East Lincs open day showcases dealer o ering

Ripon Farm Services Ltd staged a successful open day for customers of its Louth depot in mid-February. David Williams was there.

The open day was the rst at the depot since Ripon Farm Services acquired the premises and trading area from RBM Agricultural, and it was intended to show o the range of products and services available from the dealer. Brands featured included John Deere, Kramer, Dalbo, Kuhn, Greencrop, Martin Lishman, Sumo, Spearhead, Bomford, Bailey, Spread-a-Bale, HiSpec, Stihl, Husqvarna and Bunning.

New and returning customers

“I was very pleased with the level of support from new and returning customers,” said Ripon Farm Services regional manager, Ben Moseley. “There were lots of enquiries regarding new machinery as farmers and contractors are keen to invest to become more e cient, including in technology that will allow them to be more precise in their eldwork and with crop treatments.

“We are extremely fortunate in having John Deere as our main supplier, as the manufacturer enjoys a strong reputation for being at the leading edge of precision farming technology.”

Optimism within industry

Ben commented that the general mood among visitors was reassuringly positive. “It’s a good signal for the year ahead that there is so much optimism within the industry. People are keen to do business with us and we look forward to a busy year.” FG

Grant con rmation encouraging sales

Ripon Farm Services supplies large numbers of slurry tankers and other slurry handling equipment through its depots.

Greencrop UK sales manager Howard Chantry was at the open day, and he commented that with more farming diversity within the dealer’s larger trading area, more products from across the range are being stocked and sold by the team.

“We know farmers and contractors have been waiting to place orders with the expectation that slurry handling and application machinery will be included in the new round of grants available, and now that this has been con rmed we expect a very busy year. Demand for slurry separators remains constantly high as farmers are keen to handle and store slurry more e ciently.”

Short lead times

Sets of Dalbo rollers displayed at the event attracted many enquiries. “The best sellers in this area are 8m working width, but 12m versions are also in high demand,” explained Dalbo UK general manager, Steve Atkin. “We have dealt with Ripon Farm Services since the Dalbo UK subsidiary commenced trading in 2010, and the dealer is a very good partner, strongly committed to the brand and happy to carry stocks ensuring short lead times for customers.” Steve (right), is pictured next to Ripon Farm Services area sales manager, Mark Manders, and Dalbo UK sales manager, Thomas Atkin is on the left.

Range-wide demand

Kuhn representatives enjoyed a busy show. “The Ripon Farm Services team does a great job for us,” commented non-inversion crop establishment specialist, Rupert Greest. “Since acquiring the Louth depot and extended trading area, we have seen a growth in sales of grass harvesting products and spreaders, and sales of tillage machinery in the area are increasing too as the sales team raises customer awareness of what is available. Power-harrow drill combinations have proved particularly attractive to farms in this area.

“Across the UK, we’ve enjoyed a busy start to the year and the supply situation has improved. Shorter lead times as well as increased stocks held in the UK mean that for most cultivation products and drills, we can still o er delivery in time for eld operations this spring.”

Kuhn parts specialist for the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, James Fox said that customers can usually rely on a next-day parts supply. “Even if dealers don’t have the part on the shelf then the item can be shipped for delivery the next day from our UK base in Telford,” he explained. “If it isn’t in the UK and is ordered early enough, then it can be shipped from France to our dedicated parts team at Telford and still be with the customer the next day.

“The MyKuhn app gives customers access to manuals and parts lists for their Kuhn machines, allowing them to identify the correct parts easily and place orders online which are then supplied and billed through their selected dealer.”

Pictured (l-r) are Rupert Greest, James Fox and Nigel Donkin.

Latest technology

Pictured looking at Kuhn spreaders at the open day are members of the Bonnet family who trade as SJ Bonnet & Son and farm at the Dairy Farm, Sloothby in Lincolnshire. The enterprise is mainly arable, but also has beef cattle and chickens. “We came to have our moisture meter checked by the Martin Lishman team, and to look at the spreaders,” explained Gordon Bonnet. “We deal with Ripon Farm Services when we need parts for our John Deere combine and are keen to keep up with the latest technology.” Pictured with Kuhn representative, Nigel Donkin are three generations of the Bonnet family at the event: (l-r) Nigel Donkin, Gordon Bonnet, Gordon’s grandson Charlie, and Gordon’s son (and Charlie’s uncle), Paul.

Moisture meter clinic

The open day featured the popular Martin Lishman grain moisture meter clinic, where customers could bring moisture meters for checking and calibration. For a reasonable charge, the meters are calibrated using samples of various crops of known moisture content, and if they are within the required parameters, then a certi cate is issued. If they fail the test, then the customer has the option to let the Martin Lishman team retain the device for repair. Pictured testing his meter is Nick Brook of CW Brook & Son – farmers based at Binbrook in the Lincolnshire Wolds, who was accompanied by Rory Barnes-Browne who helps on the farm. Martin Lishman production technician, Adam Gelsthorpe supervised the moisture meter test.

New 10m telehandler

Kramer’s latest 10m telehandler was displayed. The KT3610 was the dealer’s stock machine, and a second, similar handler is already operating as a demonstrator.

“Orders were placed from October, and deliveries started in January,” explained Kramer representative Cli ord Scaife, who is pictured (right) with Ripon Farm Services commercial director, Richard Simpson.

Versatile cultivator

A Sumo Low Disturbance subsoiler on show was awaiting delivery to Mawthorpe Farms, at Alford, Lincs. The farming operation is a Velcourt-managed farm, and the cultivator has been chosen mainly for secondary cultivations and will also be used with a liquid fertiliser applicator and a mounted seeder to establish oilseed rape. “The exibility appeals,” explained trainee manager William Clark (right). “It can be used with low-disturbance soil loosening legs for deeper operation or tted with wider feet for shallow cultivations. We needed something which wouldn’t disturb the soil, but the ability to cultivate more aggressively when we need to will be an advantage. The hydraulic overload protection is a bene t and will save time replacing shear-bolts.”

Arable machinery operator Nichols Aldrich said that the service from the Ripon Farm Services team is excellent. “We can’t fault it,” he stressed. “We deal mainly with area sales manager Mark Manders and are very well looked after.” Other products supplied by the dealer include a Sumo Trio subsoiler and a John Deere Gator, and Nichols said that a Kuhn topper and a Spearhead ail are potential future purchases from the Louth depot.

Getting the best from technology

As demand for precision farming products and services grows, Ripon Farm Services continues to invest to ensure customers can obtain maximum bene ts. There are currently ve specialist team members working within the Ripon Technology division.

“There is less room for errors, as input costs are higher and margins are tighter,” commented Ripon Technology precision agriculture specialist, Josh Beavers. “Customers can’t a ord not to know where they are applying crop treatments and whether the correct amount is being applied.”

Josh said that the amount of technology available can make it di cult to navigate systems initially. “Many of our customers didn’t grow up with digital devices, but our systems can still provide them with lots of useful information including fuel use for speci c tasks with only minimal operator interaction. Our role is about helping people get the best from their investments.”

Josh gave the example of John Deere’s 6M-series tractors, which a few years ago were rarely expected to be working with precision farming and guidance equipment, but now the technology is available as a factory- tted option.

“Our team of demonstrators and machine installers make sure that those new to the technology understand the basics when machines are delivered, then they visit again after a few weeks to explain more advanced features,” he said. “A bene t of John Deere is that the machines, systems and software are all from one company and designed to work together. Our job is to nd out what customers want to achieve and how they want their systems set up. As a larger dealer with many depots we have huge resources and experience from a big team, but customers are still looked after by local representatives with valuable local knowledge.”

Quality brands

Groundcare technician, Mike Holden is pictured with Stihl machinery in the Louth depot showroom. “We still sell more petrol chainsaws than battery versions,” he explained. “Stihl products are very well made, and the KombiSystem which consists of one power unit and a range of attachments is especially popular. When one looks at the driveshaft thickness and quality and compares it to other brands, it’s clear to see that the Stihl is designed to last. I use a Stihl chainsaw on my own farm, and although it’s 20 years old, it starts and runs like new.”

Mike said that most of the time he is preparing and servicing John Deere compact tractors and lawn tractors. “John Deere machinery represents excellent value for money when customers buy into the brand.”

Improved comfort

The John Deere 8RX tracked tractor displayed had been purchased by R Caudwell Produce Ltd. Based at Ludborough, Lincs, the farming operation grows arable crops including wheat, barley, oilseed rape, beans and vining peas, and the new 8RX replaced the farm’s previous 8370RT twin-track crawler. “We haven’t had an opportunity to use the new tractor in the eld yet,” explained assistant manager Mark Storr. “It will spend most of its time pulling drills where the turning action will reduce soil disturbance on the headlands.”

Operator Taron Lee said he is very impressed by the comfort. “I liked the previous tractor, but this is exceptionally smooth on the road and I nd the cab more comfortable.”

Dealer service and product experience encourage repeat business

A mixed arable and beef farming enterprise trading as J & JR Appleby is based at Grange Farm, South Somercotes, Louth. Family members are pictured at the open day: (l-r) Sophie, Kevin and Roland Appleby and Mary, Sam, Jacob and Andrew Haith. “We dealt with RBM at the Louth depot previously and were always looked after well, so we are very happy that the team remained when the trading name changed to Ripon Farm Services,” explained Andrew. “We use a Kramer 4t capacity, 7m telehandler which was one of the rst supplied when the dealer took the brand on. It will be due for changing soon and has proved so reliable and successful that we will almost certainly opt for another the same.” my previous combines, but the Ziegler 4WT trailer was the obvious choice for the new, wider 45ft header.

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