewer, now the technician could see my display and successfully talked me through what needed changing.”

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38 MIDLAND FARMER • JANUARY 2021

FINAL SAY Clodhopper

Pathway to (un)sustainable farming The government’s bold ambition for the countryside threatens to put farmers out of business, says Clodhopper

he word sustainable is used so often these days that we often overlook its original meaning: to maintain something at a certain level or indefinitely. Today, though, it is a word that has many meanings, depending on your context. This includes the Path to Sustainable Farming recently announced by Defra secretary George Eustice. It’s a document which seems to mention food only brieﬂy. Coming into effect from 1 January, the Path to Sustainable Farming is the government’s roadmap to a new system of farm support. It includes the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme and the introduction of support based on environmental measures. Rather than receiving an annual direct payment, the Environmental Land Management Scheme will require farmers to undertake environmental work on their land in return for financial support. It’s a system known as “public money for public goods”.

Tough reality It is clear though that the Path to Sustainable Farming is a document written by bureaucrats who have never faced the tough reality of making a living from the land. They appear to see it as a once in a lifetime opportunity to change British agriculture. It is true that the system of farm support we are leaving behind has its faults. It is, in many instances, wasteful and expensive. But

direct payments are also a simple and effective way of helping farmers ride out difficult and volatile times. The new system – which the government is able to implement now the UK has left the European Union – will require farmers to do much more in return for financial support. And many people will argue that is exactly how it should be. If you listen to environmental groups, change is needed to reverse a decline in farmland bird numbers, hedgerows and other wildlife habitats. It’s also needed to reverse pesticide and nitrate pollution.

Battle for survival The mantra is “No more money for nothing”. The gravy train is over. Farmers will no longer be rewarded simply for owning land. But how many farming families will be able to survive the change? It’s an important question that needs to be addressed. After all, some 60% of farms rely on the basic payment to stay in business. Without farmers, who will feed the nation? It’s already hard enough to make a living from agriculture. Today, people spend much less of their income than they did just a generation

“

The mantra is ‘No more money for nothing’

ago. And people expect food to be cheap – or at least affordable. In launching his Path to Sustainable Farming, George Eustice should have made clear that people must pay a fair price for food if they want the best value for money and a countryside to be proud of. British farmers already have some of the highest food standards in the world. Cheap food only serves to undermine those standards – which is why we must keep out cut-price imports of food produced using methods that would be illegal here.

No cliff edge The government argues that there will be no cliff edge. It has announced a seven-year transition period which, it says, will give farmers time to adapt as the old system is phased out and the new system is phased in, Seven years seems a long time. But it isn’t – not when policy-makers remain unsure themselves of the best way to introduce the ELM scheme. Farming is long-term business. It is hard enough to plan for the future without added uncertainty. We all came into this industry to produce food. We have all done so – despite the sometimes insurmountable challenge of trying to make a profit in the process. As a result, we have often managed our farms for meagre reward. It is not only farmers who must adapt to the new system. So too must the Rural Payments Agency. Over the years, it has shown how difficult this can be, with late payments to farmers all too common. In my experience, farmers are the gatekeepers of the countryside. As food producers, we have delivered – and mostly funded – nature for free. A profitable farmer is a good conservationist. But a poor one is not. The government should take note.

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Midland Farmer January 2021

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