Midland Farmer June 2021 by Countrywide Publications

June 2021

Midland

Farmer Serving the farming industry across the Midlands

News Defra wants to pay farmers to retire

Beef and Dairy Survey uncovers disease concerns

Arable Take T2 action to maximise yields

Clodhopper Farm agreements are too complicated

Breeding better beef: Prize-winning farmer shares tips for success

Sugar Beet Get most from new varieties

Harvest Preview: Safety campaign targets farmers

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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 2021 Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon Suffolk IP18 6DH T: 01502 725800 Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd T: 01502 725800

Retirement scheme is no answer to age-old problem

ong-awaited government plans to help farmers retire with dignity will be welcomed by some producers – but many people will feel they fall short. Published last month, the proposals will offer farmers 2.35 times their annual basic payment to leave the industry – up to a maximum of £100,000. But few producers will receive anything like that amount. In fact, many people taking up the offer will receive less than half the headline figure. That’s because the average basic payment is little more than £20,000. As one farmer said, it’s enough to buy a decent caravan, but nothing like a house. The aim of the scheme is to encourage the next generation into agriculture. Younger farmers are more innovative and more productive, says the government. The basic payment will be phased out by 2028. The Tenant Farmers Association points out that the proposals are a watered down version of the government’s original plan. When the reitirement scheme was first mooted three years ago, it was to be one of a package of measures

Contents

to revitalise farming. That said, the TFA acknowledges that even on its own could be a catalyst for change – especially when combined with a “surrender payment” from a landlord to a farmer willing to relinquish a tenancy. Even so, the TFA says it needs to see full details. Why? Well, a retirement scheme is only half the equation. We also need a scheme to encourage the next generation into agriculture. Younger farmers – especially new entrants – tend to have less capital and can be easily outbid for tenancies by established farmers. What is needed is a properly thought through career structure for the industry. One that is balanced and benefits those seeking to carve a future in farming – as well as helping those who want to take a back seat. Unless such a structure is forthcoming, it is hard to see how an exit scheme alone will encourage the widespread generational change within the industry that the government is so keen to achieve. Johann Tasker, Editor

Vol 10 • No 6 • June 2021

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

Beef & Dairy .................................................... 35

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

Machinery ....................................................... 42

Groundswell Preview ..................................18

Property & Professional ............................ 44

Harvest Preview ........................................... 23

Final say ........................................................... 46

Sugar Beet ........................................................29

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News Retirement scheme for farmers – good for some but not others • Lump sum offered to quit farming • Scheme is aimed at older farmers • More needed to woo new entrants

long-awaited government scheme to encourage older farmers to leave the industry could be attractive for some producers, say industry leaders. But it will not be the answer for everyone – and more details are needed about how the scheme will work. Younger farmers say it is only half the equation – and new entrants must be encouraged into agriculture. The proposals will see older farmers offered a lump sum payment to help them retire or leave the industry in managed way. The lump sum would be about 2.35 times the recipient’s existing annual basic payment – up to a maximum of £100,000.

“

We need to help an older generation retire with dignity

Defra secretary George Eustice said: “We need to address the twin challenges of helping new entrants fulfil their dream and gain access to land, while also helping an older generation retire with dignity.” The exit scheme would offer farmers wanting to leave the industry a real incentive to confront what was often a difficult decision, said Mr Eustice. It would help them them clear bills and settle debts, he added.

Opportunities By renting out their farm or surrendering their tenancy, those exiting the industry would create opportunities for the next generation of farmers. Government plans to encourage this will 4 MIDLAND FARMER • JUNE 2021

be published later this year. The Tenant Farmers Association said farmers who might find the scheme attractive included smaller owner occupiers who were reaching the end of their career without successors. They could can retain ownership of their land but rent it out. Tenant farmers in a position to discuss tenancy surrender and a compensation package with their landlords could also benefit. So too could tenants with suitable successors waiting in the wings to take over their farms. TFA chief executive George Dunn, said: “As part of a portfolio, which might include a surrender payment from a landlord for a secure tenancy, sale of livestock and equipment and other pension provision, it could be a very useful catalyst.”

Generational change The scheme seeks to offer a fairer system for farmers, encouraging generational change by providing more flexibility for new entrants to start up their farm businesses and supporting those ready to leave the sector to do so on their own terms. But Country Land and Business Association president Mark Bridgeman said: “The consultation does give muchneeded information on the exit scheme. But for those considering the scheme, there are still many questions to be answered. “The scheme will not be for everyone, but if the scheme is to contribute to industry restructuring and create op-

George Eustice says he wants a younger and more vibrant agricultural industry

portunities for new entrants and those wishing to expand, there are some critical issues to be addressed.” These included clarity on tax treatment of lump sums payments, and the eligibility and exit conditions. “The biggest challenge is the timing, and there can be no further delays in launching the scheme later this year.”

How to have your say A government consultation on the new scheme is open for 12 weeks. It is seeking responses from farmers on two key areas:

Lump sum exit scheme The government proposes to offer farmers, who would like to retire or leave the industry, a lump sum payment to help them do this in a planned and managed way. Delinked payments The government plans to phase out direct payments over seven years. The consultation

includes plans to separate payments from the amount of land farmed from 2024. The government says it will also encourage farmers to take up the forthcoming environmental land management schemes. Due to be fully launched in 2024, they will reward sustainable food production and environmental work. The consultation will close for responses on 11 August 2021. For full details and to respond, pleasevisit www.bit.ly/defrascheme

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News

Farmers dogged by impact of extreme weather – report • Concerns over effect on business • Crops and livestock both suffering • Farmers struggle to plan for future

xtreme weather is a major challenge for many farmers who are finding it difficult to adapt to climate change , warns a study. All farmers who took part in the research said they had experienced or witnessed serious issues caused by extreme weather – such as heavy rain or prolonged dry spells in recent years – and expect these to intensify further. Many were concerned about the impact of heat and drought on crop and grass growth, the knock-on impacts for yield and winter animal feed, and the implications of heavy rainfall or flooding for soil run-off and erosion. Some farmers, however, are doing little to make their businesses more resilient. They said changes to the weather and the UK climate were too uncertain and too long-term for them to invest significant time or money in planning for them now.

Business survival Instead, the study shows many farmers are focused on short-term profitability and business survival in a challenging economic environment. They are also more concerned about other political and public pressures. Although farmers increasingly accept that the climate is changing and they should take action in response, the study says uncertainty about the scale, speed and nature of change locally, make it difficult for many producers to do so. The research was carried out by Rebecca Wheeler and Matt Lobley from Exeter University’s Centre for Rural Policy Research, in partnership the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Rothamsted Research and Lancaster University. Researchers carried out 31 in-depth interviews, 15 with farmers and 16 with stakeholders including advisors, consultants and industry representatives. Their findings were published in the journal Climate Risk Management.

A number of agricultural stakeholders said they were concerned too few farm businesses were taking sufficient action to increase their business resilience to extreme weather and climate change. Some farmers said they simply “hadn’t got around” to implementing measures they would like to undertake, while others were “concentrating on the short term”.

Extreme weather is having an increasing impact on food production.

Dr Wheeler said: “Farmers have an array of challenges and uncertainties to cope with, and it is understandable they are focused on the short-term profitability and survival of their business. “This seems to be preventing them from adapting to the effects of the climate emergency. It is essential the industry finds ways to build resilience, and that farm businesses are supported in planning and responding to changing weather patterns.”

Innovative approach More positively, the research highlighted the capacity for innovation and adaptability within the farming industry. Many farmers are building resilience within their business through actions to improve soil health to cope with weather extremes. Some of the opportunities posed by

“

Farmers face an array of challenges and uncertainties

climate change – such as warmer temperatures enabling the production of new crops and increased yields – could benefit farmers so long as they are able to “weather” the challenges posed by negative effects. As well as improving soil health, positive actions taken to future-proof farm business included the continuous evaluation of crop and grass varieties and production techniques. Some farmers had installed additional livestock housing with good ventilation, increased rainwater storage capacity, and spread exposure to risk by expanding the diversity of their crops and enterprises. Prof Lobley said: “There are many innovative and exciting activities happening on farms across the country, but much is still to be done to improve the resilience of individual farms and the industry as a whole.” JUNE 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 7

Arable Take T2 action to maximise wheat potential H igh grain prices and variable spring weather mean finalising T2 or flag leaf fungicide decisions in winter wheat must be carefully assessed this season. Grain prices of over £170/t make it worth protecting crop output properyl, says Syngenta senior field technical manager Iain Hamilton. At these prices, just an extra 0.25 t/ha from a fungicide is worth a healthy additional £42/ha, he points out. “Even when we had low disease pressure last year, fungicides still lifted yield by 2 t/ha on average across different wheat varieties over the season. This year, disease pressure is probably higher.” With yellow rust very much the main disease after a dry early spring, Mr Hamilton says it could remain a key target for T2 – particularly as outbreaks are less predictable with the appearance of new races. Similarly, brown rust thrives when there is a warm, dry end to the season, so growers and agronomists should check the brown rust resistance of any varieties. “If rust is your main concern, Elatus Era has been proven in independent trials to be an outstanding SDHI/

triazole combination for both these disease, with significant yield benefits and return on investment.” After a slow start and cold, dry early spring, development of Septoria tritici will be influenced heavily by rainfall levels between T1 and T2 – and by variety resistance. Mr Hamilton says development tends to be slower on varieties with greater resistance, such as Graham. “If you are in a situation of preventing Septoria tritici, various SDHIbased fungicides are available – and the differences in products are much smaller than with rusts.” Growers trying to cure infection may need to increase the dose of the SDHI treatment or look at a newer fungicide with more curative activity at an appropriate rate. In both cases, remember that long-lasting activity will help protect grain-filling.

Weather effects Rainfall increases Septoria, says Mr Hamilton, but do not be lulled into a false sense of security if dry. Growers should also consider how the weather after T2 will influence diseases. Two years ago, deluges in June sparked a late-season Septoria epi-

Long-lasting activity protects grainfilling, says Iain Hamilton

demic. On the other hand, rusts like drier weather. If it does turn into a dry end to the season, certain fungicides have also been shown to have physiological benefits. In trials, a T2 application of Solatenol – the SDHI in Elatus Era – gave an extra 0.23 t/ha over untreated wheat in drought situations, even without visible disease.

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Arable

Trainee agronomist wins leading BASIS award

rials officer and trainee Procam agronomist Jodie Littleford has been awarded the Barrie Orme Shield for excelling in the BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection. A new entrant to agriculture, Ms Littleford secured a placement at Eurofins Agroscience as part of her biology degree at Cardiff University. She then spent three years in the crop trials department before taking on her Procam role two years ago. “I initially started the BASIS training in late 2019, because I really enjoy seeing how biological processes affect crops,” says Ms Littleford. “I wanted to better understand my research on new integrated approaches to crop husbandry.” The gave her an excellent overview of everything involved in integrated crop management. “Part of the qualification involved carrying out a research task. My project involved looking into the plant health impact of mycorrhizal fungi on wheat varieties.”

Ms Littleford started her BASIS training with her research role in mind. But the knowledge gained during the course inspired her embark on a new career path. She is now in the process of becoming a fully qualified agronomist. BASIS is the examining and awarding body for qualifications for agronomists. Each year, more than 200 people sit the BASIS exam – a required certificate of competence for anyone who sells or advises on crop protection products. Ms Littleford said: “I certainly couldn’t have achieved this award without the excellent instruction and support from my expert trainer James Christian-Ilett. He taught me in a way that made information really stick in my mind.” Now responsible for some 2,500 trial plots each year, Ms Littleford manages research and development at ProCam’s Stockbridge Technology Centre – and oversees other ProCam trials

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Arable

Biofuel could help UK reach Net Zero

Terravesta wants more farmers to grow miscanthus

Finance agreement set to boost miscanthus crops

new finance package aims to encourage more farmers to grow the green energy crop miscanthus – by covering virtually all establishment costs. Oxbury Bank has teamed up with miscanthus specialist Terravesta to deliver the finance package. As well as helping with upfront costs, it includes a long-term agreement providing growers with index-linked annual returns. “One of the main barriers to entry for Miscanthus growing is the upfront cost of planting,” says Oxbury Bank managing director Nick Evans. “Our finance package with Terravesta ensures a quick release of funds to help farmers to grow a sustainable business.” The loan structure allows

farmers to pay interest-only for up to two years while the crop is establishing. They pay back the capital over an extended period when the crop is producing an economic return.

Carbon negative’ Miscanthus is seen as a carbon negative crop. “Agriculture is changing, and it is important that farmers have access to finance and capital for their low carbon initiatives and sustainable growth plans,” says Mr Evans. Under the new contract, Terravesta will supply farmers with its miscanthus plants, planting equipment and agronomy throughout the crop’s life. It will also commit to a minimum number of plants emerging under its new planting promise. Terravesta chief operating

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officer Alex Robinson says the company’s rhizome-based variety AthenaTM delivers higher yields and an 8% higher calorific value, producing 180% more energy per hectare. The crop is generally harvested in its second year. It reaches maturity faster than the commercially available miscanthus giganteus. Some growers have reported a first harvest of 8t/ha, with mature yields of 10-17t/ha depending on soil type. “The beauty of this new package is that growers have a direct contract with renewable energy power plants, which enables Terravesta to provide a finance package and allows us to focus on crop establishment in the UK at a much greater scale.”

Grasses like miscanthus are a sustainable energy source that could be a driving force towards net zero carbon emissions, say scientists. The miscanthus genus of grasses could quickly become the first choice for biofuel production, suggests a study by researchers at the Earlham Institute in Norwich. The grasses can be grown in lower agricultural grade conditions, including marginal land, due to their resilience and photosynthetic capacity at low temperatures. Miscanthus is a promising biofuel thanks to its high biomass yield and low input requirements. It can adapt to a range of climate zones and land types. It is seen as a viable commercial option for farmers although yields can come under threat from insufficient or excessive water supplies such as winter floods or summer heat waves. The Earlham Institute analysed various miscanthus genotypes to identify traits that provide insight into gene adaptation and regulation during water stress. Study author Jose De Vega said: “Miscanthus is a commercial crop due to its high biomass productivity, resilience, and ability to continue photosynthesis during the winter months. “These qualities make it a particularly good candidate for growth on marginal land in the UK, where yields might otherwise be limited by scorching summers and wet winters.”

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New seed treatment available for winter cereals this autumn

ext generation seed treatment Kinto Plus – which protects against a range of diseases – will be available for use on winter cereals this autumn. The treatment provides long-lasting efficacy against a wide spectrum of seed and soil borne diseases – and confers growth promoting effects to the crop, says manufacturer BASF. Kinto Plus assures comprehensive and long-lasting efficacy – whether applied to farm saved seed, hybrid, conventional, or seed production crops, helping growers secure higher yields from the outset, says seed market manager Sarah Middleton. “The name Kinto may be familiar to some – from previous seed treatment Kinto which is no longer available to market since the revocation of prochloraz – but Kinto Plus is a different, new generation product.”

Disease control Kinto Plus combines the active ingredients triticonazole, fluxapyroxad and fludioxonil. This gives it a broad label against a range of diseases including seedling blight and foot rot, common bunt, loose smut, covered smut, leaf stripe, snow rot and stripe smut. Mrs Middleton says: “The control of leaf stripe and loose smut, which can be seen as forgotten diseases, are key attributes of Kinto Plus – particularly for seed production crops, where there are tolerances for infection levels of these diseases.” The seed treatment is said to improve germination and enhance root development – both in terms of mass and length – particularly during times of stress. This means quicker crop establishment, better tiller retention and more vigorous plants. BASF says independent trials have shown that the product performs consistently no matter what the winter cereal crop – or the variety. Kinto Plus is also approved for use on barley seed in crops destined for brewing. Built-in resilience Treated seed is able to continue growing in sub-optimal conditions. This makes it a useful tool, particularly for growers who practice delayed drilling because it performs well whatever the sowing date. “Stale seed bed techniques used to deal with arable weed pressures mean drilling dates are often moved back, re-

“

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sulting in shorter weather windows for establishment, at a time when ground conditions are often challenging,” says Mrs Middleton. “The same is true for crops where drilling is delayed to reduce the risk of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus. It is in these situations that Kinto Plus can play a pivotal role in getting crops off to the best possible start with the physiological benefits it offers.”

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Arable

New varieties look set to forge better future for winter barley • Improvements to two-row varieties • More profitable than second wheat • Helps to spread summer workload

new generation of winter barley varieties could boost rotations and margins while helping growers achieve greater crop diversity. Investment is delivering varieties with higher yield potential, says Kirsty Richards of breeders KWS. The leading two-row varieties now offer yields comparable to those achieved by the best six-rows with improved agronomic features as well, she says. “KWS Tardis created a bit of a stir when it was added to the 2021/22 RL at the end of last year. Not only was it the

highest yielding two-row on the list, it was also producing yields equivalent to many six-row hybrids.” For many growers, this means there’s no reason why a conventional two-row barley cannot now be a more profitable cropping option than a second wheat – so long as the management and variety choice are correct. Variable costs for barley can be 75% of wheat, says Dr Richards. Then there is the additional revenue from barley straw which, at about £65/t baled exfield, can add an extra £180/ha to the sale price of grain. “Winter barley is often the first crop to be harvested, helping to spread the summer workload and make way for cultivations so for many there is no better entry for oilseed rape.”

Increasing yields In addition, Dr Richards says fungicide timings are typically a week ear-

lier than wheat, helping to spread the sprayer workload – and reduce the pressure on wheat application timings. KWS Tardis follows a line of tworow barleys that have been steadily pushing yields higher in recent years. Varieties like KWS Cassia and KWS Orwell are proving very popular with growers, she explains. “With over 10 years of service under its belt, KWS Cassia has served feed barley growers well but many realise the newer varieties can deliver so much more,” says Dr Richards. “KWS Hawking, for example, is an ultra-reliable high-yielding low-risk variety, with strong straw and no agronomic weaknesses that takes tworow feed yields up a notch. “At 103% of control in 2021/22, it is a variety recommended for the whole of the UK, but experience has shown it’s at its best in the east where it has delivered 105% of control in KWS trials.

KWS Tardis is the highest yielding two-row on the 2021/22 Recommended List

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Groundswell Poster 2021 - Overview Option.pdf

18/09/2020

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“Not only does it deliver on straw strength over KWS Gimlet, it has better lodging resistance than LG Mountain and Jordan, and at a score of 5, better mildew than KWS Orwell.” An added benefit is that KWS Hawking is earlier maturing. In KWS UK trials for the past two seasons, the variety was way ahead of its stablemates by reaching ear emergence in May. “At 106% of control in the current UK RL, it’s the highest yielding tworow barley by some margin but it’s only 1% behind the highest yielding six rows and hybrids,” says Dr Richards. “It absolutely flies in the east, being Fungicide beaten by just one hybrid six-row vari- timings are ety on the entire RL and then only by typically a week 1%. In the field KWS Tardis is very vig- earlier than orous getting out of the blocks quickly wheat, says Kirsty Richards with good standing power.” KWS Hawking is the only variety on the recommended list2021 with 1% lodgGroundswell Poster - Overview Option.pdf 1 18/09/2020 10:37 ing without PGR. Its overall lodging resistance score is 8, which Dr Richards says plays a key role in its performance on heavier soils. This is 110% of control in the list, where it outields everything bar one hybrid. “Agronomically, it’s a medium height variety at 92cm with a real-

ly strong disease package including a 7 for Rynchosporium resistance and a 5 for net blotch plus it’s BYMV resistant.”

BYDV tolerance As for the future, it isn’t all about high yielding two-row barley varieties. KWS Feeris – the latest variety – is a conventional six-row winter barley that brings BYDV tolerance to the market in a realistic package. “It’s a variety suited to all regions of the UK. Like other six-row barleys, KWS Feeris has excellent yield potential but really stands out in the west. “It has a good all-round disease package including 7 for Rhynchosporium and 8 for net botch coupled to BYMV resistance and BYDV tolerance. “KWS Feeris is reasonably tallstrawed at 94cm but a good 5-10cm shorter than commercial hybrid 6-rows. “It’s a great variety in itself but when coupled with the added benefit of BYDV tolerance, it provides excellent risk management for barley growers in high pressure hotspots – and those looking to push drilling as early as possible.”

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Groundswell Poster 2021 - Overview Option.pdf

18/09/2020

10:37

23RD & 24TH June 2021 23RD & 24TH June 2021

groundswellag.com JUNE 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 15

Arable

Syngenta showcases new varieties at Cereals

p to 20 different cereal varieties will be demonstrated on Syngenta’s stand at this month’s Cereals event in Lincolnshire. The two-day show is due to take place on 30 June and 1 July at Boothby Graffoe, Lincoln. It will be the first opportunity for growers to find out about an advanced new SDHI fungicide developed by the company. Headlining seven hybrid winter feed barley varieties will be high-yielding hybrid SY Thunderbolt. Newly recommended for 2021/22, it boasts the highest treated yield on heavy land (111%), early maturity and good wet weather disease resistance. A second new hybrid barley on the 2021/22 AHDB Recommended List and in the plots, SY Kingston, has performed particularly well in the north and west regions, says Syngenta – again with strong wet weather disease resistance. Also on the stand will be plots of established hybrids SY Kingsbarn, Belfry and Belmont. A further new hybrid barley, SY Armadillo, will also feature.

Malting barley Continuing its heritage in malting barley breeding, Syngenta will demonstrate nine malting, or potential malting, barley varieties – three for winter drilling and six for spring sowing. Among the winter variety plots Electrum is the newest winter malting barley on the 2021/22 recommended list. It is in its first full season of having full approval for brewing use on the malting barley committee approved list for harvest 2021.

SY Thunderbolt will be one of seven winter feed barley hybrids showcased

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Six spring barley plots will include newcomer varieties SY Tungsten and SY Splendor, which Syngenta has been progressing for malting. Others are potential malting varieties SY Lowry and SY Bronte; and malting favourites, Laureate and Fairing. Four Syngenta winter feed wheat varieties with Septoria tritici resistance ratings of 6.1 or above will be on the stand. These are newcomer SY Insitor, launched last summer, Gleam, Graham and Shabras.

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Groundswell preview What’s on at Groundswell Discussion panels & workshops include water catchments, AHDB Soil Pit and ‘Food for Thought’ area exploring links between soil health and a healthy diet. Direct drill demonstrations will take place on both days, with 15 machinery manufacturers direct drilling into standing cover crops with minimal soil disturbance. More than 100 companies and organisations will present their services and products for farmers with an interest in regenerative agriculture. Trials and plot crops including herbal leys, cover crops, trials, biostimulants, spring wheat, bi-cropping, agroforestry, Heritage wheats and no-till potatoes.

Groundswell all set for bumper 2021 event A

transformed venue will greet visitors to this month’s Groundswell event – the agricultural show focused on notill techniques and soil regeneration. The fifth annual Groundswell show and conference takes place on 23-24 June at Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire. It will include a host of ideas on ways to farm while regenerating the soil in the new environmental and political climate. The overriding theme is set by the principles of regenerative agriculture. Workshops and exhibitions will include sessions by a range of innovative farming companies and field scale direct drill demonstrations.

New era Taking centre stage will be two new exhibitor and demonstration fields. All sessions

will take place in temporary structures dotted between the exhibitions. Defra secretary George Eustice will be interviewed by former Fleet Street editor Baroness Rosie Boycott. Defra senior civil servant Janet Hughes will discuss how farmers will be rewarded under the government’s Sustainable Farming Initiative. Host farmer John Cherry said: “The government’s stated ambition for the future of food, farming and the environment is that public money will be spent on public goods that enhance natural capital. “The new Environmental Land Management scheme will usher in a new era for farming. For any farmer looking to adapt to this scenario while maintaining viability as a food producer, Groundswell is the place to be.” Keynote conference sessions and rainfall simulator demonstrations will take place in a big top tent. The Earthworm Arms Bar area has evolved with live music taking place on the Wednesday evening and dozens of independent food traders.

Special sessions More than 100 sessions will take place over the two days. Attendees will hear from a range of people in regenerative agriculture. Visitors will learn about the different principles and techniques – and how they are interpreted by different practitioners. On stage will be leading soil scientists discussing with innovative farmers about how they are building organic matter and making their farming systems more resil18 MIDLAND FARMER • JUNE 2021

ient. There will also be debates on the future of farming policy. A series of motivating talks and workshops with farmers outlining their strategies for regenerative agriculture – whether through growing more nutritious crops or changing their business to operate more holistically. Nearly half the attendees to Groundswell believe livestock are key in a truly regenerative system. Sessions will range from building soil carbon in pasture farming to the birth of regenerative dairy farming. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn how to maximise the value of a carcass with advice from veteran butcher Richard Summers. They will also be able to see how pasture-based livestock producers took on the vegan movement at their own game. Expanding this theme, Groundswell is trying to help connect the dots between farmers and consumers. This year – more than ever – it is looking at different models for vertically integrating the supply chain.

Where: Lannock Manor Farm, Weston, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 7EE – within a mile of Junction 9 of the A1(M) in north Hertfordshire on 27-28 June 2018. Tickets: £60 (+VAT) for one day or £95 (+VAT) for both days. 15% Student and YFC Discounts are available. For more information, visit www.groundswellag.com

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Groundswell preview

Benchmarking group shows regenerative farming works • Take action to ease financial strain • Loss of payments poses challenge • Yield is king approach doesn’t work

egenerative agriculture can achieve similar financial results to traditional arable systems and benchmarking your business can help to manage the change. Farming is embarking on a period of huge change that most growers and livestock producers have never experienced, says farm consultant Gary Markham, who helped initiate the Groundswell Benchmarking Group. This will see the industry move away from the comfort of area payments – which make up around 84% of income on many arable farms. Instead, farms will have to apply for specific funding for environmental work. “This will inevitably put farming business in financial strain as there will be a funding gap over the forthcoming few years,” says Mr Markham. “Farming has become very capital intensive.”

Inevitable change Mr Markham, of the Land Family Business farm consultancy group, will explain his thinking further at Groundswell 2021. “Change is inevitable – but managing the change is where the difficulty comes,” he says. The economic production value of arable land is about £4,000 per acre and the additional £4-6,000 has no bearing on production capacity. Added to this is the increase in the capital cost of machinery over the past few years to over £300 per acre. Many farmers have quite correctly attempted to expand as a means of dealing with these pressures, says Mr Markham. But this has normally meant tendering for contract farming agreements and losing about £40-60 per acre on the extra land. This results in many arable farms becoming increasingly unviable as businesses. The margin from arable farming before direct payments and income from other enterprises has been minimal over the past two years. “One of the best tools to monitor the change and provide achievable targets

is to benchmark against farming businesses that have already made these changes,” says Mr Markham, who set up the Groundswell Benchmarking Group. The group has been benchmarking a number of regenerative agriculture farming businesses for the 2017 to 2020 harvests – to identify if regenerative agricultural production systems can be financially viable. Key findings for the performance of regenerative systems include: • Average output 25% lower • Variable costs 24% lower • Gross margin 28% lower • Labour and machinery costs which are 30% lower This results in an average margin very similar for both systems of production. But the range of results within the group is wide with the top performers achieving results well above conventional top 25% group. In addition to margins, there are savings in working capital of around £148 per acre which can have a large impact on a farming business. Lack of profitability in arable farms is mainly driven by high machinery costs and in particular depreciation which represents the capital per acre. Mr Markham has therefore developed a key indicator of machinery capital per tonne. The average machinery cost among the Groundswell group of regenerative farmers is £74 per tonne of wheat. This compares with an average cost of about £91/t for arable farmers employing a conventional production system. “The difference has been around £20 to £30 per tonne over the past four harvests.” says Mr Markham, who says it shows that the traditional ‘yield is king’ philosophy does not work. It also shows that expanding the area farmed is not feasible by using traditional contract farming structures he adds. Furthermore, Mr Markham says benchmarking data proves that there is a different approach that is economically viable.

Traditional contracting agreements will be barely viable without basic payments, says Gary Markham

Five principles of regenerative agriculture 1. Don’t disturb the soil Soil supports a complex network of worm-holes, fungal hyphae and a labyrinth of microscopic air pockets surrounded by aggregates of soil particles. Disturbing this, by ploughing or heavy doses of fertiliser or sprays, will set the system back. 2. Keep soil surface covered The impact of rain drops or burning rays of sun or frost can all harm the soil. A duvet of growing crops, or stubble residues, will protect it. 3. Keep living roots in the soil In an arable rotation there will be times when this is hard to do but living roots in the soil are vital for feeding the bacteria and fungi that provide food for the protozoa, arthropods and higher creatures further up the chain. 4. Grow diverse range of crops Ideally at the same time, like in a meadow. Monocultures do not happen in nature and soil thrives on variety. Companion cropping (two crops are grown at once and separated after harvest) can be successful. Cover cropping – growing a crop which is not taken to harvest but helps protect and feed the soil – will also have the happy effect of capturing sunlight and feeding that energy to the subterranean world, at a time when traditionally the land would have been bare. 5. Bring back grazing animals This is more than a nod to the permanent pasture analogy, it allows arable farmers to rest their land for one, two or more years and then graze multispecies leys – great in themselves for feeding the soil and for mob-grazed livestock.

JUNE 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 21

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Harvest preview Safety initiative targets farmers ahead of harvest

Farmers are among those most likely to come into contact with overhead lines. [Photo credit: UK Power Networks]

• Campaign aims to reduce death toll • Farmers among groups most at risk • Check height of machines and lines

new safety campaign aims to stop farmers and farm workers from electrocuting themselves on overhead power lines. Farmers are among four groups of workers with the highest number of safety incidents involving overhead power lines during the past five years. The others are road hauliers, tree surgeons and builders. Some 18% overhead line incidents during 2020 involved farmers, according to electricity distributor UK Power Networks. It said a further 44% involved road hauliers, 16% involved tree surgeons and 12% small or self-employed builders. To help reduce the number of accidents, a new ‘Think, Plan, Locate’ initiative will see UK Power Networks join forces with the NFU and the National Road Haulage Association for a new safety campaign.

Moving vehicles With harvest approaching and the silage season under way, safe working procedures to reduce accident risks near power lines are essential. These

include when moving, loading and unloading vehicles which could come into contact with electrical equipment. UK Power Networks safety advisor Ros Forbes said: “Safety is our number one priority and we saw a rise in incidents when locked down eased last summer, so it’s timely to remind people again of the dangers.” Ms Forbes added: “Our research has shown us the trades and professions most in danger and we sense that a focus on being Covid-secure, has led to less of an emphasis on electrical safety in some areas.” Touching high voltage cables could be fatal, said Ms Forbes. Accidental contact with live overhead power lines causing many serious injuries.

Reducing risk The new campaign will remind people to take care and concentrate on their safety. The goal is to prompt collaborative working and positive conversations about safety which will ultimately help save lives. NFU farm safety advisor Tom Price said: “Almost all contact incidents can

“

Almost all contact incidents can be avoided altogether

be avoided altogether – the key is planning. Find out where power lines are and make sure everyone knows – workers and contractors.” Farmers should also make sure they know the height and reach of their machines – and the height of lines. This is especially so when bringing new, large or unfamiliar machinery on to the farm, said Mr Price. “If you suspect lines are low contact UK Power Networks and ask them to check – the service is free. Our advice is don’t rely on GPS and other tech to avoid lines – you must always be alert when driving any machine near a line.” Free cab stickers for farm vehicles can be obtained by emailing MBX-HSSkit@ ukpowernetworks.co.uk

#CornCart21 safety campaign launched

FU deputy president Stuart Roberts is supporting a new campaign to encourage trailer safety during the main harvest towing season. The #CornCart21 initiative highlights the legal requirement to ensure trailers are safe and roadworthy. It follows the launch of the #HeadToTow trailer safety app, which is free to download on Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. The app is an easy way to access trailer

maintenance checklists and operator manual. It was launched by the Tilly Pass trailer safety scheme last year. Mr Roberts said: “I want us all to think more about what we are towing. You can download free of charge a range of trailer manuals and – most importantly – their recommended daily checks.” Everyone should download the app, added Mr Roberts. Most importantly of all, they should make time each day to carry out their

daily checks as recommended by the trailer manufacturers. Tilly Pass founder Jane Gurney said: “More UK trailer manufacturers are looking to promote the need for trailer safety. There has been a huge uptake by operators looking to safeguard themselves while towing..” The #HeadToTow app is available to download free on smartphones and tablets by visiting www.tillypass.co.uk

JUNE 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 23

Harvest preview

Farmers face long delays for harvest workers this summer • Labour shortage as harvest looms • More overseas workers are needed • Pilot scheme needs to be widened

armers face costly delays in reruiting harvest workers this summer because the government is moving too slowly on seasonal labour rules, says a group of MPs. Delays to the government’s new immigration policy may leave British food suppliers without enough workers for the coming harvest, says the influential Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. The warning came as the committee expressed its disappointment at what it said was the government’s lastminute approach to finalising details

of its scheme for recruiting overseas seasonal workers. British producers were at the bottom of government’s priorities list, said the committee. Farmers were facing unnecessary and costly delays to pilot schemes allowing seasonal workers from overseas into the country. The government announced the final two of four operators for its seasonal workers pilot on 5 May. The committee said this left a tight timeframe for operators to recruit labour from overseas and supply those staff to farms who needed them.

Shortages The group of MPs repeated its call for the seasonal worker pilot scheme to be broadened to include other food chain and agricultural sectors beyond the horticultural sector. The committee said it was concerned about shortages of skilled work-

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ers, especially veterinarians inspectors working in abattoirs. More than 9 in 10 of these key workers come from the rest of Europe. There was already a shortage of vets in abattoirs, said the committee. And it urged the government to closely monitor the impact of its new immi-

gration policy on the supply of such skilled workers. Committee chairman Neil Parish said: “Peak harvesting season [is] almost upon us and yet the government has only just appointed the final two operators for the seasonal workers pilot. “British growers have been placed at the bottom of the Home Office’s priorities list. Unnecessary uncertainty could prove costly for producers. “Despite last year’s Pick for Britain pilot scheme, our report made it clear that overseas labour is still very much needed. The government’s efforts to recruit more domestic labour cannot hope to be sufficient for this summer’s harvest.” Reports of daffodils going unpicked this spring made clear the need for seasonal workers from overseas went well beyond just edible horticulture, said Mr Parish. The Home Office needed to start listening to minimse the impact on British farmers. “Before Christmas, we warned the government of the huge consequences of keeping plans for seasonal labour vague until the very last minute. There can be no excuse for further hold-ups.”

Axe falls on government’s Pick for Britain campaign The government has scrapped its Pick for Britain campaign – launched last year to ensure enough seasonal workers were available to harvest crops during the coronavirus pandemic. As well as helping to recruit seasonal workers, the campaign raised the public profile of the UK edible horticulture sector, and in particular the important role it plays each year in feeding the nation. Defra said it wanted to extend its sincere gratitude to all campaign partners who supported the project – as well as to the growers, recruiters, retailers, and other industry organisations who participated. “The Pick for Britain message generated unprecedented interest in these roles across the country, and helped our farmers and growers bring home the harvest. We are proud to have been part of this creative and collaborative campaign.” Defra said the government would continue to help UK farmers and growers recruit the seasonal workers they needed – including support for workers from the domestic labour market and those from overseas. The NFU said recruiting domestic workers remained difficult. The British Growers Association said real concern remained over whether there would be enough workers for the sector.

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Harvest preview

Ensure tyres are in good order before harvest

hecking combine harvester tyres before and during harvest is essential to increase operational efficiency and minimise soil compaction. It can also help avoid sudden punctures. During previous harvests, tyres may have been damaged causing bulges, cuts, or tears, says Richard Hutchins, agricultural specialist with tyre manufacturer Continental. “A thorough check of the tread area and sidewalls, including the rim of the wheel, will identify any areas of concern,” says Mr Hutchins. He explains: “The low operating pressure and requirement to carry a heavy load creates strain on the tyre wall, so if there is a fault the tyre should be changed to avoid operational failure and down time.” Continental CombineMaster tyres can now be specified with ContiPressureCheck, a new system that monitors the pressure and temperature of tyres to help prevent tyre related issues, such as underinflation or overloading. Flat spots can occur when a combine is parked for long periods. “Flat spots are common with

combines because of the length of storage time. Investing in a tyre with a more flexible carcass material will help,” says Mr Hutchins. Continental has a patent pending for its NFlex technology – a heat-treated nylon that sits beneath the rubber to help the tyre return to shape after impacts and heavy use. It reduces the likelihood of flat spots and provides a more comfortable ride. The company has also developed a stronger single wire Hexa bead with a hexagonal cross section. Many agricultural tyres use as many as ten individual wires to create one bead. But Mr Hutchins says multiple joins in the bead can cause weaknesses. There is a risk that the tyre can detach from the rim, especially at low pressures, he says. “A more flexible tyre, with a stronger Hexa bead construction, will grip the rim even at very low pressures. “This reduces the risk of the tyre slipping off the rim, while spreading the weight of a combine. This is especially important for the front tyres which take more weight and torque.”

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eather and crop conditions are continuing to drive day-today movements in grain markets, says the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Stocks of grain held by major exporting countries are thin – although last month’s USDA report showed more potential for stocks to recover next season than some analysts expected, pushing prices lower. But AHDB analyst Helen Plant says potential for recovery remains small. This means

any threat to global crops is still causing swings in market sentiment – and prices. The latest USDA report suggests American farmers had planted less maize than forecast by 16 May. Delays to the US crop will have implications for US supplies in the last days of the season because of low stocks. Lack of planting progress combined with an increase in demand for exports offered some support to old crop maize prices. Chicago maize futures for Jul-21 rose $3.45/t to $256.89/t, said the AHDB.

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Sugar beet Get the most from sugar beet crop • Nutrition is key to optimise yields • Phosphorus often limited in soils • Nitrogen is single most important

old spring weather has piled the pressure on sugar beet growers to get the most from crops and optimise yields. A robust nutrient management programme is essential, says Natalie Wood, arable agronomist at Yara. This will help achieve a full leaf canopy which is what produces the highest yields, she adds. “By intercepting at least 90% of incoming sunlight quickly and maintaining its greenness throughout the growing season, sugar beet will accumulate sugar from very early in its growth cycle.” Growing this canopy early is critical. For this reason, nitrogen is the single most important nutrient, as it promotes growth at all stages of the plant’s development. But care must be taken to ensure other nutrients are in order. “A balanced crop nutrition program is key,” says Ms Wood. “Make sure you have all the essen-

tial macro and micro nutrients to get the most from your crop.”

Essential nutrients Phosphorus – crucial for early growth, is often limited in many soils. Fresh applications help ensure availability and avoid deficiency. Potassium and sodium also boost growth rates, regulating water and nutrient movement within the crop. Sulphur, too, can often be overlooked. “Sulphur is essential for high yields,” says Ms Wood. “It is linked with nitrogen. The ratio of nitrogen to sulphur in a healthy plant would be about 15:1. A higher ratio than that could lead to deficiency.” Magnesium drives yield development through photosynthetic activity. During root expansion and growth, rapid cell division needs large amounts of boron. Deficiency can lead to deterioration of root and leaf expansion, compromising yields.

Boron deficiency can lead to root deterioration

“

Growers should act sooner rather than later

While factors such as temperature and water supply will have an impact on yield and sugar content, one area where farmers do have control – and the chance to positively impact their crop – is in managing their nutrients. “Making sure the right nutrients are applied at sufficient levels can make a real difference, ” says Ms Wood.

Essential nutrients “There are also micronutrients that play a key role: manganese, boron, copper and molybdenum. “The best approach is to apply a product that contains several of these key nutrients, such as YaraVita Brassitrel Pro – that way we know we’re supplying the crop with what it needs for healthy growth.” “Now is the time to act. Make sure you have an effective nutrient management programme in place to give your sugar beet crop its best chance for high yields.”

A balanced crop nutrition program is vital, says Natalie Wood.

JUNE 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 29

Sugar beet

New technology bolsters beet EXPERT VIEW Better sugar beet varieties mean muchneeded efficiencies for Britain’s growers, says Ian Munnery.

ophisticated new technologies – from advanced genetics to unmanned aerial vehicles – are being employed in the search for ever improved sugar beet varieties. Back in the day, human eye and experience were key to finding new, improved varieties of sugar beet. Skilled technicians walked field trials where seed from hundreds of different crosses were grown, looking out for those plants that looked just right. Harvest involved lifting and bagging sample after sample which went off for lengthy detailed analysis. Today, technology has an ever-increasing role – with genetic analysis enabling the likely outcome of any cross to be predicted with more certainty. By understanding the genetic ‘fingerprint’ of a plant’s parents, it is ever easier to identify and combine key traits that are likely to result in improved new lines leading to ever better varieties in the field.

Clear understanding Advances in genetic science have reached a point where, should the UK government accept gene editing as an aid to breeding, it will be possible to combine desired traits with ever more accuracy and certainty. As a company devoted to sugar beet breeding worldwide, SESVanderHave invests more than 15% of its turnover in research and development. This means we already have a very clear understanding of the contents of our ‘genetic toolbox’; a well-stocked library of information and knowledge of how these translate into different environments around the world. This is why genetic promise must still be field-tested locally. To understand the way a variety responds to its environment (soil, climate, topography) is known as phenotyping. Field performance is a combination of both the phenotype and the genotype (the genetic make-up). So field assessment is still important, but science can also play a part here to broaden, accelerate and ampli30 MIDLAND FARMER • JUNE 2021

fy our data collection. Aerial observations by drones equipped to analyse plants using a range of spectra means each plant can be assessed, but at a far faster rate than the most skilled technician walking the rows.

Combating disease What’s more, aerial technology observes and measures consistently throughout the operating period – something few humans can achieve. But data gathered must still be sense checked and the experience of field teams provides added context. In Belgium, a project called ‘BeetPhen’ has evaluated digital field phenotyping methods in a collaboration between SESVanderHave, Vito Remote Sensing and the Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, funded by the Belgian Science Policy Office. The initial aim is to provide plant breeders with a fast, efficient way to detect and measure disease infections with support from artificial learning and machine intelligence. Understanding how varieties respond will be increasingly important as climate change alters the spectrum of disease that threatens beet production. Even at harvest, technology can aid the breeder’s work. Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is well-es-

Drones and satellite images are increasingly used in plant breeding Breeding techniques are becoming more accurate, says Ian Munnery (below)

tablished in assessing grains. Now NIRs will bring benefits to trials harvesting.

Important traits NIR analysis on-board a mobile tarehouse will enable the trials teams aboard the harvester to lift, weigh and analyse the crop from each small plot for important traits such as sugar content and dry matter. Modern communications ensure data from each plot is recorded in the laboratory before the harvester has left the field. This information joins the historic data sets from parent lines to provide enhanced assurance of how the variety will perform. SESVanderHave UK draws on global expertise and advances in science and technology. But our goal remains to develop thoroughly tried and tested varieties to ensure they match the unique needs of Britain’s growers. Our latest variety to be added to the BBRO Recommended List is Wren, which has emerged from more than a decade of research to identify new varieties offering robust performance, in terms of establishment, root yield and low bolting – whatever the season. Sugar beet is one of the few UK crops to have shown significant increases in performance over the past decade or more. But there is much more to come as science and technology is applied with ever more sophistication to crop and seed treatment technology. Ian Munnery is UK director for SESVanderHave. For more details, visit www.sesvanderhave.com/uk or call 01522 442000.

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Sugar beet

KWS launches first virus yellows tolerant beet

ugar beet growers will be able to choose virus yellows tolerant beet in 2022 after Maruscha KWS was added to the BBRO Recommended List. Other notable additions from KWS include Katjana, a high-yielding BCN tolerant variety with low bolting, and Smart Rixta, a Conviso Smart variety that is a good partner for the wellestablished Smart Janninka. In virus yellows trials in East Anglia over three years, Maruscha demonstrated tolerance to Beet Mild Yellowing Virus (BMYV) and a positive response to Beet Yellows Virus (BYV). KWS says it has made developing tolerance to virus yellows a priority for the UK, which has among the highest seasonal risks of infection of any country in Europe. Breeding varieties with strong tolerance remains a difficult and complicated process because of the different nature of the closterovirus and polerovirus strains that make up the virus yellows complex. The polerovirus genus includes Tur-

nip Yellows Virus (TuYV), which can cause yield losses of up to 30% in oilseed rape, and potato leaf roll virus, possibly the most important virus disease of potatoes. The nature of the viruses involved means tolerance to one form of the virus does not necessarily confer equal protection against another, explains Ben Bishop, KWS country manager for sugar beet in the UK. “Maruscha KWS is the first variety to come through the KWS breeding programme with a level of tolerance that supports commercially viable

Maruscha KWS virus yellows tolerant sugar beet in a field of non-tolerant beet

yields,” says Mr Bishop. KWS will have a series of demonstration plots of Maruscha KWS in commercial crops of sugar beet in the 2021 season. Mr Bishop says this means interested growers will have the opportunity to see how the crop performs under real-world conditions this summer. While its tolerance to virus yellows is likely to pique grower interest, Maruscha KWS has also demonstrated good disease resistance to the principal threats, rust and Cercospora leaf spot in list trials.

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Sugar beet

KWS launches first virus yellows tolerant beet

ugar beet growers will be able to choose virus yellows tolerant beet in 2022 after Maruscha KWS was added to the BBRO Recommended List. Other notable additions from KWS include Katjana, a high-yielding BCN tolerant variety with low bolting, and Smart Rixta, a Conviso Smart variety that is a good partner for the now wellestablished Smart Janninka. In virus yellows trials in East Anglia over three years, Maruscha has demonstrated tolerance to Beet Mild Yellowing Virus (BMYV) as well as a positive response to Beet Yellows Virus (BYV). KWS says it has made developing varieties with tolerance to virus yellows a priority for the UK, which has it has one of the highest seasonal risks of infection of any country in Europe. Breeding varieties with strong tolerance remains a difficult and complicated process because of the different nature of the closterovirus and polerovirus strains that make up the virus yellows complex. The polerovirus genus includes Tur-

nip Yellows Virus (TuYV), which can cause yield losses of up to 30% in oilseed rape, and potato leaf roll virus, possibly the most important virus disease of potatoes. The distinct nature of the viruses involved means that tolerance to one form of the virus does not necessarily confer equal protection against another, explains Ben Bishop, KWS country manager for sugar beet in the UK. “Maruscha KWS is the first variety to come through the KWS breeding programme with a level of tolerance that supports commercially viable

Maruscha KWS virus yellows tolerant sugar beet in a field of non-tolerant beet

yields,” says KWS country manager Ben Bishop. KWS will have a series of demonstration plots of Maruscha KWS in commercial crops of sugar beet in the 2021 season, so those interested will have the opportunity to see how the crop performs under real-world conditions this summer While its tolerance to virus yellows is likely to pique grower interest, Maruscha KWS has also demonstrated good disease resistance to the principal threats, rust and Cercospora leaf spot in list trials.

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Beef & Dairy Major study identifies key disease priorities in livestock • Disease and lameness hit farm profits • Step-change needed in management • Well-being of livestock sector affected

ameness and endemic infectious disease continue to hamper productivity in the beef and dairy sectors, confirms a major survey. A step-change is needed in farm management to combat the problem, concludes the study by the Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) group, which polled farmers, stock people and vets on priority livestock diseases and syndromes. Results suggest lameness-related problems and endemic infectious disease continue to be key issues eroding production efficiency – compromising the wellbeing of both the cattle and sheep sectors. On the cattle side, the survey confirms that digital dermatitis and Johne’s disease remain major threats to the beef and dairy sectors. Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea also ranked highly.

Recurring threats “These results are some of the first that truly take into account

A proactive approach is needed to tackle disease, says the study

those at the coalface of farming, who deal with these diseases on a daily basis,” said RH&W chairman Nigel Miller. “We will now take these results forward to a workshop where priorities will be discussed, existing interventions established and gaps identified where RH&W could facilitate or speed progress and overcome barriers.” Mr Miller said the priority status of viral pneumonia was a recurring threat on many holdings. At a time when vaccination programmes are at the centre of the health management debate, this may increase interest in that proactive approach. More than 600 people responded to the survey. Amey Brassington of the AHDB, who analysed the results, said the disparity between vet or consultant and farmer views was one of the most interesting findings. “These differences of opinion may be a result of vets having a broader range of experience than farmers. Equally, vets are only called out to issues that cannot be dealt with by farmers.

But there was good coherency in the survey between specific diseases and syndromes – for example digital dermatitis to lameness, and viral pneumonia to calf disease – and that only added to the weight of the findings.

“

Fertility, mastitis and youngstock disease must be addressed’ On the sheep side, parasitic disease and lameness were problems. Foot rot scored highly, with

Top issues Fly strike was a typical example where farmers led its treatment, said Dr Brassington. Colin Mason, board member of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, said it was reassuring that the survey had confirmed digital dermatitis and lameness among the top issues in cattle – but concerning that they remained so damaging. “Equally, fertility, mastitis and youngstock disease continue to be headlines that must be addressed,” said Mr Mason.

its corrosive impact on body condition and welfare. Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis (CODD) also received a high score. National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker said: “we have solutions to many of the common diseases that are causing problems, but the challenge is that putting them in place onfarm creates challenges.” A disease workshop will now be held on 29 June. Bringing together vets, farmers and researchers, it will attempt to identify barriers, goals and interventions to rectifying livestock disease problems.

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Beef & Dairy

Micronutrients crucial to prevent lameness

armers looking to reduce lameness in cattle are being encouraged to consider trace element and vitamin supplementation to support hoof health. Appropriate micronutrition, teamed with a suitable trimming strategy, can support the hoof horn and help prevent lameness and its costly consequences, says Tom Butler, group technical manager at Brinicombe. “Lame cows will have a lower dry matter intake and their milk yield will subsequently be reduced. The problem most commonly occurs when the integrity of the hoof horn deteriorates, allowing disease and bacteria to enter the foot.” Trace element and vitamin supplementation can play an important part in supporting hoof integrity, says Mr Butler. This helps to reduce the risk of hoof diseases, such as digital dermatitis and sole ulcers.

Beneficial Biotin and zinc as particularly beneficial. Essential for keratinisation, which is a key process in the healthy composition of the hoof horn, biotin is a vitamin of-

ten lacking in cattle diets. Zinc is also seen as important for good hoof health. Mr Butler says: “Severe nutritional deficiencies in both biotin and zinc can lead to a fragile hoof, more susceptible to cracks and bacterial infections, thus increasing the risk of lameness.” He recommends routinely incorporating trace element and vitamin supplementation into lameness management strategies. “Trace element and vitamin boluses high in biotin and zinc, such as EnduraBol Biotin, are a good way to ensure a consistent and long-lasting supply of micronutrients to help support hoof health as well as general cow health and performance.” Based on scientific research, EnduraBol Biotin has been designed with hoof health in mind. Two boluses deliver approximately 20mg of biotin per day and a sustained release of zinc for up to 120 days. “During the summer, lameness can be increasingly noticeable as cattle are more likely to be walking further to the parlour, often on sharp, stony tracks, which can cause wear and tear on hooves,” says Mr Butler.

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Beef & Dairy

Australia free trade deal is ‘bad for beef’

n increase in beef exports following a tariff-free trade deal with Australia could have a big impact on British producers, say meat processors. The Australians insist that they won’t be sending huge volumes of meat to the UK – but the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) says even a small volume of imported meat could have a disproportionately big effect on UK farmers. BMPA trade policy adviser Peter Hardwick said: “It’s not the amount of meat by weight that matters it is the amount of high-end, high value cuts that will have a disproportional impact on the marketplace.” A 17 tonne container with a full range of meat cuts might represent just 60 animals, said Mr Hardwick. But a similar shipment containing only high value boneless sirloins would have come from over 1000 animals. If

it was full of fillet steaks, it could be three times that number. Mr Hardwick said the key to understanding the mechanics of global trade in meat was how the value from each animal is made up. Products like mince, stewing joints and even roasting joints were the least profitable – and sometimes sold at a loss.

High-end products High-end cuts like sirloins, rumps and fillet steaks are where most profit is made. Without these higher value products, beef production wouldn’t be viable – regardless of where in the world it takes place. Sustained competition from overseas for profitable high-end products would inevitably impact farmers and processors, said Mr Hardwick. It would force some British farmers out of business and weaken the UK’s domestic food security.

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It was unlikely that this lost trade would be fully replaced by trying to compete in export markets further afield with the likes of Australia, added Mr Hardwick. NFU president Minette Batters said a free trade deal with Australia would have serious implications for British farming – while seemingly offer incredibly little benefit to the rest of the UK economy.

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Beef & Dairy

Prize-winning beef farmer shares tips for success

prize-winning beef farmer has shared his secret for success after winning a nationwide competition for the fastest growing cattle. The Breedr Weigh to Win competition, which ran earlier this year, saw 240 farmers recording their cattle weights on a regular basis, so they could tailor livestock feed rations and management accordingly. Topping the table in the over 12-months category was Andrew Hyde, who keeps 450 beef cattle at Woofferton Grange, Ludlow, Shropshire. He buys British Blue x dairy calves from a dedicated rearer at 12-weeks and finishes them for a large supermarket. Calves are bought in at about 130kg and finished at about 600kg liveweight at 20-22 months old, says Mr Hyde. Most finish at the target R3 or 0+3 grades, commanding a valuable price premium. The winning group of 46 cat-

tle averaged a liveweight gain of 1.88kg per day over the five months of the competition. Mr Hyde attributes this to grazing last summer, growing their frames ahead of a fast-growing diet during the winter. The family farm spans 445ha. It comprises a mix of arable, beef and sheep – with sugar beet supplied to a local anaerobic digestion plant as well as for cattle feed.

Mixed ration “When the youngstock arrive on farm, for the first month we feed a blend that’s similar to the rearer feed they were on,” explains Mr Hyde. They are then transitioned to a total mixed ration of grass silage and rolled home-grown barley with sugar beet. Mr Hyde groups the cattle according to size and weighs them monthly, shifting them into other groups if required so they can be fed to weight. Younger or small-

November, and with the Breedr app it’s really easy to sort out the groups and record any medical records,” he says. “We used to select finished stock by eye, so now sometimes we’re shocked by the actual weights – I’m definitely surprised by the way they’ve grown this winter. But it helps us to see what’s coming up to slaughter.”

Consistency is key, says Shropshire beef producer Andrew Hyde

er ones are grazed over the summer, while finishers are housed on open-fronted straw yards. “We only started weighing in

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Meadow Quality 01789 734100 40 MIDLAND FARMER • JUNE 2021

Smaller groups Recent changes to farm management have included increasing from two cuts of silage to three – improving its feeding quality. And Mr Hyde is now buying smaller groups of youngstock every two months rather all in the spring. “The supermarket wants more consistency, and it’s quite hard financially when you have all fatstock because they’re eating so much. If you level it out throughout the year it’s better for cashflow.”

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Machinery Award-winning harvest technology at Cereals

ohn Deere’s flagship X9 combine harvester will be on show for visitors to see at this month’s Cereals event – alongside a range of other new products. The X9 1100 combine – which harvest 100 tonnes of wheat per hour with less than 1% grain loss – will be featured on the company’s stand (525) on 30 June and 1 July at Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire. John Deere says the X9 represents the next level of harvesting performance to help larger farmers achieve more tonnes per hour and more hectares per day, specifically in tough, high yielding, wet conditions. In the lead up to this year’s show, the new X9 Series combines were recognised in the Robotics category of the 2021 CES Innovation Awards. This was the second straight year John Deere has received such an award, after the 8RX tractor in 2020. The award recognises outstanding product design and engineering in technology products. The X9 Series combine also received a 2021 AE50

Award for innovations that improve production agriculture. Other machines making their Cereals debut include the 7R 350 and 8RX four-track tractors. The R740i trailed sprayer and Mazzotti MAF 4080 selfpropelled sprayer with 36m boom can be seen in the Sprays & Sprayers demonstration arena. The new top of the range 7R 350 tractor develops up to 388hp. The 8RX has proved to be popular with UK farmers and contractors, who have recognised and experienced its suc-

The X9 combine can harvest 100 tonnes of wheat per hour

cessful combination of soil preservation with greater productivity. Built in a compact frame for easy manoeuvrability, the 8RX Series was developed with the aim of maximising soil protection without compromising tractor performance. Precision and intelligent technology are incorporated in the mid-range R740i trailed sprayer. This 4000-litre capacity machine offers boom widths from 18 to 30m, with a new system to reduce filling times, improve spray application and increase accuracy.

Overseeder requires less power – saving fuel

xhibitors at the 2021 Groundswell event will include JC Machinery, which will showcase the Vredo range of overseeders. The event takes place on 23-24 June at Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire. The Vredo Agri Twin and Air Series are both renowned for their innovative grassland overseeding, but the addition of the award winning Crop Drill System (CDS) has made it a market first. Now equipped with the CDS, the machines are able to sow arable crops directly on corn stubble without any tillage at a 15cm row distance, whilst keeping the wellknown grass land overseeding features and 96% germination rate. Because of this, it is the only machine capable of overseeding on grass and arable land, and since the system works through slitting instead

42 MIDLAND FARMER • JUNE 2021

of cultivating, less machine power is needed, saving on fuel costs. The base of the machine remains a pair of slicing disks with an inter-row distance of 7.5cm. But, to sow arable crops deeper, every second pair of discs can be pulled higher using hydraulics, creating a sowing distance of 15cm.

Healthier crops Soil is not disturbed, maintains its strength and keeps the organic matter in the top layer, giving healthier crops using less chemicals and fertilisers. The seed distributors can quickly be diverted from ten to five exits to work with the pulled-up elements of the Seeder. This works with Vredo’s own pneumatic seed hopper, which can distribute very fine seed – or very large seed – evenly. The working width of the models ranges from 2.5m to 5.8m, ensuring there is a suitable model for every sit-

uation. The multi-functional machine can operate all year round, doesn’t disturb the soil and creates healthier crops while giving more machine hours per unit. Having the ability to carry out professional grassland and arable land management with one unit makes the new Vredo Agri Air and Agri Twin Series among the most efficient on the market, claims the company.

Slicing disks on the machine have an inter-row distance of 7.5cm

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Property & Professional

Challenging weather sees 18% fall in farm incomes • • •

Difficult year sees decline in profits Performance better than expected Partial recovery may be on the way

ing growing conditions further limiting yields at harvest. Flooding across parts of the East Midlands – including Lincolnshire and north Nottinghamshire – in late 2019 meant farmers were unable to

et farm income during the latest harvest season fell by 18% in the East Midlands, according to a survey by accountants and business advisers Duncan & Toplis. The survey – which covered 8000ha of farmland – found that average net farm income for the 2020 harvest fell to £109/ha, down from £133/ha the year before. But the 18% fall was still better than the 30% drop predicted a year ago. The main cause of the income reduction was the wet winter and flooding of 2019/20 which was followed by a very dry spring. This caused difficulties establishing crops, with challeng-

Profit margins have tightened three years in a row, says Mark Chatterton

drill much of their winter wheat, leaving large areas of land unused until spring crops could be planted.

Tighter profits Increases in commodity prices helped to offset the cost of the reduced yields, but gross margins still reduced from £665 to £627 per hectare, making this the third year in a row in which profit margins have tightened. Mark Chatterton, head of agriculture at Duncan & Toplis, said: “Every year, we survey farms in our region with year ends between September and January to identify the overall trends across the sector in the East Midlands. “After 2016 saw one of the worst arable harvests in a decade, farms in our region saw net incomes rising over the following two years, reaching a peak of £163 per hectare in 2018. Since then however, incomes have decreased again. “While net income is still far better than the low-point in 2016, it has been a difficult year for many. Fuel saw

2021 harvest yields set to fall below five year average

Study claims farmland can help UK reach Net Zero target

armed landscapes can contribute to carbon management while also offering opportunities for wildlife, says a study. Peatlands and native woodlands are among the habitats with the greatest capacity to store carbon, says the Natural England report. But other habitats – including including grasslands – could have a significant role too, it suggests. Hedgerows can increase carbon storage while benefiting wildlife and biodiversity as part of the farmed countryside, says the document. Future environmental land management schemes will reward farmers for doing this work. The report says the landscape recovery tier of the forthcoming environmental Land Manage-

44 MIDLAND FARMER • JUNE 2021

ment scheme will incentivise major land management changes and habitat restoration across England. Natural England climate change specialist Ruth Gregg said: “To achieve [our] full potential in helping the UK achieve net zero by 2050 we need to act now, basing decisions on robust science and taking a strategic approach.” Land agents Strutt & Parker say increased demand from green investors looking at alternatives to food production is one of the most notable developments in the farmland over recent months. “They still represent a very small subset of the market, but it does look as if that proportion is set to grow,” it says. Plans include tree planting, rewilding and oth-

er conservation and carbon-offset projects. National Sheep Association chief Executive Phil Stocker said future land management schemes would provide the opportunity for the vast majority of the UK’s farmland to be managed in ways that enhance soil and nature. This would be achieved through the forthcoming Sustainable Farming Incentive – but also go further with local nature recovery and landscape recovery to create and maintain habitats with related net zero benefits. In the study, woodlands are noted as having high rates of carbon sequestration – depending on the species, age and location of trees. Old woodland can become substantial carbon stores, it adds.

Mr Stocker said protecting these habitats was important for biodiversity too. But he cautioned against a headlong rush to meet tree planting targets – saying it was crucial to remember the importance of suitable site selection. “The right tree in the right place is what is crucial and that future needs will be a mix of climate control, nature recovery and a need to feed ourselves healthily and not ‘offshore’ our footprint to somewhere that is simply out of sight.” Trees and shrubs – alongside sheep and grazing animal systems – could support food production while providing wider environmental and nature benefits, helping to contribute to the UK meeting its carbon targets.

“

Fortunately, crop prices remain high

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a considerable fall due to a price reduction and a change in cropping mix to more spring crops and fallow. Machinery repairs and contract and hire costs also fell. “Meanwhile, depreciation increased slightly. This figure is net of profit on sale and this had a greater impact in 2019 when there were more trade-ins. Property repairs also reduced back to 2018 levels as farmers did not carry out as many planned projects. Other overheads remained consistent, but rent and finance costs increased as the fall in profits increased overdrafts.

Harvest forecast Looking ahead to the 2021 harvest, Mr Chatterton said he expected average yields to be below the five year average once again because weather patterns had not been favourable. “More winter crops were sown last

autumn than in the previous year, but many farmers report having bare patches in their fields as a result of poor drainage. Fortunately, crop prices remain high. “Most farmers budgeted realistic prices for wheat of £155 per tonne and £375 per tonne for oilseed rape. Forward prices are now a lot higher, but many have locked into a selling strategy already and so they will not reach these higher prices on average. “On average, farms will also experience the effects of an 15% drop in the basic payment subsidy. I expect that farm gross margins for the upcoming harvest could be £50 per hectare higher at £677 per hectare.” That said, Mr Chatterton cautioned that net profits would depend on the ability for farms to control costs, particularly labour and machinery costs which should be kept below the ‘magic figure’ of £370 per hectare. “This might be more difficult to achieve this year, because many investments will have been postponed due to the poor harvests of recent years and there may be new challenges in securing seasonal workers due to Covid-19 and Brexit.”

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FINAL SAY Clodhopper

Landlord and tenant Farming agreements – which were once simple – have become much more complicated, says Clodhopper.

’m not sure I fit the bill to be a farmer any more. Semi-retirement is in full flow, my brain frequently goes into autopilot mode and little things often slip by. When I say “little things” I mean my attention to detail has slowed down. Maybe it is called de-stressing after years of running a business. When a friend recently asked me to look over or comment on his land agreement, I couldn’t make head nor tail of it. Like me, he has decided to take a backward step and let a near neighbour farm his land. There is nothing unusual about that you might think. But I cannot work out whether it is share farming, contracting, renting or a combination of all three.

Next generation I understood share farming when it was all about a newer entrant to agriculture learning on the job while the older farmer eased himself into retirement. It’s a great way of passing knowledge down the line to the next generation. It is also mutually beneficial agreement for two parties to come together while remaining two separate businesses. They both contribute their individual expertise to the mutual benefit of both parties. Unlike contract farming, share farming agreements make no guaranteed payments. This means that

46 MIDLAND FARMER • JUNE 2021

both parties can benefit in the good times and share the burden of loss in the lean times. Contract farming is different. It usually involves a pre-agreed amount allocated between the landlord and the contract farmer – with any subsequent surplus divided between the two. Share farming agreements and contract farming agreements both have their good points – and have served farmers and their landlords well over the years. But my friend had been troubled by recent events.

Active farmer His farm accountant advised him against the simple idea of renting out the farm because he would lose certain allowances. There was also the ongoing requirement to be seen as an active farm business. But my friend wants a quieter life and there is little doubt that the easiest solution is to take the rent and let the contractor take care of the finance and day-to-day running of the farm. That said, it turns out that the agreed facts and figures were not what they seemed. After an initial agreement about cropping, it appears that the contractor – or tenant depending upon your viewpoint – had sublet the land to somebody else. This meant a big chunk of the farm was growing sugar beet, maize and

“

My friend had been troubled by recent events

vegetables. It also explained why the contractor was paying a third party to drill the beet. The drillman showed him a substantial map of all rented land – on his farm and elsewhere too. The same appeared to be happening with other land let for root crops. So from being a straightforward agreement with costs agreed, a third party had become involved – and somewhat heavily as well.

Changing hands On tackling the contractor – or tenant – it appeared that money was changing hands without my friend’s knowledge. In hindsight, my friend could have taken the rent-only option – cutting out the third party. The whole situation raises a big question: with three parties involved, who is responsible for the cross compliance? One of the growers was under the impression that he was claiming the basic payment while the landlord was responsible. Clearly though, that does not work. And it appears that the agent involved had been acting for all concerned too. It is a shady way to operate. It appears that the trick was to gain control of the land and then go back and renegotiate the finer details. With fewer family farms able to survive – especially as the basic payment is phased out – I expect we will see more cases like this. Agreements are often no longer what they seem and agents should be closely inspected before pen is put to paper.

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