Midland Farmer June 2023

Clodhopper Supermarket sweep hits farmers

Midland Farmer

EDITORIAL

Editor:

Johann Tasker | T: 07967 634971

E: johann@ruralcity.co.uk

Design:

Mark Shreeve | T: 01502 725839

E: mark.shreeve@micropress.co.uk

Advertisement production:

Jade Soanes | T: 01502 725840

E: jade.soanes@micropress.co.uk

ADVERTISING SALES

Chloe Miller | T: 01502 725844

E: chloe.miller@micropress.co.uk

Danny Lewis | T: 01502 725862

E: danny.lewis@micropress.co.uk

Mat Roffey | T: 01502 725854

E: mat.roffey@micropress.co.uk

Mark Tait | T: 01502 725803

E: mark.tait@micropress.co.uk

OPINION Johann Tasker

Talk is cheap at Downing Street food summit

Last month’s Farm to Fork summit at Downing Street was billed as a show of government support for UK farmers.

The summit fulfilled a commitment made by Rishi Sunak last summer to host the event as part of his pledge to back British farmers. Held on a sunny spring day at No. 10, the event brought together representatives from across the supply chain who spilled out into the Downing St garden to sample some great British food and drink.

mains stubbornly high. So too do farm input costs, as the latest ag-inflation figures show.

The happiest people at the Downing St summit appeared to be the Prime Minister himself and Clarkson’s Farm star Kaleb Cooper. Both men were pictured laughing together as they posed for the cameras.

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 adam.gunton@micropress.co.uk

© Countrywide Publications 2023

Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon Suffolk IP18 6DH

T: 01502 725800

Printed by Micropress

Printers Ltd T: 01502 725800

Accompanied by a raft of government announcements, the summit was designed to demonstrate that the Prime Minister recognises the importance of UK agriculture – and domestic food production. Did it succeed? Well, the package of support included a commitment to protect farming interests in future trade deals, support to boost domestic fruit and veg production – and new investment in agricultural technologies.

But talk is cheap, as the old saying goes. Nothing in the package will make any immediate difference to farmers who are battling high input costs, falling commodity prices and ultimately tighter margins.

Inflation might have eased – but that doesn’t mean prices are falling. It just means they are rising less quickly. In fact, food price inflation re-

Some cynics might say that inviting the 24-yearold agricultural contractor to No 10 proves that the summit was just a PR stunt – an opportunity for Rishi Sunak to highlight his pledge to “always back British farmers”.

The NFU has been more gracious, arguing that the summit and accompanying announcements show that he recognises and understands the strategic importance of British food and farming to the nation. In fact, the summit was held at the union’s behest.

But to make a real difference, rather than empty words, the Prime Minister and his government need a coherent vision for the farmers and food producers they claim will always be “at the heart of our plans to grow the economy and build a more prosperous country”.

Johann Tasker Editor

Prime Minister urged to build on promises made to farmers

Actions speak louder than words, say farm leaders

Rishi Sunak has been urged to build on promises made at last month’s Downing Street food summit – and help secure a more pros perous future for farming.

The Prime Minster hosted the Farm to Fork Summit in the Downing Street garden on Tuesday, 16 May. The NFU said it marked a significant step in the union’s campaign for government rec ognition of the strategic importance of British food and farming.

Planning policyy

Ahead of the meeting, the government made a raft of announcements – in cluding changes in planning policy, help for exports and protecting UK food standards under existing and fu ture free trade agreements.

Farm leaders at the summit includ ed Country Land and Business Associ ation president Mark Tufnell, Nick Al len from the British Meat Processors Association – and 24-year-old Clark son’s Farm star Kaleb Cooper.

The Prime Minister said: “Farming isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life. And it doesn’t matter how young you are, there’s a role for you in farming. Anyone can do it. And farming businesses really thrive from having young entrepreneurial spirit.”

Food security

NFU president Minette Batters said Mr Sunak had delivered on a commitment made last year to host the summit. She added: “Many farmers and growers I represent will be relieved to see UK food security being taken seriously by the government.”

The number of cabinet ministers at the summit showed there was ambition across government to boost homegrown production – and support investment and growth in British food.

“What we need now is to build on these announcements,” said Mrs Batters afterwards.

“We are calling for a set of core agrifood import standards for trade. While it is pleasing government is looking to

maintain self-sufficiency at 60%, we believe there’s an opportunity to produce much more of our own food.”

“Vitally, the Farm to Fork Summit should become an annual event,

Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper shares a joke with

Rishi Sunak

as our food supply is part of the UK’s national infrastructure and will ensure that food security never drops down the political agenda, across all parties, again.”

Risks and shocks

Other organisations also warned that more was needed. Vicki Hird, head of sustainable farming at campaign group Sustain, said: “The government cannot leave the nation’s food security in the hands of the supermarket chains alone.”

More support was needed for environmentally friendly farming. So too were legally binding supply chain codes of practice, and a strategy to ensure more agroecological, nature friendly food for consumers.

Nature Friendly Farming Network chairman Martin Lines said: “The food system has been increasingly commodified and consolidated, which has dramatically exposed our food and farming systems to risks and shocks.

“The government needs to recognise that the twin challenges of producing healthy food and protecting the environment are closely connected. It needs to take a systems view of what we can grow and produce that is ecologically appropriate.”

Raft of pledges ‘must now be delivered’

Pledges made by the government to coincide with the summit included reviews into fairness in the horticulture and egg supply chains – both of which have faced challenges over recent months.

Horticulture has been hit by labour shortages and high energy costs – both of which have seen growers forced to abandon production. Enrgy costs have also hit egg producers – as has bird flu – who have complained that retail prices are too low.

The government said the Groceries Code Adjudicator will not now be merged with the Competition and Markets Authority, in recognition of its importance in ensuring our food supply chains function as they should.

Meanwhile, new export opportunities will be

prioritised for UK food and drink. This includes a new bespoke £1m programme to encourage more dairy exports. Five additional special attaches will help spearhead the removal of restrictive market barriers.

The EU Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation Scheme will now be retaned when it closes in 2026. And retrictions will be eased to make it easier to build new glasshouses through changes to national planning policy;

UK food standards will be protected under all existing and future free trade agreements – with the government finally ruling out the prospects of chlorine-washed chicken or hormone-treated beef coming into the UK.

With the drainage season upon us thoughts always drift back to when the land was so wet nothing could get on it and the anxious wait for things to dry out. Conversations at sales and markets turn to predictions of tonnes per acre, washed out tilth, the cost of planting and of

This is where we at DW Clark can help. We can advise on the best solutions for the budgets involved whether if be just ditching or wet spots, mole ploughing or subsoiling or a full intense drainage scheme, we can help.

We have the manpower, expertise, experience and modern machinery to cope with any situation so why not give us a call to discuss any land drainage issues you may be experiencing.

“YOU CANNOT FARM WET LAND ”

Largest organic event unites food and farming sectors

Farming and food enthusiasts will come together next month to explore mixed, whole organic farming systems and organic food supply chains.

Billed as the UK’s largest organic on-farm event, the Organic Farmers & Growers’ annual National Organic Conference will be hosted by organic farmer Mark Lea on Tuesday, 4 July, at Green Acres Farm, Shropshire.

The one-day event will focus on organic arable and integrated livestock systems as part of a mixed, whole farm approach. It will also explore natural capital and organic food supply chains, highlighting the benefits delivered by organic agriculture.

Delegates will be shown around the 180ha mixed farm business, which has been certified organic for more than 20 years. They will also hear from experts in organic agriculture and food on a global scale.

Farmer collective

Mr Lea’s arable enterprise includes organic oats grown for the Organic Arable farmer collective. It includes more than a dozen diverse wheats, incorporating landrace, herit-

age and modern varieties and specially bred crosses, with some included in Organic Research Centre trials.

The farm also has a flock of 200 New Zealand Romney sheep, a living mulch trial and

faces some significant challenges, with agrienvironment schemes still to be fully formed, and increasing economic uncertainty and a worsening climate crisis.

“Despite consumer concerns with rising prices across grocery categories, the UK organic market remains buoyant with an annual value of over £3bn.

“With many shoppers increasingly concerned about the potentially catastrophmate change on future generations, now is the time for the organic sector to step up and communicate its value in helping to mitigate

Groundswell Regenerative farming event celebrates eighth year

Thousands of farmers to attend two-day celebration of farming

Organisers of the UK’s biggest regenerative farming event have unveiled a bumper pro gramme featuring more than 200 speakers.

Now in its eighth year, the Ground swell Festival takes place on 28-29 June 2023 at Lannock Manor Farm, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire. As well as talks, it will feature hundreds of trade stands and demonstrations.

Groundswell provides a forum for farmers, growers and anyone inter ested in food production and the en vironment to learn about the theory and practical applications of regener ative farming systems.

Organised by the Cherry family, the programme has been designed to cov er all aspects of farming – from live stock and agroforestry to machinery, crops and finance. Event director Alex Cherry feels that this is what makes Groundswell unique.

All welcome

“Last year we welcomed over 5,500 delegates to Groundswell from farmers to policymakers, all with a similar objective – to understand more about regenerative agriculture,” he says.

“Regardless of your farming operation or scale, everyone has a role to play in ensuring we protect our soil, look after the land and produce food in a safe and nutritious way.

“We use the five principals of regenerative agriculture to help guide our farming decisions. This includes protecting the soil surface, increasing diversity, integrating livestock, maintaining living roots and minimising soil disturbance.”

Mr Cherry added: “We want to ensure Groundswell remains an inclusive space for everyone to share their own thoughts, practical ideas and experiences to help make farming part of the solution, to many of the issues we face today.”

As well as sessions curated by the Groundswell team, organisations and individuals have been invited to put

applications nearly double the number of spaces available.

Advanced sessions

Science writer Anne Biklé will deliver the first keynote of Groundswell 2023. Her latest book – What Your Food Ate: How to Heal the Land and Reclaim our Health – delves into the connections between soil health and the health of crops, animals, and people. New this year, the event will include a number of advanced sessions. These will provide more depth on a topic, allowing farmers who are already using

The Groundswell event is expected to sell out, say organisers

pand their knowledge.

This year will have a strong focus on pasture-fed livestock, with the Cherry family integrating cattle into their rotation to improve soil health. Showgoers will be able to enjoy beef-cooked over an open fire.

During the event, visitors will have the opportunity to follow the full supply chain: hearing from Pasture for Life about 100% grass-fed cattle and sheep; seeing mob grazing in action; and viewing a mobile abattoir. For full details, including tickets, visit www.groundswellag.com

Global speakers flock to Groundswell

Speakers from around the world will give presentations at this year’s Groundwell event.

Richard Perkins, who farms in Sweden, will look at different regenerative practices regardless of scale. With more than 160,000 YouTube subscribers, he has inspired farmers across the globe with his approach to profitable systems.

Other speakers include Frédéric Thomas who specialises in minimum tillage and conservation agriculture and supported the creation of the French BASE network for biodiversity, agriculture, soil and environment, which has over 1200 members.

Joel Williams, a plant and soil health consultant in microbial ecology and mineral nutrition, will give a presentation. So too will musician Andy Cato, who co-founded Wildfarmed, a regenerative farming business.

Emily Bull, who manages the FAI Farms regenerative dairy project in the UK, will give a speech about the system.

Judith Batchelor, a former Sainsbury’s brand director, will lead a session. She is also deputy chair of the Environment Agency and honorary president of the British Nutrition Foundation.

Relax.

J & B Gray

Pailton Pastures Farm

Pailton , Rugby

Warwickshire

CV23 0QN

INDEPENDENT TASCC ASSURED GRAIN STORE

Independent TASCC assured grain store

Located within 3 miles of junctions on the M1, M6, M69 and A14.

Located within 3 miles of junctions on the M1,M6, M69 and A14.

We can offer individual storage Drying and cleaning facilities. Handling of infested loads as well as rolling cereals and pulses on site.

We can offer individual storage. Drying and cleaning facilities. Handling of infested loads as well as rolling cereals and pulses on site.

Steel Portal Framed

Agents fo DICKEYjohn moisture meters

Agents for DICKEYjohn moisture meters

The DICKEYjohn Mini GAC 2500

Grain Drying and Storage

The DICKEYjohn Mini GAC 2500

The Mini GAC 2500 hand-held has proved to be the UK’s most accurate moisture meter. Consistently proving its accuracy and reliability using the lasest 149MHz technology and is cheaper than similar UK models.

Email : store@jbgrayfarming.co.uk

The Mini GAC 2500 hand-held has proved to be the UK’s most accurate moisture meter. Consistently proving its accuracy and reliability using the lasest 149MHz technology and is cheaper than similar UK models. Email

Tel: 07973 159903

Visit our website at: www.graygrainstorage.co.uk

Event more popular than ever, say hosts

This year's Groundswell event promises to be more popular than ever, with a jam-packed programme of exhibitors, demonstrations and talks.

Entering its eight year, Groundswell provides a forum for farmers and everyone else interested in food production or the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of conservation agriculture –including no-till, cover crops and improving soil health.

The two-day event will feature talks, forums and discussions from leading international soil health experts, experienced arable and livestock farmers, agricultural policy experts, direct-drill demonstrations and agritech innovators.

Aimed at all types of farmers, Groundswell was founded by the Cherry family on their mixed farm in Hertfordshire. Brothers John and Paul

VisitusatGroundswellStandPFE18

Cherry have farmed for more than 30 years, converting to a no-till system in 2010.

“We started Groundswell out of a sense of frustration that no-one was putting on a summer show to which we might want to go,” says John.

"A visit to the fabulous No-Till on the Plains Conference in Salina, Kansas showed us what could be done.

"One of the most striking things was how hungry for information the farmer delegates were about the soil and the ecosystems that lived in them.

Radical ideas

“A lot of the speakers were describing some fairly radical farming ideas and techniques and their audiences were lapping it up. We thought that if the good people of Kansas were ready for this, we sure as hell ought to be ready in Europe.”

Groundswell continues to go from strength to strength – welcoming more than 5,500 visitors in 2022. This growth reflects increasing interest in regenerative agriculture – and the benefits of such systems in terms of carbon sequestration and flood prevention.

“Despite these other interest groups, Groundswell remains a show ‘for farmers, by farmers’; we aim to explore ways of working with nature to grow food in a profitable way,” says Paul.

Arable

Regional trials 'best for crop variety decisions'

• Local knowledge and performance

• Assess different disease situations

• Growers see valuable opportunities

Arable farmers favour local va riety trials over national dem onstrations when making cru cial decisions about what varieties to grow next season, says a survey.

The online questionnaire by plant breeders Limagrain UK saw an over whelming majority (86%) of respond ents say they regard information gained from regional variety demonstrations as more relatable than from national events.

“This is mainly because local events offer the chance to see how new and existing varieties perform in local soils, climate, and disease situations,” says Limagrain UK cereals and pulses product manager Tom Barker.

“Indeed,43% of farmers responding to the survey have attended a regional event with variety trials in the past 12 months, compared with just 28% that have attended a national event, such as Cereals or Arable Scot-

Around one quarter of arable farmers have taken part in an online trials webinar, such as those organised by NIAB TAG or the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, according to the sur-

Some threequarters of growers are prepared to travel up to an hour or more to attend a regional variety tri-

ty to compare treated and untreated plots is also important.

So too is seeing how varieties perform under seasonal pressures. Other areas of interest include; late versus early drilling comparisons, different methods of establishment, alternative fungicide programmes and trace element or micronutrient work.

Most interest

“It is also clear from the survey that growers take information from a range of sources when making variety decisions, says Mr Barker. This includes independent bodies, breeders, agronomists, and seed merchants

Winter wheat varieties are generally of most interest, followed by winter barley, spring barley, oilseed rape and then minor crops. The vast majority (93%) would confidently select a variety based on what they had seen

Survey summary

Regional variety trials are more relatable than national events

Comparing treated and untreated plots is important to growers

Left: Good quality technical information is vital, says Tom Barker

Good opportunity to see varieties in local conditions (soils, climate, disease pressure)

Untreated and treated comparisons are of particular interest

Trials events must offer good technical detail

Observations from variety trials inform decisions for following season.

or learned at a variety trial.

“We organised the survey to find out what growers want from trials events, and how we can tailor them to their needs in the future,” says Mr Barker.

“It shows that growers base their varietal decision making on what they see or learn at demonstrations and trials, with regional events once again proving their worth as a place growers can go to gain knowledge and understanding of varieties.”

Regional trial days this summer

Plant breeders are hosting a number of events this season – highlighting the importance of local information when choosing a crop variety.

Limagrain’s summer programme during June and July features five locations. These include its milling wheat demonstration on the Essex coast near Maldon, up to the Perth winter wheat trials in central Scotland.

Each demonstration will showcase a range of new and existing varieties, alongside five new candidate wheat varieties currently going

through Recommended List approval.

These include two potential biscuit wheats, LG Arkle and LG Grendel, and two hard feed wheats, LG Beowulf – the highest yielding feed wheat candidate – and LG Redrum.

Limagrain’s Rothwell site will also feature the new winter barley Candidate LG Capitol, plus high yielding two-row feed LG Caravelle, which joined the Recommended List this year. For details, visit www.lgseeds.co.uk/eventsdemos

“

Defra ruling fuels demand for 'cleaner' fertiliser

Farmers are being encouraged to take steps to reduce ammonia pollution from urea fertiliser after Defra clarified its position on the issue.

Rules to mitigate emmissions from urea fertilisers mean farmers must use inhibitors – or other permitted forms of mitigation –after 1 April 2024. The guidelines will be applied through Red Tractor Assurance.

Government ministers agreed with the NFU and industry partners that a voluntary approach will work best for the environment and food production. But regulation could be introduced if farmers fail to deliver the required reductions in emissions.

Tried and tested

Fertiliser companies have been working hard to introduce urease inhibitors. Omex Agriculture launched its own inhibitor in Novem-

NitroShield reduces ammonia emissions by more than 70%, says David Booty

ber 2022, in anticipation ofthe Defra ruling.

NitroShield can reduce ammonia emissions from urea containing fertilisers by more than 70%, as well as lift winter wheat yields by 0.3t/ha and grain protein by 0.2%.

“We wanted to be in a position where we had a tried and tested product alongside solid research and advice to offer farmers before the guidance became official,” said Omex technical lead David Booty.

“Adding NitroShield to liquid nitrogen applications can help farmers meet this requirement, while improving efficiency at the most effective application rates.

“With less ammonia lost to the atmosphere and contained within the soil, the ni-

trogen applied alongside this innovative urease inhibitor is better utilised by crops.

“NitroShield gives reliable reductions of over 70% in ammonia emissions when mixed with Nitroflo or Nitroflo S grades prior to application,” added Mr Booty.

“The choice of whether to add it or not should be made on farm, on the day according to the date of application, the soil and weather conditions and any other mitigation factors, such as if fertiliser is incorporated within 24 hours.”

Mr Booty recommends that NitroShield should be routinely used for all nitrogen applications after 31 March unless signed off as unnecessary by a FACTS qualified adviser.

Cereals and Groundswell 2023 FREE Carbon Audit & Business Review

Cereals and Groundswell 2023

FREE Carbon Audit and FREE Business Review

Please join us on Wednesday 13th & Thursday 14th June on stand 185 at Cereals & Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th June at Groundswell

Through the Future Farm Resilience Fund you can receive a FREE carbon audit and provide a FREE review of your business.

Arable

How resilient rotations bring multiple benefits

• Varietal choice key to building success

• Choose crops to fit individual situations

Please join us on:

A carbon audit will give you the following information

Wednesday 13th & Thursday 14th June on stand 185 at Cereals & Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th June at Groundswell

• The level of greenhouse gases emitted from your farming and diversified businesses

• The greenhouse gas emissions split across the different enterprises on your farm

the Future Farm Resilience Fund you can receive a FREE carbon audit and provide a FREE review of your business

• The level of greenhouse gases sequestered in your soils, hedgerows and woodlands

• How you compare to similar businesses

A carbon audit will give you the following information

• Where you can make quick and simple changes to your business to reduce emissions

level of greenhouse gases emitted from your farming and diversified businesses greenhouse gas emissions split across the different enterprises on your farm level of greenhouse gases sequestered in your soils, hedgerows and woodlands

How you compare to similar businesses

Where you can make quick and simple changes to your business to reduce emissions

If you cannot make the show but are interested inany of the above, please phone or email Ian Thompson on 01383 730 538 ian@laurencegould.com

cannot make the show but are interested in any of the above, please phone or email Ian Thompson on 01383-730 538

ian@laurencegould.com

• Big benefits for productivity and income applications after a dry February and wet March-April could greatly increase the risk of lodging.

Choice of crops grown and picking varieties best suited to individual farm conditions can have a major impact on the resilience of arable production systems.

Building resilience into rotations means selecting varieties that can make the most out of individual growing situations and local marketing opportunities, says KWS cereals product manager Kirsty Richards.

“A one-size-fits-all approach is increasingly limiting if you are serious about building long-term resilience and sustainability into a farming business,” Dr Richards told a recent KWS business briefing for the seed trade.

“Looking at untreated yield is a good starting point in identifying which varieties might be the best for an individual farm in terms of their resilience, but this needs to be considered in line with regional information too.

“Twenty years ago in 2003, just 26% of the varieties on the RL had untreated yields over 80% of treated controls, whereas in 2023 it is now 97%.”

Some 85% of all KWS varie ties on the current RL have un treated yields of over 90%, led by KWS Extase at 97% and KWS Dawsum at 95%. These are ex ceptional, real-world indications of such varieties’ ability to cope with a range of adverse growing conditions.

“This is particularly relevant with all indications pointing to 2023 being a year with a high incidence of Septoria following the very wet spring just experi enced.”

Physical strength

Standing power and overall phys ical strength is another indicator of variety resilience. Again this is important this year, as nitrogen

“In 2003,the average lodging resistance with PGR for the top 10 varieties was less than 1% lodged crop whereas in 2023 the top 10 varieties in the ground have an average of over 5% lodging with PGR.

“This indicates that lodging resistance has generally gone down which is worrying, particularly as the RL data is based on the last five years when there hasn’t really been a lodging year.

“As well as greater resilience, shorter, stiffer strawed varieties can deliver cash and workload savings resulting from reduced PGR passes, better harvest security and reduced drying costs that often result from lodged crops.”

Financial resilience is also an important factor to bear in mind when planning rotations, with the ability of a variety to hit premium contract specification acting as a vital shock absorber in the current climate of high input costs.

“Modern Group 1 and 2 varie

of hitting high yields with usable protein levels compared to older varieties.

“Protein content might be a bit lower than some of the older varieties but this is not a problem as millers’ requirements are different. A range of specifications is now needed for the greater range of products now demanded by consumers.

“There are very lucrative contracts out there for proteins of over 12% and if you can achieve these whilst achieving 10.511.5t/ha yields, these can deliver really high returns.”

Financial benefits

sis carried out by the company shows the benefits can be worth over £2000/ha across a six-year rotation with more diverse cropping, including cover crops and sugar beet.

Working with costings from the John Nix farm management handbook, suggests a restricted 6-year rotation based on just two wheats followed by OSR and this then being repeated, would produce a net gross margin of £6628/ha.

Introducing a more diversified rotation adding winter barley, sugar beet and spring barley interspersed with catch and cover crops where appropriate would lift this to £8726/ha over the same six-year rotation.

This is an improvement of £2098/ha or over 30% in real terms. Plus of course that’s before you factor in all the additional benefits such as better soil structure, reduced use of key inputs and less incidence of diseas-

“A well-structured rotation can also ensure water is used more effectively, secure higher yields, increase biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas pro-

(Below left and right) Kirsty Richards and Olivia Potter

Harvest preview

Warning to avoid collisions during summer harvest

• Ensure vehicles are roadworthy

• Maintain tractors and machinery

• Take care even under pressure

Farmers and harvest workers are being urged to take extra care on rural roads this summer –and help reduce the number of harvest accidents.

Collisions between agricultural vehicles and other road users are 52% more likely between the start of May and the end of September, according to the latest accident statistics published by NFU Mutual.

As farmers prepare to begin the harvest season and agricultural traffic increases, the rural insurer has teamed up with local police – urging all rural road users to take extra care over the coming months.

Coinciding with the hotter weather when people look to explore the countryside, harvest season brings a greater need for all motorists to respect their fellow road users – and the usual hazards on country roads, says NFU Mutual.

Heavy traffic

First cut silage has already seen an increase in road traffic. The next few months will see even higher volumes – including inexperienced harvest workers driving tractors pulling heavy grain trailers or wide agricultural machinery.

On average, there were 423 of these accidents per month between May and

ing, hay making and harvesting cereal crops – compared to 249 per month between October and April.

As well as an increase in agricultural traffic, the summer months also coincide with the school holidays and a greater amount of leisure traffic, with road users not necessarily used to rural roads, which can further increase the risk of accidents.

The increase in agricultural vehicles in the road coincides with the sunnier weather and school holidays to greatly increase the volume of traffic on rural roads during this time, said NFU Mutual road sfety specialist Jade Devlin.

Accident advice

Rural motorists should be aware of tractors, trailers and other agricultural machinery, said Ms Devlin. “We’re beginning to see more tractors, trailers and large agricultural machinery such as combine harvesters on our ru-

“Unfortunately, our claims data shows that accidents involving these agricultural vehicles and third parties are over 50% more likely in the harvesting season, so we’re sharing some advice on how everyone can stay safe on rural roads this spring and summer.

“Agricultural vehicles are generally large, wide and slow, which can tempt road users to overtake, but it’s vital to remain patient and only overtake when it’s safe – when you can see a clear road ahead, there are no field openings, and you have space to pass.”

Farmers and contractors should not drive too quickly, said Ms Devlin. But they should pull over where safe to do so to allow built-up traffic to pass –unless they were going a very short distance to the next field or farmyard.

“Motorists and cyclists should be patient, give agricultural vehicles room to turn and not drive too close-

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility

“

Motorists sometimes try to overtake where it is unsafe to do so.

Picture: BG Media / Shutterstock.com

Sponsored by

Continued from previous page

ly to them, which can be dangerous and can obstruct your view before overtaking,” she said.

Mutual respect

“It’s important to remember that rural roads are vital arteries for our agricultural industry, allowing farmers to bring in the harvest which helps feed the population, as well as valued spaces which allow us to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

“Mutual respect from those who use rural roads for work and for pleasure will ultimately help keep our motorists, cyclists, horse riders and walkers safe this harvest season.”

Reiterating the importance of staying safe on rural roads this summer, police inspector Jem Mountford, from Warwickshire Police Roads Policing Unit, said: “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

“With more people using country roads during the summer months, it is important we are all patient and show respect to other road users. If everyone does this, then we can reduce the number of collisions and injuries on these roads.”

Harvest advice for rural road users

For farmers

• Ensure all equipment is road worthy and pay particular care to things like trailers which may not have been used for months.

• Check brakes and indicators and make sure you have reflectors and a beacon for your vehicle. Use the Tilly Checklist to inspect your trailer.

• Be aware of vulnerable road users or hidden junctions, making contractors aware of these junctions and commonly-used walking, cycling and riding routes.

• Familiarise yourself and your contractors with the speed limits for your vehicles.

• If your agricultural vehicles leave mud in the road, remember to clean it up.

• When turning, indicate in plenty of time and check more than once for road users on your inside.

• Be respectful to fellow road users, but only allow them to pass when it is safe to pull over.

All road users

• Give plenty of space when overtaking. Vulnerable road users, such as walkers, runners, horse riders and cyclists, should be given as much room as motorists where possible.

• Always check for other road users, particularly at the entrance of fields and junctions.

• Be patient with fellow road users and only overtake when it is safe for all road users.

• Consider where you park to avoid blocking field entrances or obstructing the road for wide agricultural machinery, such as combine harvesters, as they will often need to drive across two lanes.

• Be aware of mud on the road. Rural roads are essential to our farming industry and therefore some mud will be dragged from fields to the road.

• Familiarise yourself with the Highway Code.

• Avoid unnecessary distractions like looking at your phone or listening to music through headphones, allowing you to be aware of your surroundings.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists

• Speed limits are not targets. Always drive appropriately and remember rural roads are likely to have hazards such as tighter carriageways, blind corners, and animals in the road.

• Pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders should consider wearing appropriate clothing which enables them to be seen.

• Respect that rural roads are vital to our farming industry and expect to encounter tractors, farm machinery or animals in the road.

• Signal correctly and in plenty of time, whether you are a motorist, cyclist or horse rider.

[Source: NFU Mutual]

Mixed outlook for farmers on ag-inflation

Many farmers face a tough harvest because input costs remain stubbornly high, suggest the latest aginflation figures from the AF Group.

Average farm input costs fell by 3.17% in the six months to 31 March – the first decrease in more than three years, according to the group’s interim Aginflation Index. But farmers still face contrasting trends.

Two out of nine input categories saw double digit negative deflation with the cost of fertiliser and fuel falling by 30% and 23% respectively. Three other categories – machinery, contract hire and animal feed and medicine – fell by 2.3%, 1.9% and 1.7%.

Mixed picture

But some other input costs continued to rise. Agrochemical costs were up by almost 13%. Rent and other business operating expenses increased by more than 7% with labour costs rising by 6.6%.

Farm enterprise types are also experiencing contrasting fortunes.

“The significant drop in fertiliser prices is, of course, welcome but many farmers bought their fertiliser when prices were still sky high and now output values are falling,

so this could be a very difficult harvest,” said AF chief executive David Horton-Fawkes.

“It’s alarming that crop protection prices are continuing to rise, and we are encouraging our members to look beyond brand names and focus on active ingredients. If previous patterns continue, we should see these prices begin to ease next year.”

Enterprise types

Sectors experiencing lower costs include dairy (-4.84%), potatoes (-3.71%) and beef and lamb (-2.68%). But sugar beet production costs have increased by 4.75%, with cereals and oilseed rape seeing input costs rise by 0.56%.

“The dip in aginflation is very good news but it is too variable across different types of farm business to give much cause for relief,” said Mr Horton-Fawkes.

“The gap between the cost of production and the value of sales is still too wide and too variable.”

The total food Retail Price Index rose by 14.3% over the same six months. Retail milk prices saw a 44% increase with beef and lamb prices rising 16.3%. But these rises were still too low to offset higher farm input costs.

David Horton-Fawkes: farmers still face a series of alarming cost increases

Crop drying, ventilation and storage systems specialists.

Home-cleaned seed boosts farm margins

• Sieve cleaner is easy to operate

• Worthwhile return on investment

• Meets high standards for purity

ALincolnshire farming family says they expect a good return on investment after purchasing a sieve cleaner to ensure herbage grass seed meets high standards.

Andrew Stovin farms 500ha with father Alan and brother Mathew at NM Stovin Farms, near Alford, on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Cleaning grass seed on farm has increased their bottom line, he says.

The JCM VibroMAX vibrating sieve cleaner supplied by McArthur Agriculture allows the Stovin family to meet the cleaning standards of their grass seed merchants – and is also used to clean home-saved seed.

“As well as growing wheat, barley and spring beans and having around 60 suckler cattle, we grow around 160ha of grass seed,” says Andrew Stovin.

“Before we had the JCM VibroMAX we had to pay our seed merchants to clean the seed for us.

“They would come and take a sample and anything below 98% pure seed had to be cleaned – so it’s not hard to see that paying for cleaning quickly eroded our profit margin.”

Trial sample

Mr Stovin saw one of his university friends using a JCM VibroMAX to clean grain two years ago. Seeing its potential, he asked McArthur Agriculture to clean a trial sample of grass seed – and liked the results.

“Seed cleaning of any kind has a lot of variables that can affect the outcome. But the results achieved with the JCM VibroMAX gave us the confidence that it would deliver the high standard required by our merchants.”

For harvest 2021, the Stovins used the JCM VibroMAX cleaner as a standalone machine. Before making any additional investment in handling equipment, they wanted the cleaner to prove that it would deliver as expected.

“The JCM VibroMAX performed extremely well so we asked McArthur Agriculture to design a handling system to further streamline the processing of our grass seed in time for harvest 2022,” says Mr Stovin.

Bucket elevator

Grass seed is now tipped into a Skandia Elevator AB KTG above ground intake which feeds one of two Skandia SE140 belt and bucket elevators transporting the grain to the JCM VibroMAX.

Once cleaned, the seed is taken by the second belt and bucket elevator to feed a Skandia KTF horizontal chain and flight conveyor which carries the seed to one of three bunkers housed in the same shed as the cleaner.

The system has been designed so cleaning and handling capability and

role in helping to drive up the allimportant bottom line. We have reduced what we pay for grass seed to be cleaned by our seed merchants, plus as we can now clean our home-saved seed on farm

“We are no longer having to pay for a mobile seed cleaning lorry to clean it for us,” says Mr Stovin.

“We don’t have to wait for the mobile seed cleaning team to fit us in, we can clean the seed as and when we need to, which helps speed up our entire seed handling process.”

Mr Stovin says he hopes to generate another revenue stream by offering neighbouring farmers the opportunity to use the cleaner.

This will allow them to reduce their costs by producing their own cleaned home saved seed, regardless of the crop, he adds.

“Looking at the big picture around how we have been able to successfully utilise the cleaner, I anticipate that we will meet our expectation of achieving a return on our investment within three to four years.”

The JCM 10122 VibroMax cleaner with Skandia grain handling system.

We now clean our home-saved seed

UK debut for Fendt's Corus 500 combine

Fendt will debut its new Fendt Corus 500 straw walker combine harvester in the UK this month when the machine is showcased at the Royal Highland Show.

The machine will take pride of place on Fendt’s stand during the four-day event which runs from 22-25 June at the Royal Highland Showground., Ingliston, just outside Edinburgh.

The Corus range offers power outputs of 185-260hp from a four or six-cylinder engine, with a new electro-hydrostatic drive for all models. The entry level model sits in the up to 260hp segment and the range includes nine five-straw walker models with working widths up to 7.6m.

Flexible machine

“Scotland has always been an important market for our combines so it is fitting that the first opportunity for operators to see the new model will be

at this year’s Royal Highland Show. We are looking forward to welcoming customers to see the machine.”

Fendt says the Corus was designed for flexible use in different crops, with a focus on high threshing performance with reliable, efficient and robust technology. It says these features make the new series the ideal entry-level model for self-mechanised farmers.

Field and road

Two modes for field and road control the speed intelligently. In road mode, the Fendt Corus 500 lowers the engine speed and thus consumes less fuel. In field mode, the full speed is available depending on demand.

The multifunction joystick allows the driver to control, among other things, the speed, the header and the unloading auger of the Corus. For ergonomic working, this joystick is di-

The Corus is designed to be an entry-level model for arable farmers.

rectly connected to the armrest, with the concave and sieves now controlled directly from the cab.

The on-board computer and two optional cameras provide an optimal overview of the machine. The large panoramic windscreen and new working lights at the front of the combine ensure the best visibility.

Automatic cutting height control and TerraControl II header control are controlled directly from the cab and guide the header precisely according to the harvesting parameters.

The market leading grain treatment designed to improve livestock performance

Improved protein of cereal, reducing bought in protein costs

Better DLWG, finish animals faster and heavier

Improved milk production and fertility

Improved total diet digestibility +5%

Soya free treatment for sustainable diets

Reduced acidosis risk

Maximise profit, improve feed efficiency

UK wide grain processing/treatment

Fully supported by our team of specialists and nutritionists

The only guaranteed complete grain treatment

45,000 visas for overseas seasonal workers

The government has confirmed that 45,000 visas will be made available again to the horticulture sector next year – enabling growers to plan ahead for harvest and overcome a shortage of workers.

The announcement was made ahead of last month's Farm to Fork summit at 10 Downing Street. Hosted by Rishi Sunak, the summit brought together representatives from across UK’s farming, horticulture and agri-food sectors.

The summit looked at ways the government and industry can work together to increase investment, innovation and sustainability and support the long-term resilience at every stage of the food supply chain.

Speaking before the event, the Prime Minister pledged: “Supporting our farmers and food producers must, and always will be, at the heart of our plans to grow the economy and build a more prosperous country.

The NFU has been lobbying government on the issue for a number of years reinforcing the urgency around

the supply of seasonal workers and the pressing need for government commitment to the sector.

An NFU survey of union members carried out during 2022 revealed that £22 million worth of fruit and vegetables had been wasted directly because of workforce shortages in the first half of 2022 alone.

Last December, Defra confirmed that 45,000 visas for seasonal workers will be available for horticultural businesses in 2023, as part of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Scheme (SAWS) with potential to increase this by another 10,000 if necessary.

Updated guidance

The decision came following a letter the NFU sent to the immigration minister in November 2022 which included signatures from 160 members, expressing concern about the lack of visas for seasonal workers in the future.

The government has since updated its seasonal worker scheme guidance to include a provision which allows returnee workers from 2022 to

come back a month sooner than would have been allowed in 2023.

Workers can now return to the UK after five months, rather than waiting the full six months from the end of their 2022 visa. The NFU said the move would help ease the shortage of available workers from overseas caused by the war in Ukraine.

NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said: “While this is only a modest change, it is an important one that will help growers this season and add further weight to our discussions over the length of visas within the scheme.”

Seasonal workers are key to the UK's horticultural sector

• Storage applications to lower product

• Ultra-stable store temperature and humidity control.

• Hydrocooling & rapid cooling (removal of field heat for optimum post-harvest)

WATER WHEN & HOW YOUR CROPS NEED

• Glycol or direct expansion systems. (Natural Refrigerants)

• Carbon reduction solutions to support NetZero targets.

• Reduced running costs using sustainable technologies. • Heat recovery and free defrost.

G.R. BOURNE &

DITCHING,

G.R.

G.R.

Flails for the

Delayed drilling compresses spring spray programmes

• Most beet not drilled until April

• Crops a month behind in areas

• Be flexible and tweak approach

Growers are being urged to re main vigilant and contin ue adapting sugar beet spray programmes where necessary after the soggy spring delayed drilling.

The wettest March for 40 years saw much beet drilled well into April on all but the lightest land. Growers should tweak control strategies for weeds and diseases accordingly, say crop protec tion specialists.

Met Office figures suggest the main sugar beet growing area experienced 200% of its average rainfall during March and above-average rainfall in April. This left land saturated with lit tle opportunity for it to dry out.

The BBRO estimates that 70% of the UK sugar beet crop was drilled up to 25 April. Very little was drilled in March, it said, leaving the bulk of the UK crop being drilled up to a month later than average.

Cambridgeshire-based farmer and contractor Tom Jackson, of WR Jackson & Son, delayed sugar beet drilling

until late April. “As soon as we felt the land was finally ready, we drilled 240ha of sugar beet in six days,” he added.

“The seed beds were fantastic and we had good establishment. One advantage of drilling later is that emer-

Continued on p28

Disease and weed control strategies have taken a beating this year

Continued from p27

gence is much quicker because of the warmer soil temperatures. But we have lost a month, so the crop may never quite compensate.”

Speaking early last month, Mr Jackson said: “We have not yet put a herbicide on. The priority will be a graminicide on the cover crops sown on the black land as they are now getting quite big.

Two new varieties added to 2024 sugar beet list

• Built-in tolerance to disease

• Talk options with breeders

• Dry summer was challenge

Sugar beet growers have two new varieties to choose from following publication of the recommended list for 2024.

“Our sprayer has been busy catching up with wheat T1s, and winter barley T2s will be next on the list. I expect we will make fewer herbicide applications this year because of the later drilling. We will start as soon as the weeds are ready.”

Problem weeds

Warmer soil temperatures and sunnier days over more recent weeks have seen grass and broadleaf weeds emerging quickly. But the weather has meant decent spray days are few and far between, so early weed control has been challenging.

UPL sugar beet technical specialist Antonia Walker said growers who applied pre-emergence herbicide Bettix Flo (metamitron) and Oblix 500 (ethofumesate) would have some flexibility on timings for follow-up post-emergence herbicides.”

Programmes should be built around the three key actives for post-emergence broadleaf weed control: ethofumesate, metamitron and phenmedipham. “Rates can be adjusted to reflect the size species of the weeds present,” says Ms Walker.

Guidelines

This will be especially important with the later drilled crops and disrupted spray programmes this spring.

“The BRRO offers excellent guidance on the relative efficacy of each active against common broadleaf weeds in their 2023 sugar beet reference book. We have found this approach to deliver the most cost-effective herbicide programme for sugar beet.”

Growers should consult stewardship guidelines before using Centurion Max (clethodim) for post-emergence control. This includes observes the no-spray period and sot spraying any herbicide five days before application – or 14 days afterwards.

Osprey is an AYPR rhizomania tolerant va riety from SESVanderHave UK for growing in areas where the disease is present. RL tri als are carried out on AYPR-free sites and Os prey yielded 99.2% of the controls’ adjusted tonnes/ha with 16.9% sugar content.

Smart Vesnica KWS is an ALS tolerant variety which achieved an adjusted yield of 94.0% and 17.4% sugar content. These yields were achieved in trials treated with conventional herbicides. Higher yields are expected when the ALS herbicide system is used.

As both varieties are new to the list, there is limited data on their tolerances to foliar diseases. Neither variety has any restriction on sowing date. Five varieties were withdrawn which means the 2024 list comprises 19 varieties.

Dry summer

“The 2022 trials were subjected to a very dry summer and this was one of the major factors that affected establishment of two of the eight RL trials which were not taken to harvest, said RL board chairman Mike May.

“One of the harvested trials was rejected by the statisticians owing to variability in growth across the site. There were six NL trials sown with four suitable for harvest. None of the trials suffered significant damage from virus yellows or beet moth larvae.”

All the RL trials were sown at 9cm spacing and then gapped whilst all the NL trials harvested had been sown to a stand. Harvest of the NL trials was completed by mid-October and the RL by mid November.

Mr May said: “Once again all credit must go to the teams working on the project both in the field and tarehouse for ensuring sufficient trials were harvested and analysed to allow this RL programme to be completed on time.”

The yield of the control varieties for the 2024 list was 103.3 adjusted tonnes per hectare. This compareds to 112.0t/ha in 2021 and 105.8t/ha in 2020. Average sugar content (17.2%) was similar to the previous two years.

Plant populations

The average plant population of the five controls was 99,000/ha. This compared to 100,900/ha for the 2023 RL and 98,000/ha for the 2022 RL. The number of bolters from early

sown trials was lower than in 2021 and 2020. The numbers of early-sown bolters are from trials sown between mid-February up to the first five days of March. Growers should use the early sown bolting figures for guidance if sowing early, or if very cold or other stressful conditions are expected.

Those five varieties indicated by X in the tables are not recommended for sowing before the 15th March but present a much lower risk for normal sowing. In some instances breeders may suggest some other varieties should not be sown early.

“Before ordering any of the special varieties bred for BCN, AYPR, yellowing virus tolerance or ALS herbicide tolerance, growers should discuss options with the BBRO and breeders who will have more information on their performance and use,” said Mr May.

About the recommended list

The sugar beet recommended list is funded by British Beet Research Organisation – but the data for 2020 is from when the RL was run and funded jointly by BBRO and BSPB. The yield data is presented as a mean from 24 RL and NL trials in total (nine in 2022, ten in 2021 and five in 2020).

Seed is not primed and in 2021 and 2022 used breeders’ own pellets. A number of trials are sown at close spacing and gapped. Early-sown bolters and disease susceptibility were determined in separate trials that were not taken to yield.

The additional descriptive data relates to varieties with special traits where more than just RL trials data are required. For 2023 this includes enhanced rhizomania resistant (AYPR), yellowing virus tolerant and ALS herbicide tolerant varieties.

The 2024 RL dataset also includes disease infection from separate trials that were not treated with foliar fungicides.

The crop may never quite compensate

Resilient varieties you can depend on whatever the season

Our varieties undergo 10 years of UK testing before 3 years National Listing trials to confirm VCU* for high yield, performance and excellent establishment. All 4 varieties are BBRO Recommended. With more frequent extreme weather and regional variation, choose robust, resilient varieties.

Data is key to maintain sugar beet profitability

EXPERT VIEW

Local trials bring benefits when it comes to sugar beet, says

Ian Munnery

ugar beet remains an important crop –and little wonder because it has demonstrated huge resilience, whatever nature throws at it, and remained profitable.

As one of the world’s largest sugar beet breeders, our challenge as SESVanderHave is to anticipate the needs of our local breeding programmes over the next decade while considering the reliability of seasonal and regional data to make short term decisions on production and sales.

We are constantly anticipating longer term trends – assessing how we can bring innovative traits from world-wide research

into our genetics for specific countries, but also adapting our trial programmes to make valid assessments locally.

As a business, we continue to invest heavily in local trials here in the UK.

Traditionally, like many plant breeders in the UK, we consolidated selection trials on larger, fewer sites safe in the knowledge that climate was not too extreme and we had a full crop protection arsenal to protect gainst most weeds, pests and diseases.

But more extreme climate events (often very localised) and the loss of chemistry mean it is evident that bigger sites are no longer necessarily better. In fact, basing selection on a three- year average alone could be unsound.

This volatility makes it vital that we review regional data in depth rather than just averaging data across all sites and multiple years. It's why cereals and oilseed growers look at diverse regional data too.

The contrast in regional performance is becoming clearer. The climate on the coast-

Continued on page 33

TOP TIPS: Recommendations for growers

Grow a mixture of genetics – a monoculture carries significant risk.

Drill as early as practical to maximise yield, but also consider seed rates carefully. You will never maximise yield if there is lots of soil intercepting light instead of leaves. At the risk of repeating ourselves – “a gappy crop is an unhappy crop”. So, check the germination of seed you are planting and review seed rates; there is no one standard rate, it will vary by seed bed, seed lot and year.

Aim to establish over 100,000 plants per hectare.

Get to know how varieties perform on your farm, look at regional data, annual data, soil type and compare notes with your neighbours.

Ensure good weed control, which will be aided by a good population. Unhindered, weeds attract disease, so don’t skimp on herbicides or fungicides.

Look in detail at trials data for sugar beet varieties; the year, the site, do the trials practices mirror your own, what is the least significant difference to treat data with reserve?

group enables perfectly concerted techniques of plant care.

I’VE GOT THE POWER to save time with a single

application www.kws-uk.com

Push the button for more efficient weed control in sugar beet.

With only one application you need less time to manage weeds in your sugar beet and have more time for other crops. Get the power with CONVISO ® SMART sugar beet seeds from KWS and CONVISO ® ONE herbicide from Bayer.

Continued on page 30

al fringe, for example, tends to be more sta ble than further inland.

This explains why the Cantley area in Nor folk and the Pas de Calais in France suffered far less virus yellows in 2020, while grow ers around Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk suf fered more than most with beet moth in 2022.

Against this background, we have signif icantly increased the number of our trials across the UK sugar beet area. Every site is monitored with our own weather stations, soil moisture probes as well as drone and sat ellite observations.

Our most important asset remains our trials teams, who between them have over 120 years experience of variety assessment.

We also operate our mobile tarehouse –the only one in the UK. It means we can instantly weigh and determine the sugar content of every beet variety as it is harvested and before we even leave the plot.

Sugar analysis

Accuracy is vastly improved compared to just 10 years ago thanks to GPS self-steering on our drill, hoe and harvester. But while near infrared spectroscopy has many benefits to accelerate sugar analysis and reduce costs, it cannot accurately record impurities.

Few growers worry about impurities, but

they impact heavily on processing efficiency. Impurities also provide a good proxy to determine stress on a variety or site – something we can use to improve varietal selection and the reliability of site data.

When reviewing performance of our genetics it means we factor in all our trial and laboratory data – from both raw seed and our own blue SV pellet – which is produced to optimise the performance of each and every seed lot.

Evaluating around 30,000 plots of 100

beet in the UK each year for several decades means we can identify and optimally process our varieties to deliver resilience and durability to UK growers.

This is why so many of our varieties – like Wren, Adder and Tawny – endure. It enables growers to tune their management to our varieties and treatments as well as to their land and climate.

With Osprey, the only new conventional variety recommended by BBRO this year, it highlights the significant increase in yield with the added benefit of increased resilience to AYPR rhizomania.

Looking ahead, we’re very much anticipating the arrival of our next exciting wave of genetics which show a massive leap in performance in our own trials over the pastdecade, delivering robust performance and excellent establishment.

Broader, more robust performance is going to be key to reliable sugar beet production.

We focus strongly on commercial practice, which is why we don’t gap any of our commercial trials. This ensures we are assessing each variety’s true performance not the result of carefully ‘gardened’ plants.

Ian Munnery is general manager of SESVanderHave UK. For details, visit www.sesvanderhave.com.

Chopping out beet is unnecessary with good quality commercial hybrid seed and pellets

Latest Strube varieties offer good cover and canopies

Sugar beet breeder Strube is offering varieties Morgan, Stewart and Button for the second consecutive year on the latest recommended list.

All three varieties give good early ground cover and a full canopy later. Button and Stewart offer lower than average bolting performance and can be sown as soon as conditions reasonably allow, whereas Morgan is for drilling after mid-March.

The focus for Strube's current and future classic breeding is to select for traits other than absolute yield. Button offers tolerance to beet cyst nematode to protect against yield loss, combined with excellent establishment.

All three recommended list varieties demonstrate very low total impurities, supporting optimised sugar extraction as a consequence.

Morgan and Stewart have the lowest total impurities on the 2024 list.

Since 2015, Strube’s top research priority

has been to identify varieties tolerant to virus yellows, culminating in replicated yield trials in France and Germany assessing variety response to inoculation with the three primary aphid borne viruses.

Specifically for the UK, Strube now has a number of virus yellows tolerant candidate varieties in recommended and national list trials as it strives to bring virus yellows tolerance and other traits to growers.

In the fodder beet and energy beet markets, the goal is high fresh and dry matter yields. Long-serving variety Barents offers very low bolting for early sowing and has been widely grown as an energy beet.

Market share

More recently, Degas and Gahan have increased their market share, delivering higher yields with increased crown height above ground, making them more suitable for machine lifted or field grazed options.

Good yields all-round. Good

for British growers.

New for 2023 is Clemens, which adds seed priming with excellent yield stability under climatic and disease pressure.

TRITON... ADVANCED DIRECT DRILLING

the drilling pass does not create its own grass weeds in the clean stale seed bed.

SOIL SURFACE

Drilling at 40mm

Downward facing surface in place minimising soil eruption in the stale seed bed

Buying a blade drill is now an open and shut case. Why? Because only the Triton drill has a slot closer

lower blade takes blade deep below ground for air drainage and rooting

£1900*

Livestock

We must learn to live with bird flu – expert

• Disease threat is all-year-round

• Biosecurity must be maintained

• All holding sizes to take action

Ppert who has written a report outlin ing ways to combat the disease.

Strict biosecurity on all holdings and early detection of the disease must be a shared responsibility for poultry producers – irrespective of holding size or production system, says the study, published by the Centre of Inno vation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL).

Authored by Professor Lisa Boden and her team at Edinburgh Universi ty’s Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, the report identi fies a number of knowledge gaps, and recommends future research priorities to help manage and prevent bird flu.

The UK experienced the worst out break of Highly Pathogenic Avian In fluenza (HPAI) in 2022 –both in terms of frequency and severity,said CIEL head of innovation Mark Young.

Disease risk

“It is now considered a year-round challenge. With the disease showing no signs of abating, it’s vital the industry considers how we can live with the risk of disease,” said Dr Young.

It was important to address industry challenges when dealing with the ongoing threat of bird flu, he added. This included possible prevention and control methods, and the role of science and innovation in helping to tackle the disease.

“There is a significant degree of variability in biosecurity implementation across the sector due to different perceptions of risk and awareness of the regulation and guidance available among all poultry keepers,” said Dr Young.

Biosecurity must be a shared responsibility, says the report

The disease shows no signs of abating, says Dr Mark Young (inset)

whole supply chain to ensure up-todate information is disseminated to

CIEL director Phil Bicknell said the need for a clear and concise summary of the bird flu situation was a key factor in commissioning the report. Government support would need to be enhanced to ensure that all outbreaks were handled promptly and

“Science and innovation were essential to how we successfully live with

“Research into production systems, vaccine development, advances in genomic sequencing, and new technologies to support the rapid detection of the disease could all help

Concern deepens over UK pig breeds

The future of UK native pig breeds is becoming increasingly insecure following the crisis affecting the pig sector, says the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

This year marks 50 years of the charity’s work to save and safeguard the future of rare and native livestock and equine breeds. The annual RBST Watchlist includes annual numbers for breeding females and measures the genetic diversity within each breed.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price said: “Crisis in the pig industry over the past two years is driving a very worrying and worsening situation for several of our rare native breeds. Fewer people are keeping these breeds now, and the number of new piglet births is falling too.

Priority breed

Numbers of the British Landrace pig breed –which was already listed as an urgent priority breed – have declined dramatically. There were

just 23 Landrace dams producing pedigree progeny in 2022 – down from 43 in 2021.

This compares with 495 dams registered in 2006. These very low numbers are in stark contrast to the 1970s, 80s and 90s when the British Landrace breed expanded rapidly to become what the RSBT describes as one of the UK’s most popular breeds of commercial pig.

Mr Price said: “The British Landrace is in a particularly worrying situation. It is a fantastic breed for really high quality bacon and pork production, very easy to manage and excellent for improving other breeds of pig. But it is not as well known as some of our other native pig breeds.

“We are working with the British Pig Association and the small but dedicated community of British Landrace keepers to make sure the breed’s excellent attributes aren’t overlooked, as well as ramping up support for conservation and breeding programmes.”

Summer heat stress is big challenge for dairy cows

Data from cows grazed outdoors found they experienced heat stress for 37 days, or 22% of the trial period, with the heat stress season running from the middle of June until the middle of September.

“Predicted milk yield losses averaged 138 litres per cow for housed cattle, ranging from 100 to 187 litres, while grazing cattle experienced an average loss of 129 litres per cow, ranging from 79 to 169 litres,” added Dr Chamberlain.

“The average financial loss incurred was £128 per cow, ranging from £96 to £180 a cow, with herd losses ranging from £24,000 to £90,000.”

He said the study results show heat

stress is a growing problem for both housed and grazed dairy cows, and it should be considered in herd management plans.

Milk yield

“Cows will start to suffer when the temperature is about 19-20°C in the UK, and once you have cows suffering for too long, you’ll start to have problems with milk yield and fertility as well as a deterioration in rumen health,” added Dr Chamberlain.

Dairy farmers can mitigate the impact of heat stress by focusing on water, the cows’ environment, and nutrition.

He said: “Farmers should open up

Results were streamed in real-time

sheds as much as possible, install fans and misting systems to keep cows cool, and ensure a good supply of clean and cool drinking water that’s less than 20°C.

“They can also improve rumen health by feeding fresh rations more frequently, using high-quality forage, and including a rumen-specific live yeast, such as Levucell SC, in the ration.”

The heat stress trial will be expanded for 2023 to comprise 12 farms across the UK – ranging from dairy units near Edinburgh in Scotland to Southampton in the south of England, including a holding in Northern Ireland.

Water remains a good way to combat heat stress

Photo: Tim Scrivener

MOBILE FEED MILLING AND MIXING SERVICES FOR ALL BREEDS OF ANIMALS AND POULTRY

GLYN HAMER MILL MIX LTD

WE PROVIDE MOBILE FEED MILLING AND MIXING SERVICES FOR ALL BREEDS OF ANIMALS AND POULTRY, FROM STRAIGHT ROLLED CEREALS OR HAMMERMILLED PULSES TO COMPLETE MIXED RATIONS AND FEED BIN TRANSFERS.

With numerous suction and discharge options including directly into feed bins or separate bunkers, we are able to provide an efficient, traceable and consistently high standard of service for our customers.

Based in the West Midlands we run a fleet of modern ‘Tropper’ machines specifically built for precise mixing and accurate weighing operated by our experienced, friendly drivers.

To discuss your farm’s requirements please give us a call on: James - 07584 582 598

Glyn on 07976 548766 / 01568 750 183

E: info@glynhamermillmix.co.uk

W: www.glynhamermillmix.co.uk

contact Edward Finney on Facebook

Stockpen UK

A family-run business for over 50 years, offering an excellent service. We supply high quality, heavy duty Sheep Handling Gates, Mobile Cattle Systems, Mobile Sheep Handling Systems, Stockyards and Calving Gates at competitive prices, delivered Nationwide.

SEPARATOR SYSTEM PLUG & PLAY

The Home of Molasses

Before milk, comes molasses

To maximise milk yields from forage remember to add Molasses!

For more information about our extensive range of liquids and to find your local merchant please call us on 0151 955 4850 or visit www.unitedmolasses.com

THE BAUER SEPARATOR CONVERTS SLURRY INTO A VALUABLE FERTILIZER.

SUITABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS:

• Agricultural applications: Separation of cow, pig and chicken manure

• Food industry: Separation of vegetable waste

Slaughter houses: Separation of paunch content

Adrian Tindall 07708 919597 a.tindall@bauer-at.com

Pharmaceutical industry: Separation of poppy seed mush

• Biogas plants: Before and after fermentation Distilleries

Rob Jackson 07939 410417 r.jackson@bauer-at.com

Milk production holds up despite fewer producers

for many dairy farmers. The current high level of cull cow prices, as well as ongoing uncertainties about changes to agricultural subsidy schemes has led to some producers changing their future direction.”

Grass guide offers useful forage planning advice

Forage planning advice is included in the 2023 dition of the Field Options grass, clover and forage crop guide – alongside the company’s latest seed mixtures.

As well as forage crops, cover crops and specialist grass, clover and herbage seed mixtures, the new publication also contains details of specialist fertilisers and silage inoculants along with guidance for how and when these products should be used.

“With farm margins continuing to be squeezed by high input costs, livestock farmers need to do all they can to maximise production from homegrown forage,” says Field Options technical team leader Simon Montgomery.

High cull cow prices are encouraging dairy farmers to reassess their future, with some taking the opportunity to leave the industry.

There were 7,500 dairy producers in Great Britain as of April this year, according to the most recent survey of major milk buyers by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. This represents a 4.8% fall in the number of farmers over the past year.

Feed costs

“Compared to previous years, more producers have left the industry,” said AHDB analyst Tom Price. “Despite the fact that the latest Agricultural Price Index indicates input cost inflation has eased, input costs remain historically high.”

As with many inputs, inflation for compound feed, for example, has remained flat since peaking last summer. Compound feed costs remain some 26% above the level from this time last year and 47% higher than in 2021.

“Combined with falling milk prices, this has squeezed profit margins

Despite producer numbers dropping over the last 12 months, good weather conditions last autumn and higher milk prices at the end of last year meant that average milk production per farm remained high over the autumn and winter months.

Output figures

Farmgate milk prices have since fallen – in some cases below 40p per litre. But the latest AHDB figure suggesting that the average British dairy farm produces 4,500 litres of milk daily, equating to some 1.65mn litres per year.

GB milk production was estimated at 1,098 million litres in April – slightly less (-2%) than forecasted deliveries and 0.4% more (4.0m litres) than the same month last year. Daily deliveries averaged 36.59m litres daily during the month.

The year-on-year growth which has been seen since September, however, slowed. Falling farmgate prices contributed to the relatively flat volumes. Monthly daily deliveries for April were 0.2% (2 million litres) less than the five-year average for April.

Continuing unseasonably cool and wet weather in April further suppressed volumes with a delayed or below average flush. Ongoing pressure on farm margins will not help, said the AHBD, How this develops will be a key impact on production this season.

A good way to achieve this is by rejuvenating existing grassland leys and – where applicable – introducing new crops to offset boughtin feed and fertiliser costs. The new guide contains advice on crop management alongside trial results from grass and clover mixtures.

“It also contains findings from our independent programme of maize, fodder beet and cover crop trials – all of which are carried out so that we can recommend proven products to give greater assurance of performance to customers,” says Mr Montgomery.

The 2023 Grass, Clover and Forage Crop Guide can be downloaded free at www.field-options.co.uk.

Farm charity boost from beef week

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) was chosen as the nominated charity for Great British Beef Week again this year.

The weeklong celebration of British beef’s quality and world-leading farming credentials took place this year on 23-30 April – with consumers encouraged to enjoy a “naturally delicious” Sunday beef roast.

Campaign group Ladies in Beef is behind Great British Beef Week. Since being involved in the annual campaign, RABI has organised more than 50 beef week events and raised £90,000 for farming people in need of financial support.

• Farmers consider future in milk

• High costs affect dairy prospects

• Milk output is still relatively flat

Above: Profit margins continue to be tight for milk producers

More producers have left the industry

“

Livestock | Sheep

Call for help to solve dairy labour shortage industry.

Farm leaders have called on the government to help ease the labour shortage in the dairy sector.

It follows a roundtable meeting organised by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers. Held at the House of Lords, the meeting discussed the growing labour crisis in the dairy industry and outline ways to overcome it.

Hosted by RABDF president Lord Ewen Cameron and chaired by RABDF Chairman Di Wastenage MBE, the meeting included government officials, dairy farmers, processors and other industry representatives.

Topics discussed immediate and longer term labour requirements; identifying and improving the image of dairy farming; and ways to overcome barriers to recruitment and entry into the

NEW, INCREASED STEWARDSHIP GRANTS AVAILABLE

RABDF chairwoman Di Wastenage said: “This week’s roundtable was an invaluable dis cussion on how to create a shortand longer-term pipeline of em ployees coming into the industry.

“This isn’t something that can be done overnight, and it will take time to prioritise how we do this and the key stakeholders need ed to help us get there. It’s clear that access to foreign labour is something we still need in the short term.”

Submission

Ms Wastenage said the RABDF would be reiterating that message in its submission to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) Review. But she warned that overseas labour was not a longterm solution.

“For that, we need to look at a

myriad of options from education in schools, brand building, skills development, attracting employees from diverse backgrounds, and setting up a dairy scholarship scheme, as examples.”

“Labour on dairy farms is a

paramount issue and we need this pipeline of employees to safeguard the industry. Following the roundtable, the next steps are to identify the key players and where shortages lie, which we will achieve with our labour survey.”

Staff recruitment remains a challenge on many dairy farms

Deadline nears for Catchment Sensitive Farming grants

• Payments to improve air and water

• Contact your local CSF team soon

• Focus on areas of big improvement

Farmers looking for a capital grant which requires approval from a Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer under the Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme should make am approach in the next few weeks.

Valuable capital grants are on offer which will allow farms and estates in England to invest in works designed to improve water and air quality, by reducing the amount of diffuse pol lution and ammonia being released.

The grants will pay for items such as livestock and machinery hardcore tracks, concrete yard renewal, selfsupporting slurry covers, lined biobeds and the roofing of silage camps, collecting yards, muck heaps, slurry and silage stores.

Strutt

& Parker consultant Alice

support, says Alice Johnson

Johnson said farmers considering applying for any of the options which need CSFO support should contact with their local team by early June – even though mid-tier application deadline is not until mid-August,

“The guidance states that you must fill out a CSF support request form and send it to your local CSF mailbox at least 10 weeks before you intend to submit your application to the Rural Payments Agency.

“Given the closing date for Mid-Tier applications is 18 August 2023 this means farmers should get their CSF support request forms in by 9 June, or the guidance says the request will not be considered.

“Applicants will need to demonstrate to the CSFO how the proposed investment will prevent air or water pollution. Funding will be focused on those farms where the largest improvements in water and air quality and reduction in flood risk are likely

to be achieved.”

Farmers can choose to apply for the grants either under the standalone three-year Capital Grants scheme, or as part of a wider five-year Mid-Tier CSS agreement.

CSFO approval is also required for any standalone Capital Grants applications. But applicants are not facing the same hard deadline as anyone submitting a Mid-Tier application because these can be made at any point during the year.

Ms Johnson says farmers who are not sure about whether they should apply for CSS or wait for the new Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) to be rolled out this summer, can at least keep their options open by putting in the CSF request form.

“At this stage we know that new SFI standards will be rolled out this summer, but we don’t know exactly when. Hopefully, it will be well ahead of the 18 August deadline for Mid-Tier applications, so farmers can make a considered choice between CSS or SFI.”

Women in Agriculture programme gathers pace

Agroup of over 100 local businesswomen working in the rural sector gathered in April at Doddington Hall to discuss their experiences and key changes affecting agricultural businesses.

The latest event in the growing Women in Agriculture programme, which was created especially for women working in agriculture in the East Midlands, welcomed chef, author, TV presenter and food campaigner Rachel Green as its compere.

During the latest meeting, a number of female speakers talked about working in the rural sector, delivered updates and technical information on key changes within it. It was followed by a presentation from local adventurer Fiona Thornewill MBE, who delivered a powerful and inspiring story of her life and polar challenges.

The gathering, which was jointly organised by international real estate advisor Savills, law firm Shakespeare Martineau, chartered accountants Forrester Boyd, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the Lincolnshire Agricultural

women who are new to the industry or who

The Women in Agriculture programme is hosting a number of events throughout the year

FINAL SAY Clodhopper

Supermarket sweep

Processors and retails are winning more control over family farms, says Clodhopper .

What will become of your farm business? Especially if you keep your head down and plod on regardless of everything around you?

High input costs, high borrowing costs and ever tighter enterprise margin. Little wonder that more growers and livestock producers are choosing to retire – or at least cutting back on their farming operations.

Supermarket shelves are devoid of eggs, milk prices have slumped and glasshouses are lying empty. Growing root crops is an increasingly precarious and occupation – made even more challenging by the cold, wet spring.

Potato prices have climbed as high as £800/tonne – prompting major buyers who need the humble spud to suddenly wake up and realise that most growers have scaled down their planted area this spring.

Risk and reward

With the crisp market being held artificially high by our favorite crisp producer, growers are faced with large borrowing requirements to finance the crop, so the risk versus reward serenario has taken on a different meaning.

Contracts are hard to come by and remain at unrealistic values for many growers. It leaves me wondering how long it might be before major buyers become more involved with the growing and financing of crops grown by the farmer?

It has already happened with British Sug-

lies which had grown beet for generations to leave the crop out of their rotations.

Prices as low as £19/t did nobody any favours – neither grower nor processor. In fact, I would argue that with a little foresight, even a slightly higher price would have helped to maintain grower interest.

Contractors

But such a rise was a long time coming. Instead British Sugar has chosen to grow some of the crop itself, paying farmers so it could rent the land. Then it asked contractors to do the field work.

Having itself encountered the self-same problems that growers have faced year on year, including frozen beet, British Sugar finally upped the beet price to £40/t in a bid to keep farmers interested in the crop.

But the processing giant has still struggled to secure enough farmers willing to grow beet –prompting a series of last minute offers

in an attempt to woo them back. The claim is that beet is profitable at £40/t – but does that figure take into account the late entry for the following wheat crop and its associated cost and yield implications?

It wouldn’t surprise me to see the potato sector head down a similar path. Surely it’s only a matter of time before the major potato processors start to own and lease back large areas of land to produce the crop ?

Meltdown

How long, in fact, before the major supermarkets control all aspects of farming – if they don’t already do so? It has been rumoured for many years that one major supermarket already owns and controls a large scale vegetable producer.

When local staff are paid directly by the supermarket, maybe the rumours are true? Margins are so tight in the fresh produce sector that no matter how large and secure some of the bigger growers are, they seldom seem far away from financial meltdown.

Ever-increasing borrowing requirements mean many growers feel driven to plant crops across a wider and wider area. But this also increases their transport costs and road work – eating into additional revenue.

It’s not surprising then that these same growers – who seem on the surface to be so secure – are perhaps secretly longing for assistance from a major processor in whatever shape assists both parties.

Supermarkets already decide a large amount of what we eat, simply by deciding what they stock on their shelves. They largely decide how it is produced too. In time, it

Big retailers already largely control what

“

Why

HerdVision is a fully automated 3D camera and cloud-based system for unobtrusive recording of key dairy cow metrics, identifying lameness and reporting changes in BCS, producing multiple readings per day of every cow in the herd.

WHY HERDVISION?

HerdVision can deliver a cost benefit of over £110 per cow:

Improve mobility management and reduce the cost of lameness

Save labour scoring cows

Increase the health of your herd as problems identified quickly

Identify thin and overfat cows for individual attention

WHY NOW?

• Buy now and get 12-months data subscription free – worth up to £8 per cow

• Farmers in England can apply for 40% grant fund from the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (applications before 15th June)

• Finance available SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ARRANGE A VISIT

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO INVEST IN HERDVISION