Midland Farmer October 2021 by Countrywide Publications

October 2021

Midland

Farmer Serving the farming industry across the Midlands

ISJ Farming: How high animal welfare standards pay dividends in Derbyshire

News Criminal gangs target GPS systems Arable Action needed against wild oats Livestock Key to profitable suckler beef Property Study into benefits of farm shops Pig & Poultry Warning over carbon dioxide shortage Clodhopper Glad to see back of challenging harvest

Farming future Top rank for Harper Adams University

Tel: 01480 495956 www.ﬂr-cropdrying.com

Midland Farmer

OPINION Johann Tasker

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

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

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Action needed to secure food supply chain

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ADVERTISING SALES Chloe Miller | T: 01502 725844 E: chloe.miller@micropress.co.uk Danny Lewis | T: 01502 725862 E: danny.lewis@micropress.co.uk Alistair Bailey | T: 01502 725854 E: alistair.bailey@micropress.co.uk Daniel Rice | T: 01502 725858 E: daniel.rice@micropress.co.uk Adam Gunton | T: 01502 725813 E: adam.gunton@micropress.co.uk

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 annie.fish@micropress.co.uk © Countrywide Publications 2021 Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon Suffolk IP18 6DH T: 01502 725800 Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd T: 01502 725800

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

Contents

SHORT OF STORAGE SPACE?

Profile: ISJ Farming ...................................... 35 Machinery ........................................................ 42 Property ............................................................ 45 Final say............................................................ 46

Competitive prices for all your agricultural & industrial requirements

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Johann Tasker, Editor

Vol 10 • No 10 • October 2021

News . ................................................................... 4 Arable . ................................................................. 9 Post harvest ......................................................19 Livestock . ......................................................... 27 Pig & Poultry ....................................................31

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

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OCTOBER 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 3

News Back British farmers at home and abroad, government told

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

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

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

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

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

Food export plan unveiled by Defra

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

4 MIDLAND FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

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

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

With harvest becoming a distant memory it is full steam ahead with drainage. It is one of our busiest, if not the busiest time of our year.

Farmers pressing to cultivate and re-plant but

wanting their drainage works finished first. This field was in definite need as the old tile drains have somewhat silted up and are starting to make “bricks”.

It is always a busy time straight after harvest and we always get a few calls from clients asking “Can you fit us in within the next week or so?”

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Around the region

Top ranking again for Harper Adams

arper Adams University has been named the UK’s toprated modern university for a sixth consecutive year. More than 130 higher education institutions were ranked by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Measures include student satisfaction, employment prospects, teaching quality and research quality. The guide says Harper Adams is a top 30 university – and ranks it highest in the country for the amount spent on its award-winning facilities, 11th for student experience and 14th for teaching quality. The guide’s editors noted the “purple patch” of success enjoyed by Harper Adams under the leadership of recently-retired vice-chancellor David Llewellyn. This included gaining uni-

versity status in 2012. “It was our 2020 Modern University of the Year and runner-up for the overall University of the Year award the same year and has been the topranked modern university for the past six years,” says the guide. Courses also performed well, with top ten placings in the rankings for agriculture and forestry – where Harper is also the highest-ranked specialist institution – and land and property management.

Reflection and reward Interim vice-chancellor Michael Lee said: “The results are a fair reflection and reward for the phenomenal work and dedication of the whole Harper Adams University family, our amazing staff, students and graduates.

“We have an incredible foundation which we will continue to build on following the upheaval of Covid-19 and we look forward to further success and development across the suite of university assessment metrics.”

The ranking is a tribute to university staff and students, says Professor Michael Lee

Young farmers to debate future of countryside

he next generation of farmers will discuss the impact of changes facing the industry during an online debate during National Young Farmers’ Week (25-29 October). Called Ready for Change?, the online debate will be hosted by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC). It takes place at 7pm on 27 October – with industry experts answering questions on the future of farming. The panel includes Defra farming director Janet Hughes, Farmers Weekly editor Andrew Meredith, NatWest agriculture director Roddy McLean and young farmer and business consultant Sammy Allen. YFC AGRI chairman Tom Pope said: “As next generation farmers, land managers, rural dwellers or a future workforce in the making, we will

play one of the biggest parts in sustainability, so this debate is vital for seeking answers and sharing views.

Coping with change “YFC AGRI has tackled many topics over the past year including isolation, heathier minds and attitudes, climate change and future business skills. The big question now is how are we all coping with change? “We have to collaborate as an industry to make sure that we can achieve but also survive, so I’m delighted that all our forum guests accepted the invitation to talk, share views but also answer questions that many of you will be keen to ask.” For full details and to register your place, please visit www.bit.ly/YFCdebate

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A ‘LIFELINE’ IN THE PANDEMIC Getting into the countryside was a lifeline for people’s wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic, says an NFU survey. More than eight out of 10 people (87%) said visiting the countryside and farmland had improved their physical or mental wellbeing – and more than half said it had improved both. NFU West Midlands board chairman Malcolm Roberts said the survey results showed that farmers and growers delivered much more than food.

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

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

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

Wild oats have become a forgotten enemy, says Ruth Stanley

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

“

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

Five tips to combat wild oats

1 2 3 4 5

Leave stubbles uncultivated. A three-week gap or longer after harvest will maximise weed seed predation – and help combat meadow or rye brome too.

Go no-till or full plough. A true no-till regime will ensure greatest predation, while full inversion will bury weed seeds below 20cm. Shallow tillage is the worst of both worlds.

Encourage dense cereal canopies. These compete especially well against emerged wild oats and suppress late germination. Avoid late wheat drilling if you can.

Clean machines and seed. Good biosecurity will help prevent the spread of wild oat seed – both within and between fields – by combines, balers and farm-saved seed. Use a herbicide. Avadex can be invaluable against wild oats germination. So too can ALS chemistry or Kipota, a reverse-engineered version of Topik.

Just one wild oat plant per square metre can result in a 1t/ha yield loss in winter cereals and 0.6t/ha in spring crops, says Mrs Stanley. Wild oats also act as hosts for pests and diseases – including barley yellow dwarf virus. A reduction in the use of ALS chemistry to control blackgrass has helped to fuel a resurgence in wild oat populations, says Mrs Stanley. Growers had forgotten that these herbicides are actually very effective at wild oat control, she adds. ALS chemistry still had a valuable place in control programmes. But it was important to prevent decreased sensitivity in the field by ensuring the correct products were applied – and to get the best performance from ALS herbicides. OCTOBER 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 9

Arable

Last orders for key sugar beet fungicide

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

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

Powdery mildew on sugar beet leaf (© Bayer Crop Science)

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Arable

Consistency should drive cereal variety decisions Cereal variety choices must strike the right balance between market suitability and business risk, says Jock Willmott.

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

Poor performance When it comes to variety selection, there have been some very disappointing results. Some varieties have performed poorly – either due to susceptibility to disease or stress-related issues caused by weather extremes. After a very cold and dry April, the situation changed very rapidly from being com-

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

Newer varieties It’s a shame that some of the newer material is not performing as expected. These varieties were marketed as able to take some of the pressure off and reduce risk. This means farmers should grow the varieties that they feel comfortable with – even if that means trading a slight yield penalty or lower disease resistance for consistency. With rust, it’s true that we have the chemistry to deal with it. But if we can’t spray it on time, it becomes a much bigger problem. Crusoe is my pick of the Group 1s, providing it is grown as a first wheat and its brown rust risk is monitored. Group 2 Extase has shown some yield variability in 2021, so it should be grown only as a first wheat with an October drilling date until more is known. The Group 3 sector is tricky as all choices have some negatives. This group has been badly affected by susceptibility to septoria, due to the predominance of Cougar parentage. If you are growing one of these varieties, then all other factors must be in line. Under pressure Remember, a thick crop drilled early is likely to come under a great deal of septoria pres-

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Septoria concerns are limiting soft wheat choices

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

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CHARLIE BOWYER JOINS BRIGHT MAIZE TECHNICAL TEAM Bright Maize has appointed Charlie Bowyer as a technical advisor covering Wales and the West Midlands. A Harper Adams graduate, Charlie heralds from his family-run 200-acre mixed beef and sheep unit in Monmouthshire. In addition to his specialism in grassland management and sustainable cropping, he has extensive experience working with the Biogas sector, principally in biological optimisation. A strong advocate of maize as a complementary forage to grass, Charlie says the need for maize varieties that reflect the environmental agenda, whilst allowing a realistic return for the farmer is paramount. Commenting on the appointment, Charlie said: “I am delighted to join Bright Maize, which is at the forefront of forage maize growing in the UK. Having the capacity to trial a vast array of maize varieties – from those yet to leave the starting blocks to those already well on their way – is crucial if farmers are to make informed decisions and make the right selections. “As well as the company’s showcase trial site at its Wiltshire headquarters, Bright Maize has trial sites located throughout the UK, so it knows which varieties perform best in different terranes, climates and locations. A ‘one size fits all’ is not a credible approach for modern agriculture: varieties must match the objectives and conditions of individual customers. “Bright Maize wants to help set the agenda and influence farming for the better, while supporting our farmers with new technology, expert advice, good value and the highest standard of service,” said Charlie. In addition to maize, Bright Maize offers a wide range of specialist grass and lucerne varieties, as well as a comprehensive range of forage inoculants covering the full spectrum of dry matter situations for all forage types. Charlie Bowyer

07875 103430 For further information call 01722 744494 or email info@brightmaize.com OCTOBER 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 13

Arable

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

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

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

Soil moisture Despite its many agronomic benefits, direct drilling still involves the expense of an additional pass. It also requires a decent weather window – with the right soil moisture – amid the risk that drilling could be delayed. “Supported by advice from our agronomist, we’ve always believed in the benefits of establishing rape crops earlier on the theory that a strong, earlier germinated crop can grow away from flea beetle present in the early autumn,” says Michael. “An earlier crop is also better able to deal with harsher winter weather 14 MIDLAND FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

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

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

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

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

stream that is then distributed to outlets spaced equally along the full width of the combine header. “A dual hopper system enables us to place rapeseed with a companion crop and slug pellets beneath the chopped straw as we combine, establishing both the new rape crop and the cover crop as early as possible. Mr Gent estimates that using the Autocast V2 for the first time this year has enabled the farm to conservatively save £50-£60/ha on rape establishment costs. “Given the considerable upfront investment in seed and inputs on oilseed rape, any reduction in the overall production cost of the crop has to be a boContinued on p17

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Arable Continued from p14 nus given the current financial risks linked to growing rape.” Risk mitigation is especially important for the business, given that most of its lighter land has a yield potential of about 3t/ha. Low-cost establishment and use of farm-saved seed where possible have both had a positive impact on net margins, adds Mr Gent. “When we’re able to combine both good financial returns on winter cover crops with low-input spring cereals, it helps to create a healthy overall profit margin for both our business and for our contract farming customers.” But the benefits of cover crops aren’t just purely financial. They are also important as the farm strives to improve its soil health linked to an anticipated move next January into a higher tier Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme. “Our long-term intention is to trial a number of different cover crops within the rotation including phacelia, vetch, black oats, mustard, berseem clover and buckwheat to evaluate what works best for both our soil and crop yields over the next five years.”

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

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

al high yielders to mature and finish properly, so the impact of the recent challenging conditions will be limited. “But producers relying on silage and grazing land that has not been

reseeded recently could find the photosynthetic efficiency of their leys to have been fairly low and this will be affecting sugar production and energy yields considerably. “Equally, growers sticking with later maize varieties in the hope of higher overall yields, could find themselves waiting for their crops to catch up and ultimately finding these have not pro>>

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

Little sunshine Summer 2021 was characterised by significantly lower than average sunlight with areas in central and eastern England receiving only 75-80% of the 30 year average sunshine duration recorded by the Met office. “Many people in these areas have moved towards earlier ‘Bred for Britain’ varieties in recent years. These require fewer heat units than tradition-

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Post harvest >> duced as much energy and starch as they would have hoped.” Early and ultra-early maize varieties such as ES Tommen, ES Lovely and ES Bonnie have generally yielded well with decent quality. Starch contents of up to 35% and freshweight yields in excess of 42t/ha (17t/acre) have been recorded. This will typically be material with an ME of around 11.5 mj/KgDM – ideal for high output dairy and beef production. But it’s not the same situation for grassland with the low light levels this summer really taking their toll.

Worrying Mid-September figures from the AHDB’s ‘Forage for Knowledge’ resource suggest average daily grass growth rates fell by 7.5kg DM/ha to 36.1kg DM/ha compared to a five-year average for the time of year of 43.4kg/ha. “More worryingly, the daily growth rate for this September is significantly lower than last year’s 62.2kg DM/ ha per day. That said, many producers did manage to take high volume cuts earlier in the season but quality is variable. For maize growers with high yields,

Cut higher to boost energy

roducers with a significant volumes of poor quality grass sitting in silage clamps could consider supercharging the energy of their maize even further, says Grainseed’s Neil Groom. “Maize crops are very tall in many areas this year and this should provide a lot of forage, but if you’re short on energy from grass, then upping the energy density of your maize could be advantageous.

ES Bonnie yielded well with decent quality.

it could be an idea to up its proportion from 50% of total forage fed so grass silage stocks are extended and the overall forage quality fed are increased, says Mr Hendry.

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

“It’s also a good idea to carry out regular feed analysis of both maize and grass forages so rations can be finetuned to deliver high energy without any potential metabolic issues.”

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tips to help maintain grain quality post-harvest

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

1 Temperature monitoring is key High temperatures can cause deterioration

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

2 Automatic fan control An automatic fan controller can bring with it many benefits. Automatically turning on and off cooling fans to make the best use of ambient air conditions ensures the fastest cooling possible but can also save at least 40% of energy costs. Plus, there is the added bonus of reducing trips to the store to manually turn fans on and off, or simply avoiding forgetting to do so. 3 Additional fans One of the simplest ways to improve the effectiveness of a pedestal cooling system

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

4 Hot spot spears Martin Lishman screw-in Trouble-Dry aeration spears tackle hot spots by simply screwing the spear into the heap and using one of their high output green fans to suck cool air out of the affected area. They are ideal for a last-minute cooling solution. 5 Consistent quality control The challenge of achieving the highest quality grain relies on more than just good ventilation. Making sure the store is fit for purpose and carrying out regular assessments can help identify problems before it’s too late. Use insect traps to detect the presence of insects, sampling spears to cater for crop moisture testing or lorry load profile sampling, ambient air measurement devices and accurate moisture meters.

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Post harvest

Tight end stocks for wheat and barley

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

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

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

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

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Post harvest

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

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

Maize inevitably contains some dying leaf material

“

Maize can harbour some undesirable microbes

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

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

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

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

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

Clamp down on consolidation Do not compromise clamp consolidation. It can be tempting if in a rush, Mr Stroud acknowledges, but you could be living with the consequences of poor preservation from air in the clamp for a long time. “Shorter chop lengths are useful to aid consolidation, especially if maize is dry. So consider chopping to 1.2-2.2cm. Also, fill clamps at a maximum angle of 20 degrees to the horizontal and in lay- >> OCTOBER 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 25

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

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

26 MIDLAND FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

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

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

Calving heifers when younger increases productivity

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

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

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

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

“

Fertility is more important than growth rate

al payments around the corner, the AHDB says there has never been a more poignant time for suckler herd producers to home in on how they can make their herd more efficient and more profitable. The Maternal Matters series will look at ways to improve maternal performance and reduce costs, using maternal genetics to breed profitable females, calving heifers at two to reduce cost of production, reducing calf losses and heifer management for rebreeding success. The first podcast will be released on Monday 18 October. It will hear from case study farmer and AHDB board member James Shouler. He will speak about the benefits he has seen since calving at two years old. The Maternal Matters podcast will be published at https://ahdb.org.uk/ food-farming-podcast. OCTOBER 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 27

Livestock

Blood tests highlight need for pre-tupping vaccination

arrenness or abortion in sheep flocks earlier this year was likely caused by an insidious disease such as toxoplasmosis, according diagnostic results analysed by MSD Animal Health. Blood samples from sheep farms were tested when the subsidised FlockCheck diagnostic service was made available to vets in practice between February 2021 and June 2021. Data from 375 UK sheep farms suggest two-thirds of flocks had one or more ewes testing positive for the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which causes toxoplasmosis, said MSD animal health livestock veterinary adviser Kat Baxter-Smith. The continued high national level of exposure of UK sheep to Toxoplasma gondii highlights the importance of vaccinating ewes against what is a productivity-damaging parasite, said Dr Baxter-Smith. “We consistently see about two-thirds of UK sheep units testing positive for this serious, productivity-limiting parasite. Consequently, we urge all sheep producers to discuss their farm situation with their vet.”

Toxoplasmosis also causes reabsorptions, mummified fetuses, stillbirths and weakly lambs – as well as barrenness and abortions. But its impact on flock profits is often significantly underestimated. “The industry focus should be on preventing infection in breeding ewes and the best way to do that is to vaccinate replacements well before they go to the ram. The clear industry advice is to ensure every ewe is vaccinated before she breeds.” Normal biosecurity measures are not enough to control the disease, said Dr Baxter-Smith. Infected cats were one way the parasite spread to sheep, shedding toxoplasma eggs in their faeces which were then ingested by sheep on contaminated pasture. Sheep producers who recorded a flock barren rate greater than 2% during the 2021 lambing season should talk to their vet for advice well before tupping this year, even if diagnostic blood samples had not been taken. Dr Baxter-Smith said the Toxovax toxoplasmosis vaccine was known to protect ewes for at least two lambing seasons and could

Ewes in two-thirds of flocks tested positive, says Kat Baxter-Smith

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

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

n ongoing hortage of carbon dioxide could cause havoc to the pig and poultry supply chain, meat processors have warned. Food grade carbon dioxide is a byproduct of the fertiliser industry – but rocketing gas prices have seen two of the UK’s biggest fertiliser plants suspend operations indefinitely because production is no longer commercially viable. The British Meat Processors Association said an impending shortage of carbon dioxide could cause massive disruption to food supplies by the start of October. The gas had a vital role in the food and drink manufacturing process, it warned. Carbon dioxide is used in the slaughter process, packaging, and chilling stages of poultry meat production. If any of those stages is slowed or interrupted then so is the food supply – with potentially disastrous results. The BMPA said some companies would have to stop taking animals and close production lines, leading to a backlog of animals on farms. The pig industry was already facing the imminent prospect of a humane cull on farms, it said. Beef and lamb could continue to be

processed – but up to five days shelf life would be lost without carbon dioxide in the vacuum packing process. This could pose an additional problem for retailers already grappling with a lack of HGV drivers. BMPA chief executive Nick Allen said: “This crisis highlights the fact that the British food supply chain is at the mercy of a small number of major fertiliser producers – four or five companies – spread across northern Europe. “We rely on a by-product from their production process to keep Britain’s food chain moving.” The food and drink industry was reliant on affordable energy and commodity prices. If one of these was thrown out of balance, fertiliser factories either slowed production or – worse still – completely mothballed plants.

Zero notice “While this is not a significant problem for the fertiliser manufacturers, it is of much more strategic importance to the country’s food security. And, it is this structural vulnerability that BMPA is seeking to address with government.” Mr Allen said the carbon dioxide

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

Carbon dioxide is widely used in the meat processing sector

Concern over impact of gas costs on Christmas

ising energy prices will threaten national food security unless the government supports carbon dioxide production in the run-up to Christmas, says the British Poultry Council. The decision by two major companies – Yara and CF Fertilisers – to reduce fertiliser production at two plants providing up to 60% of Britain’s carbon dioxide has compromised supplies for several industries, including the food sector. It is unknown if or when carbon diox-

ide stocks will be replenished. The British Poultry Council says resuming production must be considered in ‘the national interest’ – and financially supported by government to keep food moving. Slaughterhouses and processing plants – which process some 20m birds a week – hold limited stock of carbon dioxide. Deliveries of the gas were now in doubt last month because suppliers were not scheduling beyond 24 hours in advance. British Poultry Council chief executive

Richard Griffiths said: “With fewer than 100 days to go until Christmas, and already facing mounting labour shortages, the last thing British poultry production needs is more pressure.” If carbon dioxide supplies became tighter and more unpredictable, supply chains would have to slow down, added Mr Griffiths. “The possible effect on food supply remains uncertain,” he said. “Our members are on a knife-edge situation at the moment.”

OCTOBER 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 31

Pig & Poultry

Ammonia trial cuts emissions and saves sector £15.3m

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

Pig numbers and systems monitored in trial Fully-slatted finishing pigs .......500+ Straw-based finishing pigs . . 5,000+ Fully-slatted farrowing sows .. 100+ Free-farrowing sows ........................ 70+ Fully-slatted dry sows . ................240+ Straw-based dry sows ..................340+ Fully-slatted weaning pigs ..2,000+ Straw-based weaning pigs . ..7,500+

32 MIDLAND FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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PROFILE ISJ Farming

‘We breed the best and eat the rest’ Derbyshire farmer Ian Johnson says high animal welfare standards can deliver a profit

igh welfare and environmental standards are delivering a better bottom line for Derbyshire poultry producer Ian Johnson. Mr Johnson, of ISJ Farming, produces 1.6m kilogrammes of poultry meat annually from eight crops of 80,000 broilers at Dalbury Lees, near Ashbourne. He also runs a pedigree Boer goat stud, selling £20,000 of genetics to breeders across Europe every year. “Everyone talks about how important welfare is – and consumers say they are willing to pay more for it,” he explains. “Too often, they won’t put their hand in their pocket, but good welfare does pay – and that is what we

do as a producer.” Lower stocking rates and a better environment for his birds has seen Mr Johnson improve his margins – despite a considerable outlay and investment which has cost many thousands of pounds. Rather than stocking his sheds at their 85,000 capacity, he has reduced broiler numbers to a maximum of 80,000 birds. “It costs but it means we get very good growth rates and a higher output which more than pays for itself.” Other improvements include a sophisticated flushing system which drains drinking water from the sheds if it is warmer than 2324ºC and replaces it with a clean, fresh supply at a much cooler mains-temperature.

“It means less bacteria and has helped us eliminate the need for antibiotics,” says Mr Johnson. “We haven’t used antibiotics in four years. Instead, we use probiotics. They are more expensive and costs us more than £10,000 but the payback has been a 25% drop in bird mortality to just 3% – so again it has been worthwhile.”

Benefits to birds Environmental improvements have generated similar benefits. Installing 3ft-high windows along the length of each shed has been good for welfare – but means each crop of birds feathers four days sooner, he adds. A firm believer that “you have to measure it if you want to im-

prove it,” Mr Johnson says the requirement that broiler producers install perches and introduce bales in sheds has no discernable benefit – despite costing him £2k annually. “Anything we can do to improve bird welfare benefits my bottom line – although we prefer to concentrate on the things that have a measurable benefit,” he says. The installation of a six-row Landmeco Pan Feeding System from Denmark has increased bird performance and improved biosecurity while reducing costs. It gives day-old chicks better access to feed and means better hygiene too. Top businessman Alan Sugar – who once said the best entrepreneurs surround themselves with experts – is an inspiration. Adopting this advice means Mr Johnson has a close relationship with his suppliers. “Our accountant Gary Brockway – of RWB Chartered Accountants – has been with us since the beginning and we work very closely with our other consultants too – as well as Maelor Poultry at Wrexham. >>

“You have to measure it to improve it.”

Ian Johnson and Ben at Dalbury Lees

OCTOBER 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 35

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Big changes “It is a proper partnership – Maelor have retained their family values in what is now a big company. We get to know our bird placements months in advance and it helps us plan the best way to buy our inputs. We really are part of a team.” The job has changed tremendously over the years. “I was 19 when I started out as a farm manager. I’m 53 this year but back then we would put the birds in the shed, feed and water them, and then empty the sheds once they reached their target weight.” Today, the industry has changed enormously. Successful broiler production means producers must keep much more on top of the bird health and input prices, including energy costs – as well as changes in consumer expectations. “The biggest threats to my business are politics, religion and Facebook,” says Mr Johnson. “The public perception of what we do is far removed from the reality. As an industry, we need to be going out and promoting what we do – the investment, the welfare, the hygiene standards and the expertise of our staff.”

Poultry is the key enterprise

Some 30% of each broiler crop is thinned at 32 days with the sheds cleared completely less than a week later at 38 days. And despite producing 1.6m kg of meat from eight crops annually, nothing is wasted, with none of it going into landfill. Nothing is wasted. A £150,000 biomass boiler which runs in tandem with a gas fuel system provides 70% of the required heat. One third of the farm’s electricity is supplied by a 50Kw solar panel installation.

Goat stud Alongside the broiler business, Mr Johnson has established a Boer goat

stud – a relatively recent venture which has been extremely successful and is based on the same farming philosophy: doing the best job possible with attention to detail. Like the broilers, the veterinary strategy for the goat stud is based on prevention rather than cure. And the goat sheds are cleaned every time the broiler sheds are cleaned – which means they are mucked out eight times a year rather than once. “When I started the goat business, I knew I didn’t want another commodity-based enterprise – so I went into it at the pedigree end,” says Mr Johnson. “Now we are the go-to place for seedstock for breeders across Europe.” The secret to success is a willingness to pay for good advice and to ensure that the job is done properly. “When buyers come to the farm, they can see it is immaculate – they never question the price because they realise that they get what they pay for. “We maintain that high level of management right across the farm. When it comes to goats and broilers, you could say we breed the best and eat the rest.”

OCTOBER 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 37

Pig & Poultry

Top tips when collecting poultry data

emote monitoring technology that captures accurate real-time data will help poultry producers ensure better bird health, welfare and performance. During these challenging times, it is even more important that broiler producers use the data they are collating to make a difference on-farm, says Poultry Sense veterinary adviser Barry Thorp. “Collecting, analysing and interpreting data is a key component of successful poultry production, but it needs to be done correctly for producers to be able to spot any changes in the environment or behaviour,” says Dr Thorp. Here, Dr Thorp gives his top tips on getting the most out of data this autumn. 1 Collect as much data as possible – the more data you have, the easier it is to identify and interpret performance trends. 2 Collate data from different flocks and sheds so benchmarks can be made to accurately compare production parameters. 3 Monitor data regularly to identify and correct any issues as soon as possible,

before they have a significant impact on health, welfare or performance. 4 Use remote monitoring systems such as Poultry Sense, which use real-time data to identify minor differences that may otherwise go undetected. 5 Use this data to support farmer instincts – using data to support a gut-feeling about a problem adds a level of confidence to decision-making. 6 Make continuous improvements – use data to keep enhancing efficiencies, as what was good five years ago may not be now. 7 Access to real-time data will help maximise opportunities when it comes to genetic potential and market demands. 8 Take time to look at data in more detail – the more frequently data is reviewed, the easier it is to interpret so problems can be resolved faster. Knowing firstly how to collect data accurately and then using it effectively is the biggest hurdle to overcome, as it has the potential to transform the efficiency and sustainability of poultry production, says Dr Thorp.

Pig health scheme returns this autumn

HDB’s popular Pig Health Scheme has returned this autumn with an enhanced benchmarking feature, following a coronavirus-enforced hiatus. Under the free-to-join scheme, assessors monitor English pigs at slaughter for 12 different conditions. This enables producers and their vets to track the health of their herd, with data being used to inform management changes to reduce levels of disease. AHDB Animal Health & Welfare Scientist Lauren Turner said: “Pig Health Scheme assessments were suspended in March 2020 due to the increasing pressures plants and assessors were facing. “The industry put a huge effort into navigating the early stages of the pandemic and coping under extreme strain, but we know from talking to producers just how many are keen to start receiving herd health data once more.” The priority since last month has been delivering refresher training for assessors. “We are fortunate that 10 of our existing assessors are now available and ready to kickstart the scheme once they have received their refresher training. To bolster 38 MIDLAND FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

numbers, we also have a group of seven new assessors who will undergo the full training provided by VetScore.” The plan is for a phased return of Pig Health Scheme assessments at several plants. Assessment dates will depend on the refresher training and initial quality assurance visits, with details shared online and in AHDB’s Pork Weekly e-newsletter. “It will have been some time since producers received a Pig Health Scheme report, so I would encourage everyone to take a few minutes to refresh themselves with our guide. This outlines what to do with your report and how to interpret the data.” Despite assessments being suspended for 18 months, AHDB has been working in the background to introduce a new benchmarking feature. This will enable producers and vets to quickly and easily see where their farm sits in comparison to the national herd. This will be available after the first quarter of data collection. Anyone wishing to sign up for the scheme can do so quickly and easily via their pig hub account or by getting in touch via PHS@ahdb.org.uk.

The birds promise more eggs over a 100-week cycle

Better performance with improved egg production

ew performance standards for Hendrix Genetics Layers promise longer cycles, improved productivity and more sustainable egg production. Since the last standards were published in 2016, the norm for free range layer flocks has increased from 72-week cycles to 76-weeks. Now, Hendrix Genetics Layer Breeds are depleting regularly at 80 weeks for brown birds. Meanwhile, commercial flocks of Dekalb White Layers are repeatedly laying 500 eggs per hen housed over a 100-week cycle – making them what distributor Joice & Hill says are some of the most productive and efficient of all laying birds available. These longer cycles are a result of breeding for improved liveability and persistency. Combined with the improvements in egg quality later in the cycle, the result is record numbers of saleable eggs across the cycle for producers. “Longer cycles, more first quality eggs per bird and improved feed conversion will assist our customers in both their production cost and sustainability, says Joice & Hill managing director Nick Bailey. The Bovans Brown is the best selling Hendrix Genetics breed in the UK, renowned for its robustness and ease of management. Improvements include nearly 11 more eggs and 700g of egg mass per hen housed for the same feed to 80 weeks. The birds have improved liveability and need 100g grams less feed to produce 1kg of eggs. Egg weight remains more or less unchanged with good early egg weight gain – but not at the cost of too big an egg at the end. Mr Bailey says there is a similar picture across all the company’s breeds, as Hendrix Genetics Layers deliver on its goal of longer cycles and more sustainable egg production – boosting margins for producers. The launch of the new standards reflects increasing consumer interest in sustainability and improvements in welfare standards, says Mr Bailey. Longer cycles are enabled through increases in laying persistency and shell quality towards the end of lay. The benefits of these longer cycles – combined with improved Feed Conversion Rates (FCR) – mean better lives for the hens and a lower carbon footprint for the eggs produced.

Pig & Poultry

Student Kerri Coffey is working with Bedfordia Farms

Scholarship attracts new talent to sector • • •

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

special scholarship to attract new people into the pig indistry is now in its ninth year – having seen 35 students spend a work placement in the sector. For students, the scholarship provides a clear career pathway and showcases the dynamic nature and variety of roles available throughout the supply chain. Students regularly find employment with their placement company after graduation. The Pig Industry Scholarship programme was developed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, National Pig Association and Harper Adams University. Attracting new entrants and inspiring the younger generation to pursue a career in the pig industry is key if the industry is to remain successful says Jen Waters, AHDB head of knowledge exchange for pork. “For businesses, it offers first access to a huge pool of talent and an opportunity to appraise students during what is effectively a year-long interview. It means relationships 40 MIDLAND FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

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

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

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

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

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Machinery Engineer your career at the Midlands Machinery Show • • •

£500 award on offer to winners Goal to raise profile of the sector Talented and dedicated people

he importance of supporting the next generation of agricultural engineers will be recognised at next month’s Midlands Machinery Show. The Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society’s (NNAS) Midlands Agricultural Engineering Apprenticeship Award is back for its fifth year – championing the next generation of agricultural engineers. “The Midlands forms the heartland of agriculture: A network of farming enterprises, agri-businesses and machinery dealerships full of talent and dedicated individuals,” says NNAS chief executive Simon Eccleston. “We started up this award five years ago when it became apparent that there was no specific funding award for young people who had chosen one of the many career options within agricultural engineering.

Successful careers The award aims to raise the profile of the sector and support young people from diverse backgrounds and skillsets to develop the abilities they need to embark on successful agricultural careers.” Up for grabs is £500 for each successful applicant, recognising their hard work. Entries are open until 15 October 2021 to agricultural apprentices aged 17-25 in the Midlands region. Frazer Cross, who was one of four winners in 2020, is in his third year of an Agco agricultural engineering apprenticeship – well on track to becoming a fully qualified technician Completing block release rotations – two months in work, one month in college – means that no one day is the same, says Mr Cross. It makes for an interesting job as well as time to study, 42 MIDLAND FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

he adds. “I started at B&B Tractors in Mansfield in 2019, after working in the automotive trade for three years – after eight months I decided I wanted to become qualified and I started my apprenticeship that September.

Job satisfaction “The day to day is so varied; calls are always coming in so you might be in the workshop one day and out on farm on another. I am really enjoying the apprenticeship – I just enjoy being around tractors and the challenge of the different mechanics involved,” he adds. And while tractors are a draw, it’s the crop sprayers that he sees as his specialism. “For a lot of farmers, the sprayer will be the most important piece of kit,” he says. “There’s a lot of satisfaction in learning the skills that enable me to go out onto a farm and get these machines up and running again when they run into trouble.” Winning the NNAS agricultural engineering award has given Mr Cross confidence and helped him build trust with his customers as an apprentice technician – and helped fill his toolbox with some quality tools. “I’d encourage anyone to look at agricultural engineering as a career path,” he says. “Your heart’s got to be in it and it’s hard work, but when it’s harvest time and you’ve got a farmer

going again after a breakdown, it’s really satisfying.” And where does he hope to be in 10 years’ time? “My aspirations are to be a top technician in my field and be in a position where I am able to pass on my knowledge.” At this year’s event Mr Cross will be joined by his fellow 2020 award winners, Owen Bradley, Liam Wright and Lewis Woodward, in receiving the second half of their winners funding, says event manager Elizabeth Halsall. “We look forward to welcoming both past and present winners to the showground – alongside the many young people who are yet to embark on their agricultural career paths,” says Ms Halsall “We hope the celebration of young people will not only foster a talented generation but encourage others to join the fold.”

Award winners Lewis Woodward and Frazer Cross

How to enter Applications are made by completing a downloadable application form from the Midlands Machinery Show website, which also outlines entry requirements. Once completed please email to harriet.canovan@ newarkshowground.com by 15 October 2021. The Midlands Machinery Show takes place on 9-10 November 2021 at Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire. Tickets are now available. Entry is free but advanced registration is essential. For details or to book tickets visit www. midlandsmachineryshow.com

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OCTOBER 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 43

Machinery Drills and cultivator demo at Tillage Live Kuhn’s latest Espro minimum tillage seed drill and the versatile Prolander seedbed cultivator were demonstrated at last month’s Tillage Live event in Gloucestershire. The Espro range was represented by the 6000R six-metre trailed model which included a number of newly available features. New full width front press wheels apply additional pressure to the soil to provide a more level surface. The event also saw a demonstration of Kuhn’s Prolander seedbed cultivator. A six-metre trailed model was demonstrated to show its range of performance from shallow stubble cultivation to seedbed preparation.

Breakdowns big concern for farm contractors

ad weather and breakdowns are keeping farm contractors awake at night, according to an NFU Mutual survey. More than third of respondents (36.3%) by the rural insurer said the fear of breakdowns and bad weather disrupting work were among their biggest worries. So too were tight margins and the cost of machinery (28.6%). Difficulty employing trained workers was rated as the third most serious concern (21.4%). Charlie Yorke, Agriculture and Technology Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “Unsurprisingly weather and breakdowns continue to be the biggest challenge.

Harvest disruption “However, the cost and availability of machinery is a growing challenge for the industry. With demand high, and availability low, we recommend that contractors establish accurate values for their machinery and make sure they are fully covered should the worst happen. “Despite modern technology, the weather still has the power to disrupt harvesting and other farming activities – and contractors face huge challenges getting all their clients’ work done

when Britain’s unpredictable weather makes field work impossible.” “Machinery breakdowns are always a risk even in the best maintained machinery fleets. “We know that employing skilled workers and drivers in the current climate is becoming a challenge in many parts of the country, so it’s no surprise that this concern is also keeping contractors awake at night. Farm support “The impact of the changes to UK farm support came in at number four in our survey. While changes in subsidies are a challenge, contracting will play an increasingly important part in the future of agriculture as farmers streamline their businesses and bring in outside skills for a range of farming tasks.” A separate NFU Mutual survey of the factors farmers rate highest when selecting contractors revealed trust and relationships were top of the list. Mr Yorke added: “It’s important contractors put effort into developing good working relationships and ensure they have appropriate insurance for the work they’re doing so their clients have full trust and confidence.”

Mike Jarrett sale attracts huge crowd

trong demand meant good trade at a machinery dispersal sale on behalf of the executors of the late Mike Jarrett. Mr Jarrett was well known within the farming community of Shropshire and the dispersal included some high quality second-hand, usable farm implements, machinery and vehicles. Held by Halls Auctioneers on 18 September, the sale attracted a large crowd with bidders travelling from as far afield as Lincolnshire, Anglesey, Devon, Scarborough, Cumbria and Ireland. This ensured excellent trade throughout the day and all items sold. Halls Auctioneers chairman Allen Gittins said: “Mike Jarrett was a larger-than-life character who was very popular in farming circles and the community in general, who we sadly lost earlier this year. “Every now and then, certain sales create huge interest because they have good lots on offer and are seen to be totally genuine, which, of course, this was. “I think that Mike would have been staggered by the number of people who attended the sale and the prices achieved.”

Notable prices of the day

Reliable machinery means fewer hold-ups and more timely work 44 MIDLAND FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

Deutz Fahr 5695 combine – £67,100 Fiat F130 Tractor – £20,400 Same Silver 130 Tractor – £17,200 Matbro TR 200 loader – £9,500 Kramer loader – £5,800 Knocke folding discs – £6,200 Krause direct drill – £6,200 Weaving Cultivator – £5,800 John Deere Mower/conditioner – £4,700 Bomford hedge cutter sold – £8,500

Property Farm shops can boost local communities and the economy

Benefits of farm shops to be studied by experts

he value of Britain’s farm shops to the nation – and to farmers – is to be studied by researchers at Harper Adams University. Commissioned by the Farm Retail Association, researchers at Harper’s department of food, land and agri-business management will investigate the benefits of farm shops to local communities, the UK economy and the countryside. It is estimated that there are well over 1,000 premises up and down the country which would fall under the definition of a farm shop – though the research will aim to clarify this as it seeks to build a clearer picture of the sector. The study will draw heavily on a survey of Farm Retail Association members. The research is being led by Alastair Boot, senior lecturer in food retail and marketing. Findings are expected to be released in spring next year. “We know that farm shops are valued – both by the retail and agricultural sectors, and by the communities

they serve,” said Mr Boot. “Many of us will have a favourite farm shop in our area, for instance – and there’s been some evidence over the past 18 months that, as we all strove to stay local, retail patterns have changed – with a growing appetite for British farm shops. “However, there is a need to build up a picture of the sector as a whole and its impact across the country – and this is where our research, commissioned by the Farm Retail Association, will come in. “Once we develop that clearer understating, it can be used to make the case for the nation’s existing farm shops, and to help develop the sector further.”

Supporting farm businesses Farm Retail Association chairman Rob Copley said the study findings would help to promote farm retailers – and support farm businesses

“

This is the biggest research project we have undertaken

with planning application and funding bids. “This is the biggest research project that we have ever undertaken and the results will fly the flag for our industry.” Many farm shops experienced a boom during the coronavirus lockdown as consumers sought to buy local. The pandemic saw a new appreciation for the role of local farm shops and butchers as shoppers sought to avoid larger, busier stores. It is estimated nearly half of British shoppers avoided large supermarkets at the height of the pandemic, favouring farm shops and other local businesses that were able to provide essentials such as meat, vegetables, baking ingredients and other groceries to keep the nation fed. With the lost luxury of dining out, the National Sheep Association said local butchers and farm shops were able to provide fresh locally produced meat and vegetables as the nation turned back to cooking at home and “dining in”. NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “It’s time to return the favour by continuing to shop locally, using butchers and farm shops, but also asking supermarkets to identify where their produce was sourced.” OCTOBER 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 45

FINAL SAY Clodhopper

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

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

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

46 MIDLAND FARMER • OCTOBER 2021

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

“

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

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

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

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Midland Farmer October 2021

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