11 minute read
Sta ordshire farmer con rms successful results following 12-month trial
Sta ordshire farmer confirms successful results following 12-month trial
Velum Prime applicator delivers liquid nematicide and other soil treatments, freeing up sprayer time during a busy spring schedule, says potato grower Sam Daw.
News on the withdrawal of Vydate (oxamyl) for control of potato cyst nematode (PCN) in January last year was a devastating blow for UK potato growers. However, it also gave one grower a timely opportunity to replace powdered formula soil treatments with a move across to Velum Prime ( uopyram) – a liquid nematicide formulation – to help him suppress root damage from free-living nematode (FLN) and reduce symptoms of tobacco rattle virus (TRV) on the 200–250ha of potatoes he farms annually in Sta ordshire.
Farmer Sam Daw, of WB Daw and Son, who manages the 1,600ha family farm which is based between Rugeley and Tamworth, saw the key bene ts of a liquid formulation that is both easier to use than powdered or granular nematicides, and can be applied at lower dosage rates when applied in-furrow or by broadcast spray. Mr Daw comments: “On hearing the news on Vydate and having decided to switch over to a liquid-only system, my rst call was to Tom Neat, managing director at Techneat Engineering. I have known Tom for several years and, as well as purchasing four applicators from his company within the last 10 years, we have successfully collaborated on several other projects. He knows the potato industry extremely well and the rm has already successfully developed a number of applicators speci cally aimed at potato growers.
“In 2020, I rst became aware that he was trialing a new applicator speci cally designed to apply Velum Prime and other soil treatments simultaneously, so the decision to contact him was a no-brainer.
“Purchasing the Velum Prime applicator in February 2021, we initially set up the machine with a single dosatron chemical injection pump that mixes the Velum Prime but, following a di cult start to the season encountering Rhizoctonia solani, we then decided to upgrade to two dosatron pumps and two 10-litre chemical tanks, allowing us to apply Allstar ( uxapyroxad) for control of rhizoctonia simultaneously in-furrow alongside the Velum Prime.
“Rear mounting the applicator on our GB215 Grimme 2-bed planter, set up was straightforward, with the applicator’s 220-litre water tank centrally positioned at the rear of the planter and all the pipework going forwards. The applicator is equipped with two 10-litre chemical tanks and two dosatron chemical injection pumps that mix the chemicals with water and pump it directly into the spray line, where it’s applied into the soil via two main outlets.
“Nozzles are mounted at the opener of the planter and are pointed backwards as we’re targeting the soil as it’s folded in around the potatoes as they’re planted.
“One of the key bene ts of the Velum Prime applicator is that it’s simple to use, quick to set up, and uses the same Garmin GPS electronic rate controller as other Techneat machines – cab-mounted and designed for easy output monitoring. There have been no maintenance issues to date and, providing you clean out both the tank and spray lines following use, there is very little else to go wrong.
“After 220ha of planting last year, I can con rm that the new applicator delivers both Velum Prime and Allstar into the soil accurately and, if required, simultaneously. It does so without drift or reduction in nozzle pressure and has excellent anti-blockage properties. Importantly, for us as a business, it also frees up use of our sprayer, which we could have used to treat the potato beds prior to planting as an alternative system.
“The cost bene ts of reducing an additional pass, combined with the agronomic bene ts of protecting our soil with a single-pass planting system are an added bonus,” concludes Mr Daw. FG
The KellyTillage System is the ultimate tool for weed control. Using powerful Kelly Disc Chains, the Kelly uproots existing weeds!Whilst shallow soil disturbance brings weed seeds to the surface and encourages early germination.
Band spraying: Main nozzle (HD) and secondary nozzle (ND)
Ridge spraying: Main nozzle (HD) and secondary nozzle (ND)
Horsch has developed ‘tilted’ sprayer nozzles caps for use in band application and improved wetting in ridge crops. Two variants are o ered: a grey nozzle with 17.5 degree angle for a 10cm tilt, and a red nozzle with 8.75 degree angle for a 5cm tilt.
Using a combination of straight and tilted nozzle caps o ers a broad range of row width con gurations. Each nozzle cap is equipped with an Agrotop RowFan 40-02 E nozzle including seal and nozzle inserter. The tilted caps are available for the spring spraying season.
Band spraying: In band spraying application with a 25cm nozzle spacing, the tilted nozzles allow the row width to be adapted by 5cm (red nozzles) or 10cm (grey nozzles). For example, in sugar beet, a row spacing of 45cm is possible.
Ridge spraying: Another interesting advantage of these nozzle caps is that the combination of main nozzle (HD) and secondary nozzle (ND) with a nozzle spacing of 25cm, allows for a highly e ective wetting of ridge crops. FG
Don’t bury your investment: The carbon friendly alternative to concrete
Mudcontrol Ltd supplies durable, ecologically-sound products made of 100% recycled plastic, with a rock solid 20-year warranty, the company says.
Mudcontrol slabs are a simple D.I.Y. way to create instant, removable hard-standing for people, animals and almost any vehicle, rated to 60t load capacity.
If you need instant heavy-duty ground protection to create solid pathways, driveways, storage areas, quickly and easily with minimal mess and disturbance, Mudcontrol slabs could help you to solve your mud issues in a matter of minutes, making muddy gateways and high tra c areas safer and more robust for your business.
Each slab measures 50 x 50 x 5.3cm and weighs 7kg. They interlink with adjacent slabs with adjacent slabs to provide a stable, to provide a stable, self-supporting, free-draining surface, free-draining surface, which can be either temporary or permanent, on any soil type.
Meanwhile, Mudcontrol fencing is also made from 100% recycled plastic, inert and stable, also with a 20-year warranty.
The posts can be installed by hand or by machine and stapled, nailed or screwed into just like wood. There’s a huge range of options – with lengths from 0.85–6m, diameters from 4.5–25cm, square, round or cross-profile posts, plus rails, boards and more also available.
Find out more at www. mudcontrol.co.uk, or @mudcontrol on Facebook. FG
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Farm building projects: Who is responsible for insurance and what cover do you need?
It can be thrilling to invest in a farm building project, but it can be challenging to ensure everything runs smoothly, whilst allowing day-to-day activities to run as normal.
A-Plan Rural advises that making sure you have the appropriate insurance in place and being aware of what your responsibilities are is essential to mitigating risks involved in the design, construction and handover process.
These risks can result in millions of pounds worth of losses or damage. They can include risks in the construction process itself, workmanship or design failure (i.e. human errors), workers from di erent contractors needing to work in close proximity at the same time, as well as the farm environment. The necessary insurance covers are: • Employers’ liability (claims brought by employees) • Contract works (works in progress and materials on site) • Hired in plant (rented tools, machinery and other equipment) • Public liability (claims brought by members of the public) • Professional indemnity (for professional advisers – it covers them for compensation payable for rectifying mistakes). But where do responsibilities lie when it comes to insuring the project?
Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT)
Commonly, you as ‘the employer’ will have the building designed by an architect. A Plan Rural Insurance associate director, Ian Berry, urges farmers to do their due diligence: “You must check that the architect you commission for the project has professional indemnity insurance and verify this by obtaining copies of the relevant certi cation. Make sure it is t for purpose by sharing with your insurance broker or a lawyer to check.
“Once the building plans are nished, you would normally choose a construction company as the ‘main contractor’. The main contractor constructs the building, bringing in specialist subcontractors and professionals where necessary.”
It is usually the main contractor’s responsibility to insure the project if the building is brand new. However, do not rely on a verbal or ‘handshake’ agreement – no matter what the scale of the project, get it in writing.
Hire a lawyer before construction on the project begins, to draft a building contract. This should specify whose responsibility it is for insuring the works.
The JCT is the main building contract in the UK and, depending on the nature of the project, there are various types available. However, the most common are the ‘Standard Building Contract’ and ‘Design and Build Contract’.
The JCT, once agreed, should specify the main contractor as responsible for insuring the project. This will include any work commenced by professionals or subcontractors they employ.
Ian went on to advise: “You must be sure to verify that the main contractor has the appropriate insurance cover, with adequate indemnity limits in place. This is critical, so ask to see the documentation as proof. Note that often, everything will be contained within a ‘contract works’ policy, and again, pass it through to a lawyer and your insurance broker.
“Please do not commence construction until these parties have approved the insurance documentation, and the JCT contract is agreed and signed.”
It’s worth also noting that if the building project includes work carried out on an existing structure, which has an existing value, then certain insurance responsibilities may fall solely or jointly (with the main contractor) to the farmer (or ‘employer’) named in the JCT.
The main contractor will provide a certi cate of nal completion when construction is complete. At this point, the contract works policy automatically terminates so you must have standard property cover for the new building in place (you may be able to add this to your existing farm insurance policy).
If you choose to undertake the building works yourself, then it is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct insurance cover in place. This includes cover for any third parties (e.g. specialist tradespeople) you employ or equipment you use.
Check your farm insurance policy, as it may provide cover for contract works up to a certain limit, including materials on site and works being undertaken until completion on an ‘all-risks’ basis.
Some farm insurance includes automatic contract works cover up to a certain limit, which covers works in progress and materials on site until completion on an ‘all-risks’ basis.
However, it is best to consult a specialist rural insurance broker or insurer before works begin to make sure the appropriate cover is in place and avoid delays. You may not be able to obtain cover once construction has begun. FG
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