Farmers Guardian Scottish 15 March 2024

GRANTS SPECIAL

ADVICE ON FUNDING APPLICATIONS – P35

First drive: All-electric Fendt e107

Auldhouse farm installs 270kW solar panel system PAGE

● Sainsbury’s boss calls for change

By Cedric Porter and Jane Thynne

THE UK’s food system is in need of fundamental reform if the country is to feed itself sustainably, a retail leader has warned.

Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, called for an end to the polarisation of the food supply chain which pits producers against retailers.

He said: “Too often supermarkets are seen as one side of the food system and those who are suppliers, farmers and growers are perhaps on the other. This situation needs to change and I would like to set out a vision of how that change can be made.”

Mr Roberts made the comments as the guest speaker at the annual City Food and Drink Lecture in London this week. In his speech entitled, Good Food Needs a Great Food System, he outlined a four-point plan involving improved policy; wider food chain partnerships; sustainability improvements; and greater consideration for customers.

“Government needs to focus on maintaining food production with as much of the country’s food supplied

RETAIL REFORM

● Supermarkets urged to act swiftly

ments, but the fact remained that farmers need fairer contracts which retailers must address.

Mr Hall said: “NFUS has long advocated for fairer supply chains, and is one of its key policy priorities as outlined in our recently published ‘Strategic Policy Priorities’ document. We want to see improved and sustained producer returns across all sectors through fairer, transparent supply chains, increased processing capacity, greater collaboration and better promotion.”

from Britain as possible. Changes to farm support have increased complexity and an unintended impact of new policy has been a pressure on UK food supply.”

Mr Roberts, said the ‘revolving door of Defra Ministers’ had not helped the food or farming systems and called for a Minister of Food to be appointed who would work across various departments and report directly to the Prime Minister.

He also pledged Sainsbury’s, the UK’s second largest supermarket, would work harder to improve partnerships with farmers and suppliers and to improve its understanding of the pressures they face. He urged other supermarkets to do the same and to come together on key policy areas.

Jonnie Hall, director of policy, NFU Scotland, said the union ‘by and large’ welcomed Mr Roberts’ com-

He said key issues, such as better labelling, a wider remit for the Grocery Chain Adjudicator and a commitment from the UK Government to implement powers set out in the 2020 Agriculture Act to introduce effective new regulations which will empower producers and growers’ negotiating positions, must be resolved.

“NFUS...welcomes what Simon Roberts has said, in particular his recognition regarding the significant impact larger retailers have on the supply chain – it is critical that they act swiftly to support domestically-produced food and those producing it.”

PICTURE: ALAMY

NFU Scotland director of policy Jonnie Hall calls for retailers to give farmers fairer contracts.

Fife-based

19

22

A report from this year’s event

Farming in harmony with nature is key to estate’s success 25

Tackling troublesome weeds in reduced tillage systems, plus a potatoes special focus

32

Prime hoggs to top of 523p/kg at Longtown, plus ewes and lambs in demand at Skipton 35

93

99

100

Solar panels spark change at East Kilbride dairy unit

108 FARM HEALTH

As part of a new health series, we look at the importance of looking after your heart

110

With Kate Rowell, Scottish Borders, and Amy Wilkinson, Lancashire

110

112

‘Farmers cannot tackle the climate crisis on their own’, says Harry Greenfield

Foreign drug gangs prey on rural areas

By Alex Black

SERIOUS organised criminals, including those linked to the international drug trade, are increasingly preying on rural communities, according to a new report. But campaigners say police are treating rural crime as a small-scale issue.

The report from Durham University, commissioned by the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) in conjunction with organisations including the Countryside Alliance (CA), CLA and NFU, said many crimes were committed by ‘prolific rural offenders’ rather than opportunistic individuals.

Data from the report carried out by senior criminologist Dr Kate Tudor found many rural criminals were also involved in the supply and sale of drugs, often on a large and global scale.

Foreign organised crime networks were also involved in sustaining rural crime by creating international transportation and disposal routes for stolen goods.

“Essentially, they are entrepreneurs working in the field of illicit business,” said Dr Tudor, adding they were well grounded in crimes such as drug dealing, but were always looking for ‘emerging business opportunities’.

The report revealed 22 organised crime gangs were actively involved in rural crime, but only a small number were mapped in formal police

procedures. This meant the full extent of organised crime in rural areas was unknown, and crimes were less likely to be treated as a priority.

The NRCN set out 10 recommendations, including calling on the College of Policing to review and update its threat, harm and investigation guidelines used to assess the right initial police response, alongside recruiting specialist rural crime co-ordinators, implementing tougher controls at ports and borders, and issuing new rural crime sentencing guidelines.

Priority

Tim Passmore, chair of the NRCN and police and crime commissioner for Suffolk, said people in rural areas often felt policing in their communities was ‘not a priority’, but businesses and communities needed to be better protected to stop organised gangs.

Sarah Lee, CA director of policy and campaigns, said current understandings of and responses to rural crime fell ‘dangerously short of grappling with the severity and complexity’ of the problem.

NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos welcomed the recommendations. She said crimes left rural communities feeling ‘vulnerable and intimidated’.

“Not only do they disrupt farmers’ efforts to produce food and care for the environment, but they also pose significant emotional and financial burdens on farming families,” she said.

Standen SR200 — not just for average seed potatoes

‘Fair is not always the same as equal might well become our new mantra’

Police drone catches hare coursers

THREE men have been caught hare coursing on agricultural land thanks to a drone operated by Cleveland Police.

Last week, activity was undertaken as part of Operation Checkpoint – a co-ordinated taskforce initiative offering reassurance to farmers and residents who live near identified anti-social behaviour hotspot rural areas.

Officers said they visited about 40 farms to discuss rural crime concerns, including poaching, nuisance motorbikes, quad bikes and hare coursing.

During the operation, three men

were caught hare coursing on private farmland in the Cleveland area with the help of a police drone operator.

Warning

Cleveland officers said the men were issued with community protection warning letters. One of the men also received a warning for being in possession of cannabis.

In addition, police stopped 16 vehicles of interest and issued four drivers with a summons for various contraventions of the law, including no insurance, driving on double white lines and vehicle faults.

Top tips on creating a low-carbon future and increasing business resilience were among topics discussed at Low Carbon Agriculture. See p19-21.

FARMING’S STORY ON THE PAGE FOR WORLD BOOK DAY

NFU deputy president ready for challenge

rPledge to represent views of members

By Rachael Brown

REPRESENTING farmers on the Red Tractor board will bring ‘attention and challenges’ for the newly appointed NFU deputy president, but David Exwood said it was not something he was ‘afraid of’.

He urged both Red Tractor and farmers to see this as a ‘reset moment’. Changes to environmental schemes, the General Election and solutions for tenants were also high up on Mr Exwood’s priorities, but he will be looking to make a good first impression and has admitted he has his sights set on the presidency ‘one day’.

Mr Exwood has replaced the new NFU president, Tom Bradshaw as director on the Assured Food Standards board, at a turbulent time for

Red Tractor, where there is evident ‘mistrust’ with its farming members.

Mr Exwood ‘welcomed the challenge’, adding he will make sure his points were heard and he would represent the views of the union and members.

He said: “I will get them to get out there and engage with the industry, go back to basics, listen to what people want and actually move forward.

“We need assurance to work. This is their chance to make it work.”

At a challenging time for British agriculture, many farmers, including some NFU members, were choosing to take matters into their own hands, by staging protests and forming breakout groups.

He said: “Yes you can protest, but

Active farmer test needed amid ‘Lakeland clearances’

INDUSTRY figures and politicians have urged the Government to create an ‘active farmer test’ for its agricultural environment schemes.

NFU deputy president David Exwood said the principle point of the Environmental Land Management scheme was not to adversely effect tenants ‘but it clearly is’.

He said: “Tenants are losing holdings, losing productive land, that was never supposed to be.”

Speaking in the House of Commons last week, Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron said the ‘riding roughshod of landlords over tenants, using landscape recovery as a means to do that’, was ‘utterly appalling’.

He said: “I am seeing tenants in Cumbria, forced off the land, in what we are referring to, quite justly I am afraid now, as ‘Lakeland clearances’, all because the way the Government has designed this scheme and is allowing it to take place.”

Mr Exwood added if the Government wanted to protect food production, the best way to do that was to ensure Sustainable Farming Incentive applicants had to fill in an ‘active farming test’.

you have got to be there the next day and got to be at the table to deliver and the NFU is at the table.”

He admitted NFU membership was down, but said this was a challenge all membership organisations faced.

Mr Exwood said he was not concerned by the presence of other groups and he did not believe it was a response to the NFU not listening, adding the value of the NFU ‘will show through’ with the new officeholder team.

CHILDREN from farming families were among schoolchildren dressing up as their favourite book characters. Ella Taylor, of Ely, Cambridgeshire, dressed up as the Red Shepherdess Hannah Jackson.

David Exwood

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NEWS

Tough lambing season as Schmallenberg hits

rFarmers call for vaccine roll-out

By Chris Brayford

THIS year has been one of the toughest lambing seasons, taking its toll on the health of farmers and livestock.

The ‘worrying’ effect of Schmallenberg was impacting farmers, placing an ‘unimaginable toll’ on their health, alongside wet weather.

The rain meant many who were looking to turn lambs out have not been able to, with concerns also arising for flocks which would lamb outdoors if there was little change in the weather.

Richard Findlay, NFU livestock board chair, said viruses were having a ‘damaging’ impact on farm businesses and called on the Government to support farmers with a targeted rollout of a vaccine.

Lack of confidence

Phil Stocker, chief executive at the National Sheep Association, said a lack of confidence from manufacturers in the uptake of a vaccine had caused problems for farmers.

“We are seeing a high number of cases across the south-west belt of

England, right the way from Devon and Somerset through to Herefordshire and Gloucestershire,” he said.

“There is a vaccine that is licensed, but it is really difficult to get it manufactured when they are not confident there will be uptakes of the vaccine,” he said, adding farmers were saying if it was available, they would use it.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency said a vaccine has been authorised for use in the UK since 2015, but it needed the farming bodies and pharmaceutical companies to cooperate in bringing it to the market.

Sadie Champion, a pedigree sheep breeder from Mark, Somerset, and chair of the Dartmoor Sheep Breeders Association, said: “I am not sure how

‘Creaking’ vet system will fuel further crises

THE current UK veterinary system is ‘unsustainable’ and ‘creaking’ under an outdated framework which must be overhauled as a matter of urgency, MPs have been told.

Sector leaders including the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss; chief executive of the Food Standards Agency Emily Miles; Malcolm Morley, senior vice-president of the British Veterinary Association; and Prof Stuart Reid, principal of the Royal Veterinary College, told the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee the industry was facing a crisis of recruitment and retention.

Ms Miles said the situation regarding official veterinarians (OVs) was of specific concern.

She said: “We have an £8 billion meat industry and £2bn of exports, and all that rests on a vet signing off the animal health and welfare in an abattoir.

Across the country, there are 270 abattoirs; we have 268 vets, and 99 per cent of those vets are from overseas. Just three of them are trained in the UK.”

She said the sector was doing a ‘huge amount’ to attract more UK-trained vets, but there was ‘clearly a problem’ and it was struggling with retainment.

Ms Miles said not enough was being done within vet schools to expose future vets to the work of an OV compared to in European universities.

No question

Dr Middlemiss said while there was no question of animal health being compromised, she said ‘vets across the country were creaking’ under the system.

Mr Morley added the Government should now commit to a new Veterinary Surgeon’s Act, which would practice reform and was forward-thinking in terms of services.

A vaccine has been authorised for use in the UK since 2015.

farmers keep on going during lambing at the moment. While the season provides a lot of joy for farmers with the creation of new life, it can also create fundamental problems including long hours, dead lambs and ewes, and a further strain on farm businesses.”

She said they had lost half a dozen lambs to Schmallenberg, which had been ‘horrendous’.

“While we are only small-scale breeders, every loss of a lamb counts to the overall viability of our business,” she said.

Ms Champion added that lambing and the spread of the virus had created ‘long-term’ problems for the business, affecting the genetics and creating extra costs.

RPA opens claims window for agreements

DEFRA has confirmed the claim window has opened for existing Countryside Stewardship (CS) or Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements.

Farmers must submit an annual declaration or claim form for CS or ES before May 15 to receive payment for works carried out through the schemes in 2024. Any claims submitted after May 15 up to the final deadline of September 2 would have a late claim reduction applied to payments.

Paul Caldwell, RPA chief executive, said: “I know how important cashflow is to rural businesses, particularly in the current climate, which is why we will continue processing claims as quickly as possible to get payments into farmers’ bank accounts.”

PICTURE: MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI

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Wales’ new First Minister must see farmers as part of the solution

INCOMING First Minister must seize the opportunity to get ‘Wales’ agricultural policy right’, with the industry calling on the Welsh Government to see farmers as part of the solution, not the problem.

Welsh farmers will soon find out whether Vaughan Gething or Jeremy Miles has been elected as the new First Minister, with speculation mounting on whether Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths will remain in post after a cabinet reshuffle.

Organic livestock farmer Geraint Davies, who farms near Bala, North Wales, said: “In the short-term, I am hoping the new First Minister will look at this as an opportunity to get Wales’ agricultural policy right.”

Flexibility

Mr Davies urged the new First Minister to consider greater ‘flexibility’ within the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) and see that farmers are ‘part of the solution and have an important role to play in producing sustainable food, maintaining the natural environment and managing carbon’.

NFU Cymru president Aled Jones said the new First Minister must ensure the new SFS included a ‘long-term stability mechanism’ to underpin the resilience of Welsh food production.

When it came to bovine TB, he said the fact that 10,000 cattle were being slaughtered every year as a result of the disease was ‘not acceptable’.

He added that the Minister needed a strategy which included tackling the disease across ‘all its vectors’, including addressing the prevalence of the disease in the wildlife population.

Ministers approve QMS levy rate rise

SCOTTISH Ministers have approved the request from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) to increase levy rates.

The rise of 6.8 per cent will be implemented for processors and producers from April 1, 2024.

Thereafter, QMS is proposing that levy increases will revert to annual increases in line with the CPIH index. It was the first time QMS has requested a change to the levy in 13 years.

Kate Rowell, chair of QMS, welcomed the approval, saying: “The new rates will allow us to invest in our key activities underpinning our vision to make Scotland the choice for premium red meat, during a critical time for all businesses.”

Investor anger as Buffalo Farm calls in administrators

rFounder says business has not closed

By Jane Thynne

AWARD-winning Fife-based Buffalo Farm has apologised to investors who have lost money following the announcement that the business has been forced to go into administration.

Founder and sixth-generation farmer Steve Mitchell took to social media on Tuesday (March 12) to address concerns about the business, which includes a 500-strong buffalo herd, a butchery, a shop and a cafe, as well as a buffalo mozzarella business.

Mr Mitchell said he had made the decision to prevent the farm, which has been featured on BBC show This Farming Life, from being wound up.

Mr Mitchell said Buffalo Farm had gone into administration, but the business had not closed.

He said: “Thanks to a very generous investor who has supported me, we have been able to safeguard the jobs, the animals and the business by purchasing the assets from the administrators.

“This means that all orders placed will be honoured and delivered as per your confirmation and both our shop and the bothy are able to continue to remain open.”

Mr Mitchell then admitted a number of creditors and founders had ‘lost out’.

He said: “I cannot express how sorry I am. I know how much this meant to our founders and I have communicated with them separately.”

Mr Mitchell thanked customers for their support and said more information would be released in due course.

Crowdfunding

The company had previously launched a crowdfunding bid in an attempt to raise £800,000 for the business, which has a series of award-winning products, including black pudding and pies. The investments were offered at levels of £100, £1,000 and £10,000.

Mr Mitchell is said to have issued an email to investors earlier this week apologising for the collapse, which he blamed on Covid-19, rising energy costs and the cost of living crisis.

He described the situation as ‘devastating’, which had led to ‘dark days and sleepless nights’.

I cannot express how sorry I am. I know how much this meant to our founders and I have communicated with them separately STEVE MITCHELL

However, his words were met with anger on social media, as investors accused Mr Mitchell of losing investors’ money.

One took the farm’s Facebook page and said: “We put £1,000 into that... Feel let down, as will others. So annoyed when he speaks about his new company. What about the mess he is leaving behind him?”

The Buffalo Farm was approached for comment.

Steve Mitchell said Buffalo Farm had gone into administration, but the business had not closed.

PICTURE: RON STEPHEN

Tenants win in solar dispute

rSchemes should be carefully considered

By Rachael Brown

A COVENTRY tenant farmer has won his campaign to stop his council landlord developing a solar farm on ‘productive farmland’.

Since 1967, Eddie Dewes has farmed mainly sheep and arable across 41.7 hectares. He said the last two years had been ‘demoralising’ and a ‘constant strain of uncertainty’.

Solar developers have been criticised by many in the industry for adopting an opportunistic approach to obtain tenanted land where a ‘cheap grid connection’ could be sourced.

The solar farm was proposed by Coventry City Council to help tackle climate change, reduce energy bills and power thousands of homes.

The council could appeal the decision, but Mr Dewes said it was ‘comprehensively beaten’.

Uncertain world

He said: “In an uncertain world, food production is vital; electricity can be harvested from rooftops, wheat cannot.

“Until industrial roof space is exhausted, the easy option of building solar farms on productive farmland should be the last resort.”

Food production is vital; electricity can be harvested from rooftops, wheat cannot EDDIE DEWES

Tenant Farmers Association chief executive George Dunn said he was delighted for Mr Dewes, who would have been forced to give up his long-standing farm tenancy if the solar farm had been accepted.

He said: “Solar developers right across the country cannot treat tenant farmers as collateral damage in their rush to promote solar energy schemes.”

Last year, after a three-year battle, North Yorkshire tenant farmers Emma and Rob Sturdy won a landmark campaign to stop a solar farm taking almost half of their arable land.

Ms Sturdy said: “Hopefully, cases like ours and Eddie’s will make developers and landlords think more carefully about schemes on tenanted land and recognise that the views of a tenant and the impact on them is an important part of the planning process.”

Countryside groups demand greater public access rights

FORTY- TWO national governing bodies and environmental organisations, including the National Trust, the countryside charity CPRE and Right to Roam, have joined together to support an Outdoors For All manifesto, seeking to extend responsible access to more green and blue landscapes.

Signatories said that in order for the Government to meet its target of getting 3.5 million more people active by 2030, greater access to the hills and dales of the countryside, along with its rivers, was urgently required.

According to CPRE, access to land which provided the current and limited Right to Roam covered just 8 per cent of England. This right extended only to those on-foot.

Phil Rowbottom, an arable farmer near Wakefield, West

Yorkshire, has a bridleway running through the centre of his farmyard. He said greater access should not be allowed until the public could show respect for rural areas and those who work in them.

Rigorous training

“I have 12 members of staff who undergo rigorous health and safety training, wearing hard hats and high-vis jackets.

“But frankly the disregard people show for their own personal safety walking through the yard is ridiculous,” he said, adding the paths were ‘not made for recreational walking, and they were certainly not made for mountain bikes’.

The manifesto was very clear that greater access should come with a commitment to ‘respect, protect and enjoy our special spaces’.

Eddie Dewes, a tenant farmer in Coventry, said the last two years had been ‘demoralising’ and a ‘constant strain of uncertainty’.

Hedgerow regulations to be brought into law

HEDGEROWS in England will be protected in law as the Government sets out its plans for domestic hedgerow regulations, following a consultation last year backed by 95 per cent of participants.

The regulations will include a two-metre ‘buffer strip’ from the centre of hedgerows with no cultivation or application of pesticides and fertilisers, as well as a hedge cutting ban between March 1 and August 31 to help protect nesting birds.

The Government said a ‘fairer, more proportionate enforcement approach, focused on outcomes’ would ensure farmers were offered advice to help them comply with the rules, adding it was ‘very different’ to the previously adopted approach.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: “I am delighted that thousands of farmers are taking up the support and guidance on offer in our Countryside

Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes.”

The Government said it would introduce a ‘streamlined notification process’ for farmers looking to sow oilseed rape or temporary grass, therefore requiring an exemption to cut or trim hedges in August.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “Our consultation showed just how valued our hedgerows are by farmers, the public and environmental groups alike, and these regulations will mean we can all reap the benefits they bring for generations to come.”

The new requirements will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows and will be regulated by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).

The Government said it would also introduce civil and criminal sanctions to enable the RPA to take appropriate actions ‘against anyone causing serious or repeated damage’.

LEADER

Olivia Midgley, Editor – olivia.midgley@agriconnect.com

And finally...

Reframing the conversation around net zero might be one step towards getting more buy-in from farmers. Read our report from Low Carbon Agriculture on pages 19-21 and see some of the kit on show on p92.

A SUPERMARKET boss calling for better working relationships with farmer suppliers and an NFU president highlighting retailers’ profiteering will sound like Groundhog Day to many Farmers Guardian readers, but our page 1 story indicates the fragility of UK agri-food at the moment.

With farmer-led action continuing in the UK and abroad, Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts played to his audience at the City Food Lecture on Monday with a spiel the industry has heard time and time again.

Supermarkets are rightly worried about the pressures on the supply chain – pressures caused by a myriad of factors including war and high costs, with neither likely to fall away soon.

Retailers have always been bullish about their position of power in the supply chain – a position which has served them and their shareholders well.

But we are now seeing the tide turn and, with just-in-time supply chains under more pressure than ever before, that balance of power

Supermarkets should leave warm words on the shelf and put them into action

being pulled away. Incessant rain across many parts of the UK will, without doubt, impact supply this season.

When at one time a poor harvest in the UK would see buyers turn to countries such as Spain and Portugal for fruit and vegetables, weather woes caused by extreme climatic events overseas will impact their production too. Retailers are also acutely aware of competing factors around land use, driven in the most part by a changing agricultural support system and so many competing demands.

A situation perpetuated by policies seemingly formed in silos. Added to that lack of joined up thinking, the Government has missed a trick in recognising food’s role in a healthier nation, going some way to alleviate the £6 billion drain on the NHS owing to food-related ill health.

The current Government has struggled to get the balance right and now the challenge will be laid at the door of the next one.

YOUNG FARMER FOCUS

‘No matter what, you can achieve your goals’

Background: I grew up on a beef and sheep farm in Biggar, where I have helped out since I was very young.

Understanding just how the food we all know and love ends up on our plate is fantastic. There is so much love and passion going into producing it from our hard working farmers.

At home on the farm, I enjoyed getting stuck into the job and was never discouraged, even when I got things wrong, which was all part of the learning experience.

It has shown me what hard work is and that, no matter what, you can achieve your goals. I am currently studying a higher national certificate in agriculture at the Scottish Rural College’s Edinburgh campus.

My studies are helping me to understand the important link between health and fertility in farming.

Confidence: After Covid-19, I joined Biggar Young Farmers’ Club which has boosted my confidence through making new friends and competing in stock judging competitions.

For me, farming is a way of life.

It is a way of developing bonds between your livestock, biodiversity and the wider rural community.

Farming is a way of leading an active lifestyle which faces many challenges on a daily basis, from battling the weather and changing practice to meet industry standards.

Passions: I am very passionate about working in this industry due to it being a very diverse and varied job. It has offered me a very rewarding career, for example, when you get to see animals grow from day one, to being strong and healthy. It makes you proud to be a

farmer. This is also an industry which is vital. If no one is there to grow and produce food, then there will be none for people to eat.

Environment: The industry is also helping to preserve our environment, to keep biodiversity levels high and our carbon emissions low, which is becoming more important as we try to

Lucy Graham

Biggar, South Lanarkshire

Lucy Graham, 18, is from a beef and sheep farm in Biggar in South Lanarkshire.

counter global warming. We are constantly battling the weather and the unpredictable nature of the job, which can, at times, make it hard to complete tasks.

Many rules and regulations are also becoming a lot stricter for farmers in terms of the emissions being produced from farms. As with every industry at the moment, costs have drastically increased causing issues with purchasing everything needed on-farm.

A lot of funding and grants have been cut as well for farmers, making it even harder to fund new projects to become more environmentally sustainable.

MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to be featured, email chris.brayford@agriconnect.com

Lucy Graham

Important role of National Parks

I AM writing in response to John Thorley’s Farming Matters article ‘National Parks bring no benefits’ (FG, March 3).

The National Parks contribute billions to the UK economy each year, offering diversification opportunities from tourism or financial support through programmes like Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes and Biodiversity Net Gain.

Across the 15 UK National Parks, we work with thousands of farmers and land managers on projects which benefit people, place, climate and nature. This work seeks to advance nature recovery and habitat restoration, which is essential to ensure climate resilience for the nation.

This could not be done without careful land management, delivered in partnership with landowners and farmers, all within protected landscapes. National Park authorities play an important role in supporting land-based economies through promoting sustainable tourism and encouraging diverse and thriving rural communities.

The National Parks are at the heart of our collective well-being and provide essential natural landscapes for the enjoyment of all.

Neil Heseltine, Chair of National Parks England.

Living costs: Food vs housing

HUMANITY’S primary needs are food, shelter and water. Yet, we have hunger, homelessness and dirty water on a global scale. Between the world wars, the average family spent 50 per

Contact

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If

cent of their wages on food and 10 per cent on housing, mainly rent. Today, we spend 50 per cent of our wages on housing and 10 per cent on food. If we were to spend more on food and less on housing, everyone would benefit.

I recently went into a supermarket and purchased a packet of beetroot. They were sown, grown and harvested in Lincolnshire, then cooked, delivered and put on the shelves. They only cost £1 – no-one made any money from that.

Now, governments around the world are wanting to rewild the land and pay farmers to retire.

One idea which would go some way to easing the housing crisis would be for each district to create a ‘Community Land Trust’, where one could purchase a home but not be allowed to sell it onto the open market – it could only be sold back to the trust.

There could be a levy on each house to be given to the local council for enlarging or replacing the village shop, in order to supply the needs of the village residents and save families travelling to the nearest town to buy their food.

Some councils are creating museums in villages by not allowing new homes. Homes of the future should be

built on a steel frame to guard against flooding, utilise rainwater harvesting to alleviate the dry times and incorporate solar panels for renewable energy.

Laurence Keeley, Herstmonceux, East Sussex.

‘Female firsts’

CONGRATULATIONS to former FG

In Your Field columnist Rachel Coates who has become the first female director of our wonderful Great Yorkshire Show, and also to Nina Oxley who was recently installed as Skelton Show’s first female chair since it started in the 1880s.

Given that it is 2024, our young people find it almost unbelievable and impossible that we are still seeing so many ‘female firsts’ in agriculture. Progress is slow, but at least we are seeing progress. Our industry and people’s perception will be all the better for it.

Elizabeth Heaton, Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

Arthur Carter of Palterton, Derbyshire, after winning the 1936 Scarcliffe ploughing match. Sent in by his daughter Grace Hotchkiss.

Red Tractor carbon heist

REGARDING your chief reporter

Rachael Brown’s leader column ‘Is there any way back for environmental module?’ (FG, March 8); there is nothing ‘environmental’ about this heist.

It was a plan dreamed up by processors and retailers via Red Tractor to steal farmers’ natural capital as a greening method to wash away their Scope 3 emissions.

But this is the danger – the environmental vandalism label on which we were hung when we started to question this and filled in Red Tractor chair Christine Tacon’s questionnaire. And that is from the farming press.

‘GFC’ means ‘Grabbing Farmers’ Carbon’. Nothing more, nothing less. And it is neither ‘green’ nor ‘environmental’.

Pat Bird, British Farming Union member and livestock farmer, Cornwall.

OR printed form when entering the Competitions. If you have entered the Competitions via our site we may also collect some technical information about how you use our site, for example, the type of device you are using, your operating system, IP address, uniform resource locator (URL), clickstream and length of visit. How we use the information you provide: We will use your personal information: • to administer the Competitions, on the basis that the use of your personal data for this purpose will be necessary to enter you into the competitions and, if you are successful, contact you to notify you of your prize; and, • if you are new to Farmers Guardian and where you have agreed to this, to provide you with news and updates from time to time about our services; and, if at any point in the future you do not wish to receive any news and updates from us or from, you can unsubscribe from our marketing list at any time by following the steps below. To unsubscribe from any communications using the link on the email we send you or by emailing us at dataprotection@farmersguardian.com. We will not use your information for any purposes except those listed in this policy without letting you know and getting your permission, if necessary, first. Who do we share your information with? We will not disclose your information to any third parties without your consent, except where: • it is necessary to enable any of our staff, employees, agents, contractors, suppliers or commercial partners to provide a service to us or to perform a function on our behalf; • we have a legal obligation to disclose your information (for example, if a court orders us to); or • there is a sale or purchase of any business assets, or where Farmers Guardian or any of its group companies are being acquired by a third party. Where we use third parties as described above to process your personal information, we will ensure that they have adequate security measures in place to safeguard your personal information. For how long do we keep your personal information? We keep your personal information for 36 months for the purposes for which it was collected or for any period for which we are required to keep personal information to comply with our legal and regulatory requirements, or until you ask us to delete your personal information. Your rights: You have a number of rights in relation to your personal information. These include the right to: • find out how we process your personal information; • request that your personal information is corrected if you believe it is incorrect or inaccurate; • obtain restriction on our, or object to, processing of your personal information; • ask us not to process your personal information for our own marketing purposes; and • obtain a copy of your personal information which we hold about you. We will take steps to verify your identity before responding to your request and will respond as soon as possible and in any event within a month. If you would like to exercise any of your rights or find out more, please email us at dataprotection@farmersguardian. com. Complaints: If you have any complaints about the way

‘Significant

for farmers claiming Universal Credit

rPlea to alter rules as many fall into poverty

THE long-term future of family farms could be at risk without financial support as farmers revealed their ‘desperate’ situation claiming Universal Credit (UC).

HM Revenue and Customs introduced the system with a promise it would simplify benefits through a single monthly payment for people on

EXCLUSIVE

low incomes, earning less than £16,000, or those out of work, thereby providing a safety net for those most in need.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), more than 5,571,146 people in England were claiming UC in January 2024.

However, challenges arising from the bureaucratic nature of the applica-

tion process and the ‘failure’ to account for the variability in farm incomes from traditional employment roles, have left farmers in a ‘perilous’ position and questioning if they have a viable future in the industry without receiving financial support for their families.

A petition calling on the Government to change UC rules for farmers, including the way income is reported from monthly back to annually, has reached more than 900 signatures so far (as of March 13).

The Tenant Farmers’ Association said the ‘plight’ of farmers has left many working in the industry below the poverty line, with farm incomes assessed through a Minimum Income Floor, representing the level of earning an employed person would receive for a specific number of hours under the National Minimum Wage, which ‘did not reflect’ the true nature of how farm businesses operate.

trade and business strategy

Nick von Westenholz has been made aware of ‘significant problems’ farmers had faced claiming UC and said the organisation would ensure families are ‘not worse off’ under the proposed new system.

Property agents Howkins and Harrison said the UC system ‘needed reform’ to understand the reality farmers faced in seeking financial support.

Crisis

David Ottley, a mixed-arable and free-range livestock farmer from Bacton in Norfolk, said the challenges during the cost-of-living crisis and the difficulty farmers had faced seeking financial support could be the ‘final nail in the coffin’ to the future existence of family farms.

“Despite all the hours I put into the farm, there are months when we do not make a single penny because

NFU

director

Farmers say they are being failed by the

of the unpredictable nature of the weather and rising costs of running the business,” he said.

“It really is worrying how you are supposed to feed your family and keep the business going when Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine has elevated prices.

“Having received our migration letter from Tax Credits to UC, I could not believe how awful the experience was at a time when I was at my lowest, when farmers struggle to get a cheque from one month to the next.”

He said he felt he had been treated like ‘dirt on someone’s shoe’ by people at the job centre who did not understand farming.

“It was one of the worst moments of my life to be told I needed to get another job when I already work more than 80 hours a week.

“Farming cannot go on this way and we are now at breaking point.

It feels like a lifeline of support has been snatched from us simply because we are farmers,” he added.

“People just do not value the importance of food and how vital it is for our nation to have that level of security.

“Without support, I feel this could be the end of small tenancy family farms who cannot keep going without financial support.”

Gill Durbin, of Bickfield Farm, near Bristol, described the situation as a ‘crisis’ waiting to happen which could ‘rip apart’ farming families.

“The Tax Credit system was my lifeline when I needed it a few years ago. It made sure the family had food on the table every week and we could do our weekly shopping.”

She questioned if it was ‘a way to force many farms out of business’.

“This could be the end of tenant family farms.”

Jess Evison, a sheep and cattle farmer from Helmsley near York, said her family has been left struggling to put food on the table for her three children after ‘giving up’ on the UC application process.

Knock-on effect

She added: “Now I no longer have the £1,200 coming into the home from Tax Credits to help pay bills and put food on the table, it has a knock-on effect to our life, our farm business and my children who cannot go on school trips anymore because we simply cannot afford it.

“To be told we would have to get another job working nights alongside working more than 90 hours a week,

was beyond a joke. For farming to be viewed in such disregard as a hobby by the DWP is ridiculous.

“Farming is, in fact, one of the toughest and brutal industries to be part of.”

The family had decided to discontinue their application because it was ‘simply too much to take’.

“We now worry how we are going to feed our children, but the worst thing is that other people will be struggling more than we are.”

A spokesperson for the DWP said it ‘recognised’ self-employed people, such as farmers, can experience periods of low earnings, but income levels were taken into account on a monthly basis to ensure benefit payments were maintained at a ‘fair and continuous level’.

INCREASE GRASS YIELD & QUALITY

•

•

•

•

Grass Harrow

GRASS MASTER SWARD LIFTER

HARROW & SEEDER

The switch from Tax Credits to Universal Credit has left many farmers with smaller operations struggling.

Universal Credit system.

Edited by Alex Black –

Budget delivers a mixed bag for farming businesses

rAPR now applicable to land in ELM schemes

By Jane Thynne

CHANGES to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) was the main point of interest for farmers and landowners as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered the final Budget of this Parliament last week.

The changes would ensure APR was applicable to land entered into one of the Government’s Environmental Land Management schemes.

The change also applied to let land, which, according to Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, would provide ‘welcome certainty’.

Mr Hunt said APR would be extended from April 2025 to transfers, on death and lifetime, of farmland put into qualifying environmental agreements anywhere in the UK.

Mr Moody welcomed the decision, which had followed a 12-month consultation in response to concerns raised by landowners that land taken out of agricultural production and given over to environmental delivery would no longer qualify for 100 per cent relief.

He said: “This will remove Inheritance Tax [IHT] as an issue for farmers and landowners looking at environmental commitments.

“These options can now be considered on business and personal reasons, not pre-empted by fear of IHT and its 40 per cent rate.”

Jason Beedell, rural research director at land agent Strutt and

Parker, said the move would give farmers ‘clarity and confidence’.

Productivity

However, Mr Beedell also said the Budget was one of ‘swings and roundabouts’ on the whole. He pointed to a section in the Budget documents on farming productivity, which restates the recent Gov-

TFA ‘bitterly disappointed’ by APR decision

THE Chancellor’s decision to ‘close the door’ on proposals to restrict Agricultural Property Relief from IHT only to landlords prepared to let long-term has been described as ‘bitterly’ disappointing by the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA).

The TFA had called for the change to encourage long-term and more secure Farm Business Tenancies.

TFA chief executive George Dunn said: “What is the public benefit of that massive state support to the landlord sector if it continues to offer such restricted security of tenure?

“Sadly, a coalition of organisations with a vested interest in maintaining the maximum degree of flexibility in bringing land to the market place

have managed to persuade the Treasury to keep the status quo.”

Mr Dunn said the Government had churned out ‘the usual platitudes and warm words’ about the need for longer term agreements, but without any concrete plans.

But Jeremy Moody added it was a ‘sensible decision’.

Hesaid:“Ouranalysisshowed thattheproposalcouldnotdeliverits objectivebutleadtothelossofsome 500,000acresofletlandinthefirstthree yearsorso,andthentoalargerdecline ofthesortwehaveseeninScotland.

“We now have the certainty that land management needs to and can work on the future health of the landlordtenant system,aswesupportfarming’s successfuladaptationtogrowingchange.”

What is the public benefit of that massive state support to the landlord sector if it continues to offer such restricted security of tenure?

GEORGE DUNN

ernment announcement of £427 million of grants being available to farmers.

“However, this spending on improving productivity should be tempered by planned cuts in Defra’s spending of 12.5 per cent or £0.6m between 2023/24 and 2024/25, and even bigger cuts to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Budget,” he said, adding the scrapping of tax reliefs for furnished holiday lets would be a blow to diversified businesses.

Missed opportunity

Mark Lumsden Taylor, head of food at MHA accountants, said the Budget had been a missed opportunity to create a sustainable food industry. But added the chancellor’s promise to consider full expensing on leased assets was a key takeaway.

“Food manufacturers lease huge sways of equipment, and this will be most welcome as a result. However, support should focus on strengthening local food systems and identifying matching needs for the national need; collation of food business with an economic incentive to shift, grow and apply sustainable principles,” he said.

The changes to APR also applied to let land, which Jeremy Moody said would provide ‘welcome certainty’.

PICTURE: GETTY

“JOHN

“ADVANCED

In their most comprehensive tractor multi-test to date,

(09 and 10/2023) compared seven tractors in the 300 hp category: Claas Axion 870, Deutz-Fahr 8280 TTV, John Deere 6R 250, Massey Ferguson 8S.285, McCormick X8.631, New Holland T7.300 and Valtra Q285. The 6R 250 model not only won, but also received many enthusiastic statements.

Nimbyism holds rural communities back, poll says

rLack of affordable housing highlighted rural areas found a lack of affordable housing was the most important issue facing rural communities, with nearly 60 per cent ranking it among their top two pressing issues.

survey has called for more housebuilding in rural areas.

By Alex Black

NIMBYISM is holding rural communities back, according to a survey, with just 19 per cent of respondents believing those who object to development have a positive impact on the countryside.

A CLA and Survation poll of more than 1,000 people living in

The higher cost of living compared to urban areas was the second biggest issue and a lack of rural jobs third.

Almost half (46 per cent) said Nimbys had a negative impact, while 53 per cent said rural areas needed to build more properties to provide affordable housing, with 36

per cent against. More than half also supported additional homes being built in their own area, with 35 per cent opposed.

CLA president Victoria Vyvyan said rural communities were ‘crying out’ for affordable housing, but Governments had treated the countryside as a ‘museum’.

She said: “Villages cannot be dormitories for wealthy commuters, nor can they be the preserve of the elderly.

Workers

“A small number of homes must be built in a large number of villages to provide housing for young people and families, to provide workers for local businesses and keep shops, schools and other facilities open.”

It came as the CLA published a blueprint setting out how the Government can help the rural economy grow, with one of the documents focused on housing.

Ms Vyvyan said the planning system was ‘simply not designed to unlock’ the potential of rural communities.

Its proposals included introducing a ‘planning passport’ for rural exception sites to increase the delivery of affordable housing, by splitting the planning process into two stages.

The first stage would give planning permission in principle, with the second only needed if permission was gained.

Other suggestions included expanding Class Q permitted development rights to make it easier to convert agricultural buildings into homes in National Parks and National Landscapes, as well as amending the definition of affordable housing for rent in the National Planning Policy Framework to allow private landowners and community groups to develop affordable housing without becoming registered providers.

Gap between European and UK prices narrows after recent rises

EUROPEAN pig prices have risen significantly over the past few weeks, narrowing the gap to the UK price.

The UK also saw two consecutive weeks of ‘very welcome’ weekly price increases, before the EU-spec Standard Pig Price (SPP) fell back 0.27p/kg to 211.33p/kg during the week ending March 2, according to the National Pig Association.

It had gained 0.46p/kg ahead of the previous fortnight.

Since the start of the year, the SPP has lost 2.6p/kg, leaving it just 1.6p/kg ahead of the price in the same week last year.

EU prices have been rising significantly over the past few weeks.

The EU reference price gained a further 3p to reach 180.76p/kg during the week ending February 25, meaning it has increased by more than 9p in the space of three weeks, with the German reference price up by more than 13p over the period.

The gap to the UK reference price, which had grown to nearly 37p/kg only a few weeks ago, has closed to 27p/kg.

The EU reference price is likely to go higher after further price increases last week.

A

Meat and dairy triumph over Veganuary

rFood trends change in January

By Charlie Hawes

CHANGING health messaging and the cost of living opened more opportunities for meat and dairy during January, despite the annual Veganuary campaign.

Tom Price, AHDB retail and consumer insight analyst, said food trends were changing, with greater opportunities for red meat and dairy.

Dairy volumes grew year on year in January, while dairy-free products experienced less demand.

It follows poor performances for alternatives in January 2023, resulting in some retailers positioning animalfree products with health-focused messaging within stores this year, rather than promoting Veganuary as an occasion, according to analysts IGD.

AHDB also highlighted the cost of living crisis, with alternative products more expensive than their animal product counterparts.

Slowing inflation and the potential for wages to grow in 2024 means health is becoming more of a priority for consumers and analysis shows the media focus on the negative nutritional values of ultra-processed food is putting consumers off.

This gave opportunities to promote the health benefits of meat and dairy in January, in campaigns such as AHDB’s Let’s Eat Balanced.

Development

With volumes suffering AHDB suggested it was likely to spur on new product development in the meat and dairy alternative market, but added meat and dairy may still face competition from cheap staple alternative products.

Looking forward, the levy body has also forecast ‘epic’ Easter lamb sales, following a successful 2023, with retailers likely to strongly promote lamb for Easter as well as Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr.

Lamb joints saw a 25.5 per cent increase in lamb roasting joints in volume sales in 2023 year on year, according to Kantar, with leg joints accounting for almost 93 per cent of lamb roast sales.

Grace Randall, AHDB retail insight manager, said previous research had highlighted the importance of the ‘treat’ aspect of lamb.

“We have seen markets rise significantly for lamb in recent weeks,

he-va.co.uk

Dairy volumes grew year on year in January, while dairy-free products experienced less demand.

partly due to the strong demand around Easter and limited supply. However, we predict consumers will get behind the celebratory

sentiment surrounding Easter once again this year and are likely to spend a little more on their meal,” she added.

CAMBRIDGE ROLLS

HE-VA’s hydraulically folding rollers adapt to the contours to efficiently consolidate and level, but can be used for much more.

All HE-VA rollers have the unique SAT system as standard, allowing weight to be evenly transferred across the full working width.

All HE-VA rollers also feature market leading NG Cambridge or Cambridge and Breaker rings in 20” 22” or 24”.

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Greater confidence needs to be built into SFI 24 portal

More work needs to be done to make SFI more accessible for farmers.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is now in its third iteration, with the fourth due to appear later this summer.

By the end of 2024, there will be more than 120 paid actions across multiple SFI standards.

But, according to adviser and director of SRH Agribusiness, Simon Haley, around 11,000 farmers have applied to SFI 23 out of about 84,000 eligible businesses.

date of the agreement to add these on, or take on further administrative burden and complexity and apply for SFI 24.

Mr Haley said while there were bits of SFI which were working well, including its rolling application window; flexible approach to additional actions on agreements and Defra’s ‘less authoritarian approach’ to keeping evidence, he said SFI 22 being pulled, less than a year into a three-year scheme, had dented farmer confidence.

Mr Haley warned that farmers who had wanted to transfer between schemes had faced long delays in processing and verification, which he said was either down to ‘difficulties in the Rural Payments Agency’s computer system’ or a ‘lack of clarity’ on forms about what was intended or meant to be allowed for eligible transfers, based on actions being of ‘greater environmental significance.’

Mr Haley added it had still not been made clear to farmers and landowners how the schemes would support ‘increased farm productivity’ and that uncertainty had created a ‘significant barrier’ to achieving a high take-up.

There was also a ‘natural confusion’ over terminology, putting farmers off.

He said the current available scheme was SFI 23, whereas many farmers would assume they were applying for SFI 24, but that would not be available until at least July 2024.

Mr Haley added any SFI 23 scheme which had been started by the time additional actions were released under SFI 24 would then have to choose between waiting until the anniversary

With a General Election on the horizon in 2024, the direction of travel and commitment to ELM is still to be confirmed and set SIMON HALEY

Mr Haley said SFI concentrates on management options only, so farmers still wishing to undertake capital works on-farm need to still consider the Countryside Stewardship scheme. He said: “The SFI management payment, which is an incentive to participate effectively and covers some of those management costs for enabling the actions, has now been doubled on the first eligible 50 hectares, to a maximum of £2,000 per annum.

Management

“There are also SFI options to reduce other costs further, such as soil management, nutrient management, and integrated pest management plan options.”

He added later in 2024 there would be premium payments for high value actions such as supporting recovery of priority habitats and threatened native species, managing waterbodies and watercourses, as well as protecting lowland peat. He said overall, building greater confidence in the SFI application portal, especially around mapping and land data, was ‘the easy and obvious answer’ when it came to improving uptake.

He added there was still a long journey to go in ‘convincing, cajoling, persuading, and incentivising’ most farmers to adopt such schemes and practices under the Environment Land Management (ELM) scheme.

“With a General Election on the horizon in 2024, the direction of travel and commitment to ELM is still to be confirmed and set, for a clear and definite path through to 2030,” said Mr Haley.

MORE INFO

Read more about available support in our grants special, pages 35-43.

The Low Carbon Agriculture show allowed visitors to see the latest innovation and technology to help businesses move to climate-smart operations and hear from a range of high profile speakers. Olivia Midgley reports from the NAEC in Stoneleigh.

rRange of topics up for discussion

LANGUAGE around net zero could be putting farmers off and a better narrative would be reducing cost and improving business resilience.

That was the message from speakers at a debate on reaching net zero in agriculture at the Low Carbon Agriculture show (March 6-7), held at the NAEC, Stoneleigh.

In a lively debate, which covered a range of topics including tax relief on red diesel, destocking, consumers’ diets and solar farms, Leaf chief executive David Webster said reframing the conversation around climate-friendly farming would help more farmers engage.

He said: “If you talk to farmers about risk and resilience and remaining profitable they will listen and engage. We have to get people on the journey and make the business case as well as the environmental case.”

Helen Browning, chief executive of the Soil Association, said polarisation of the debate was damaging for all parties.

“As a farmer it is really challenging to look at the steps we should take. The debate is very focused on production and the country’s emissions, but we need to think equally hard about consumption.”

While a change in public attitudes to the food they eat and the way they travel would not happen overnight, it was vital the UK did not export its environmental obligations and helping people to make better choices was necessary.

She said: “We do not want to want to get to a point where we are just showing a better balance sheet for the

Tom Heap addresses delegates at Low Carbon Agriculture.

Achieving net zero

UK. Importing emissions is not a viable route to go down.”

BBC Countryfile presenter Tom Heap, who chaired the session, agreed the debate was ‘not just about what we farm, but what we eat’.

Rag to a bull

CLA vice-president Joe Evans said: “It can be a rag to a bull to say to a farmer they must farm in a net zero way if they do not think the interventions they make will make a difference to global net zero targets. We must decarbonise farming as best we can.”

Answering a question from the audience around upskilling farmers to deliver net zero obligations and manage the transition, Mr

Webster agreed it was needed. He highlighted the tense situation in Wales with the Sustainable Farming Scheme, with politicians ‘who do not understand farming’ and people who see the transition as a binary choice of planting trees and looking after the environment or producing food.

“We need to do more to engage the farming community and show them what the art of the possible is and navigate routes to doing so successfully,” said Mr Webster.

“We do not want to lose land managers, particularly from up -

Down on the Farm

land areas who have got generations of skill.”

Nina Skorupska, chief executive of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, said ‘terms that you are not familiar with can be very threatening’, but stressed that action was needed now.

She said: “We will be reporting 1.7degC higher this month across the world and we promised to keep it below 1.5degC.

“Facts matter. If you are worried come and talk to people to understand who can help you deal with this topic.”

with Philip Cosgrave Agronomist, Yara UK Ltd.

Pay close attention to your phosphate applications this spring

Phosphate (P) is a key nutrient for grass. Its role in energy supply, root growth and tillering make its availability crucial for grass growth in the spring. The plants requirement for P is small in volume when compared to nitrogen BUT its availability is essential. For grazing, the key period of application runs from March to May, due to soils being cold and wet, but also an increasing grass P demand, as grass growth rates increase in April and peak in May.

Typically, the P in fertiliser is 100% water soluble; this however creates its own problems. As soon as you apply water soluble P to a soil, this soluble P becomes slowly fixed by iron and aluminium. The P contained in YaraMila ExtraGrass (27-5-5+6% SO3) and YaraMila 52 S (20.6-8.2-

11.6+6.5% SO3) is a mix of water-soluble phosphate and Di-Calcium Phosphate (DCP). This DCP is not fixed by the soil but becomes available as it is triggered by weak acids from grass root exudates.

The maintenance requirement for P on grazed swards is 20 kg/ha, however if your grazing platform is growing 13-15 t of dry matter with 80% utilisation, then your maintenance will be closer to 30 kg/ha. We shouldn’t underestimate the importance of fertiliser quality when it comes to applying the P & K in NPK fertilisers, and using a uniform compound is one sure way of ensuring spreading uniformity and maximising the number of P & K landing sites.

Low

Whole chain approach needed to cut carbon

rPolarisation is ‘holding us back’

COLLABORATION between farmers, governments and stakeholders is essential if the UK is to move towards a greener future, reduce emissions and produce nature-friendly, low carbon food.

Jack Bobo, founding director of the University of Nottingham’s Food Systems Institute, said while collaboration was the only way to ‘achieve a more sustainable planet, it is polarisation which holds us back’.

Unity

He said it was incumbent on all stakeholders to work together to deliver on shared aims.

“People believe agriculture is a problem to be solved, rather than seeing agriculture as the solution to our problems,” said Mr Bobo, who conce-

ded it was difficult for governments to put strategies in place when stakeholders wanted different outcomes.

“Things are wildly better than they were 30 years ago. They will be wildly better 30 years from now. But how can we get to year 2050 goals by 2030?

“Things are getting better but not fast enough, so how can we help you to do it better and faster? That is the challenge we have – how can governments, the public and industry accelerate the pace of improvement.”

Highlighting the rollout of Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive in England, Jonathan Baker, head of programme policy engagement and strategy in Defra’s Future Farming and Countryside Programme, pointed to grants recently announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to fund agriculture’s transition, including more funding for technology, infrastructure and innovation.

He said: “We are supporting the

Positive signals for renewables

ALTHOUGH the Chancellor’s Budget, announced on the first day of Low Carbon Agriculture, offered little in the way of climate policy, there are

The ideal scenario would be power generation from solar in summer, switching to that generated from a wind turbine through winter

DR JONATHAN SCURLOCK

positive signs solar PV and battery storage are growing fast, and onshore wind turbines look set to make a comeback. This was according to Dr Jonathan Scurlock, the NFU’s chief adviser on renewable energy and climate change.

The Budget pledged a record £1 billion for the Government’s sixth auction round for renewable power, but this was mostly for large offshore wind projects.

At the other end of the spectrum, the NFU supports a revised permitted development right for farmers seeking to install a single wind turbine on-farm.

Dr Scurlock said: “The ideal scenario would be power generation from solar in summer, switching to that generated from a wind turbine through winter, making farm businesses more resilient at the same time as lowering their carbon footprint.”

parent company Agriconnect and supported by the NFU.

industry to take its own carbon audits and use new technology. For example, helping reduce methane emissions in livestock through the use of methane-suppressant feed products.

Farmer-led

“The Government can and is helping, but this has to be farmer-led.”

Charlotte Powell, head of bioenergy

and carbon removals and innovation delivery at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, said a mix of technologies will be required to meet carbon budgets and net zero.

Highlighting the role of biomass, she said reducing the barriers to increasing domestic production of biomass will be important to ensure the UK can secure the supply

Improving green credentials through biodiesel

USING biodiesel in red diesel would be an ‘easy win’ for farmers looking to improve their green credentials.

Harley Stoddart, Head of Climate Mitigation Science at Defra, said that currently, red diesel did not incorporate any biodiesel.

Debating the issue as part of the ‘Reaching net zero in agriculture’ session, Renewable Energy Association chief executive Nina

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

TO listen to Farmers Guardian editor Olivia Midgley speaking to Soil Association chief executive Helen Browning and Overbury Farms regenerative farming manager Jake Freestone talk through the key takeaways from Low Carbon Agriculture, scan the QR code (right).

Skorupska called for the red diesel ‘subsidy’ to be phased out. CLA vice-president Joe Evans said while farmers only drove their tractors when necessary, ‘there was not enough money in the supply chain to pay for [removal of the rebate]’. A young farmer in the audience responded that rather than a ‘subsidy’, red diesel was a ‘tax relief’ and the industry needed it.

needed across the economy to support decarbonisation.

She added this was being supported by the £36 million Biomass

REGENERATIVE APPROACH TO LOW CARBON FUTURE

IMPROVING soils is the answer to feeding a growing population and looking after the natural world, but farmers have to be invested in the journey.

Ian Wilkinson, who founded the Farm-Ed demonstration farm in the Cotswolds, said farmers wanted to be part of the solution and ‘the future is diversity’ in terms of thinking and process.

Speaking at a panel discussion on regenerative farming, he highlighted planting trees and hedgerows and bringing sheep into the rotation as key ways to improve organic matter and carbon sequestration.

However, he said changes to land use were contentious and likened the debate to ‘people outside farming throwing stuff in like snipers’, which could lead to a tense and polarised debate.

Success

Rob George, A Greener World’s compliance director in Europe, said success in regenerative farming was about identifying ‘where you

are, where you want to be, when, and the best ways to measure and monitor your progress’.

He said the UK lagged behind other countries including the US and Chile, which were putting a bigger focus on certification for regenerative farming practices.

However, certification was made trickier by not having an agreed definition of the term.

And this lack of clarity also fuelled some consumers’ feelings of ‘greenwashing’.

Lee Reeves, agriculture director for Lloyds Bank, said derisking the transition process was key and the bank was helping customers on this journey. He added his client base was looking to make meaningful changes which required some extra working capital, but not ‘big investments in kit or technology’.

All of the speakers highlighted the need for a baseline of standards and urged all farmers to start measuring their carbon footprint using one of the approved carbon calculators.

“Spinning disc spreader”

“Precisely metered & accurately spread”

Feedstocks Innovation Programme, which funded innovative ideas that address barriers to UK biomass production.

Jack Bobo, founding director of the University of Nottingham’s Food Systems Institute.

SECTION HERE SECOND BROW FARM PROFILE

Edited by Angela Calvert –

Situated 40 miles from London, Hampton Estate provides a green lung

Hampton Estate in Surrey is a family-run business managed by Bill and Bridget Biddell. Their daughter Molly, who is the nature-based solutions manager for the estate, says: “The estate was bought in 1930 by my great-grandfather.

“Then my great-grandmother Myrtle, a pioneering female farmer, started up a Guernsey dairy herd.

“During the war, my grandfather was very academic and studied agriculture at Cambridge.

“He was very passionate about land management and was honoured with an OBE for his services to agriculture. He was involved in

the farm at Hampton until his death in 2014.

“When he started farming at Hampton, he employed almost 60 people; we are down to 13 now, so it shows how farming businesses have changed over the years.”

Farming at Hampton is strongly dictated by the soil profile – the ungraded, sandy soil is more suited to pasture or trees than to arable enterprises.

In 2004, the family dispersed the dairy herd because it was not economically viable, and instead started a beef enterprise with Sussex cows.

“We have a lot of grassland, which is naturally species-rich. We do not grow lots of lush grass but we have diverse

herb species like hound’s tongue, smooth cat’s ear and meadow saxifrage, and other interesting sward mixes on a zero-input system,” says Molly.

“We chose the Sussex breed because they are hardy and can live outside all-year-round, and because of the fast-draining sandy soil, we do not need any housing.”

Beef

The family began selling beef directly to local customers in 2007 and coined the concept of ‘Beef Parties’.

“Once-a-month we sell our beef and venison – we have about 2,000 loyal customers who are on our mailing list and a further 2,000 on social media,” says Molly.

“We do not have an online shop, but it works really well for us – it is a real community thing.

“For the Beef Parties, all the customers come to the house. They enjoy coffee and homemade cake and, importantly, everyone sees the cows in the fields. They leave knowing where their food comes from, which is so important.”

The venison comes from wild roe deer on the estate.

“We have to control deer numbers; we cull three every week and sell it as a superfood, because it is completely wild and natural,” says Molly.

Location is clearly key to the businesses’ success.

Molly says: “We are 40 miles from

Left to right: Bridget and Molly Biddell.

The family have just introduced a bale grazing system.

SURREY FARM PROFILE

London and also on the edge of the Surrey Hills – we have so many people around us.”

She also discusses how the cows are run extensively and have Pasture for Life accreditation.

“Our farm manager, Will Goodwin, pushed us towards Pasture for Life accreditation and we realised it fitted well with our existing system,” says Molly.

“We were set stocking across quite a large piece of parkland, but now we have split it up into paddocks and move the cattle every two days, so a lot of electric fencing is involved.”

The family have also just started bale grazing.

“We used to feed hay from a trailer in a sacrificial field from November to March, but we have managed to position our bales tactically across the fields and to keep the paddock rotation going,” says Molly.

“There is a lot less tractor and fuel usage and ground poaching as a result.”

Ecological benefits

The main reason for going pasture-fed was for ecological benefits.

Molly says: “We have species-rich swards, and we are trying to use the cows as ecological engineers to make sure we are regenerating the pastures in the best way possible.

“Because we have such sandy soil, we completely dry up in a drought. So, if we are grazing in the right way, our drought resilience and water retention will improve.

“We also know pasture-fed beef is better for our health because it is rich

Ecologically, it is a rare space for nature because of the mosaic of habitats, from wet heath to wood pasture

MOLLY BIDDELL

in omega-3, vitamins and minerals, and also low in total fat. A lot of our customers buy our beef for health reasons, but also simply because it tastes so good.”

The now 45 head of pedigree Sussex cows calve outside in spring.

“We usually have one bull, but we are going up to two this year as we are grazing our cows across new areas of landscape, and therefore we feel we can increase the numbers slightly.

“We have also started to introduce a flying flock of sheep, as following the cattle grazing with sheep is beneficial for pasture biodiversity and fertility. We take the steers through to two-and-a-half years old,” says Molly.

“On average, we butcher two a month. Rather than working to a specific weight, we choose which to slaughter based on condition.”

Across Hampton Estate’s 809

FORESTRY

HAMPTON Estate is nearly 50 per cent woodland.

Molly says: “We have a mixture of coniferous timber that goes into UK sawmills and native hardwoods which we coppice and manage for access and biodiversity.

“Most of the forestry work is done by our in-hand forestry team, Rob and Carlton Moore.

“We have two wood chip boilers to heat our barn conversions and

we also sell a lot of firewood.

“A new native woodland was planted two years ago under the England Woodland Creation Offer, which will provide a shelter belt against a busy road, as well as a habitat corridor.

“It is Woodland Code accredited so we can sell carbon units in the future. We want to do good things for nature but it also needs to make business and financial sense.”

There are a mixture of conifer trees on the estate, including the Scots pine, and the timber goes into UK sawmills.

Native hardwood trees on the estate are coppiced and managed for biodiversity, says Molly Biddell.

FARM PROFILE SURREY

hectares (1,999 acres) there is a variety of geology.

“We have a band of chalk, a strip of clay, and the rest is sand, so we have some interesting natural habitats,” adds Molly.

“And strategically we are a very important site for nature, partly because we are close to such a built-up area, but also in the middle of a B-Line.”

B-Lines are mapped across the UK to show pollinator highways; the most crucial sites for restoring nature and supporting pollinators.

“Pretty much every parcel of land is in the Countryside Stewardship scheme, we planted a new woodland under the England Woodland Creation Offer, and we have just applied for the Sustainable Farming Incentive,” says Molly.

“The 160ha Puttenham Common is part of the estate and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is beautiful heathland and is open to the public because, in 1968, my great-grandmother decided everyone should be able to enjoy it, so she created an early access agreement with Surrey County Council.

“The North Downs Way, a national footpath, also runs through it. Ecologically, it is a rare space for nature because of the mosaic of habitats, from wet heath to wood pasture and boggy mires.”

However, the heathland could be in a better condition.

Molly says: “We created a 100-year vision for what we want it to look like, which is a thriving space for biodiversity and people.

“We constructed a 10-year management plan with our ecological consultants and managed to get Countryside Stewardship scheme funding towards making it happen.”

Part of the management plan has

been reintroducing grazing onto the common.

Molly adds: “Historically, heathlands were grazed by animals; when you do not graze them, lots of trees and scrub can colonise and you lose the mosaic of heath. And there has not been any grazing on the common for more than 50 years.”

Common land

But because it is common land, the farm could not put fences up.

“Instead, we have put NoFence collars on 14 of our cows and created geolocated grazing compartments on the common – the technology has been a real game-changer,” says Molly.

“Through grazing, we hope the heather will start to regenerate and that bracken will be trampled.”

A potential challenge could have been found with the public who enjoy the common.

“I lead our public engagement and before reintroducing grazing I did a lot of talks, posts on social media, stakeholder engagement days, parish council meetings, and hosted walks with the cows,” says Molly.

“I positioned myself in the car park for several days and held drop-in sessions for people to learn about what we were doing.

“Our landscape here at Hampton is not great at producing lots of calories, but it is really well-suited to creating environmental benefits – and importantly, that is the right thing for our landscape. We aim to create financially viable, thriving businesses off the back of it.”

HOPS

HAMPTON Estate grows the Fuggles hops variety, which goes to breweries across the UK.

Molly says: “Will Godwin, Paul Thompson and Dan Thorpe work together to grow the hops, as well as working on the cattle enterprise.

“Growing hops has traditionally been relatively chemically-intensive, but that does not fit in with our ethos at Hampton.”

The hot, dry summer of 2022 prompted the move to regenerative practices.

“We were down 50 per cent on our yield because of the drought,” says Molly.

“We decided we needed to more actively manage our soil, to make sure it retains more water and increase crop resilience.”

Nitrogen inputs have been reduced by using organic digestate from a local anaerobic digestion plant.

Farm facts

■ Hampton Estate is 809 hectares (1,999 acres)

■ 12ha (30 acres) used for regeneratively grown hops

■ 90ha (222 acres) are let out to horticulture

■ 15ha (37 acres) of chalk grassland

■ 185ha (457 acres) are used as permanent pasture

■ Around 340ha (840 acres) of woodland

■ 160ha (395 acres) of heathland

■ 50 pedigree Sussex cows

■ 300 sheep on agistment across the farm

■ One off-grid campsite with 50 pitches

Molly says: “We are using biological pest control in the form of predatory insects, and a local farmer has started grazing sheep around the hops.

“Rather than going up and down with tractors to prune in the winter, we just put sheep in and they clear everything up, with their dung increasing soil fertility.”

They have also planted green covers between the hop rows.

“We have an oat and rye mix and we are planning to plant wildflower strips to increase pollination,” adds Molly.

Harvest takes about two weeks at the end of August/early September.

Molly says: “We pick the hop bines into trailers, then put them through our hop picking machine where the single hops are plucked off and dried in kilns for eight to 12 hours. We then package the hops into hop bales to go straight off to the brewery.”

The Biddells started a pedigree Sussex beef enterprise in 2004.

Paul Thompson restringing the hops field, where the Fuggles variety is grown.

Edited by Ash Ellwood – 07786 190 188 – ashleigh.ellwood@agriconnect.com

With the peak period for weed pressure fast approaching, being prepared with targeted control measures will be the most effective way for growers to control weeds this season. Farmers Guardian reports.

Tackling weeds in reduced tillage systems

This year’s growing season so far has, for many growers, been a significant challenge and disappointment due to the severe weather conditions which battered many parts of the UK during winter, says Mat Hutchings, commercial technical manager at FMC.

“As the season develops and we move into the peak period for weed pressure, many will be hoping that conditions become more favourable for crop growth and weed control,” he says.

A targeted herbicide programme is a key part of any successful weed control programme, but for those who have moved to reduced tillage in their system, it is essential to understand how this could impact weed pressures.

“Many growers who follow a minimum tillage approach to cultivation

report a difference in the weed species compared to those which are common in plough-based systems.

“The lack of cultivation puts more pressure on herbicides to do the work of suppressing weeds, so it is important for growers to have effective controls for weeds in regenerative agriculture systems,” he says.

Min-till systems

Peter Southwell, of Sancton Hill Farm in East Yorkshire, runs a 250-hectare arable unit, predominantly growing feed wheat, spring barley and oilseed rape.

Mr Southwell’s farm is leaning towards a regenerative approach, rolling out min-till practices, with the goal of minimal soil disruption for successful crop production.

He says: “We have noticed a range of benefits, such as improvements in soil quality and cost savings since taking the approach to minimise soil movement on-farm.

“While there have not been more weeds to deal with since becoming min-till, we have noticed a difference in some of the grass-weeds and broad-leaf weeds [BLWs]. This has meant we have had to adapt to a new control programme.”

Ryegrass

Mr Southwell adds that ryegrass has been a big problem for the farm for a couple of years, starting in the headlands and now spreading to the fields.

“Ryegrass is a very troublesome and persistent weed,” he says.

“To control the weed, we always try and look at weed numbers in a field ahead of drilling to make timing deci-

sions. For example, if the field has a high burden, we will delay drilling to help manage the weed.

“However, the main factor for us in controlling ryegrass is the use of pre-emergence herbicides, so these play a key role in keeping it under control,” he says.

When it comes to BLWs, since following a min-till approach, Mr Southwell says bur chervil has become more noticeable on-farm.

“We do not have huge areas of bur chervil, but it is cropping up more and more in little dots all over the fields and is quite challenging to control in those areas,” he says.

“Cleavers and groundsel are also a problem and are probably our most widespread weeds.

“Groundsel in particular is hard to control as it can develop very quickly. It only takes the plant 50 days to go from germination to flowering,” he adds.

Herbicides

To control BLWs, Mr Southwell enlists a robust herbicide programme, which is tailored to his min-till system.

“We aim to always get pre-emergence herbicide applications on post-drilling as this helps to build a good foundation for controlling weeds,” he says

“This year we managed to get our pre-ems on. When the season has been as challenging as this year, it does make it very difficult to plan herbicide applications, so I can relate to growers who have struggled to get them on this year.

“If problem weeds like bur chervil

are identified, we then apply a welltimed full-rate application of Jubilee SX [metsulfuron-methyl] along with an adjuvant and hormones to fully knock down the weeds and suppress them in the crop.

“This seems to be the most effective method for us, but we are continuously working with our agronomist to develop the most appropriate control programme for our system and always on the look-out for any unexpected weed species,” he adds.

Mr Hutchings says weed control should be a top priority for all growers, regardless of tillage system.

“With many crops struggling to develop due to the weather, there is less crop competition against weeds and conditions have also been conducive to their growth so weed pressure is likely to be high.

“Therefore, understanding your system, being aware of the different weed species which may occur, and having the appropriate tools to control them will be key to eliminating the pressure from weeds, particularly in reduced tillage systems.”

Mr Hutchings says for growers who work a more regenerative system, perennial weeds can become more of a problem as you are not removing them during cultivation.

“Low soil disturbance can also lead to delayed spring flushes, particularly in more open and poorly established crops which will not shade out the ground, which means it is essential for any growers who follow a reduced tillage approach to stay vigilant and have appropriate control measures in place to tackle weeds,” he says.

Peter Southwell

After an exceptionally wet and difficult start to the growing season, weed control should be a top priority for all growers.

Surprisingly, for the US, there can be more Government intervention in food and farming than in the UK.

The US is an agricultural superpower, but in recent years it has become a net importer of food. Cedric Porter reports from the US Potato Expo in Texas.

When it comes to farming in America everything is bigger, especially in Texas.

There are two million farms in the country (2022 figures). With 246,000, more than a tenth of those farms are in Texas, with second-placed Missouri trailing at 95,000 farms.

While those numbers dwarf the UK, they represent a 10 per cent drop in numbers since 2007, with the area down 2.5 per cent in the decade to 2022 at 361m hectares.

The US has retained its position as the world’s largest agricultural exporter, but pressure on production and continued growth in population means that it is also a very large importer.

So much so, that in the last five years it has become a net agricultural importer, with the country set to import US$31 billion (£24.4bn) more than it exports in 2024, according to Washington DC lobbyist Tyson Redpath, of the Russell Group, speaking at the expo.

Potatoes are following that trend with the US importing US$765m (£600m) more in potatoes and potato products than it exported.

Political deadlock frustrates growers

Up until 2019 it had been a net exporter of potatoes and potato products, regularly exporting US$500m (£394m) a year more than it imported.

Mr Redpath expressed the frustration that farming policy which could allow US farmers to increase output was being held up because of political deadlock.

Contest

He said: “There is disbelief among voters that the presidential contest will be between an 82-year-old incumbent and a 78-year-old exPresident facing numerous legal charges.

“But it is not just the presidency. There is deadlock in Congress which is threatening to hold up the Farm Bill which is worth more than US$1 trillion over five years.”

The passing of the Farm Bill was a major topic for America’s version of the NFU, the Farm Bureau, at its recent convention.

Commenting on the event, which echoed the situation in the UK, its

president Zippy Duvall said: “We stressed the importance of getting a new Farm Bill done and how urgent it is to get it done now. Labour was another hot topic, especially around stabilising the wage rate

The 2024 US Potato Expo was held in Austin, Texas.

ARABLE POTATOES

and ensuring that we can make progress on year-round labour workers.

“Another takeaway was artificial intelligence [AI] and the need to seize opportunities related to AI while ensuring farmers’ data is protected.”

Despite this frustration, US farmers are yet to take their tractors to the streets as many across Europe have done in recent weeks protesting the removal of crop protection products and fuel subsidies and the introduction of nitrate limiting policies.

Pesticides

The European approach to regulating pesticides was a topic at the Potato Expo.

Many growers feared that European regulations, which have seen the removal of anti-sprouting chemical CIPC and fungicide Mancozeb among others over the last five years, will be repeated in the US.

The prospect of such bans is already leading to growers using alternatives, especially for CIPC.

AMERICAN POTATOES BOUND FOR THE UK?

FOLLOWING a very small harvest in 2022, the US lifted its largest potato crop for five years in 2023 at 19.7 million tonnes.

That is weighing on the market, with free-buy prices halving and barely covering the cost of production.

It is a similar picture in Canada which has produced a record crop.

This is likely to increase US potato and product exports.

The surplus comes at a time when UK and European production has been hit by the very wet autumn.

The UK crop is likely to be the smallest on record.

Second largest

The UK is the world’s second largest potato market after the US, importing a record 820,000t of frozen chips or fries in 2023.

The lack of British and other European potatoes this season may mean that there are imports from the US and Canada.

IS THE POTATO A VEGETABLE?

SURPRISINGLY for the Land of the Free, there can be more Government intervention in food and farming in the US than here in the UK.

An example of this is the regular publication of dietary guidelines by the US Department of Agriculture.

It is currently finalising its dietary guidelines for the 2025 to 2030 period, with fears that potatoes might be taken out of the vegetable category and placed in a category along with grains, including rice.

The threat to potatoes’ status as a vegetable has gained international press attention.

Beth Johnson, principal of consultancy Food Directions, explained that she is working with the National Potato Council for the guidelines to recommend similar or increased consumption of potatoes, to reflect the fact that potatoes fit into a healthy diet, that potatoes are no longer associated with colorectal cancer, that they are recognised for their cultural and nutrient contributions and their cost effectiveness in ensuring nutrition security.

Work by the industry-funded Alliance for Potato Research and Education over the past year has included a study encouraging children to eat more vegetables.

Children between three and 18 are recommended to eat 2.5 to three cups of vegetables a day, while most only eat one.

It was found that serving peas and carrots with smiley face potato products increased intake of the vegetables, while serving them with seasoned potatoes reduced intake.

Danger

The danger of replacing starchy vegetables with grain-based alternatives such as whole-grain foods was described in a study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

It found a 21 per cent decrease in potassium, a 17 per cent decrease in vitamin B6, an 11 per cent drop in vitamin C and a 10 per cent reduction in fibre.

The role of carbohydrates in diet is central to the development of a

new Carbohydrate Food Quality Score.

It includes nutrients such as sodium and potassium and creates a scoring system for grain and non-grain carbohydrates.

Dr Judy Rodriguez, of the department of nutrition and dietetics at the University of North Florida, who helped develop the score, said: “The new CFQS clearly recognises that carbohydrate foods are not homogenous and nuance is needed when communicating this to consumers.

“For example, while potatoes and grain-based foods are considered ‘carb foods’ and contribute important nutrients to the diet, their nutrient profiles and quality vary.

“The CFQS can help identify those foods that can be chosen frequently as dietary staples.”

The loss of AHDB Potatoes means there is not the same amount of focus on promoting the health benefits of potatoes in the UK as there is in the US and elsewhere.

Canada has supplied fries to the UK in recent years, while the US has done so in the past. Meanwhile, fresh potatoes have been shipped across the Atlantic to the UK in short seasons in the past. US

potato exports are likely to increase at a time when UK production has been hit by the very wet autumn and the UK crop is likely to be the smallest on record.

The emergence of new strains of late blight resistant to fungicides belonging to two mode of action groups is set to increase the need for vigilance. Farmers Guardian reports.

Protecting actives among potato blight resistance threats

The threat to crops raises the need for dynamic integrated pest management (IPM) policies, beginning with cultivar selection and control of sources of inoculum such as potato dumps and volunteers, according to Bayer’s Tom Astill, market development representative for potatoes and horticulture.

He says: “Local sources of infection are responsible for most epidemics. Gardens and allotments are responsible for some outbreaks, but efforts to control volunteers in crops and out grade piles, is essential.”

The difficulties in accessing fields, caused by the wet weather over the autumn and winter months, is likely to increase the blight risk, he adds.

“There are crops across the country that are still to be lifted because of the wet weather, while tight seed supplies across England and Scotland will prompt some to look to the Netherlands for seed. This increases the risk of importing new resistant strains if they are not here already,” says Mr Astill.

Except 36_A2 and 6_A1 dominant blight strains, the other prevalent blight strains in Great Britain demonstrate insensitivity to at least one fungicide mode of action group. For this reason, advisers have recommended always combining fungicides from different groups to improve crop protection and promote good product stewardship.

“Fluazinam’s role may be less than it was before 2017 when resistance was detected across Great Britain in the form of 37_A2, but some may choose to re-incorporate it into programmes with a suitable mixing partner due to the lower incidence of infections caused by this strain,” he says.

The bigger issue causing concern among advisers is the discovery in Europe in recent years of two new resistant strains.

Fungicide resistance

43_A1 isolates demonstrated resistance to both CAA fungicides, such as mandipropamid, benthiavalicarb and dimethomorph, and the OSBPI fungicide oxathiapiprolin.

CAA fungicides typically make up the bulk of most programmes, while oxathiapiprolin is often used during rapid canopy.

Fungicide usage guidance from the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) limits the number of CAA fungicides which must be used in mixtures, with no more than two consecutive applications and no more than six applications in total or more than 50 per cent of the programme.

For OSBPI fungicides, the maximum number of applications is three (two in seed crops).

A second strain, 46_A1 is also believed to be resistant to OSBPI fungicides, though this is yet to be publicly confirmed. Although both are yet to be confirmed in Great Britain, the blight pressure experienced in the Netherlands during 2023 should worry growers, says Eric Anderson, Scottish Agronomy senior agronomist.

“The Netherlands recorded the highest blight pressure for 30 years in 2023 where populations were dominated by 43_A1. After just one season, 46_A1 accounted for 10 per cent of population and is likely the result of inappropriate fungicide selection pressure,” says Mr Anderson.

“Poor late blight control alone is reckoned to account for at least 10 per cent of the overall crop losses in the Netherlands during 2023

and the impact of 46_A1 has also been felt in north west Germany,” he adds.

It is perhaps unfortunate therefore, that Dutch growers did not look to Denmark for lessons on how to manage 43_A1. New application guidance issued to Danish growers ahead of the 2023 season is thought to be the main reason why the number of confirmed cases of 43_A1 fell to 24 per cent from more than 64 per cent the year earlier.

Armed with this knowledge, Mr Astill encourages growers to adhere to the principles of an IPM approach through the judicious use of fungicides.

“It may be that these new strains have already arrived in GB, but we need to maintain the vigilance of recent seasons, by limiting spray intervals to no more than seven days, monitoring the Hutton BlightSpy map and making prudent use of all available modes of action,” says Mr Astill.

Protection

Mr Anderson agrees, saying the first course of action should be to protect oxathiapiprolin by adding a third mode of action to the spray tank.

“All Zorvec products will need tank mixing with mancozeb as a minimum. We also need to protect cyazofamid, as in Ranman Top,

An increase in blight threat to crops raises the need for dynamic integrated pest management policies, says Bayer’s Tom Astill.

ARABLE POTATOES

cyazofamid, as in Ranman Top, and amisulbrom, as in Shinkon, both of which are QiI fungicides. These too have single site modes of action and should be mixed with mancozeb or alternatively, Enervin SC (ametoctradin),” he says.

If there is one positive from this situation, it is that Infinito (fluopicolide + propamocarb) remains unaffected.

“Infinito contains two modes of action for which there are no known resistance issues. With a maximum of four applications per crop, it is a useful complement to the other modes of action in the programme,” says Mr Anderson.

“Infinito remains a valued antisporulant for use in alternation with Ranman Top when the risk of tuber blight becomes a concern, but it also has a valuable role to play in delivering a balanced programme that follows best practice,” he adds.

In recognition of the ongoing difficulties facing growers and the need to observe best practice,

We need to heed the lessons of both the Dutch and Danish experience of 2023. Guidelines were ignored, now the rest of the industry will suffer the cost ERIC ANDERSON

processor Albert Bartlett has relaxed its restrictions on use of propamocarb. Mixes containing propamocarb seem set to be approved until the end of July.

Mr Anderson says: “If you accept that resistance to OSBPI fungicides is likely to be confirmed at some point in the near future in mainland GB, then there is little choice

but to accept that propamocarb is the only reliable anti-sporulant available. In practice this means tank mixing either Axidor or Proxanil (cymoxanil + propamocarb) or using Infinito as a co-formulated product. The better persistence of Infinito gives it the edge.”

Cultivar resistance

The contribution cultivar resistance can be expected to make to crop protection remains central to successful IPM, but its contribution should be seen in the context of newer strains.

Mr Still says: “Varieties with good blight resistance remain useful but are valuable only when considered against the grower’s situation and the disease pressure in their region.

“For example, irrigated crops face greater disease pressure than non-irrigated crops because the humidity within the canopy supports disease sporulation. The contribution cultivar resistance can

MORE ON POTATOES

See our Standen SR200 feature on pages 88-89.

make in such situations is reduced. Similarly, 36_A2 is more aggressive than the strains it displaced, this means crops will come under pressure earlier and under conditions that previously were considered unfavourable to disease spread,” he adds.

The pressure that more resistant strains will place on programmes are yet to be fully realised. FRAC is expected to issue revised guidelines for the use of OSBPI fungicides ahead of the season. These are likely to endorse the use of a suitable mixing partner and suggest OSBPI fungicides are alternated with products belonging to a different mode of action group.

Mr Anderson says: “We need to heed the lessons of both the Dutch and Danish experience of 2023.

“The latest strains to emerge in the Netherlands are most likely independent events, but the result of poor management practice. Guidelines were ignored, now the rest of the industry will suffer the cost of this short-term behaviour.”

Growers must observe best practice when applying fungicide, says Eric Anderson, of Scottish Agronomy.

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We’ve been exhibiting at CropTec for the last 6 years. It’s always a worthwhile show and we get good quality leads for it.

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Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768

Second calver leads Carlisle

A SECOND lactation cow led the trade at £2,550 at Carlisle’s dairy sale. This was Esk Shilling Violet by DG Shilling consigned by Robert Byers, Canonbie, which went to Messrs Coultard and Son, Longtown. It sold as part of the fourth sale to disperse the Esk Holstein Friesian herd which included 10 bulling heifers which topped at £1,200 three times.

Topping the heifers at £2,350 was Nydie Altasim Joan by Progenesis Altasim, consigned by the Wilson family, Berwickshire, which was knocked down to Messrs Paxton, Stranraer.

The Wilson family, Carlisle, sold 18 cows and heifers from their Wreaywood herd topping at £2,300 for a milking heifer giving 43kg by Bomaz Vader. The buyer was Messrs Chester, Cockermouth.

Pedigree Jerseys

The Cowhill Trust, Dumfries, sold 21 pedigree Jerseys from their Kerricks herd, topping at £2,200 for Kerrick Video Cara by Video with the group averaging £1,831.

British Friesians topped at £1,850 twice. The first from Messrs Shanks, Kelso, was Queenscairn Jingle Chris and the second was a second lactation cow from the Neill family, Northumberland.

Messrs Jackson, Dumfries, sold 10 in-calf heifers from their Coppside herd, topping at £1,600 for Coppside Amelia.

AVERAGES

117 Holstein heifers in-milk, £1,787.01; 33 Holstein cows in-milk; £1,775.17; 24 Jersey cows/heifers in-milk, £1,752.91; 9 British Friesian cows/heifers in-milk, £1,692.22; 14 faulted cows/three-quartered cows, £956.42; 6 Holstein in-calf heifers, £1,313.33; 10 Holstein Friesian bulling heifers, £1,111.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Prime hoggs to top of 523p/kg at Longtown

rChampion pen sells for £190/head

THE sale of 5,535 prime hoggs at Longtown included the show and sale of Cheviot hoggs, with the champion North Country Cheviot pen of 20 50kg entries from Messrs Eastham, Longbroughfauld, selling for £190/head.

The champion pen of 20, 41kg South Country Cheviot hoggs from Messrs Reid, Glendarg, sold for £156/head.

Average

Overall, the sale averaged 365p/kg topping at 523p/kg for Beltex from E.J. and A.M. Fox, Biggar, and D. Smith, Kirriemuir.

Top price per head was £232 for Texels from G.W. Young and Sons, Hawick.

Auctioneers: C. and D. Auction Marts.

Dairies to £2,780 for heifer at Gisburn

THE 70-plus dairy entries topped at £2,780 for a Sound System heifer in the Claremont Annie family from M. and J. Bristol, Newton-in-Bowland. With a Secretariat dam and EX90 Zebra-sired grandam, the heifer sold giving 31kg to N.W. and J.M. Coulthurst and Son, Goosnargh. The same buyers also took the next two highest priced pedigree heifers.

At £2,500 was a 35kg Rubicon from the Claremont Patty family, from Messrs Bristol and at £2,220 they bought one of two Nortonill

Flying hogg trade at Bentham sale

THE entry of almost 6,000 prime hoggs at Bentham averaged 360.4p/kg, which is 127.6p/kg up on the year.

Top price was £232/head for a pen of 17 Texels from S.P. Woolhouse and Sons, Rotherham.

Next, at £225, was T. Hill and R. Wright, Doncaster, who had the top average of £199.12/head. Consignments from Adam Brown, Burton in Lonsdale, and the Oldfield brothers, Gisburn, sold to £220/head.

Top price per kilo at 489p/kg

(£208/head) were 21 Beltex from D. Stainthorpe, Saltburn.

Handy weights

The best bred handy weights were generally 400p/kg plus, with the extreme sorts 450p/kg plus.

Mules sold to £177 for J.A. and F. Nutter, Hurst Green, with M.W. and M. Skidmore, Billingham best per kilo at 354.4p/kg.

The best of the 500 horned hoggs sold at 340-350p/kg. Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Sons.

R2D2-sired heifers from G.B. Moorhouse’s Aireburn herd, Skipton.

The other R2D2 from Aireburn made the same price as its herd mate to B.F. Blezard, Ribchester, Preston. Close behind at £2,200 was a 34kg Pepper daughter from J. and M. Singleton and Sons’ Whytil herd, Goosnargh. It also went to Mr Blezard, who then claimed a Stantons Applicable heifer from the same home at £2,180.

Pedigree cows peaked at £2,000 for a VG85, 50kg second calver by Penn-England Barclay from

Anthony Grimshaw’s Bolton-based Carldanton herd at Smithills Open Farm. The buyers were R.T. and J. Critchley, Preston.

Non-pedigree entries topped at £2,100 for a fresh 32kg heifer from R.H. Ward, Chorley, selling to a Wrexham buyer.

AVERAGES

Pedigree newly-calved heifers, £1,968; pedigree newly-calved cows, £1,797; non-registered newly-calved heifers £1,555; in-calf heifers, £1,367.

Auctioneers: Gisburn Auction Marts.

Store cattle in demand at Penrith

THE show and sale of store cattle at Penrith topped at £2,500 twice for 24- and 28-month-old Charolais bullocks from Blair Duffton, Huntly, who also sold Aberdeen-Angus bullocks to £2,475.

Mr Duffton also had the pre-sale champion and winning any other breed bullock, a British Blue-cross which sold for £2,150 to the judges, Dale and Joanne Holgate, Wakefield. Reserve champion honours went to Messrs Wilson, Undercragg, with the winning Limousin, a 12-month-

old bullock which made £1,680, also to the judges. Heifers topped at £2,045 for a British Blue from Messrs Wales, Thackwood, who sold two more at £2,015.

There was strong demand for yearling stores, with good shaped bullocks and heifers selling for £1,450-£1,550.

Dairy-bred Aberdeen-Angus bullocks sold to £1,705 from S. and W. Maughan, Ainstable.

Auctioneers: Penrith and District Farmers Mart.

From left: Colin Charnock, of sponsor PJ Tractor Parts, vendors Eddie and Rhona Eastham and judge Billy MacTaggart with the champion pen of 20, 50kg North County Cheviot lambs, which sold for £190/head.

Spring lambs at Exeter

THE entry of almost 700 spring lambs at Exeter had an SQQ of 415p/kg and an overall average of £176/head. Topping the sale at £220 was a September-born 69kg pure Dorset lamb from Julian Rice, North Tawton.

Ben and Amelia Watts, Ashburton, sold 54kg Charollais ram lambs at £199.50 and three vendors – Ross May and family, Netherexe; and Julian Rice and Phillip Hopkins, Honiton –sold 50-51kg lambs at £195.

Ross May and family had 48kg at £192.50 and 47kg sold to £188 for David and Adrian Cole, Bradninch, who also had 44kg at £185.50.

Suffolk crosses

A run of 40kg Suffolk cross lambs from Tom Yandle, Mamhead, topped at £188/head, or a sale-topping 470p/ kg, with further pens at £185.50, £185, £182.50 and £180.50.

Auctioneers: Kivells.

Wigton prime hoggs to 576.9p/kg

AT Wigton’s show and sale of prime hoggs, judge Steven Stoddart, Hillside, awarded the championship to the winning pen of five hoggs under 39kg from R.N. Scott, West Micklethwaite.

They went on to sell for 576.9p/kg (£225/head), with the consignment of 27 hoggs averaging 510.34p/kg.

Reserve champions were the winning 39.1-45.5kg pen from W. Robshaw, Tadcaster, which sold for £219/head, with the consignment of 33 averaging £206.91 or 489.10p/kg.

The prime cattle championship went to Messrs Pearson, High Plasketlands, with a 654kg Limousin cross heifer, which went on to sell for 320p/kg (£2,089.53).

Reserve

Reserve went to the second prize Limousin heifer from Messrs Dixon and Sons, Wigton, which sold for the top price per kilo of 326p/kg (£2,000.08).

Top gross price of £2,190.75 (317.5p/kg) was for a 690kg Limousin heifer from J.J. Crichton, Loughrigg. W.E. Callion and Son, Great Clifton, took first and second place in both the beef and dairy prime bull classes.

The championship went to a 824kg Limousin bull, which sold for 293.5p/kg and the top gross price of £2,418.44. In reserve was a 704kg Limousin bull which sold for 290.5p/ kg (£2,045.12).

Auctioneers: Hope’s Auction Company.

Ewes and lambs in demand at Skipton

rTexel crosses with twins average £282

AT the first show and sale of ewes and lambs at Skipton the winning pair of continental ewes were Texel crosses with twins from S. and C.R. Battye, Oxspring, which sold for £320/outfit.

The second prize winners, ewes with single lambs, from T. and H. Kilby, Thorpe Arch, made £240/ outfit.

Texel crosses with twins from the same home sold to £335/outfit.

Mules

Messrs Kilby also had the winning pair of Mules with twins, which sold for £240/outfit, with the second prize winners from Messrs Battye making £280/outfit.

Texels with singles topped £240/ outfit, Suffolks with singles reached £230 and Suffolks with twins sold to £285/outfit.

AVERAGES

Texel crosses with singles, £197; Texel crosses with twins, £282; Suffolk crosses with singles, £225; Suffolk crosses with twins, £255; Mules with twins, £275; Mules with 1.5 lambs, £255.

Auctioneers: CCM.

Around the marts

HAWES

AT the show and sale of store cattle at Hawes, the championship went to the winning heifer from Thomas Iveson, Hawes, which sold for £1,500.

Mr Iveson also had the second prize winning heifer, which made £1,400, and the first and second prize winning steers, which sold for £1,520 and £1,340.

Limousin steers averaged £1,366 and heifers £1,211, with British Blue steers averaging £1,190 and heifers £1,240.

RUTHIN

THE 596 cull ewes and rams at Ruthin averaged £103.84, with ewes topping at £290 for Gop Farm, Trelawnyd, which had a consignment of 38 Texel cross ewes averaging £242.

Strong store cattle trade at Darlington

AT Darlington, the consignment of 60, 10- to 12-month-old bulls from Stephen Allardyce, Tarland, Aberdeenshire, averaged £1,352, topping at £1,600 for a Charolais.

Aberdeen-Angus from the same home reached £1,570 and Simmentals sold to £1,500.

In the store cattle section, D.W. Dresser, Greatham, sold Limousin crosses to £1,940 for steers and £1,860 for heifers. N. Basey and Son, Hunwick, sold Limousin steers to £1,730

Top price ram at £180 was a Texel from T.W. and B.V. Evans, Ty Celyn.

The 1,023 medium-weight hoggs averaged 393p/kg or £167/head. Well finished heavy and overweight lambs attracted a premium, with the best over £200/ head topping at £216 for Gop Farm.

NORTHALLERTON

THE 102 prime cattle averaged 301p/kg, topping at 346p/kg for heifers from N.E. Dyson, selling to J. Penny and Sons.

They also paid the top heifer price per head of £2,235 from M.I. Wainwright and Sons, who also topped the steers per kg at 330p/kg to Worsley Wholesale.

Top price steers per head at £2,278 were from J.H. and D. Wise, selling to R. Pearson.

and J.P. Phelan, Essex, sold Beef Shorthorn steers to £1,540.

Yearling cattle sold to £1,500 for a British Blue heifer from W.A. Wardman, Yearby, who also sold Limousin heifers to £1,340, British Blonde heifers to £1,330 and Limousin steers to £1,360.

R. Potts, Newfield, sold 12-monthold Limousin steers at £1,380 and £1,330.

Auctioneers: Darlington Farmers Auction Mart.

The 92 bulls averaged 273p/kg, topping at 347p/kg and £2,630/head, for continentals from R. Ormston. Black and whites sold to 249p/kg for F.W. and J.A. Herbert and £1,571 for L.K.R. and S.A. Baker.

CARLISLE

EWES and lambs topped at £152/life for a three-shear Texel with twin lambs from T. Greenbank. In-lamb sheep sold to £141 for a three-shear Texel scanned with twins from Hayden Nicholson.

Store lambs averaged £124.30/head, topping at £160 for a single Cheviot cross from R.I. Lamb, High Troweir, whose run of 21 averaged £132.43.

J.G. and J. Greig, Penrith, sold a run of 19 to average £152.05, topping at £158.

First prize pair of continentals, Texel crosses with twins from S. and C.R. Battye, Oxspring, which sold for £320/outfit.

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Solar panel offer and rise in funding boosts grant demand

The Improving Productivity Grant proved to be successful in the past, specifically in Cumbria for milking robots.

But the increase in funding for farm productivity from 40 to 50 per cent, on top of the extra money available for solar panels, means this particular grant is likely to be even more popular among farmers this time around.

That was the message from associate and chartered surveyor for H&H Land and Estates, Jonathan Hird, who added that all expression of interests must be submitted to the online checker before March 21 and, if eligible, farmers will then be invited to submit a full application.

The funding for the grant is split into two parts: Farm Productivity Grants and Solar Grants.

The Farm Productivity Grant covers a variety of advanced robotic and automated equipment aimed at helping to improve productivity on-farm, improve efficiencies that will reduce reliance on labour and, at the same time,

help to improve environmental and carbon performance.

Mr Hird said: “New technology can also include ventilation control units and wavelength-specific LED lighting for horticultural crops, but not for livestock buildings.

“Due to the focus on improving the environment, the robotic and automated equipment which are powered by renewable sources will be prioritised for grant funding over the equipment powered by fossil fuels.

“The minimum grant is £25,000 and the maximum is £500,000, with funding covering 50 per cent of the total investment, so a minimum grant of £25,000 requires a minimum total spend of £50,000 of eligible expenditure.”

The Solar Grant for solar PV equipment is for a minimum of £15,000 and a maximum of £100,000. Mr Hird said the funding in this case covers only 25 per cent of the total investment, so the minimum grant requires a total spend of £60,000.

“As a return, the investment into

solar will help to reduce energy costs and also have wider environmental benefits,” he added.

The Solar Grant will provide funding for solar PV panels, solar batteries, inverters, utility meters, electrical grid connections and power diverters.

Eligible items

Mr Hird said the grant will also apply to installation and commissioning of the eligible items, any alterations to the electrical supply to accommodate this equipment and upgrading of the electricity supply to the holding and installation of charging power points.

“The grant only applies to panels installed on farm building roofs or irrigation reservoirs and not to freestanding solar panels.”

If invited to make a full application for either grant, Mr Hird said detail was key, as well as focused analysis on the benefits of the investment.

He advised farmers to highlight the value for money with their application, include quotes for the

The grant funding available has also been increased from £30 million to £50m, providing a great investment opportunity JONATHAN HIRD

items they are looking to purchase, along with an assessment of how the project can be delivered and be sustainable.

Mr Hird said: “The grant funding available has also been increased from £30 million to £50m, providing a great investment opportunity that will help improve efficiencies and productivity, and help future-proof your farm business.”

The Solar Grant offers potential investment opportunities for farmers.

The Government has offered strong financial incentives for woodland creation, so the barrier to uptake cannot be from a purely economic point of view, according to Savills senior woodland consultant Luke Hemmings.

Mr Hemmings said there were many landowners who were keen to increase their carbon storage and habitat potential of their land, but the ‘approval process’ for planting new woodland was an issue.

He said it was similar to any planning process, but there were three main bodies which decided whether woodland could be planted or not –the Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry and Natural Resources Wales.

Mr Hemmings added: “For example, there are protections for habitats such as deep peat and moorland; landscapes such as the Northumberland National Park or the South Downs; for species such as lapwings which rely on uplands for their breeding areas; and features of the historic environment such as ridge and furrow fields from ancient agriculture.

“That is not to say that you cannot

Forestry grants stifled by ‘approval process’

create woodland in these areas, but it has to be done in a way which will not damage them.”

He said the approval process often required extensive surveys of land and could draw objections from a number of voices.

“Landowners are finding that it can take anything from six months to three years to get the go ahead for a new project.

“Fortunately, recent announcements will fast track the process in known low-risk areas and simplify the consultation process without losing any of the environmental protections it ensures. This will help to keep the interest and enthusiasm of landowners, as well as keeping costs down.”

Despite the delays, Mr Hemmings

said the Government’s ambitious target to plant 30,000 hectares of woodland in the UK by March 2025 had begun a ‘huge transformation’ in UK forestry.

Doubled

“At a time when other Government departments have faced cuts, the Forestry Commission has almost doubled in size. There is a greater understanding of the value of woodland, not just for timber or carbon storage, but for biodiversity and recreation too.”

Mr Hemmings admitted the Government’s target might be ‘hugely challenging’, but said ‘it has motivated an entire industry and kept tree planting on the agenda and in conversation’.

He said: “It has led to more trees being grown, foresters being trained and woodlands being created than at any other time in the last 30 years.”

It can take anything from six months to three years to get the go ahead for a new project

LUKE HEMMINGS

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Key woodland grants

The ‘approval process’ for planting new woodland is an issue, according to Luke Hemmings.

PATRICIA Singleton, Savills rural research, has compiled a list of the key woodland grants in England:

WOODLAND CREATION PLANNING GRANT

■ FOR larger woodland sites (five hectares or larger), it provides funding to prepare a UK Forestry Standardcompliant plan for woodland creation.

ENGLAND WOODLAND CREATION OFFER

■ ENCOURAGES investment in creation of new woodland for sites as small as 1ha, through funding for:

■ Capital items to establish new woodland

■ Annual maintenance payments to support establishment of young trees

■ Support for installation of infrastructure for ongoing management

■ Additional contributions where woodland location can contribute to other public benefits, such as nature recovery and flood risk mitigation

COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP

■ PLANTING of trees outside woodland (hedgerows, parkland and pasture) through Countryside Stewardship; there are also options for management of and improving the health of existing woodlands

HS2 WOODLAND FUND

■ PROVIDES funding to support native woodland creation or the restoration of plantations on ancient woodland sites within a 25-mile zone surrounding the HS2 Phase One route between London and the West Midlands

FORESTRY ENGLAND WOODLAND PARTNERSHIP

■ PROVIDES a leasehold rental income for land used to create new woodland; Forestry England bares all the costs of planting and management, but also has control of the land for the duration of the lease

PICTURE:

Hedgerow planting is one of the most common items part-funded under the Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants scheme.

Farmers and land managers are advised not to lose sight of what schemes are available ‘in the here and now’, with many farmers often surprised by the ‘breadth of options’ offered under the Countryside Stewardship (CS) Capital Grants scheme.

When it comes to keeping on top of the range of grant funding opportunities out there, it can be a daunting challenge for both farmers and land managers to know where to look first.

With a lot of focus so far this year on the new land management actions expected to be introduced under the ‘combined offer’ of CS and Sustainable Farming Incentive, CLA senior land use policy adviser Cameron Hughes said there were opportunities ready to be seized within the CS Capital Grants scheme.

Mr Hughes said: “CLA members I speak to are often surprised at the breadth of options available through the Capital Grants scheme. Some have ended up fully funding works, to only then realise there could have been funding support through the scheme.”

The CS scheme is split into the land management revenue options, such as those included in mid and higher tier agreements, and the capital items.

“The CS Capital Grants programme can sit both separately and alongside revenue agreements and includes a wide range of 70 items of farming in-

Most popular items

■ Fencing: (£6.34/metre)

■ Sheep netting: (£7.47/m)

■ Planting new hedges: (£22.97/m)

■ Wooden field gate: (£489.90/ gate)

Opportunities ready to be seized within CS Capital Grants scheme

frastructure and farmland features which deliver environmental benefits,” Mr Hughes added.

The options include grant contributions towards ubiquitous farmland features, such as fences, gates and troughs and more niche items such as leaky wooden dams.

Mr Hughes said: “A point that should be noted is that the grant funding contributions are not designed to cover the entire cost of each capital item, but do offer a meaningful contribution.”

If looking to apply for funding, applications can be made through the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) via the online portal, with the application window open all-year-round.

Mr Hughes said: “Agreement holders have three years to complete, pay for the work and evidence it.

“Funding is awarded once work has been completed, but work completed before the start of the agreement is not eligible for funding.

“Applications can be made as part of a CS revenue agreement, or separately.

“When part of a revenue agreement, the deadline to complete the

capital works will come at the threeyear point, with the revenue options continuing for the remainder of the agreement.

Multiple

“It is possible to have multiple capital grant agreements running simultaneously, though applications for new agreements cannot include parcels which include incomplete funded works or have not received their final payment.”

In terms of competitiveness, the grant operates on a first come first served basis, but Mr Hughes added there had never been issues with over-subscription. Should it happen, the funding would be awarded to grants deemed to provide the highest environmental benefit.

He said when applying there should be ‘firm intention of implementing any items’ included in application, adding applicants may need to ‘examine their business plans’ to assess the need for certain items.

“Consider the planning requirements. Some items require endorsement from Defra’s arm’s length bodies, such as Catchment

Members I speak to are often surprised at the breadth of options available through the Capital Grants scheme

CAMERON HUGHES

Sensitive Farming. Others may require permissions to be sought from the Environment Agency or the Local Planning Authority.”

Mr Hughes said each item had ‘specific requirements’, which applicants must be familiar with, adding it was important to read the full guidance.

MORE INFO

Further details are available on the RPA’s website, visit: gov.uk/ government/publications/capitalgrants-2024/applicants-guidecapital-grants-2024--2

Rural communities helped by Royal Countryside Fund

The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF) has announced an investment of £434,945 for rural communities and farm support organisations across the UK.

The funding will support those living and working in the countryside, who face increased challenges including extreme weather, isolation and the cost of living.

Keith Halstead, executive director of the RCF, said: “We operate exclusively in rural areas and work hand-in-hand with individuals, small farms, community groups and partner organisations to change lives by investing in projects that bring people together to work collectively in enterprising and pragmatic ways to tackle the

real needs and local issues which they have identified.”

Three charities that help farming; RSABI in Scotland, Rural Support in Northern Ireland and Tir Dewi in Wales, have each received £15,000 towards the running of their organisations.

Support

Chief executive of Tir Dewi, Gareth Davies, said: “We are, as a result, better equipped to deliver our support to the farmers of Wales.”

The RCF also provides grants to farm support groups, who are embedded in the rural communities which they serve, helping to create a ‘real future for farming families’.

This year, £25,000 has been awarded to seven farm support groups to cover core costs and

ensure organisations are able to continue to deliver vital services to farmers.

Those being awarded these grants are Exmoor Hill Farming Network, Herefordshire Rural Hub, The Farmer Network, The Farming Life Centre, Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services, Farm Cornwall and Dartmoor Hill Farm Project.

Exmoor Hill Farming Network said its funding will be used to ensure the network could continue to deliver vital services – assisting at least 50 farm businesses and delivering four farmer-led events that would respond to the needs of the local farming community.

Smaller grants of up to £5,000 were awarded to Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy, Lincolnshire Rural

Support Network, The Lightwave Community CIO, YANA, The Farmer Network in Lincolnshire and Borderlands Rural Chaplaincy.

The RCF has invested £434,945 in farming communities.

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund grant scheme has been refined for 2024, with several new products added across its three funding areas. Toby Whatley reports.

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) has been reintroduced for 2024, with the list of eligible items divided into three funding groups: productivity; animal health and welfare; and slurry management.

Significant crossover between the three sections means potential applicants should review all the items to ensure that they are making the best use of the funding options available.

Maintaining the change introduced in 2023, the fund has remained open to contractors alongside farmers, forestry and horticultural businesses.

PRODUCTIVITY ITEMS

THE productivity items are offered across sectors which include arable, forestry, horticulture, livestock, resource management and general productivity. Items have been added to the list in all sections, with a focus on retrofittable technology and machinery to improve water management on both grassland and pastures.

New items include combinemounted weed seed destroyers, which are designed to mill or grind weed seeds within the chaff to prevent their germination viability. Retrofittable equipment for crop protection now includes closed transfer systems (CTS) and automatic spray boom control systems.

CTS systems are focused on improving chemical mixing accuracy and reducing the risk of operator exposure. This is achieved by allowing the automatic connection of plant

FETF grants return with additional items

The maximum value awarded for productivity and slurry items has been capped at £50,000, with the animal welfare items capped at a lower £25,000. All schemes have a minimum grant value of £1,000. The grant to capital value for items

protection product containers directly into the sprayer mixing system, removing the need for the operator to measure and pour the product.

As many grassland farmers are facing waterlogged and compacted pastures, grassland pasture aerators have also been added, which covers both trailed and mounted large diameter roller-aerators and pasture slitters.

Suitable for farm businesses and contractors providing long-term water management on arable fields and pastures, pressurised field drain cleaners have been added to allow the improvement of existing land infrastructure and increase water discharge. The tractor-mounted cleaners are mechanically pushed into land drains from the outlet, with highpressure water used to remove the build-up of silt within drainage pipes.

has been set at 50 or 60 per cent, based on a Rural Payments Agency (RPA)-generated average cost for the items. The grant values do not cover the total cost of the items listed, and businesses are expected to fund the remaining balance.

The scheme cannot be used to fund items which have been bought through hire purchase or leasing, and it also cannot be used for items which are second-hand, exdemonstration or already owned by the business.

PLANNED to open for applications later in the year, the animal health and welfare funding pool is divided into products for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs and laying/broiler chickens.

The RPA has specifically excluded other types of livestock from this scheme, including goats, ducks, turkeys, geese and game birds.

The animal health and welfare section is the largest group of items included within the FETF scheme and includes some crossover products across each of the livestock sections.

Most of the products are suited to fixed infrastructure on buildings and livestock housing. However, multiple items have been added to aid

Remote livestock monitoring technology has been added to the funding provision.

ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE ITEMS

businesses in the control of badger access to livestock buildings, with the fund provision of sheeted gates in multiple sizes across all livestock sections alongside other disinfection products.

Aligning with a potentially increased interest in temporary mob grazing –particularly of native breeds – across a wider area, beef farmers have access to grant-funded crushes for horned cattle, alongside water bowsers with an integrated trough.

Also included are automated health and welfare monitoring systems, which can monitor at least one health and welfare parameter such as activity level, feeding behaviour, or body temperature.

Combine-mounted seed destroyers are now included within the FETF scheme.

SLURRY ITEMS

ITEMS for slurry application and management have retained a separate funding area, with an overall focus on improving application accuracy and understanding the nutrient content

of applied products using real-time sensing.

Some of the items in the slurry funding section have changed since 2023, with the major addition being the inclusion of a mobile slurry REFLECTING

separator. Similar to the drain jetter, the unit could be attractive to contracting businesses looking to add or expand a service offered to farmers.

The mobile separator can be mounted on wheels or skids, and must

How to apply

the procedure for previous funding rounds, the application timing for the three funding groups varies.

Initially, the productivity and slurry sections are open now until April 17, 2024.

The application window for items within the animal health and welfare sections has yet to be announced.

In addition, two further application windows for all three sections are expected to open this year. The dates of these are also yet to be released.

NFU senior support schemes adviser Richard Wordsworth said: “We encourage farmers to look at

be designed to process a minimum of 10cu.m per hour and remove 20 per cent of the liquid volume from the intake slurry. The units can either be engine-powered or connect to an on-site electrical supply.

what is on offer with this scheme, consider the requirements for their farm and if this is right for them, register using the new online portal and then make their applications as quickly as possible.

If accepted, they should give themselves as much time as possible to make the equipment purchases, remembering the rules around paperwork, audit trails and financing options.”

MORE INFORMATION

Applications to all sections of the FETF scheme are made online through the RPA website. Visit gov.uk/government/ publications/farming-equipment-andtechnology-fund-2024

Slurry separators, both mobile and fixed, can be purchased with grant funding.

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Includes a sliding back gate operated from outside of the crush and race to act as an anti-backing device

Both sides can be opened for access to both sides of the animal

Uses a power driven pneumatic pump

Includes an anti-slip rubber surface on metal flooring

Hot Dipped Galvanised Steel

Tel: 01449 736300

Mobile: 07860 618903

Mitchell-Rowlands

Holly Bush Farm, Buxhall, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 3DP ENGLAND

Email: sales@drainjetter.co.uk | www.drainjetter.co.uk

Grants Available

on these type of Drainjetters only

MD 50 and MD 100 including Duo Drum Pumps are 200 l / m at 50bar

To comply these, have self-propelling jetting nozzle to pull the pipe into the drain.

ETF416 - Field drain cleaner

FETF416 - Field drain cleaner

Expected average cost of item £12,306

Percentage paid towards item: 50% Grant amount (based on a quantity of 1)

£6,153

Score: 59

This item is new for 2024.

Item must:

•  be a field drain cleaner

•  have a PTO driven self-priming high-pressure pump producing a minimum 200L per minute at 50 bar pressure

•  come with a minimum 100m (20mm in diameter) 50 bar rated high pressure hose

•  have a hose reel

•  have a minimum 10m suction hose with filter

•  have a pressure regulator

•  have a self-propelling jetting nozzle to pull the pipe into the drain

You must provide this item’s serial number when you submit your claim for payment.

•

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from Messrs

FARMERS’ SPRING COLLECTIVE SALE OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

CLITHEROE AUCTION MART

www.auctionmart.co.uk • T:01200 423325

Jeremy: 07815 727993 • George: 07412 165873

WEEKLY

PRIMESTOCK SALE

FORTNIGHTLY

STORE CATTLE SALE + CALVES/ STIRKS

ONLINE

MACHINERY SALE

Tues 19th March 12.30pm

Prime Hoggs & Cull Ewes

Thurs 21st March 12.30pm

Sale of young Bulls, Store Heifers & Steers. Rearing calves 12 noon

Thurs 21st - Sat 23rd March

Viewing of items Thurs 21st, Fri 22nd 9am - 4pm & Sat 23rd 9am - 12 noon

FARMERS’ SPRING COLLECTIVE SALE OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

FARMERS’ SPRING COLLECTIVE SALE OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

at Louth Livestock Market, London Road Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9HF

FARMERS’ SPRING COLLECTIVE SALE OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

at Louth Livestock Market, London Road Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9HF

at Louth Livestock Market, London Road Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9HF

at Louth Livestock Market, London Road Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9HF

Saturday 16th March 2024 at 12 noon

Saturday 16th March 2024 at 12 noon

Viewing Friday 15th March 2024 10am - 6pm and on the day of the Sale from 8am

Saturday 16th March 2024 at 12 noon Viewing Friday 15th March 2024 10am - 6pm and on the day of the Sale from 8am

Saturday 16th March 2024 at 12 noon

Viewing Friday 15th March 2024 10am - 6pm and on the day of the Sale from 8am

Viewing Friday 15th March 2024 10am - 6pm and on the day of the Sale from 8am

Tractors and Machines: 2014 JCB 536/60 AGS Telehandler, 2023 Massey

Tractors and Machines: 2014 JCB 536/60 AGS Telehandler, 2023 Massey

Tractors and Machines: 2014 JCB 536/60 AGS Telehandler, 2023 Massey Ferguson

Ferguson 4708 Tractor, 1968 Ford 3600 Tractor. Drills: 2022 Amazone Cayena

Tractors and Machines: 2014 JCB 536/60 AGS Telehandler, 2023 Massey

Ferguson 4708 Tractor, 1968 Ford 3600 Tractor. Drills: 2022 Amazone Cayena 6001 Tine Drill,

6001 Tine Drill, 2004 Mashio 4m Combi Drill with Farmforce Air Drill, Ransomes

M4708 4wd Dyna2 Tractor 164hrs, 1968 Ford 3600 Tractor. Drills: 2022 Amazone Cayena 6001 Tine Drill (done less than 100Ha), 2004 Mashio 4m Combi Drill with Farmforce Air Drill, Ransomes Nordsten Lift-o-Matic CLE400 Tine Drill.

Ferguson 4708 Tractor, 1968 Ford 3600 Tractor. Drills: 2022 Amazone Cayena 6001 Tine Drill, 2004 Mashio 4m Combi Drill with Farmforce Air Drill, Ransomes

Tractors and Machines: 2014 JCB 536/60 AGS Telehandler, 2023 Massey Ferguson 4708 Tractor, 1968 Ford 3600 Tractor. Drills: 2022 Amazone Cayena 6001 Tine Drill, 2004 Mashio 4m Combi Drill with Farmforce Air Drill, Ransomes

Kuhn

Nordsten Lift-o-Matic CLE400 Tine Drill. Equipment: Kuhn Altis 2000L Mounted

Equipment: Kuhn Altis 24m 2000L Mounted Sprayer with Isobus, Spaldings Flatlift

Broadcaster, Cousins 3 Row Potato Cultivator/Ridger, 3m

Nordsten Lift-o-Matic CLE400 Tine Drill. Equipment: Kuhn Altis 2000L Mounted Sprayer, 24m Boom, Isobus, Spaldings Flatlift 5 Leg 3.5 Meter Tooth Packer, 4m Kuhn Power Harrow 200I, 2008 Kuhn Axis 30IID Broadcaster, 2011 Vicon PS1354

5 Leg 3.5 Metre Tooth Packer, 4m Kuhn Power Harrow 200i, 2008 Kuhn Axis 30IID Broadcaster, 2011 Vicon PS1354 Broadcaster, Cousins 3 Row Potato Cultivator/Ridger, 3m Mounted Spring Tine Drag, 6m Hydraulic Folding Chain Harrow, 1999 Rau 24m Trailed Sprayer & 3x Sets of Wheels, Vicon Fertiliser/Grass Seed Spreader, 4 Furrow Reversible Gregoire-Besson Plough. Trailers & Bowsers: Ifor Williams TASI0 G 14ft Tri Axle Livestock Trailer, Graham Edwards 14ft x 6ft 6in Cattle Trailer, 1,000L Fuel Bowser. Quantity of other trailers, bowsers, arable & grass equipment, livestock equipment, wheels, tyres, lawn mowers & miscellaneous items.

Broadcaster, Cousins 3 Row Potato Cultivator/Ridger, 3m Mounted Spring Tine Drag, 6m Hydraulic Folding Chain Harrow, 1999 Rau 24m Trailed Sprayer & 3x Sets of Wheels, Vicon Fertiliser or Grass Seed Spreader, 4 Furrow Reversible

Sprayer, 24m Boom, Isobus, Spaldings Flatlift 5 Leg 3.5 Meter Tooth Packer, 4m Kuhn Power Harrow 200I, 2008 Kuhn Axis 30IID Broadcaster, 2011 Vicon PS1354 Broadcaster, Cousins 3 Row Potato Cultivator/Ridger, 3m Mounted Spring Tine Drag, 6m Hydraulic Folding Chain Harrow, 1999 Rau 24m Trailed Sprayer & 3x Sets of Wheels, Vicon Fertiliser or Grass Seed Spreader, 4 Furrow Reversible Gregoire-Besson Plough. Trailers & Bowsers: Ifor Williams TASI0 G 14ft Tri Axle Livestock Trailer, Graham Edwards 14ft x 6ft 6in Cattle Trailer, 1,000L Fuel Bowser. Quantity of other trailers, bowsers, arable & grass equipment, livestock equipment, wheels, tyres, lawn mowers & miscellaneous.

Gregoire-Besson Plough. Trailers & Bowsers: Ifor Williams TASI0 G 14ft Tri Axle

Nordsten Lift-o-Matic CLE400 Tine Drill. Kuhn Altis 2000L Mounted Sprayer, 24m Boom, Isobus, Spaldings Flatlift 5 Leg 3.5 Meter Tooth Packer, 4m Kuhn Power Harrow 200I, 2008 Kuhn Axis 30IID Broadcaster, 2011 Vicon PS1354 Broadcaster, Cousins 3 Row Potato Cultivator/Ridger, 3m Mounted Spring Tine Drag, 6m Hydraulic Folding Chain Harrow, 1999 Rau 24m Trailed Sprayer & 3x Sets of Wheels, Vicon Fertiliser or Grass Seed Spreader, 4 Furrow Reversible Gregoire-Besson Plough. Trailers & Bowsers: Ifor Williams TASI0 G 14ft Tri Axle Livestock Trailer, Graham Edwards 14ft x 6ft 6in Cattle Trailer, 1,000L Fuel Bowser. Quantity of other trailers, bowsers, arable & grass equipment, livestock equipment, wheels, tyres, lawn mowers & miscellaneous. For more information contact Ed on 07395 570303 or auctions@masonsandpartners.co.uk

Drag, 6m Hydraulic Folding Chain Harrow, 1999 Rau 24m Trailed Sprayer & 3x Sets of Wheels, Vicon Fertiliser or Grass Seed Spreader, 4 Furrow Reversible Gregoire-Besson Plough. Trailers & Bowsers: Ifor Williams TASI0 G 14ft Tri Axle Livestock Trailer, Graham Edwards 14ft x 6ft 6in Cattle Trailer, 1,000L Fuel Bowser. Quantity of other trailers, bowsers, arable & grass equipment, livestock equipment, wheels, tyres, lawn mowers & miscellaneous. For more information contact Ed on 07395 570303 or auctions@masonsandpartners.co.uk

For more information contact Ed on 07395 570303 or Russell on 07966 104101 or auctions@masonsandpartners.co.uk

Livestock Trailer, Graham Edwards 14ft x 6ft 6in Cattle Trailer, 1,000L Fuel Bowser. Quantity of other trailers, bowsers, arable & grass equipment, livestock equipment, wheels, tyres, lawn mowers & miscellaneous.

Online bidding via

For more information contact Ed on 07395 570303 or auctions@masonsandpartners.co.uk

Online bidding via

Online bidding via

Online bidding via

For more information contact Ed on 07395 570303 or auctions@masonsandpartners.co.uk

Catalogue and full details louthmarket.co.uk

Catalogue and full details louthmarket.co.uk

Catalogue and full details louthmarket.co.uk

Catalogue and full details louthmarket.co.uk

2004 Mashio 4m Combi Drill with Farmforce Air Drill, Ransomes Nordsten Lift-o-Matic CLE400 Tine Drill. Kuhn Altis 2000L Mounted Sprayer, 24m Boom, Isobus, Spaldings Flatlift 5 Leg 3.5 Meter Tooth Packer, 4m

Power Harrow 200I, 2008 Kuhn Axis 30IID Broadcaster, 2011 Vicon PS1354

Mounted Spring Tine

O ce: 01325 464529

E: info@dfam.co.uk

The Darlington Farmers Auction Mart Humbleton Park I Darlington I DL2 2XX

March

Monday 18th March -

Mid March Extravaganza show and sale of 500 store cattle

Sunday 31st MarchYoung farmers show of over wintered cattle

April

Monday 1st AprilYoung farmers sale of over wintered cattle

Saturday 13th AprilFarm dispersal sale on behalf of J W Lowe & Sons. Please note this sale will take place at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart, Humbleton Park, DL2 2XX

Mark Dent Chairman 07711 198641

BENTHAM AUCTION MART

015242 61444 - Sale Days 61246

Stephen 07713 075 661

Greg 07713 075 664

Will 07590 876 849

www.benthamauction.co.uk

Tuesday 19th March at 10.30am

Feeding & Cast Cows & OTM Cattle March Show & Sale of

723 FARMERS STIRKS & YOUNG STORES

Wednesday 20th March

11am 100-150 REARING CALVES

11.30am 100-150 SHEEP WITH LAMBS AT FOOT 2.30pm 2000 Cast Ewes

followed by 4000-5000 Prime Hoggs inc

Easter Spring Lamb Show & Supreme Hogg Competiton

Saturday 23rd March

SPRING COLLECTIVE SALE OF FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Entries to date inc.

Tractors & Vehicles Fendt 720 Tractor, Iseki Compact

Tractor 216 C/W Lewis Landlugger 22 Loader & Woods 750 Backhoe, Land Rover Discovery 4 Commercial, 2011 Polaris Ranger Machinery Simba

Folding Cambridge Rollers, Kverneland UN7655

Square Bale Wrapper, Abbey 1300gal Slurry Tanker, Fraser 10tonne Twin Axle Silage Trailer, 2018 Krone Easy Cut 280 Mower, McHale Bale Slice, K+K 16m3

Feeder Wagon, Parmeter Folding Mounted Chain Harrows, Fleming 5ft Transport Box, Livestock Trailers IW TA510G 12’ Livestock Trailer, IW 12ft

Livestock Trailer c/w Sheep Decks, IW 12ft Cattle

AUCTION WILL BE HELD TO INCLUDE APPROX. 250 ACRES OF MOWING AND GRAZING GRASS IN THE MIDLANDS AREA. Lutterworth Rugby Football Club, Ashby Lane, Bitteswell, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4LW

(3 Miles from Junction 20 of the M1 Motorway)

Saturday 20th AprilSpring collective sale of tractor, implements and machinery. Please note that entries close

Paul Gentry Auctioneer/Director 07940 330907

Scott Ferrie Auctioneer/Director 07557 260653

Stephen Dodsworth Fieldsperson 07946 514154

Trailer, 4 x Quad Bike Trailers, Marshall Twin Axle

Tipping Trailer, IW Plant Trailer, 2 x Graham Edwards

GP74D Sheep Trailers Livestock Equipment 2 x Sheep Snackers, 2 x Sheep Races, IAE Lamb Weigh

Friday 12th April

Daniel Lynn Auctioneer 07887 653442

Tracey Gilhespy Fieldsperson 07867 974688

Scott Ferrie Auctioneer 07557 260653 Office 01325 464529

Oliver Chapman Auctioneer 07887 653442

Tracey Gilhespy Fieldsperson 07867 974688

Scales, Wopa Foot Trimming Crush, 8ft Wheeled Hay Rack, Walk In Lamb Creep Feeder with Mesh Floor, Lamb Creep Feeder, 2x Calf Creep Feeders, IAE Calf

Monday 22nd AprilStars of the future show and sale of suckled calves and store cattle Richard

Megan Dowson Trainee Auctioneer 07471 823606

Stephen Dodsworth Fieldsperson 07946 514154

Dehorning Crate, 10 x 6ft Wooden Sheep Hurdles, Towable Hay Rack, 15 x Portable Concrete Cow Cubicles, Miscellaneous Mitton Hall 3 Bay Galvanised Dog Kennel, 25 x Harris Fencing Panels with Feet, Qty of Fence Posts & Strainers, 600G Plastic Diesel Tank. Contact Will on 07590 876849

Tuesday 26th March

Closing Sale of In Lamb Breeding Sheep & Store Hoggs Entries for catalogue close Friday 15th March

Wednesday 27th March

Fortnightly Sale of Dairy Cattle

Mark Lee: 07980924179

Simon Lamb: 07815 188125

Tom Brooksbank: 07836592501

Ryan Spackman: 07725 653542

Mark@nortonandbrooksbank.com

WEDNESDAY 27th MARCH (10.30 AM) AGHAVILLY HOLSTEINS DISPERSAL (350 HEAD)

32 CLARKES ROAD, DARKLEY, CO. ARMAGH, BT60 3DB.

Dispersal sale of the entire AGHAVILLY herd, the property of N, J & S McCarragher. Complete sale of over 150 milking cows together with youngstock of all ages. All cows are milked through Lely robots and achieve yields of 10,805kg 4.28fat 3.53 protein on a very simple system of baled silage and cake. COWS RECEIVE NO TMR OR MAIZE! Numerous attractive cow families feature, many with North American heritage combined with top genomic sires with emphasis on production, components & health traits. This sale includes cattle for all budgets whether looking for top individuals or just hard working milk cows. All youngstock sell from close calving heifers to baby calves at foot. Live on Marteye. Trucks ready to provide haulage to all of the UK. Sale in conjunction with R A Noble & Co. Further details via our website & Facebook including sale info.

TUESDAY 9th APRIL – Milking portion dispersal of the 11,400kg herd of Holsteins (250 head), the property of Hollands Farms Dorchester Ltd at Higher Kingston Farm, Stinsford, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8QE. In conjunction with Symonds & Sampson.

TUESDAY 30th APRIL – Milking portion dispersal of the WHITECARR herd (200 head), the property of T Cowell at White Carr Farm, Wharles, Kirkham, Lancashire, PR43XH

Chris Norton: All

Tom Brooksbank: 07836592501

NORTH WEST AUCTIONS

LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEERS � VALUERS

www.nwauctions.co.uk info@nwauctions.co.uk

LANCASTER AUCTION MART

Tel: 01524 63308

Monday 18th March

10.30am PRIME HOGGS & CAST SHEEP

Followed By SALE OF SHEEP WITH LAMBS AT FOOT

Friday 22nd March

10.15am 150 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS

10.15am 150 CAST / OTM CATTLE

11am DAIRY CATTLE

11.15am 300 STORE CATTLE

Monday 25th March

SHOW & SALE OF SPRING LAMBS

Classes: Continental Sired Lamb & Native Sired Lamb

J36 RURAL AUCTION CENTRE

Tel: 015395 66200

Tuesday 19th March

11am SALE OF SHEEP WITH LAMBS AT FOOT

1pm 2000 PRIME HOGGS & CAST SHEEP

Chris Norton: 07836592500

Thursday 21st March

10am 150 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS

10.30am 100 CAST / OTM CATTLE

11.15am 300 BEEF BREEDING, STIRKS & STORE CATTLE

Tuesday 26th March

SHOW & SALE OF SPRING LAMBS

Classes: Continental Sired Lamb & Native Sired Lamb

Thursday 4th April FORTNIGHTLY CATTLE SALE

To include: 14 Pedigree Aberdeen Angus Heifers & 6 Pedigree Luing Heifers (Fit to Bull)

Thursday 8th May PEDIGREE DAY

Sale for all Breeds & Classes of Pedigree Bulls & Females, & Pedigree Ewes with Lambs & Gimmer Hoggs

Entries Close Friday 12th April

Delivery: Tuesday 2nd & Wednesday 3rd April

Sale to Commence Friday 5th & Conclude Monday 8th

FARMSTOCK AUCTIONEERS, BROKERS & VALUERS

BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE

Tel: 01228 406200

Show and sale of PRIME LIMOUSIN & BRITISH BLUE CATTLE

Monday 18th March 9.30am

On behalf of North West Limousin Club and Border British Blue Club

Classes for Best steer, heifer, how & bull in both breeds

Schedule available on the website

BREEDERS CHOICE Several top end animals sell including a Unix from HARVUE ROY FROSTY EX97 and a fancy Red & White from PINUP AWESOME STOCKINGS EX94 plus heifers from the ROXY, FLO, ALICIA, RICKI, ATLEE, ROYALITY, BEAUTY & TWAIN families.

LARGE GROUPS include 12 from ERROLSTON 10 from STOWBECK 10 from ESPLAND 10 from LISCABANK & 10 from PARKEND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO VIEW SALE LOTS PRIOR TO SALE

BEEF BREEDING CATTLE

Wednesday 27th March

Saturday 16th March

LIVESTOCK

SHEEP Sale 10.00am

Monday 18th March

SHOW & SALE OF REARING CALVES

Show 10.30am Sale 10.45am

Entries & Enquiries to Kyle

PRIME, CAST & FEEDING CATTLE

Sale 11.30am (TB exempt section available)

SALE OF PRIME HOGGS Sale 12.30pm followed by CAST EWES

Kindly sponsored by Sale of PET LAMBS

Monday 18th March – 10.30am

Please advise entries Ali Dodd 07394 569382 or Anders Brown 07540 757439.

Spring Stars Sale Of 42 POLL DORSET & DORSET HORN SHEEP

Monday 18th March

Show 11.30am Sale 1.00pm

29 Females – 2 shearling gimmers & 6 ewe lambs, 8 pens of females (21 head) 13 Rams - 7 shearlings & 6 lambs

PEDIGREE DAIRY DAY

152 DAIRY CATTLE SELLING

Wednesday 20th March

Show 10.00am Sale 11.00am

12 COWS & 140 HEIFERS IN MILK

No.1 source for quality milkers in the UK

QUALITY MILKERS

Quality milkers producing oceans of milk sell in this sale all bred from herds with excellent health status. This is our BEST catalogue to date!

Prefixes include:

Ashberry, Bankview, Belaw, Berryholme , Boclair, Carsewalloch, Clifton, Colvend, Crowdundle, Denmire, Drumtall, Enbridge, Ernespie, Errolston, Espland, Feizor, Heathersgill, Ingleview, Kepculloch, Killantrae, Kingcaird, Langpark, Lesmay, Lillyhall, Liscabank, Newtonmoss, Potstown, Potts, Ploughlands, Redcroft, Stowbeck, Woodclose, Whiteflat, Woodcatt, Wormanby

Continued:

Entries close Wednesday 20th March.

ANNUAL GRASS LETTING including BURGH MARSH STINTS

Wednesday 3rd April

PEDIGREE BEEF DAY

Friday 17th May

ABERDEEN ANGUS CATTLE

BEEF SHORTHORN CATTLE

LINCOLN RED CATTLE

HEREFORD CATTLE

Entries close Friday 22nd March

ON SITE & ONLINE

LANCASHIRE’S LEADING MACHINERY SALE

Saturday 6th April – 10.00am

Sale of farm machinery and implements also plant

At Woodacre Lodge Farm, Hazelhead Lane, Scorton, Preston PR3 1BN

For cataloguing and promotion purposes please advise entries by Tuesday 2nd April

Entries will also be accepted on the day until 9.00am

For further details contact

David Holliday 07710 189804

Lynne Grieve 07803 242344, Kerry Foster 07961 069822

NEW SALES FIXTURE

Saturday 27th July

On Farm dispersal sale of FARM MACHINERY AND IMPLEMENTS on behalf of Crowhall Farms Ltd., Bardon Mill

Weekly Sale of EWES WITH LAMBS at FOOT Sale 11.30am

Followed by INLAMB EWES & STORE SHEEP

To Inc from D & S Hollings, reduction of 60 Swaledale Stock Sheep (Shlgs/2Shr)

In Lamb to Swale due Mid April

(Entries to the office by Friday for Online Catalogue)

Wednesday 27th March

Sale of FEEDING BULLS, PRIME CATTLE, BEEF FEEDING COWS, STORE & BREEDING CATTLE

(Entries close Wednesday 20th March)

Dairy Cattle

Monday 18th March

Show & Sale of 15+ DAIRY CATTLE

Sale 12noon

Monday 1st April

FORTNIGHTLY SALE INC SPRING DAIRY YOUNGSTOCK SPECTACULAR

Early entries include 20 Bulling Heifers & 10 Maidens from regular vendors

Monday 15th April

FORTNIGHTLY SALE INC SPRING COLOURED DAY

In Milk & Youngstock (Entry forms available now) Entries & Enquires to Sarah on 07710795585

Upcoming Pedigree Cattle Sales

Wednesday 24th April- BLUE WEDNESDAY

Show & Sale of PEDIGREE BRITISH BLUE BULLS & FEMALES

(Entries close Monday 1st April) & NATIVE CATTLE

Special Sale of PEDIGREE ABERDEEN ANGUS, HEREFORD & OTHER NATIVE BULLS & FEMALES

(Entries close Monday 1st April)

Wednesday 8th May - CRAVEN LIMOUSIN DAY

Annual SHOW & SALE OF PEDIGREE LIMOUSIN BULLS & FEMALES

(Entries close Monday 10th April)

Inc Tuesday 7th May - NORTHERN LIMOUSIN EXTRAVANGANZA

(Entries close Monday 29th April)

Wednesday 22nd May - LINGFIELDS BEEF CATTLE FAIR

MULTI BREED SALE OF PEDIGREE BEEF BREEDING CATTLE

(Entries close Monday 6th May)

Saturday 25th May - PEDIGREE BELTED GALLOWAY CATTLE

(Entries to the society)

AUCTION MARTS

LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS Find us on Facebook

LONGTOWN MART Tel (01228) 791215

Saturday 16th March at 10am

ANNUAL KIRKCAMBECK SPRING SALE

Special Sale of 500 Store & Breeding Cattle

An exceptional entry of Native-breed & Continental Cross Cattle Morrisons` Supported Sale of 90 Shorthorn & Shorthorn Cross Stores Breeding Cattle including 10 Galloway Stock Cows (i/c to Galloway. Johnes 1 & Hi-Health)

Tuesday 19th March at 10.30am

3,000 Store & Breeding Sheep

Commencing with breeding sheep - early entries incl. 200 Texel x ewes scanned 187% to Texel & 65 Scotch Mule & Texel x i/l ewes.

Tuesday 26th March at 10.30am

Store & Breeding Sheep incl. Ewes with Lambs at Foot

DUMFRIES MART Tel 01387 279495

Monday 18th March

100 Prime Cattle & Cast Cows at 9.30am

70 Calves & Stirks at 10.30am

500 Store Cattle at 11am

SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE

SEDGEMOOR

01278

01278 410250

SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE

Thursday 21st March 2024 at 10.30am with the Heifer Calves

The Lady Day Collective Dairy Sale of

322 DAIRY CATTLE

✰ 63 FRESHLY CALVED COWS & HEIFERS from Beneknowle, Clevian, Dinnaton (Dispersal x12), Haydon (Dispersal), Heaselands Estate, Lilylane, Lodge (x12), Kenham, Kingspool (x10), Moorshard, Peacehay & Sherdon

✰ TO INC. 33 ORGANIC PEDIGREE CALVED & INCALF COWS from EW, SJ & TW Scolding (Dispersal)

✰ 33 INCALF COWS from Heaselands Estate (TB4) & S Shergold (Jerseys)

✰ 68 INCALF HEIFERS from Braden (Dispersal), Chiselborough, Dinnaton (Dispersal), Murrell (Dispersal) & Stbridesvalley (Dispersal)

✰ 81 BULLING & YOUNGER HEIFERS from Chiselborough, M S Green (Dispersal), Loford, Lyegrove & J Young & Sons (Dispersal)

✰ 44 HEIFER CALVES from FAW Baker Kingston Farms Ltd (Norwegian Red X) & GJ Dalton & M S Green (Dispersal)

** Live bidding on MartEye, please register in advance at gth.marteye.ie **

...Yorkshire’s Friendly Mart

SATURDAY 16TH MARCH

150 Breeding & Store Cattle of all classes inc

35 LimX Hfrs, 12-16mths, Foley Brothers

5 Ped Lim Cows & Calves, Coach House Herd

10 Herex Strs, 9-12mth, J Scott

10 Shorthorn x Str/Hfr, 22mth, Middle Park

12 Lim Hfrs, 11-12mths BVD Acc, JC Harrison

5 Sim Strs/Hfrs, 11-15mths, R Rigg

19 LimX Strs/Hfrs, 12-15mths, Riby Grange Farm

5 LimX Strs, 14-15mths, R Hughes & Son

3 Lim Hfrs, 11mths, J & L Cardwell

3 Str/Hfr, 12mth, S Keen

2 LimBull/Hfr, 10mth, AS Green

6 Lim Hfr 10-13mth, J Edwardson

ASHLEY WALLER AUCTIONEERS

HORTICULTURE

9.00am Every Wednesday and 5pm every Thursday

Online 9.30am

1st + 3rd Tuesday

FURNITURE

Next Sale 27th / 28th March

PRODUCE

Every Monday at 12.30pm

MACHINERY

Next Sale Tuesday 9th April

9am - Note no unloading Easter Bank Holiday (Last sale 1729 lots)

CLAIMING DATE

19th April - Reserved for Farm Sale to include tractors, hay making machinery & implements 2018 - 2022

info@ashleywaller.co.uk

Contact Office for Details

6 BBX Hfr/Str, 20mth, J&L Cooling

MART OFFICE: 01757 703347

3 BlondAQ, 2 LimX Bulls, 12mths, R Burton

RICHARD HAIGH: 07768 594535

Store & Breeding Sheep inc

www.ashleywaller.co.uk

www.easyliveauction.com

www.selbymart.co.uk

45 Tex/Chev Hoggs, WB Hotham

120 Store & Breeding Pigs

Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.45am

Entries Welcomed

WEDNESDAY 20TH MARCH

395 Prime Cattle 410 Prime Sheep 175 Prime Pigs

Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.30am

Contact Office for Details

MART OFFICE: 01757 703347

RICHARD HAIGH 07768 594535

www.selbymart.co.uk

Farmers Guardian the No.1 place for all auction sales

YORK MACHINERY SALE TIMMED ONLINE AUCTIOONS

STARTS: FRIDAY 22 MARCH

CLOSSES: 25 TO 2 27 MARCH

To include:

JD 6920S (02); MF 5610 Dyna 4 c/w loader (17); MF 5465 (07); JCB 8026 digger (14); NH LM410 (02); Can Am Traxter HD8 (19); JCB Workmax; Krone MX370GL forage box (19); Marshall Vesuvius 1500 (09); Redrock 3000gal tanker (08); Terra Gator 2104 self prop.; slurry tanker (51); Marshall 28ft

spreader (09)

See the website for further details

Murton, York, YO19 5GF

Tel: 01904 489731 www.ylc.co.uk

bale (21); Claas 3600 4 rotor rake; McHale V660 baler (12); Strimech Aitchison 6m direct drill; Agriweld Prevent (19); Vad. Carrier 3m; Kong. Optimator 6m; Tong sample washer (20); Amazone 2G -B 8200 lime

Saturday 16 March

Bakewell Market Results

Market Results - Monday 11th March

583 Cattle, 1,608 Sheep

Full report available on our website

Store Cattle Entries now being taken for Monday 18th March

Already Entered: 32 Lim/ BB Cows i/c to Lim 2 Cows & Calves & 1 Lim Stock Bull

Deadline, 12 Noon on Friday 15th March

Call 01629 812777

Watch the livestreamed cattle sales on www.streaming.auctionmarts.com

T HURSDAY LUNCHTIME WEEKLY SHEEP SALE

Entries/Enquiries, contact

Peter Oven: on 07973 982443

Or Ivor Lowe: on 07977 449126

Follow us on Facebook for up to date details on Special Entries

ANNUAL UTTOXETER GRASS KEEP AUCTION

AT GRINDLEY SALE FIELD SITE, ST18 0LT

WEDNESDAY 27TH MARCH 2024 6PM

Entries To Date – Uttoxeter (2 lots) Marchington (2 Lots), Beamhurst (3 Lots) Doveleys (35 Ac)

In conjunction with Andrew Gagie of A G Surveyors Catalogues & Plans Available Call 01889 562811

Or visit www.bagshaws.com

For more information contact Andrew Gagie 07814 444324 Or Natasha Hall 07984 174761

DARLEY MOOR COLLECTIVE MACHINERY SALE

FRIDAY 19TH APRIL

Entry forms are now available from The Uttoxeter Office on 01889 562811

Tel 01629 812777

Dispersal Sales

PASTURES FARM, GAWSWORTH, MACCLESFIELD, SK11 9JB

FRIDAY 22ND MARCH 2024 AT 10:30AM

Genuine Retirement – Good Road Access

Deutz Agrofarm 420 4WD (Low Hours)

Bobcat S175 Skid Steer c/w Attachments

Arctic Cat 700 Diesel & CF Moto 450 Petrol Quad Bikes

Mobile Foot Crush, Implements, Marshall Tanker

Cattle Equipment, Baled Silage, Straw

Concrete Sleepers, Milking Parlour & Sundries CHESTERFIELD FARM, CHESTERFIELD, LICHFIELD, WS14 0EH

FRIDAY 29TH MARCH 2024 AT 10:30AM

12 New Holland And Other Tractors

9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS Enquiries to Matthew Middleton

10.30am 215 OUTFITS OF SHEEP & LAMBS, 130 IN LAMB SHEEP, 12.30pm 172 STORE HOGGS catalogue online

Thursday 21 March

10.30am PRIME BEEF followed by CULL CATTLE

10.30am REARING CALVES

11.00am SEMEX UK & JAMESON FEEDS SHOW & SALE OF DAIRY entries by Monday 19th 4pm

Friday 22 March

Culmination of the Young Handlers Overwintering 23-24 event. The show will be held at 6pm on the Friday evening, spectators welcomed to support our next generation, light refreshments served in the café.

Saturday 23 March

Isuzu Pickup, Range Rover, Yard Forklift, Excavator Modern Bailey & JPM Trailers

Large Range Of Gates

Troughs & Livestock Kit

Sundries & Effects

9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS inc Easter Lamb Show at 9am entries to Matthew

MELBOURNE FARM, BAKEWELL, DERBYSHIRE, DE45 1QW

FRIDAY 5TH APRIL 2024 AT 10.30AM

Kramer 750 Loader With Attachments

Massey Ferguson 3625 2WD

Primex Tanker, Ifor Livestock Trailer

Machinery, Foot Crush, Electronic Calf Feeder

Cattle Equipment, Herringbone Parlour, Bulk Bin Sundries & Effects

Catalogues are available to download at www.bagshaws.com

Email: olivia.fernihough@bagshaws.com

www.bagshaws.com

PEDIGREE LIVESTOCK

SE R V ICES LIMITE D

We specialise working in partnership with Livestock Societies providing a bespoke support service.

SUPPORT – we can support recognised Livestock Societies with their day to day administrative work and support.

DELIVER – we can deliver and assist with your requirements as we o er over 150 years combined experience in the livestock and agricultural industry.

We specialise working in partnership with Livestock Societies providing a bespoke support service.

MANAGE – we can manage everything from administrative support, registrations, annual publications, catalogue work, promotions, equine passports, meeting and event support.

SUPPORT – we can support recognised Livestock Societies with their day to day administrative work and support.

DELIVER – we can deliver and assist with your requirements as we o er over 150 years combined experience in the livestock and agricultural industry.

Holme House, Dale, Ainstable, Carlisle CA4 9RH t: 07801 868856 e: info@pedigreelivestockservices co.uk www.pedigreelivestockservices co.uk

MANAGE – we can manage everything from administrative support, registrations, annual publications, catalogue work, promotions, equine passports, meeting and event support.

Holme House, Dale, Ainstable, Carlisle CA4 9RH

10.00am BREEDING & STORE CATTLE to include Sale of 28 Young Handlers Overwintered beasts 10.30am SHEEP WITH LAMBS & IN LAMB SHEEP Entries please for both catalogues by Tuesday19th 12noon

Thursday 28 March

9.30am PRIME BEEF inc Month End show followed by CULL CATTLE

10.30am REARING CALVES

11.00am WEEKLY DAIRY CATTLE

12.30pm STIRKS Entries by Tuesday 19th 12noon

Tuesday 2 April

10.00am MONTHLY MACHINERY SALE entries to the office for advertising. Followed by 2.00pm ON FARM MACHINERY DISPERSAL IN PAYTHORNE on behalf of

PEDIGREE LIVESTOCK

SE R V ICES LIMITE D

IRISH SIMMENTAL CATTLE SOCIETY

Business Development Manager

Agriconnect is a business unit within the Arc network, a global events, data, and media platform. Arc is a fast-growing global events, data, and media platform with a varied portfolio content led portals, magazines, and events.

Since 1844, the brands of Agriconnect have been the trusted source of information for farmers and with brands like Farmers Guardian, events, like LAMMA and Farm Business Innovation, and digital platforms, like FG Insights, Agriconnect continues to bring together the British farming community.

THE ROLE:

• We are now looking for a motivated and driven salesperson to join our Sales team.

• The main function of the role is to develop business through growth in revenue, yield, and to increase customer numbers. You will be required to identify new opportunities and influence companies’ media buying habits within the agricultural sector. Due to the ever-changing nature of the industry, this person will have the ability to spot new avenues and exploit market trends.

• Hours: 35 hours per week – Mon – Fri

• Location: Preston – temporary hybrid remote

• Salary: Competitive, dependant on experience.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Own, support and fully develop specific market sectors

Conduct sales presentations by telephone, email or face to face to existing and prospective clients in order to develop existing business and generate new business wherever possible.

Advise existing and new customers on the most effective solution to meet client needs within the Agriconnect portfolio.

Continually seek and develop new sales & opportunities.

Ability to accurately forecast future sales

Keep abreast of all current trends, activities and relevant news within agriculture and specific sector

An interest in agriculture

Highly motivated & driven, with an ability to meet ambitious performance goals

Be enthusiastic and motivated to continually explore new opportunities, whilst possessing a natural inquisitive nature

Excellent communication written and interpersonal skills

We offer an excellent package including:

A competitive basic salary

25 days holiday increasing to 27 after two years

An extra day off on your birthday

Free life assurance

Contributory pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Arc has ambitious plans for growth, and this is an opportunity to be part of our continuing success story whilst enjoying a fabulous work/life balance. We strive to create a culture that is open and respectful, where differences are valued and celebrated. We want everyone to be able to reach their full potential, so we are committed to cultivating a company that promotes inclusion and belonging.

To apply for this role, please email amber.tabiner@agriconnect.com

Senior Herdsperson - Exeter, Devon

Salary - £34,000 - £40,000 per annum, plus benefits

Closing date - 22 Mar 2024

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Senior Herdsperson to join our team because we are taking on a second dairy farm tenancy in the spring as a joint venture with our current 2I-c. In Exeter.

Our farm Our farm is 153ha; we are a spring-block calving unit milking 300 grass-based cows in a 24/48 parlour. The cows are all NZ breeding, mainly Friesian cross Jersey and all our dairy replacements are reared on the farm. We also pasteurise and sell milk through a vending machine. We are 1 of 5 farms involved in an exciting 3-year project with LEAF, which is designed to develop and implement a range of sustainable integrated farming practices suited to our farm, overall addressing net zero and environmental enhancement. We are also Farmers Weekly Transition Farmers, sharing our experiences with methods to make our farm more sustainable for the future.

Your Role - As a Senior Herdsperson, you will be working closely with the business owners in the day-to-day running of the dairy herd. We fully expect someone to grow into this role as we teach the skills you require. One of the business owners is a farm vet and does regular focused learning sessions on different aspects throughout the year; staff are also sent on courses when required to support you and the farm’s progression.

You - We are looking for someone with a cheery nature and a love of cows to work with us to continue to take the farm forward. You’ll have good experience in dairy farming. Training will be given where necessary, but your values and behaviours are more important than your experience, and we are always happy to listen to new ideas!

The Benefits - In return, we can offer a 2-bedroom lodge with a garden, with a competitive salary depending on experience and a genuine commitment to your ongoing development and future in dairy farming.

RVW Pugh

Field Service Engineer

RVW Pugh Group is a well-established agricultural dealer with over 40 years of experience. We supply an extensive range of Agricultural and Machinery across Shropshire, Cheshire, and Mid Wales.

The Group is made up of TR Machinery (selling the Fendt brand) and RVW Pugh (selling the Massey Ferguson brand).

Our leading franchises are Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Merlo, Teagle, plus many other leading brands.

With RVW Pugh Group’s continuing growth, we seek Agricultural Service Technicians to join our busy teams based at either Churchstoke on the Powys/Shropshire border, Holmes Chapel in Cheshire or our new depot in Newport Shropshire that is opening soon

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform diagnostics and repairs on agricultural equipment in a workshop and/or field environment.

• Complete all reports and administration required in a timely manner and to a high quality (job cards).

• Follow all safety rules and regulations.

Complete all training programs to further develop skills and knowledge. Maintain a clean work environment, and assists with overall workshop organisation

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience performing service repairs.

• Ability to perform repairs and maintenance using correct tools and equi ment, following approved techniques.

• Proficient knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.

• Ability to use standard computer applications, internet, and manufacturer service portals.

• Ability to operate vehicles and equipment used for diagnostic purposes.

• Good customer service skills.

• Familiar with manufacturer’s products.

• Ability to work well in a team environment.

• A full, clean driving license is essential for field roles.

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends on a rota basis

FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE, WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING:

• Stable working environment

• The opportunity to work as part of a well-established friendly team

• Van, laptop, and phone all provided

• Ongoing training

• Workwear provided

For more information on any of these vacancies or to see all our current roles, please go to:

•

•

•

WATER WELL DRILLING

•

•

• Water testing

New & Used Bulk Milk Tanks

Second hand tanks currently available:

Mueller 8000ltr, 9000 & 12,000 ltr

Fabdec 4000ltr & 6000ltr

Packo RMIB 3800ltr & RMIB 6000 ltr

New Heat Recovery units in stock

01772 780806 www.ddcooling.co.uk

01625 878411 www.blairdrilling.co.uk

Richard – 07816 173689

John – 07885 739120

BRAND NEW & UNUSED Fibreglass CALF -O-TEL

Calf Hutches. Complete with fencing.

A large selection of all animal and calf feeding equipment and all other associated products also available. Massive saving on list price

Livestock Supplies Ltd.

Ashley: 07831 887531 Office: 01829 260328

www.livestocksupplies.co.uk

MARTLANDS

COLLECTORS OF DEAD ANIMALS THROUGHOUT LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE

Competitive prices PLEASE CALL:

01704 893161 or 07768 051800 (24 hrs)

Martland’s the name, knackering’s the game Established over 100 years

3 Well bred, Halter trained Bulls 18 months - 2 years. Vaccinated for BVD

FRESH REARING CALVES

Available in suitable batches delivered to most parts of the country

Continental Bull and Heifer calves

3-5 weeks old available now. Quality store cattle sourced directly from Welsh/Shropshire Borders Farms, delivered to your farm. Delivery Nationwide.

Livestock Supplies Ltd

www.livestocksupplies.co.uk

Simple to install Water supply from mains or header tank

Labour saving, cost effective, healthy youngstock

For further information contact

01387 750459 Info@britmilk.co.uk www.britmilk.co.uk

Ballantrae House, Collin, Dumfries, DG1 4PT

DAIRY CATTLE FOR SALE

A weekly selection of freshly calved & in-calf dairy cattle sourced from the UK. All guaranteed and delivered anywhere in the UK Finance can be arranged.

Livestock Supplies Ltd

Ashley: 07831 887531, Office: 01829 260328, Will: 07769 974476

www.livestocksupplies.co.uk

17-22 months. Some Semen tested. TB4 area.

Younger bulls also available

Adrefelyn

Aberdeen Angus

Has a selection of working bulls and bulling heifers for sale

From a closed herd. Easy Calving.

Telephone: 01978 780368 or 07986 113221 Wrexham (P)

PEDIGREE HEREFORDS

BULLS AND HEIFERS FOR SALE

Biscon

Excellent choice. Great conformation, colour and temperament. Ready to work. High health accredited for IBR, Lepto, BVD and Johnes 1, TB4 North Yorkshire 01756 720210 - 0777 99 20202 More details visit: www.whitehillherefords.co.uk Tomlinson

* Helps to eradicate

* Equestrian sand also available Tel 07730 897138 / 01484 603130

R.F FIELDING

Hay & Straw for Sale in all types of Bales. Good quality. Reasonable prices.

TEL: (01625) 531629 OR (01625) 522249

419

Phillip 07973 208 384

LANCS (T)

We do same day delivery We will respond to your enquiries the same day! We deliver to every area twice a

Secretary

01758 730366

www.lleynsheep.com

Committed

T:

Details From Val Lawson Oak Bank, Bentham, Lancaster. LA2 7DW Tel/Fax: 015242 61606

email: vallawson@tinyworld.co.uk

Amanda Burgess 07889 802276 www.masham-sheep.co.uk

is the breed society for 14 pig breeds including 10 native breeds on the UK breeds at risk register

buy the best visit the website for details of sales PO Box 1542 Cambridge CB1 0JS www.britishpigs.org

Admin@ryelandfbs.com www.ryelandfbs.com

Telephone: 07736 994102

email: breedsecretary@shorthorn.co.uk www.shorthorn.uk

T: 01768 870523

E: office@bluetexelsheep.co.uk

01768 870523

E: admin@britishblondesociety.co.uk

W: www.britishblondesociety.co.uk

The British Blue Cattle Society

Holme House, The Dale, Ainstable, Carlisle, Cumbria CA4 9RH

Company Secretary: Andy Ryder

Telephone: 01768 870522

Email: info@britishbluecattle.org www.britishbluecattle.org

T: 01768 870524

Secretary: Anne-Marie Carruthers

Registered in Scotland, Company no. SCO13974

Stirling Agricultural Centre, Stirling, FK9 4RN

T: +44(0) 1786 446866

E: info@highlandcattlesociety.com WWW.HIGHLANDCATTLESOCIETY.COM

SHEEP BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION

Chairman:

David Wilson 07939 531959

Secretary: Sarah Fleetwood 07808 781507 sfleetwood10@gmail.com www.dalesbredsheep.co.uk

Marguerite Cowley

Telephone / Fax: (01305) 262126 dorsetsheep10@outlook.com dorsetsheep.org.uk

We know farming. Farmers Guardian brands are embedded in the agricultural community and have a position of authority and trust

Only 18 Pairs Left!

• 30ft long x 8ft wide x 18 inch deep

• Very strong & durable would make good bridges for river crossing, dikes etc

• Based in Lancaster, Lancashire.

• Collection or haulier

• Transport can be arranged.

£3250+VAT per flat, deals for bulk order.

Telephone: 07815 186037

Only 18 Pairs Left!

Pre-Stressed Concrete Wall Panels

Inspired by the latest technology in Pre-stressed Concrete Wall Panels and with the desire to continue in meeting our customers’ requirements regarding Quality, Design, Volume & Delivery ... ... we have opened a new & improved manufacturing facility in Greenfield, Flintshire, North Wales

• Brand new precision built moulds & tooling

• Selection of Concrete Lego Blocks

• Larger range of sizes & loadbearing options (95, 145, 200 & new 240, 280mm)

• Increased capacity

• Made to measure

• Shorter lead-times

• Established Quality Assured CE marked products

• Design & Bespoke Project capability

t: 01352 719182 f: 01352 837690

e: tracey@jonesbrothersconcrete.co.uk www.jonesbrothersconcretepanels.co.uk

TRICKETTS LANE, WILLASTON, NANTWICH, CHESHIRE, CW5 6PY

OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING NATIONWIDE

• STEEL FRAMED BUILDING MANUFACTURERS

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To Crop & Livestock Stores, Poultry Sheds, Cattle & Pig Buildings, Workshops & Barns. Frost & Condensation Protection. Temperature Control Energy Saving Tel: 01405 812682 www.webstersinsulation.com info@webstersinsulation.com

PaynettsFarm,CranbrookRoad, Goudhurst,Kent,TN171DY

Tel:01580212141

Mob:07710480259

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Web:www.timberspecs.co.ukEmail:info@timberspecs.com

Tel:01580212141Mob:07710480259

mes holida your quire ywhere, w XX | MARCH 15 2024

How to deal with farm business changes

I

n the first 10 years of my career, I have seen some big changes – not just on my own pathway, but also in farming.

The firm I previously worked for went into receivership, leaving me redundant in my dream job, and choosing my next move became a huge event. I asked too many people’s opinions and focused on the negatives rather than the positives.I think that can also be a common occurrence among farmers, because even positive changes in agriculture normally come with a catch.

So, when it comes to change within farming families – where do you begin?

Firstly, you must try to remove the emotion from the situation. This is easier said than done because farms are not just places of work, they are homes too. But embracing future opportunities allows you to focus on the next steps and begin the journey of change.

Assets

Whether it is due to retirement, death, family disputes or simply a desire to make a fresh start, the key to starting the process is understanding what assets your business has, what they are worth and what the desired outcome is.

I have recently been involved with a farm partnership split where the parties were struggling to agree on a fair and reasonable settlement.

A portfolio valuation which

Jonty Cliffe

included the farm, adjacent cottage, livestock and machinery provided the family with an idea of the value of the entire business.

Once these figures were laid out in front of them, the split was agreed in a matter of weeks.

Even more recently, I have worked for a dairy farming family who wanted to move into the beef and sheep sector. They could not visualise the transition because they did not know the value of their business assets and the amount of cash at their disposal.

A valuation was completed, a plan was made and, not long after, the surplus assets were sold and new assets purchased.

From my own experience, change should not be an event; it should be a process. The secret is to focus all your energy on creating the next chapter.

Jonty Cliffe is an associate partner of Barbers Rural. Call 01630 692 500, or email j.cliffe@barbers-rural.co.uk

Bespoke Design Service

Change should not be an event; it should be a process

As

4 lots

Lot 1: Farmhouse, Buildings and 40.20 acres

Lot 2: 10.65 acres Pastureland

Lot 3: 15.91 acres Arable / Pastureland

Lot 4: 24.14 acres Arable / Pastureland

Viewing

TENDERS

FRIDAY 10th MAY at 12noon

Finance: Terms & Conditions

Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com (hereinafter referred to as ‘Farmers Guardian) may contain advertisements, links to other Internet websites or online and mobile services provided by independent third parties, including websites and telephone contacts of our advertisers and sponsors (what we call “Third Party Sites”), either directly or indirectly.

It is your decision whether you purchase or use any third party products or services made available on or via Third Party Sites and you should read below carefully. Our Privacy Policy does not apply to Third Party Sites. In no circumstances do we accept responsibility for your use of Third Party Sites or in respect of any Third Party products. By Third Party Sites we mean websites, online or mobile services provided by third parties, including websites of advertisers and sponsors that may appear in Farmers Guardian. By Third Party Products we mean products or services provided by third parties.

Farmers Guardian contains advertising and sponsorship. Advertisers and sponsors are responsible for ensuring that material submitted for inclusion on Farmers Guardian complies with international and national law. Farmers Guardian (nor its websites) is not responsible for any error or inaccuracy in advertising or sponsorship material.

Any agreements, transactions or other arrangements made between you and any third party named in, on (or linked to from) in Farmers Guardian and its websites are at your own responsibility and entered into at your own risk.

Farmers Guardian promises to develop and operate with reasonable skill and care and will use reasonable efforts to promptly remedy any faults of which it is aware.

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The above disclaimers apply equally to your use of Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com without limiting the above; Farmers Guardian and its websites are not liable for matters beyond its reasonable control. Farmers Guardian does not control third party communications networks (including your internet service provider), the internet, acts of god or the acts of third parties.

Farmers Guardian liability will not be limited in the case of death or personal injury directly caused by Farmers Guardian negligence in those countries where it is unlawful for Farmers Guardian to seek to exclude such liability.

Any individual, who is in doubt about entering into a loan agreement, should seek professional advice or consult an authorised person who can assist in relation to entering into a credit agreement. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to these matters, any relevant offer document and in particular, you should seek independent financial advice.

All loans, loan participations and financial products or instrument transactions involve risks, which include (among others) the risk of adverse or unanticipated market, financial or political developments and, in international transactions, currency risk. Lending against non-traditional physical collateral exposes investors to specific risks such as the potential for fraud, theft, damage and illiquidity

ADO YOU HAVE LAND?

Sites

If you think that your land has potential for development, or you have been approached by a developer, then you will

expert advice that is not available at traditional sources. Michael Rutherford is a specialist agent acting and negotiating for landowners. Contact me for a confidential and expert consultation at no cost. All areas of the UK covered.

2023

2020

2023

2024

2020

These axle and transmission brands are commonly found on:

T: 01452 733106 E: ag@grouphes.com

W: tractec.grouphes.com

F.G. ROWLAND LTD

Clitheroe

New

&

for all Makes

New Michelin & Kleber

Tyres most sizes in stock

Tel 01254 826295

MASSEY

Replacement tractor parts Direct to your door

Phone for best quotes

Mobile: 07971 243668 or 01545 570 810

MARCH NEW TRACTOR SPECIAL OFFERS

5 YEAR 0% FINANCE ON ALL NEW DEUTZ LOADER TRACTORS UNTIL THE END OF MARCH

Deutz 5090D Keyline, air con, manual tractor, c/w Quicke X3S loader, 4yr 0% £43,950.00

2022 Kubota L2452 cabbed, air con, turf tyres, unused .....£23,950.00

Kioti DK5020C, 50hp cabbed, air con, ag tyres, 5 year warranty ..................................................................................................£26,500.00

0% finance

NEW MACHINE OFFERS

Kioti K9 2410 ( new model ) UTV, 50k, full cab & heater ..... £19,500.00

Kioti K9 2410 c/w deluxe factory cab, air con, 50k, new styling POA

Amazone Zax Perfect 1402 fertiliser spreader £3,250.00

Alo buckets, silage grabs, shear grabs ............................................ POA

Ritchie heavy duty yard scraper POA

Vicon Fanex 524, 4 rotor tedder POA

Sovema 2.4 finishing mower c/w roller.................................... £2,750.00

S/H TRACTORS & MACHINES

2022 Deutz 5090D keyline, ideal scraper tractor ............ £26,250.00

21 reg Deutz 5100G GS c/w FS20 loader, 500 hours only

........................................................................................... £39,500.00

Deutz 5090D keyline c/w new Quicke X3S loader ......... £32,950.00

2015 Kubota RTVX900 rops utility vehicle £10,250.00

2008 Kubota M6040 rops, ag tyres, tidy ......................... £12,950.00

2008 Kubota L5040GST cab, ag tyres, very tidy ............ £13,500.00

Millcreek 6 ton manure spreader £4,000.00

Amazone ZAM3000 fert spinner, very tidy ........................ £1,950.00

Vicon haybob, very tidy £1,350.00

Kioti CX2510H rops tractor, 25hp, hydro, turfs, 5 year warranty ...................................................................................................... POA

Kioti CS2520H sub compact rops tractor, 25hp, turfs, 48” mulch deck, 5 yr warranty POA

www.rowlandtractors.co.uk LEEK

01772 799500

Kubota G23, 23hp, 48” cut, collection, tidy........................ £5,500.00

Kubota G21HD, 21 hp, 48” cut, collection, tidy £4,500.00

Longdog GP Quad trailer as new £1,295.00

Tel: 01538 308436 Fax: 01538 308751

www.parnhamtractors.co.uk

info@parnhamtractors.co.uk

JOHN

2018, 5692 Hours, AP, 50KPH, Air, F/L PTO, 650/ 540 Tyres, £66,500 + VAT

NEW REDROCK 200/20.0 SILAGE TRAILER, 28.8/40.0m3 capacity, Sprung Drawbar, Commercial Axles, £29, 850 + VAT

3682 Hours, Direct Drive, 50K,

NEW REDROCK 12T 26FT FLAT TRAILER, Fixed Axles, 2’ Removable Headboard, Hyd Brakes, £11,000 + VAT

NEW DALBO 630 GREENLINE ROLLERS, 6.3m, 2.5m transport width, 400/60x15.5 wheels, £14,250 + VAT

NEW SIP SILVERCUT DISC 300F MOWER, Lights, Quick A-Frame Linkage, 3yr warranty, £15,450 + VAT

NEW SIP SILVERCUT DISC 900C MOWER, Hitch, 8.55/8.95m working width, 3yr warranty, £29,500 + VAT

NEW STRAUTMANN VERTI MIX 1801, Hyd Brakes, Single Axle, 2 Speed Gearbox, Hyd Brakes, POA

DEERE 6145R,

JOHN DEERE 6155R, 2020,

F/Links, 650/540 Tyres, £77,500 + VAT

JOHN DEERE 6195R, 2021, 4995 Hours, AP, F/L PTO, 50K, Air, AT Ready, £110,000 + VAT

JOHN DEERE 6215R, 2019, 2386 Hours, AP, 50KPH, TLS, Cab Sus, F/L PTO, 650/600 Tyres, £110,000 + VAT

JOHN DEERE XUV 865M, 2021, 1160 Hours, Full Cab, 50k, £24,500 + VAT

KRAMER KT276, 2020, 1450 Hours, Air Con, PUH, Reverse Fan, Kramer Head, £53,500 + VAT

2020 RICHARD WESTERN SF14

HS PLUS, Silage Sides, Air & Oil Brakes, Hyd. Rear Door, Very Good Condition £POA

2017 RICHARD WESTERN SF16

HS, Silage Sides, Air Brakes, Hyd. Rear Door, 560 Tyres, Sprung Draw Bar & Axles £17,500

NEW RICHARD WESTERN SF18

HS PLUS, Hyd. Roll Over Sheet, Hyd. Rear Door, Air Brakes, 560 Tyres, Sprung Draw Bar & Axles £POA

NEW

TRAILERS

HD14, HD8,

S4, S6, BC26

1983 FORD 7710, Q-Cab, ZF –4wd, Dual Power, 2 Spools, 4362 Hours, 10 Ford Weights…. £POA

2019 JCB 526-56 AGRI PLUS, 40kph, Q-Fit Headstock, Air Con, Air Seat, 2504 Hours…. £52,000

2021 JCB TM320s, 150hp, Stage 5 Engine, Pin & Cone Headstock, 1544 Hours…. £85,500

1976 COUNTY 964, Q-Cab, Dual Power, Two Speed PTO, Load Monitor Single Assist Ram, New Goodyear Tyres £POA

2022 VALTRA T195 VERSU, High Speed, Front Linkage & PTO, Guidance, 4 Spools & PB, 2104 Hours £103,000

2022 VALTRA T175 ACTIVE, Front & Cab Sus, Front Links & PTO, Valtra G7 Loader, Evo Seat, 1764 Hours £108,500

2020 VALTRA N174 VERSU, Front & Cab Sus, Quickie Q5s Loader, Wheel Weights, Hyd. Locking, 3420 Hours £68,500

2018 VALTRA T154 HITECH 5, Front & Cab Sus, 3 Spools, Wheel Weights, Front Weights, 2670 Hours £55,000

2022 VALTRA T234 DIRECT, High Speed, Auto Comfort Sus, F/ Links & PTO, Guidance, 710 Tyres, Premium Interior, 1828 Hours £119,500

2018 FENDT 824 POWER, Front Linkage & PTO, Extended Warranty, 710 Tyres, 3491 Hours £98,500

2019 VALTRA T254 VERSU, Twin Trac, Front & Cab Sus, Front Links & PTO, Guidance, 650 Tyres, Ext. Warranty, 4098 Hours £79,500

2020 VALTRA T234 ACTIVE, High Speed, Auto Comfort Sus, Front Links & PTO, 650 Tyres, 3093 Hours £78,000

2015 CLAAS LINER 2600, Twin Rotor Rake, Central Swath Curtain £10,500

of Fertiliser Spreaders

Cultivation Equipment £POA

2016 KRONE BELLINA F130 ROUND BALER, Excellent Condition

SWADRO

SWADRO

SWADRO

R360

TC320

F320

MACHINERY

CAYROS XMS - 5-950 DEMO 5 furrow plough.

3M POWERHARROW Air drill combination, Wedge ring packer.

3 METRE KE3001 Powerharrow c/w 500mm Packer.

4 METRE KG4001-2 Folding Powerharrow c/w 500mm Packer.

6 METRE CATROS 6002 - 2TS compact disc harrow, 2022.

AMAZONE Fertiliser spreaders

NEW ZA-M ECO 10 - 16m Fertiliser spreader.

NEW ZA-V 2600 Fertiliser spreader, V2 discs, Easy set rate.

NEW ZA-V ECO Superior 2600 V2 discs, RH Limiter.

NEW ZA-V 2600 Easy set terminal, V3 discs, RH Limiter.

NEW ZA-V 2600 fertiliser spreader with Easy set rate control, V3 discs.

NEW ZA-V 3200 fertiliser spreader with Easy set rate control, V3 discs.

NEW ZA-V 3200 Profis Tronic, isobus.

NEW ZA-TS 4200 Profis Hydro c/w Flow control Argus twin, isobus, hydraulic cover.

2019 ZA-TS 3200 Super Hydro Profis, lots of spec. Lovely condition.

2019 ZA-TS 4200 Profis Tronic Hydro, isobus. Hydraulic cover.

KVERNELAND FERTILISER SPREADERS

EXACTA - TL CENTRE FLOW GEO SPREAD, 2017 model year, isobus. Hopper cover.

- HL MODEL year 2019,

BIG

header,

BIG PACK 1270 MULTI-BALE, demo baler, isobus compatible, tandem axle.

SWADRO 420 Linkage mounted single rotor rake.

460 Linkage mounted single rotor rake.

TC640 Twin rotor centre delivery rake.

TC760 Twin rotor centre delivery rake.

VENDRO 560 Linkage mounted 4 rotor / 7 tine tedder.

VENDRO 790 Linkage mounted 8 rotor / 7 tine tedder.

R240 Active Mow rear linkage mounted disc mower without conditioner.

R280 Active Mow rear linkage mounted disc mower without conditioner.

Active Mow rear linkage mounted disc mower without conditioner.

Easycut trailed mower conditioner, high performance conditioner with quick change blades.

F320 Front mounted PULL TYPE linkage mounted mower conditioner with high performance blades.

Front mounted disc mower conditioner with PUSH TYPE headstock for front linkage.

F320 Front mounted disc mower conditioner with PUSH TYPE headstock for front linkage. R320

Rear mounted disc mower conditioner, Swath plate, LED lighting.

ROUND BALER V150 XC COMPRIMA PLUS, isobus cable.

EXACTA

MACHINERY

Edited by Toby Whatley – 07583

054 831

– toby.whatley@agriconnect.com

Long and irregular seed potatoes have long been the Achilles’ heel of the cup planter. James Huyton speaks to one grower seeing the benefits of a new machine.

Standen SR200 – not just for average seed potatoes

Processors’ demand for long uniform potatoes and plant breeding to suit market demands left H.S. White and Sons questioning the suitability of its old cup planter.

Farming at Cantley Common, near Doncaster, Chris White and his uncle David White explain why they opted for a new Standen SR200 on its launch.

Chris says: “As the seed potato has got longer and more irregular, we found ourselves standing on the planter to ensure seed held in the cups.

“We were running a Standen SP200 at the time, but its cup shape better suited a round potato,” he adds.

David adds: “We found we could be getting up to 5 per cent misses in a field, potentially leaving us planting 95 out of every 100 acres.”

When every acre counts on the gross margin, the opportunity of a cup planter that handled varied seed seemed a sensible option.

Second unit

Notably, there were a few teething problems with the newly-designed planter, with the business receiving only the second unit produced.

David says: “My dad always said do not be the first to get something new, otherwise you will get all the problems.”

Chris adds: “In fairness to Standen, they have stood by the machine and, as the modifications were made, they came and fitted them – we cannot fault them for that.

“Standen offers us a connection to a British manufacturer and we could visit the factory to see our machine being built, or pick up parts from the base in Ely,” he says.

The White family has been running the SR200 for two seasons now and sees some notable improvements on the former planter.

Both David and Chris comment on how Standen planters of old lost soil out of the ridge with a break in the wings before the hood.

Chris says: “We could be light on soil in some areas of the ridge with the old planter.”

Standen seems to have rectified this issue on the latest range, with continuous wings now guiding the soil to the forming hood.

Chris says: “The pressurised hood system, works well to gather and release soil along the length of the bed, giving plenty of soil in the ridge.”

David says: “Planting speed has not changed much compared to the old planter, because we have to work at 6.5kph to get our Amistar dose rate right.”

Planting is carried out with a Valtra N134, working on 72-inch wheel centres with the planter working at a 34-inch row width. The N134 is more than capable of handling the planters’ maximum 60-litre/minute hydraulic flow rate requirements.

David says: “The tractor handles the planter well, but with a 1,500kg hopper we do need to put weight on the front to keep the front end down.

“The front-mounted Grimme granular applicator helps with this, as the planter is certainly longer than the old set-up,” he adds.

The family hopes a move to a liquid fertiliser applicator in the future will help with more accurate application into the drill when planting and align

the system with wider liquid fertiliser applications across other crops, as well as adding more ballast to the front of the tractor.

David says: “Operating the planter through the touch-screen control box is pretty simple, I can set population count in area or row spacing.

“I normally opt for row spacing,” he adds.

Accuracy has always been a key consideration for the family, with a cup planter system offering more accurate seed placement compared to a belt planter, and reduced risk of seed roll in the furrow.

Chris says: “We are always out measuring seed placement in the drill, whether that is for depth or spacing. We cannot fault the Standen for consistency.”

David says: “ We grow two potato varieties, Nectar and Innovator for pre-pack and processing.

“Following last season’s difficult harvest we are seeing supply issues with seed now.

David (left) and Chris White, of H.S. White and Sons.

The Standen SR200 cup planter is adaptable for planting seed up to 35mm to 60mm and beyond.

MORE ON POTATOES

POTATOES MACHINERY

“We would often plant seed sizes between 35-45mm and 45-55mm, but this year we are having to take seed at 55-60mm,” he adds.

The larger seed will certainly offer a new challenge for the farm’s planter, but David and Chris point out that the planter has always performed evenly with uneven seed, so remain confident in its performance for the season ahead.

Both David and Chris describe their planting operation as a traditional system, starting at the back end of the year by ploughing the following year’s potato ground.

David says: “We are prominently on sandy loams with clay loams in heavier areas, and over-winter ploughing helps weather it down.

“Alongside ploughing, we tend to subsoil ridge up and de-stone. Heavier land will also get a pass with a bed former if needed,” he adds.

During the planting operation, the family always has to plan ahead, planting speed is often only as good as the wider operation.

“Soil workability through the planter can vary a lot through the day,

especially if we had dew on the drills from the night before,” says Chris.

“We have started to plan our planting more by seed size to reduce the need to change cup inserts on the planter.”

The Standen machine has three insert options for the cups — blue, red and grey, which allow for seed sizes of up to 35mm, 35-60mm and 60mm and above, respectively.

Chris says: “You always need to carry a few cup inserts, just in case you lose one, along with a screwdriver to pop them out of the holder on changeovers.

Change

“With 30 cups to each row, it can take a bit of time to manually change the cup inserts for different seed.

“But the more we can do to block seed sizes together when planting the easier it is,” he adds.

Looking to the future, the White family may look towards getting two sets of belts made up with the cup inserts ready to go for a quicker changeover between seed sizes.

The Standen planters’ cup system

agitates the seed collected and carried in each cup, allowing time for any doubles that may be picked up to drop any excess back into the hopper along its length of travel.

Chris says: “I have spent a lot of time standing on the planter checking for doubles and misses, but if you set the machine up correctly for the seed, you have no issues.

“Working on our flat ground, we have no need for optional agitators on the collection chamber, that is more suited for hill work,” he adds.

Hydraulic depth control allows David the ability for on-the-move adjustments if needed.

He says: “It took a while for me to get my head around the gauge visible from the cab, but now it is a simple adjustment.

“We have a lot going on with both fungicide and granular application, so I can be constantly filling up one thing or another.

“But I can comfortably manage one-acre per-hour planting or 12

acres a day based on a 12-hour shift,” he adds.

The family added a couple of additions to the machine, including the Team Sprayers applicator which applies powered fungicide Rhino (flutolanil). This is alongside a second Team compact 120 applicator which delivers Amistar (azoxystrobin) around the share.

Chris says: “The planter offered plenty of mounting points for applications, without compromising accessibility around the planter.”

The potato operation consists of three main staff – David, his brother John and nephew Chris, with seasonal workers when needed.

Situated 12 miles from packers E Park and Sons, the farm is wellpositioned to deliver local produce with limited transport costs.

David says: “I am very proud of our lean system. All our harvest goes straight into boxes off the field and into our cold store.

“We do not grade at the farm, with everything sorted at the packers, making the operation lean on labour.

“The packers seem to like it that way, reducing the risk of damage during double handling,” he adds.

Chris says: “For harvest, we run a trailed Standen T2 harvester with a picking off table with two or three seasonal staff to clean up the crop.”

The SR200 allows suitable mounting points for the addition of two applicator systems.

Elongated cups allow the cup planter to take longer seed, an agitation system removes any doubles from the cup.

Adaptations to soil guides on the planter now allow better soil flow to the hood, with minimal losses.

See our special potatoes focus on pages 26-30.

Unveiled at Agritechnica in November 2023, Farmers Guardian had a first drive in a pre-production version of Fendt’s all-electric e107 V at a pre-launch preview. Toby Whatley put it through its paces.

First drive: Fendt e107 V Vario

Capable of offering zero exhaust emission tractor power, the e107 V Vario from Fendt is the manufacturer’s first commercial electric vehicle offering, and a first for parent company Agco.

From the outside, the e107 looks virtually identical to its 200-series diesel-powered cousin, with some minor design changes to accommodate the charging system and reduced cooling requirement.

The concept was shown as a prototype at Agritechnica 2017, with Fendt making no secret of its desire to investigate and develop all-electric tractors for the horticulture and municipal markets.

Currently available as a vineyard (V) designation, the range will likely be expanded to cover the wider models within the range.

Fendt says the machine can be operated as a complete zero-emission unit when supplied with green energy produced on-farm, which for many UK businesses will include roof-mounted solar arrays.

Different market

Annual UK sales of narrow 200-series Fendt tractors are typically around 25 units in its traditional fruit and viticulture market, however, its ability to operate in urban environments already demanding emission-free vehicles, for tasks such as mowing or sweeping, opens a different market option for the machine.

The use of an electric drive is also claimed to be much quieter than a diesel counterpart – something of a bonus for machines working in residential environments.

TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE

Horticulture and fruit, particularly in enclosed environments, are key sectors for the e107. Inset, developed with Trelleborg, the tyres claim a reduced rolling resistance to preserve battery life.

MECHANICALLY, the e107 uses a large quantity of proven technology and components from the existing 200-series which includes the cab, operation system and, crucially, the Vario transmission.

over one-metre wide, did not feel lacking.

Unlike other electrified vehicles which typically replace the entire driveline with batteries and a series of motors divided up between the services of propulsion and hydraulic pumping, the e107 uses a motor mounted directly to the standard hydraulic-based Vario transmission.

This design choice will incur some energy losses as power is used to run the transmission before providing drive for the wheels or hydraulic services, but it does provide an operation identical to the dieselpowered version, without the operational sounds of the engine.

Longer term it also provides a greater level of predicted reliability by using a drive system that is well-established.

Uniquely developed for the e107, the unit is fitted with 380/70R38 tyres on the rear and 280/70R16 on the front.

This design uses a twin-range CVT offering a maximum forward speed of 45km/hour, which for a machine just

The tyres are a result of a joint development with Trelleborg and feature a claimed low rolling resistance for an improved battery life. The hybrid tread pattern gives sufficient traction on and off hard surfaces, with an additional claim that 60 per cent of the tyre components are derived from renewable sources.

Functionally, the cab is identical to the diesel-powered 200-series.

The e107 V Vario is Fendt’s first commercial electric vehicle offering.

CAB AND CONTROLS

VISUALLY and functionally, the compact cab of the e107 V is identical to the design fitted to the 200 V series, with the main changes focused around the operator heating and control software.

To deliver a more efficient use of power, heating is provided through a heated floor, seat and thermal elements in the front and rear windows. Fendt says this process reduces the power demand from the batteries and provides a more direct heat source for the services which require it.

The heated floor is provided to offer some convectional heating of the cab air, but also provides a thawing surface for snow as winter operators climb in and out – somewhat of an indication of the machine’s intended use in both agriculture and municipal applications.

FG verdict

THE compact dimensions of the e107 V and the expected price premium over a diesel-powered unit will limit the unit’s attraction in an already small market.

However, it indicates the brand’s ambitions to provide zero emission systems for customers operating in enclosed environments, such as glasshouses or tunnels or within urban areas.

The battery capacity and operation range will not allow the unit to replace all diesel variants, but should provide a more-than-capable alternative for some tasks.

Some features of the design focus

BATTERY SYSTEMS

SLOTTING into the space vacated by the engine, the 700-volt, 100kWh lithium-ion battery can be operated in three different power modes depending on the user and implement demands.

The base-level operation of Eco delivers a 50kW output, which increases with Dynamic to 55kW and a maximum of 65kW in the third Dynamic + setting.

AccesstotheDynamic+islimitedby demand and the internal temperature of the battery to prevent overdischarge damage. Cooling of the transmission and batteries is carried out through a conventional radiator mounted at the front of the machine.

The operational life of the batteries is a claimed four to seven hours depending on the load and tasks undertaken.Fendthighlightsthisdoes notaccountforanyshorterrecharging cycles during operator breaks, or while the machine is idle in the yard.

The operational FendtONE system is identical to all other tractors using this system, with some subtle software visuals changed to show the battery charge levels, temperature and operational mode. Further delving into the operational settings gave access to the options for scheduled charging times, machine pre-heating and predicted load battery life.

Software includes details on battery capacity and conditions.

the unit on the municipal markets where its emission-free and quiet operation may offer the greatest advantage and where its higher cost is anacceptablepricetopayforthis.How many of the units which leave the Marktoberdorf factory in RAL 2009 traffic orange not nature green could be an indication of this.

Currently, the unit is being offered in the pilot markets of Germany, Norway and the Netherlands. Availability to other countries will be gradually expanded to include the UK as the infrastructure to operate and market demand increases.

A conventional radiator is used for cooling of transmission and battery.

Charging of the unit is achieved through a universal combined charging system (CCS2) port. This is the same design as used by many automotive manufacturers and allows a single or three-phase AC/DC connection, depending on the charger output.

Typically AC charging is delivered at 22kW but if available, and using a higher-voltage 80kW charger, battery charging from 20 to 80 per cent can be achieved in a claimed 45 minutes, without a detrimental effect on the long-term battery life.

In cooler climates, a charger-linked battery heater is used to bring the internal temperature up to a target of 25-30degC. This is designed to provide the optimum performance of the unit, with the operator’s cab also pre-heated before work.

Externally, the machine uses the same linkage and hydraulic options with a range of front, mid and rear hydraulic services.

Surprisingly, a high-voltage power connection alongside a pto is not offered, despite being present - and promoted as an electrical-drive USP

on the few competitive machines which exist.

Fendt says this is due to a combination of a very limited range of electrical drive implements being available, safety concerns with a potentially unearthed high voltage supply and the overall effect on battery life and range.

CONVENTIONAL WIDTH WITH FUEL CELL

ALONGSIDE the commercial launch of the e107 V at Agritechnica, Agco previewed a working prototype of a conventional-width e107 fitted with a methanol fuel cell to function as a range-extending electrical supply. Specific details were limited, but features included a partial autonomous drive system and external high-voltage connection.

Charging is achieved using a common CCS2 port.

Fendt previewed a full-width prototype e107 at Agritechnica.

Farm businesses, particularly diversifications, were presented with several products and systems for reducing carbon emissions and improving energy use at the Low Carbon Agriculture show and expo. Toby Whatley reports.

Infrastructure investments

CTC ECOZENITH i550 PRO

DEVELOPED in Sweden to operate with multiple thermal sources –namely biomass, solar and airsource heat pumps – the i550 is a 550-litre pressurised hot water system which suits farmhouses and multi-demand building diversifications where higher volumes of hot water and heating are required.

The system uses three thermal coils which allow the individual or simultaneous use of different

water heating systems depending on the demand, time of year or operational cost.

A controller within the unit can be used to determine the heat source to prioritise based upon its availability and the demand from the user in terms of hot water and heating. The manufacturer says the unit can be expanded in capacity as heating demand grows or additional heat sources are added.

SOLARPORT PV MOUNTING AND ASSEMBLY SYSTEM

DESIGNED for smaller commercial and domestic sites, the modular panel support system from Dorset-based Solarport allows users to specify a range of ground mounting systems, including versions which do not require any digging or foundations alongside a claimed ability to accept the majority of panel sizes on the market.

Solarport says this allows users to install groundmounted solar photovoltaic on a much wider range of surfaces and the installation structure allows a wider flexibility when developing systems to conform with specific planning requirements.

POLYSOLAR PV GLAZING

ORIGINALLY developed for high-rise buildings, PV glazing from Polysolar allows users of large glazed arrays the option to generate electricity while maintaining natural light.

The system uses a photovoltaic system between two glazed layers and can be fitted as a replacement to most glazing systems.

It provides electrical generation alongside a thermal barrier which reduces solar heating.

Polysolar says the system has been used with barn conversions where large glazed areas are required, alongside green energy production requirements from rural planners.

RADVILISKIS OGM-1.5A PELLET PRESS

LITHUANIAN manufacturer

Radviliskis displayed the pellet press section of its pellet production system for biomass and animal feeds.

The unit is designed to work with a wide range of intake materials including straw, grass, wood chips, sawdust and some manures.

Pellet outputs vary between one and three tonnes per hour depending on the intake density and moisture content.

The company highlights the

system offers farms the ability to generate pellets for biomass to supply the green energy market.

Intake materials are ground using a hammer mill before passing into a dust extractor and the pellet press.

The unit uses the retained moisture with feedstock to bond the pellets together using the heat generated in the press.

Set-up costs for the system vary between £160,000 to £250,000 depending on the size of the installation.

Edited by Katie Jones –

With blowfly costing about £200 per case, farmers are being advised to take advantage of a new tool to reduce losses. Ellie Layton finds out more.

Taking a preventative approach to blowfly strike

rNew Blowfly Watch service launched

AS the climate gets warmer, the season for flystrike will lengthen, which has an impact on the timing of preventative chemical controls for both adult sheep and lambs, experts have warned.

While it was once rare for flocks to succumb to blowfly strike in March and October, the risk period could now extend into both of those months as warmer conditions support the breeding season of the green bottle fly.

Speaking at a briefing to launch the Blowfly Watch tool, Matthew Colston, Elanco ruminant technical consultant, said these changing weather patterns meant farms needed to take a preventative approach to blowfly strike control.

He said: “With mortalities due to blowfly strike costing farmers on average £209 per lamb and £184 per breeding ewe, preventing cases should be a key priority for sheep farmers.”

The Blowfly Watch service, which was relaunched this year by the National Animal Disease Information Service and Elanco, aims to help sheep farmers keep up-tospeed with the latest blowfly risk.

The service sends farmers alerts when the risk of blowfly changes in their local area.

Mr Colston said: “The new

IN THE FIELD

IN recent years, Dan Pritchard, who farms 101 hectares (250 acres) with common grazing on the Llanrhidian salt marsh in the Gower, South Wales, has found blowfly an increasing issue.

The outdoor flock of 1,100 Welsh Mules are turned into the fields a month before lambing in April and May. They sell 850 lambs to their sister company Gower Salt Marsh Lamb between July and December, aiming for 18-20kg deadweight.

Blowfly Watch service works by looking at different risk factors, including soil temperature and humidity, and giving farmers accurate information on the number of flies in their area, which can then be used to plan in preventative treatment.”

He said that the irritation caused by blowfly maggots inside the fleece and skin prevented the sheep from

Speaking during the Blowfly Watch briefing, Mr Pritchard said: “At lambing, we were finding blowfly strike in the ewes, which was putting the ewes under stress and is far from ideal at this time of year.”

This led him to routinely treat his ewes before lambing with an insect growth regulator, which provided long-acting prevention for 16 weeks against blowfly strike.

He said: “Our ewes run on common ground following lambing,

grazing, while secondary infections could lead to death by septicemia.

“Blowfly strike can happen very quickly, with 94 per cent of farmers reported to have been caught out by it.

“However, by signing up to the Blowfly Watch alerts, farmers will have the heads up on when to apply a preventive treatment before any cases occur,” he said.

so it is not easy to catch and treat them, with the risk some may be missed.

“At this point, the lambs are at foot so they are also treated with a provisional treatment that has a shorter withdrawal period so they can still be sold once they are fit.”

Mr Pritchard added the Blowfly Watch tool has proved useful, making him aware of parasite threat, which has enabled him to react preventatively.

Mr Colston stressed the importance of ensuring the correct dosage was applied when preventing strike to maximise product efficacy.

He advised using the weight of the heaviest animal in the mob to calculate sufficient application of the product.

“To date, there has been no formally recorded resistance to any insecticides in L. sericata [green bottle fly] populations in the UK,” he said.

Maggots

“However, there are reports from farmers of maggots that appear to have survived the direct application of a synthetic pyrethroid.

“It is likely there are sufficient reservoir populations of flies that emerge from carrion to minimise the risk of resistance development.”

MORE INFORMATION

To sign up to Blowfly Watch, go to: farmanimal.elanco.com/en_gb/ resource-hub/sign-up

The

PICTURE: MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI

Venereal campylobacter infection is thought to be more widely prevalent in cattle than confirmed case numbers would suggest. Wendy Short reports.

Venereal campylobacter: Symptoms and prevention

rDifficulties with diagnosis are common

CAMPYLOBACTER fetus is highly infectious and can lead to abortion, embryonic losses and the birth of weak live calves, says Helen Carty, veterinary centre manager at SRUC.

Despite records in Scotland showing only 87 confirmed cases of bovine abortion caused by the bacteria over the 10-year period to 2022, Ms Carty says she believes that it could be much more widespread.

A high barren cow rate is frequently the first indication of a possible campylobacter infection. However, the disease – which is spread via mating – can be difficult to diagnose, says Ms Carty.

She adds: “One common scenario is when a couple of abortions have been recorded, and further investigation highlights above-average barren rates. If a bull is suspected to be infertile, a second bull may be introduced to the infected females,

spreading the disease across the herd. It may have been present for a couple of years before being detected.”

In bulls, the bacteria hide in small folds called crypts in the prepuce of the penis.

Ms Carty says: “Campylobacter is more problematic to diagnose in older bulls, because they tend to have a greater number of crypts and these are deeper compared with a younger animal.

“In order to investigate, sheath washing samples will need to be taken, and in a mature bull the process may not always detect the bacteria.

“Robust restraining facilities will be needed for sample collection, with the samples transported for scientific culture.

“False negative results can also occur as it is difficult to ensure that a clean sample is taken and it is not straightforward to grow the organism in a laboratory.”

Ms Carty says the response to antibiotics is ‘limited’.

“While infected younger bulls will

occasionally respond well to a combination of injectable antibiotics and antibiotic sheath washing, the disease can remain with him for his lifetime.”

And further complexities are associated with campylobacter infection, she adds.

Complications

“Some strains of campylobacter fetus have adapted to survive in the gastrointestinal tract, which will affect the likelihood of an accurate diagnosis.

“These are harboured in the gut, but they can sometimes cause a sporadic abortion in the same way as gut strains of e.coli. Some of the recorded cases may be the intestinal form, but molecular techniques are required to distinguish the strains that are involved,” says Ms Carty.

On farms where the venereal infection has been confirmed, older bulls should be culled and they certainly should not be used on heifers, she says. However, it may be worth trying to treat younger males.

She says: “Where practical, the herd

could be split into an infected group and a clean group. The main preventative measure is to use only virgin bulls, and to avoid hiring in mature bulls, or exchanging them with a neighbour.”

Meanwhile, females infected with campylobacter fetus will develop immunity as they mature and a treatment programme is not usually considered necessary.

“In females, vaginal mucus samples can be cultured, but again due to the risk of obtaining false negative results, I would recommend that about a dozen cows are selected for testing,” says Ms Carty.

“A mature cow that is naive to the disease is subject to the same risk of infection as a virgin heifer, and any female that has been served before it arrives on-farm presents a potential disease source.”

Keeping good mating records is a useful measure, as it will be helpful to review mating groups if venereal campylobacter infection is suspected, she adds.

Scanning figures could also be a

Campylobacter is a disease spread via mating, and the first indication of a possible infection is a high barren cow rate.

potential indicator that venereal campylobacter is the issue.

There is no licensed vaccine available in the UK, says Ms Carty.

She adds: “A campylobacter vaccine is produced abroad, and it can be imported on request under licence by the farm vet. An alternative is to send off positive samples to a laboratory and have a vaccine made to act specifically against the strain found within an individual herd, although this tends to be more time-consuming and expensive.”

The standard veterinary health certificate for bull sales does not cover campylobacter, she says.

“Potential purchasers will have to ask the vendor to request a specific test for campylobacter from their vet, although it does not offer a complete solution due to the potential for false negative results.

“In cases where a purchased bull has passed a breeding soundness examination, but he is not getting females in-calf to expected levels after arrival on-farm, venereal campylobacter infection should be one consideration among a range of other possible causes.”

Abortions

Ms Carty says it is important to handle aborted material carefully.

“Some strains of campylobacter can be zoonotic, along with other diseases that can cause cattle abortion, so the material must be carefully managed.

“I would recommend using both gloves and disinfectant. Any cow that has aborted should be isolated and the vet consulted, with the Animal and Plant Health Agency also notified.

The agency will then make a decision on whether brucellosis testing might be necessary.

“The aborted material should be covered and kept in a cool place prior to samples being taken, and most vets will take samples from both the aborted calf and the placenta.

“If the abortion turns out to be linked to campylobacter infection, the organism will be recovered from the placenta and the foetal stomach contents.

“It would seem likely that campylobacter is a disease that is much more prevalent in the UK than the records appear to demonstrate. Therefore, it is vital that producers take as many preventative measures as possible to prevent their herds from becoming infected,” says Ms Carty.

Some strains of campylobacter fetus have adapted to survive in the gastrointenstinal tract, which will affect the likelihood of an accurate diagnosis HELEN CARTY

Ewbol Prestige Lamb

Hitting

Ewbol

9

9

9

Solar power provides farms with an opportunity to reduce energy bills, maximise self-sufficiency and save money, but there are considerations when it comes to installation and economics. Lynsey Clark reports.

Farm-scale renewables: Solar panels and battery storage

Using solar power to create electricity is by no means a new concept, but with electricity costs rising and the price of solar panels and battery storage falling, it is now a more financially viable option on farms, especially if there are sheds with suitable roofs already in place.

That was the case with the Neilson family, Hugh and sons Ross, Glen and Grant, who farm at Park Farm, Auldhouse, on the outskirts of East Kilbride.

At a meeting arranged by the Farm Advisory Service – part of the Scottish Government’s Rural Development Programme – the Neilsons explained their decision to install a 270kW solar power system at a cost of about £200,000.

The family runs a flying herd, milking 410 cows with eight robots.

With limited acreage available, they previously reared their own

youngstock off-farm, but they now buy-in 10 replacement heifers per month and aim for smaller, more robust cows.

They have a daily average of 3.2 milkings, producing 34 litres.

Grant said: “We are not pushing the cows as hard and, as a result, they are better on their feet, more fertile and are lasting a lactation or two longer.

“We changed our breeding policy, with everything now artificially inseminated with AberdeenAngus semen and we have one buyer from Aberdeenshire who takes all the calves.”

The Neilsons have farmed at Park Farm for almost 60 years, with Glen and Grant now running the dairy business alongside their father, Hugh.

Their other brother, Ross, had previously worked away from the farm, in renewables, but has now established an on-farm dairy pro-

We were due to renew our electricity contract and the potential costs were looking horrific, so we decided we had to do something

HUGH NEILSON

cessing and retail unit, which currently processes 40,000 litres of the farm’s milk each week.

Under the What’s Fresh brand, the business, which began in 2022, already delivers to the doorsteps of 3,000 customers, as well as local restaurants and coffee shops.

Ross said: “With our central-belt location, there are one million people living within a 10-mile radius of our farm, so we have a huge market on our doorstep and lots of opportunities to upscale.”

Between the robots and the processing plant, annual energy costs on the farm had soared to almost £70,000, which is why the Neilsons decided to look into fitting solar panels.

Hugh said: “We were due to renew our electricity contract and the potential costs were looking horrific, so we decided we had to do something.”

With Ross having worked in the renewables sector, they had already looked into anaerobic digestion and windmills, before

Park Farm has installed 270kW solar panels to support its energy requirements.

Requirements

n Suitable roof size and quality

n Suitable grid connection

n Forklift on-site for easy solar panel offloading

n Storage space to store the solar panels safely

n Finding or creating a suitable plant room for inverters

deciding that solar panels were the best option for them.

Through Ember Energy, they installed 270kW of solar panels (594 panels) on the roof of their 79-metre x 30m (260 foot x 100ft) cubicle shed.

To help balance the varying yields achieved from the panels, the installation includes two 50kW storage batteries and the inverters needed to convert the electricity for use on the farm.

The batteries will allow the farm to use the daytime electricity generated by the panels at night, which suits the robotic milking system.

Infrastructure

Hugh said: “We looked at the possibility of installing the panels on the ground, but taking the cost of the infrastructure into consideration, it made more sense to install them on the roof of the shed.

“They face west and east, which is not ideal, but we are getting the benefit of having them on both sides of the roof.

“We have only recently installed the system, so we do not have evidence of the full benefits as yet, but the way we look at it is, this is money we would be spending on energy costs anyway.

“We hope to have paid back the cost of the system in approximately five years and, after that, we will be saving a huge amount each year.”

It is necessary to have a grid connection in order to install a solar panel system, regardless of whether the electricity will be sold back to the grid. This process was carried out by Ember Energy’s Stephen Hamilton.

Mr Hamilton said: “We submit grid connections daily, which includes liaising with grid engineers all over the country to find size of connection and export capacity.

“This is one of the main criteria that helps to size the solar system.

“We then look into electric use on-site and assess roof space and roof quality for solar.

“The first step at Park Farm was to gain a grid connection from the power company – a process which took around two months.

“In this case, the farm had solar export capacity available, which we secured on their behalf.

“The next step was to maximize the amount of solar required, based on the now-secured grid connection and on Park Farm’s energy requirements.

“We also needed to find a suitable roof for the solar to be installed. Modern solar panels are

now designed to last 30 years, so finding the best roof is important.”

The Neilsons decided to go with a 100kW battery, as a lot of their electricity use occurs in the dark when solar does not produce.

Stephen said: “A 100kW battery is a good first step in the battery journey for the Neilsons and can be added on to later if required.

“ Park Farm uses around 300,000kW annually and the panels will produce around 200,000kW annually. We predict that the farm will self-consume about 75 per cent of the solar production, which

equates to 150,000kW annually, or 50 per cent of farm use.

“The entire installation cost the Neilsons approximately £200,000 plus VAT and they should save around £40,000 a year, subject to electric price, export price, and percentage used on-site, giving around a 20 per cent return.

“Panels are more efficient now and last longer, but the biggest thing is that they are cheaper now than they have ever been, as are the storage batteries, making them a great option for farms to save on energy costs,” Stephen added.

Panels are more efficient now and last longer, but the biggest thing is they are cheaper now than they have ever been

STEPHEN HAMILTON

The Neilsons use 50kW batteries to store charge for overnight use.

From left to right: Glen, Hugh, Ross and Grant Neilson, of Park Farm.

Stephen Hamilton, of Ember Energy, pointing out the inverters which allow the farm to make use of the electricity generated by the solar panels.

LIVESTOCK NATIONAL SHIRE SHOW

The Shire Horse Society brought its national show back indoors and to Stafford Showground over three days. Jacqueline Pettigrew reports.

Catching Fire lifts top trophy at National Shire Show

rBatley pepper Gray takes female title

TAKING the male championship and King George V trophy was Herkules Catching Fire from Christer Paulsson, Sweden. The six-year-old by Moorfield Ted, out of West Winds Cari Ann, produced by Paul and Matthew Bedford, Thorpe Hill stables, North Yorkshire, lifted the top award last year and will remain in Yorkshire to cover mares this forthcoming season.

The reserve male championship went to Manor Farm Magic Mike from the Callwood family, Ollerton, Chesh-

ire. This three-year-old, which had earlier lifted the junior championship, is by Penrhos Braveheart, a former King George V trophy winner and out of Horsmans Sunshine.

The final day saw the females take to the ring and it was the four-year-old filly, Batley Pepper Gray, which came out as supreme champion. Owned by Robert Bedford, Liversedge, Pepper Gray was bred by the late Arthur Smith, West Yorkshire, and is by Toc Hill Sir George, out of Batley Alison Gray and was taking the top award for the second year in succession, having lifted the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) final championship in between.

Female championship

Mark Richardson, Hull, East Yorkshire, stood reserve in the female championship with his five-year-old mare Bewholme Glenda, a home-bred daughter of Hillmoor Double Trouble out of Bewholme Blue Smoke.

In the gelding classes, Janet and Matthew King, Cotebrook, Cheshire, took the championship with Cotebrook Alistair’s Whats Wanted. Bred by the late Alistair King, this four-yearold gelding is by Leverton Leonardo, out of Cotebrook Loch Laggan.

Standing reserve gelding was Woodhouse Twenty Four Carat, a three-year-old from Danny Roberts, Devon. By Woodhouse Rainman, out of Woodhouse Miss Dynamite, it had was bred by Martin Fountain, Ashbourne, and had earlier lifted the junior gelding championship.

The ridden championship went to Abigail Wagstaff, York, and her fiveyear-old mare, Sutton Forest Elegance, a daughter of Acle Challenger.

The following day’s HOYS qualifying class saw victory for David Drake aboard Acle Mojo, a horse owned by Neil Wray.

The turnout championship went to the single turnout of Thwaites Brewery, Blackburn, Lancashire, driven by Richard Green, while Elaine Ramsay, Wigtown, took the cart championship.

Pip Read, Norfolk, had the champion traditional harness set, worn by

Hillmoor Armani, while the champion floral set came from Charlotte Webb, Alton, Hampshire.

It was 16-year-old Jamie Croot, Derbyshire, who was picked out as champion young handler, while the reserve championship went to 12-yearold Kayden Barnett, Cheshire.

Supreme male champion and King George V trophy winner, Herkules Catching Fire, from Christer Paulsson, Sweden.

Supreme female champion, Batley Pepper Gray, from Robert Bedford, Liversedge.

Driver Richard Green, of Thwaites Brewery, Blackburn, Lancashire, receives his trophy for champion turnout from the sponsor.

Ridden champion, Abigail Wagstaff, York, and her mare Sutton Forest Elegance.

Kevin Evans and Tex clinch Four Nations champion title

rHandlers comment on smooth-running trial

England: Sine Robertson

IT was Brecon Beacons-based Kevin Evans who took the champion title with Hendre Tex and romped home at the four Nations nursery trial at Stafford, with a long lead over the field.

Tex is a Spot 362131 and Belle a 362852-bred dog. Kevin was also pleased to see two grandsons of his dog, Red Spot, in the top six.

Handlers from across the four nations commented on the smooth running of the trial, organised to an impeccable standard by George Bonsall at his home.

The national-sized field tested some young dogs, but at the top they could face a difficult scenario.

Bolted

Early in the day, some packets bolted from the dogs, but later in the day, re-run sheep could face the dogs with no intention of being driven round the course again.

Those which were more tractable found their opportunity to express resistance at the pen and shed.

Tex had only minor points dropped on the course and at the pen, and with all obstacles achieved, Kevin added yet another well deserved, cross national win to his catalogue of success.

International Sheep Dog Society vice-chair Thomas Longton said: “Another brilliant sheepdog trial at the permanent home of the event, the Staffordshire Green pastures of George and Helen Bonsall.

“The sheep were a good test for the best 10 young sheepdogs of each of the four home nations. The winners were the talented Welsh team,

English results

STAFFORD, Four Nations, Slindon (Judges, C. Roberts, North Wales; S. Wilkinson, England) Nursery, 4 teams of 10 dogs, 1, D.K. Evans, Hendre Tex, Wales 182/200; 2, R. Ellis, Pip, England, 166; 3, T. Birkett, Ben, England, 165; 4, D. Jenkins, Bella (Becca), Wales, 164; 5, R. Ellis, Tip, England, 161; 6, S. Maynard, Winston, England, 159. Teams, Wales, 1,130; England, 1,087.

ST BREWARD NURSERY, Nursery Driving (L. Lock) 7 ran, 1, D. Cole, Jasper, 71T; 2 J. Tucker, Pip. Nursery (W. Carter) 12 ran, 1, P. Symons, Jim, 48; 2, C. Worgan, Mouse, 41; 3, T. Hopper, Sam, 35. New handlers, 1, A. Beard, Mae, 45; 2, F. Carthew, Bess, 40.

Tex.

with congratulations given to the individual title going to Hendre Tex, handled by Kevin Evans.”

In the North Lancashire nurs -

Trials diary

ENGLAND

March 16. LEICESTERSHIRE, Avon Valley Farm, LE17 6DH, what3words foster.vanish.originals, by kind permission of Frank and Dee Hodgkin, AM and PM sessions, 30 dogs per session, limit of four dogs per handler per session, same dogs can run in each session, £8 per run, pre-entry, contact Caileigh, tel: 07860 716 467, entries only accepted on receipt of payment, if you choose to withdraw your runs a refund will be issued if we can fill your space, hot and cold catering will be available throughout the day. HUTTON IN THE FOREST, first 60 dogs, 9am start, last booking in time 12pm,

entry on the field, maximum two dogs per handler, £7.50 per dog, CA11 9TH, what3words survey. sweat.brink, hog roast available, no set price just donations in a bucket for charity for the Stephen Relph Memorial Fund, judge D. Scrimgeour. March 23. SOUTH YORKSHIRE OPEN, fundraiser for the English National 2024, Lower Eastfield, Sheffield, S35 7AY, enter on field, start 9am, entry fee £10 per dog.

SCOTLAND

March 23. EVANTON OPEN, Scottish National fundraiser, start 9am, entry on field, £10 per dog, what3words dragonfly.dealings.panoramic, no

catering on field, raffle, all proceeds towards Scottish National 2024.

NORTHERN IRELAND

March 23. KILKEEL, open trials, two 30-dog trials, Head Road, Kilkeel, BT34 4PU, 8am start, £10 per dog, all proceeds to Alzheimer’s Society NI, entries open March 11, contact K. McDowell, tel: 07753 162 699.

WALES

March 23. LLWYNBEDW, Llanpumsaint, Carmarthen, SA33 6JU, 8.30am start, spectators welcome.

ery trial, Tom Huddleston and Lidl won the champion nursery title with a faultless trial. Young handler Nick Bennett

and his dog George won the best overall new handler trophy, working the tricky Herdwicks in a calm manner.

Kevin Evans and Hendre

SCOTLAND

All prices quoted in p/kg.

ENGLAND

Source: ScotEID/IAAS

SHEEP

Source: MartEye/LAA

WALES

Source: MartEye/LAA

MARKET PRICES STORE CATTLE

SCOTLAND

ENGLAND

6-12

Figures show livestock numbers first, then average price per head.

Source: MartEye/LAA

WALES

LIVESTOCK AVERAGES MARKET COMMENT

Primestock throughput, price and price change (p/kg).

Week ending March 10, 2024.

CATTLE prices were down as vendors headed to auction marts in England and Wales this week.

Steers were down the most after dropping 5.0p/kg to 273.7p/kg, while young bulls decreased by 3.1p/kg to 262.8p/kg.

Dairy-sired cull cows fell by 0.1p/kg to 153.0p/kg, but heifers went against the grain to increase by 0.1p/kg to 280.4p/kg.

In the lamb pens, prices jumped by 20.6p/kg to 365.8p/kg.

For pigs, values were also up by 2.2p/kg to 161.7p/kg.

As Farmers Guardian went to press on Wednesday (March 13), UK LIFFE Wheat prices for May 24 were trading at £165.50/tonne; an increase of £4.10/t on the previous week.

Source: MartEye/LAA

MARKET PRICES

STORE SHEEP ENGLAND

Louth

Ludlow

DEADWEIGHT SHEEP

Mo 787 115.0

Exeter

Frome

Gisburn

Hailsham

Hawes -Hereford - -

Holmfirth - -

Holsworthy We 27 68.0

Hull/Dunswell - -

Kendal - -

Kington - -

Kirkby Stephen - -

- -

Leek - -

Leyburn - -

sheep prices are collected from a sample of GB abattoirs. The sample accounts for about one-third of deadweight sales; prices quoted p/kg are averages for all qualities 12-21.5kg.

DEADWEIGHT PIGS

Latest prices for Great Britain. Source: AHDB

70

PIGS

Forfar

HAY AND STRAW PRICES

GOOSTREY: Mon, hay, square bale to £138/tonne, round bale to £135/t; haylage, round bale to £110/t, square bale to £120/t; barley straw, square bale to £142/t; wheat straw, square bale to £138/t,

UK DELIVERED PRICES – SUMMARY

UK DELIVERED OILSEED RAPE PRICES

FUTURES MARKETS (WHEAT)

Wednesday,

BPS ENTITLEMENTS, BNG, CARBON AND WATER

Last updated March 12, 2024

BPS ENTS English Deadline – Early 2024*

Price at Average deadlines prices (2023)

Non-SDA - £80.59

SDA - £99.41

Moorland - £24

BPS ENTS Welsh Deadline – May 15, 2024

Price at Average deadlines prices (2023)

£50** £65

BPS ENTS Scottish

Regions 1, 2 and 3

Deadline – April 2, 2024

Price at Average deadlines prices (2023)

Region 1 £130-149** £149.47

Region 2 £27-35** £40.34

Region 3 £10-14.50 £15.44

BPS ENTS Northern Irish Deadline – May 3, 2024

Price at Average deadlines prices (2023) x 1.0** x 1.0

*FortradingDelinkagerefamounts;30p-80p**per £1ofDelinkagereferenceamount.**Estimates.

ENGLISH DELINKAGE REF DATA: averageof 2020/21/22claims.Seller’s2023claimnotneeded. Estimatedreturn£1.20/£1refamountwithbuyer’s delinkpaymentlessthan£30,000post-transfer.

SubjecttoDelinkagevalues2025-27.

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN: English:Defra estimates£25,000-£200,000/unitexcluding VATandassociatedfees,subjecttolotsize.

LasttenderMarch8,2024,nextApril19,2024.

NUTRIENT NEUTRALITY: Long-termsales alltypesagricmanexcludingspecialisthabitat creation.Nitrates£3,000-£4,000/unit(£18,000£206,000/ha);phosphates£50,000-£65,000/ unit(£2,000-£169,000/ha). CARBON: Woodland Carbon>£35/WCU>£25/PIU.May2023WCG reverseauctionaverage£19.76. WATER: English abstractionlicenceslessthan£3-£15/cu.m.

Source: Townsend Chartered Surveyors

CORN RETURNS EX-FARM PRICES

Last updated March 13, 2024

€1=

CURRENCY WATCH

UK DELIVERED WHEAT PRICES

Wednesday,

1.

2.

3.

Wherestated,data

NATIONAL STRAIGHTS PRICES

Last updated March 13, 2024 Source: Straights Direct

Source:

Last updated March 12, 2024

Source: AHDB/LAA/IAAS

Key: All prices in pounds sterling. Currency, £/$1.264; £/€1.171

Guide prices indicated include delivery charge of £6/tonne. ✸ = After safe arrival; F = First half;

S = Second half; ● =March; ✥ = April; ✦ = November/January; ◗ = November/December;

▲ = March/June; ✧ = May/June; ✪ = August/October; ❊ = June.

MILK PRICE LEAGUE TABLE

1.

2.

2. This contract will receive a 1.54ppl Tesco cheese group payment.

3. This contract will receive a 1.00ppl direct premium payment.

4. This contract will receive a 0.40ppl actual 13th payment.

5. Formerly Glanbia - Llangefn. Retailer price supplements are included where applicable. Supplements listed are

UK milk deliveries in December 2023 were down 0.2 per cent on the year at 1,226 million litres. Cumulatively, this was 0.4 per cent down on the year to date.

December 2023 GB milk deliveries were down 0.4 per cent for the same period at 1,021m litres. GB milk deliveries for the year to date were 0.5 per cent down.

FARM HEALTH

Do you know the signs of a heart attack? Do you know where your nearest defibrillator is? As part of a new health series, Katie Fallon looks at the importance of looking after your heart.

Heart health needs to be a top priority

Looking after yourself when there are a multitude of things to already take care of on-farm is not easy – and not always seen as a priority. But as farmers continue to face increasing pressures in the way of rising input costs, policy disruption and the challenge of succession, looking after both physical and mental health is important now more than ever.

The effects of stress can be par-

ticularly detrimental to heart health, and Amy Thomas, head of the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network, says heart-related health issues, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are now regularly seen through both permanent and mobile clinics.

While some cases can be hereditary, more cases are being linked to the pressures of farming today, particularly succession and finances.

Amy says: “Increasingly, we are

Abi Reader tells us her father John’s story

THIRD-generation farmer Abi Reader, who is also NFU Cymru deputy president, has seen her father John struggle with the implications of poor heart health, and reiterates how important it is to get your blood pressure checked, as it could just save your life.

With her father’s permission, she shares his story.

Milking 200 Holsteins and Dairy Shorthorns alongside a flock of 100 Poll Dorset sheep and 49 hectares (120 acres) of arable land

in Wenvoe, South Wales, Abi farms in partnership with her parents, John and Jennifer.

After being diagnosed with chronic heart failure 10 years ago, John had to take a backseat role on the farm.

Abi says: “He was a typical farmer working all the hours God sends, and not giving as much attention to his health as he should have done.”

Following a fall outside on the yard which resulted in her father being admitted to hospital, it was discovered that he had a slightly raised blood

About the series

FG Farm Health is a series looking at health in the rural community. Each month, Farmers Guardian will look at topics that impact farming, such as maternity, access to services, mental health and health and well-being support.

MORE INFORMATION

Visit farmersguardian.com/farm-life

seeing a lot around finance and debt, the weather is placing so much pressure on people and succession seems to be a lot more complicated.”

Increase

Last year, the charity saw a 180 per cent increase in business-related health cases and a 400 per cent rise in health cases related to finance and debt compared to the previous year.

pressure and was asked to return to the hospital in a few weeks’ time for a check-up.

Abi says: “He did not go back. He carried on and a year went by. I noticed he was getting slower and slower and his temper was getting shorter and shorter.

“He would not go to the doctors, and it got to the point one morning that I thought ‘my goodness, you are going to drop down in the yard’.”

After forcing her father to the doctor’s surgery that morning, Abi says they were told that if they had come to the surgery just an hour later, her father would most likely have died from a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

Abi says: “They immediately rang for an ambulance and he was instantly put on oxygen and spent a few days in hospital. And that was the last time he

Please do not be afraid, because there are so many scarier things out there

ABI READER

Amy Thomas

ever stepped foot into the milking parlour. His blood pressure had climbed so high it had stressed all of his interior organs, so he is now living with kidney failure, a very enlarged heart and is currently taking 15 tablets per day.”

Now aged 81, Abi’s father struggles to walk more than two paces unaided and has suffered from depression since his diagnosis.

Difficult

Abi says: “It was really hard for him because the farm is his life, it is his everything, and it was really hard for me to pick up the pieces.

“I look at him every day and see him driving around the farm and he cannot get out of the vehicle or walk through the shed.

“He has never walked through the new milking parlour.”

Abi shares her father’s story in the hope that it will act as a warning and encourage others to get their blood pressure checked early.

She says: “As farmers, we are terrible at looking after ourselves, but the message must be that if you do not do this and you do not just give yourself an hour, you could lose your life.

“This is a message to farmers: Please do not be afraid, because there are so many scarier things out there.”

Abi Reader with her father John.

Edited by Emily Ashworth 01772 799 446 emily.ashworth@agriconnect.com

Role of defibrillators in rural communities

MORE than 60,000 people a year in the UK suffer an ‘out of hospital’ sudden cardiac arrest, resulting in death in about 97 per cent of cases if left untreated.

Staggeringly, for every 100 metres (328 feet) someone is away from a defibrillator, the survivability of a sudden cardiac arrest halves.

Martin Fagan, national secretary at the Community Heartbeat Trust (CHT), a charity which supports the UK’s communities in the correct provision of defibrillators, says understanding the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest and the next steps in using a defibrillator can play a vital role in saving many lives and give farms fast access to life-saving equipment.

Crucial

He says it is crucial that rural communities have access to defibrillators and understand how to identify cardiac arrest, as the survivability from cardiac arrest in a rural community is 30 per cent less than in urban communities.

This number then drops to 50 per cent in rural areas which have higher levels of deprivation.

He says: “Essentially, a defibrillator is a box of electronics which if not used correctly, is no

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CARDIAC ARREST

■ Happens quickly

■ Unconscious

■ No signs of breathing

■ Change in colour

more capable of saving someone’s life than a mobile phone.”

When looking to get defibrillators into rural communities and on-farm, Martin says it is important to think carefully about location and whether people will be able to find the equipment quickly.

He says: “Think about putting it somewhere where everyone can find it and it is easily visible.

“Use proper signage to tell people where it is located.”

Robust

Choosing a defibrillator which has a good life span, is easy to use and is robust enough for use on a farm environment is key, says Martin.

He recommends farms install defibrillators on tractors and combine harvesters to ensure they are

accessible when working in remote locations.

Martin advises contacting a specialist organisation or charity, such as CHT, for support when looking to install a defibrillator.

He adds: “All defibrillators will give a shock, but they will give it in slightly different ways. The more you spend, the better the outcome.”

Heart-related health issues, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are now regularly seen in the farming community.

Martin Fagan, national secretary at the Community Heartbeat Trust.

YOUR FIELD

KATE ROWELL

Scottish Borders

Kate is a fifth-generation farmer running the 750-hectare (1,853-acre) Hundleshope Farm on the Haystoun Estate, Peebles, where the family have been tenants for 150 years. She runs the hill unit with her husband Ed and their four children. She is also a vet and chair of Quality Meat Scotland.

Ihad a lovely Mother’s Day brunch at a local farm shop and cafe the other day and all six of us were together, something which happens infrequently now all the kids have flown the nest.

Dad was invited too so he did not feel left out, or at least his wallet was.

I was assured that they had all thought about treating me, but no one had any spare money and, after all, ‘it’s the thought that counts’. They were pleased with themselves for managing to scratch up enough to buy a card between them.

I cannot complain though, as three out of the four kids are coming back to help with lambing which is very much appreciated.

Problem

We are only a few weeks away and it is that time when there seems to be one problem after another.

At the moment I have a quad ewe teetering on the brink of twin lamb disease, which needs regular doses of glucose, several triplets looking very heavy and struggling to get themselves up and down who could potentially go the same way and a couple of twins with treated prolapses who are okay at the minute, but

‘Fair is not always the same as equal, which might well become our mantra’

you just never know. Our hill ewes do not start until towards the end of April and have just been scanned, but the weather has not been ideal for gathering so there are still quite a few to get in as soon as we can.

Our scanner goes off for a week’s holiday before starting his lambing job, so it is a race against time to get them in-bye before he parks up his trailer for the year and we just have to guess.

Hopefully it will clear up soon and we will be able to see the tops of the hills for the first time in months.

Last year’s calves are all sold and we are extremely happy with what they made, as I imagine most other

store calf producers are. The trade is amazing just now and gives a lot of confidence for the future, and the price hoggs are making is also very positive, I just wish we had some left to sell.

We have been thinking a bit about the future and the first stage of succession planning is underway –getting our wills up to date and powers of attorney sorted so that things are made as easy as possible for everyone.

My daughter is a lawyer and has been telling me all the horror stories and complications she comes across when people die intestate, so it is quite a relief to have it done.

UK soil temperatures continue to be low

THERE is an interesting phenomena which several farmers have been reporting to us on the Weather Live telephone service.

It is something that first cropped up last year and it relates to the level of water on our farms.

It seems that there is a wide variation in how much water is ‘sitting’ in fields right now. In some areas which have been wettest in the last few months it is possible to work the ground, but in others where there has been less rain, it is impossible to get onto the fields.

I am wondering if this is related to the dry summers of recent years

which has left capacity within the ground under certain conditions to better absorb the rainfall which has fallen. No doubt any hydrologists reading this will be tearing their hair out at such a suggestion, but it would be interesting to know why this should be the case.

A quick scan of any groundwater data that is available does indeed suggest a rather disparate pattern to the levels of water in the ground at the present time. No doubt this is going to be topped up even more by that water which is sitting on farms at the present time, and it will be interesting to see how the land

copes heading into summer.

Elsewhere, in Europe the last 30 days have been notably wet across France and much of northern Spain. The Balearics and Italy have been experiencing wet weather too.

Drier conditions extend through much of eastern Romania and eastern Ukraine and into central and southern Russia.

Soil temperatures continue to be rather low in the UK, Ireland and Europe. Further mixed conditions in the coming weeks suggest that this will continue to be the case and that spring may get off to a slow start.

The next part will be much more difficult, with four kids and only one interested in farming, we will have to have quite a few conversations to make sure everyone understands what will happen.

One of the best things I have heard recently on this subject is the phrase ‘fair is not always the same as equal’, which might well become our mantra.

I do not suppose it is ever too early to start talking about it, so that any possible conflict or misunderstanding is ironed out well in advance. It might have been a good idea for them to take that approach before expecting Dad to cover the Mother’s Day bill.

Farmers Weather by Dr Simon Keeling

NEXT WEEK

Monmouthshire Kate Beavan

Cheshire Ian Garnett

‘Nothing makes you fly like pure adrenaline’

AMY WILKINSON

Lancashire

Amy works on her family’s tenanted farm at Halsall, Lancashire. Working mainly with her dad, Amy farms 285 hectares (704 acres) of arable crops and 550 beef cross cattle which are all reared through to finishing. You can follow her on Instagram @amygingewilkinson

Now by no stretch of the imagination am I a natural born athlete. For example, my school years were spent as the chubby, ginger kid with glasses and braces who hated anything exerting which would make me resemble a tomato in the face and give kids more excuses to pick on me.

I once had a discussion about this with Charlie Flindt, as to why the

chubby, ginger kids become witty adults. Our reasoning was when you are one of the few minorities that it is still seen as socially acceptable to make fun of, you are faced with the choice of grow a personality or cry a lot.

I would like to think I did the former and definitely think Mr Flindt did too, but you never know – he may be a sensitive soul really.

However, one of my goals for this year is to try new hobbies outside of the farm.

I first tried going to a CrossFit gym, but booking sessions did not really work around farming hours. It did, however, give me a bit of a boost as all this feeding cows does seem to have helped me get quite strong and fit.

Failing to make it to the sessions and also being tight with my money, I decided to start the ‘Couch to 5K’ NHS app and have been pleasantly surprised at how I am enjoying it and how relatively easy I am finding it.

Also it is free, great for people of any fitness level and each run only takes

half-an-hour, so it is quite easy to squeeze in to my day, especially while the weather has been rubbish so we are not busy drilling yet.

I also find it is a great way to clear my head and makes me feel pretty chuffed with myself afterwards.

Sounds fantastic, however this all has officially proven to me that nothing makes a farmer run faster than the dreaded phone call that the cows are out, or maybe being chased by said cows.

That is how I found myself sprinting to the farm after such a run.

Nothing makes you fly like pure adrenaline on arriving to find most of our big bullocks out and making a break for it down the road.

Luckily, I train the bullocks on the

CROSSWORD 1236

marshes to come to my voice in order to make them easier to move.

Thankfully they had not forgotten this. As I shouted them at the top of my voice, they did eventually turn and start stampeding back towards the yard and me.

Stampeding is the right term, as having 40-odd 600kg-plus bullocks running full speed at you could be a bit daunting, but I was too busy trying run in front of them to notice.

Once in the yard, we did eventually get them all back in after the running turned to an obstacle course of gates, bale stacks and piles of wood chip.

So, yes I have a new a new hobby, but now I try and pretend I am being chased by cows on every run and goodness I am faster for it.

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ACROSS

1 Somehow angrily taking in eastern animal in its second year (8)

5 Wild ancestors held these shindigs (6)

10 Creepy-crawly-infested, mashed watermelon lacking appeal finally (4-5)

11 So shy when once bitten? No, more than once (5)

12 These fragrant flowers grew upward with first bit of sun (5)

13 Greedy bird’s expression of surprise followed by second angry tirade (9)

14 Isolated strangely in Leeds (7)

16 Porker with one circling racing bird (6)

19 Turkish military leader and saint filled with shock (6)

21 Resentment of last of men becoming trapped finally in underground cell (7)

23 Unexpected winner, Black Beauty maybe (4,5)

25 Tack and clobber (5)

26 Forbid beloved one this instrument (5)

27 Top performer gives an autograph perhaps - Leo for one (4,5)

28 Affirmative vote, said to prevent very small hole (6)

29 Frisky, dead cute, cultivated (8)

DOWN

1 Source of material for bows often found in churchyards (3,5)

2 Bringing to a standstill - it’s striking! (9)

3 Not so much circling old wind-blown loamy deposit (5)

4 Saw cake, for example, lacking sugary coating (7)

6 Good facts about instances of uncontrollable natural forces (4,2,3)

7 Malaria treatment for friend (5)

8 Toffees husband rather than wife covers with large pieces of cloth (6)

9 Ensnare upset mate endlessly (6)

15 Detestable originally loud swear word a few put together (9)

17 Mistake about vision? (9)

18 Enraged daughter carrying fragrant aromatic substance (8)

20 Use flail to beat out Scottish rush plant (6)

21 Stubborn fellow I’d heard about (3-4)

22 Sample of red I blended, suitable for consumption (6)

24 Get up around middle of morning; wash with clean water (5)

25 Fundamental computer language (5)

FARMING

Forthright opinions from throughout the world of agriculture

‘Farmers cannot tackle the climate crisis on their own’

This year, we have seen farmers across Europe taking to the streets, concerned about the future of their livelihoods – most recently in Cardiff, where thousands turned up to protest the Welsh Government’s latest agricultural policy.

There are about 105,000 farmers in the UK. They play a crucial role in tackling the climate crisis. As stewards of British nature, they manage land with the potential to store carbon and restore wildlife. But doing all this while supplying the country

with food is a tough job – especially as the impacts of environmental breakdown are felt, from drought and declining soil health to new pests and diseases.

The path is not straightforward; there are risks along the way. With farmers under severe pressures from rising costs, volatile markets and the effects of natural disasters, we cannot add to their list of burdens without a clear plan.

A just farming transition requires leadership and foresight. Government intervention is important, as more regulation and incentives will

In the absence of a proper plan, it is easy to see why farmers fear those in power do not have the answers, says Harry Greenfield.

HARRY GREENFIELD

Nature lead at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

help reshape the rural landscape. Since Brexit, the approach by UK and devolved governments has not always been coherent. Policy is shifting to incentivise sustainability, such as through public payments for public goods, but how ‘going green’ sits alongside profitable food production – and how it is paid for –is not clear.

In the absence of a proper plan, it is easy to see why farmers fear those in power do not have the answers or have not thought through the consequences of their policies. This leaves the door open for misinformation.

Lead the charge

As the Government’s vision is somewhat opaque, farmers and land managers must lead the charge. The current food system does not deliver for farmers, consumers or the planet.

For many farmers, change represents opportunity – whether that is investing in productivity or moving to practices more aligned with nature. Others will need more help navigating the system.

This scale of sectoral transformation will require investment, support and the right policy framework, alongside better engagement with farmers to communicate what will be expected of them.

But retailers play a part too. Cor-

porates are (rightly) under pressure to understand the impact of their supply chains. Many businesses have already begun the journey to reduce their carbon emissions. Now, the same level of focus is needed to improve their relationship with nature.

We need to prepare the agri-food sector to tackle the environmental crisis. This cannot be done without collaboration across the supply chain.

Retailers and processors can offer support that expands on what governments provide. These businesses understand the challenges of food production and need to be involved in decision-making. They also play an important role in communicating the benefits of sustainable farming to the consumer.

In my experience, farmers, governments and retailers all want the food system to work for, rather than against, nature. This combined weight should make obstacles easier to overcome, but only if we are all on the same page about where we want to go and how we plan to get there.

PICTURE: ALAMY