Out & About
With Farmers Guide editor Rachel Hicks and the team
Farmers Guide attended the Collings Brothers open day in March. Pictured are FG director, Greg Goulding; Collings Brothers' Jamie Atkinson, Rob Jenkinson, Vincent Lynch, Jason Weston, Paul Robinson, Todd Roberts, and Joshua Clayton; and Farmers Guide's latest addition to the team, new machinery editor Neale Byart. David Williams will continue to work with Farmers Guide, supporting the magazine with his much-loved machinery tests and more.
Attended by FG's Patrick Over and Aleksandra Cupriak, the new B&B Machinery depot ofcially opened in Swineshead at the end of February. The new premises will serve as B&B's main Manitou branch, centrally located to cover the Lincolnshire territory. Turn to page 101.
A few dry days in March allowed Oliver Landpower to go ahead with a planned demonstration of Sumo drills and cultivators, as well as JCB Fastracs. Pictured on the day with the Olivers team, David Williams’ report is on page 93, with plenty of videos on our social media channels too.
David Williams spent a week putting the recently updated Isuzu D-max Utility base model through its paces.
Featuring revised styling and an improved interior, as well as other new features, you'll fnd David's comprehensive review starting on page 83.
And finally…
A man was driving down a country lane when he rounded a bend, his car came of the road and ended up in a ditch. Fortunately, a local farmer saw what happened and came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy.
The farmer hitched Buddy’s harness up to the car and yelled: “Pull, Nellie, pull!” Buddy didn’t move. Then the farmer hollered: “Pull, Buster, pull!” Buddy didn’t respond. Once more, the farmer commanded, “Pull, Cocoa, pull!” Buddy just stood there.
Then the farmer nonchalantly said: “Pull, Buddy, pull!” The horse pulled, the harness tightened, and he dragged the car out of the ditch. The motorist was most appreciative, but also very curious.
He asked the farmer why he called his horse by so many diferent names. The farmer said, “Oh, that. Buddy is blind and lazy and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn’t even try!”
A unique pink drier was the highlight of this year’s open day hosted by Sufolk-based Master Farm Services, attended by Farmers Guide. Part of the proceeds from selling this equipment, as well as from other sales during the open day, will go to the Breast Cancer UK charity. Multiplatform journalist Aleksandra Cupriak attended the 2024 Farming Conference in Sufolk, and is pictured with HSBC's Grace O’Dwyer, ADM's Marc Ostwald, Bill Baker from Sufolk Agricultural Association and Paul Harris of Scrutton Bland. Read more at www.farmersguide.co.uk Customer and dealer deliveries of Kubota's KTH4815-2 4.8m, 1.5t compact telehandler start this month, so David Williams spent a day testing out the new model. He's pictured with the Kubota team on the day – fnd out more on page 87. FG's Patrick Over is pictured with retired farmer Simon Hayter (centre) and Oliver Landpower rep, George Long at the demo of a bale grab Simon made, which is being rafed for Prostate Cancer UK. Visit our social media channels to fnd out more and watch the grab in action. Farmers Guide's senior sales executive, Jana Moyes, celebrated a phenomenal 25 years'of working at Farmers Guide at the end of February. She's pictured with managing director Julie Goulding and fellow long-standing members of the FG team.Noventum Power Limited is one of the leading large-scale renewable energy companies in the UK
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How do we measure ‘environmentally good’, and how will this impact on productive land?
Farming and food production is full of uncertainty at the moment – driven by the extreme wet weather, funding for environmental schemes taking priority over growing crops, and lack of data for decision-making.
As the day length extends and most are trying to deal with the crops that have over-wintered or just been sown, there will be many also engaging with the new world of SFI, says Open eld’s head of research, compliance and shipping, Cecilia Pryce.
If my data is correct, there was over 277,000ha of English land in fallow following the wet 2019/20 winter. That was around 123,000ha more than previous years – so will we see the same increase in fallow this season? In fact, will we see any data to gauge the land use change caused by the wet weather? I feel the answer will be no, because who is recording it and in what format? I ask because fallow may just be placed into an SFI scheme and locked in for several years, meaning the area of cropable land drops.
This uncertainty regarding land use, especially on the back of no more BPS forms or legal requirement to ll in surveys, could leave the UK very short of data on which to make decisions. I’m sure Defra will publish how many miles of hedges we have in schemes, or how many acres of ower meadows we have – but will they be able to publish how much land has moved out of productive arable area, or just moved from one environmental measure to another?
This uncertainty won’t help reduce volatility in the grain markets and, if we believe current 2024/25 crop numbers, we will be facing a raft of imports just like we saw in 2020/21 crop year. The question is what commodities will be imported? I would have a bet and say largely maize; but again, the price of imported maize will be reliant on many factors – be that Ukraine’s crop size and its ability to ship, or the size of the US and
South American crops. The next few months will be spent watching local and global weather and the usual geopolitics for some guidance, while also trying to understand what information Defra has and if they will publish it. Some would argue its ‘public money for public goods’, so every scheme that a farmer has signed up to and its details should be in the public domain. This
“ The world is not going to forget about the environment and how farming could be impacting it – be that good or bad – or that globally, grain is a major food and feed source.
might not sit well, but it may prove to be a useful way for farmers to be ‘graded’ for environmental engagement by consumers; but doing so would be no di erent to rating other public sectors. Unfortunately, this could run the risk of not capturing everything that farmers are doing – but would it be a bad place to start in the absence of any other formal data?
The world is not going to forget about the environment and how farming could be impacting it – be that good or bad – or that globally grain is a major food and feed source. We have engaged with assurance as a requirement to do business, and we will likely have to engage with attaching green credentials to our grain in the coming years; so the real uncertainty is how to measure ‘environmentally good’ and does it
mean that if the government pays for it, it must be good? The answer is nobody knows, but doing nothing and not having a thought on how to measure it is no longer an option.
Fertiliser matters
As we enter a higher fertiliser demand period for spring applications both here and across Europe, supplies of imported AN remain tight leading to recent price rises, comments Open eld’s fertiliser manager, Lucy Hassall. As we move closer to the new season, suppliers will be reluctant to bring in new shipments of imported AN ahead of potential campaign o ers at lower values.
UK nitrogen o ers for April were withdrawn in early March as production capacity was sold, and are now being o ered for May delivery only at slightly higher levels. Urea has been more stable in price of late due to slower demand. India looked set to tender in the second half of March and could have the option to purchase tonnes from China if the government decides to relax the export ban – meaning more product will be available in the market.
Inhibited urea sales have been more in focus as we approached the new restricted application window from 1st April through to 15th January, on both solid and liquid fertilisers containing 1% urea and over in order to reduce ammonia emissions. FG
Price indicator (May 2024)
£153–165 Feed wheat
£135–145 Feed barley
£357 ex farm Oilseed rape
*Prices quoted from Open eld were predicted on 18th March 2024 and will be subject to regional variations.
Working safely near overhead electricity powerlines
If a machine comes into contact with a live overhead powerline (OHPL), electricity will be conducted through it to earth. Anyone touching a machine or equipment in these circumstances risks a serious or fatal electric shock. So how can farmers protect themselves and their workers?
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has put together an information sheet aimed at everyone in agriculture who may work near overhead electricity powerlines (OHPLs) and outlines what you can do to reduce the risks of when working near them1.
Hazards above
OHPLs typically carry electricity at voltages from 11–400kV. The lines are often uninsulated (bare) cables. Touching anything in contact with live electrical equipment (even at the lowest voltage) can be fatal. The height of the line varies according to the voltage carried (see Fig 1) so for example any 11kV or 33kV OHPL on your land should be at least 5.2m above the ground. Although the minimum heights of OHPLs may be adequate for most work activities, there are many agricultural machines that are capable of reaching or touching OHPLs, including:
• Rough terrain fork-lift trucks and telehandlers
• Combine harvesters
• Self-propelled harvesters, e.g. forage harvesters, beet harvesters etc
• Crop sprayers
• Tractors and tractor-mounted frontend loaders.
Remember that the overall height of a machine may be increased by tting radio aerials, ashing beacons or in the case of combine harvesters, when the discharge auger or grain tank extensions are used. Some agricultural activities may also create a risk of contacting OHPLs, including:
• Operating rain or slurry guns
• Tipping trailers
• Moving irrigation pipes or long boom irrigators
• Building temporary stacks or structures, e.g. bales, fertiliser, potato boxes
• Moving aluminium ladders or sca old poles
• Construction work including erecting steel-framed buildings
• Erecting polytunnels and temporary structures.
Assessing the risks
Before you start work near OHPLs, you should assess the risks. Find out the maximum height and maximum vertical reach of your own and your contractors’ machines; nd out the routes of all OHPLs on your land or near your boundaries and mark them on the farm map; make sure you have information about all the lines on your land – record these on the farm map, which can then be used as a reference when planning other work.
Safe use of machinery
Reduce risks by making sure machines can operate safely. For example:
• Retract the booms of telescopic handlers and keep them close to the ground when moving
• Lower grain tank lids and ensure that unloading augers on combines are stowed and not in the extended/unloading position
• Use sprayers with horizontally folding booms and never fold vertical sprayer booms on the move
• Fit shorter radio aerials and beacons, reposition or remove existing ones on high machines, so they cannot cause danger
• Remember that risks increase at dusk, at night or in poor visibility.
Protecting operators
Recognising the need for a product to support and protect farm workers when operating machinery near OHPLs, ProStraw Systems has introduced the AgriPro Line Master high voltage detection system, which was developed by Transport Support.
Matthew Taylor at Transport Support commented: “The AgriPro Line Master is an advanced version of our well-established High Voltage Detection System and has been speci cally designed for use on agricultural vehicles and machinery. The system gives a reliable warning to the driver when a vehicle is in close proximity to high voltage overhead cables. AgriPro Line Master can detect the presence of 11,000– 33,000V AC OHPLs from a distance of up to 15–20 metres.
“The system is supplied preset and is plug-and-play but, if required, it can be adjusted to alarm closer or further away from OHPLs. The new AgriPro is ideal for use on machinery such as telehandlers, harvesters, sprayers, tractors and more. Kits and accessories will be available to adapt the AgriPro Line Master for use on almost any type of farm machine.”
ProStraw Systems will be holding a health and safety open day at Grove Farm, Bury St Edmunds, on 4th June 2024. The NFU’s health and safety team will be attending to give risk assessments and advice, along with organisations o ering support on mental health and refresher forklift training. Look out for more details to be announced soon. FG
1:
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New generation of highly innovative front loaders
Claas has launched a range of six new front loaders, which it says o er signi cantly improved comfort and performance features, to replace the previous FL C series with integrated mechanical self-levelling linkage.
The new models from FL 40 C to FL 140 cover lift capacities from 940–2,490kg. Maximum lift heights at the bucket pivot point range from 3.5–4.5m.
The new loaders feature a new, innovative three-section design, which complements the design of the Claas tractors. The double-angled boom shifts the pivot point mechanism of the parallelogram downwards by more than 20cm. This gives the operator an even better view of the frame and attachment, especially as the front crossbeam has been lowered by 10cm.
The familiar Fitlock coupling system from the FL and FL C front loaders has been retained; the locking mechanism is fully automatic and entirely mechanical. With the Mach multi-coupling system, all hydraulic and electrical lines can be connected to the tractor in an instant – without the need for any additional plug connections.
The automatic bucket return function automatically returns the bucket to the horizontal loading position –increasing operator comfort and productivity.
Date set for 2024 Free Range Egg Show
The 2024 Free Range Egg Show will take place on 28th November at the Telford International Centre. The event will build on the success of the re-formatted show in 2023, continuing as a one-day conference and exhibition followed by the popular Free Range Awards dinner in the evening.
In partnership with Noble Foods and sponsored by Newquip, ForFarmers, Elanco and Boehringer Ingelheim, hundreds of producers from the UK, Ireland and across Europe are expected to attend to visit a huge, sold-out exhibition hall lled with innovative businesses showcasing their equipment and services.
Workshops and seminars will run throughout the day on hot topics a ecting producers and the supply chain with exhibitor numbers set to increase to 93 stands. The show is open to all producers – members and nonmembers of BFREPA – and any businesses connected to the sector.
Tickets will be on sale soon at www.bfrepa.co.uk
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO announced as society president
The South of England Agricultural Society is delighted to announce the appointment of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO as its President for the year 2024.
The Royal Family has long maintained a profound connection to agriculture and rural life, and the Duchess is committed to supporting the agricultural industry and championing sustainable food production.
Already serving as patron of the Association
of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), the Duchess has been a regular attendee at agricultural shows throughout the UK. Her Royal Highness is passionate about the contribution that food producers make to our national life and supports organisations that promote opportunities for young people to build careers in the British food industry, support sustainable food production and engage children with where their food comes from.
As this year’s President for the South of England Agricultural Society, the Duchess will select a charity of the year for the society to champion throughout 2024.
Innovative new project to boost knowledge of healthy soils
The TRUTH (Thriving Roots Underpinning Total soil Health) project is a three-year, £1m Defra-funded project that will bring together experts in soil and root health, sensor technology and wheat genetics. They will work alongside farmers who conduct trials on their own farms with the goal of identifying the tools they need to assess their crop roots and quantify the impact
of their farming system.
TRUTH is funded by the Farming Futures R&D fund, part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme. Defra is working in partnership with Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, which is delivering the programme.
The project will deliver two key innovations.
First, it will build on work already carried out by PES Technologies to develop its
innovative soil health sensor to enable it to measure microbial diversity and fungal:bacterial ratio.
Secondly, working closely with leading scientists at University of Nottingham and John Innes Centre, it will create the ‘Root Rangers Platform’, an online space o ering on-farm soil/root health testing tools validated during the project by the farmers taking part.
£1m funding to support regenerative fruit and vegetable farming
Innocent Drinks has announced this year it is making available up to £1 million in grants through its enhanced Farmer Innovation Fund. The fund represents an increased investment to help safeguard the longterm supply of fruit and veg through regenerative agriculture, as Innocent advances its plans to
decarbonise its supply chain.
The fund, rst launched in March 2021, aims to address the lack of funding options available to commercial farmers, by making funding available to cover losses associated with trialling new innovative farming practices.
Funding will be o ered to all Innocent ingredient
suppliers with a special focus on those providing priority fruits, such as apples and oranges, which produce the highest levels of Innocent’s Scope 3 emissions. Within the total fund of £1 million, grants will be made available between £20,000 –£500,000, with those over £500,000 considered on a case-by-case basis.
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PRECISE AND QUICK STUBBLE CULTIVATION JOKER RT
National Awareness Day launched to safeguard the
Safeguarding the future of our carrot growers and celebrating the UK’s most popular root vegetable is the catalyst for a new National Carrot Awareness Day launching on 3rd October 2024.
The British Carrot Growers Association (BCGA) is hoping this national day will help protect the future of the British carrot and its growers. Carrots are harvested in Britain 12
months of the year, producing over 700,000t. Due to the natural seasonal weather vagaries, alongside climatic changes, carrot growers are always innovating, developing new management techniques and trialling varieties to compete for survival of the crop. BCGA chair Rodger Hobson explains that pro ts have been squeezed to such a tight margin, that many
Dealer of the Year award winners announced
New Holland has announced the winners of its 2023 UK and ROI Dealer of The Year Awards, which celebrate excellence in performance and service quality across its extensive UK and Ireland dealer network.
Main category winners were: Overall UK Dealer of the Year – Russells Ltd; Ireland Dealer of the Year – M & S Machinery; Medium UK Dealer of the Year – Francis Bugler Ltd; Small UK Dealer of the
Year – T Alun Jones & Son.
Product line category winners were: Combine Dealer of the Year – Robert D Webster Ltd; Tractor Dealer of the Year – Lloyd Ltd; Hay & Forage Dealer of the Year –Lloyd Ltd; PLM Dealer of the Year – Agricar Ltd; Implements Dealer of the Year – Agricar Ltd; Construction Equipment Dealer of the Year – M & S Machinery; Telehandler Dealer of the Year – Ernest Doe & Sons
carrot industry
farmers have decided to stop growing them.
On National Carrot Day, people will be encouraged to buy, get creative, eat, and cook with carrots. A day to love the carrot, it is hoped that consumers and industry alike will post carrot dishes and other images on social media, adding the hashtag: #lovebritishcarrots to their posts.
Ltd; Parts Dealer of the Year – T H White Ltd; NPS Dealer of the Year – Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd. New Holland business director UK & ROI, David Rapkins, said: “I would like to express my congratulations to all the 2023 New Holland Dealer of the Year winners. These awards acknowledge and reward the performance and e ort that our dealers put into the service they provide to our customers.”
UK agricultural tractor registrations – February 2024
The relatively slow start to the year for agricultural tractor registrations continued in February.
While the monthly total of 477 machines was only 10 fewer than in the same month last year, it was 16% below the average for the time of year in the previous five years. That was a similar shortfall, compared with the seasonal norm, to that seen in January, although the year-on-year decline was much smaller than during that month. The total for the opening two months of the year was the lowest since 2001 but these are traditionally quiet months for the tractor market. We will know more about the state of the market once gures for March, typically the peak month each year, are available.
Month: 477 units -2.1% change (compared with February 2023).
Year to date: 952 units -15.8% change (compared with January–February 2024).
innovation with a special o er
For the last 75 years, Amazone says it has been at the forefront of drilling innovation – a milestone that is being recognised for spring 2024 with a very special o er.
To celebrate this impressive record over the last 75 years, the company is o ering a cash-back of £75/row –meaning savings of £7,200 on a 15m Citan solo disc drill, or £1,500 o a 20-row 3m drill combination. The o er applies on drills purchased between 1st January 2024 and 30th June 2024, and delivered before 31st December 2024.
The o er applies to PTO-driven and passive KE/KX/KG/ CD harrows combined with AD, Cataya and Centaya drills, as well as Avant front tank combinations and the trailed Cirrus, Cayena, Citan, Condor or Primera DMC drills.
Visit www.amazone.co.uk for the full terms and conditions of this o er.
Agricultural specialist announces winners of its first round of grants
Kramp has announced the rst people to be awarded its Cultivate a Generation initiative grants. The fund provides £30,000 annually for essential workshop equipment from the Kramp range. The rst grant awarded in the agricultural engineer category was secured by Cameron Merry eld. He works for the John Deere dealership Mason Kings.
Claire Gammin won the family support grant, which aims to help farming families at busy times. Claire and her husband are beef and sheep farmers from South Devon, and have two sons aged ve and three. “It was a wonderful surprise,” says Claire. “The grant will help with paying for breakfast and afterschool clubs for our boys during busy periods on the farm.”
Finally, Jack Sowerby, a dairy farmer from Cumbria, was awarded the young farmer grant. He hopes to use the funds to buy tools he has always wanted.
Six students at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) secured funding as part of the special launch grant. They have been set up with a Kramp account with a local Kramp dealer, and given £500 credit to spend at www.kramp.com.
Applications for ‘Cultivate a Generation’ are still open. Anyone who ts into one of the categories can apply via: www.kramp.com/shop-gb/en/l/cultivate-a-generation
RGT
RGT
“There are predictions that by 2027, we will be growing 75% less wheat. I think it will be around 50% less food, but that’s still a massive amount. Where is the food going to come from?
“I do wonder if this will really be a ve-year scheme or will we get another government in that says: ‘We have too much farmland resting and maybe we should review this’.”
Farming’s balancing act
Are schemes such as SFI and Countryside Stewardship making it possible – and pro table – to produce food and care for the natural environment? Sarah Juggins investigates.
Government intervention in farming is nothing new. Enclosure Acts, Corn Laws, Land Reclamation, Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS). Throughout modern history, successive governments have not hesitated to impose policies on farmers.
What is perhaps a little more surprising is the relative speed with which government policies ip and invert.
Take the Agricultural Bill 2020. At its heart is a move to persuade farmers to take some land out of production and to restore natural habitats.
And yet just three generations ago the onset of war saw a mad scramble to get as much land as possible into production as the government realised how reliant the UK was on imported food. Suddenly farmers found themselves being o ered grants and subsidies to get their land back into production.
Direct subsidies give way to targeted actions
Fast forward to today, and we have a situation where farmers are being paid to take land out of food production via a number of environmentally-focused incentives and policies. The Agricultural Transition Plan sees the cessation of un-targeted direct payments replaced by payments available for actions to improve the environment, increase animal health and welfare and reduce the sector’s carbon footprint.
BPS payments in England are
reducing signi cantly and farm advisors are nding themselves besieged for advice about Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS). However, the reaction to the government’s SFI o er is not one of universal approval.
Fundamental to the push back against ELMS is the question of: what is farming for? In the eyes of many farmers, the call to take agricultural land out of food production and into agri-environment schemes is ridiculous. However, the nancial incentive to stop growing food and to turn agricultural land over to environmental schemes is strong.
Harry Metcalfe is a farmer – and YouTube star – and he explains how 2025 will see more than half his farm in the Cotswolds going into environmental schemes. Following a shockingly bad harvest in 2023, Harry has concluded: “Nothing rewards me for growing food.”
The poor harvest and high costs of 2023 left Harry with a “-£15,600 black hole”. After investigating the various SFI and CS options available, he has decided to make 2024 the last year in which he will crop the entire farm.
“I am de-risking the business because I cannot have another £15,000 hit. By going into environmental schemes, I am not exposed to the markets, I’m not exposed to cabbage ea beetle, I’m not exposed to climate change and I will have a much steadier income stream.”
Less productive land will go into CS Mid-Tier schemes, replacing break crops with a combination of grass margins and wild owers. Only 125 acres of the farm will be cropped with wheat, the remainder – 60% – will be in environmental schemes.
It is not a situation that lls Harry with joy: “I don’t think the government or the public have woken up to how things are going to change. The government have put out these schemes and at no point is food production mentioned.
While food security seems only now to be creeping onto the government and public’s radar, the debate between farmers is getting more and more vocal – some may say polarised. A call by Farmers Guide for reaction from the farming community to this issue received a heated response.
Strong voices in favour of food production
Among the respondents was Cornish farmer Roland Eustice. His response read: “I’m not going to take land out of production. I don’t agree with it, and I never will.”
Somerset farmer Philip Hall added: “We are cutting our cow numbers to accommodate our new CS and SFI schemes, and shedding sta . Our output will drop as a result.”
Beef farmer Claire Stretton, who farms in Dorset, o ers her own opinion: “I have a beef suckler herd and I need every inch of land for grazing so to enter a grant-based scheme is not an option. It would cost me more in the long run.
“It is ridiculous what the government is doing. I have a massive issue with the way the government is telling us how and when we can farm.”
continued over…Due to the war in Ukraine, Millet values have increased rapidly in recent months and we are seeing higher prices at
2024,
Claire uses the example of government restrictions on the application of manure. “They [the government] are telling us when we can spread manure, not taking into account the weather. Everyone in farming knows we farm according to the weather.”
And for arable farmer Rob Smart, who farms in the productive Cambridgeshire Fenlands, there is just no sense in turning over part of his arable land to natural habitat.
Speaking on the Farming Social Hub podcast, Rob said: “The government seems to think they can write new policies and rules and we do our best to comply, but we ask ourselves ‘have they ever been on a farm’?
“We can’t get excited about conservation here. This land was reclaimed in the 1700s to grow root crops and cereals so if you were to put anything back into natural habitat, you would just get a feld full of thistles and reeds. We produce some of the highest yields in the country and we have 70 million people who all need feeding. I believe that is why I am here.”
A diferent viewpoint
For every farmer that feels their job is food production, there is a counter viewpoint that says improving the natural habitat is as much a farmer’s responsibility as feeding the nation.
“We all agree that even the most productive farms have areas that consistently under-perform and need to be fogged really hard to produce much, and obviously at a lower margin. We are currently being ofered cash to take those areas out of production and use them for the good of the environment.”
The River Mun Catchment Group’s farming cohort is a microcosm of the current debate. Members range from a farmer who is turning arable land into a wetland through to a farmer who declares that he has “never taken a penny of government subsidies, and never will.”
Confusion all around
While many farmers know exactly where they sit in the debate, for a large majority, there is confusion and concern about the future.
Richard Heady (above right) is an arable and livestock farmer from Buckinghamshire. He says: “I don’t feel at all confdent in the direction I should be taking our farm. My heart is telling me to grow food, and persevere with legume break crops even though yields are extremely variable, and margins often non-existent. My head is telling me to stick a third of the farm into the SFI and claim the reliable annual payments.”
While Richard welcomes SFI payments for cover crops and bufer strips, he says he is uncomfortable with removing large areas of quality land from food production. He sees SFI options encouraging good practice such as companion cropping but fnancially he cannot see a way of getting near the levels of payment ofered under BPS while actively farming the land.
And he echoes the point raised by Harry Metcalfe: “I worry about the longevity of the scheme, with a likely change of government, and many worthy departments banging on the door of the Treasury for extra funding, will it last longer than three years?”
Tom Gurney (above) farms in North Norfolk and heads up the River Mun Catchment Group, a cluster of 10 farmers. This land is mainly arable, growing potatoes and wheat, but the group is exploring ways to introduce more biodiversity onto the land. Over the past few years, Tom has noticed a change in attitude among his farming neighbours.
“There is a mix of opinions. I think 5–10 years ago we wouldn’t have got our cluster group of the ground. Now there is both the carrot and the stick and people are generally changing their view, or at least they are open to fnding out a bit more.
Piecemeal information adds to confusion
In Cumbria, a group of independent farmers forming the Orton Fells Farm Cluster (OFFC) has been grappling with Defra’s changing SFI guidance.
Speaking on behalf of the OFFC, Jane Lane, a founder member, says: “The piecemeal delivery of information on the new agri-environment grant scheme opportunities has and continues to make it difcult for farmers to make frm decisions about what options to sign up to.
“The frustration that this causes was exacerbated by the recent
changes in payment rates for several CS options. Farmers who had already signed up for new agreements late last year felt they had been misinformed.
“Although Defra has assured farmers they can change to new CS and/or SFI agreements, this will involve more paperwork and costs.”
One specifc issue has been raised by Cumbria Farm Environment Partnership adviser Paul Arkle, who works with the OFFC. It centres around the UP2 option to help conserve upland waders.
Paul says: “The UP2 payment is still lower than the less-committing GS5 Very Low Input Grassland option and, particularly, the new SFI LIG2 action. As it is now, there is still little incentive for upland farmers to agree to measures that will help to protect breeding farmland birds. Several farmers who are coming to the end of their CS Mid Tier agreements are likely to want to apply for GS5 now and abandon the UP2 option.”
Paul highlights the added risk that the higher-value GS9 option may become over-subscribed and applied to areas with only limited potential to beneft breeding farmland birds.
Navigating the current landscape
The OFFC has come together out of a common belief that farming for food and nature recovery can go hand-inhand. However, says Jane Lane, there is concern about the future of the traditional upland farms that have been producing food for centuries. “Upland farming is predominantly made up of small independent family farms which form the bedrock of our communities. I recognise the challenges of working with a host of small farmers but there are some really forward thinking groups and networks who are keen to engage with government to assist on delivery. “It would be tragic to see the demise of small farms in the rush to achieve high level environmental delivery, which is far easier to achieve at scale. It may be more challenging to deliver but to see real landscape change requires working from the bottom up. We need to support farmers and
help them adapt to meet these new, broader ranging requirements for land management and sustainable food production.”
Like Paul Arkle, Charlie Ennals (below) is another farm adviser trying to help farmers navigate the current landscape. She splits her time between working as an independent advisor in Norfolk, and as an agricultural adviser for regenerative food and farming company Wildfarmed. Her experience refects the current state of the sector.
“Our Wildfarmed-contracted farmers are very much up to speed on SFI. Some need help with exactly which actions to go for but on the whole they understand what will work for them,” says Charlie. “However, across a wider community, there are still a lot of people that have not looked at SFI and are distrustful. It worries me that some of these farmers will get left behind. I would add that there is some concern about food security in the farming community.”
Across the sector the question about the purpose of farming continues unabated. No farmer has expressed a desire to be a park ranger but when the most fnancially stable option is to put productive arable land into environmental schemes, then you have to wonder how history will judge these latest government interventions. FG
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Making the most of straw: To chop, or bale?
With straw prices high due to supply issues, making it more tempting to bale and sell straw of-farm, AHDB outlines the advantages that incorporating straw could bring to arable growers.
According to AHDB, the advantages of incorporating straw include:
• Returns nutrients and organic matter to the soil
• Reduces nutrient and soil particulate loss
• Improves soil health (e.g. measured by earthworm numbers)
• Removes compaction risk associated with straw removal
• No delay in accessing the feld for the next crop.
Disadvantages, however, include:
• Increases fuel costs
• Contributes to combine wear-andtear costs
• Provides a ‘green bridge’ for some pests/diseases through crop residue
• Causes nutrient lock-up issues associated with crop residues
• Crop residue can limit in-feld operations.
Other points to consider include:
• Soils with low levels of organic matter (e.g. less than 5%) will respond more positively to incorporated straw, especially if no other sources of organic material are applied regularly on the farm
• Is the combine straw chopper and chaf spreader efective enough, especially with wide headers? Will raking be needed?
• A short chop length will promote quicker decomposition but can lead to greater nutrient lock-up at the time of next crop establishment. Use the longest chop length possible, without compromising spread width, to reduce nutrient lock-up, save fuel, and reduce wear and tear
• Consider whether your cultivation/
drilling equipment can deal with the residue, especially in wet weather
• Reduced cultivation supports worm populations and straw decomposition. Ploughing in poor conditions can bury straw into anaerobic conditions and slow/ prevent decomposition
• With slug control options increasingly limited, it is essential to assess the risk from this pest to the following crop. Where risk is high, consider selling straw. FG
Nutrient content of cereal straw:
Straw contains signifcant amounts of potash, and some phosphate and magnesium. Typical values of phosphate and potash contained in straw are published in Section 4 of the AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209). This information can be used to calculate the equivalent market value of nutrients. These fgures can be used alongside nonmonetary measures, such as attitudes to risk (e.g. compaction risk), to make a fnal decision.
The Precision Cultivator
The Vario is used as a primary cultivator to achieve a true one pass finish
8M working length produces an optimum mix of soil and crop residue
8 rows of tines with 130mm spacing
Working depth 2-18cm
Equipped with easy shift on the move depth control
Available in 3m,
working widths
Versatile options to suit all types of cultivations
German manufacturer Köckerling produces a wide range of cultivators and drills to suit di erent soil types and conditions, with a reputation for long life, low running cost, and versatile machines, Samagri Ltd says.
Samagri Ltd is the sole importer for Köckerling. With a farming background, the company has a vast in eld experience of its products, and says it prides itself on making sure the farmer chooses the right machine for their farm.
For large and small farmers there is either a trailed or mounted cultivator to suit all types of cultivations. This versatility is re ected in the range of trailed cultivators available from 3–14.5m.
The Allrounder is capable of a number of di erent tasks, including seedbed preparation after ploughing, opening soil for quicker drying,
secondary stubble cultivations, and as a primary cultivator in lighter conditions.
The Quadro and Vector can be used for deeper working, or shallow working with the addition of wings. The Vector has full hydraulic depth control.
The Vario is the agship of the eet. Equipped with full hydraulic depth control, and eight rows of tines the Vario is a true one pass cultivator. The Rebell is a short disc harrow which is available either mounted or trailed, and Classic (510mm discs) or Pro line (620mm discs) versions. The Classic version is available from 3m mounted up to 12.5m trailed.
All Köckerling cultivators and drills come with the renowned original STS roller and have a very generous under frame clearance for heavy trash conditions, the manufacturer says. FG
More acres, less down time, lower costs
With the recent prolonged wet weather, there is the chance that more eld work is going to be pushed into a smaller work window. Making sure that you are using wearing parts from a reputable source is key to achieving more acres per pound spent and reducing valuable down time replacing parts. Bourgault Tillage Tools replaceable tip tine is proving a huge success with early adopters of the system, the company says. Available for use on the Weaving Sabre Tine, Amazone Cayena, Kuhn Megant and now the Horsch Finer, the replaceable tip tines are worth considering, BTT points out.
If you need further convincing, then speak to the company directly and it says it will put you in contact with an existing farmer user. Alternatively, BTT can help you with an ‘On your own farm trial’ whereby you
compare six BTT Replaceable Tip Tines with your current supply and you can then decide for yourself, explains BTT’s Ian Clayton-Bailey. Mr Clayton-Bailey also points out that there is so much more than just better wear rates with the Replaceable Tip Tine – di erent tip width options, better seed placement, less chance of slotting, lower draft requirement and less metal ending up in the scrap bin are just some of the other bene ts to consider, he says.
Contact BTT UK directly for more information. FG
Cultivating soil solutions
The Guttler Supermaxx range simply stands out as the ultimate cultivation companion. Built to perform, the Supermaxx offers exemplorary stubble clearance and the most technically advanced spring tine system on the market.
Scan here to find out why you should be using a Supermaxx.
Versatile cultivator ‘customised’ to your spec
The Güttler Supermaxx claims to be the most versatile stubble cultivator available on the market. It’s modular, ‘customisable’ design allows con guration of this machine to suit any operator, any condition, and any application.
Simple, reliable, and e cient machinery has never been more important. Protecting and maintaining the soil structure, tackling black-grass and weed control, battling increased fuel and labour costs are only some of the challenges of modern agriculture.
With a simple, straightforward concept, the Güttler Supermaxx could be exactly what you need, the manufacturer reckons.
Standard tine arrangement across the board
Standard to the whole range of Güttler Supermaxx models is the tine and tine arrangement. The 45 x 12 x 660mm sprung tines, all tted with reinforced helpers are tough and durable but, most importantly, allow a high frequency vibration which produces an even tilth, will bring loosened weeds to the surface, and incorporate stubble, chopped straw and any other crop residue.
Tines can be set to work in very shallow conditions and increase incrementally by 1cm with a simple pin arrangement. Tine depth is maintained with front-mounted gauge wheels if there is no rear roller or by a rear-mounted Güttler Roll x Roller.
Whilst the tine spacing between the tines is set to an optimum 12.5cm, the tines of the Supermaxx machine are set over 5–7 rows and it is this spacing
between the rows that spaces the tines to allow trash and stubble to pass seamlessly through.
Options available include a complete range of widths, mounted or trailed versions:
Levelling options – Including levelling boards and additional harrows. Whilst standard machines are supplied with a single levelling harrow of 12mm sprung tines mounted behind the tines, options are available to t an additional harrow or parallel levelling board behind the tines in any con guration to suit. This may be directly behind the existing harrow giving a ‘double row’ e ect, between the tines and roller or directly behind the roller.
Hydraulic ripper boards and paddles –Hydraulically operated paddle boards are tted in front of the tines on the trailed 9m, 10m and 12m versions of the Supermaxx as standard. These can be modi ed and tted with 12mm ripper board plates if desired, and hydraulically operated ripper boards can be tted to mounted machines.
Tine options – A wide range of tine points are available for the tines:
• 8mm thick reversible points are tted as standard
• Hard wearing, reinforced tungsten tipped points – approx. 5-6 times the longevity of standard points
• 200mm wide stubble point with double bolt attachment
• New hard wearing GF200 forged stubble point with double bolt attachment now available.
Patented lock washer – Patented Wox ‘lockwashers’ are available for the tment of tungsten tipped points to ensure secure tment of the point to prevent loss during cultivation operations as tine vibrations can easily loosen standard bolt and washer tments.
However, there are also optional features which Guttler says set this machine apart from the rest. Options include:
Rollers – The Güttler lightweight synthetic ultra roller for soil consolidation. Well-known throughout the market, the unique hardwearing but lightweight option of the synthetic ultra Güttler roller can be tted to all of the 5-row versions of the Supermaxx machine. Depth control of the tines will be controlled by the roller – if no roller is tted the depth of tines is accurately controlled by gauge wheels and the rear levelling tines.
Seeder options – Fitment of seeders. Convert this machine to a tine seed machine by tting a Güttler hydraulic seeder unit. The 410-litre seeder as supplied on the Greenmaster system is ideally suited to the Supermaxx system. Simple tment of seeder and access platform will result in a system perfect for establishing cereal and cover crops. New patented direct seed coulter boots are now available to deliver seed directly into the tine slot.
Compatibility with the Güttler Range
The Güttler range of consolidation rollers are a perfect complement to the Supermaxx range. In particular, the trailed Master and Magnum range tted with 45/50cm cast iron rings in unique ground contouring framed giving complete soil coverage, leaving an ideal loose crumbly nish with rm consolidation beneath. FG
Introducing 10m wide compact disc harrow
Lemken rounds o the top end of its range of the proven Rubin compact disc harrows with a machine o ering a 10m working width, launching an implement that, despite its large disc diameter of 645mm, has EU-wide road approval for speeds of up to 40kph.
Lemken’s new compact disc harrow can be hitched via a ball coupling or drawbar eye, and hydraulic support is available to make attachment and detachment easier. The two rows of serrated concave discs allow
thorough incorporation across the full surface width from a soil depth of just 7cm. The 14cm line spacing ensures blockage-free work even with large volumes of organic matter. Each concave disc of the
Rubin 10/1000 is equipped with an overload protection with damped kickback, which reduces loads on the frame.
The new Rubin o ers many more advantages, for example
STRONG IN ACTION, FLAT AND INTENSE.
its working sections feature a pendulum type suspension to ensure optimal following of the field contour. On very uneven terrain or when working on slopes, the optional iQ-Contour pendulum compensation guarantees optimum surface adaptation. In addition, the hydraulic depth adjustment makes it possible to respond to changing conditions and the working depth can be changed while driving. During the turning process, the implement is supported by the roller, which Lemken says has particularly strong bearings. Thanks to its wide contact area, the machine is firmly supported and minimises soil compaction.
The Rubin is also innovative when it comes to transport. The machine is folded in from the cab, with the roller’s patented folding system ensuring that the width is reduced to 3m and the height to 4m to meet the requirements for road transport throughout the EU. Despite its large working width, the Rubin does not require an expensive system carrier, as the tractor and implement can be flexibly deployed and are safe on the road even at a speed of 40kph, Lemken assures. FG
The Rubin 10 ensures thorough mixing of soil and vegetation, even when cultivating stored grain, maize straw or tall cover crop stands. Thanks to the symmetrical disc spacing, it provides intensive soil even under di cult conditions - even at shallower working depths.
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The Top Disc™ is a linkage mounted high speed compact disc harrow, fitted with the new Open Channel™ soil to soil roller, for fast and efficient cultivations.
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Sugar beet experts give their advice for this spring
Examining budgets and potential margins from sugar beet this season is Jock Wilmott, a partner and agronomist at Ceres Rural. He works with farmers in the Cambridgeshire – Hertfordshire area and has been advising on sugar beet crops for over 20 years.
“We do gross margin calculations for sugar beet,” says Mr Wilmott. “When you put the new (contract) price in, it looks competitive against combinable crops, certainly combinable break crops.
“Historically, we haven’t tended to look at sugar beet on a cost-per-tonne basis as we have done with cereals. At £40/t, you would think the margins would be healthy, but if you look at it on a per-tonne basis, it isn’t as good as rst thought.”
Not including the 2023/24 crop, the ve-year average beet yields for the country are 71.5t/ha at 17% sugar, explains Mr Wilmott. Using his average growing gures, an average crop costs almost £30/t to grow. Adding a land rent of £500/ha increases the growing costs for an average yield to £37/ha. Mr Wilmott advises that the best way to improve sugar beet margins is to push the yield.
“Looking at the prices for cereals, the issues getting wheat crops established and how well they look, beet has to pull its weight this year. It is all the more important to get the yield above 80t/ha if you can,” he says.
Sugar’s transport allowance or beet delivery service will help to o set some of this. Seedbed preparation, drilling, spraying, fertiliser spreading and agronomy are the smallest contributions to growing the crop but are the most important, states Mr Wilmott.
“We don’t know what (weather) we will face this spring, and the costs are more nely balanced than the £40/t headline price would suggest.
“It is all about establishing the crop well, getting it growing, and closing the canopy. This will help protect against virus yellows and mitigate any late herbicide sprays.
“Patience and attention to detail when preparing land for sugar beet will be critical this year. There is a margin in sugar beet, which has to support the other crops in the rotation, so a lot relies on a decent year.”
Spray intervals are crucial to good weed control
Drilling down into herbicide programme costs this spring, Jock predicts most crops will need four post-emergence broad-leaved weed sprays costing at least £150/ha. In most of the scenarios Jock comes across, he has to do something to control blackgrass, which adds roughly another £35/ha for Centurion Max (clethodim).
Chambers. “My view is to follow up a successful rst post-emergence spray closely with a second, especially if there is a high weed burden.”
“Intervals between sprays become more of an issue when it is dry,” adds Mr Wilmott. “The beet can be growing slowly, and weed emergence is protracted. In this situation, there won’t be much help from the residual herbicide, so you will rely on contact activity.
“This is when intervals can become drawn out. Once there is rain, everything goes again, and the timings tighten.
“Since we lost Betanal Maxxpro (ethofumesate + phenmedipham + desmedipham + lenacil), we don’t have the products to get us out of jail. We can manage with the actives we have, but we must be more adaptable.”
Ms Chambers agrees that the industry has missed desmedipham to boost the activity of herbicides, but she believes its role can be partially replaced with adjuvants.
“In some situations, not including an adjuvant (with a herbicide) is like having gin without the tonic. In trials, I have seen a 50% increase in e cacy by including an adjuvant.”
Adjuvant advice for herbicide programmes
herbicide uptake. In conditions like moderate to serve frosts, high diurnal range and fast-growing crops, using an adjuvant can increase the potential for herbicidal crop phyto expected under these conditions.”
Newman Cropspray 11-E is one of the most common adjuvant oils used with beet herbicides. Mr Sucking reminds growers of the advice for the rate depending on the temperature.
Up to 18ºC, and he recommends a dose rate of 0.75-litres/ha. The rate should be dropped to 0.5-litres/ha if the temperature is between 18ºC and 21ºC, and growers should switch to a methylated seed oil (MSO) above 21ºC.
Mr Sucking explains the reason for the switch to an MSO like Phase II at higher temperatures is because the droplet spreads on drying, dissipating the herbicide across the leaf surface, whereas mineral oil contracts the droplet when it dries, increasing the herbicide concentration.
Straight versus co-form herbicides
When talking about straight herbicides, Ms Chambers says they are based on metamitron, ethofumesate, and phenmedipham.
Analysing the growing costs overall, crop inputs (40–45%) comprise the most signi cant part. Harvest and transport (40–45%) also represent a large percentage, although British
Controlling volunteer potatoes with clopyralid or adding a preemergence spray further increases the overall cost.
“Where there are issues with weed control, often it is because the spray intervals are too wide,” says British Sugar technical support manager, Pam
The primary reason for using an adjuvant oil with herbicides is to break down the waxes on a weed leaf surface to allow faster penetration of the herbicide into the weed, describes Rob Sucking, commercial technical manager at De Sangosse.
“Ultimately, adjuvants increase
The three actives combined have a synergistic e ect. Ms Chambers describes a 2022 BRRO and UPL trial at Bracebridge Health, which had a high population of fat hen of 44 plants per m2. Three sprays of an ethofumesate, phenmedipham and metamitron tank mix gave 100% control. This is compared to ethofumesate and phenmedipham, which only give 38% control by themselves and 84% control together without metamitron.
“In certain situations, a coformulated (herbicide) solution ts,” says Mr Wilmott. “A dynamic situation where you have a mixture of dry and
Experts from Ceres Rural, British Sugar and De Sangosse discussed the prospects for sugar beet this season and recommendations for herbicide programmes in a webinar hosted by UPL. continued over…
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wet periods in the spring and sprayers are busy suits straight herbicides because you can adjust the rates up and down.
“Some activities, like quinmerac, are only available in co-forms, but for the most part, we can do what we need to do with straight products.”
To do a pre-emergence herbicide or not?
Whether there is a value in a preemergence herbicide for sugar beet often divides opinion among agronomists and growers. Ms Chambers highlights how the soil moisture in 2023 resulted in good weed control from a pre-em.
“If you have black-grass, I would look to do a pre-em of ethofumesate plus metamitron,” she says. “Another
good reason for a pre-em is if you are pushed for time and think the frst post-em sprays will be challenging to apply at the correct time.”
Ms Chambers would recommend using straight ethofumesate and metamitron when doing a pre-em.
“Unless you have problem weeds, I don’t think you need to play that (preem) card,” adds Mr Wilmott. “Although, if you are growing a lot of beet, it certainly helps to take the pressure of. Doing some early metamitron followed by some rain will deliver a return. However, I don’t advise you to do it until you have seen the conditions ahead.”
Weed control advice for herbicide-tolerant beet
The area sown with herbicide-tolerant Conviso sugar beet varieties in 2023
was around 20,000ha. British Sugar predicts a similar area this season.
The yield gap between Conviso varieties and conventional ones is closing. The one area where growers should avoid Conviso is if they have a beet cyst nematode (BCN) problem, cautions Ms Chambers. There are no BCN-tolerant Conviso varieties, although some are in development.
Mr Wilmott expects most Conviso sugar beet to receive a conventional pre-emergence herbicide to help with the control of weeds like black bindweed and give greater fexibility for the Conviso One (foramsulfuron + thiencarbazone-methyl) timing.
“One conventional broadleaved weed spray and the Conviso herbicide is not expensive,” he says. “However, you also have to consider the additional cost of the seed and following the stewardship of the technology (by controlling bolters).
“There is also the question of what to do with black-grass. Conviso One is a relatively good black-grass herbicide, but it is similar sulfonylurea (SU) chemistry to that being used elsewhere in the rotation, like Atlantis (metsulfuron-methyl + iodosulfuronmethyl).”
Growers should be mindful of the resistance status of the black-grass
Hits the mark year after year.
populations in their felds and use a black-grass active pre-emergence spray and Centurion Max in a programme with Conviso One if they think they have target site resistance, encourages Mr Wilmott.
British Sugar has undertaken a mini project with ADAS to screen weed populations for broad-leaved weed ALS resistance in a few felds. Seeds taken from poppies and chickweed that survived the herbicide programme were examined for herbicide sensitivity, and they did fnd some levels, although Ms Chambers stresses that some incidents of poor control were not related to resistance.
“It is not surprising,” explains Ms Chambers. “Over 160 species (globally) are resistant to ALS chemistry.
“In the past, we wouldn’t notice herbicide resistance in sugar beet because we are very good at tank mixing diferent herbicides.
“When you come to Conviso One, it is just one type of chemistry; tank mixing is not allowed. We need to look at including conventional herbicides (in Conviso programmes) at pre- and early post-emergence, especially if there is any suspicion of ALS resistance.” FG
Broadway® Star gives excellent control of brome species, ryegrass and wild oats in wheat.
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Simplifying the challenge of wild oats with e ective controls
Wild oats are a widespread weed that most growers have, or will, come into contact with. Farmers Guide spoke to FMC commercial technical manager Kirsty McKenzie, about why wild oats pose such a challenge and what growers can do to ensure e ective control.
In a normal season, when conditions allow, the use of the stale seedbeds are a practical way of controlling the rst ush of wild oats. Unfortunately, weather conditions this autumn meant that stale seedbeds were di cult to achieve, if achieved at all.
In addition, while some growers managed to get autumn herbicides on their crops, there remains a signi cant hectarage that is yet to receive a herbicide application. This means that both autumn- and spring-germinating wild oats will require controlling.
Miss McKenzie explains that wild oats can be severely competitive with the crop.
“It’s calculated that a single wild oat plant per square metre can reduce the yield of a cereal crop by up to a tonne per hectare. Add to this that seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 20 years, and it’s clear that e ective control is essential,” she says.
“In recent years, wild oats have become a more frequent problem because of a change in practices to control grassweeds in the autumn.
“Previously, growers may have been incidentally controlling wild oats with other grassweed herbicide applications, such as Atlantis, but more recently its use has declined due to black-grass resistance,” she explains.
However, Miss McKenzie reassures that there are still many e ective methods to control wild oats, but it’s crucial to understand what the risk factors for wild oats are and the most e ective control options to stop it getting out of control.
Using cultivation methods to reduce the risk of wild oats
Miss McKenzie explains that any grower across the
UK can have a problem with wild oats, but certain situations can encourage the development of the weed, including cultivation.
“For example, minimum tillage or direct drilling is thought to help the control of wild oats by not disturbing the weed seedbank; however, it’s important to control even low populations to prevent seed returning.’’
For min till systems, Miss McKenzie says leaving the seeds exposed on the surface for animals, such as birds, to eat can help to reduce the population.
“On the other hand, ploughing with a good amount of soil inversion can be e ective at reducing the number of seeds at the surface by burying them and preventing germination.
“But if wild oats are becoming a signi cant issue, you may need to discuss other cultural controls, such as rotation, with your agronomist,” she says.
Herbicide options this spring
Miss McKenzie adds: “Growers this season are likely to be facing two di erent challenges. Overwintered wild oats in their autumn-sown crops that now need to be controlled, and the control of spring-germinating wild oats.’’
Fortunately for growers, there are herbicide options that allow for the e ective control of both of these.
“As all post-emergent spring applied wild oat herbicides are contact-acting, good coverage is essential to achieving the highest level of control.
“Contact-acting herbicides should always be applied at the recommend water rates on the label,’’ she says.
“Growers should also apply these herbicides at
an appropriate forward speed, to ensure optimum coverage.”
She explains most wild oat herbicides will have the best performance when the weeds are actively growing. However, if conditions become particularly dry during the spring, it is important to increase the water volume to ensure the herbicide reaches down into the canopy. One example of an e ective herbicide against wild oats is Foxtrot EW, formulated with fenoxaprop. This contact herbicide can be used in both wheat up to GS39, and barley up to GS31.
Miss McKenzie says: “The earlier you can target wild oats the better, so making sure you apply herbicides at the appropriate timings and rates will be key.
“The application rate should be appropriate for the growing conditions and the size of the weed.
“In barley, growers can use up to 1-litre/ha and up to 1.2-litres/ha for wheat,” she says.
Growers should discuss with their agronomist about the best approach to their wild oats.
To manage very late germinating wild oats, hand roguing is both the best method for control and a cost-e ective option.
“Weed mapping at the end of the season will also help growers identify where they may face problems in subsequent years. Wild oats are incredibly frustrating, but the good news is, growers can easily control them if they follow an integrated control programme,” she concludes. FG
Controlling wild oats in practice
One grower who has found success in tackling wild oats is Nick Farrow. Farming across 500ha near the Norfolk Broads, Mr Farrow grows winter and spring barley among his wider rotation and has some land in stewardship schemes.
Mr Farrow’s land has frequently been prone to wild oats and around a year ago, he took on land which had commercial oats in the rotation.
“Wild oats have been a signi cant weed on our farm for the last few years and if not controlled have the potential to become a big problem,” he says. “Our barley was nearly smothered one year by wild oats, so it’s really important we have good products to tackle it.”
Mr Farrow says controlling wild oats is now a key priority for the farm in the spring and developing a robust control programme has been fundamental in stopping wild oats from becoming a signi cant issue.
“We make sure to apply a pre-emergence herbicide in early spring to establish good control early against wild oats.
“Then, we apply Foxtrot EW at a litre per ha at around GS31 which helps to tackle any developing weeds.
“We’ve found this programme to not only be the most e ective for taking down wild oats but it has also been simple to implement as we only have to apply one product later on in the spring, saving us time and money,” he says.
Mechanical hoeing a key component of spring weed control
During the key spring weed control period, mechanical hoes can play a key role in not only managing weed challenges, but also reducing reliance on herbicides, providing a coste ective and sustainable solution to growers.
“A combined approach to weed control can help reduce reliance on chemical inputs by incorporating the use of mechanical weed control alongside reduced herbicide programmes, as highlighted in recent research from NIAB,” explained Garford Farm Machinery technical sales and marketing manager, Allan Knight.
The research demonstrates that non-chemical approaches to weed
control, including the mechanical inter-row hoe, have the potential to help o -set herbicide resistance and substantially reduce reliance on herbicides in conventional broadacre arable crops.
The Robocrop guidance system from Garford allows for accurate and e cient hoeing and chemical application for both in row and inter-row weed management and prevention control. The system uses video cameras and image analysis computers to locate crop position and then guide the hoes quickly and accurately.
Mr Knight said: “As agrochemicals are withdrawn from the market, more and more conventional farmers are beginning to appreciate hoes as a more appropriate solution, in combination with other weed controls.”
Garford Farm Machinery ranges are also eligible for the Government’s Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2024 – application deadline is 17th April 2024.
Details of the NIAB research and Robocrop guided hoe range can be found at www.garford.com FG
Tackling resistant weeds and boosting growth
One key bene t of hoeing is the ability to destroy ‘resistant’ weeds. As well as weeding, there are further agronomic bene ts, including: Removing capping and opening up the soil thus improving aeration; and increasing the soil’s ability to hold water. Plus moving the soil and darkening its colour will cause the soil to warm up quicker, resulting in better growth.
At LAMMA, KRM launched the ‘Klinea’ – a new model of hoe designed speci cally for hoeing cereal crops. The specially designed tines and shares ensure that the surface of the soil is scalped at a constant depth, thanks to the individual control of each element. An innovative joint system supporting the tines incorporates a non-stop, spring safety system and enables e cient and precise adjustment
of the share angle, important for penetration in tough conditions.
All Klinea machines come as standard with harrow tines behind the element to remove soil from the inverted weeds to prevent re-growth.
The new Kipline camera system guides the machine along the crop rows and the Weed Pilot in-cab display provides the operator with a clear overview of machine’s performance. Hydraulic lifting of each element is an increasingly popular option allowing the tines to automatically raise out of work at the headland and is especially useful in irregularly shaped elds.
Alongside hoeing there is increased interest in companion cropping and many customers choose to mount a seeder on their Klinea, allowing two operations to be carried out in a single pass. FG
Time and labour savings
An Essex-based, organic salad and vegetable grower says that a tractor-mounted, operator controlled rotary weeder is providing an e ective and accurate inter-plant weeding solution – allowing two people to do the work of ve, and in half the time. David Williams reports
Trading as Sarah Green’s Organics, Sarah Green is the third generation of her family to farm at Tillingham. She runs the highly successful enterprise with her parents, Steven and Sally, and her husband Stuart. The company specialises in supplying vegetable boxes which local customers collect or have delivered, and it also grows and supplies fresh harvested produce for vegetable boxes retailed through independent businesses, as well as to Londonbased customers via the Better Food Shed. A twice-weekly inner London delivery service supplies produce wholesale to gastropubs, restaurants and shops. In 2023, a pick-your-own pumpkin patch growing pumpkins and squash organically on three hectares was added, and the successful venture will be repeated this year.
Approximately 30ha of land is certi ed organic by the Soil Association and crops are grown on a six-year rotation. Seasonal vegetables are grown on 12ha – lettuce, tomatoes, courgettes, beetroot, spring onions, and new potatoes in the summer months, and kale, cabbages, Brussels sprouts, cauli owers, leeks, purple sprouting broccoli, swede and celeriac in the winter.
Year-round supply
Because most of the produce is retailed, a regular supply is required through the season. “Our elds are a real patchwork of vegetables, with just a few beds of a variety planted at a time,” explained Sarah. “Fieldscale vegetables require regular weeding which is why we invested in the mechanical weeder, and these include cauli ower, cabbages, kale, Brussels sprouts, purple sprouting broccoli, leeks, radicchio, chard, beetroot, swede, kohlrabi, courgettes, squash and pumpkins. Because we don’t grow acres and acres of these crops in a single area, our system is less suited to robotic weeding. The crops are in rows which means we can use our tractormounted brush weeder or steerage hoe, but these only weed between the rows, so gaps between the plants remain a problem.”
Camera-guided robotic weeders were trialled but proved unsuccessful, explained Stuart. “Because such a wide variety of crops are grown in relatively small batches, camera systems struggle with the frequent changes in crop colour, height and stature.
“Experience has proven that the ‘eye doesn’t lie’ – computer systems are easily confused by variations
within our beds, but when we tried the Spapperi weeder which relies on an operator’s judgement to activate the inter-plant hoe weeding units, the results were pretty much faultless.”
The Spapperi weeder was purchased from UK importer JF Hudson Ltd in January 2022, for the start of the growing season. “My father-in-law saw the Spapperi weeder advertised in Farmers Guide magazine, after which we contacted James Hudson at JF Hudson and requested a demonstration,” continued Stuart. “That was late in 2021, at the end of the season when there were few areas of crops suitable for the trial, but we tested it in cauli ower and kale which had been overwhelmed by the weed population, and the results were extremely promising.
“We found the JF Hudson team very helpful from arranging and carrying out the demonstration to arranging delivery, and since then they have always been happy to provide support.”
Specialist manufacturer Spapperi o ers a wide range of specialist machinery including its Inter-Plant and Inter-Row mechanical weeders. Inter-Plant weeders are available in versions of one to four row widths, and adjustable row spacing allows use in a wide variety of salad, vegetable and fruit crops.
A single row model with a hydraulic headstock was selected by the Green family, as this was considered the best option for working in the tight, 38cm row spacing. The headstock is easily adjusted on the move to align the weeding units with the plant rows, and the two hydraulic-activated and powered rotating hoe units are moved in and out between plants by a pair of levers.
unit is practically self-contained and suitable for use with smaller tractors, including those with less powerful hydraulic systems. No complex computer software is involved.
“Only two people are required to operate it,” explained Stuart. “The downside to the single row model is that three passes are needed to weed each bed, which takes extra time; but, even so, half a day on the Spapperi weeder replaces a full day of hard hand-weeding by ve people.”
Variable plant spacing no problem
Plant spacing depends on the crop, so it varies considerably across the farm. “Some summer crops grow fast enough or are close enough together so that only a pass with our brush weeder is needed which is obviously cheaper and quicker,” continued Stuart.
“For other crops where the Spapperi will always be the better solution, we have increased spacings in some cases from 20cm to 25cm to allow faster working with less collateral damage. Ground conditions must be reasonable, and if seedbeds are good then the Spapperi works brilliantly – whereas if the ground is too compacted, very wet or stony then we resort to conventional weed control methods.”
Easier management and improved timeliness
Asked what di erence investment in the Spapperi weeder has made to the business, Stuart explained that the main bene t is that it releases people from weeding duties leaving them free to carry out other tasks and improves timeliness.
The integral hydraulic system uses an on-board pump driven by the tractor PTO, which means that the
“Our small team can carry out harvesting, planting or irrigating while weeding continues elsewhere. It’s much easier to spare two people for weeding than ve, and the fact that anyone can operate the Spapperi on the back of the tractor is a real advantage.” FG
How sprayer tech can make a di erence to results
While the products used to control weeds and disease are key to control of the target – at the right rate and in the right conditions through the right nozzles – the technology built into a sprayer can also have a signi cant impact on results. Innovations from Knight Farm Machinery designed to enhance application accuracy and ensure best e cacy include Vario-Select nozzle automation, which automates the selection of four di erent capacity nozzles on each body to provide up to 16 application rates of up to 800-litres/min. The system, which can also be used for spot spraying in conjunction with a prescription map, allows the operator to select the required application rate and droplet size, minimum/maximum pressures and working speed range, after
which it then selects the best nozzles for the task.
Vario Select also governs exible rate control. Application precision is further aided by the availability of variable rate application technology and of pulse width modulation (PWM), with electrically-actuated nozzles to instantly alter ow rates individually, while Knight’s Curve Control system manages outputs across the boom width to maintain the correct application rate during turns.
For dealing with dense crops where canopy penetration is a challenge, many Knight sprayer models are also available with air sleeve technology, to help get to the heart of plant or weed growth. For more information, speak to Knight or your local dealer. FG
Boosting e icacy with tank mix adjuvants
According to “adjuvant expert” Interagro, adjuvants can play an essential role in reducing yieldrobbing weeds, pests and diseases. As well as improving pesticide e cacy, they can also reduce crop damage.
Advice from Interagro says that partnering your crop protection sprays with the right adjuvant can be vital to maximise success and add as much as 40% e cacy and over 1t/ha yield in a challenging situation.
The company explains that while in-built wetting systems improve pesticide coverage across the leaf, this is normally never enough.
Spraying a water-based solution across a waxy hydrophobic leaf is challenging – your spray solution will always bead on the waxy leaf so it can’t spread out properly. This means your spray coverage is always inadequate.
A good wetting system in your pesticide will help reduce water beading but you apply your pesticide at a rate/ha, so you are not taking water volume into account, Interagro points out.
Tank mix adjuvant application rates are based on water volume, allowing you to reduce beading even further for optimal coverage.
Interagro explains that adjuvants can o er a variety of bene ts, from stabilising and mixing your pesticides in the spray tank, to improving the targeting of your spray application and helping it to reach its intended destination – on or inside the target.
This is achieved through pH bu ering, emulsifying, wetting, spreading, sticking, or penetrating. Some adjuvants also help with drift reduction. Find more information at www.interagro.co.uk FG
An introduction to biostimulants
At a recent webinar hosted by Yara, product manager Chris Harrold explained that biostimulants are a complex subject in their own right.
Opening the webinar, Mr Harrold pointed out that farmers are being asked to produce more food, but in a more sustainable way – getting the most out of the inputs they are using with NUE, and respecting the environment being used to produce that food. And at the same time, doing all this while dealing with extremes of weather. Mr Harrold commented: “Biostimulants will play their part in how we move forward with sustainability, while maintaining or increasing productivity.”
He pointed out that a large chunk of the genetic yield potential of crops not being reached is due to abiotic stress – which is where biostimulants could have the most impact. Biostimulants have been categorised by AHDB into two groups – nonmicrobial and microbial.
Microbial biostimulants consist of a microorganism or group of microorganisms, including mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal fungi, bacterial endosymbionts like rhizobium, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.
Beneficial mycorrhiza have a symbiosis with plants and interact with plant roots in different ways. The benefits include nutrient efficiency of macro and micro nutrients, water balance as well as abiotic stress reduction. But, pointed out Mr Harrold, the limitations on their use relate to the difficulty in propagating the beneficial mycorrhiza on a large scale.
With beneficial bacteria, the functions that influence plant growth include supply of nutrients, an increase in nutrient use, efficiency and enhancement of abiotic stress tolerance. But the technical difficulties in formulating the inoculants can give rise to inconsistent results in practice.
Non-microbial biostimulants are typically derived from various organic or inorganic substances and can include amino acids, humic substances, seaweed extracts and surfactants.
The use of seaweed offers positive effects via the soil microflora, helping growth-promoting bacteria. Seaweed also influences hormonal effects relating to germination, establishment
and further growth and plant development. Anti-stress benefits have also been reported with protective compounds in the seaweed extract, such as antioxidants.
Chitosan is derived from chitin. Agricultural applications of chitosan have been developed focusing on plant protection against fungal pathogens, but also tolerance to abiotic stress.
Humic substances are natural constituents of the soil organic matter resulting from the decomposition of plant, animal and microbial residues. Although they generally provide positive results, they can have variability in performance due to the source, the environmental conditions at application, and the crop type.
Amino acids are obtained from both plant and animal bi-products. Direct effects can include better nitrogen uptake and assimilation, and indirect effects on plant nutrition and growth have been seen as these proteins are known to increase microbial biomass, soil respiration and overall soil fertility.
View the webinar: www.yara.co.uk FG
Biostimulants can have specific benefits
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Sales of biostimulant rise as growers seek help fighting diseases
MJP Supplies, which distributes the seaweed-based Algifol biostimulant in the UK, has said that sales in 2023 were up 25% year-on-year.
MJP Supplies owner Marcus Palmer (pictured) says the increase is due to three key factors: “We saw sales increase by a quarter largely down to larger repeat orders from satis ed customers. Sales of our 1,000 litre IBCs also proved popular with both large-scale growers and liquid fertiliser manufacturers, wanting to include Algifol as part of their own mixes.
“As well as the repeat orders and IBC sales, I think we also bene tted from farmers seeking to boost their
crops’ disease resistance.”
Algifol is derived from brown algae, which is dried and re ned. The result is an entirely natural liquid boasting a wealth of trace elements, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, carbohydrates, polyuronides and growth-regulating plant hormones, which help increase disease resistance.
One of the bene ts of applying biostimulants such as Algifol is enhanced nutrient uptake, which helps crops defend themselves against pathogens.
Some biostimulants also trigger a plant’s defence mechanisms, leading to induced systemic resistance. This process involves the activation of various defence pathways, making the plant more resistant to pathogen attacks.
Algifol also helps crops withstand environmental stresses such as heavy rainfall and droughts, which can increase the crop’s susceptibility to diseases.
Improved root development leads to better water and nutrient take-up, which can enhance the plant’s ability to withstand disease pressure. FG
Seed breeder announces UK rebranding
LS Plant Breeding Ltd has announced it is rebranding as NPZ UK Ltd to align with its international shareholder. Managing director Chris Guest (pictured) commented: “The main di erence for the UK trade will be the new logo and branding, and as the operational business and the team will remain the same, please continue to talk to your usual contact.
“This change comes after successfully growing brand awareness in the UK over the course of the past number of years with our successful range of products across the oilseed rape and pulse portfolios.
bring the reputation and backing of 126 years of plant breeding in NPZ to our UK customers, and gives more transparency to the background of our varieties to the farmer customer.
bring the and backing the background of our customer.
“Norddeutsche P anzenzucht
Hans-Georg Lembke
“We are now ready for the next step, especially with the next generation of hybrid oilseed rape varieties coming through the pipeline, including the likes of our new OSR variety, Maverick.
“Aligning with our parent company brand allows us to
KG (NPZ) is well
KG (NPZ) is well known throughout the European and global seed business – and creating a stronger connection with our parent company is important for everybody within the UK seed sector, including internally within our own team and also the UK farmer – and this change is very timely at this next stage of agricultural transition in the UK.” FG
NORAC Boom Height Control Systems available for select manufacturers
The Benefits of Boom Height Control
•
• Allows operator to focus on drive path
• Operator can go faster Maintain
• Increase application efficiency – get the most from your spray
• Too low = Streaking
• Too High = Drift Issues
• Ensures chemical application is not wasted due to improper boom height Cover More Acres
• Work day and night – sensors do not need light to “see”
• Take advantage of low wind conditions at night
• Spray faster – no manual boom adjustments
Other Benefits/Features
• Boom height control systems may offer other features such as Headlands Assist so that the boom can be automatically lifted and lowered at the end of the field
• Satisfaction guaranteed
Derek Johnston
+44 (0) 1228 580372 sales@precise-solutons.co.uk
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Asorbital Technology
Powering up the performance of prothioconazole
Prothioconazole is widely used against a range of cereal and oilseed rape diseases, but not all brands of this generic active ingredient are created equally: compared to standard formulations, ADAMA’s unique AsorbitalTM formulation technology enables growers to power-up their fungicide programmes by using to a product with enhanced activity against a range of wheat, barley, oat, rye and oilseed rape diseases.
Both of ADAMA’s straight prothioconazole products – SORATEL® (250 g/L prothioconazole) and MAGAN® (250 g/L prothioconazole) –are the ideal choice for cereal crops this spring, as they o er improved control of septoria, rusts, mildew and fusarium ear
blight compared to the current marketleading prothioconazole brand.
Independently proven bene ts
Independent laboratory trials by BioTransfer have shown that the uptake of ADAMA’s AsorbitalTM formulation is quicker and more e ective against septoria compared to the market leading prothioconazole product.
The graph above shows a 20% improvement in septoria control in the rst 6 hours after application, due to the improved uptake of SORATEL® compared to Competitor A.
Longer lasting protection
Laboratory trials have also shown that the AsorbitalTM formulation o ers better rainfastness than the market leading prothioconazole product.
In this trial, wheat plants were treated at the 2-3 leaf stage and subjected to 40mm of simulated rainfall at 1 or 3 hours after treatment (illustrated in the graph below left). The plants were inoculated with septoria 24 hours later, and disease levels assessed after 21 days. In both cases, the AsorbitalTM formulation achieved better control of septoria compared to the market leading product.
Multi-pronged attack on devastating onion infection
Preventing onion crop loss from fusarium basal rot (FBR), a devastating infection caused by a soil-borne fungus, is a hot topic currently being tackled by multiple organisations in the industry.
Bulb onions, a staple of the UK’s agricultural landscape, have long been a cornerstone of the nation’s farming industry. However, the emergence of FBR has cast a shadow over the future of onion cultivation, with devastating losses driving growers out of business. Against the backdrop of climate change exacerbating the issue, urgent action is imperative to protect this vital crop.
FBR disease can attribute up to 40% of crop losses for growers, which currently costs the onion industry more than £10 million a year.
‘FUSED – Integrated fusarium early diagnostic and management’ is a twoyear, £1m project spearheaded by Lincoln-based R&D company B-hive Innovations and run by the British Onions Producer Agency (BOPA), and is aimed at saving UK onion crops and
revolutionising FBR detection.
Supported by Innovate UK, under Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, the research aims to defne better ways of detecting and managing FBR infection, particularly at the earliest stages of onion production.
B-hive Innovations general manager and FUSED project lead, Dr Andy Gill, said: “B-hive is delighted to be coordinating eforts to combat FBR infection in onions. The project will bring together many members of the British onion sector who share a common desire to prevent FBR, each bringing their expertise that can help to drive innovation.
“By engaging with the grower base at the beginning of the research process, it will enable us to develop solutions that are ft for purpose, a
key mission that drives B-hive’s research projects.”
B-hive will be working alongside research experts including agronomists from VCS Agronomy and The Allium & Brassica Centre, academic researchers from the University of Warwick, agri-tech innovation centre CHAP, and members of the research team at RSK-ADS.
Moulton Bulb, G’s Growers and Stourgarden and Bedfordshire Growers will provide additional support from their presence in the onion growing sector.
As well as overall project management, B-hive will be contributing computer vision expertise to the project in eforts to detect bulbs afected by FBR in the feld.
B-hive’s head of machine learning, Dr Mercedes Torres, said: “Our goal is to detect infected onions during growth and at the earliest possible stages, and we are excited by the challenge this brings. We’ll be drawing on our considerable expertise in remote sensing, including use of hyperspectral imaging in agriculture, and are confdent that we can fnd better ways of detecting disease.”
Research experts at the University of Warwick
In response to this pressing challenge, researchers at the University of Warwick are harnessing cuttingedge technology to develop a novel approach to FBR detection.
The team is pioneering innovative detection techniques that involve both developing a DNA-based soil test to identify felds with high risk of disease and leveraging the distinctive scent of onions, that utilise scent-based indicators to identify when onions are infected. This groundbreaking methodology promises to revolutionise the way FBR
is detected and controlled, ofering a ray of hope to onion growers nationwide.
With a multifaceted approach encompassing advanced sensing technologies and biological insights, the initiative holds the potential to transform the landscape of onion farming, ensuring its sustainability for generations to come.
University of Warwick plant pathologist, Professor John Clarkson, said: “This project is an exciting opportunity for the School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering to provide new approaches to tackling fusarium basal rot of onion, which is increasingly devastating for UK onion growers. As well as supporting Engineering and the wider consortium with expertise on the disease, my team at the Warwick Crop Centre will develop new DNA-based molecular diagnostic approaches to detect the pathogen in soil so that growers can use this test to avoid planting onions in highly infested felds. The test may also help to assess the risk of onions developing basal rot in storage.”
University of Warwick professor in Electronic Engineering, James Covington said: “This is a highly relevant project to the UK and british farming to solve a problem that is plaguing the sector and resulting in signifcant fnancial loss. Our odour analysis approach provides a non-invasive, non-contact method to monitor fusarium in store, even when tonnes of onions are stored together, and where visual inspection is not possible. This will provide a means for rapid decision making, to help the industry to reduce crop losses. This project builds on the strong collaboration of the School of Engineering and School of Life Sciences working together with our consortium partners and the agri-tech sector.” FG
Beet growers on verge of another high aphid pressure season
Beet growers could face a virus epidemic on the scale of 2020, with aphids expected to be ying into new crops as they emerge.
This leads experts to stress the importance of good early crop husbandry, monitoring of local aphid pressure and correct and timely use of the available foliar insecticides to guard against signi cant yield losses.
Early ight
Issued on 1st March, the Rothamsted Insect Survey aphid forecast suggests that virus yellows vectors will be ying two to three weeks earlier than the historical average in England, with the rst capture of peach–potato aphid at Broom’s Barn currently predicted for 10th April.
Rothamsted Research’s virus yellows model forecasts that incidence of virus yellows will be 83% in the absence of any control measures, which breaches Defra’s 65% threshold required to trigger the use of Cruiser SB (thiamethoxam) on seed.
It is expected around 40% of the crop area will be drilled with untreated seed and with aphids arriving when crops are at younger, more susceptible growth stages, this poses a signi cant risk.
Good establishment
At the time of writing, wet soil conditions and continuing rainfall were holding back drilling, with British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) head of knowledge exchange Dr Simon Bowen advising growers to “wait for warmth” and ensure crops get away quickly.
“This will have a massive e ect on germination and prepare the way for rapidly and evenly
continued over…Arable
...from previous page established crop stands. These often perform better and su er less virus content.”
With untreated crops potentially emerging into aphid activity, Certis Belchim technical manager James Cheesman (pictured) says monitoring of pest pressure as seedlings break through the soil will be critical.
Keeping an eye on Rothamsted suction trap data, information from BBRO’s network of yellow water pan traps spread across the growing area, plus physically looking for aphids on emerging plants will all help inform decision making.
“Early infection is the most damaging infection and growers need to be prepared to spray as soon as the treatment threshold is breached (see box).
“It’s also important to note the di erences between the only two insecticides currently available, as these can a ect the order in which they are used,” adds James.
Rapid knockdown
Growers have access to InSyst (acetamiprid) and onicamid products Teppeki and A nto.
James says InSyst provides rapid knockdown of aphids, with mortality typically seen within 30 minutes of application, so where there is an early migration and numbers are high, acetamiprid is the best choice.
Teppeki predominantly works through aphids ingesting the active substance, which stops feeding within one hour, and mortality occurs by starvation
and dehydration in two to ve days after application.
This means the potential for virus yellows complex transmission is soon stopped, but growers and agronomists may still see live aphids present in the crop on inspection just after application.
“Teppeki is kinder to bene cial insects like ladybirds and lacewings and is another consideration when planning an insecticide sequence in crops without a Cruiser SB treatment.
“You can’t rely on a bene cial population entirely when pressure is high and you’ll need the rapid knockdown of InSyst in that scenario, but where numbers are lower and bene cials are also present, Teppeki might be a good rst option to maintain the population,” notes James.
Product persistence
InSyst controls aphid numbers for about 14 days after application and Teppeki 21 days when aphids feed on the leaves to which it was applied (it does not move into new growth).
Although applying the two sprays sequentially cannot guarantee 100% virus-free crops, James says that if recommended doses are used and application quality is high, aphids and disease can be well managed.
Ensuring crops have adequate nutrition and minimising the risk of herbicide check will help get crops to the 12-leaf stage faster and infection beyond that growth stage is much less damaging.
Mixing aphicides with herbicides could be
tempting given the increase in the spring crop area this year and greater pressure on sprayers.
James warns against this, with compromised timing potentially reducing e cacy of the applied products and suggests contractor support could be useful in getting spray timings spot on.
“Coverage is another critical factor in good control and operators should use a water rate of at least 200-litres/ha.”
Treated crops
Simon adds that crops drilled with Cruiser SB should be protected for up to 10 weeks from drilling, so depending on aphid numbers in June, a foliar insecticide might be required if the crop has not yet reached the 12-leaf stage.
Consecutive applications of neonicotinoid products are not permitted, so the Emergency Authorisation for Cruiser SB speci es that if subsequent foliar sprays are required, the rst one must be a onicamid containing product.
“If aphid thresholds are breached again this can be followed by InSyst,” he concludes. FG
Foliar insecticide treatment thresholds in sugar beet
• One green wingless aphid per four plants up to the 12-leaf stage (check a minimum of 20 plants per area – ve aphids per 20 plants)
• After the 12-leaf stage the threshold is one green aphid per plant.
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Trials highlight need for IPM in beating PCN
Improving control of potato cyst nematodes (PCN) and wireworm is a focus for The Potato Partnership. Results from two years of trials highlight the fallacy of relying on nematicides as a sole means of protection.
Applying the granular nematicide Nemathorin (fosthiazate) at half rate and in sequence with Velum Prime ( uopyram) delivered yields comparable to that of full-rate Nemathorin alone, in PCN control trials run by The Potato Partnership (TPP). This is the second year where the combination of the two products has delivered yield protection equal to that of full-rate Nemathorin, says TPP director and Agrii head of potato research, Nick Winmill (pictured). The addition of a silicone-based adjuvant to Velum Prime was also found to increase yields, albeit not signi cantly.
“This is a compelling result. Manufacturer trials have sought to promote the performance of Velum Prime in sequence with Nemathorin, but there were some who were sceptical. We have shown that by using the two products in unison, yields can be maintained. This is good news should product renewal be granted at a reduced maximum application rate,” says Mr Winmill.
of Nemathorin in protecting yield potential, but with its regulatory approval set to expire before the end of the decade – possibly sooner if the Health & Safety Executive feels inclined to follow the path of the European Commission – the need for new methods of control is exercising researchers, advisers and growers.
Collaborative endeavour
TPP represents a collaborative endeavour between James Foskett Farms, growers and sta of East Su olk Produce, CUPGRA, Agrii and independent agronomist, Graham Tomalin. It has sought to use the products and tools available to overcome the challenges threatening the sector. This is less about evaluating new or old products in isolation, explains Mr Winmill, but about seeing them as part of an integrated approach that considers cultural controls in the context of the situation.
PCN is one of the most signi cant threats to the economically worthwhile production of potatoes. Identifying the measures needed to improve control has been a research focus for TPP for the past two years. Results so far con rm the superiority
“It is beholden on us to identify and develop solutions to these challenges that consider all available means rather than relying on one or more products. We need holistic solutions to these problems. These trials are part of our e orts to identify them,” he says.
For the second year, TPP trials have investigated how to improve
the performance of Velum Prime as part of an integrated programme. In standalone trials, Velum Prime has delivered 50–60% of the yield protection a orded by Nemathorin, but those within the TPP are of the opinion that this could be improved if it is combined with other products and greater application of cultural measures, such as wider use of varieties with better resistance and tolerance.
Further investigation
In 2022, the treatment trial took place on a site with a PCN population that was 100% Globodera rostochiensis with an egg count that ranged from 9.9–38.3 eggs/gramme of soil. In 2023, a separate site with a population that was 100% G. pallida was selected with an egg count of 2–29 eggs/gramme of soil. In both years, the site was planted with Maris Peer.
“The top three performing treatments for both gross yield and marketable yield all included Nemathorin, this was either alone at full rate or at half-rate in sequence with Velum Prime with or without the inclusion of SP058 (a siliconebased adjuvant). It underlines the importance of fosthiazate in protecting the economic viability of maincrop potatoes until we can nd a more sustainable answer,” says Mr Winmill.
Importantly, the same treatments that delivered the highest yields
also gave the lowest multiplication values.
“It is disappointing that all treatments resulted in a post-crop population increase. This con rms the accepted opinion that varietal resistance is the best means of controlling populations for the longterm. Unfortunately, commercially accepted varieties that exhibit resistance to both G. pallida and G. rostochiensis remain elusive,” says Mr Winmill.
An area of further investigation is the use of a foliar-applied plant elicitor applied with the intention of improving crop health in the presence of PCN. This was applied at full crop emergence, but Mr Winmill says this may not be the best timing to fully exploit its contribution.
“Given what we know about G. pallida and its hatching duration of up to 18 weeks, is it fair to expect a foliar spray at crop emergence to support long-lasting action? Perhaps a more logical approach would be to apply a follow-up spray or in sequence with a conventional nematicide at the eightweek point when activity begins to fall away?” says Mr Winmill.
“The addition of SP085, the adjuvant, to Velum Prime applied as an overall spray and incorporated improved gross yield, but not signi cantly. This is the second season we have observed this result although in 2022 the e ect was greater where Velum Prime was applied in-furrow,” he adds. FG
Mix strategy to counter blight resistance risks
Potato growers can manage the increasing incidence of blight resistance with e ective fungicide mixing strategies, and still retain the bene ts of utilising the most potent chemistry to protect crops, advises Syngenta technical manager, Andy Cunningham.
Speaking at the Potato Science Live events, he highlighted how the mandipropamid mixing strategy enabled growers and agronomists in Denmark to dramatically reduce the outbreaks of CAA compromised blight strain EU_43 from over 70% of recorded cases in 2022, to less than 20% of outbreaks last season.
As a result, the recommendations
for the use of Revus in Denmark have increased by over 60% for this season, from two applications per crop to ve, with a range of fungicide mixes.
“UK growers are in a far more fortunate position, given that the EU_43 strain has never been sampled in blight monitoring programmes, and they have many more options available for mix partners that will enable them
to reliably use Revus in this season’s programmes.”
Mr Cunningham reminded growers that Revus has consistently proven the most potent blight fungicide for protection through the most important early and mid-canopy phase, outside of OXTP – with news that this too has now been compromised with resistance in the European blight population.
“There has been an emergence of a new blight genotype, EU_46, in the Netherlands,” he reported. “We still need to understand what impact it will have. However, due to our understanding of the resistance mechanism to CAA chemistry, there is a very good chance this new strain will be sensitive to Revus, meaning mandipropamid becomes the solution to the issue,” he said.
To ensure Revus retains its full e cacy, and to avoid selecting for any resistant strains, should they arrive in the UK, Mr Cunningham advocates it should always be used in mix with a complementary blight fungicide with an alternative mode of action. Furthermore, the partner must be used at a rate that will give protection equal in duration to Revus in the blight programme schedule.
He cited suitable partners for Revus
in the UK for the 2024 season include mancozeb, uazinam, propamocarb and cyazofamid, as well as the leading contender, amisulbrom.
“There is potentially a role for cymoxanil to give kick-back activity, in the event of a weather delayed application, but in our Euro ns blight trials there was indication that it may not give the desired duration of protection – so intervals would have to be tightened,” he suggested.
Mr Cunningham reported the robust resistance breaking strategy of fungicide mixing had been proven in the Euro ns trial, even in an inoculated and infection cultivated trial with the uazinam resistant EU_37 strain, a season-long programme of uazinam – mixed with a range of partners, maintained full or high levels of control.
“Potato growers and agronomists need to take a responsible approach to planning this season’s blight strategy, and still take full advantage of the bene ts of Revus for highly e ective foliar blight control and, by keeping the crop clean, minimising the risk of tuber blight spread.”
The combination of mandipropamid and amisulbrom could prove especially valuable, targeted at the reduction of tuber blight risks. FG
Using technology to keep production costs lower
Accurate nematicide application is more critical than ever, as UK potato production faces new and diverse challenges. One farmer explains how he has increased application accuracy to maximise e ciency.
For potato grower Ollie Dennis, of Dennis (Haddenham) Limited, running a successful 700ha arable farm that includes 400ha of potatoes grown annually for the crisping, chipping, packing and processing markets is about attention to detail and using the best technology and equipment to keep production costs as low as possible.
Ollie, who manages the family
“Out
business alongside his father Jonathan and uncle William Dennis, said: “In the 80 years since my great grandfather rst established the business, I’d certainly argue that the last 10 years have seen as much change as the previous 70 combined.
“However, as farmers, we often have to remind ourselves that external factors such as unpredictable weather, Brexit, in ation and larger geopolitical
events such as the war in Ukraine are out of our control, so it’s all about focusing on the elements we can control, and that obviously includes keeping on-farm production costs as low as possible to ensure the business remains pro table.
“A key early spring task is nematicide application, but, given that the cost of nematicide has increased by over 50% during the last 10 years, accurate application to maximise the e cacy of the product and minimise wastage is as important as it’s ever been.
“In 2014, we ditched our old chaindriven Horstine applicator following both calibration and maintenance problems and invested in the rst of three Maxicast nematicide applicators from manufacturer Techneat Engineering.
“The key bene ts of the Maxicast are that it has lower running costs than most other applicators, 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.
“Applying the nematicide is safe, accurate and straightforward with a
of this world” start to 2024 for packing company
Pace Mechanical Handling, which has been working with farmers and packers since 1996 has revealed that it received orders worth a six- gure sum in February 2024 – it’s best-ever month.
“2024 has started very well indeed for us,” says Pace’s managing director, Nick Cesare. “We have seen considerable interest from people across the industry, from growers looking to improve their on-farm packing to larger factories keen to add capacity, reduce operating costs and increase e ciency.
“I think there are three driving
forces behind our excellent start to the year. First, there’s a shortage of people looking for work in the sector, so automation is the only way to operate e ectively. Secondly, people know that our systems are highly e cient, reliable and built to last. And, nally, the Improving Productivity grant round two from the government, which nancially supported the use of robotic or automatic equipment to improve productivity and address labour shortages, has lowered the cost of capital expenditure.”
In particular, Pace has seen
considerable interest in its new Stella Evolution system. The scalable line for on-farm packing features an Electra weigher capable of handling 10 tonnes per hour, an In-bag Weigher designed to ll 10–25kg potato sacks, an auto sack placer and presenter, and a complete bag control system feeding a heavy-duty Smitsen DS9C sewing head.
For further information about Pace’s Stella Evolution and the
closed transfer lling system and the machine’s 12 shtail outlets, spaced at 450mm intervals along the full width of a 5.4m boom, deliver the product precisely where it needs to be within our three-bed system via a powerful hydraulic fan. To further improve accuracy this season, we will be investing in an Isobus controller for better variable rate control and adding an auto-shut o system for more accurate headland control.
“With a large 400-litre hopper that ensures we stop to re ll less often, and an all-weather cover to protect the machine, the Maxicast has extremely low running costs and o ers a high level of accuracy. It can also be used to apply cover crops, and, since we have recently decided to minimise ploughing in future establishment, we’ll be adding a cover crop mix to improve our potatoes by putting more nutrients back into the soil and improving our soil structure from this autumn.
“Technical back-up and service support from Techneat has always been excellent with each Maxicast serviced pre-season alongside its annual National Sprayer Testing Scheme compliance test,” concluded Ollie. FG
company’s wider range of automated packing solutions, visit www. robotpalletizing.co.uk FG
Charter announced to define and underline agroecology
Since the hugely successful inaugural Hutchinson’s Agroecological Conference in 2023, there has been a huge uptake in agroecology across UK farms. Even so the practice remains relatively niche, and this needs to change. Head of agroecology Ed Brown opened the 2024 Hutchinsons Agroecology Conference with the announcement of an industry rst Agroecological Charter.
enough to provide a base level cost of production or net margin at a eld level, to compare di erent systems or rotations. For example, comparing the nancial performance of one part of a eld against another, or in monetary terms the impact of moving away from a winter barley to two years of herbal ley under SFI,” said Mr Foyle.
But, he added, equally as important is quantitative data. “This is based on soil data; most farms will have information to hand on soil nutritional data such as soil pH, organic matter, soil organic carbon, and perhaps even worm counts, Vess scores, water in ltration.
“This quantative data can help inform management decisions in the short term as to how any changes are a ecting soil health, to indicate if going along the right route and re ects the building blocks for long term success.
term, which must be justi able. “With current margins it doesn’t take much of a drop o in yields for incomes to become unsustainable. Unless achieving premiums, yield should remain king, and ensuring this is the goal underlines the importance of the correct advice.”
“Where agroecology is carried out correctly overall spend can be potentially reduced, with net margin increasing, reducing exposure to risk and fundamentally building more resilient farm businesses.” (See Chart below). FG
The terms regenerative or agroecological have become watered down meaning they are in danger of losing their impact. To avoid this, where claims are made around regenerative credentials, be it large corporations, retailers, or farmers themselves, this needs to be evidenced.
As with all change there is a risk to changing practice and moving into new territory. Unfortunately, for various reasons, agroecological farming practices are often poorly understood or implemented - which inevitably means they go wrong. So the farmer loses income, probably also con dence of the system – and ultimately none of the goals have been met.
Taking these challenges into account, Hutchinsons has worked hard with leading industry experts to produce the rst Agroecology Charter, which will be published later this year.
Hutchinsons Agroecology Charter will:
• Clearly de ne the meaning of agroecology
• Outline key management processes including objective setting and resource building
• Highlight key risks associated with them and ultimately reduce the chances of costly mistakes
• Point to the relevant tools and resources to reduce risk.
Knowing your numbers
To understand the impact of adopting
agroecological practices over a conventional approach on farm performance, it is crucial to look at the data, and truly understand the nancial implications of a certain approach, was a clear message from Hutchinsons farm business consultant, Will Foyle.
“Adopting an agroecological approach is just not as simple as buying a new drill or turning the taps o inputs. Understanding the relationship between input and output is still paramount and keeping an eye on yield and nancial performance.
“Just as in any conventional operation, it doesn’t take much of a loss in yield if inputs are reduced more than they should, to have an impact on the bottom line and become nancially unsustainable,” he explained.
Much of the data needed to be able to do this, is already to hand, pointed out Mr Foyle. “Most farms will have yield data and input data, such as spray records, fertilisers and seed costs, even if these can only be related back to invoices. Then bring in xed costs from fuel, labour, and other sundry overheads, which will help to provide a base level cost of production at a farm enterprise level or even a eld or sub eld level if overlaying a yield map.”
So how can this data be used to inform decision making on farm and assess one approach or, for example, type of machinery against another when choosing to move over to a more agroecological approach?
“Having these gures to hand, is
“Improvement of these gures will ultimately give better nancial performance in the long run, and it is key to understand these especially when looking to monitor change in a farming system to justify the right decisions are being made,” he noted.
He recognised there can be an unavoidable drop in yields from agroecological farming in the short
Challenges and opportunities
What are the challenges in our current farming climate and what opportunities does agroecology o er?
• Political: Climate goals, questions around food security linked to global con icts.
Opportunity: Agroecology is the best placed farming system which provides most opportunity to take hold of the argument and stake out how to produce food in the most sustainable way.
• Financial: 2024 halfway through agricultural transition period. BPS cheque in 2024 will be half of that of BPS in 2021. Only three years from BPS being abolished. New income based on a something for something basis.
Opportunity: Agroecology o ers opportunity to build premiums, integrate stewardship and build markets where there is less emphasis on being price takers.
• Environmental: Many options at various levels of engagement.
Opportunity: Various, but top two within agroecology are SFI £102/ha combined for no-till drilling and variable rate application of products.
• Cultural changes: Ageing population that may not want to embrace wholescale change unless succession is clear.
Opportunity: New entrants or expanding businesses who are happy to farm land on embracing change.
• Technical: Regulatory pressure on farm and consumer pressure through the food chain.
Opportunity: Using data to justify decision making on farm.
• Energy costs: Energy price volatility.
Opportunity: Potential grants for farm level roof top solar, technology becoming cheaper.
• Carbon: Be aware – lots of di erent advice and few known quantities. Opportunity: Irrelevant of trading, good husbandry for soils is good for carbon.
Newly designed direct drills head to the UK
New to the UK market, Maschio Gaspardo’s range of Gigante notill drills have recently undergone a number of upgrades to make them more efective in even the most challenging conditions. While previously unseen on UK shores, direct drills have been built at the Gaspardo factory in northern Italy for some 34 years and have sold around the globe in considerable numbers for over three decades, the company says.
The Gigante is a disc-coulter no-till seed drill available in working widths of up to 6m with a choice of either 15cm or 18cm row spacings. In its most recent incarnation, much attention has been placed in building on its abilities to penetrate hard-baked, dry stubbles while maintaining an even seeding depth, Maschio Gaspardo explains.
The new coulter design incorporates two independent spring-loaded arms – one carrying the coulter elements, the other the closing press wheel. Both have adjustable coil springs to generate the downforce required while providing the operator with the opportunity to fne-tune seed depth and soil coverage independently.
The coulters themselves employ disc openers running at 2 degrees from vertical and a similar angle in the horizontal plane. This minuscule two-axis tilt is enough to open a channel in the soil without generating any discernible
surface disturbance. A choice of plain, shallow- or deep-notched 475mm diameter discs are available depending on the predominant soil types.
The coulter boot is a tapered design to minimise drag and extend service life. Height adjustable, the tip is easily replaced with two bolts.
Running alongside the disc openers are tapered gauge wheels. Interchangeable and of a range of diferent diameters, they limit the coulters’ surface penetration to ensure consistent seed placement.
Following each unit are tapered closing wheels running on their own independently sprung arms. This allows them to faithfully follow contours on even the most undulating surfaces, covering the seed with soil displaced by the coulter and ensuring maximum seedto-soil contact.
The latest generation Gigante drills have pressurised seed hoppers with a 60:40 split for seed and fertiliser. Twin electronically driven metering units regulate the fow of each to the distribution heads and into the airstream to the coulters. Seed rates are handled by the machine’s Isobus compatible controller enabling operators to use the drill tractor’s own on-board computer or an independent standalone control box.
With a link to a GPS receiver, these latest generation controls make variable seed fertiliser rates possible as well as automated headland shutof of the selected product.
Employing a semi-mounted frame design, Gigante drills of working widths of 4m, 5m and 6m all fold to within 3m for transport. FG
Reduce Your Environmental Footprint
By Applying Totally Renewable Phosphate & Potash Fertiliser
• Carbon Neutral - made from green electricity production
• Free secondary and trace elements
• Cost effective P & K
• UK produced - low transport costs
• Maintain and improve soil PK indices
• Contractor applied - save time and wastage
• Help improve crop vigour and health
• Improve grass palatability
• Delivered in bulk - no plastics used
British-made zero carbon PK fertilisers: A reality for farmers
Agriculture is often demonised as a source of much of the environmental impact on the world and in the production of greenhouse gases, but little focus is given to the ability of agriculture to provide a solution – but exactly that. John Hatcher & Co Ltd has been marketing Fibrophos nationally from the
which is produced by worldwide agriculture comes from the production and use of fertilisers, without which the foundations of our food system would be unsustainable. So, if we cannot produce food e ciently without high CO2 producing fertilisers, then how do we reduce our emissions in order to mitigate our wider impact
Mining, processing and transport of ‘Base’ P & K fertilisers around the world is a process which has a major impact everywhere, not least in CO2 production. The UK has, however, been a pioneer in the recycling and reuse of a very valuable source of base nutrition with the advent of incineration facilities over the past 30 years. These have speci c designs to burn e ciently a range of secondary products from agriculture and the wider food system which can release energy back to the national grid as base load green electricity. The by-products of this process are fertiliser materials which contain many of the building blocks for food
The nutrition which came from our soils in the rst instance is now recycled back again to ‘close the loop’ for phosphate and potash, and helps prevent uncontrolled losses to the wider environment via
Fibrophos fertilisers have been produced in the UK for 30 years, taking poultry litter and other organic sources away from direct application to land where detrimental a ects are prone to excessive use, and allowing the recycling of these nutrients back to land in an e cient and prescribed manner, using variable rate technologies where appropriate.
The combustion of these materials produce green electricity supplied directly into the national grid. The carbon bene ts of producing renewable energy in the production of these fertilisers have been calculated and the audited CO2 gures show that the fertiliser is carbon neutral at factory gate. It is this impressive aspect, along with the wider agronomic bene ts of Fibrophos which has enthused national food suppliers, to support the use of these products in helping to reduce the CO2 impact in crops such as potatoes which have higher environmental impacts in their production.
David Armstrong, recent winner of the ‘Potato Grower of the Year’ title, has been using Fibrophos
fertilisers to supply the base nutrition for the past three years with great success. This year, all of David’s potatoes will be supplied to one of the major suppliers, giving a calculated carbon impact much lower than those grown under conventional systems.
The high inherent levels of calcium, sulphur and other trace elements present in Fibrophos provide the full suite of nutritional elements, with the exception of nitrogen – something that is not usually found in mined sources of PKs. These complement the agronomic performance of Fibrophos and help to increase the nutritional density of the growing crop, another important factor when supplying food into the human food chain.
Fibrophos, being a UK sourced fertiliser and therefore not imported, helps to make British agriculture more resilient to world supply issues. It supports our growing renewable energy supply industry with the resultant jobs and investments for the longer term. In the period from the rst production facility in 1990, the total tonnage of fertilisers recycled back in to British agriculture exceeds 1.5 million tonnes, all of which would have otherwise been supplied by mined, shipped, and processed fertiliser, with its associated negative high carbon impact.
The positive agronomic bene ts of Fibrophos fertilisers have been known for many years with growers across a range of cropping systems using them to great e ect. But in an era of carbon accounting in the process of those farming practices, Fibrophos o ers a rare opportunity to combine those previously known bene ts with the added bene t of the carbon saving.
This shows that here in Britain we have the resources available to take the positive steps towards a sustainable future of food production without loss of e ciency in the UK. FG
Breeder to launch its first ever hybrid barley into UK market
Hybrid barley is also a great addition to crop rotations, usually being the rst cereal to start harvest, Ms Cobbold adds.
“Thanks to its early harvest maturity, hybrid barley is an ideal crop to sow before oilseed rape, giving farmers the opportunity to drill earlier and spread the workload during a very busy time of the year.”
Major achievement
KWS has announced it will be launching its rst ever hybrid barley into the UK market later this year, with a strong pipeline of varieties behind it underlining the company’s commitment to developing a signi cant position in the sector in coming years.
Although a newcomer to hybridisation in barley, the company has years of experience of hybrids across sugar beet, maize, rye and oilseed rape with the move into barley being a natural progression, says KWS UK hybrid crop product manager, Kate Cobbold.
“Our history with hybrid breeding stretches back to 1960s with maize and we have been steadily and successfully adding new hybrid crops and varieties to our portfolio since then.
According to Sandra Dunckel, KWS’ head of breeding barley, special crops and organics, the UK will be the rst of the company’s global markets to introduce hybrid barley.
“It’s the result of a considerable team e ort and an important achievement that strengthens KWS’ position as an innovative breeder focused on future needs.
the company’s highly successful conventional varieties, such as the current UK market leader KWS Tardis, Ms Cobbold emphasises.
“There is a place for both conventional and hybrid barley varieties on farm. Depending on the end market and local growing conditions, farmers now have options for nding the most appropriate barley solution and that is the real bene t of the KWS position.
“It’s been a great exercise in using the expertise and knowledge built up in the company over many years to create a growing range of solutions for growers, markets and the wider food supply chain.”
The breeding of the new varieties goes back to 2016 with speci c pre-breeding work starting several years before that, she points out.
“Our approach is that when we do commit to make something happen, we don’t need to be rst, but we do want to do it properly and bring genuine improvement and opportunities to growers.
“Barley is one of the most important cereals crops worldwide and KWS has a long history of successfully breeding exceptional varieties.
“We are the market leader in conventional barley in the UK and France, for example, and introducing hybrid barley now adds to that position by allowing us to o er another solution to growers.”
Growing customer options
But the new range of hybrid barleys being launched under #NextLevel, does not replace
“At the moment, 450,000ha of winter barley is grown in the UK each year of which roughly 25% is hybrid barley so we see huge opportunities in the future with the crop bringing many bene ts to growers.
“Firstly, there is the potential for higher and more stable yields. Farmers are increasingly under pressure in terms of increasing production costs and volatile grain markets and a good way to mitigate against these pressures is to have varieties that deliver high yields consistently year after year.
“Increased productivity also helps with sustainability as more e cient use of land and resources is made.”
Growers are also looking for varieties with robust disease resistances and good grain quality and hybrid varieties can excel in this area, too, she points out.
“As farmers increasingly battle with blackgrass, hybrid barley can help reduce grassweed pressures. Hybrid barley has a bigger root system than conventional barley and it gets going very early in the spring which allows it to better compete with grassweeds.
“Although this doesn’t o er complete control, it is a useful instrument within the grower’s tool box in the long-term battle with black-grass pressures.”
“Many people have put in a lot of hard work to get us to this point, with the hybrid barley breeding programme taking us all across Europe and strengthening the bonds between the di erent barley breeding teams within KWS stations.
“Furthermore, we have initiated ongoing trials across multiple countries with the rst KWS hybrids entering o cial trials in autumn 2022, which represents a major, and very exciting, milestone for us.
“Inys is a great rst variety with signi cant potential and there are more KWS hybrid barleys in National List trials, which will hopefully be commercialised over the coming years in the UK.”
Exciting future
Ms Cobbold adds a series of UK-based eld trials is showing some very exciting bene ts of Inys.
“There seems to be a de nite yield advantage over the leading hybrids currently available in the UK with good yield stability plus we’re seeing thicker plant stands and deeper rooting, which is exactly what we were hoping to see.
“There are indications that Inys also has a much more vigorous growing habit in the early stages of development with up to 40% greater ground cover being seen in some instances.
“It’s all shaping up to be a very exciting project with signi cant bene ts for growers in the future.” FG
PRIORITISE GRAIN STORE PREPARATION TO PRESERVE PROFIT
Stored grain pests can wreak havoc.
That’s why investing time preparing grain stores ahead of harvest is essential, to help prevent infestations from the insects that jeopardise grain quality, ultimately reducing yields and the potential for profit.
“If buildings are not thoroughly prepared in advance of storage, the long-term consequences can be an economical and logistical nightmare,” warns Ken Black, Account Manager at Envu.
Forward planning and an integrated, pro-active approach to grain store preparation is key to protect future harvests and reduce the risk of costly insect damage. The optimum time to prepare stores is 6-8 weeks before incoming grain, as this allows ample time to treat any lingering pests, in advance of filling the store.
BEST PRACTICE FOR GRAIN STORE CLEANING
“However, if insects do persist after the cleaning programmes, consider treating the store with a preventative, residual insecticide like K-Obiol™.”
“Primary insect pests, like grain weevils and saw-toothed grain beetles, that can lurk in the store from the previous year, will quickly attack any new stored crop. They will leave hollowed out grains, which can drastically affect a crop’s farm gate value,” says Ken.
“Damage from these pests will also leave stored grain vulnerable to secondary insects like the red rust flour beetle. In turn, insect activity creates ‘hotspots’ in any grain in the store, leading to the growth of damaging mould and fungi. “The high risk of pest damage can be easily avoided with good cleaning and treatment measures before any new grain arrives,” stresses Ken.
“Cleaning stores thoroughly will help remove any pests that have survived from the previous harvest and will also mean that any treatments are far more effective.”
“The earlier you can prepare a store by thoroughly cleaning it out and monitoring for insect activity - the better,” Ken asserts. “Systematically clean ledges and dispose of any old dust and debris as quickly as possible, well away from the store. Don’t leave vacuums within the store as the pests can easily crawl out.
“Remember, it’s easy to overlook some areas that can harbour insects over the winter - such as roof space, ventilation tunnels, underfloor ducts, pipes and crevices. Removing grain and dust from these areas will eliminate insect habitats and make the environment as hostile as possible for any potential pests,” says Ken.
MONITORING FOR INSECTS IS CRUCIAL
“Applying a storage building treatment such as K-Obiol™ EC25, six weeks before harvest, will control any active insect pests left in the store, including saw-toothed grain beetles, grain borers and grain moths, while providing two months protection to the fabric of the building.”
PROTECTING GRAIN STORES WITH K-OBIOL™
With unrivalled efficacy against the most common insect pests, K-Obiol™ will provide the highest level of protection for grain store facilities and valuable stored grain. Proven to be highly effective, K-Obiol™ is available in two formulations, both provide preventative and curative protection against stored product insects and will prevent damage for up to 12 months.
K-Obiol™ is approved for use on all cereal grains including wheat, barley, maize, rice, oats and triticale and is accepted for use by the Brewing Research International (BRI), the National Association of British and Irish Millers (NABIM) and the Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC). When applied at its recommended rate, the residue level of K-Obiol™ is four times lower than the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) for grain (0.25mg/kg). K-Obiol™ is a low odour formulation that has no effect on seed germination; and, as it has no withholding period, any grain treated with the product can be processed straight away.
Monitoring is an essential part of the grain store preparation process. “Once thoroughly cleaned, the use of sticky pheromone traps is crucial because these can indicate if any pests are still present. These should be placed in corners and at wall-floor junctions every five metres around the store and checked on a weekly basis,” Ken advises. Monitoring traps can confirm whether insect populations have been entirely eliminated within the store. They will highlight whether or not there is a requirement for use of an insecticide treatment post-harvest.
“No evidence of insect pests after cleaning and disinfection is a good sign,” Ken suggests.
“JOHN
“ADVANCED
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.
Applications now open for FETF 2024 – don’t miss out!
The new round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund – FETF 2024 – has been announced, which gives you the opportunity to fund the purchase of new equipment, from a list of eligible items, intended to improve productivity and provide environmental benefts.
The FETF 2024, which is administered by the RPA, has been split into three categories – Productivity, Slurry and Animal Health & Welfare. You can apply for a grant for items from one, two or all three categories, but the
amount you can apply for depends on the category. For Productivity items and Slurry items, you can apply for a grant of up to £50,000 (per category), but for Animal Health & Welfare, the maximum grant amount
you can apply for is £25,000.
According to the FETF 2024 webpage, three application windows are expected for this grant scheme, during which you can apply to any of the three categories. However, there are diferent dates for the diferent categories. The frst application window for Productivity and Slurry opened on 6th March 2024 and will close at midday on 17th April 2024. At the time of writing, the frst application window for Animal Health & Welfare is yet to be announced. If you are unsuccessful in your application, you will have the opportunity to apply again in a future application window.
There is an extensive list of items available to choose from, but each item has a specifcation that must be met in order for the item to be eligible. You can choose an item with a higher specifcation, for example you can buy a fve-leg grassland sward lifter, where the minimum specifcation required is a three-leg, as long as all the other criteria are met.
Each item on the list has been given a score, which will then be used to score your application as a whole. For those applying for items from the Animal Health & Welfare
category, there is the opportunity to increase your score by 20% if you can supply evidence that you have discussed your application with a vet.
The RPA has calculated an expected average cost for each item, and the grant amount that you can receive will depend on how much the items costs you, in relation to this expected average cost. You can receive a grant amount of 50% or 60% of the expected average cost of the item, if the item costs you the same or more than the expected average cost. However, if the item costs you less than the expected average cost, then you will only receive a grant amount of 50% or 60% of the actual cost that you pay for the item. Using the same example of the sward lifter, the expected average cost is £4,500. If you spend £4,500 or more, the grant amount you would receive is £2,250. However, if you spend less than £4,500, you will only receive 50% of the actual cost you pay.
For full information and eligibility criteria, visit the FETF 2024 webpage: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/farming-equipmentand-technology-fund-2024. FG
Slurry specialist welcomes new FETF grants
The recently announced Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024 grant scheme, which promotes improved slurry management, is welcomed by slurry specialist Tramspread.
Eligible products from the company’s range include dribble bar and trailing shoe applicators, hose reels and drag hose, slurry separators, fow-meters, mobile slurry chopper pumps and remote-control systems for enginedriven pumps.
Signifcant funding is available for slurry separators which are a useful management tool, as Tramspread director Terry Baker explains:
“Removing solids from slurry makes instore management easier, especially if the slurry store is covered. This provides increased application output from both tankers and umbilical systems. Less friction in umbilical hoses allows for longer pumping distances and reduces wear on the pump, hose and applicator, and saves fuel too. The more uniform product aids even fow from applicators giving an accurate application to the crop.”
Tramspread is the sole UK importer of high-quality Stallkamp slurry separators made in Germany and keeps a range of parts for these machines in-stock.
“FETF grants are available for mobile separators for the frst time, and there are two Stallkamp options,” points out Tramspread’s John Tydeman. “The PSS mobile unit is built around a PSS 5.5-550 separator with two rotary lobe pumps, one to fll the feed hopper and one to pump away the separated liquid. The second option uses a PSG 5.5-600 separator and two progressive cavity pumps. Both have a throughput of 15–20m³/hr and can be either freestanding or trailer-mounted. Funding is also available for fxed separators, and Tramspread also supplies pumps, gantries and control panels to suit individual system requirements.”
Tramspread’s well-known Sufolk range of dribble bars have working widths from 6–24m and a 25mm inter-outlet spacing. They are designed to accommodate fowmeters and NIR sensors with Isobus connectivity for accurate application with full record-keeping. Bomech trailing shoe applicators are also ofered.
The company claims its marketleading range of mounted randomwrap hose reels have hose capacities of 600m with single hydraulic motor drive and 1000m or 1400m with twin motor drive. Trailed compartmented
hose reels can hold 1600m or 2000m. All twin motor reels can be supplied with 4in, 4.5in, 5in and 6in drag hose.
Tramspread ofers two remote control systems for engine-driven pumps: the SIL Vision IV radio control and Teletram 2020 GSM remote control. These ofer full engine protection, fow meter connection, fuel level sensing, inlet and outlet pressure and air compressor control. Options include a nurse tank level sensor and pneumatic sponge launcher. Tramspread high-spec PTO-driven pumps also qualify for funding under the new scheme. FG
Farmers:
The real pain of hitting an overhead power line is felt by your family.
IF YOUR VEHICLE TOUCHES A POWER LINE:
Before you head out on the farm, check for overhead power lines. LOOK
Crop drying, ventilation and storage systems specialists.
Flach & Le-Roy Ltd is an industry leader in designing and delivering high performance drying, ventilation & storage systems.
We have been supplying top quality drive-on and box store drying and storage installations to the arable farming industry globally for over 27 years and our business is continuing to grow.
Drive-on Floor Systems • Letter Box Duct Systems • Control Systems
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A celebration of country life
Celebrate country life at the South Su olk Show on Sunday 12th May at Ampton point-to-point racecourse, near Bury St Edmunds, IP31 1HU.
Now in its 135th year, the show organiser says there will be plenty to see, including HOH Equine team in the Grand Ring, farm machinery new and old, and the infamous ‘Sheep Show’ among plenty of activities and trade stands.
Show president for this year’s show is RAF Honington station commander, Max Hayward. With over 20 years’ service in the RAF, Flt Lt Stn Cmdr Hayward will bring a taste of the forces to the show, enhancing the link between the local rural and military communities. The South Su olk Show organiser says it is delighted to welcome Max and his family to the event.
Speaking about the 2024 show, chairman of show organiser, the South Su olk Agricultural Association Ltd, Jim Mann, commented: “Our show committee have worked very hard over the last 12 months, focussing on both restructuring the equine area to
provide higher quality and more spectator friendly rings, and on a multi-faceted plan to improve the e ciency of tra c ow into the show ground in order to enhance our visitors’ overall experience.”
Tickets are available on the gate from 8:30am at £18 per adult, £10 for children up to 16, and £12 for concessions, with children under ve going free. ‘Early bird’ reduced ticket o ers are also available through selected ticket retailers and online for a limited time at www.southsu olkshow.co.uk FG
New camera control for hoeing machines
Previously, farmers needed two terminals if they wanted to use a hoeing machine with camera and section control; the Isobus terminal for width section control, and a second terminal for displaying the camera image and adjusting the hoeing machine. With its iQblue Weeder software, Lemken says it has, for the rst time, successfully integrated the complete control of a hoeing machine, including the camera image and width sections into an ISOBUS system so that all controls are displayed on one CCI 800 or 1200 terminal, providing an inexpensive, convenient and clear solution for users.
The Isobus system records the implement position and tractor speed. Operation is also possible via
either the tractor’s own joystick or the CCI joystick. The system is also ready for high-speed Isobus and uses a standard ISO 17215 interface via ethernet for transmitting the video image enriched with camera information.
Users also bene t from automatic over-the-air machine updates so that their machines are always up-to-date. For maintenance and troubleshooting, service technicians can access the software remotely and optimise settings. Settings are then immediately displayed in the camera image for review and can be readjusted autonomously if necessary.
The general menu structure of the system is in line with the Lemken standard, and facilitates intuitive
Newly appointed dealer will increase exposure across key Scottish areas
Claydon has appointed A.L. Agri at Haughs of Ballinshoe, Forfar, to sell and support its comprehensive range of Opti-Till crop establishment products. The area A.L. Agri covers is from Dundee (Angus) to Stonehaven (Aberdeenshire) on the east coast and west to Killin (Perthshire) and Strathmashie (Highlands).
Started by Andrew Mitchell and Liam Wylie in 2016, the company has grown exponentially over the last seven years. Now employing 14 sta and operating four mobile workshops, A.L. Agri says it has earned a reputation for fast, dependable service and customers have been very supportive of its down-to-earth, hands-on approach.
“Our business has developed much more quickly than we expected at the outset, particularly since becoming a Case IH dealer two years ago. The addition of the Claydon brand to our range is another signi cant strategic development which takes us into a product area where we were not represented,” Andrew states.
“Farmers in this region have traditionally relied on ploughing and min-till techniques to establish their crops, but with increasing focus on reducing costs, increasing e ciency and improving soil health we wanted to be positioned to meet their changing requirements.
“Claydon and the Opti-Till system are already well known and highly respected by farmers who appreciate the excellence of its products, which are simple, reliable, versatile and have low running costs. Customers are already showing signi cant interest and we look forward to moving forward with the brand.”
Having seen how well Claydon products perform, A.L. Agri has added a 3m Claydon M3F Evolution fertiliser drill and 6m TerraStar to its demonstration eet so that customers can experience the bene ts on their own farms. Andrew believes the 3m grain and fertiliser drill will be the most popular drill in the Claydon range as it can be used with a 150hp tractor, yet has a very high work rate.
Claydon’s UK sales manager, David Furber adds: “We are delighted that A.L. Agri has decided to join our ever-expanding network of professional dealers across the UK. The representation provided by this well-respected business will further increase exposure to Claydon products and develop sales in a key area of the country.”
The Claydon range also includes straw harrows, which are available as 3m, 7.5m and 9m mounted versions or as 12.5m and 15m trailed models. It also features the 6m TerraStar light rotary cultivator for hard, dry situations or where more soil movement is required than can be achieved with a straw harrow. FG
Hire specialist invests £12 million in telehandler deal
Ardent Hire, a specialist rental provider of telehandlers and roto telehandlers in the UK, has placed a £12m order with Manitou Group for 200 telehandlers featuring a diverse range of models ranging from 6–18m. This order marks the largest telehandler order placed with Manitou by Ardent Hire.
In 2021, Ardent Hire started including Manitou telehandlers within its eet. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from operators and construction sites solidi ed Manitou’s place in Ardent Hire’s telehandler eet permanently. Presently, over 20% of Ardent Hire’s telehandler eet comprises Manitou telehandlers. This milestone not only solidi es Ardent Hire as the UK’s largest telehandler provider but also positions it as the largest Manitou telehandler eet operator in the country, says the company.
Ardent Hire sales director, Leigh Webb, comments: “This £12 million deal with Manitou represents a pivotal moment for Ardent Hire. We
are dedicated to o ering our customers the most advanced and reliable machinery available, and Manitou telehandlers perfectly align with our mission. This partnership will not only elevate our service standards but also empower our clients to accomplish their projects with greater e ciency and con dence.”
Manitou o ers a selection of machinery for the agricultural sectors, and designs a wide range of agricultural telescopic forklifts (MLT). These handling solutions provide answers adapted for your operations of storage, towing, herd feeding, silage distribution, animal care, farm transport and crop optimisation. MLT machines allow
you to quickly change attachments to obtain a tailor-made solution that is as close as possible to your needs, the company says. MLT telescopic handlers for farmers are available in several highperformance models.
The telehandlers secured in this deal between Manitou and Ardent Hire boast varying reach, ensuring versatility and adaptability across a wide array of applications, from construction and infrastructure projects to housing and industrial endeavours. Renowned for their innovative design and robust performance, Manitou telehandlers are poised to set new benchmarks in reliability and productivity on job sites nationwide, states the company.
Manitou Group’s sales director for the UK and Ireland, Peter Smyth, says: “We are thrilled to partner with Ardent Hire on this signi cant order. Their commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our own values, and we’re excited to see our Manitou telehandlers contribute to their continued success in the industry.”
The deployment of the telehandlers has already commenced across Ardent’s network of depots nationwide. This strategic investment underscores Ardent’s unwavering commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and excellence in service delivery.
For more information on the range of agricultural telehandlers Manitou o ers, visit www.manitou.com/en-GB#1, or to hire a Manitou telehander, visit the Ardent Hire website at www.ardenthire.com FG
GUIDE TO FARM DIVERSIFICATION
A LEADING DEVELOPER OF SOLARPV&BATTERY STORAGE PROJECTS
Island Green Power is a leading developer of renewable energy projects, with a focus on utility-scale solar farms and battery storage systems.
Our mission is to help the UK increase our solar energy generation, making more renewable energy possible whilst drastically reducing our carbon emissions.
WHY SOLAR
Themovetowardsrenewablesandthetransitionawayfromfossilfuelsisan environmentalandeconomicnecessity.Weneedtogeneratelargeamountsof renewable power to ensure energy security and combat climate change.
PART OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY MIX
Solar is an essential part of the renewable energy mix, complementing other forms of renewables. Its advantage lies in the speed and ease of deployment, enabling faster power delivery compared to many other technologies.
EFFICIENT USE OF LAND
Solar farms are typically built on land with lower agricultural value, where growing food is less viable. This allows farmers to generate extra revenue from land that is not suitable for traditional agriculture. Quick to install and uninstall, they allow for prompt land restoration post-use.
www.islandgp.com
ENHANCING BIODIVERSITY
While designed to minimise the visual impact to local communities, solar plants increase the range of plant species growing at a site. A well-managed solar plant can be a habitat, helping boost and protect wildlife, helping species from bees to grazing sheep.
DIVERSIFY WITH US
We oversee the entire development process from start to fnish including the sourcing of land, obtaining planning consents, and securing grid connections. We have developed 34 solar projects globally, including 17 in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
CREATE A RELIABLE, STEADY AND SECURE INCOME
We offer a zero-risk partnership to landowners, covering all development costs. Once the project is developed, we enter into a long-term lease of the land. Our commitment is to ensure that landowners retain stewardship over their land.
HOW WE WORK
We identify suitable sites, prepare the initial designs and guide projects through the planning process. We are dedicated to responsible land use and believe our solar farms can harmoniously coexist with their environment.
COEXISTING WITH NATURE
We see solar plants as a farm, utilising a natural resource to produce a vital commodity. Our strategy is to blend this new type of farming with traditional practices, ensuring ongoing agriculture by permitting livestock grazing in our developments. www.islandgp.com
If you are interested in leasing your land or want to discuss existing projects or new opportunities, we’d like to hear from you.
We have offces located across the UK and would be happy to visit you in person.
TEL: 020 3475 0777
EMAIL: Land@islandgp.com
Considering a solar farm? Here’s what you need to know
With many farmers and landowners receiving multiple letters a week from developers asking to rent their land for solar energy, Sarah Kidby spoke to Island Green Power’s head of land Tom Edwards, who outlined some of the pitfalls to watch out for when diversifying into solar.
Solar farms are an increasingly common sight in the UK, and as farmers look to navigate their businesses in a post-subsidy world, alongside pressure to meet net zero targets, many may be tempted to explore this. Whilst there are concerns about losing food producing land to environmental schemes, Island Green Power (IGP) says its emphasis is on ensuring farmers retain their role as custodians of the land allowing them to diversify existing agricultural businesses –with many projects generating additional food producing revenue by incorporating grazing sheep under the solar farms.
Development projects are now required to provide a 10% biodiversity increase but many of IGP’s solar projects have exceeded 100% through the planting of new hedgerows, wild ower meadows and native trees. Some farms even keep bees alongside the panels. Allowing the land to rest for the duration of the project is also bene cial for soil health.
However, IGP head of land Tom Edwards says not all developers are responsible –many can be very opaque about the process, hiding information from the landowner and communicating poorly.
What should you look out for?
Are they a reputable company? Are the developers contactable and transparent? Do they have a solid record of completed schemes and provable case studies? Some developers will be incredibly opaque about the whole process; they should keep you updated throughout every step. Do they have nancial backing/appropriate funding? Development is a risky business – for example the project may not get planning – and the cost may amount to millions.
Grid: To apply for a distribution connection (11kV to 132kV as a rough rule) a developer will have to have suitable land in place when they apply to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO). Until they hear back after applying to the DNO, there won’t be a rm indication of whether they have a grid connection. This di ers for transmission
connections currently and you will be able to check the ‘National Grid ESO TEC Register’ to see if they have a connection. One may be coming, but if the developer claims to have one, it will be listed there. Transparency throughout this process from the developer is key.
Are they paying your costs? They should pay your legal costs, agent costs and associated development costs.
Land suitability: Have they discussed site suitability with you or done a site appraisal?
Land that is heavily overlooked, SSSI, or highly productive is unlikely to be approved for planning permission without an incredibly robust case. Staged option: Try to push for a staged option agreement to ensure there’s a clear timeline and the land won’t be tied up longer than it needs to be should the project fall through. Tom suggested milestones linked to connection dates and planning consents. Speak to your agent to make sure you’re getting the best for your enterprise.
Who is Island Green Power?
Island Green Power is one of the leading developers of solar and battery storage projects in the UK, and its founders have over 25 years’ experience in energy. Operating since 2013, it oversees the entire development process from start to nish including the sourcing of land, obtaining planning consents, and securing grid connections.
The rm says it o ers a low-risk partnership to landowners, as it covers all the development costs, planning, grid connection etc. and once the project is developed, it enters into a long-term lease for the land.
IGP is 50% owned by Australian bank Macquarie, through a fund speci cally set up for green renewal projects, meaning it has full funding in place to cover all its proposed projects. IGP employs a large team of skilled professionals, including chartered surveyors, engineers and chartered town planners who are familiar with the planning process to manage projects. Despite its large nancial backing, IGP has kept its small
rm attitude and the founders visit landowners personally to discuss new projects. Many of its sta also have backgrounds in agriculture.
Landowners partnering with IGP are working with a proven, well-funded developer, with large transmission projects nationwide that will be connected within ve years to the transmission network. This sets IGP apart from other developers, who may not achieve transmission grid connections until 2030 or later, the company says.
It has projects worldwide and has successfully completed 34 (17 in the UK), with many more in the pipeline – equating to over 10GW. Many of these use technological advances – for example technology which follows the tracking of the sun throughout the day to maximise output for the amount of land that's used.
Island Green Power also works with policy makers to help improve the planning process and transition into net zero goals. The company is part of various bodies such as Solar Energy UK and is registered with the Renewable Energy Association. Additionally, it creates community bene t funds for each project that go back to the local community.
Visit www.islandgp.com for more information, and to see Martin Clunes heading onto IGP’s farms to nd out more about solar – or contact the company directly for advice. FG
The importance of strategic planning for rural businesses
Diversifcation for rural businesses does not need to be complicated or expensive. Strategic planning is crucial to ensure that they are resilient to the increasing number of fnancial challenges being faced because of legislative and regulatory changes. Fisher German ofers some advice.
A strategic review will highlight and analyse the opportunities available for individual properties and entire portfolios, to enable rural businesses and property owners to be proactive rather than reactive, and consider business succession and long-term business plans to put themselves in the best possible position for the future.
For some farmers and landowners, a good starting point is to review the assets you currently have to ensure you are maximising their efciency and proftability. It is important to make sure that any income streams you have already are performing before you consider any additional diversifcation projects to increase income. Positive outcomes of a review
can stabilise cash fow and optimise performance of assets.
Rural businesses must also look beyond agriculture at wider society trends to note the potential for diversifcation, including ‘staycation’ tourism and leisure, environmental sustainability, development, and mineral opportunities. They must explore options thoroughly, including seeking advice on funding, legislation, tax implications and liability.
An independent review and detailed analysis of rural assets including existing physical business features, skills of key personnel and access to local markets is a good place to start, and may reveal valuable and under-utilised resources.
A Strategic Estate Asset Review (SEAR)
can include:
• A review of current asset performance across the entire portfolio including a statistical and benchmarking analysis of assets and a high-level review of an individual asset or asset class to consider the options available to diversify and increase income
• Appraisal of prospective opportunities and facilitation of strategic direction
• Review of local competition and demand for each option alongside analysis of local demographic
• Performance statistics reviewing yields, rent levels and vacant periods
• Benchmarking to establish comparative performance
• A visual ‘land zoning’ mapping report outlining land use opportunities available and consideration of how each option and diferent land uses can work cohesively with current and future enterprises.
There are several key factors to consider when looking at diferent options for change, and they can be categorised into internal and external factors.
Strategic Estate and Asset Reviews (SEAR)
How will your business be sustained for future generations?
There are many key factors to consider when looking at different options for change. Our Strategic Estate and Asset Review consultants have the expertise and extensive k nowledge to advise you on strategic direction, considering workable options and alternatives that meet your future goals.
Internal factors to consider would be looking at how a new diversifcation would ft in with the current enterprises, considering when the diversifcation will be at its most demanding and if the original business can cope. It is also important to consider the objectives and skills; the decision to diversify is often life-changing and can afect others involved in the business, whether it be a family member or a business partner.
External factors will have more of an impact on the type of diversifcation which is likely to be successful. Key considerations are location, the demographics of an area, sphere of infuence and existing competition. Often diversifcations are a service or product being ofered to the public; with this in mind it is important to understand the wants and needs of the prospective consumers and this may involve some level of market research before deciding where to invest. FG
Farm Diversification
Taking your business to new heights
Appetite Me, a consultant in rural diversi cation, retail, and hospitality development, says it has built a strong portfolio across the UK. It has demonstrated its skills by successfully planning and implementing projects such as farm shops, café/restaurants, and artisan retail villages. Sister company Outdoor Living further enhances its o erings with innovative outdoor solutions, such as glamping and adventure play. Appetite Me o ers not just a broad range of expertise, but also unwavering dedication to enhancing the pro tability of rural businesses, the company says.
In today’s dynamic business landscape, Appetite Me recognises the importance of diversi cation, especially for businesses aspiring to expand. This growth strategy attracts new customers, enhances revenue, and builds on existing skills.
Through its services, it is dedicated to boosting clients’ nancial success. A robust business plan serves as the foundation of every thriving business. It outlines your goals, strategies, and potential challenges, o ering clarity and direction. Coupled with an in-depth nancial study, it transforms into a powerful tool for comprehending your business's nancial health and charting a path for growth.
Currently, Appetite Me is developing a new farm shop and café for Wild & West on the Norfolk/ Su olk border, managing every operational and design detail from inception to completion. With Appetite Me’s professional guidance, comprehensive services, and proven expertise, it promises to take your rural business to “unprecedented heights”.
Visit www.appetite.me.uk for more information. FG
Looking to make money from your outbuildings?
Outbuildings can provide the perfect space for solar panels, which make money all year round from feed in tari s o ered by energy companies.
As an example, on a 128m2 roof, a 52-panel solar system (22.5kW system) installed by WH Electrical & Solar would o er a return on investment within seven years. Any solar production after this time will be purely pro t.
So is your building suitable?
Three phase power to the building is ideal, but single phase is possible. If you’re looking to nd out more about solar panels, as part of your free consultation, WH Electrical & Solar carries out a survey on your building to gather requirements
and measurements, and would then design a bespoke solar system and calculate your return on investment.
Company founder Wes Harrison started as an industrial electrical engineer at British Sugar and has 15 years’ experience as an electrician – quali ed at the highest standard (MCS and 18th edition). He worked in renewal energy at Su olk’s largest waste to energy plant and is now an independent electrician and solar installer with experience in domestic, commercial and industrial installs.
The company is based in Stowmarket and covers Su olk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
For more information contact Wes directly. FG
Supporting farm diversity
Diversi cation is becoming increasingly popular, o ering abundant opportunities for landowners to strengthen their revenue and add income streams.
Portman Finance Group is able to discuss nance options for many di erent types of projects as well as work with manufacturers of pods and cabins whose customers may need to spread the cost of their purchase.
As well as renewable energy provision, activity centres and farm shops, the glamping and holiday industry o ers a prime opportunity for landowners. Since restricted travel in 2020 and 2021, public interest in staycations, glamping and holiday parks has experienced sharp growth. If your land is suitable, a site can generate a worthwhile passive income, boosting seasonal revenue and the local economy.
Portman recently supported a landowner in buying several
o ering an ‘adventure camping experience’, providing hotel comforts whilst immersed in nature. Flexible nance allowed costs to be spread whilst the business gained some Instagramworthy recognition and bookings mounted up.
Portman Finance Group says it can help you spread the cost of any project, from landscaping to accommodation or site facilities as well as any equipment or machinery you need.
No-one knows better than you how to run your site, but when it comes to funding your project, it’s worth talking to the experts. Contact the company directly or visit: https://
comes naturally to you. Picking a platform that complements your own skills will make your life easier and your marketing more e ective.
How to use social media to market your farm business
More farms are diversifying into customer-facing businesses such as meat boxes, farm shops, glamping and so on. Social media can often play a key role in the farm marketing strategy – Flame Marketing o ers its advice.
Social media provides businesses with an e ective method to target customers. Some of the most successful businesses on social media have achieved this by engaging with their audience and making their audience feel heard.
Being on every platform is not always e ective, so you need to choose the right one for your farm business. Try these questions:
Who is my ideal customer?
If you just said “everyone”, you need to rethink. Digital marketing is only
e ective when you are targeted in your approach.
Which social media platforms do my ideal customers use, and why?
You can look up the demographics of each social media platform online, and the key is to look for “active users” as these are users who engage with the platform regularly.
Which platforms do I (or someone on the farm) use currently ?
It is much easier to be consistent with your marketing if you choose a platform that you already enjoy using and are comfortable with.
What type of content do I feel comfortable creating?
Much like choosing a platform, creating social media content consistently is much easier if it’s a content type that
Once you have answered these questions, you will likely have one or two platforms that stand out as good choices for your business.
At this stage, it is worth considering what role you are expecting social media to play within your business strategy. For example:
• Are you using it for brand awareness? Or sales?
• How will social media complement your other marketing?
• What goals do you have for your
business?
Perhaps start by focusing on attracting new followers who t your ideal customer pro le. Use engaging and educational content that targets your ideal customers, and try to focus on strategies that push your content to non-followers.
For example, on Instagram, reels are more likely to be watched by nonfollowers than posts or stories. If you are using Facebook, you may want to consider a paid advertising campaign. Once someone is following you, then they are a more captive audience and you can start to introduce more salesfocused content. FG
Farm Pantry
Our Mission Statement: To help retailers promote and sell their goods, 24 hours a day to cater for the modern "robotic" world, while allowing their staff to be more proactive in other parts of their business
Innovative Vending Machines for farmers
07980 759055 • enquiries@farmpantry.co.uk
Don’t forget tax impacts of diversification
After a generally lower performance from the 2023 harvest and fear of a very poor outturn from the 2024 harvest ahead, attention may turn to non-traditional income sources. Graham Page, agricultural partner at Ensors Chartered Accountants, o ers advice.
Diversi cation will be a whole new world to many who may not have previously dealt with the general public or B2B trade other than for agricultural produce. The list of options is endless but it’s important not to waste energy on activities that you don’t enjoy.
things much worse, particularly for the capital taxes, namely Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax, where the costs of a wrong or uninformed decision could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Farm appraisals: A starting point
As well as all the other decisions over what to do and by whom, don’t forget the potential tax impacts of the diversi cation.
The mode of operation needs to be considered. Many diversi ed enterprises are administered through limited companies created either from the outset or after the early years of operation. Tax savings can often be achieved through incorporation but not planning correctly can also make
Finally, VAT shouldn’t be forgotten. Diversi cation can create some signi cant issues over recoverability of VAT and the competitiveness of pricing of the end product, but with careful planning the nancial e ects can be minimised. FG
Ensors Agriculture team – specialist expertise to meet the needs of the farming and rural business community.
Contact: Graham Page on 01284 722300 or email graham.page@ensors.co.uk
Ensors Chartered Accountants
Making you more than just a number ENSORS.CO.UK
Sometimes it’s di cult to know how to diversify, or even whether your farm has opportunities, which is where a farm appraisal is useful. Another set of eyes looking at your farm can often identify opportunities – every farm is di erent and location is key. Salter & Mckenna o ers some pointers.
A farm appraisal looks at opportunities, not just for diversi cation but the release of redundant buildings for Class Q conversions to dwellings, or odd parcels of land which can be sold to adjoining dwellings to give a capital injection to the business. For many, diversi cation is a bolt-on business that other family members can get involved in.
An appraisal involves a detailed look at the farming business, land
and buildings and will then look to identify a suitable diversi cation. The report would be tailored to the client’s needs and could be of a simple nature, identifying opportunities, or a fully costed plan and risk analysis.
Many farmers have diversi ed, and this income stream can outperform the farming businesses. Over the next few years, it will be very important to get income from wherever you can as the single farm payment disappears, and there is a lot of uncertainty with the SFI and other schemes.
Salter & Mckenna can provide a farm appraisal to identify opportunities – please contact Alice or Cameron directly to discuss. FG
Farm Diversification
Getting the right funding for your green energy project
Farmers have always sustained their communities with food – now more and more are doing the same thing with green energy. As agri-businesses increasingly diversify to de-risk and future-proof, many are embracing renewable energy that can sustain their income streams for generations to come.
Whether it’s solar panels, biomass, biogas, ground source heating or wind power, modern technology not only o ers potential in saving money on your own energy costs in the long term. It can also make money too, by selling energy back to the grid at peak times using battery storage – and nancing the whole project is easier than you think, especially with so much government funding available through such schemes as the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund.
“Funding even the most ambitious
diversi cation ideas can be straightforward from the nancing perspective,” says Ben Wood, sales director of direct lender Rural Asset Finance. “Government grants, which can be as much as £500,000, could be used as a part of the solution alongside a secured loan funding the rest, to create a life-changing project.
“Combining that with the right lender can give you xed-term, xed-rate loan secured on land or existing buildings, giving you the funds to complete the project, while protecting your cash ow and barely touching your reserves.”
For instance, the company has this month agreed to fund a £500,000, half-a-megawatt roof-mounted solar scheme on a farm in Lincolnshire. As a high user of electricity powering cold stores and vegetable processing equipment, the client has instantly halved his monthly energy bills by paying nance over ve years on his own solar array, as opposed to the ever-increasing electricity bill.
Such projects prove all you need is a diversi cation idea – and of course farmers can use that grant/loan nance combination to build in more “traditional” alternative income streams, such as holiday accommodation, AirBnB, storage units or o ce space, or open a shop or café.
“The sky’s the limit, really,” says Ben. “It’s about deciding the type of diversi cation that is right for your business and what you want it to achieve.
“Farmers are brilliant at maximising their resources. Farm buildings are a great example – not only can an old, unused store or shed be resurrected, it could give you a whole new income stream!”
And a specialist lender, says Ben, will listen to each farmer’s individual story and tailor its package accordingly. “Every farm is di erent,” he says, “so every farmer needs nance to suit their unique situation. That’s why at Rural Asset Finance we listen to your ideas, take time to understand what makes your business special, help your ideas become reality and travel the journey with you.
“Look around, see how derelict, existing, or new buildings could make you money. With the right nance, you literally have the footprint there to secure your sustainable future!”
Call Ben directly to nd out more about how Rural Asset Finance can help you. FG
Carter Jonas partner Mark Russell provides information on key nancial updates and what they mean for farming.
Natural capital: February saw the formal introduction of Statutory Biodiversity Net Gain as a formal process within the planning world. Our sales from a habitat bank have spiked, with potential purchases for over 10% of the units within two weeks of launching the site. Every planning application will need to consider how it will achieve at least a 10% uplift (there are some exceptions and small applications will join the BNG world in April). Whether you are
making an application yourself or in an Option or Promotion Agreement, you will need to consider how BNG is going to impact the value you are taking out of the deal.
Tax update: Early March saw the linked response to the 2023 tax consultation from HM Treasury. This con rmed:
• There will be a discussion group set up to bring forward clarity around the taxation of sales within the ecosystem services markets.
We take this to mean that there is still some thinking to do around voluntary markets such as sales of landscape change to corporate clients via ESG projects
• From 6th April 2025, Agricultural Property Relief will be extended to land managed under an environmental agreement with the UK government, devolved administrations, public bodies, local authorities, or approved responsible bodies. Tip: do not die between now and 6th April 2025! The published consultation response is not crystal clear about whether di erent schemes (BNG, Nutrient Neutrality) are caught by this extension of APR but schemes such as Countryside Stewardship, SFI and Landscape Recovery should comply.
There may well be further clari cation as Defra says more and tax advisers pore over the small print. Where we are helping farmers to bring forward land for BNG/habitat banking advise from tax advisers is going to be key to get the structure right.
Debt: This is an increasing driver in the land market, particularly in the east. Options are being considered around land sale or drastic debt restructure where loans taken out
two or three years ago are coming to an end. We have already seen blocks of land sold where the push factor was a previous interest only loan that the bank would not renew. The original loan was used to bring forward a leisure diversi cation project and the owner recognised that the lodges were now bringing in far more income and pro t than the farming, so rather than keeping the debt burden they sold land to clear their position.
Land: There appears to be a tight spring market, although at Carter Jonas we have an increased number of farm scale instructions – some bare land, and others of a residential farm nature.
With the residential market at a point of transition with borrowing costs reducing and an increasing number of buyers frustrated by not being able to nd stock last year, it is likely that spring/summer 2024 will be a good time to market whole farms and bene t from the pent-up demand.
Across to the midlands, and roll over relief is still a major factor continuing to drive up land prices.
Get touch with Mark via mark. russell@carterjonas.co.uk or call him directly on 07967 555737. FG
New app helps farms manage health and safety
In a bid to o er health and safety support to those with smaller budgets or requirements, Meritcheck has launched Merit Advantage – a straightforward multi-user app that o ers farms and estates a simple way to keep on top of their health and safety system, checks and policies. Merit Advantage director Jon Stewart gave Farmers Guide an early demo of the new app.
The new Merit Advantage platform and app has been developed in response to feedback from farmers that an app based solution was needed for smaller headcounts and those just getting started on their health and safety journey.
Merit Advantage allows farmers to build and manage their own health and safety management system. It includes a variety of checklists and templates to cover di erent aspects of farm health and safety including risk assessments, safe working practices, and accident and near miss reporting. An HR module is also coming soon, allowing farms to seamlessly integrate both functions in one place.
The new health and safety app joins the farm machinery app, MeritAgCheck, which helps users record daily machinery checks and ensure document compliance.
Key bene ts of Merit Advantage include:
• Simple, customisable checklists and templates are available to help you create your own health and safety checks and policies, build risk assessments for sta to review and sign o in the app, manage contractors more e ectively and ensure compliance with COSHH
• Health and safety checklists and
documents and templates, or outsource this to Merit Advantage for a consultant to complete a health and safety visit and audit for £995 plus VAT, which populates the system. The section includes templates for documents such as safe working practices, di erent risk assessments – for example cattle handling – and accident and near miss reports.
You can upload your existing policies as PDFs or use the wizard to create them, which guides you on what to include, e.g. hazards, lone working etc. Some features in the Health and Wellbeing section are greyed out, and only available with the audit service.
documents can be sent to sta in the app for quick and easy completion and sign o – without the need to bring sta together in person and reprint new documents every time policies are updated
• A geolocation can be added to any checklist showing where the user was when they completed the health and safety check (e.g. for buildings checks), similar to the way that MeritAgCheck records geolocation for machinery checks
• A new map section is also being made available, allowing farmers to take a satellite image of a site and mark any hazards, which is useful for new sta , summer workers or those who will be working in a di erent area to usual.
A closer look at how it works
From the dashboard, users can see a list of who’s working, quick links to documents, and an activity panel, where outstanding reports, documents etc are waiting to be completed. New team members can be added easily, just
supplying their name, email address and role.
Checklists: You can choose from a list of di erent checklists, such as chemical store containers, robotic milker, or contractor management. Checklists are customisable –questions can be turned on and o at the click of a button, deleted or edited to include additional features to be incorporated into the check, such as types of lighting, roofs, doors etc. They can be sent to a particular worker in the app to complete and sign o .
Reports: The reports section of the dashboard shows which sta members have completed checklists or documents and any issues that have been raised. There is also a geolocation for building checks for the audit trail. If there are any issues with a check, photos can be taken and added to the report.
Health and Wellbeing: This segment of the dashboard is comprised of up to 20 sections and here users can build their own health and safety le using existing
My Incidents: There is a section on the dashboard for ‘My Incidents’ which shows a list of the reported accidents and near misses. New reports can be added here by lling in a form and emergency contacts can also be added to guide workers on who to call in certain scenarios.
My Team: As the platform involves the collection of personal data, each team member’s access is customisable under the ‘My Team’ section – access levels can be tweaked by simply ticking or unticking a series of boxes.
The app: The mobile app works in a similar way, with a straightforward ‘to do’ list on the home screen showing a list of any checklists and documents that need to be completed.
The app is available for Apple or Android and a subscription costs £29.00 per month on a rolling contract so it can be cancelled anytime – customers are not signed into a contract. It also allows an unlimited number of users.
For more information visit www. meritcheck.co.uk/meritadvantage/ or download the app from the App Store or Google Play. FG
Capable and comfortable base-spec pick-up
The popular Isuzu D-Max pick-up received a refresh last year which included revised styling and an improved interior. The biggest changes a ected the base Utility version, and Farmers Guide has been putting it through its paces. David Williams reports.
The D-Max entered the market in 2012, replacing the Rodeo, and quickly became one of the UK’s best-selling pick-ups. In 2021, a completely new generation of the D-Max was announced sharing the same 1.9-litre diesel engine across the range but o ering a wide selection of speci cation and equipment options. A minor refresh of the whole line-up in 2023 added some quite signi cant additional improvements, especially to the base Utility version.
Model choice
Isuzu groups its D-Max pick-ups into several ranges: The Business range includes the base Utility version; the All-purpose range includes mid-speci cation DL20 and DL40 models; and the Adventure range features the top-spec V-Cross variant. All models have load bed capacity exceeding one tonne and towing capacity up to 3.5t, apart from the Utility 2wd which can pull trailers up to 2.5t. Unlike most other 4x4 pick-ups, all D-Max models have unladen weights below 2,040kg, which means that extended and doublecab versions share passenger car speed limits on single and dual carriageways.
Depending on the model variant, a choice of single, extended or double cab body options are available, with manual or automatic transmissions and with 2wd or selectable 2/4wd.
The base Utility is o ered with a single, extended or double cab, and with 2wd or selectable 2/4wd and with a manual 6-speed transmission only.
The DL20 is available with an extended cab
and manual transmission, or with a double cab and choice of manual or auto transmission.
The DL40 and V-Cross come only in double cab format, with manual or auto transmissions.
Latest entry version
The model provided for the week-long Farmers Guide test was the base Utility double cab. We tried the previous Utility version soon after the range was revised in 2021 but felt that the equipment level at that time was too limited, even for vehicles spending most of their working lives on farms. So, we were particularly keen to nd out whether the recent model upgrades would change our opinion. With prices starting at just £28,599 on the road, the Utility double cab saves £2,300 compared to the DL20 version.
The revised styling is attractive, and Utility models are identi able by their black bumpers and door handles where on the rest of the range these share the main body colours.
Huge improvement
The interior is very di erent. The practical fabric seats are restyled and are more comfortable although the cloth is easily cleaned. The oor is covered from each side of the centre console to the doors in thick rubber matting, making it easy to sweep out or wash.
Apart from the upholstery, the other big change is a new centre console housing the gear stick and providing extra storage. A DAB radio is standard, and where the previous hands-free phone system was very much an
afterthought and incredibly ddly, the new builtin arrangement is tidier and works well.
For a base version the equipment level is ideal now. Driver aids include automatic headlights as standard, as well as high beam assist which proved reliable during the test, selecting high beam as soon as the road was clear ahead, and dipping the lights in time to prevent dazzling oncoming tra c. The windscreen wipers are automatic, and the power steering is speed sensitive providing plenty of feel at higher speeds while reducing e ort when manoeuvring.
The D-Max Utility also comes with autonomous emergency braking, tra c sign recognition, an intelligent speed limiter and lane departure warning. Rear cross-tra c alert, blind spot monitoring and emergency lane keeping are standard features on all double cab models.
At the same time, the Utility avoids unnecessary expense and complications with its
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manual air conditioning, lack of heated seats and basic cruise control as well as functional steel wheels rather than more vulnerable alloys.
Well designed and comfortable
The new centre console is well laid out with large switches and controls capable of being operated while wearing gloves. Rather than a central LCD screen, there is a large Pioneer radio/CD player with a clear display. The steering wheel is chunky and allows a secure grip. There is plenty of additional storage space for drinks and smaller items including a box with a removable tray and a lid, in the console.
The new centre console and dashboard arrangement is signifcantly improved, and useful extra equipment has been added.
Additional front storage includes a tray on top of the dashboard, a small drawer in front of the driver and decent sized pockets in the doors. All available space in the glovebox is taken up by the thick operator’s manuals.
At the rear, there is a small cubbyhole at the back of the centre console and drinks holders in both rear doors. The rear seat base is split 60/40 allowing access to concealed storage beneath.
The front seats are comfortable, and legroom proved adequate for a 6ft 3in tall driver. There is less legroom at the back, but three adults can travel in relative comfort even on longer journeys. The two front doors open wide providing good access, but the rear door openings are smaller, although decent grab handles make it easy to get in and out.
Other interior equipment includes separate interior lights above the front and rear seats, making it easier to fnd items stored at the rear of the cab.
Functional controls
Four-wheel drive is selectable on the move at any speed using a rotary switch on the dashboard. Low range is selected with the vehicle stationary, by depressing and rotating the 4wd selector switch an extra quarter of a turn.
The test vehicle also had an optional rear diferential lock, selected by a button in front of the main gearstick. It is only available in low range and can be selected at speeds below 5mph. A separate button selects hill descent control.
The view all around is good. The external mirrors are practical and large, with electric adjustment as standard.
Practical and capable
As expected of a D-Max, the rear load bed is practical and rugged. Latest models incorporate a step in the rear bumper making it easier to climb in and out. The tailgate is heavy but spring assistance makes it easy to open and close.
The internal bed length is 144cm, and maximum width is 146cm. There is a 110cm gap between the wheel arches. The tailgate opening is 136cm wide and the load bed base is 81cm above ground level. There are eight strong tie-down points inside the bed, and a durable plastic bed protector is standard.
The test vehicle had a towbar, and it handled a two-tonne trailer on and of-road with ease. The manual six-speed transmission provided a good opportunity to test the 1.9-litre engine’s impressive torque, and constant cruising speeds were maintained in ffth and sixth gear while towing the trailer up some reasonable slopes.
Of-road capability
The D-Max has excellent of-road credentials including 240mm ground clearance, and approach and departure angles of 30.5 and 24.2 degrees respectively. The maximum wading
Dealer view
Long-established agricultural dealer, Mark Weatherhead Ltd represents Isuzu from its depot at Hardwick, near Cambridge. Isuzu sales manager, Jonathan Copeman (pictured) says D-Max pick-ups are extremely popular with members of the agricultural community including farmers and dealers, as well as those in other industries. “We are very proud to be able to ofer our customers the multi awardwinning Isuzu D-Max,” he said. “Not only do we supply these vehicles, but our dedicated team of keen and experienced individuals in our sales and service departments keep them in tip-top condition. As well as the rugged build quality and great reliability which we believe is largely due to Isuzu’s strict manufacturing policy using only components designed for commercial use, attractive key features include the 5* NCAP Euro safety rating and 5-year, 125,000-mile warranty and, of course, the great resale values that help minimise costs of ownership.
depth is 800mm. The test vehicle was shod on Dunlop Grandtrek 265/60R18 wheels and tyres which gave a good, quiet ride on the road but provided plenty of grip on wet grass and deep rutted mud tracks.
Verdict
Recent updates to the D-Max line-up have improved what was already a good vehicle. Where use is primarily for family and longdistance travel, then higher specifcation DL40 and V-Cross models will be preferred. but for those looking for a functional, cost-efective farm pick-up the D-Max Utility has become a more attractive proposition. It comes with just the right level of equipment. It is quiet, comfortable, handles well and tows large trailers safely and with ease.
Back-up in many areas is through established agricultural machinery dealers who understand farmers’ requirements, and all D-Max pick-ups come with the reassurance of a 125,000-mile, fve-year manufacturer warranty. FG
“The D-max is versatile and an ideal work horse with ample space to transport the family in comfort too. We believe it’s the best pick-up on the market, and once someone has bought their frst D-Max, then they tend to remain very loyal to the brand.”
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Whatever your job in the fields, BKT’s brand-new AGRIMAXFACTOR 70 series for tractors is perfect for both haulage and soil tillage operations. An innovative tread design and a strong polyester casing provide extraordinary lateral stability and a faster steering response even for high-speed operations or heavyduty service. The by 5% increased contact area on the land significantly reduced the noise perception in the cabin – which stand for more comfort. Also, the exclusive “E-READY” logo on the sidewall highlights BKT’s commitment to electric mobility and makes this product suitable for electric vehicles. Excellent handling and stability along with increased durability are key features that makes AGRIMAXFACTOR the right tyre for your safety and comfort – even under heavy duty conditions.
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Compact telehandler is a new option for UK farmers
Kubota displayed its KTH4815-2 4.8m, 1.5t compact telehandler for the rst time at the LAMMA show in January this year. Customer and dealer deliveries start this month, so David Williams has been putting the new model through its paces.
Engine Kubota D1803-CR-T5B 3-cyl, 1,800cc, 50hp@2,700rpm
TransmissionBosch Rexroth pump and hydrostatic Drive Carraro axles 8t capacity, heavy-duty planetary nal drive. Di lock option.
Steering 4wd/4ws std (2.7m ext turning radius).
Hi Spec Deluxe adds 2ws and crab-steer modes
Hydraulics 81 litres/min with 51 litres/min ow @ 210 Bar for auxiliary use.
Lightweight & Standard models – one auxiliary circuit with mech control.
Deluxe – 2 circuits with electronic proportional control.
Service interval500 hours (DPF 6,000 hours)
The KTH4815-2, developed by Kubota in partnership with Tobroco, is included in a limited range of products designated CE Lite, which are available through both Kubota’s groundcare and agricultural dealers, explained UK marketing manager, Rob Edwards at the exclusive press test event which took place on an Oxfordshire dairy farm in late March.
Four versions
The KTH4815-2 is available in four versions, all just 1.6m wide and under 2m high. Buyers can choose between:
A Lightweight Canopy model with an unladen weight of just 2,950kg making it easy to move between sites by trailer and pick-up; Standard models which come with either a fully enclosed cab or canopy;
Hi Spec Deluxe versions come with a more generously equipped cab and a premium hydraulic and transmission speci cation.
The Lightweight and Standard canopy models include a curved front screen, plus back and side windows. Standard cab variants and the Hi Spec Deluxe feature fully glazed cabs including a two-piece split door and an opening rear window.
The top Hi Spec Deluxe speci cation includes air conditioning and an air suspension seat, a full LED lighting kit, front axle di erential lock and twin auxiliary hydraulic attachment circuits. Both Standard and Hi Spec Deluxe models also have wide 31/15.5-15 cleated wheels and tyres as standard.
E
cient, economical engine
Power is from a Kubota D1803 1,800cc, 3cyl diesel engine meeting Stage 5 emissions standards and developing 50hp at 2,700rpm. Transversely mounted, the compact engine is easy to service, with superb access for cleaning, and for checking and changing lubricants and lters. Kubota product manager – construction, Gordon Smith explained that a DOC and DPF are used to control emissions, and the DPF has a service interval of 6,000 hours. Regeneration frequency is reduced compared to Kubota’s earlier systems and can take place at much lower revs.
Hydrostatic drive
Hydrostatic drive is through a Bosch Rexroth hydraulic motor and there are two operating speed ranges – 0–7kph and 0–25kph. Permanent 4wd is standard, through 8t-rated Carraro axles linked by mechanical shafts. A front axle di lock is available to maximise traction. Inboard, fully enclosed multidisc brakes are fully protected from dirt, and an external mechanical disc brake secures the machine when it is parked.
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Versatility
Like most larger handlers, the fagship Kubota Hi Spec Deluxe also ofers a choice of three steering modes. The standard four-wheel steering provides an impressive 2.7m external turning radius, and two-wheel and crab steering are selectable from the seat.
Impressive hydraulics
Hydraulic performance is impressive for such a compact machine. The main pump produces up to 81-litres/min, and an auxiliary attachment circuit is standard with up to 51-litres/min fow at 210 Bar pressure. The top Deluxe version comes with two auxiliary
circuits with proportional controls, electronic fow control and a memory function.
EN15000 stability monitoring utilises a rear axle sensor. When an overload occurs then the hydraulic system locks out, but Kubota’s Load Control system allows the operator to activate an override switch on the dashboard, then all boom and attachment functions can be operated for up to eight seconds. “It’s a really useful feature,” explained Rob Edwards. “When reaching over the sides of trailers, if safe load limits are exceeded, then systems that only allow the boom to lower or retract can’t solve the problem. Kubota’s solution also allows operators to cautiously lift the boom and attachment clear of the trailer side and then retract and lower it –it’s safe and practical in a working environment.”
A Euro-hitch mounting bracket is standard, although alternatives will be ofered in future. Attachments are easily swapped from the cab as hydraulic activated locking pins are included. A rear hitch is provided, and all models except the Lightweight Canopy version feature a heavy-duty cast hitch integrated within the 170kg rear counterweight.
Safety and security
Kubota’s Load Control system, meeting EN15000 requirements, provides load monitoring through a clear gauge in the top-right hand corner of the cab. Hose burst check valves are standard on all loader rams.
Customers will also appreciate key code security which relies on the correct keys being used before the machine will start. A locking diesel cap is standard, and a reverse alarm and a folding LED beacon are supplied.
Test drive
The test machine was the only one of its type in the UK at that time, and although the equipment level was otherwise similar to what will be ofered as the Hi Spec Deluxe UK version, it lacked LED lights and an air-suspension seat. All full cab versions in the UK will include three work lights, side view mirrors, a cab heater with three vents above the dashboard plus one at the operator’s feet, and a radio.
Comfortable cab
The split door opens wide for good access, and the cab is surprisingly spacious. The main controls are on
As with all compact handlers, cab space is restricted, but the Kubota version is quiet and comfortable.
The controls are user-friendly and well positioned so it took little time to get used to the new machine. The curved windscreen is progressively tinted nearer the top and provides a great view of the boom and attachment.
the right-hand armrest, and this keeps them away from the operator’s legs even when the joystick is pushed fully to the left.
The steering wheel and column can pivot right forward allowing extra space when getting in and out of the seat.
Visibility all around is very good, mainly due to the curved one-piece front screen. There is a clear view of the attachment throughout the continued over…
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lift height range, although taller operators must look through the protective roof grille when the boom nears maximum height.
Even with the top door section open and the machine working hard, the cab remains surprisingly quiet. There is very little vibration through the seat or controls.
As usual, moving the main joystick operates the main boom functions. There are two roller switches on top of the joystick. One extends and retracts the boom, and the other selects the travel direction. An electronic button on the face of the joystick selects the speed range, which automatically defaults to high speed every time the machine is switched o and restarted. Beside it, a second switch activates the di lock (where tted). Additional buttons activate auxiliary hydraulic and electric services.
There is a large ratchet-type handbrake lever to the right of the joystick.
The dashboard in front of the steering wheel monitors key functions and is easy to see even in bright sunshine.
User-friendly
It takes little time to get used to the
new KTH4815-2, as the controls are well laid out and user-friendly. For a compact loader, the cycle times are relatively quick, although if the user tries to lift and extend the boom simultaneously then high engine revs are needed to supply the required ow of oil, otherwise just one function activates at a time. Lowering and retracting the boom together isn’t an issue even with the engine at an idle. Cable-operated controls mean the boom action sometimes feels jerky, although this will improve as the machine records a few more working hours.
The manoeuvrability is excellent and it’s easy to monitor the right-hand front and rear corners when working in con ned spaces.
Adequate space
Overall, for the 6ft 3in Farmers Guide operator, the driving experience was comfortable and there was plenty of headroom and enough legroom to prevent it feeling cramped. The Kubota 3cyl diesel engine is exceptionally quiet and smooth, contributing to the machine’s quality feel.
Viable proposition
The Kubota KTH4815-2 comes
standard with a 2-year, 2,000-hour manufacturer warranty. Extended warranties aren’t available currently but are likely to be an option in future. Back-up is available through Kubota’s large network of agricultural and groundcare specialist dealers, many of who o er attractive contract servicing packages. The base model has a recommended retail price of £53,378 while the Hi Spec Deluxe, like the machine tested, costs £65,623. All versions are available to order now, for delivery from late April, and Gordon Smith con rmed that Kubota’s target is to sell upwards of 100 units annually within less than three years. FG
Farmers Guide also took the opportunity to test-drive Kubota’s rst telescopic articulated loader. The RT105T-2 has a maximum lift capacity of 750kg, a maximum tipping load capacity on forks of 460kg, and maximum 2.7m reach. The hydraulic system provides 28 litres/min ow @ 180 Bar for auxiliary services. Power is from a 25hp Kubota engine; maximum travel speed is 15kph, and the inside turning radius is an incredibly tight 978mm.
Wright Rain UK 2018, a quality name, providing a quality product. We are ideally placed to serve our dealers across the whole of the UK with our full range of aluminium pipes, fittings and parts available from stock. We specialise in agricultural and horticultural clear crop irrigation and land dispersal of dirty water.
The Wright Rain range of aluminium pipes and fittings are known all over the UK for their superior quality and durability, and have become the industry standard for many applications. Their light weight, strength and corrosion resistance makes them ideally suited for portable irrigation systems.
Cultivator and drill demonstration proves popular with potential buyers
Relentless wet weather gave way to a few drier days in mid-March, creating workable conditions for an Oliver Landpower Ltd demonstration of Sumo drills and cultivators, and JCB Fastracs. David Williams was there.
The working day, near Royston, Herts, featured many of the current Sumo products from intensive deep working cultivators including the Quatro to the latest Vaxio model designed for shallow but intense soil movement.
Drills included the DTS Strip-Till drill with a leading tine, and the DD Direct Drill which is currently creating considerable interest due to its ability to establish crops with signi cantly less soil movement, and grants currently available.
The LDS Low Disturbance Subsoiler was also in action.
Latest controls
As well as the Sumo machinery, the demonstration provided an opportunity for visitors to experience the latest JCB Fastrac 4000- and 8000- series tractors, all with the new user-friendly iCON control system. This allows operators to adapt the controls to suit their preferences for di erent tasks through con gurable buttons and switches, while also allowing seamless swapping between hand and foot controls during work.
Successful event
Oliver Landpower marketing manager, Alex Way said he was very pleased with the Sumo Working Cultivation Day. “Fortunately, the weather came good for us on the day, and encouraged many customers to attend who were genuinely interested in the product ranges on o er. It’s fair to say that most seemed very impressed by the results the machines achieved in the eld. We would like to thank Sumo for working with us to achieve the successful event, the JCB team for their support, as well as Oakbank and Ceres Rural for arranging the seminars which attracted considerable interest.
“The cultivator that generated most enquiries on the day was the Sumo Vaxio, as customers were impressed that it performed so well considering the marginal conditions.”
Choose the right drill
The Sumo DTS Strip-Till drill creates ideal conditions for seed germination and growth within narrow seed row bands, while leaving the
rest of the surface undisturbed. Grant availability has increased interest in direct drilling techniques, but Sumo export sales manager Rob Shepherd stressed to Farmers Guide that the soil structure must be suitable for the technique to succeed. “If the soil isn’t ready, then we recommend our DTS drill with a leading tine instead, to operate direct into stubbles where conditions are favourable, but which will also drill successfully into ploughed and pre-cultivated ground.
“It is extremely versatile and will complement the soil improvement process.” Rob is pictured below explaining features and bene ts of the DD drill to demonstration visitors.
High-speed, shallow cultivations
The Vaxio cultivator is a high-intensity, highspeed, min-tillage cultivator which loosens, levels and consolidates in one pass. The working elements include front discs, heavy-duty springloaded tines and hydraulically adjusted levelling paddles and a packer roller at the rear.
Versatile Fastrac
Members of the TB Fairey & Sons Ltd team based at Linton were at the demonstration. The farm uses a 2021 JCB Fastrac 4220 supplied by Oliver Landpower. Other machinery supplied by Olivers includes a pick-up truck and a combine. “The
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…from previous page
back-up is brilliant, I just can’t fault it,” stressed JCB operator, Philip Eddy.
Philip said that the Fastrac performs a wide variety of tasks including cultivations, rolling, hedge cutting, drilling, fertiliser applications and trailer work, and he describes it as comfortable and very versatile. “I tried the new iCON and thought it was a big improvement on the previous system. They are excellent tractors, and when our JCB is due for updating then I’m sure it will be replaced by the newer model.”
Buckinghamshire farm
Harry Fulham and Melissa Fry travelled up from Chesham, Buckinghamshire. Harry is machinery operator for farmers W. J. & M. Mash, and he uses a 2012 Sumo Trio subsoiler. “It’s still as good as new, and the original discs were replaced only last year, even though our soils have a high fint content,” he said. “We are looking for a solution to cut through trash including heavy pea stubble ahead of the cultivation legs to reduce blockages, and that could involve upgrading the Trio or moving to something like the Quatro instead.”
Soil loosening
Sufolk-based farmer and contractor, Richard Duchesne attended with his son, Sam. “Our Fastrac 4220 iCON has clocked up more than 1,000 hours since it arrived last year, and we remain very impressed,” commented Sam. “As one of our main two tractors it performs the full range of tasks throughout the year, although we hire in one higher horsepower tractor for heavy cultivations during autumn.
“Following the wet winter, we believe that there is a need for soil loosening this spring, particularly on some headlands. We have grassland for grazing and haylage, and that needs subsoiling too. The ideal solution will be a low-
disturbance soil loosener suitable for both arable land and grass, so we were keen to see how the LDS subsoiler performs.
“Availability through Olivers is an advantage, particularly since the new depot at Colchester opened this time last year. We knew many of the Colchester-based team before they transferred from other local dealers, and they are always keen to help.”
Simple system
Sufolk-based Exning Estate farm manager, Marcus Boniface attended the demonstration with machinery operator, Steve Clark. “We keep our crop establishment as simple as possible, and two Sumo LDS subsoilers perform all precultivations ahead of seeding by direct drilling,” he explained. “Our usual rotation includes winter oats, winter barley, winter wheat and spring barley. Spring barley land is prepared by the LDS in the autumn ahead of direct drilling in the spring, although after this winter’s rain additional light cultivations might be needed. This year we will be planting spring linseed into stubbles from cover crops which were grazed of by sheep and will use the Sumo LDS for these too. The straightforward system works well.”
The estate also has a GLS low-disturbance grassland subsoiler. “We have a lot of grass for equine activities, and it helps relieve sub-surface compaction to let moisture get away without causing too much damage on top.”
Other machinery from Olivers includes a JCB Loadall. “We tend to deal mainly with Tom Coats
and fnd the back-up from all the depots very good,” Marcus concluded.
Tom Coxall of 5 Counties Contracting Ltd was interested in the latest Quatro. “Our elderly 5m model performs primary cultivations on cereal and sugar beet stubbles, but the latest model with hydraulic adjustment of the working components from the tractor seat is very attractive,” he said. “Sumo build quality is good, and we deal with both sides of the Olivers business and fnd the service excellent.”
Large contracting operation
Demonstration visitors Neil and his son, Charlie Byford T/A Byford Farm Services are pictured along with contract shepherdess Olivia Abrey and her puppy, ‘Goose’, and Oliver Landpower representative, Michael Payne.
The Byfords have four JCB Fastracs; three 4220s and a 2170, plus a JCB Loadall. “We have a family farm and provide contracting services too, and started dealing with Olivers quite recently when the dealer took over the JCB franchise for our area,” Neil explained. “The service is excellent and we are looked after well.”
One of the Byford’s current Fastracs is the latest iCON version, and Charlie said that, since it arrived last summer, it has been used for corn carting, drilling, cultivations and hay tedding. “It’s very versatile and I like the improved controls.”
The Byfords were at the demonstration to try the latest 8000-series Fastracs, which Neil believes might be ideal for use with his large square balers. FG
Improved finish and more even emergence through tackling wheelings ahead of drilling
Adding a linkage-mounted wheeltrack eradicator between the tractor and a trailed drill is beneftting crop establishment on a large Norfolk arable farm. David Williams reports.
Trading as EF Harrold Ltd, Christopher Harrold and his sons Nick and Jonno farm a total of 1,650ha at Oulton near Norwich. A wide range of crops are grown, including potatoes which are the main enterprise, along with cereals, sugar beet, vining peas, and maize for an AD plant.
The mix of owned and tenanted land includes some on FBTs along with other areas under contract farming agreements with local landowners. A wide variety of soil types is dominated by soft, sandy loams. The crop establishment regime relies on non-inversion tillage for all crops including before and after sugar beet and potatoes, although a plough is available if conditions demand it. A Sumo Trio does most primary cultivations ahead of drilling by the Horsch Serto 10CS disc drill which was new last autumn. Following the particularly wet winter, most spring crops will be planted using a powerharrow drill combination this year.
Light land
Because of the short gap between primary cultivations and drilling, the spongy light soils can be left uneven by the drill tractor’s wheels, afecting seeding performance. “If we left the land to settle for a month or so after it’s cultivated, then the tractor wheelings would be less of an issue,”
explained Nick. “However, that usually isn’t an option for us and, even after drilling, the wheelings and uneven ground are quite noticeable. This can result in variable seed germination and plant emergence, making the crop more difcult to manage later.
“Our new Horsch drill has integral wheelmark eradicators, but on their own they still didn’t cure the problem. We were going to make up something in our farm workshop to tackle the issue, but we also looked at alternatives including the Agriweld Prevent,
which was available more quickly through Ernest Doe Power. It seemed well designed with useful features, including working legs that raise and lower on vertical parallel linkages.
“This means that the tractor linkage and drill drawbar maintain a constant height during headland turns, while the eradicator legs are lifted vertically clear of the ground. Because they stay vertical rather than pivoting, there is no chance of them fouling the drill drawbar even at tight steering angles up to 90 degrees.”
First use – great results
As soon as the Prevent arrived, it was mounted in front of the drill and used in challenging conditions to establish winter wheat into wet, uneven potato stubbles. “The drill coped well, and the Prevent avoided deep wheel ruts that would otherwise have been an issue,” stressed Nick. “Looking at the crop now, in mid-March, it’s level, the crop is even and it’s very difcult to fnd the tractor and drill wheelings.”
The Prevent was supplied with two close-spaced eradicator legs on each side, but after the frst use one of each pair was removed. Nick said that because the tractor wheels leave a dish profle, only the lowest centre point is an issue so just one leg will achieve the required result. The point and narrow wings lift soil in the compressed central zone, and the leg leaves a channel with a small amount of loosened soil on each side. The drill’s integral wheel track eradicators follow the same path, working just below the surface, sweeping loose soil in from the sides and create a perfectly level fnish.
Retain existing tramlines
The ability to adjust the legs hydraulically from the cab also allows them to be raised clear of the ground to leave existing tramlines in situ. “We don’t drill tramlines anymore,” explained Nick, “but we try not to disturb existing tramline wheelings between crops as the frmer ground provides extra opportunities to travel with the sprayer and fertiliser applicator if conditions turn wet.
“If the Prevent legs were fxed or manually adjusted then we would have no option but to leave them in the working position and pull
continued over…
up the tramlines each year, but the convenient hydraulic adjustment means our existing wheelings can remain undisturbed.”
Simple adjustment
Maximum working depth is set by adding or removing ram spacers, but the linkage mounted toolbar and drill layout provides extra exibility.
“The Horsch drill seed coulters are independently mounted at the rear behind the large otation wheels, and this makes it possible to lower the linkage arms to achieve extra loosening in patches of particularly sti ground, without a ecting the seeding performance,” noted Nick.
Pleased to recommend the Prevent
Ernest Doe Power area sales manager, George Carman is based at the dealer’s Fakenham depot and looks after the Harrold’s account. “When Nick explained his issue regarding the wheelings, I immediately recommended the Agriweld Prevent as a potential solution,” he said. “The design has many advantages over competitor versions, including the vertical leg lifting, and the build quality is excellent with reinforcement of the steel frame around the top link and elsewhere.
“It’s extremely versatile too with almost unlimited adjustment for compatibility with any make or model of trailed cultivator or drill, and the manufacturer supplies it with whatever hitch and extended connectors are needed, including hydraulics, electrics and an Isobus socket.”
Although the Prevent was purchased especially for use with the cereal drill, Nick believes potential additional applications could include mounting it in front of the farm’s Lemken Kompactor seedbed cultivator to optimise conditions for sugar beet planting.
Convinced of bene ts Nick said that although it could be argued that using a tracked rather than a wheeled tractor for drilling would reduce compaction and mean the Prevent wouldn’t be needed, he has been so impressed by the results so far that he would continue using it anyway. “Tracks create shallower but wider depressions in the ground, so best results would be achieved by using two eradicator legs on each side to cover the extra width, rather
than single legs as we do now,” he con rmed. “It takes very little pulling so we achieve a better seedbed for minimal extra cost, and with additional bene ts including better manoeuvrability and tighter headland turns due to the extended drawbar, I think it will always be part of our crop establishment system in future.
“Without it we would have to accept less level seedbeds with increased potential for uneven emergence.” FG
Lincolnshire welcomes new machinery dealership
Farmers Guide multiplatform journalist Aleksandra
Cupriak attended the opening of the new B&B Machinery depot in Swineshead, near Boston recently. The new premises will serve as the dealership’s main Manitou depot, centrally located to cover the Lincolnshire territory.
This strategic move marks a signifcant step forward for the company and means that customers from the area will be able to easily purchase both new and used machinery and parts, as well as seek advice and service their Manitou equipment.
Right location, right time
B&B Group director, James Bowring, said this depot has opened in the right location and at the right time.
possible thanks to the eforts of the team, who had been working hard for months to ofer the best services for the dealership’s future customers. He added: “It is very exciting that we can fnally welcome our customers, new colleagues, and friends to our new depot.
with a comprehensive overview of the available machinery to cater to their diverse needs and requirements. Various models, including the popular 6, 7 and 8m machines, are currently in stock and available almost immediately.
During the open days, a total of seven Manitou machines were sold, with an additional four sales fnalised immediately after the event. Furthermore, the event generated 20 promising leads, which are currently under active follow-up with B&B Machinery.
Manitou marketing manager Chloe Tapp said the relationship between Manitou and B&B Group has thrived, highlighting B&B Group’s strong commitment to the Manitou brand.
“By delivering exceptional service and ofering a wide array of Manitou machinery, parts and attachments, the B&B Group ensures that customers receive bespoke solutions that precisely align with their needs,” she commented.
Local farmers and those visiting from further afeld had a chance to look around the new dealership, and meet the team during the grand opening on 22nd and 23rd February.
B&B Machinery welcomed the visitors with a delicious hog roast and drinks. As well as the fagship Manitou franchise, a range of brands attended the event to introduce their products to the local farming community.
Good connection
Kramp business specialist Karolina Rejowska and customer specialist Naveen Summan attended the opening, discussing with visitors the wide range of farming equipment that is available at the depot. Ms Rejowska said: “We have a good connection with B&B, and we cannot wait to meet new customers through this collaboration.”
“Our hopes are for this dealership to thrive and grow, and for this we need support from the local farms. In return, we’ll work hard to provide the best service and advice to our customers, and intend to be here for the long run.”
The depot ofers new and used machinery, parts and repair services.
B&B Machinery brings to Swineshead a wide range of popular brands, including Manitou, Husqvarna, Toro and Milwaukee.
Dealer principal at B&B Group, Andrew Walker, said the opening was
Agreeing with James’ sentiments, he said: “We ofer premium services that aim to elevate our customers’ experience. Our goal here is to promote our partners, expand further into the area, and gain many loyal customers – this should secure a successful future in Swineshead.”
Generating sales and promising leads
The event showcased an extensive range of Manitou machinery – from skidsteers to forklifts, articulated loaders to agricultural telehandlers, including popular models such as the MLT 630 and 635, through to the advanced NewagXL models such as the MLT 850.
Manitou representatives were on hand to provide B&B customers
Keeping machinery safe
Speaking after the opening event, Manitou managing director Mark Ormond commented: “B&B is an important and successful Manitou dealer across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Stafordshire. When an opportunity occured for a new dealer in Lincolnshire, B&B approached Manitou with the idea of establishing a dedicated Manitou outlet under the brand name of B&B Machinery. We are delighted that B&B has purchased and developed this new depot at Swineshead, to focus on Manitou, and ensure our agricultural customers of Lincolnshire enjoy the professional service of a Manitou-dedicated business.” FG
Police from the local Rural Crime Team attended the event to advise farmers on how to keep their machinery safe and secure. Sergeant Russell Spink (pictured centre, with colleague PC Mcallister on the left) said: “We want to encourage farmers to make sure their machines are safe by security marking them. When we recover a machine, sometimes we have no idea who owns it or whether it was stolen. If farmers are aware of our free schemes and mark their machinery, we can then get their equipment back to them quicker and easier if the worst happens.” Sergeant Spink said that the Rural Crime Team has recently been dealing with a range of issues, including illegal hunting and thefts of agricultural machinery, and added that it is of vital importance to keep keys away from the machines. The rural crime team also urges farmers to lock farm buildings when they are not in use.
The police team was joined by Dave Luscombe from the Cesar Scheme (pictured on the right), which ofers marking for agricultural machinery. It is the only ofcial police and Home Ofce-approved construction and agricultural equipment registration scheme. It allows farmers to complete a simple registration of their machinery so it can be identifed if stolen. According to Dave, Cesar marking of agricultural machinery has contributed to a 60% decline in thefts since the scheme was launched in 2007. He said: “Our system is provided free of charge. It’s all about making farmers aware of what comes on the machine as standard and making sure they register them to the system. Lots of farmers think that it has already been done by the dealer, but it is vitally important that they register it in their own name. If anybody would be interested in getting a tag, they can visit B&B and obtain any advice needed.”
Showcasing auto mowers
Husqvarna attended the opening day to showcase its latest auto mowers. Husqvarna’s business development manager, James Casey (pictured second from left with Rob Trott, Craig Stoba and B&B’s Sean McDonnell), said that Ceora is currently the most popular mower among Husqvarna’s customers. The machine is the ultimate solution for all green space professionals handling large turf areas. He added: “This robotic lawnmower is a ground-breaking innovation, is easy to use, and has a very large area capacity, up to 75,000m2. It is also low in noise and emission-free when in use.”
Building for the future
Toro’s territory manager, Ben Kirkby, showcased the company’s highlights that will be available at B&B Machinery. The dealership will o er a range of groundcare machinery, including mowers, lawn sprayers, seeders, utility loaders and more. Ben said: “I’m very excited for this opening. We’ve been collaborating with B&B for 18 months now, and our hopes are high. We’ve made some real progress with this dealership, and we’re hoping to build on that in the future.”
Visitors were able to learn more about Toro’s latest zeroturn mowers, which Ben said make the mowing experience enjoyable and get the job done much quicker than standard machines.
Excited for the new depot
Castle Clothing attended the event, presenting its range of clothing and workwear. Regional sales manager, Mark McGovern, said that the relationship with B&B Machinery is very new; however, the company cannot wait to see its products displayed in the new depot. He added: “This collaboration came to fruition in the middle of last year, and now we’re selling our clothes and accessories in four of B&B’s branches. We’re very excited for this opening. The building looks fantastic, and we’re very happy to be a part of it.”
Lifetime warranty
During the opening day event, Sealey showcased a range of tools for farmers, including hand and power tools and compressors with lifetime warranty. Area sales manager Paul Gray commented that Sealey has been cooperating with B&B for many years and is happy that the new depot opened in the Lincolnshire area. He added: “It’s quite exciting to see how the company expands and develops. I hope it will grow even bigger.”
Machinery
Popular fencing stapler
The Milwaukee team attended the event to introduce a range of power tools, accessories and hand tools that will be available at the newly opened dealership. The visitors had a chance to discover the company’s popular fencing stapler, which includes around 600 staples and no gas cartridge. The tool can be very useful for farmers who do many fencing jobs on their farms. Milwaukee area sales executive William Manship (pictured) was also promoting Milwaukee’s multitool which o ers plenty of attachments, as well as the company’s bush cutters and hedge trimmers.
Working on behalf of farmers
Woldmarsh machinery sector head Paul Massey (pictured on the left with Ian Dawson) attended the opening with the aim of introducing farmers to the farming cooperative that was formed in 1961. The member-owned farmers’ buying group specialises in helping members nd parts and various commodities for their farms. Paul said: “If a busy farmer wants something, he can ring our o ce, and we will source the equipment for him. We’ll even pay for it and then sort it out with him later on. We’re very happy with our collaboration with the B&B dealer group, which enables farmers to get equipment from them, through us.”
Members of the B&B team are pictured on the day (l-r): Service technician, Connor Wilson; groundcare specialist, Sean McDonnell; group marketing manager, Sara Paoloni; group nance manager & Isuzu sales, Hannah Mellor; dealer principal, Andrew Walker; director, James Bowring; Manitou sales specialist - South Lincs, James Richardson; Manitou sales specialist - North Lincs; Dave Chambers; and service manager, Gareth Crowe.and make the most of the rumen buffer that gets the job done
Maximise milk yield without the risk of SARA with OmyaFeed C MgO, a palatable rumen buffer made from nely ground natural minerals. It can be used as a preventative or curative solution for SARA in high-yielding dairy cows fed a high starch, low bre diet.
Just 130g of OmyaFeed C MgO per cow per day is required for effective rumen health, compared with more than double the amount of sodium bicarbonate/calcium carbonate mix. This saves money and creates space in the ration for further feed materials. OmyaFeed C MgO is very cost effective at under 7p/cow/day.
To nd out how you can milk the advantages of OmyaFeed
C MgO, contact:
MAXIMUM
David Bonsall on 07773 180664 or email david.bonsall@omya.com.
Keep a spring in their step: Managing SARA and grass staggers
As spring grass arrives many dairy farmers are faced with a double challenge in managing cows’ health: sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) and grass staggers. David Bonsall, animal feed expert at Omya, o ers a straightforward, cost-e ective solution.
“At this time of year many dairy farmers will be glad to be able to turn cows out to graze,” he says, “but spring grass is typically high in sugar, low in bre and low in magnesium, giving rise to the risk of both SARA and grass staggers.
“This risk can be mitigated by adding OmyaFeed C MgO to the ration. This compacted feed supplement is made from micronised ground calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide. As well as being a highly e ective rumen bu er, it also provides the cow with essential and readily available calcium and magnesium.”
What is SARA and how can it be prevented?
SARA is caused by the accumulation
of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the rumen. As feed is fermented in the rumen, VFAs including acetate, propionate and butyrate are produced. If this happens quickly, as it does with a high sugar low bre diet, then the pH in the rumen drops. An animal is said to be su ering from SARA if the pH stays low (below 5.8) for a prolonged period each day.
As David Bonsall explains: “When rumen pH is low for long periods of time, it a ects the microbial population and can even damage the lining of the rumen. The high sugar and low bre content of spring grass can cause huge uctuations in rumen pH which is very damaging to the cow and has an impact on milk production. Sometimes it’s hard to
in bre, which means it moves through the rumen more quickly, so whatever magnesium there is in the grass doesn’t get absorbed. The only way to make sure the animals get enough is to provide additional readily available magnesium in the diet.”
The AHDB advises that de ciency will occur in diets with less than 0.4% magnesium.
OmyaFeed C MgO contains both calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide which bu ers rumen pH and provides readily available calcium and magnesium.
diagnose SARA but farmers can watch out for poor appetites, weight loss, reduced milk production, and lameness.”
SARA can be prevented by adding OmyaFeed C MgO to the ration. In independent trials at IRTA in Spain, cows supplemented with OmyaFeed C MgO spent fewer hours per day with pH lower than 5.8 than those supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, without a ecting milk yield or fat content.
What can be done to avoid grass staggers?
Grass staggers is caused by a de ciency of available magnesium in the diet. Sometimes known as grass tetany or hypomagnesaemia, it can take hold rapidly with often no warning. Symptoms include twitching muscles, di culty walking, and restless or even aggressive demeanour, and can quickly lead to death without veterinary intervention.
David Bonsall points out that cows do not store magnesium so it must be available from the diet. However, spring grass is often very low in magnesium and so supplementation is necessary to prevent grass staggers. “Because spring grass grows so fast, its magnesium content can be as low as 0.1% dry matter. It’s also low
David Bonsall highlights the trial results: “We measured magnesium absorption in dairy cows and found that the absorption di erence was 60% higher than with a conventional mix, which is a signi cant di erence. It is also worth pointing out that OmyaFeed C MgO is very palatable so there are no intake issues. The big problem getting magnesium into cows at grass to combat staggers is that many magnesium products are highly unpalatable so the cows won’t eat them.”
di erence. It so there are
OmyaFeed C MgO also provides calcium, which is particularly important for dairy cows. There is around 1.2g of calcium in every litre of milk produced, and a lactating cow producing 30kg of milk per day may require up to 60g of calcium per day to maintain milk production and prevent metabolic disorders such as milk fever. It is generally acknowledged that calcium is more readily available to the cow when provided as a mineral supplement than as part of forage or other feedstu s.
Mr Bonsall concludes: “OmyaFeed C MgO is proven to both prevent and cure SARA as well as providing readily available calcium and magnesium to the lactating cow. Because of its formulation, it is palatable, breaks down easily on ingestion and is easily incorporated into the feed mix without settling out. Only 130g per cow per day is required, which creates space in the ration, and at only 7p per cow per day, it o ers dairy farmers a cost-e ective way of managing herd health this spring.
For more information visit: https://www.omya.com/en/ products/agriculture/omyafeed-cmgo FG
The importance of body condition scoring
Maintaining the optimum BCS for a breeding cow throughout the year increases fertility, reduces calving difculty, can improve calf weaning weights, and ensures your feed budget is appropriate for the animal and your wallet! Gemma Barnes, of Westpoint Farm Vets in York, ofers some advice.
A body condition score (BCS) is an essential metric of a cow’s nutritional status, and consequently, their health and productivity. Bodyweight rarely produces the same insight – 700kg can look very diferent over two breeds or individuals.
Condition scoring can be completed without moving animals through a handling system and
can be incorporated into daily stock checks, either in the shed or out at grass. Cows should be assigned a recorded BCS at several points:
• Weaning
• 60 days before calving
• Calving.
This condition score can help determine
if the diet provided is meeting the energy requirements of that individual. Splitting cows into BCS groups ensures that feed is tailored to their nutritional needs, ensuring over conditioned cows do not eat into your food budget, which could be more appropriately spent on under conditioned cows. The trace element status of cattle should always be considered if hard feed is to be removed from their diet entirely. Silage analysis can help determine what micronutrients may need to be supplemented to meet daily requirements.
A condition score is based on the physical appearance of specifc points on the animal, the tail head, pin bones and loin, with all three indicating the level of fat coverage over the cow’s body. Once a cow is given a BCS, it must be recorded to allow true comparison from one assessment to the next, and the same person should score that animal on the subsequent occasion to maintain consistency. Ideally, a suckler cow should consistently score 2.5–3) out of 5. This is especially important before calving due to the signifcant energy required to produce milk for a calf.
A 2.5 score cow should have a shallow cavity around the tail head, with prominent pin bones, and round ended, visible, transverse processes.
The loss, or gain, of half a condition score can take up to two months, therefore it is important to identify changes in condition promptly, and the diet may need to be altered to reach the desired BCS. It is best to speak to your vet or a nutritionist before changes to diet are made, especially during gestation, as a rapid change in diet can have negative impacts. FG
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Mitigating summer butterfat dips
Managing butterfat in cows at grazing can be a challenge. Dips in average butterfat can be 0.5%, and a 0.35% is typical. This can have a signi cant and rapid impact on the milk cheque.
Fresh young grass, either grazed or cut in zero-grazing systems, has a high oil content which interferes with the milk production pathway. Oil-rich TMR diets, e.g. those with byproducts, can have the same e ect.
Specialised bu ers, that go beyond controlling rumen pH, will reduce the negative impact on milk quality of high oil content diets and also where highly digestible, highenergy silages are being fed.
Lancashire-based producer Nigel Airey has reversed the butterfat dip at turnout by including Equaliser Cream in the dairy compound for his 78-cow Holstein herd.
Equaliser Cream works as a bu er in maintaining rumen pH and also supports the reduction of CLA production by normalising the oil conversion pathways. This twopronged attack prevents rather than ‘cures’ the problem, and the response is rapid.
Nigel’s summer grazing and winter housing system relies on high-quality grazed grass and ad-lib grass silage in winter, with a highquality 17% protein compound feed fed to yield in through the parlour. Concentrate feed rate is 0.35kg/litre. The herd averages 9,000 litres, at 4.5% fat and 3.3% protein, on twicea-day milking.
Turnout is rarely before May but grass growth on the heavy land continues all summer. Nigel looks for a boost in milk production as cows are turned out to grass in the second half of their lactation. But despite milk yields increasing, he’s struggled to maintain butterfat, which would typically dip to 4.2% with some cows going below 4%. “I’d see the milk
cheque go down in these months,” he says.
On the advice of his nutritionist, he switched to another 17% protein cake, Creamyield, in 2023, which includes Equaliser Cream to promote butterfat and counter the dip at turnout.
“I tried the new cake when butterfat started to drop,” says Nigel. “They completely recovered to 4.5% and this remained steady all summer.”
Convinced of its e ectiveness, and having tried various products in the past that hadn’t been as good, he’s committed to Creamyield and is introducing it a few weeks before turnout to prevent the dip. “It more than pays for itself by keeping the milk cheque on target.”
UK and Irish trials of Equaliser Cream between 2021-2023 saw 13 dairy farms introduce it before the usual butterfat dip; and 12 farms introduce it after experiencing low butterfat. Feed rates were between 75–150g/cow/day, and the proportion of grazed grass in the diet ranged from 0–75%.
Those introducing it early mitigated the butterfat decline and recorded an average improvement of 0.4% in May, compared with the same month in the previous year. The 12 farms feeding Equaliser Cream after butterfat dropped saw an improvement within a week of 0.33%, with an average increase in one month of 0.51%.
The average nancial bene t of adding Equaliser Cream to diets across the 25 herds was 51p/cow/ day, and for an average herd of 155 cows, this was £2,412/month based on average milk prices at the time of the trial. FG
Take advantage of increasing grass growth!
Feed your grass with Yara’s Booster range of fertilizers:
•Contains Selenium for healthier livestock
•Additional sulphur increases yield by 10-15% in first and second cut
•True uniform fertilizer – every granule contains every nutrient
•Apply NPKS by the end of March for best grazing results
Forage returns increased through prescription nutrition
Applying a tailored Sweetgrass fertiliser will improve key metrics across grassland this spring, and it should be essential for livestock farmers aiming to maximise their returns from forage, according to nutrition agronomist, Guillaume Franklin.
Using prescription nutrition to cater for a wide range of soil factors, instead of applying a standard nitrogen fertiliser, will allow farmers to grow more, better quality forage for their cows, and reduce the requirement to buy supplements,” advises Guill.
While nitrogen is always going to be vital for grass growth, other nutrients should be considered by farmers when buying fertiliser to achieve increased forage quality and replace de cient soil nutrients. Part of this will be through knowing exactly what the soil needs to supply
the crop’s requirements.
Guill continues: “Matching nutrients to soil and crop requirements can increase nutrient availability in the soil pro le and help to produce higher quality grass. This promotes cows to consume more vital nutrients and means the fertiliser becomes a feedstock for the animals. Applying the correct fertiliser will result in the most e cient fertiliser.”
One way of doing this is to apply Origin Fertilisers’ Sweetgrass, that has been developed to improve grassland nutrition. It contains sodium and sulphur, designed
more to be available to the crop. Especially with the high rainfall this winter, many soils will be depleted as sulphur is prone to leaching, therefore a maintenance application is a minimum requirement.
to raise sward palatability and nutrient availability to the plant.
Guill explains: “Farmers will be growing more palatable swards that allow cows to increase their intake from grass, graze swards tighter, and improve digestibility through consuming better-quality forage. Essential bene ts that wouldn’t be achieved from applying nitrogen alone.”
Farmers applying high amounts of nitrogen should also be considering sulphur to increase nitrogen conversion and allow
The sodium in Origin’s Sweetgrass fertiliser provides the RB209 recommended level. A minimum level of sodium in livestock diets is essential to maintain cow health and performance, and its role in improving palatability shouldn’t be forgotten when deciding on fertiliser strategies.
“Much of the sodium consumed by cows is used in the production of saliva, which is secreted into the rumen to maintain a constant pH by neutralising acids formed by bacteria. Sodium supports the synthesis of glucose and converts it to fructose, therefore making the grass more palatable, as the sodium has converted the sugars into more soluble carbohydrates.”
Understanding exactly what soils require this year will allow a tailored approach to nutrition and therefore maximise any investment in grassland fertiliser, concludes Guill.
hydor.co.uk
So good the cows want it back in their ration
In 2021-2023 feeding Equaliser® Cream improved milk income on UK farms by £2412 per month*, with an average uplift in milk butterfat of 0.33% within 7 days and 0.51% within 1 month of feeding.
Contact us today to get the full potential of milk solids from grazed grass this spring!
*Average daily income per cow improved by 51p. Monthly figures based on a 155 cow herd.
T (01845) 578125
E customerservices_dalton@cargill.com
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Your next Hydor purchase could be funded through the FETF grant.
What is the FETF grant?
Farmers will have the opportunity to secure grants between £1,000 and £50,000 for items to improve productivity or slurry management and £1,000 to £25,000 towards animal welfare. In total, it is possible to receive £125,000 in fnancial help from the government to ofer support in these three areas.
If you need any help or advice on which products would be best suited for your farm, our experts can help, just register your interest using the QR code.
Livestock
Optimising feed nutrition for your cattle
Understanding the nutritional quality of grass and forage and using this to formulate feed rations optimises livestock productivity, ensures improved feed e ciency and minimises environmental impacts.
Professional support and quality feeding advice is available from members of the Feed Adviser Register (FAR) which has strict entry criteria based upon training and experience.
Over 1,100 are registered to provide advice for dairy, beef, sheep, pigs and poultry. Farmers can be con dent that by matching the needs of an animal with sustainability data on feed materials, FAR advisers can formulate diets to have a reduced impact on the environment, as well as ensuring dietary requirements are met.
Find out more about FAR and source sound advice from a competent professional near you – visit www.agindustries.org.uk/feedadviser-register.html
Using silages to their maximum nutritional value can make a real di erence to productivity and input costs. Forage from grass, maize or whole crop is one of the most economic feeds for ruminants and a valuable resource. The Forage Analysis Assurance (FAA) Group provides quality assured nutritional analysis to famers and feed advisers to use in formulating feed rations.
Find out more on www.faagroup. co.uk, and check FAA’s performance on silage analysis. Look for the FAA quality mark and nd the best way to sample silage bales and clamps for accurate results. FG
Automation holds key to maximising e iciency
The future of maximising efficiency in dairy production points in the direction of automation. Lucas G, renowned for a wide range of feeding and bedding machinery including self-propelled diet feeders, now also offers an automated feeding system, the I-Ron Mix.
The system can feed 350–1,400 dairy cows and consists of several main components including kitchen, feed bunkers, conveyors, stationary mixer, and electric distribution robot – all controlled by one type of software giving the user maximum control of feed dosage and data analysis. The software is also used to manage feed materials, recipes, and herd intake.
There are many advantages to robotic feeding including reduction in feed waste and regular intake of fresh feed.
Lucas G has a dedicated team of technicians who install the system and engineers at the company’s headquarters in France that can support a UK-based aftersales partner. All components of the I-Ron Mix are manufactured in-house at one of the company’s four factories in France. The system can be assembled on-site and does not require any major changes to a farm’s infrastructure, as the robot is guided by a wire in the ground, Lucas G says.
With labour shortage challenges ongoing, automation could be vital for future-proo ng pro table dairy businesses. Lucas G’s feeding system is also eligible for Farm Productivity grants, which can be applied for now. FG
Bowsers
A range of livestock drinkers with self- ll galvanised bowls are available under the Animal Health & Welfare FETF grant for 2024. Manufacturer Foden Machinery is advising farmers to order early to avoid disappointment.
Grants are available for over 130 animal health and welfare items in 2024, including 29 new items.
A range of Foden Machinery’s products are eligible for the grants – including its 1,200-litre, 1,500-litre and 2,000-litre livestock drinkers with Fisher self- ll galvanised bowls.
Foden’s bowsers come as standard with Enduramaxx
WRAS-approved squat tanks, keeping the bowsers stable with their low centre of gravity and secured to the chassis in each corner – so that when travelling with liquid in the tank and performing your tasks it is secure.
WRAS approval means the contents of the tank are safe for human consumption. This gives you 100% peace of mind that the water your animals are drinking is safe and no compromise is being made to their health.
The black tank protects the water inside from algae as it shields the contents from sunlight. Algae prevention is imperative in keeping the water fresh and free from harmful bacteria, as well as stopping it from turning green.
The chassis is hot dip galvanised, which o ers maximum protection against the elements. The mounting
holes around the perimeter of the trailer allow the drinking bowls to be mounted where desired, with the easy addition of extra bowls if required.
The tank comes with a 2in ARAG valve to turn the water supply on or o for lling and transportation purposes and a 2in camlock valve for a quick drain. The self- ll Fisher bowls have been galvanised to give optimum durability.
Meanwhile, the pipes are protected and run integrally through the chassis to protect them from the elements or being dragged along the oor. The trailer also has the valve forward facing to deter the tap being knocked or chewed. There are also options for additional Fisher drinkers, prop stands, and tyre choices.
Foden Machinery designs and manufactures all of its own products which serve the agricultural, horticultural and equestrian sectors. Its focus is to produce high quality, British-made ATV, UTV and compact machinery that is low maintenance, strong and reliable.
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund will pay a grant of 50% towards the cost of the drinkers. The grant numbers for the items are: FETF314SH and FETF278SH.
To start your application, visit www.gov.uk/ FG
1500L and 2000L Livestock
How to increase your lamb flock output
Whether to remove one of the triplet lambs, putting it onto another ewe or rearing on the bottle, is an age-old dilemma for sheep farmers. In a recent webinar, experts from SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), advised on how to take the trial and error out of triplet rearing.
Keeping all lambs on their mother is best, unless the three lambs are very mis-matched in size, or the o spring of a rst-time mother or a ewe nearing the end of her breeding life and in poorer condition, experts concluded. However, this is assuming the pre-lambing management and nutrition of the triplet bearing ewe is meeting all of her needs.
The rst 24 hours are vital for triplet survival. Having a hotbox ready and separate penning has proved to make a di erence – or, if inside housing isn’t available, having sheltered pasture available for lambing. Simple techniques such as inspecting triplet lambs more often, using the ewe’s own colostrum rather than arti cial formula and spending time holding lambs under the udder all help to create the smell and sight
bond that boost survival chances, experts said.
Dr Tim Keady, research o cer at the Athenry Animal & Grassland Research Centre in County Galway, Ireland, said boosting silage digestibility by ve percentage units increases ewe weight at lambing by 6kg and lamb weaning weight by 1kg.
Scanning is vital, he added, and outlined optimal birth weights of 6kg for single, 5.6kg for twin and 4.7kg for triplet lambs to balance survivability while not being too large to cause di cult lambing.
“The ewe’s body condition at lambing has a huge part to play in whether or not she will successfully rear a large litter, such as triplets,” he explained.
There is a direct correlation between the feed ewes get in the
last six weeks of pregnancy and the weaning weight of lambs, he said. Good nutrition before lambing also helps get oxygen into the placenta, which makes for healthy lambs and improves survival rates.
Comparing a triplet ewe to a twin bearing ewe, he recommended an additional total of 8kg of concentrate for the last six weeks. After birth he recommended 0.5kg of concentrated feed for the rst ve weeks of lactation, along with good quality grass and access to creep feed for the lambs, allowing them 300g per day to weaning. Triplet ewes require an extra 85–90kg than the mothers of twins.
“A lot of farmers make the mistake of looking at the price rather than the composition of concentrated feed. Crude protein levels should be at 18%,” he explained.
“Rather than purchasing solely on price, farmers should look for good quality ingredients including soya, rapeseed, maize, barley, soya hulls and beet pulp. Increasing outputs in this way is money well spent in the long-term.
“While farmers are encouraged to reduce inputs, triplet lambs are di erent – after all, if the ewe successfully rears three lambs, she has a lower carbon footprint.” FG
• 5 active ingredients for fast action
• Suitable for walk through or stand-in footbathing
• Effective for up to 8000 sheep per 20 litre
• Independent study shows 65% of feet problems improved after 1 pass at 2%
Use regularly for best results and as part of lameness prevention plan
Lameness: New safe and e ective approaches
With increasingly wet weather, more farmers are experiencing issues with sheep’s feet. When left untreated, scald can lead to chronic footrot and/or CODD. Vet and veterinary pharmacologist Dr T.B Barragry o ers some advice.
Lameness has been estimated to cost the sheep industry many millions each year, and persistent lameness can lead to reduced weight gains, metabolic diseases in pregnant ewes, reduced birth weight of lambs, mis-mothering and poor colostrum production by the ewe. It can be considered as a “gateway disease”
leading to other economically important health problems and is also a major animal welfare issue, which negatively a ects the public perception of farming.
Grazing and trace element intake
Over 80% of ocks are a ected by
lameness, and within the ock the incidence is believed to run at 10–20%. Occasional foot problems in lambs can signi cantly impede mobility and grazing and lead to inadequate nutritional intake and trace element problems. For hillside and mountain sheep, the uneven and rocky soil conditions can contribute to a relatively higher incidence of lameness, which gets worse and a ects more animals because the problem goes largely unnoticed and untreated on account of the physical location and inaccessibility of the ock.
Predisposing factors and management
contaminated bedding or access routes. Most outbreaks of lameness in sheep are caused by this bacterial infection which is a highly infectious disease.
Contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) is regarded as one of the most severe foot conditions a ecting sheep and is associated with Treponema bacteria. Sheep su ering from cases of CODD can be left permanently lame due to changes to underlying tissues and bone within the hoof. This condition starts at the coronary band and then spreads to under run the hoof wall. There is no foul smell with this type, but it is contagious and can a ect many sheep in a very short period.
Hoof care and footbaths
Hoof diseases are infectious and contagious, and all clinically a ected sheep should be separated from the rest of the ock and treated individually. Persistently infected sheep should be culled, and record keeping and identi cation marks are important to identify these sheep easily. All incoming sheep should be quarantined for 3–4 weeks to avoid the introduction of infectious strains of footrot or CODD to the ock. The claws of sheep should be clinically examined thoroughly and frequently while in quarantine, and locally treated with gels or sprays where necessary. Lame sheep should never be introduced into the ock as they can act as a new reservoir of bacterial infection.
Attention to the foot health of the entire ock and avoidance of transmission of highly infectious pathogens coupled with rapid action, regular footbaths, vaccination and good biosecurity also underpin successful management of lameness prevention.
Types of lameness
Scald: Occurs between the hoof horns and is usually a reddish discolouration and moist with the loss of hair. In ammation occurs in the skin between the digits. There is generally no bad smell and little or no involvement of the hoof. It can be a precursor to footrot.
Footrot: A disease of the hoof that originates between digits but develops to an under-run hoof and it also has a distinctive smell. Footrot is highly infectious and is transmitted from sheep to sheep and thus proper control and prevention must focus on the whole ock. It is particularly transmissible when sheep are con ned in a small area, e.g., during housing periods, in handling yards,
As with most conditions, “prevention is better than cure,” and regular foot baths every few weeks with a safe and e ective compound is a sound nancial investment. E orts must be made to routinely prevent the appearance of foot problems in sheep before the actual clinical signs can occur, thus preventing a reservoir of infection building up in the ock. A useful vaccine is available to prevent and reduce the incidence of the foot rot disease. It is widely used and is a successful deterrent.
Footbaths have been used as routine prophylactics for lameness for many years in sheep, and most of these have centred around copper, zinc, or formalin type ingredients. Formalin is known to harden the hoof and is also carcinogenic – chronic inhalation of its fumes must be avoided. Copper is environmentally toxic and is hazardous to sheep, plants, and herbage.
Hoofsure Endurance from Provita, a proven and safe footbath solution, is a proprietary blend of organic acids, tea tree oil, and wetting agents. It has been highly successful in the eld in both sheep and cattle, in preventing lameness and thereby avoiding the heavy nancial costs arising from the subsequent appearance of lameness.
Hoofsure Endurance formulation displays impressive powers of skin and lesion penetration, high activity in the presence of dirt and organic matter, and crucially a prolonged adhesion and prolonged contact time. The plasticity of the formulation allows for residual contact time, and deep penetration of lesions. In comparison to copper and formalin, the preparation is bactericidal and has a more rapid killing rate on bacteria. This has been established in independent in vitro studies. FG
Beware coccidiosis in spring born calves and lambs
Cattle and sheep producers are being encouraged to guard against coccidiosis in growing spring-born calves and lambs. Youngstock are at particular risk of the parasite-borne disease at this time of year once any passive immunity gained from colostrum starts to wear o .
“Thanks to antibodies gained through ingesting colostrum early in life, calves and lambs initially acquire some passive immunity to the parasite. But this protection is short-lived, leaving young animals particularly susceptible to infection as they grow and develop as the weather warms up,” said MSD Animal Health veterinary adviser Dr
Kat Baxter-Smith.
In spring born calves, disease can occur at any age from three weeks to six months old and in lambs, maternal immunity wanes at 4–8 weeks of age.
Dr Baxter-Smith explained that clinical coccidiosis is caused by a build-up in the rearing environment of oocysts produced by the Eimeria
parasite.
“Susceptible growing calves and lambs become infected by ingesting these oocytes when they lick contaminated objects in their rearing environment or ingest feed or water contaminated by faeces. Once taken into the body in su cient numbers, the oocysts hatch and the parasites invade and destroy intestinal cells. Infection often leads to diarrhoea, weight loss and poor growth rates.”
She explained that alongside good hygiene practices, anticoccidial treatments often have to be used strategically to manage the disease threat on many cattle and sheep units as a consequence.
“This allows youngstock some level of exposure to the parasite so that they gain longer-term immunity, but also removes the parasite before it is able to impact on productivity and further contaminate the environment.
“Oral drenches such as Vecoxan are generally the most convenient way of ensuring that each calf or lamb receives the correct dose at the right time.
“Easy-to-administer as a single oral dose, Vecoxan is a exible coccidiosis management solution
that can be used in calves and lambs of any weight, in any management system and without any environmental restrictions or meat withdrawal period1. In addition, its strategic use with all young animals in a group allows natural immunity to develop in your youngstock and there’s no need to dilute manure from treated animals before spreading on elds1.”
However, Dr Baxter-Smith added that it is important to recognise that coccidiosis is only one of a number of causes of diarrhoea in calves and lambs. Farmers unsure about a particular disease management situation, should contact their vet for advice. FG
References:
1. Van Leemput & Louineau. Diclazuril for coccidiosis in ruminants: safe for the environment? Poster at the 21st International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), Ghent, Belgium. August 19-23, 2007.
KYMCO MEANS BUSINESS
A
Are you experiencing abortions in your flock?
EAE (enzootic abortion of ewes) remains a significant issue on sheep farms and was one of the top three causes of sheep abortion in Great Britain in 2023* costing the UK sheep industry up to £20 million a year (Milne C.E., et al., 2009).
Caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia abortus (Chlamydophila abortus), one ewe with EAE in the first season can infect many ewes with no obvious signs or symptoms. The disease remains latent in these newly infected ewes until the following lambing season, when they may abort in significant numbers of up to 30% (Mearns L., 2007).
Farmers are being urged to test for EAE if they have experienced an
abortion rate of over 2% in their flock or if two or more have aborted over two to three days irrespective of the size of flock.
A ewe that aborts with Chlamydia abortus (Chlamydophila abortus), is usually fit and healthy throughout, but it may have the following signs: a red/brown vulval discharge, abortion of lambs from three weeks before due date, a red inflamed placenta or small, weak or dead lambs.
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The best sample for testing is the whole aborted, fresh foetus and placenta. This can be sent to a lab for post-mortem and analysis. If the lab is too far away or not open, a vet can take relevant samples.
Some tips to ensure the best samples are taken include:
• Always sample fresh cases where possible
• Avoid cases that are rotting or mummified
• Sample more than one case, if available
• Start investigations as soon as you’ve identified there’s a problem.
Ceva Animal Health has launched its annual Assure Ewe diagnostic support scheme for sheep farmers experiencing flock abortions during lambing. The subsidised testing scheme is available through participating vet practices for flocks showing late term abortion or ewes lambing at term with weakly or still born lambs.
Up to six ewes can be sampled from flocks that do not vaccinate against EAE; these samples may be useful in
Our
confirm the diagnosis in aborted ewes. Aborted ewes can be tested for Chlamydia abortus (Chlamydophila abortus), ideally from three weeks to three months after lambing. Ceva recommends that farmers record tag numbers and mark up ewes that have aborted so that they can be easily identified for screening at the end of lambing.
Phillipa Page, veterinary advisor at NADIS and consultant sheep veterinary surgeon at Flock Health Ltd, comments: “It can be stressful at the start of lambing if you are experiencing abortions in your ewes. In the first instance assume that the cause may be infectious and contact your vet for some advice and a plan if the abortions continue. It is very useful to get a diagnosis, where possible, to help decide on a strategy for this lambing and future lambings.”
For further information on EAE, the Assure Ewe scheme or Ceva Animal Health’s Cevac Chlamydia vaccine, please contact your vet or visit https://enzooticabortion.co.uk/ FG *https://assets. publishing.service.gov.uk/ media/651d828f6a6955000d78b305/ Quarterly_GB_small_ruminant_ disease_surveillance_and_emerging_ threats_report_April_to_June_2023. pdf
Increasing fertility with optimal heat detection
Based on highly precise measurements of a cow’s crucial individual parameters, smaXtec says it can provide reliable heat detection and the optimal insemination timing, taking the guesswork out of breeding cows.
Detecting heats and inseminating cows at the right time is critical to the economic success of dairy farms and to improving overall herd health and productivity. However, visual oestrus detection requires many factors to be considered and is very timeconsuming.
With smaXtec, intensive visual observation by the farmer is no longer necessary, as the system sends a noti cation to the
smartphone or PC as soon as cows are in heat, allowing farmers to:
• Improve their heat detection rate
• Reduce the calving intervals
• Improve their services per conception
• Use the best genetics with greater con dence
• Identify cows with fertility problems
• Detect open cows that have been con rmed pregnant.
With its unique bolus technology, smaXtec is much more than a traditional heat detection system, the company says. Thanks to the unique position of the smaXtec bolus and the highly accurate measurement of inner body temperature, drinking cycles and amount of water, rumination and activity, the system provides “unrivalled” data from inside the cow.
When farmers observe their cows visually, it can often lead to missed heats, especially for cows that do not show typical external signs. As every missed heat is a cost factor, farmers can signi cantly increase insemination success. Not only does smaXtec detect cows in heat, but it also indicates the optimal insemination time. This results in a higher conception rate, better calving index and, ultimately, improved fertility.
Another feature of the unique smaXtec system is the abort detection, which identi es pregnant animals with a conspicuous oestruslike cycle. These cows are placed on a list for a repeat pregnancy check to avoid cows with undetected abort falling out of lactation. By detecting aborts early, farmers can get the cows back into calf sooner.
When it comes to calving, the system sends an alarm on average 15 hours in advance. This allows farmers to make necessary preparations for calving, support the cow if necessary and ensure a smooth calving process. Thanks to continuous health monitoring, any signs of metabolic disorders are detected and diseases like milk fever can often be completely avoided by treating cows immediately (i.e. with calcium).
smaXtec customers report that they have achieved higher fertility rates and shorter calving intervals. In addition, they see a reduction of up to 25% in the number of open days in their herd and a signi cant reduction in the age at rst calving. “We nd that the heat detection from smaXtec is second to none. Our conception rates have lifted because of this reason. The calving index has improved by 18 days since we started using smaXtec. So, putting it into real terms, money: smaXtec has paid for itself already, just on the calving index,” reports farmer Peter Wood.
The company says the technology allows farmers to manage their herds in a proactive rather than reactive way, ensuring consistently high milk yields and pro tability, while reducing costs, workload and stress. FG
Nutrition and breeding management “essential” to hit KPIs
Replacement heifers and post-calving cows are under a lot of pressure to hit breeding KPIs. Rumenco nutritionist Dr Alison Bond shares how the new formulation of Maxx Cattle Booster Plus will help achieve this.
A new formulation of Maxx Cattle Booster Plus will help support herd fertility when fed to replacement heifers and bulling cows in the run up to, and during, breeding.
According to Dr Alison Bond, nutritionist for Rumenco, Maxx Cattle Booster Plus contains Celmanax, a yeast fermentation culture; Availa performance minerals; high protein levels and easily accessible sugars. This combination of ingredients promotes rumen health, feed digestion, liveweight gain, body condition, milk production and overall performance.
These are all fundamental components to creating a sustainable and economically e cient breeding cattle system by accelerating the age at which a replacement heifer calves down and the speed at which cows gets back into calf post-calving.
Impact on lifetime production
“Age at rst calving will have a major e ect on the lifetime production of a breeding cow whether in the beef or dairy herd. The current target for age at rst calving is around 24 months of age, resulting in one more calf during their time in the herd compared to a heifer not calving down until three years,” explains Dr Bond.
“Not only does this allow producers to accelerate genetic progress by making retainment decisions much more quickly, but it also maximises forage availability. Industry data from Grange Beef
Centre shows that calving at three years instead of two results in a 50% lower net margin per hectare for spring calving grass-based systems.”
In the cow herd, the challenge is to have cows back in calf within 80 days of calving to maintain a 365-day calving interval. Ideally, cows will get bred around 60 days post-calving at rst oestrus. Data shows that accelerating the rate it takes cows to get back into calf for tighter calving blocks has signi cant economic bene ts. Reducing the calving period from 18 to nine weeks can increase average calf weaning weight by 47kg, with anything extending beyond 12 weeks costing £3.55 per cow per day.
“For both replacement heifers and cows, the sustainability of resource utilisation and economic impact of delayed pregnancy is signi cant,” says Dr Bond. “However, current gures for the UK indicate the average calving interval to be 440 days with approximately 88 calves being born for every 100 cows or heifers. AHDB’s target is 94 calves born per 100 cows or heifers put to the bull – meaning, there’s room for improvement.”
Nutritional support for improved fertility
To achieve these reproduction KPIs, nutritional support is critical.
In heifers, sexual maturity is in uenced by weight rather than age. According to Dr Bond, cattle farmers should aim to maximise liveweight gain, monitoring and weighing
Is heat stress a ecting your calving rates?
As temperatures rise heading into summer, the risk of heat stress increases, impacting productivity and fertility. Galebreaker technical director Andrew Gardner, emphasises understanding and mitigating the risks.
"Many assume heat stress only occurs in intense heat, but cows can become stressed at temperatures from 19°C, especially in high humidity," he explains.
Heat stress can cause decreased milk yields, a ecting
egg fertilisation rates and increasing the risk of abortion, reducing herd conception rates by up to 30% during the summer months.
All year-round calving systems commonly see a drop in calving rates in the spring which can be traced back to heat stress in the summer months. However, strategies exist to lessen heat stress, focusing on ventilation, nutrition, and hydration.
“E ective ventilation is crucial for maintaining consistent air ow and reducing humidity and ammonia
regularly to achieve a bulling weight that is 65% of the heifer's mature weight and approximately 90% of mature weight at calving.
“This means that heifer calves must grow at around 0.7–0.9kg/day. A heifer that doesn’t reach its growth target, but still conceives, will struggle to get in calf as a second calver as the pressure required on the newly calved heifer in terms of growth,” she says.
For post-calving cows, nutritional support is needed to build back and maintain body condition as the lactation period and breeding window crossover each other.
According to Dr Bond, the new formulation of Maxx Cattle Booster Plus makes it ideal for grazing and housed breeding cattle.
“A dehydrated molasses bucket made with patented manufacturing, Maxx Cattle Booster Plus has one of the highest sugar declarations on the market. This will feed rumen microbes so protein available in both the bucket and in other feed will be fully utilised,” she says.
levels in the building," adds Mr Gardner.
Part of the reformulation is the inclusion of Celmanax, a yeast fermentation culture. “Celmanax is a yeast fermentation culture that has been shown to improve ruminant performance by supporting a stable rumen environment. This has proven to deliver bene ts to daily liveweight gain and feed utilisation,” explains Dr Bond.
It also includes performance minerals Availa Zinc and Copper, to optimise performance and feed e ciency. Availa minerals o er superior bioavailability as they bypass the rumen, and have been found to support oocyte production and embryo quality post-calving.
“When used in conjunction with good management practices, Maxx Cattle Booster Plus will help ll essential nutrient demands to meet breeding KPIs in both replacement heifers and post-calving cows,” concludes Dr Bond. “This strategic supplementation will yield a return on investment and improve herd sustainability through more e cient resource utilisation and optimised output.” FG
Galebreaker o ers solutions to cool cows during warmer months. VVS side curtains make the most of natural ventilation by automatically adjusting to optimise temperature and humidity. The VentTube Cool brings fresh air into the shed and distributes over each cubicle at high speed, cooling the cow and maintaining comfort as she lies down.
"Although heat stress can be unpredictable, taking proactive
measures now can help farmers ensure their cows remain healthy and productive through the warmer weather," Mr Gardner states. FG
Innovative roll-over crush available with FETF funding
The ‘Cow Tipper’ is an innovative hydraulic roll-over crush, designed to simplify the cow foot trimming process and o er other extensive bene ts in terms of reduced costs and cow care, says Northern Engineering Ltd.
The Cow Tipper comes in two models – stationary squeeze side for farmers, and mobile squeeze side for vets and hoof trimmers.
Cow Tippers are designed to reduce stress on the animal and operator. It’s easy to handle and an extended rump rail – the only one on the market – allows the operator to guide even the most stubborn animal easily into the crush, ensuring operator safety, Northern Engineering explains. It also comes with a headrest and shoulder support for animal comfort.
All four hooves are exposed at once allowing quick access to rear and front hooves. Udders are also easily visible and accessible, allowing dry cow therapy and opportunities to identify and treat
udder irregularities.
Installation is universal – the crush can be xed, semi- xed and mobile. It’s lightweight and can be quickly and easily moved around when unhitched.
The mobile crush is tted with a high-speed weight transfer axle, anti-roll and torsion bars, shocks and brakes, for safe and steady road transport. With a robust galvanised frame, it’s “easily cleaned and built to last”.
Visit www.northernengineeringltd. com to watch Cow Tipper videos, or contact Northern Equipment directly for more information on the company’s range of livestock handling equipment. FG
Modernising agriculture with precast slats
Croom Concrete, a leading precast concrete company in Ireland, highlights the numerous bene ts for cattle farmers switching to slatted concrete ooring.
Firstly, it signi cantly improves the overall hygiene and cleanliness of the grazing area. Traditional dirt oors can harbour bacteria and parasites, leading to various diseases among livestock. Slatted concrete, on the other hand, provides a smooth and easily washable surface, reducing the risk of infections and promoting healthier cattle.
Moreover, slatted pastures streamline daily farm operations, Croom says. The e cient drainage system of slats ensures that water and waste are quickly removed, minimising the time and e ort required for cleaning and maintenance. This not only saves valuable labour but also enhances productivity and pro tability for
farmers.
Additionally, slatted ooring contributes to the overall comfort and well-being of the animals. The sturdy and stable surface, along with Croom’s special dairy grip slat reduces the occurrence of injuries and lameness, allowing cattle to move freely and comfortably. This, in turn, enhances their growth and development, leading to betterquality meat and dairy products, the company adds.
In conclusion, investing in slatted concrete for pasture ooring is a “game-changer” for modern agriculture. It promotes cleanliness, streamlines operations, and improves the health and productivity of livestock. As pioneers in the industry, Croom says it is proud to o er cutting-edge solutions that empower farmers to thrive in today's competitive market. FG
• Stationary Squeeze Side
• Mobile Squeeze Side
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#kroneagriculture
SCAN
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TO VIEW THE COMPRIMA RANGE
TO VIEW THE COMPRIMA RANGE
THE ALL-ROUNDER FOR ANY TYPE OF CROP
THE ALL-ROUNDER FOR ANY TYPE OF CROP
The Comprima range was developed to be both reliable and durable even in the most difcult conditions. Featuring a unique baling technology the NovoGrip chain and slat conveyor bales all types of crops.
The Comprima range was developed to be both reliable and durable even in the most difcult conditions. Featuring a unique baling technology the NovoGrip chain and slat conveyor bales all types of crops. In combination with an extremely powerful intake system, the machine produces high-density bales with high throughput. Ofering a choice of chambers the round balers of the Comprima series are particularly fexible and match all customers‘ requirements.
In combination with an extremely powerful intake system, the machine produces high-density bales with high throughput. Ofering a choice of chambers the round balers of the Comprima series are particularly fexible and match all customers‘ requirements.
•Fixed Chamber - Comprima F 125 and F 125 XC
•Fixed Chamber - Comprima F 125 and F 125 XC
•Semi-Variable Bale Chamber - Comprima F 155
•Semi-Variable Bale Chamber - Comprima F 155
•Variable Chamber - Comprima V 150 XC and V 180 XC
•Variable Chamber - Comprima V 150 XC and V 180 XC
•Variable Chamber Combination baler and Wrapper the Comprima CV 150 XC
•Variable Chamber Combination baler and Wrapper the Comprima CV 150 XC
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Balers & Bale Handling
Popular all-rounder baler range is “perfect for any type of crop”
The Comprima range was developed by Krone to be both reliable and durable, even in the most di cult conditions, the company explains.
Featuring a unique baling technology, the NovoGrip chain and slat conveyor bales all types of crops. In combination with an extremely powerful intake system, the machine produces high-density bales with high throughput.
O ering a choice of chambers, the round balers of the Comprima series are particularly exible and match all customers’ requirements.
According to Krone, the xed-chamber round balers Comprima F 125 and F 125 XC deliver with their simple, clear-cut and robust design, high stability, extra operator comfort and ease of maintenance.
Model options
The semi-variable bale chamber Comprima F 155 model produces 1.25–1.50m diameter bales. Operators simply set the required diameter in 5cm increments on an easy-to-use system combining the many advantages of xed and variable chamber balers.
The variable chamber round baler Comprima V 150 XC and V 180 XC models allow operators to enter the bale diameter on the operator terminal from the comfort of their own cab. The diameters can be set from 1–1.5m, or to 1.8m diameter respectively. This way you are set to handle all crops and conditions,
Krone says. Smaller bale sizes are often preferred in grass silage whereas larger bales are more typical in hay and straw. Depending on the crop, the baling density in the core of the bale can be reduced, which is perfect for ventilating hay bales.
Variable chamber combination baler and wrapper, the Comprima CV 150 XC, has a powerful wrapper and twin arms for high-speed wrapping.
The wrapping table forms a deep cradle and has large guide rollers on the sides to ensure the bale is consistently rolled during the wrapping process even when operating in steep or bumpy conditions.
The Comprima CV 150 XC table can also be used for unloading the bales in pairs when no wrapping is taking place.
EasyFlow
The EasyFlow pick-up gathers wide swaths e ciently and feeds the material in an extremely consistent ow to the feed rotor. Thanks to the generous width it is not necessary to travel through very tight turns while the machine is baling. More than that, the pivoting and spring-loaded EasyFlow provides perfect ground contouring even in very rough terrain.
The feed rotor at 53cm diameter it makes the Krone feed rotor with tines in two chevron-style
Film binding added to baler range
Massey Ferguson has updated its RB round baler series for 2024 to include a quicker tailgate, lm binding on its variable chamber Protec balers, and new options for loading net or lm rolls onto the baler.
The new high-speed tailgate increases output by up to 6%, allowing an extra four bales per hour to be produced. It is included as standard on all Xtra and Protec models helping to improve baler performance.
MF’s RB V Protec balers can now be tted with lm binding, which follows the option on xed chamber Protec models last year. As part of this, machines with lm binding are tted as standard
with the Rapid Reload system, which allows three rolls to be positioned on a rotating frame near the binding area. When one roll is nished, the operator rotates the frame from the side of the machine to use the next full roll, without needing to lift a new roll into place. MF’s Easy Load System (net tying), Comfort Load and new Eco Load are options for loading rolls onto the baler. Comfort Load uses a sliding tray to lift rolls and present them to the Rapid Reload system at the correct angle, which also helps prevent damage. Eco Load allows users to manually lift rolls up to the binding area without the use of the tray.
For 2024, the auto tailgate function, integrated
rows a powerful and reliable unit. It furthermore delivers an extremely even supply of crops to the bale chamber.
The cutting rotor
Featuring three rows of tines and a massive 53cm diameter, the powerful XCut rotor (with 17 or 26 blades) has the capacity to provide consistent crop ows and precision cuts while spreading the material across the full width of the feed chamber, which is essential for forming rm edges. The double tines pull the crops consistently through the blades. The gap between the tines and the blades is extremely small so that minimal grass stems will pass the blades without cutting.
For more information on Krone's baler range visit www.krone-uk.com FG
bale weighing system, and the HayBoss moisture meter, are three popular features that can now be ordered individually on new machines. FG
harvest. In an industry where time is of the essence and unpredictability reigns, PFC’s preservatives o er a proactive defence against potential losses.
The importance of baling preservatives and moisture meters
PFC explains how combining hay and straw preservatives with a reliable moisture meter creates a symbiotic relationship.
In the world of agriculture, where every harvest can make or break a season, the signi cance of using hay and straw preservatives alongside a dependable moisture meter cannot be overstated. It’s not just about gathering the crop; it’s about ensuring its quality, longevity, and safety for both animals and farmers alike. PFC, which describes itself as a leading provider of agricultural solutions, says it understands
the critical role of preserving hay and straw to maintain the integrity of the baled product.
Hay and straw preservatives act as guardians against the silent assailants of moisture and mould, preserving the nutritional value and palatability of the forage. PFC says its range of preservatives o ers farmers peace of mind, inhibiting microbial growth, preventing spoilage, and ensuring the longevity of their
But relying solely on preservatives would be akin to navigating a ship without a compass. Enter the moisture meter – the navigator of the baling process. PFC explains that its moisture meters provide crucial data, guiding farmers in determining the optimal moisture content for baling. Too much moisture, and the risk of mould and heat damage skyrockets; too little, and the forage becomes brittle, losing its nutritional value.
Combining PFC’s preservatives with its reliable moisture meter creates a symbiotic relationship, ensuring the e cacy of both, the company reckons. Preservatives ward o moisture-related threats, while the meter o ers real-time feedback, allowing for precise adjustments during baling operations.
In essence, the marriage of PFC’s preservatives and moisture meters epitomises the relationship between tradition and technology in agriculture. The company says it is a testament to PFC’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions that maximise e ciency without compromising quality. As farmers navigate the ever-changing landscape of farming, PFC says its tools serve as beacons of reliability, guiding them toward a future of sustainable harvests and prosperous yields.
For more information, contact the company directly. FG
PFC
experts at perfecting the baling process with 20 years experience in baling technology. We supply farmers across the UK and Europe with the highest quality application equipment and preservative for hay and straw. Starting with a manual applicator at a lower price all the way to the most automated system on the market, we have a system for every price point.
New model meets demand for film binding capabilities
The McHale Fusion Vario has been a machine of choice for contractors and large-scale farmers who require the ability to bale and wrap various size bales in di erent crops. There has been a requirement in the variable chamber baler market since the introduction of lm binding technology. McHale explains the bene ts of its new Fusion Vario Plus.
The McHale Fusion Vario Plus is a fully automatic variable chamber baler wrapper which can apply lm or net wrap to the barrel of the bale, delivering optimum bale shape and bale density. The Vario Plus can provide high quality fodder through the use of the lm binding system, resulting in better quality silage and a bale that is easier feed out.
The new Fusion Vario Plus has received a more modern progressive look with its specially designed twin skin panels and features enhanced throughput, increased bale density and faster wrapping speeds.
A focus has also been placed on operator comfort whilst still ensuring the reliability and heavy-duty build quality.
Film binding advantages
The McHale Fusion Vario Plus is a machine which can apply plastic to the barrel of the bale instead of twine or net wrap. The advantages of the chamber lm are:
• Acts as a wrapping layer
• Better shaped bales
• Higher quality silage
• Makes recycling easier. Should an operator wish to use net wrap for hay or straw, this can be done with a simple changeover.
Isobus compatibility
Operator comfort and friendliness were at the forefront of the Fusion Vario Plus’ development.
It is Isobus compatible and can
Key features
The new Fusion Vario features a quicker bale transfer and faster wrapping speeds. An improved transfer with a smoother sequence reduces the transfer delay while the wrapping speeds have increased to match the new machine intake.
A control keypad is tted to the rear of the Fusion Vario Plus to allow the operator to control the following functions:
• Indexing of the wrapper
• Wrapper start/pause
• Work lights
• Rear wrapping roller up/down
• Cut and hold release
• Two spare customisable buttons.
The McHale Fusion Vario Plus features Active Density Control which results in an increase in bale density, due to higher loads being exerted on the bale at the optimum stages of bale formation.
All McHale Fusion Vario Plus machines come equipped with an Intelli-Chamber which has increased the speed at which the chamber opens and closes for more productivity.
the bale. Operator comfort has also been enhanced to ensure this process is carried out in a seamless and gentle manner.
New Bale Shape Assist Indicators are tted to the Fusion Vario Plus. A load cell on each door lock measures the bale load on each side and displays accurate bale shape feedback to the operator for informed driving and better bale shape.
The McHale Fusion Vario Plus is tted with individual grease and oil pumps. The grease pump is connected to the downward movement of the bale tip, while the oil pump is connected to the upward movement of the bale tip. This ensures that grease and oil are applied evenly and continuously as the machine operates.
A larger net/ lm brake has been tted to all Fusion Vario Plus machines which provides 25% more tension.
New panel lighting has been added to the machine to aid the operator when changing rolls of lm in the dark.
be plugged into any Isobus tractor connection and operated via the tractor’s own terminal in the cab.
If the customer wishes to operate an Isobus controlled machine with a tractor that is not Isobus compatible, they can do so through the McHale ISO-Play consoles which are available as an optional extra.
Pro -Flo pick-up with Adaptive Intake
The new Pro -Flo pick-up has been designed to increase crop intake through more e cient crop ow. The new tapered feed channel encourages the crop to ow from the pick-up, towards the rotor and into the bale chamber, maximising throughput. To reduce maintenance, all Pro -Flo pick-ups are tted with a heavier driveline which reduces chain load and increases chain life.
McHale has also introduced the Adaptive Intake which has been speci cally designed to allow the intake area to automatically adjust up and down to changes in material ow.
The design of this intake area has a number of advantages:
• The intake area automatically adjusts to the volume of crop which allows the machine capacity to be maximised in light and heavy rows/swaths
• Intake area automatically adjusts to allow the machine to better handle uneven and lumpy rows/swaths
• Better crop intake
• Less chance of blockages occurring.
This technology determines the opening height of the chamber to suit the bale diameter and increase bale ejection speed as the chamber is only opening to the size required to eject
Depending on machine speci cation, a number of additional optional extras are available for machines which include: 1,000rpm gearbox, selectable knives, NRF/ net loading device, side tip, and bale weighing and moisture system. FG
Round balers now equipped with TIM
of its RV 5200 Plus series variable
chamber balers and the xed chamber FixBale 500, Vicon’s round balers can now be equipped with Tractor Implement Management (TIM).
TIM is an Isobus solution that enables the implement to control certain tractor functions, when used with a TIM-ready tractor.
Through Isobus connectivity, TIM enables the implement to automatically control several of the tractor and baler’s key functions, to improve operational e ciency. These include a pre-programmed rate of tractor deceleration to pause baling and apply net, along with opening and closing the baler’s tailgate after the bale has been tied. A built-in inclinometer prevents unsafe bale ejection on steeper gradients.
From a further safety
standpoint, the TIM process then needs to be re-activated
by the operator to resume the baling process. This uses a preprogrammed rate of acceleration to automatically reach the desired forward speed for the crop being baled.
In addition to Tractor Implement Management, Vicon’s variable chamber RV Plus models can also be equipped with a Techno Pack, which provides crop humidity measurement, to help determine moisture content.
A sensor plate mounted in the lower part of the main bale chamber is equipped with a pair of electrodes which pass an electric current through the incoming crop. This data is used to calculate the percentage of moisture in the bale, displaying the information in real time, and is able to detect moisture levels up to around 50%. FG
Balers & Bale Handling
New combine range launched to market
John Deere has launched its new S7 Combine – a machine designed to “deliver increased e ciency with the latest John Deere engines and higher productivity through advanced harvesting automation”.
The S7 has a new cab, styling and naming as well as integrated advanced precision agriculture features, o ering a wide range of the leading technology already tried and trusted in the John Deere X9 combines.
The new S7 combines are equipped with the latest generation JDX engines. The 9-litre JD9X engine powers the S7 700, whilst the S7 800, S7 850 and S7 900 are powered by the 13.6-litre JD14X.
In addition, the new S7 adopts the X9 residue management system to further enhance overall e ciency. The unloading auger for the S7 also comes with the adjustable spout which can be controlled from the cab for easier and more accurate lling of the trailer.
The S7 combines o er advanced
harvesting automation through optional technology packages that include automation solutions such as Harvest Settings Automation, where automatic adjustments of ve internal combine settings take place during harvest; based on grain loss, foreign material, and broken grain limits. Also new to the S7 is Predictive Ground Speed Automation. This predictive system senses the crop through several di erent sources, including satellite biomass maps and live automation camera feedback. The S7 uses this live camera feedback to detect crop height and/or down crop to further adjust the ground speed in real-time. FG
Think different, think ahead
Conventional
bale packing machine
o ers unique features
Customers with Arcusin Multipack machines bene t from a few unique features, the manufacturer says.
One bene t is the ability to handle conventional bales of any length from 75–120cm and to handle all the di erent baler widths from di erent baler manufacturers by easy adjustment of the rear doors.
The Arcusin Multipack is trailed directly behind the tractor, o ering advantages when used in certain areas of the country with narrow eld access roads or gateways, awkward shaped elds or on sloping or steeper terrain.
The power requirement of the tractor driving the Arcusin Multipack is 90hp+. This is low because the machine is driven using the tractor power take-o (PTO) which is operating a pump and multiplier
on the Arcusin bale packer which uses the machine’s own oil system on a closed circuit. This means that hydraulic oil is not used from the tractor to operate this machine, preventing any oil contamination. One spool valve is required from the tractor, but this is only to operate a separate system to lift and drop the machine bale pickup. This Arcusin packing machine can therefore be driven by a small tractor (by today’s standards) with just a 540rpm PTO, one spool valve and a good 12V power supply.
Now with the new Arcusin Multipack E14 machines, the company says it can o er improved package compaction and ve securing twines to secure the packs. This means that a standard bale length of 80cm can now be securely held with four twines. FG
Covering straw and hay the safe way
Want to protect your hay and straw and save valuable shed space? North Yorkshire farmer, David Sowray, who is the sole UK distributor of Hay Caps, reckons he has the answer.
“With the current price of straw and the squeeze in arable farmers’ margins, straw is a more valuable asset than ever. After selling Hay Caps across the UK & Europe for over 10 years, feast and famine in the straw market are never far apart. It’s amazing how often they are in fact, back-to-back. With current straw values, the Hay Caps will comfortably pay for themselves in year one. What else can you buy with that kind of return on investment in 2024, with a life expectancy of 20 years or more?” David comments.
Hay Caps are a safe, e ective and
durable system for storing large, square bales outdoors. The Hay Cap is tted at ground level which negates the need to climb a stack again. The Hay Cap can be tted in less than one minute at ground level. During the building of the stack, the bale with the Hay Cap tted is placed on top where it butts up to the next one, creating a weatherproof cover. The top bale, including the Hay Cap, can be removed and replaced every time bales are used.
‘’Whilst driving around, it is heartbreaking to see straw stacks without weather protection with rotten bales, knowing livestock farmers depend on it for their livelihoods – why waste it?’’ concludes David.
For more information visit www.haycap.co.uk FG
New wrapped bale handler available
Attachment specialist Whites Material Handling has recently launched a new wrapped bale handler to the UK market. The new grab is designed for farmers and contractors handling large numbers of wrapped square or round bales and includes a host of design features that the company says makes it stand out against its competition.
All contact points are smooth to avoid tearing the wrap, whilst a second bale frame is included as standard. The arms open to 2,144mm and close to 744mm – one of the largest spreads available, Whites
claims, meaning a whole range of bale sizes can be moved with the grab. All models come as standard with bolt-on brackets.
BBG2, F8BB, F10BB
Along with the new wrapped bale handler, Whites has also launched its new BS5E Bale Spike with galvanised adjustable extension. The new spike can handle 2 x 120 x 120mm bales, 3 x 80 x 90mm bales and 3 x round bales and the tines can be moved around accordingly. To ease use, the extension has guide markers cut into it whilst retaining bolts also have storage locators. FG WHITES
BBG2
Designed to handle 3 smaller high density bales up to 900mm wide, or 2 larger 1200mm bales. Bales may be handled in both directions relative to the back frame. 2,600mm overall length, 2,400mm wide (excluding gathering bar), 800mm high at back frame, 640kg weight.
F8BB
A flat 8 sized bale grab of very heavy duty constr uction, fitted with larger claws. Suitable for handling flat 8 packs of conventional bales or up to 2 high density bales. 2m length, 1.6m width, 350kg weight.
F10BB
A flat 10 bale grab of very heavy duty construction, fitted with larger claws. Suitable for handling flat 10 packs of conventional bales, it has 5 rows of claws, this gives full cover on 2 high density bales. 2.5m length, 1.7m wide, 395kg weight.
Balers & Bale Handling
Superior handling of round bales
No bale grab handles round bales better than the Hustler Softhands bale handlers, according to SAS Agri.
“Our customers agree,” says Dameon from SAS Agri. “Due to the design of the Softhands, with its optional patented oating Equaliser system, you are guaranteed a sure grip of your bale, making Softhands your safe option for bale handling – along with Hustler’s ve-year warranty, which gives the customer added peace of mind.”
Handling round or square, small or big, Softhands bale handlers, with their patented features, are designed to handle more bales with less deformation or damage, than any other bale grab, bale clamp or bale handler. Softhands bale
grabs are ready to t your skid steer loader, telehandler, or front end loader. Softhands are now available with your choice of brackets tted at factory.
Hustler also carries a range of bale forks that are designed for safely and e ciently handling round and square bales.
In addition to Softhands and LiftMax, Hustler o ers a large range of versatile and innovative feeding and handling attachments for tractors, front-end loaders, compact loaders and telehandlers, manure scrapers, bale cutters and more.
SAS Agri has Hustler Softhands and LiftMax in stock and available for sale and demonstration. Get in touch with Dameon or SAS Agri directly for more information. FG
“One of the best and most reliable balers”
agricultural services since 1938. Its sales and engineering team have extensive knowledge and are proud to be one of the leading partners for McHale.
Designed with the demands of today’s farmer and contractor in mind to deliver the highest output and reliability, McHale balers are “broadly recognised as one of the best and reliable balers in the market today”. With xed or variable chambers or with integrated wrappers, McHale has the baler to suit your needs, Nicholsons says.
an extensive range of stock across the range, so immediate delivery is not an issue for the season ahead.
It has a fully dedicated service engineer who has supported the McHale products since day one, and prides itself on its aftersales and service support.
McHale now produces a wide range of products with a particular focus on grassland machinery, from its facility in Ballinrobe, Ireland, and is able to supply, deliver and support the full range.
McHale is a family business, like Nicholsons and shares the same family values, focusing on serving the farming community.
If you are interested in a demo or want to explore the broader McHale range contact Nicholsons directly. FG and run
The company has been supplying balers and bale wrappers over the last 30 plus years, and all other products that McHale o ers. It holds
YOUR AGRICULTURE PARTNER
Don’t compromise on comfort, performance or quality.
Thanks to the versatility of ManitouTelehandlers, you can perform all the tasks required to manage your farm without having to invest in other handling equipment. Discover the bene ts of a Manitou telehandler, dedicated to all your farming needs. Scan the QR code for more information. Think farming, think Manitou
Balers & Bale Handling
New balewrap uses recycled content
Berry Global’s balewrap brand, Silotite, has added a new lm made with 25% post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) to its B Circular range of agricultural lms. SilotitePro1800 Sustane incorporates PCR into a highperformance product to deliver a quality silage lm with an improved environmental pro le.
The use of recycled content in SilotitePro1800 Sustane lm is part of Berry’s Five-Pillar programme to improve Silotite’s sustainability and adds to the existing bene ts of its pre-orientated ProTechnology. The lm also provides a longer reel length than Silotite original 25μm, 1,500m lm, so customers can wrap more bales per reel, saving time and preserving silage quality.
Life cycle analysis data con rms that using SilotitePro1800 Sustane 23μm lm (with 25% PCR) reduces the environmental load by 24% compared to standard Silotite 25μm lm (with 0% PCR)*.
Additionally, SilotitePro1800 Sustane lm has been certi ed by RecyClass, giving users full traceability to the origin of the recycled content. The product is also conveniently packaged in a polyethylene (PE) sleeve, allowing the balewrap and outer packaging to be recycled together and eliminating the need for separation. FG
*This was calculated using the equation in the Circular Stretch Film Project Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) from Materials and Packaging Research & Services (MPR&S), published 26th February 2021.
Brand o ers updated round baling options
Kubota’s xed and variable chamber round balers include the heavy duty, high-capacity xed chamber BF 3500, and the variable chamber BV 5160 and BV 5200 Plus models.
Implement innovation includes Tractor Implement Management (TIM) for BV variable chamber balers.
With TIM, the baler is able to take control of repetitive functions to reduce operator fatigue. When activated, TIM manages the KVT transmission to slow the tractor to a standstill once the bale chamber is lled. Engine revs are automatically lowered while the net goes on, then the chamber door is automatically opened and closed, to let the bale out.
The system then beeps to inform the operator that the process is complete.
Designed for heavy silage conditions, the BF 3500 uses 18 rollers with 50mm diameter bearings, and double-row roller bearings are used on all main load points. Two rollers sit in the base of the chamber to give additional support with heavy, wet silage bales, and hydraulic density control provides consistent bale quality in all crop conditions.
A 2.3m wide pick-up brings extensive upgrades, with an extra tine added on either side, the working width is broadened by 10cm, while a new ve-bar tine reel incorporates a cam track on both sides of the pickup, with each tine bar supported on four bearings. Tine length has been increased by 10mm and the gap between the stripper plates has been reduced for improved performance in wet crops. FG
Merlo Turbofarmers have been developed to ofer greater telescopic performance to aid you in every day work. A notable feature of the TF45.11 is the variable displacement pump with Load Sensing control, designed for maximum ease of use. Additionally, the cab is our signature modular type cabin designed to be customised for your every need. Visit merlo.co.uk to fnd out more.
Balers & Bale Handling
Saving lives: Ensuring telehandlers and loaders are safe and compliant
Agricultural engineer Keith Short currently heads up the team at Wessex Engineering Inspection Services, ensuring plant, agricultural and construction machinery are HSE compliant. He o ers Farmers Guide readers the following advice on how to ensure telehandlers and loaders are safe and HSE compliant.
While a large part of engineering manager Keith’s remit involves ensuring all of the substantial eet of plant at Eagle Plant (Wessex Engineering Inspection Services’ parent company) is regularly inspected and HSE compliant, he and his fully trained team also work within the agricultural industry, covering the breadth of the UK.
With a signi cant amount of knowledge and experience between them, Keith and his team are all fully trained and up-to-date with BAGMA requirements when it comes to Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) inspections.
The LOLER regulations place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over lifting equipment. This includes all businesses and organisations whose
employees use lifting equipment, whether owned by them or not.
LOLER requires that, where you undertake lifting operations involving lifting equipment, you must:
• Plan them properly
• Use people who are su ciently competent
• Supervise operators appropriately
• Ensure that they are carried out in a safe manner.
With baling and bale handling being a key job on-farm over the next few months, ensuring telehandlers and loaders are in a suitably safe condition for use and that operators are fully trained is imperative for farmers and farm managers.
As Keith points out, it’s no good xing problems after an accident happens. The point of regular LOLER inspections is to ensure any potential
safety issues are picked up in advance, and the Wessex Engineering team pride themselves on doing a good and thorough job, in order to ensure there is no serious consequence (be that injury, death or ne) as a result of unsafe equipment or lack of operator training.
Having grown up on a farm and experienced farming life rst-hand, Keith is keen to make it clear that the point of a LOLER inspection is not to try to nd fault – it’s simply to give peace of mind that the farmer has done all they can to try to keep their workforce and anyone else safe, helping to prevent accident, injury or worse. He and his team always ensure a thorough and meticulous inspection because, as he explains, no one wants someone’s
injury or even death on their conscience. To him it’s not just ticking a box – it’s providing a fully reassuring service to farmers across the UK.
The company can ensure that you have an Annual Lifting Equipment Testing Certi cate, provide guidance and advice, ensure that your employees are able to work safely and e ectively, and provide a timely noti cation when your equipment needs re-inspecting.
Contact Wessex Engineering Inspection Services directly to discuss your inspection needs. FG
Dealer takes on telehandler range for East Anglia
areas. Lifting capacity: 4–4.5t, 14–17m lifting height.
Full Electric: Includes models with boom lengths from 6–17m and lifting capacities from 2.6–4.5t.
Su olk Plant Machinery Ltd has been awarded the Faresin telehandler range from Italy, o ering professional machines for the agricultural, livestock, energy, straw, construction, commercial and industrial sectors from 2.6–6.5-tonne lift capacity with 6–17m lift heights. Available ranges are:
Small: For facilities and work environments with limited space. Cab height: 1,935mm, width: 1,890mm, lifting capacity: 2.6t, lifting height: 6m.
FS Compact: High-level performance with great agility in tight spaces and unique visibility. Spacious and ergonomic cabin available in the lowered 2,250mm version. Lifting capacity: 3.2t, lifting height 7m with a unique 9m version.
The full range o ers 39 options on model size and engines with many options for building a machine to your speci c requirements.
The Italian factory, now in its 50th year, has over 400 employees. Su olk Plant Machinery, based in Brundish, also covers East Anglia as main dealer for Sunward excavators, skid-steer loaders and access platforms alongside a growing range of StarTrac compact tractors. It also o ers hire machines, servicing, parts and fabricating services. FG
FS Middle: A ductile machine o ering management savings and high performance. Lifting capacity: 3.5–4.5t, lifting height: 7–10m.
Heavy Duty: High handling capabilities without compromising performance. Lifting capacity: 6–7t, lifting height 9–10m.
Big: Best choice for material handling operations in construction
Innovative agricultural load covering solutions
With nearly three decades of expertise in the feld, Transcover says it ensures a practical, efective and efcient approach to meeting all farmers’ sheeting needs. Here, the company looks at the benefts of its AgriCover sheeting system, and the dedicated team of skilled professionals that back it up.
The ultimate partner
Transcover says it stands at the centre of the UK's agricultural sector as a trusted supplier of innovative and reliable sheeting systems. Boasting nearly three decades of expertise in the feld, the company “ensures a practical, efective and efcient approach to meeting all your agricultural sheeting needs”.
From in-house tarpaulin manufacturing to system design, ftting, and repair, coupled with unmatched aftersales support, Transcover believes it is your ultimate partner in load covering solutions.
A versatile addition
The AgriCover sheeting system by Transcover is a versatile addition to dump, compactor, and silage trailers, guaranteeing compliance with regulations regardless of the load, Transcover explains. Its user-friendly design allows for easy installation without the need for welding –simply bolt it on and witness its seamless operation.
The AgriCover efectively shields and secures your load swiftly, either through a remote-controlled mechanism or from the comfort of your cab. With hydraulic and electric variants available, this system efortlessly accommodates various
load types, including heaped loads, ensuring optimal coverage tailored to your industry requirements.
Skilled professionals
Transcover believes that its dedicated team of skilled professionals lies at the core of its excellence – this includes welders, folders, powder coaters, and tarpologists who meticulously craft each component to uphold the company’s highquality standards.
The assembly process, carried out by its methodical team, guarantees rigorous checks and tests to deliver products that instil confdence in meeting your load covering needs, Transcover continues. Its skilled and experienced ftters ensure seamless installations on site or at its workshop, minimising downtime for your vehicles. Additionally, the company’s dispatch team packs and ships systems worldwide, ensuring each component arrives in pristine condition, which it says exemplifes its commitment to high quality and customer satisfaction.
Universal compatibility
The AgriCover's universal compatibility makes it the ideal load covering solution for trailers of any
make, model, or style. Equipped with features such as a lifetime spring warranty and a pleated sheet for heaped loads, this retroft system is a “game-changer” in the agricultural industry, Transcover reckons.
Further information
For further insights into the AgriCover system, visit the Transcover
website at www.transcover.com. If you are interested in becoming a distributor for Transcover or require bespoke sheeting systems for your specifc needs, contact the company directly.
In addition to its cutting-edge sheeting systems, the Transcover online store ofers delivery of agricultural system, spare parts and tarps, ensuring prompt service to meet your operational demands. "Trust Transcover for unparalleled excellence in agricultural load covering solutions, where quality and reliability meet to redefne industry standards,” the company concludes. FG
Trailers
Taking trailer safety seriously
Onsite trailer brake testing solution
Merit Inspection Solutions’ trailer brake testing service tests both stationary and moving wheels on the rolling road. The company provides you with detailed data and insights on the braking e ciency of each wheel on every axle. These are variations that can be signi cant and have a direct impact on braking e ciency and overall safety, including an impact on fuel e ciency.
Merit Inspection Solutions normally tests up to 20 trailers in one day and o ers a xed day rate for clients with multiple trailers or can o er a shared testing day at one location for those interested in running trailer brake testing with their neighbours.
For any trailers that fail, many defects can be easily recti ed, and Merit Inspection Solutions provides advice to its clients on each test day to support them to make their trailers safe. Depending on the number of trailers, there may be time to reinspect failed trailers during the same day if remedial work is completed, or the company can arrange follow up days to conduct
re-testing as required.
Following the testing, the company provides online and hardcopy reports to its clients and will arrange for the scheduling of further trailer brake testing in future to meet each client’s business and safety needs.
Farm machinery app
The importance of undertaking regular trailer and machinery checks to document compliance and manage defects cannot be underestimated. As part of Merit Inspection Solutions’ trailer brake testing service, the company also o ers clients access to MeritAgCheck – the farm machinery app.
MeritAgCheck enables you to maintain the safe and e cient operation of all machinery on your farm, estate or agricultural site.
There are two versions of MeritAgCheck available – Essential and Premium. Essential allows for daily checks of commonly used machinery and the ability to monitor defects. Premium starts at £7.90 per month for three users
and gives you access to over 2,000 customisable checklists and the ability to add servicing, maintenance or inspections with the capability to link all of this via machine QR codes.
Within MeritAgCheck, you can record your trailer brake testing and re-test dates, meaning that you can continually monitor trailer and machinery safety across your site, and have con dence in your operation.
62% of trailers tested were not safe to go above 25mph
Using data collected from all Merit Inspection Trailer Brake Tests between 2021 and 2023, a total of 62% of trailers Merit Inspection Solutions tested were not safe to go above 25mph or 40kph. While this gure is high, the company says it is pleased to be able to support its clients to reduce the risk of injury or death through the e ective safety management and checking of equipment.
16% of the trailers Merit Inspection Solutions tested in the same period were deemed unsafe for use at any speed. These trailers could not be used due to the risks associated with brake failure and overall braking e ciency, and in most cases required remedial works and a re-test before they could operate safely.
Merit Inspection Solutions has collected valuable trailer brake test data and insights covering a range of manufacturers and suppliers, and o ers initial advice as part of any trailer brake testing day. Its trained trailer brake test operators work closely with each of its clients to ensure that a robust and thorough process is followed during each testing session. To achieve the best results, Merit Inspection Solutions loads trailers to a minimum of 75% of their gross vehicle weight.
Am I legally required to test my trailer brakes?
Yes, you are. The Road Vehicle Regulations, 1986, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), 1998, contain provisions requiring tractors and trailers, including braking safety, to be properly maintained and regularly assessed as safe for use.
Further, you cannot rely on visual inspections and servicing to determine whether your trailers are safe for the road.
Contact Merit Inspection Solutions for more information.
You can download the MeritAgCheck app for free by visiting www.meritcheck.co.uk/ meritagcheck FG
#achievemore
Tractor output changes can o er haulage fuel savings
Owners are turning to professional engine remapping, from specialists such as Avon Tuning HD, to better match tractor power to certain applications or implements.
Gareth Jones from Avon Tuning HD says that for jobs that don’t require a PTO, such as cultivations and trailer work, this is returning some real-world fuel savings by increasing the e ciency of the application.
“If a tractor achieves peak power at 2,000rpm, it must always be operating at its limit to achieve it. By changing certain parameters in the ECU, we can bring the peak power delivery to 1,600rpm, meaning the tractor doesn’t have to work as hard to achieve the same output and fuel savings can be achieved.”
By matching output to certain applications, Avon Tuning HD says it can safely improve performance within the engine’s capabilities. When applying an economy speci c remap, Avon only adjusts key parameters such as fuel injection
and torque limitation in the mid- and low-range, therefore top-end rpm performance is not changed.
These changes allow operators to run in a higher gear at lower revs to bene t from the additional lowdown peak power. “This is noticed when ploughing or cultivating, especially if the implement has forced the tractor to work consistently at its limit before a remap. Fuel savings of between 5% and 10% are achievable in some situations,” says Gareth.
Before applying any remap, the tractor’s characteristics are crossreferenced to make sure any increase in power can be handled by all the component parts. FG
All-purpose tipping trailer a firm favourite
With more than 120,000 machines sold in 60 countries, Joskin’s extensive trailer range is complemented by the company’s technical know-how. Its range covers all uses, from grain and silage to stone and rubble, with a moving oor, at bed or tipping.
The Trans-Cap, Joskin’s all-purpose tipping trailer, has multiple bene ts that make it a rm favourite – starting with its V-shaped open drawbar, attached on both sides of the chassis to increase stability, and with cross-springs for a smoother suspension. The narrow chassis allows for wider tires, reducing soil compaction. Combined with Joskin’s roll-over bogie, a running gear using spring leaves connected to both axles on a central pivot point, this makes the trailer more comfortable to drive and easier to pull in tough conditions, thanks to its 240mm clearance and constant weight repartition, Joskin
continues. The narrow chassis houses a single tipping ram in a double-oscillating frame, ensuring maximum stability and smoother tipping.
The monocoque tapered body uses a single sheet of special high tensile steel for each side and for the oor, and is robotwelded to increase the quality and lifespan of the trailer. Wider by 8cm at the rear, and combined with the high clearance hydraulic door, the transported material is unloaded quickly and without any constraints. All rams are equipped with check valves for added safety.
Trans-Caps Advantage series are in stock and at discounted prices. FG
New premium trailer range for a variety of crops
Following a recent factory expansion and numerous customer requests, G T Bunning and Sons has returned to trailer manufacturing with a versatile four-model range suited to a wide variety of crops.
The redesigned trailers use proven features based on Bunning’s previous trailer models that were favoured by customers for high strength and reliability. The company stopped trailer manufacturing 13 years ago due to increased demand for its spreader range, but the completion of a 6,840m2 state of the art factory extension has enabled the reintroduction of the trailer line.
The new range has been improved and modernised including a completely new tailboard. Four models will initially be available in 14, 16, 18 and 20t formats and each will feature dual ADR axles with larger bearings and multi-leaf suspension replacing the single parabolic system.
Bunning sales director Chris Druce, explains that customer demand for the trailers is a big reason for restarting production.
“We have been asked by existing Bunning trailer customers for several years to start producing them again and our recent factory development has allowed us to streamline the build process with cutting edge technology. We’ve improved some key areas of the trailer that will please old and new customers and we are delighted with the fnal product.”
The 4mm thick steel sides feature only one welded join along the length, which helps increase strength, and the smooth internal faces prevent crops, such as potatoes, being damaged. The new design has a deeper top rail and wider rear corner posts, both now 80 x 120mm replacing the 80 x 80mm on earlier models, ofering further strength. The strong 300 x 150mm chassis remains from the previous trailers and the 200 x 200mm sprung drawbar is well proven on the spreader range.
The redesigned tailgate is constructed from pressed steel and is tapered from the sides to the grain chute to aid unloading. As the hydraulic tailgate closes against the trailer, a locking pin on either side is hydraulically activated as the ram completes its fnal travel. These pins hook onto the tailgate and pull it into the trailer, providing a tighter seal than the previous design. The grain hatch now features plastic runners for smoother operation.
On all models, the tapered body is 100mm wider at the rear to help loads transfer and reduce the requirement to use the full tipping height. Load sensing air brakes are standard, and the trailers are available to order now.
Chris concludes: “We know the trailer market is competitive and we’ve used a proven blueprint to produce a modern and robust trailer aimed at users requiring longevity from their investment.” FG
A practical tyre pressure solution
There can’t be many farmers who aren’t aware of the importance of choosing the correct tyre pressure for the job at hand.
Reducing soil compaction is the obvious benefit but testing proves that work rate, tyre life and fuel economy are all negatively impacted by using too high a pressure in the field.
On the other hand, safety, fuel consumption, tyre wear and comfort are all affected on the road if pressure is too low.
TractAir offers a practical aftermarket solution to this issue, allowing the operator to select the correct pressures at the push of a button, whilst on the move. Its tyre inflation system can be installed on any make and model of tractor, trailer, tanker, drill, harvester etc, and can control both tractor and trailer at the same time.
Air is supplied by the on-board air brake compressor. The system can be controlled via Isobus, with
all information appearing on the tractor screen. Valves, rotatory unions and dedicated wheel valves then control and transfer the air to the tyres.
There has never been a better time to invest in CTIS, with systems being covered under the current Farming Investment Fund grant scheme. Grant number FETF109 will cover 60% of equipping vehicles on the farm. Applications must be in before 17th April, 2024 to qualify.
Contact Tractair directly or visit www.tractair.co.uk FG
Tractor and trailer testing ensures you tick the box
As part of its ongoing remit to provide up-to-date support and services to the industry, the British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA) introduced a training programme in 2021 to enhance safety for agricultural vehicles. The Agricultural Tractor-Trailer Scheme (ATTS) incorporates both roadworthiness inspection and brake performance testing in one package, to ensure safe and compliant usage when operating machinery with larger loads and at increased speeds.
With tractors and machinery becoming bigger and faster, it has become more important to take necessary steps to improve safety. ATTS is applicable to tractors, trailers, trailed implements or self-propelled agricultural vehicles. The scheme is open to experienced dealer technicians, larger farm and fleet users that have their own servicing personnel, as well as independent service engineers. Each technician undertakes a two-day training course, which includes both practical and classroom
training, concluding with a written examination.
Specifically developed for agricultural vehicles, the programme is based on DVSA, HGV criteria and is delivered by professionally trained dealer technicians. More comprehensive than any other programme in the marketplace, ATTS allows professional farming businesses to ensure their tractor and trailers/trailed implements are both roadworthy and in good working order, or highlights issues to be addressed, BAGMA says.
Courses can be delivered on-site or in a central location for multiple dealers and independents to attend. For more information contact BAGMA or visit www.bagma.com/ ATTS FG
New trailer fits bill for Herts farming firm
A Hertfordshire contract-farming business operating one of the frst short-chassis 24t Richard Western SF24HS Sufolk trailers is already reaping returns.
The short-chassis SF24HS has a fully-tipped height 1m lower (now 8.5m) than the standard SF24, plus a smaller hydraulic cylinder requirement and a lower tractor oil demand of only 56 litres.
It was primarily bought for compost and wood chip haulage – to replace an ageing 18t trailer
PROVEN IN THE FIELD
of another make. AT Bone & Sons had long dealt with Olivers, and already had tractors, combines and a pair of Richard Western grain chasers from them.
James Ashley, ATB farm operations manager said: “Beyond the extra capacity, appealing features included triple axles with front and rear steering, hydraulic suspension, the hydraulically-damped drawbar and a hydraulically-operated rollover sheet.
“Our grain chaser experience showed us Richard Western products’
build quality and handling. The SF24HS rides really nicely behind our Fastrac 8330, and stops swiftly, even when fully loaded, aided by the tractor’s ABS. And while previously we’ve needed to lock the rear steering on tri-axle trailers for road travel, this trailer’s BPW steering axles are very precise.
“The weigh cells and connected phone app make for precise loading, while the hydraulic rollover sheet swiftly secures the load. And when tipping there’s no discernible movement on the hitch or rocking of the trailer. It’s an excellent
Contact: Simon Bon eld, General Sales Manager MANNS Norfolk and Halesworth on 07827 873671 or MANNS Saxham Tel:01284 777700 manns.claas-dealer.co.uk stewart-trailers.co.uk
design that’s more than met our expectations.” FG
Trailers
Simple yet incredibly safe
Simplicity, safety and cost e ciency are all key aspects of the new Hi-Spec PD20 push-o dump trailer, says Andrew Moore of Calls Ltd, who has been involved in the trailer’s development.
The Hi-Spec PD20 Push-o Dump Trailer is o oaded using a hydraulically operated moving oor type headboard that e ciently clears the load from the body of the trailer once the tailgate has been raised. With a load height of 2.39m, a heaped load volume of 14.5m3, and a carrying capacity of around 20t, the PD20 can be safely used and o oaded on slopes or uneven ground where there would be a risk of a conventional trailer tipping over.
Calls Ltd o ers tractor and equipment hire into the agricultural, construction and civil engineering sectors.
“There is nothing else like the PD20 on the market,” comments
Safety is paramount for livestock trailer range
fuel consumption.
Andrew. “Most importantly it avoids the risk of the trailer tipping over, and so on site avoids the requirement to have an exclusion zone you would normally need to have in place around a trailer when raised. Secondly, because the driver does not have to wait for the trailer to lower before moving o , turn-around time is reduced, making it more cost e cient. And thirdly, when o oading the trailer, if necessary, it is very easy to spread the load out gradually, making it far easier and quicker to subsequently level or, for instance when back lling around pipes.
“Yes, it’s more expensive than a conventional dump trailer, but that is more than justi ed by the safety aspects, quicker turnaround time and greater productivity.” FG
Oliver Landpower has been a distributor for Nugent Trailers since 2017 and seen the brand go from strength to strength. Nugent produces a wide range of engineered, quality and robust trailers to cope with all applications, including quality livestock, atbeds, utility, plant, tipper and ATV trailers.
Hailing from an agricultural background, the Nugent family designed the livestock range, which was engineered and hand-built to last. Safety for both livestock and farmer is paramount and the range is designed to be user friendly.
With durable tyres, parabolic leaf spring suspension, solid beam axles and commercial lights, trailers o er “superior build quality, strength, longevity and excellent towing characteristics”.
The unique design of the sectional fold down front panels facilitates air ow through the trailer whilst in motion, reducing drag, for a better towing experience. Less air resistance also signi cantly decreases
Nugent’s patented Dual Drive suspension is standard across the range, enhancing the towing experience and bringing trailer suspension “to new levels”. The cross-member frame braces the front and rear weldment upon a fully welded, galvanised chassis, ensuring maximum strength, with extra reinforcement given where needed by the folded side panels.
Oliver Landpower carries a large selection of trailers in stock, which are available from all branches with Nugent specialists based in Kings Langley and Tingewick. Part exchange, nance and full-service facilities are available. Contact the brand specialists to discuss your requirements. FG
Managing director
Julie Goulding julie@farmersguide.co.uk
Director Greg Goulding greg@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 694454
Editor Rachel Hicks rachel.hicks@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 694459
Deputy editor/Livestock editor Sarah Kidby sarah.kidby@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 694450
Machinery editor
David Williams david@farmersguide.co.uk
Multiplatform journalist Aleksandra Cupriak aleksandra@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 691888
Sales director Zohra Mitchell zohra.mitchell@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 691888
Senior sales executive Jana Moyes jana@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 694457
Senior sales executive Joanna Blower joanna@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 694452
Sales executive
William Taylor will.taylor@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 691888
Sales executive Rosanna Sweet rosanna.sweet@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 691888
Sales executive Chloe Fox chloe.fox@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 691888
Classi ed sales manager Nicki Procter nicki@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 694456
Classi ed sales executive
Samantha Wilson samantha@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 694455
Sales support
Clare Flitton clare@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 691888
Marketing manager K.M Sharp km@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 691888
Marketing executive
Patrick Over patrick.over@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 691888
Publishing assistant
Kat Morton kat.morton@farmersguide.co.uk 01473 691888
{farm sale}
Exceptionally high attendance at a traditional farm machinery dispersal sale at Eckington resulted in competitive bidding and some impressive prices achieved for the lots on o er, even though it was just a few weeks into the new year.
David Williams was there.
The auction was arranged by wellrespected auctioneer, Bagshaws on behalf of vendors PL Ward who had recently completed the sale of their land at Ford Valley Farm. The Ward family moved to the farm in 1981, growing a mix of crops on owned and rented land. The main enterprise was growing and packing potatoes with maximum prices achieved by selling the produce bagged through shops and door to door. The arable rotation included a mix of crops, and almost all eld operations were carried out in-house, with contractors brought in only to harvest cereals.
Following the land sale last autumn, all the machinery, tools, spares and equipment were o ered for sale by the Bagshaws team.
Almost new tractors
Sale highlights undoubtedly included two 2023 New Holland T6.180 tractors supplied to the farm by local dealer Russells. Both had worked less than 100 hours, and they remained in almost as-new condition. There were also several classic tractors from Ford Valley Farm, as well as a wide variety of implements and trailers. Several local farmers entered their surplus machinery including modern and
North East Derbyshire dispersal sale attracts large number of buyers
classic tractors as well as implements and attachments for livestock and arable farming.
Vendor delighted by attendance and results
Vendor, Amanda Evans said that she was very happy with the prices achieved. “I was a little concerned before the sale that its timing so early in the year might not be ideal, but as a continuous stream of cars and trucks arrived throughout the morning I just couldn’t believe the level of support. The weather was on our side too, as the sale day was dry after several weeks of rain.
“We looked after our machinery well, and this was re ected in the prices paid for some of the lots. The Ford 4610 achieved an exceptional result, and although we realised that the two new New Holland tractors might not make as much as we needed them to at a farm auction, they both sold well and we were happy with the results.”
Asked why Bagshaws was selected to manage the sale, Amanda said the decision was based on previous experience dealing with the team as well as the strong reputation locally. “Mark Elliott was on our main
8,400 hours. The
were 16.9R34 – one an Alliance Power Drive Radial H7 with 80% tread and the other a Taurus Energysaver Radial with 70% tread. The front 11.5/80-15.3 tyres were both Vredesteins with 5% remaining tread. In generally good, original condition the tractor generated competitive bidding and eventually sold for £10,200 to a Derbyshire farmer who told Farmers Guide that its rst job was likely to be powering a straw spreader.
contact from the start, and any time we needed to ask him anything then he always answered his phone, and he helped set up for the sale as well as doing most of the selling on the day. The Bagshaws team is well known at the local livestock markets, and we found everyone great to deal with.”
Experienced sales team
The Bagshaws team was led by Mark Elliott who did most of the selling, while Oliver Hiles, Natasha Hall and Holly Swift also took bids. Most lots were arranged on a steep sloping eld, which was also used for parking although it was only accessible to 4x4s due to the muddy conditions resulting from the recent wet weather. Lorries and cars jostled for space on the limited hard standing in the yard. For the sale day, the weather was dry but breezy
and cold, and the team selling hot refreshments enjoyed a particularly busy event.
“It was a very early season sale, but everyone at Bagshaws was thrilled by the attendance,” con rmed Mark Elliott. “The quality machinery generated interest from farmers and dealers as far away as Ireland and Scotland, and there is no doubt that the most impressive price of the day was achieved by the Ford 4610, while other classic tractors also sold well.
“We knew the Ward family as they were customers at sales in the past, and we also arranged a sale a few years ago on behalf of the extended family. We were very pleased to be instructed to organise this dispersal sale on their behalf and delighted that the results achieved were so good.” FG
The potato machinery was in good order and had been recently used. This Kverneland Superfaun 1700 linkagemounted single-row potato lifter had a new web ftted in 2023 and came complete with an end tow kit and a fve-place rear pick-of personnel frame. It achieved a winning bid of £2,450.
The two almost new New Holland T6.180 tractors generated competitive bidding. This one had an ElectroCommand transmission and came with an MX U410+ Power Loader ftted with a Euro headstock. The tractor had cab and front axle suspension, front linkage and a single front hydraulic spool. It had a third loader hydraulic service, hydraulic loader attachment pin activation, loader suspension, joystick loader control and front fenders. At the rear it had a three-speed PTO, four manual spools and a power-out, pick-up hitch. The cab had a high-visibility roof. The rear tyres were Vredestein 600/65R38 and the fronts were 480/65R28. A total of 64 hours had been recorded and the tractor carried a 23-plate. It sold for £72,000 to a Worcestershire farmer.
The other 23-reg New Holland was also a T6.180, but it had a higher specifcation Dynamic-Command transmission. It featured a pneumatic suspension heated seat, front axle and cab suspension and a full LED lighting pack. It also had front linkage, a Sauerman push-out pick-up hitch, and four manual spool valves. Control was through a New Holland IntelliView 4 terminal. Additional options ftted included a creeper gearbox. The tractor was on Vredestein 620/70R38 rear tyres and 420/70R28 fronts. Only 60 hours had been recorded since it arrived new on the farm last June and it remained in immaculate condition. Mark Elliott is pictured receiving the £74,800 winning bid from a Derbyshire farmer.
Pictured above, Mark Elliott takes bids for the Kverneland Superfaun potato lifter, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd. A pair of trailers from the host farm included a Grifths tandem-axle 10t tipping trailer with a manual tailgate and grain chute. It was on three Vredestein and one Good Year 12.5/80-15.3 wheels and tyres which were all sound with plenty of tread. Carrying Blake & Beeley Agricultural Engineers, Mansfeld stickers it was tidy, and made £2,950. Pictured beside the Grifths trailer is a Load Master 4t tipping trailer. It had a double drop side body, a grain chute and it was shod on one Goodyear 10.00-75-15.3 tyre and a similar Taurus tyre, both of which had plenty of tread. In very good condition, it sold for £1,540. This 2020-manufactured Kverneland 8452 four-rotor, mounted tedder featured hydraulic folding and a 540rpm PTO drive. In excellent order, it made £4,300. An 'included' lot, this John Deere 6330 Premium 4wd with Auto Quad 40kph transmission and ftted with a Quicke 45 Power Loader was a 2011 model and had worked 8,200 hours. It carried FG Rowland dealer stickers and was on Michelin Agribib 18.4R38 rear tyres and 16.9R24 fronts all with 95% tread. The tidy tractor had three spools and three-speed PTO. It sold for £29,000. This Reco Sulky twin-disc spreader with hydraulic shut-of and carrying its Platts Harris dealer stickers achieved a winning £420 bid.It was still a little early in the season to be selling a lawn mower, but this Honda HRN536VK 21-in rotary mower had completed only one season of work. In very good condition it made £540.
MUSWELL LEYS FARM, WILLEY, RUGBY, WARWICKSHIRE, CV23 0SL
MAJOR AUCTION SALE OF 12 AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS, 4 COMBINE HARVESTERS, FORAGE HARVESTER, TELESCOPIC LOADER, LOADING SHOVEL, SELF-PROPELLED SPRAYER, GRASSLAND AND ARABLE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT
Tractors: John Deere; 3no. 6215R (2020, 2019, 2017), 6210R (2013), 6190R (2014), 2no. 7530 (2010), 6930 (2010), 2650, 2140, Massey Ferguson; 8S225 (2022), 7720S (2019) Combine Harvesters: John Deere; C670 Hillmaster (2009), C670i Hillmaster (2009 & 2007), 9780i CTS Hillmaster (2007) Sprayer John Deere R4040 36m Self-propelled (2018). Forage Harvester: John Deere 8400i (2017), 2017 Zurn ProfCut 530 wholecrop header, 2017 John Deere 360 plus maize header, Loaders/Handlers: JCB 4195 Shovel (2019), JCB TM310 telescopic loader, JCB 3CX (2004) Trailers: 14no. Bailey Grain/Silage Trailers etc. Grassland: Claas; Liner 3000, Liner 680, Liner 3100 rakes, Volto 770 tedder (2), Kuhn VKM305 mower, John Deere; 990N, 459 balers, F310R, R950R triple mowers (2), 131 mowers, 2010 McHale 991 bale wrapper, 2012 Kuhn SW4004 bale wrapper, Massey Ferguson; 2170, 185 balers, McConnel PA65T hedgecutter (2), Arable: 2017 John Deere 750A drill, Vaderstad Rexius Twin450, Vaderstad Carrier 6.5m, 2016 KRM M2WD fertiliser spreader, Kverneland Optima HD 8row maize drill (2), 2008 John Deere 840i 36m sprayer, 2020 Weaving Sabre 6000m tine drill, Kuhn HR3004D power harrow/ drill combination (2), Sumo TRIO sub-soiler (3), Kverneland L585 5furrow plough, 6no. Joskin & Bunning muck spreaders, fuel bowsers, power harrows, cultivators, trailers, wheels & tyres, front weights, buckets & attachments, guidance systems, spares and workshop equipment
WEDNESDAY 3RD APRIL 2024 AT 9.30AM
CAMBRIDGE MACHINERY SALES
The Saleground, Sutton, Ely, Cambs, CB6 2QT
FURTHER ENTRIES INVITED - Anticipated entry of over 300 tractors and 1,500 lots of agricultural and construction, implements and machinery
TRACTORS, PLANT AND MACHINERY LIVE AUCTIONS: MONDAY 8TH APRIL 2024 FROM 9.00AM
TIMED ONLINE AUCTIONS: FRIDAY 5TH APRIL 2024 - TUESDAY 9TH APRIL 2024
Upon instruction from the liquidators of Steve Thorley Potato Equipment Ltd in Liquidation
Online Timed Auction of Agricultural & Fabrication Equipment
on 9th April fnishing from 14:00 • Viewing 4th April 09:00 to 16:00 at Steve Thorley Potato Equipment Ltd, Main Rd, Algarkirk, Boston, Lincs PE20 2BE
Visit www.hazell.auctions for further auction detail, registration and lots For further information please call 01842 822260
George Hazell & Co, 3 Highlands Close, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 1HG
Friday
Thrapston Collective Machinery Sale
Friday 26th April at 10.30am
Offcial Opening of the Purpose Built Auction Centre Come and meet the wider Bletsoes Team and enjoy FREE refreshments & bacon rolls, whilst stocks last.
1000+ Lots will be forward to include Tractors, Agricultural Machinery, Commercial & Domestic Vehicles, Trailers for both Livestock & Commercial use, Livestock Handling Equipment & Husbandry Items, Workshop & Garden Tools, Mowers, Strimmers & Hedge Cutters. Entry Forms can be found on our website. Entries close on Tuesday 16th April for cataloguing. Catalogues will be available online or by request from Thursday 18th April.
On Instructions from Paul Ducksbury Ltd
At Field Farm, Wood Lane, Askham, Newark, Notts NG22 0RT
Starts Thursday 4th April 2024 at 7am
Ends on Monday 8th April 2024 from 12 Noon
Viewing from 10am until 4pm on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th April 2024
Including: Forage Harvester: Claas Jaguar 970 (14) c/w Claas 300 3m pick up header (16), Claas 520 Direct Disc Contour silage header (11), Claas Orbis 10 row 7.5m maize header (16); Tractors: JCBFastrac 8250 (10), JCB Fastrac 8250 (06), Case Puma 195 CVX (08), Fendt 716 Vario (01); Materials Handlers: JCB 418S loading shovel (14), 2No JCB 531-70 Agri-Super Loadall (10,12), various attachments; Baling Equipment: Claas 5300RC square baler (17), Claas 5200 square baler (17), Göweil G-4010 bale wrapper (94), Heath Super Chaser QM (07); Trailers: Bailey 20t silage, 2No Bailey 18t Beeteaper silage (14), 14t & 16t silage trailers, Richard Western 12t silage (93), Richard Western 11t silage, Bunded 7500l bowser with pump, various bale trailers; Implements and Equipment: Claas Liner 2900 (19), Claas Liner 3000 (03), Krone KW8.82 tedder (06), Gaspardo IS 12 row maize drill, Spearhead Multicut 620 topper (15), Simba Freeflow 4m drill (96), Sumo 5leg Subsoiler, Grégoire Besson 8f wagon plough (93), Kverneland 5f rev. plough, Trimble AGGPS with CFX-750 display, 2No Case 1t weight blocks, Guascor FBLD V16 CHP generator 756kVA (07), wheels and tyres etc.
ON SITE AUCTION ON SITE AUCTION
On Instructions from Mr G J Fennelow
At Greenacres, Long Drove, Murrow, Cambridgeshire PE13 4HG
On Saturday 13th April 2024 at 10am
Viewing from 10am until 4pm on Friday 12th April 2024
Including: Tractors: David Brown 880 Selectamatic (68), John Deere Model A (48), Fordson Super Dexta (64), Fordson Dexta (62), Ferguson TED (49), Ferguson TED (55), 2No Ferguson TEF (54), Ferguson TEA (50), BMC Mini 9/16, Ransomes MG5;
Vehicles: Austin A40 Somerset (54), BSA Bantam D1 motorbike, BSA C15 motorbike (62); Trailers: Cooke & Sons Hermaphrodite 4 wheel wagon, Pettit manual tipping cart, Massey Ferguson 712 manure spreader, Ferguson trailer chassis, AA tool trailer;
Implements: Ruston Hornsby orchard sprayer, Ferguson earth scoop, Ferguson transport box, Massey Ferguson 732 finger bar mower, various toolbars and ploughs; Stationary Engines: Ruston Hornsby petrol engine, Ruston Hornsby diesel engine, Lister D, Lister Junior, various Petter engines etc; Miscellaneous Equipment: large quantity vintage spares and memorabilia including, tractor spares, cake breakers, bicycles, workshop equipment, signage, tools etc.
George Watchorn 07919 015675
george.watchorn@brown-co.com
On Instructions from D.A. and V.A. Brace
At Clifon Bury Farm, Church Street, Clifon, Bedfordshire SG17 5EX
On Thursday 25th April 2024 at 10:30am
Viewing from 10am until 4pm on Wednesday 24th April 2024
Including: Tractors: Massey Ferguson 6480 Dynashi (05), Massey Ferguson 6270 (02); Materials Handlers: JCB 531-70 Agri-Super Loadall (08), JCB 526S Farm Special Loadall (04), JCB 526S Farm Special Loadall (02); Trailers: Rolland V2-160 manure spreader (07), Bailey 14t root (07), ETC Engineering 9t root (80), Gull 12t dump, Brian James 14 car transporter; Irrigation Equipment: Irrifrance 110.350 irrigation reel, Perrot TR45 110:370 irrigation reel, Hatz Silent Pack irrigation pump (13), various irrigation fittings and pipes; Implements: Jones Engineering triple bed former (09), Miedema Structural 20 twin row planter, Accord Ferrag 4m combi drill, Kongskilde Germinator SP6000, Overum CX590F 5f rev. plough, Muratori MT7P 320 flail mower (93), various rotorvators, cultivators etc; Miscellaneous Equipment: SGB RT26 diesel access platform, Titan FM2500 fuel station, various tanks, wheels and tyres, workshop equipment and spares etc.
Jon Clampin 07717 512498
jon.clampin@brown-co.com
www.euroauctions.com
FARM DISPERSAL SALES - Spring 2024
MELBOURNE FARM, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1QW
Friday 5th April 2024 at 10.30am
Kramer 750 Loader c/w Attachments
Massey Ferguson 3625 2WD, Primex Tanker, Livestock Trailer, Machinery, Foot Crush, Electronic Calf Feeder, Cattle Equipment, Parlour Bulk Bin, Sundries And E ects
Special Entry-Land Rover 90, JCB 520-40 Handler, New Holland TM155 4WD & Iseki Mower
OVERFIELD FARM, Tissington, Ashbourne, DE6 1RA
Friday 12TH April 2024 at 10.30am
Kubota M7040 4WD c/w LA 1153 Loader (13)
Ford 7810 4WD Series III, John Deere 855D
Diesel Gator, Mitsubishi Shogun 5 Door 4WD Machinery, Trailers, Cattle Equipment, Gates & Troughs, Workshop Items, Sundries and E ects
DARLEY MOOR COLLECTIVE SALE, Ashbourne - Friday 19th April 2024
Tractors, Telehandlers, Diggers & Vehicles, Machinery, Trailers, FYM Spreaders, Livestock Equipment and Tractor Sundries.
Coming up in May
Friday 3rd May 2024-Derbyshire
John Deere Tractor, Manitou Telehandler, Bobcat Skidsteer Trailers, Grassland Equipment, Livestock Kit
Sat 18th May 2024-South Yorkshire
John Deere and Zetor Tractors, Trailers, Grassland Equipment
Livestock Items, Collectables and Stone Troughs
Catalogues available to download from our website or call 01889 562811
www.bagshaws.com
AUCTION SALE
Friday 19th April 2024 at 10:30am
Bridgehill Road, Newborough, Peterborough
To Include
2021 JCB 4220
2425hrs, hyd self-levelling susp all round
Top attributes:
• JCB Premier cover to 12/07/2024 or 3000hrs
• Field Pro, GPS ready
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• GPS complete to RTK
• Front linkage
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•
•
•
•
Top attributes:
• Deluxe leather comfort pack with heated seat
• Leather steering wheel…
• Accuguide ready
YAMAHA Grizzly 350, 1300hrs, 4wd, tow bar & winch, regularly serviced. £3,000. J Cunningham Tel 07860 145580/01376 331045 (Essex)
A DOWNING AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS
£13,495
C Jarrom Tel 07791 474560 (Derbyshire)
Tel: 01945 410099•07850 731409
www.adowningengineers.co.uk
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KAWASAKI
KAWASAKI
winch, very good condition throughout, serviced regularly. £1,200. J Cunningham Tel 07860 145580/01376 331045 (Essex)
TWINE/
01354
Nick 07802 850212
gledhillaccessories@gmail.com
JOHN Deere 550 round baler, wide pick up, either twin twine tie or net wrap, good belts, used 2023. £1,650+VAT ex farm. F Milk Tel 07775 741720 (Norfolk)
KVERNELAND UN7558 static round bale wrapper, 750 film, remote control. £950+VAT. J Turner Tel 07801 419504/01494 862348 (Buckinghamshire)
NEW Holland 658 crop cutter round baler, used last season, approx 15000 bales, from new, good working order. £3,250. I Mumby Tel 07949 976157 (East Yorkshire)
MULTICONTROLLER £75,000 2020, 50kph, 220hp, 2987 eng hrs, 540/65R30 fronts, 650/65R42 rears, 4 spools IH-DBDPU220EKE5147
NEW HOLLAND CX6080 £82,000
2012, 6m NH varifeed header, 1695 eng hrs NH-151812011
CLAAS LINER 4000 HH POA
2019, Communicator II control box, LED work lights, spare wheel with 16x6.5-8 SR00007645
LEXION
McCormick MTX 150
good condition, good tyres, front linkage, 40k, air con
Massey Ferguson 35 handy little tractor
David Brown 995
S reg 1977, late Q cab, 64hp, rebuilt engine, new battery, PUH
Tomlin 6’ & 4’ grass toppers now in stock
Maschio Bravo 3m power harrow with crumbler roller, very little work, from small fenland farm
Kioti K9 2400 utility vehicle tipping 0.5T body, cab with half doors, opening w/screen, rear window, floor mat, belly pan protector, under hood toolbox
Kioti CK2630 HST industrial tyres, 25hp, hydrostat trans, spool valve, Cat 1 linkage, 5yrs warranty in stock
Bedford 35 seater coach 1984, early Plaxton Paramount body, ex motor show exhibition demonstrator
Set rowcrop wheels
to fit X7.690/X7.670 McCormick 13.6R36 front, 380/90R50 rears
Ford 2000 Dexta Pre Force lovely straight tinwork, cab, hydraulic loader, rebuilt engine
Iveco Daily recovery truck
2015, beavertail recovery body, winch & ramps
International B250 very early model, original tinwork
Renault Trafic van 2011
WANTED – Skilled Agricultural Engineer
Carlton Farm, Cattle Dyke, Gorefield, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 4NR
Tel: 01945 410099•07850 731409
www.adowningengineers.co.uk
Foxburrow
Dereham
01362 667148
NEW Holland 648 Crop Cutter round baler belt baler, used this season. £4,200 ovno. M Lewis Tel 07422 668416 (Powys) COOKS flat 8 sledge, tidy order. £700 ovno. M Lewis Tel 07422 668416 (Powys)
LELY Tornado RPC445 baler wrapper combi, 2011, 42000 bales, rotor feed with 25 knives & drop floor. 710 40 22.5 tyre. 540 PTO with control box. £18,500+VAT ono. J Rycroft Tel 07768 726198 (North Yorkshire)
2022 Massey
AF10 bale sledge, sale due to charge in farming policy. £10,900+VAT. M Hodgetts Tel 07946 146395 (Worcestershire)
DOW 14T grain trailer, 2002, hydraulic tailgate, 10 stud large super single wheels, hydraulic brakes, sprung drawbar, good condition for age, a strong trailer, tailgate seal is very good. £9,000+VAT ono. J Cantrill Tel 07779 577027 (Shropshire)
2023
Specialists in new & refurbished combine harvester parts
J Murrell Tel 07770 692891/01603 712222 (Norfolk) 13-101140 01206
JOHN Deere1085 combine, 1982, minor repairs needed, two headers, worked last harvest, barn stored, average condition. £6,000+VAT.
J Semple Tel 07906 096398 (Lincolnshire)
DIGGERS / DOZERS / DUMPERS
BENFORD 2t 3-way hydraulic tipper, easy to start, in very good working order. £2.750+VAT ono.
J Hurd Tel 01985 840260/01985 840039 (Wiltshire)
BOOM extension from Priestman Mustang 120 Mk3 digger, in good working order, may fit other machines. £2,200+VAT. J Hurd Tel 01985 840260/01985 840039 (Wiltshire)
CONCRETE breaker, came off Priestman Mustang 120 Mk3, sold as seen. £900+VAT ono. J Hurd Tel 01985 840260/01985 840039 (Wiltshire)
I’m 90 now!
£6,500 ono. J Hurd Tel 01985 840260/01985 840039 (Wiltshire)
01985 840260/01985 840039 (Wiltshire)
All prices subject to VAT and accurate at the time of printing.
USED MACHINERY
CONTACT JOE
Direct: 07711 162004 • joe@burdenbros.co.uk
COMBINES:
JOHN
CONTACT DAVE
Direct: 07770 814967 • dave@burdenbros.co.uk
JOHN DEERE: 3800, 3420, 3415, 3200
MASSEY FERGUSON: 8295
TEREX: 250
BALERS:
NEW HOLLAND: 1210, 1010S, D1000, BB940, 841, 835, 7070, 750, 740, 654, 650, 644, 640
MASSEY FERGUSON: 7278, 40RS 38, 34,
29, 27, 865, 760, 750, 665, 504
DEUTZ FAHR: 6090, 4090, 4080,4075, M3630, M3610, M2780, M2680, M1002
LAVERDA: 152, M120
CASE: 1660
TRACTORS:
JOHN DEERE: 8520, 8400, 8200T, 7800, 7530, 7430, 6930, 6900, 6800, 6430, 6110, 3650, 3130, 2140, 2040, 1640
FORKLIFTS:
JCB: 531-70, 530-70, 525-58, 520-4, 414, 926
CLAAS: Targo C50, K50 Ranger
MATBRO: Telestar, Teleshift, 280, 270, 250
MANITOU: 2600, MLT 633
MERLO: 40.7, 30.6 Multifarmer, 28.7, 26.6
NEW CASE IH PUMA 200 CVX
AFS Connect, Full Accuguide, front linkage, bar axle, ABS signal socket, exhaust brake, Pro1200 screen, Power Beyond, Deluxe leather pack, hand wash tank, Case IH warranty
CASE IH OPTUM 300 CVX 50kph 2020, 2015hrs, front linkage, Accuguide ready
S60 HEDGE/VERGE CUTTER
6m reach, linkage mounted with stabiliser arms, 1.5m head & hydraulic roller, electric mini pilot controls
NEW S55 TWIGA CLASSIC HEDGE/VERGE CUTTER
Mini Pilot controls, 1.2m head with hydraulic roller, linkage mounted
NEW S60 TWIGA CLASSIC HEDGE/VERGE CUTTER
Mini Pilot controls, 1.2m head with hydraulic roller, linkage mounted
NEW T65 TWIGA CLASSIC HEDGE/VERGE CUTTER
Mini Pilot controls, 1.5m head with hydraulic roller, linkage mounted with stabiliser arms
NEW T65 TWIGA MID HEDGE/VERGE CUTTER
Mini Pilot controls, 1.5m head with hydraulic roller, oil cooler, linkage mounted with stabiliser arms
NEW SNIPER 225 FLAIL MOWER hydraulic side shift, linkage mounted £4,400 + VAT EX YARD
NEW SNIPER 270 FLAIL MOWER hydraulic side shift, linkage mounted £4,900 + VAT EX YARD
ONE DEMO ONLY SNIPER 250 FLAIL MOWER front or rear mount, linkage mounted £7,000 + VAT EX YARD
NEW SNIPER 280 FLAIL MOWER front or rear mount, linkage mounted £8,350 + VAT EX YARD
NEW SNIPER 230 VARIABLE OFFSET PARALLEL ARM WITH VARIABLE COWL £7,950 + VAT EX YARD
NEW MULTICUT 480 PROLINE FLEXWING 6 BLADE PER ROTOR BATWING MOWER
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VADERSTAD Rapid 400, 2002, 4m, good condition for age, always stored in a shed, discs & coulters worn but still plenty of life left in them, cleated tyres, 6800ha, control box ungraded to variable rate. £14,000+VAT ono. T Knox Tel 07743 673519 (North Yorkshire)
MASSEY 36 drill, for use or spares, good tyres. Offers. R Bailey Tel 01449 766350 after 6pm (Suffolk)
SUMO Versadrill 4m trailed, 2011, f/hyd folding legs upgraded to JJ Metcalfe NG, Stocks seed, slug or Avadex applicator, 3 cameras (main hopper, Stocks hopper + rev), many spares, owner driver, well cared for, good metal, ready to go. £22,950+VAT. G Apter Tel 07786 090402 (Suffolk)
KVERNELAND TS EVO 6000 6m tine drill, 2021, mint condition, only 440ha, Focus 3 controller, pre em markers, wheel eradicators, r/ road & work lights, 5 seed meter rollers, r/steps, curved & straight points. £28,000+VAT. E Ward Tel 07867524632 (Lincolnshire)
KRM 4.8m SolaDrill 799, c/w integrated cultivator, pre-em markers, hydraulic fan. £4,350. J Sly Tel 07971 951505 (Lincolnshire)
KRM 4.8m SolaDrill 799, c/w integrated cultivator, pre-em markers, hydraulic fan. £4,350. J Sly Tel 07971 951505 (Lincolnshire)
DUTCH opener coulter bodies for Horsch Sprinter. £75+VAT each. J Burroughs Tel 07775 755914 (Essex)
T Williams Tel 07920 754700 (Gloucestershire)
P Hosking Tel 01548 830302 (Devon)
M Eves Tel 01553 828283 (Norfolk)
HORIZON DSX 75-20, 2021, 7.5m, can be reduced to 6m. £75,000 ono. D Hald Tel 07765 447368 (Suffolk)
INTERNATIONAL 24 row cultivator drill, c/w transport trailer, all new points, in good order. £1,000.
J Ashton Tel 07860 536895 (Lincolnshire)
KVERNELAND combi drill, 2012, good condition. £10,000+VAT. A Havers Tel 07778 682597 (Suffolk)
SULKY 3m power harrow/drill combination with disc coulters & a rubber wedge ring packer, in good condition. £17,750+VAT
ono. D Lunn Tel 07941 072957 (Cambridgeshire)
EQUESTRIAN
IFOR Williams 506 two horse trailer, 2014 approx, excellent condition, moderate pony club use, no longer required, graphite body, Ifor Williams wheeled saddle/tack locker included. £5,500. P Garvin Tel 07768 980053 (Essex)
CLAAS
CLAAS
mower, 3 rotors, flat top decks, 8 wheels, 7 year gearbox warranty
JPM low loader trailer, 24’ long, loading skids, sprung drawbar, air & hyd brakes
CLAAS Disco 3200 Contour disc mower, 3m cut, wear skids
CLAAS Volto 800 6 rotor tedder/spreader
ALPEGO TL33-220 verge mower 2.2m working width, hydraulic right hand offset, wide angle PTO
ALPEGO TR46-280 front/rear 2.8m flail mower, hyd offset headstock
VICON RO-EDW Geospread disc spreader, 3900L hopper, 12-54 spreading width, Trimflow border spreading system, side step
Used Machinery
SPEARHEAD Excel 645T hedge cutter, 6.45m reach, 1.2m flail head, T flails
£7,700
£18,500
£9,750
LEMKEN Sirius 10 mounted sprayer, 1600L tank, 24m boom, very good condition £13,000
CLAAS Scorpion 741 telehandler, 2019, 2300hrs, 4.1T lift 7m boom.............................................£54,000
CLAAS Arion 620 CIS, 2014 (64) 1800hrs, 40kph Hexashift transmission, front linkage, cab suspension, excellent condition
ENERGREEN/SPEARHEAD SPV 2 self propelled mower, 2012, 9.7m reach, swivel cab, ability to cut in forward and reverse travel
£35,000
CLAAS Arion 640 Hexashift 50kph, 2010, front linkage..................................................................£31,000
POTTINGER 6m power harrow, 2017, good condition
KUHN TBE 210 offset verge mower, 2.1m working width, right hand hydraulic offset, good condition
BERTHOUD 32 DP Tronic trailed sprayer 3200L, 24m boom, quad nozzles, tracking drawbar, Actiflex suspension
QUIVOGNE trailed disc harrows 5.5m working width, 4 gang, manual folding
HOMBERG Junior drain jetter, 2020, good
NEW
2008 BOBCAT 442 8T DIGGER 7500hrs, good tracks, 2 buckets, blade, JCB Q Fit coupling
WOOTTON 16T TRAILER lift off sides, s/dbar,
ERF MODEL ECX
6 WHEEL TRACTOR UNIT
NEW SPREADERS FOR THE 2024 SEASON NOW IN STOCK
FORAGE & SILAGE
HAYLAGE 4' round bales, 2022 season, triple wrapped, good quality. £20/bale. D Ivens Tel 07969 877834 (Northamptonshire)
Balemaster silage bale grab, good condition, spinning tines, on Matbro pin & cone fittings (could be converted), hydraulic squeeze on a two way ram, good condition. £750+VAT. E Ward Tel 07867 524632 (Lincolnshire)
round bale silage
hydraulic drive, converted to run off three spools rather than cable controls, can be converted back, computer for counting wraps, spare belt for turntable & spare roller bearing. £2,000+VAT ono. E Ward Tel 07867524632 (Lincolnshire)
ryegrass silage, baled with rotocut baler, size 160x120x90 6 string, weigh approx 700kg, extra wrap, 150 bales available, excellent condition. £45. J Gibson Tel 07931 930369 (Nottinghamshire)
SILAGE trailer 10t, age & make unknown, c/w silage sides & a rear swing door, Super single 285.65.22.5 tyres on 8 stud running gear, LED lights working, hydraulic brakes working, good condition, located Leek. £2,950+VAT. S Fitton Tel 07530 173713 (Staffordshire)
KEENAN 300 Mech Fibre with blades & weigh box, very good condition, short drawbar which helps manoeuvrability.
£7,950+VAT ono. R Gray Tel 07939 443353 (South Yorkshire)
TOP quality new ley grass round bale silage, good dry matter, surplus to our own requirements, price negotiable, please call for more information (Colchester). S Pulford Tel 07979 851358 (Essex)
POTTINGER Mex VI trailed forager, metal detector, PUH, good working order. £2,000. M Leeke Tel 07790 561405 (Shropshire)
GENERATORS
CLARKES petrol 3KVA generator, 3yrs old, used for maybe 10hrs, in as new condition. £275 ono. R Cosgrove Tel 07841 372169 (Suffolk)
GRAIN HANDLING/ STORAGE
HARVEST
Grain Cleaner Specialists
New and Secondhand Cleaners
Sieves and Spares for most makes
Test Facility available
Grain Fans and other equipment available
Main Agents for
UK Supplier for Aeromeh Cleaner Aero Dynamic Range
Roy Edwards 07702 408833 Full engineering,
www.grainmachinery.co.uk
MARTIN Lishman single phase cooling fan, 200mm plus 3 galvanised pedestals, c/w Martin Lishman pile dry fan heater so you can dry as well as cool. £450. A Masters Tel 07771 521796
CONVEYORS & Record fan, ex-Condor grain store. POA. L Wheeler & Sons Tel 07808 200404/01892 730224 (Kent)
TWO 27’ 4.5” 3 phase augers on
also various other straight 3ph 4.5” augers. POA. L Wheeler & Sons Tel 07808 200404/01892 730224 (Kent)
GRAIN walling – wooden L-shape grain partitions (8), fair condition. £200 ono. L Harrison Tel 07894 930919 (Leicestershire)
PROTIMETER Grain Master moisture meter plus temperature probe for stored bulk grain. £50+VAT. R LinsellClark Tel 07968 375224/01371 810253 (Essex)
FYSON
MARTIN Lishman grain cooling probes (2) plus 3 single phase fans, c/w grain sampling probe. £125+VAT. R Linsell-Clark Tel 07968 375224/01371 810253 (Essex)
22-101045
BENTALL
in good working order. £375+VAT ono. J Strathern Tel 07798 683520/01621 815430 (Essex)
GRASS MACHINERY
FARM Fans AB180A fully automatic batch drier,
07790 583034 (Derbyshire)
815430/07798 683520 (Essex)
MASSEY Four Rotor Tedder
2022, 5.2m working width, barely used £5,850 more photos and full spec at www.writtlefarmmachinery.co.uk
07748 004794 01245 442224
KUHN GA 4521 GM single rotor rake, 1999, always stored inside, had very little use, good condition. £2,750+VAT. D Tutt Tel 07767667668 (Bedfordshire)
23-101667
TWOSE 3m flat roll, good condition. £750+VAT. R Catton Tel 07966 785095/07976 648004 (Hertfordshire)
rows of spring tines, harrowing in tines, new & unused
Howard Nordsten 3m Combination Drill
2012/2009, hyd drill lift, Su olk coulters, immaculate condition
Bailey TB 14T Grain Trailer 2015, sprung drawbar, hydraulic tailgate, front window, grain chute, hydraulic brakes, 385/65x22.5 80%
Caterpillar D5B VHP
Special Application Tractor
1992, 5652 hrs, 125/165hp, air/con, rear linkage, two owners from new
Sprayranger 250D LGP Crop Sprayer
2009, 2500L, 24m, low hrs, 4wd, 4ws, oats & rowcrops, super condition
07711 405100 (Northamptonshire)
flat roll, 8' wide, 30'
will go through 10' gateway. £800. M Hornbuckle Tel 07801 101645 (Leicestershire)
LELY Stabilo 600 combi tedder/rake, very good condition, 2013, always stored inside, tyres in good condition, only selling due to upgrading to a wider tedder, rare machine to find nowadays. £6,250. T Carr Tel 07514 015654 (Essex)
AGRITREND grass harrows, 3m wide, unused, bought in error, absolute bargain. £800 no VAT. P Channer Tel 07771 517755 (Buckinghamshire)
JOHN Deere 324 mower conditioner. £600 ono. D Macer Tel 07974 646284 (Nottinghamshire)
RYTEC mounted cut & clear flail mower, 2m cut, good working order. £8,000 ono. A Hawes Tel 07739 491091 (Buckinghamshire)
VOTEX Roadmaster 2606 front mounted flail, pull type, had side shift, 2017. £8.350+VAT. J Burroughs Tel 07775 755914 (Essex)
VOTEX Jumbo 230 rear mounted flail, 2017, works at 90 degrees vertical & minus 60 degrees. £7,750+VAT. J Burroughs Tel 07775 755914 (Essex)
JOHN Deere
48.5hrs,
been
for only two seasons, excellent
genuine reason for sale, more photos & details available on request. G Catling Tel 07748 827519 (Suffolk)
Tel 01691860359 (Powys)
CLAAS Hayliner 430S, working order. £2,100. G Buckingham Tel 07769 934176 (Suffolk)
S Bygraves Tel 07973 117993 (Cambridgeshire)
07774 112211
LELY Lotus 600 Combi
6m working width, versatile machine: teds and rows up £5,850 More photos and full spec at www.writtlefarmmachinery.co.uk
07748 004794 01245 442224
McCONNEL 7775T, 2018, Revolution controls, boom float, head float, heavy duty multicut head with F14 flails, 7.7m telescopic boom, axle mount, current brackets to fit MF, excellent condition. £22,000+VAT ono. J Stent Tel 07786 065327 (Suffolk)
JTE
BOMFORD 58T extendable arm hedgecutter, 3 point linkage, average condition. £2,750 ono. A English Tel 07722 009505 (Norfolk)
JOE TURNER EQUIPMENT JTE JOE TURNER EQUIPMENT
Specialists in hedging & forestry equipment
See our ad on page 102
HEDGING & FORESTRY
fit Fendt 900 Series, axle
c/w all fixings, as new, 2022. £1,000+VAT ono. T Eve Tel 07866 143031 (Cambridgeshire)
HYDROCUT Hornet flail head, complete. D Sturman Tel 07836 339900 (Hertfordshire)
TURNER flail head, plus various other Turner parts. D Sturman Tel 07836 339900 (Hertfordshire)
NORWOOD HD36 Portable Sawmill, c/w 23hp engine, also hyd pump system inc log turner, mobility kit & all usual fittings, saw carriage cover, Norwood sharpener, new spare blades, photos available, in very good order. £12,750+VAT.
W Potter Tel 07803 015471 (Nottinghamshire)
FECON forestry mulcher, fixed tooth, twin drive, 2.25m wide. £9,250+VAT. J Burroughs Tel 07775 755914 (Essex)
KEMP woodchipper/shredder, chips wood up to approx 2.5" diameter, Kohler petrol engine, excellent condition, approx 15–20yrs old, but barely used. £450 ono. R Palmer Tel 07904 556093 (Cambridgeshire)
MASSEY Ferguson 6490 & McConnel 8085VFR – MF6490, 2008, 9620hrs, Dyna 6, 54K, f/ linkage & PTO, one operator; hedgecutter, 2016, 3000 rotor hrs, 8m reach, 1.6m head, competition flails, hyd hood (not in use), hyd roller, good condition. £38,000+VAT. R Green Tel 07766 666716 (West Yorkshire)
BOMFORD Microklippa hedge trimmer, 2021, under 30hrs usage so like new, fits std 3pt mounting, minimum 15hp, 3.2m reach, details as per Bomford website, Microklippa | Bomford Turner (bomford-turner.com), exc cond. £4,500 ono. C Stevens Tel 07976 607385 (Buckinghamshire)
ELIET Major shredder, excellent condition, little used, Honda GTX270 engine. £950+VAT. J Rawlings Tel 07747 635980 (Essex)
FORESTOR 900 rolling band mill. £3,500. T Winstanley Tel 07868 210268 (Lancashire)
IRRIGATION/ DRAINAGE
MILES mole plough, good condition. £1,450+VAT. J Strathern Tel 01621 815430/07798 683520 (Essex)
Refurbished Power Harrows:
• All New Bearings and Seals in the Trough and Gearbox
• Blade Holders All New are fitted
• New Genuine Kuhn Tines fitted
• New Packer Roller Kit fitted
• Shot Blasted, Repainted and New Stickers
• New PTO and Guards fitted as standard
• Models of Power Harrows used:
HR3001, HR3002, HR3003, HR4001, HR4002, HR4003 and HR4004
• Front or Rear Levelling Board as standard
• Cam Clutch new fitted on all machines
• Wheel Track Eradicators are available as an optional extra
All Seed Drills Totally Refurbished:
• New Main Frame with Extra Strength
• New Coulters and Pivot Bushes
• New Metering Device
• Vertical Folding Markers Power Harrow mounted
• New Disc Marker Pivots and Discs
• All New Hoses and Hopper Cover
• New Hopper Extension and Double Step
• Tramliner c/w 2 or 4 Shut Offs and Low Level Sensor
• All Shot Blasted, Repainted and New Stickers
• S-Type Following Harrow Standard on complete combinations
• 2 Rows of Coulters as standard – 3 rows optional extra
• Pre Emergence Markers available as an extra – £825
• Hydraulic Coulter Lift – £850
Refurbished Combinations
3m – from £13,650
Kuhn 3001 3002 3003
Power Harrow:
• New Maxi Packer Roller & Clod Board
• Accord 3m DA Seed Drill c/w Tramliner
• 2 row Suffolk Coulters
• Vertical Folding Markers fitted on harrow
• Hopper Extension
• Step and S-Harrow
4m – from £14,650
Kuhn 4001 4002 4003
Power Harrow:
• New Maxi Packer Roller & Clod Board
• Accord 4M DA Seed Drill c/w Tramliner
• 2 row Suffolk Coulters
• Vertical Folding Markers fitted on Harrow
• Hopper Extension
• Step and S-Harrow
12 Months Warranty on our combis
trailer mounted, Ford engine, 4000psi, 400m hose, numerous nozzles, new brakes, new tyres, lights all working. £3,750 B Whitehead Tel 01296 625529 (Hertfordshire)
M Eves Tel 07918 907486 (Norfolk)
LAND/PROPERTY
GRAZING land required, all acreage considered, good rates paid, short or long term. J Harbour Tel 07974 295535 (Essex)
LIVESTOCK
HEREFORD
sale, we have a terrific cohort of young bulls with great pedigrees to choose from, the herd is bred for calving ease & meaty conformation, we are Elite High Health accredited in a TB4 area. www.bitternherefords. co.uk. C Blaxell Tel 07768 171979 (Norfolk)
Dairy
our 2 easy calving homozygous polled Charolais semen bulls, quality calves to rear or market, may buy calves back subject to terms, direct from farmer to farmer, add value to next years calves, can ship anywhere. D Littlehales Tel 07771 571478/07767 633200/01743 891188 (Shropshire)
ABERDEEN
the Park Wall
is Johnes Level 1, BVD accredited, BVD vaccinated, IBR Marker vaccinated, TB4. J Musk Tel 01638 724831/07748 850465 (Suffolk)
ANGLO Nubian
stunning selection available from 6 months to one year, all registered & from award winning cheese making herd. E Bunting Tel 07889 640199 (Essex)
STUNNING selection of fully vaccinated & wormed Pygmy kids, ready to go to new homes, great colours, good trimmed, care notes provided, must have a CPH number. E Bunting Tel 07889 640199 (Essex)
DI-CALCIUM Phosphate (17% Phos, 22% Calcium), in 25kgs bags, 2T on pallets, high purity feed grade but equally good as a fertiliser. £150/T ex store IP28, loader on site. K Jordan Tel 07880 551111 (Suffolk)
SELECTION of British Blonde bulls, from 5 years to 18 months old, ready for work, reared naturally, 4 year TB, High Health status herd. G B Sewell & Partners Tel 07974 121597 (Cambridgeshire)
LARGE Black gilts, 6 months old, ready to breed, ideal for outdoor system, from pedigree stock. N Barrett Tel 01553 672440/07578 765342/07717 821891 (Norfolk)
SELECTION of pedigree Beef Shorthorn bulls, 2yrs of age, SAC Hi Health status, TB4. N Barrett Tel 01553 672440/07578 765342/07717 821891 (Norfolk)
SMALL Aberdeen Angus suckler herd reluctantly for sale, AI-bred, closed herd, currently winterhoused, available for viewing by arrangement at our farm in Suffolk. J Tomkinson Tel 07706 431044 (Suffolk)
EASYCARE ewe lambs, don't require shearing, no horns, enclosed flock, good for starter programme, the ram is outstanding, coat true to type, record for producing predominantly twins over last two seasons, choice of eighteen ewe lambs. £100. P Garvin Tel 07768 980053 (Essex)
WEEKLY TUESDAY SALES
Prime Lambs, Cull Ewes, Store Lambs & Goats
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY SALES
Prime Cattle, Calves, Breeding & Store Cattle (Pig Sales every 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month)
Seasonal Breeding Sheep Sales Market Tavern & Function Facilities
Pedigree Livestock Sales
Farm Sales and Valuations
Annual Traditional & Native Breed Show & Sale
Deadweight Cattle Sales
Straw & Fodder Sales
TB Restricted Orange Cattle Sales
Melton Mowbray Market, Scalford Rd, Leicestershire LE13 1JY 01664 562971
e: sales@meltonmowbraymarket.co.uk www.meltonmowbraymarket.co.uk
HOME-BRED pedigree Oxford & Sandy Black weaners, gilts & boars available, ready for new homes. £60. W Goodings Tel 07885 672682 (Norfolk)
GLOUCESTERSHIRE Old Spots X Duroc breeding boars & gilts, store pigs also available. J Sowter Tel 07561 637615 (Derbyshire)
TOGGENBURG goat kids, male & females available, excellent milkers. P Hopkins Tel 07429 243858 (Hertfordshire)
BUTLEY Herefords, registered pedigree bulls & females, quiet & easily handled, all bulls halter trained & guaranteed under Hereford Society rules, TB4 area. www.butleyherefords.co.uk. DC Smith & Sons Tel 07971 694912/07885 594143 (Suffolk)
SEAFIELD PEDIGREES
28-101543
ABERDEEN ANGUS BULLS
Ready to work
. Delivered direct to your farm . Very quiet Easy calving, Females available Health monitored Closed herd Full pedigree with each animal .
Semen Also Available
TEL: 07715 764 251
BOER goats (3), scanned in kid. £1,000; also unrelated billy. £200. M Rix Tel 07886 590432 (Cambridgeshire)
LIMOUSIN bulls, polled, Black & Red, Elite Health, TB4 semen tested, 2yrs old, ready to work, Bonshaw herd, Colchester. Heifers & cows with calves also available. D Kinloch Tel 07748 786073/07718 786218 (Essex)
PEDIGREE polled Hereford bulls, a good selection of quality bulls ready for work, good pedigrees, shape, quiet temperament, BVD & IBR vaccinated, delivery available, TB4. £2,500–£3,500. J Speirs Tel 07979 463480 (Bedfordshire)
CASTLEMILK Moorit fully registered ewe lambs (5) looking for new home, 2 sets of twins & a single born April/May 2023, bucket trained, would make a lovely starter flock for someone. Could potentially arrange transport. C Miller Tel 07817 699349 (Northamptonshire)
LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT
FABDEC Darikool DX bulk milk tank, 6500L, single phase, excellent condition. M Leeke Tel 07790 561405 (Shropshire)
METAL storage bins, heavy duty construction, sliding lids, sloping floor with a removable front panel, channels for pallet tines, 3 available, 700 x 700 x 1100 high. £100 each. D Ivens Tel 07969877834 (Northamptonshire)
Barry Horne
BULK FEEDERS UK
OPENING SILO FOR FORKLIFT BUCKET NEW SILOS FOR SALE URGENTLY WANTED SECONDHAND SILOS
1 x 20t EB . 1 x 6t EB
07879 402246 01948 710662 28-101684
bulkfeedersuk@hotmail.co.uk
SOLWAY mobile bird/game feeder, for use on an ATV, in good condition with all the electrical connections needed, 2017. £400 ono. W Andrews Tel 07769 731801 (Hertfordshire)
INCUBATOR C A Sydenham
Hannaford ‘Iron Clad’, 50 egg size, in working order. £40 ono. A Gapp Tel 07549 744457 (Norfolk)
GAME rearing equipment – Bristol incubator, can set approx 4000 pheasant eggs, c/w accessories, buyer to dismantle. £700. M Humphrey Tel 07860 523470 (Buckinghamshire)
GAME rearing equipment – Pukka Pen 12’ x 12’ hut with night shelter, had little use. £550. M Humphrey Tel 07860 523470 (Buckinghamshire)
Väderstad RDA400S drill 2002
Väderstad RDA400S drill 2004
Väderstad RDA400S drill 2010
Väderstad RDA600S drill Ex Demonstration
Väderstad RDA600S drill 2015
Väderstad RDA800S drill 2007
Väderstad RDA800S drill 2008
Väderstad RST 550 Twin Press Refurbished
Väderstad RST630 Twin Press Refurbished
Väderstad RST830 Twin Press Refurbished
Väderstad Carrier CR500CB Refurbished
Väderstad Carrier CR650CB Refurbished
Väderstad Topdown TD 400 Refurbished
Väderstad Topdown TD 500 Refurbished
Väderstad Topdown TD 600 to be Refurbished
Kockerling Vario 4m
Kockerling Vario 4.8m Ex Demo
Kockerling Vario 4.8m Secondhand
Kockerling Rebell 6m disc cultivator Ex Demo
Kockerling Allrounder 6m Ex Demo
Rapidlift RL 400 600 & 800 to fit Vaderstad Rapid Drills
HE-VA 12.3 Rolls c/w Breaker Rings New
HE-VA 16.3 Rolls c/w Breaker Rings
HE-VA 6m Low disturbance Subsoiler
Life Is Made Easier With Our Professional Approach All prices
spout
KRM ‘Bredal F2WS’ 3200L fertiliser spreader – very well cared for
Suton 7’ hyd brush – very good – to fit 7’ bucket
Graham Suffolk paddock sweeper/collector – very little use – excellent
Mounted chain harrows new & used 10’/16’ at bargain prices
2021 Chapman TH200 grass harrow, electric depth control, ideal for quad bikes £1,850
KRM 6m SM-P direct tine drill, 20 acres only – as new – policy change on farm £30,000
2015 Cousins combi seed bed harrow 6m, hyd fold, front & rear coils £10,750
1997 Massey Ferguson 6170 – a good spare tractor – good tyres – tidy £14,750
2009 Kubota M9540 4wd with loader, 6500hrs – recent extensive repairs £22,500
1994 John Deere 2130 2wd/loader – this is tidy but surplus to owner £5,500
2012 Dieci 25.6 mini-agri, 2.5ton to 6m, 3000hrs – really nice £29,500
2018 Dieci 40.7, 4t to 7m, 4500hrs, JCB head, powerful & tidy POA
Buckets, bale grabs, squeezers, transport boxes all ex stock at keen prices
Portequip beef/sheep/calf feeders – ex stock from your main dealer
Deutz 8280 293hp a superb performer – now with finance special of 0 + 4 annuals @0%
First payment September 2024 based on 40% of retail – demo available today
2022 Stiga 700WX/110cm out front, ride-on 4wd – superb (new £7,750) £3,950
Stiga Estate 22 ride-on, mid deck 48” hydro collector/mulch/spread £1,475
New Hayter/Toro mowers – all at extra special prices
FEED hopper with 12v electric motor & auger, ideal for mixing urea & crimped grain. £200+VAT. D Pither Tel 01452 864714 (Gloucestershire)
MOOCALL calving aids (2), annual subs just renewed, with chargers. £180 each. P Evans Tel 01787 227335 (Essex)
FULLWOOD Hiflo milking cluster
c/w silicone pipework up to pulsator, good condition. £70+VAT ono. R Gray Tel 07939 443353 (South Yorkshire)
07968 375224/01371 810253 (Essex)
H Cason Tel 07587 579123 (Suffolk)
Agricultural Cleaning Specialists
APS Ltd are a well established professional agricultural and poultry farm cleaning business providing a wide range of services and support
MOOCALL calving sensors c/w chargers & instruction booklets, 2 available, need renewing with Moocall. Open to sensible offers. M Green Tel 07970 176329 (Lincolnshire)
TEAGLE Tomahawk 8500 straw chopper, 2016, ready to work, for sale due to a change in farm policy, good condition. £8,000+VAT. J Martin Tel 07771 874992 (Norfolk)
MACHINERY
KIVI
Tel 07971 521655 (Shropshire)
RECO biomass big bale chopper, had very little use, twin drive unit, c/w control unit, discharge auger & 3 lengths of bale conveyor. S Lake Tel 07831 601213 (Norfolk)
07711 043650 • Barry 07712 434143 • Sean
H Pearce Tel 07947 344310 (Essex)
G.Brown USED MACHINERY SALES
VERY original IH434 narrow tractor, clean and tidy, low hrs POA
VOTEX 9’ pasture topper gwo £695
VOTEX Vixen 6’ pasture topper £650
QUICKE 4560 loader, power bucket to fit IH 574 or 684 £650
QUICKE loader IH 434, power bucket £450
TANCO loader to fit IH 454 or 574, power bucket £495
FRONT end loader to fit MF35 or 135, power bucket £395
VOTEX topper breaking for spares
29-101477
01945
700142
07774
676440
SHOTBLASTING gun c/w 20kg of shotblasting grit. £50. R Sinkler Tel 01377 270251 (East Yorkshire)
WALLACE 3t concrete mixer with Villiers petrol engine, sold as seen, for spares or repair, mixer OK but engine needs attention. £120+VAT. J Hurd Tel 01985 840260/01985 840039 (Wiltshire)
29-101545
VOLVO BM L30 loading shovel with 8' grain toe tip bucket, agri tyres, only 5548hrs. £14,500.
Doubleday Tel 07808 766070/01945 773326 (Norfolk)
Richardson Machinery Sales Ltd
07775
JCB
Tel:
SANDERSON Teleporter 227 2wd, W reg, in very good condition for age, everything works as it should. £4,000. M Hornbuckle Tel 07801101645 (Leicestershire)
JCB 536-95 AgriXtra, great for high stacking bales, 2022, 6 speed, rear PUH, 1300hrs, air con, stabilising front axle, replaced with an identical new machine. £75,000+VAT. A Ponder (Strutt & Parker Farms) Tel 07787 100589 (Essex)
MANITOU MB26, 1980, tipping carriage with forks, gwo. £3,000 ono. H Forrest Tel 07803 934295 (Lincolnshire)
JD 8RX370 ’23, ex-demo, E-AutoPowr 40k, cmd pro, SF6000, 4600 c/c , 5 ESCVs £382,000 REF: 81088470
1074 hrs, AutoPowr 50k, 1150kg BPW, warranty
X91100 ’22, 500 hrs, ProDrive XL 40k, sidehill pack, 30” tracks 4600 c/c, £POA REF: 71089639
’20, 602 hrs, AutoPowr 50k, 5 ESCVs, warranty to 10/28 or 3000hrs, £195,000 REF: 91096161
AutoTrac ready £104,000 REF: 31094622
’23, 675 hrs, AutoQuad+ 50k, AutoTrac ready, 4 ESCVs
£90,000 REF: B1025721
KUHN Sitera 3030-24 ’23, ex-demo, hopper extension (+400l) £41,500 REF: 31091407
DOWDESWELL DP7 3 furrow plough. £450 ono. D Macer Tel 07974 646284 (Nottinghamshire)
RABE Albatros 6 (5+1) furrow plough, hydraulic front furrow width, was a stock plough, 2017 but not used until purchased in 2020, mouldboards like new, excellent condition. £10,000+VAT. D Voutt Tel 07900 818810 (Cambridgeshire)
SKH 3 furrow plough with wheel. £550 ovno. M Lewis Tel 07422 668416 (Powys)
RANSOMES 4 furrow conventional plough, no wheel, c/w a few spares. £450 ovno. M Lewis Tel 07422 668416 (Powys)
IBC jumbo
or fertiliser bag forklift attachment, good used condition. £250+VAT ono. R Clarke Tel 07811 956789 (Essex)
Richardson
new condition, X form BK 15-70, width 2150mm, Euro 8 brackets. £1,250+VAT. W Chinery Tel 07787 431927 (Essex)
DOWDESWELL DP7D 5+1 plough, good condition, excellent metal, needs a few bits on the extra furrow as only used as a 5 furrow. £1,250+VAT. E Chumbley Tel 07808 166647 (Essex)
VIGO
QUANTITY
DOWDESWELL DP7D 4+1 plough, good condition, no cracks, metal well worn. £750+VAT. E Chumbley Tel 07808 166647 (Essex)
KUHN 5 (+1) Vari-master 183 plough, 2015, slatted boards, good condition, 6th furrow has since been added. £14,000+VAT ono. B Savidge Tel 07836248318 (Herefordshire)
01691 791460
MF 5S.145
2023, 600hrs, c/w MF loader, front linkage, 600/38 & 480/28 tyres, as new
MF 7722S
2020, 3300hrs, Dyna VT Efficient
MF 7718S
2021, 1700hrs, Dyna 6, 50kph
MF 7618
2014, 9100hrs, front links & PTO, 50kph
MF 6480
2011, 7900hrs, Sisu engine, front linkage, 50kph, 650 tyres @80%, Datatronic
MF 6465
2006, high hrs, cab suspension, good condition
JD 6R 215
2023, 1700hrs, c/w loader, Autopower, front links, wheel weights
JCB 435S
2018, 5300hrs, 50kph, auto lube, climate control, LED light pack, boom suspension
JCB 532-70 Agri Super
2023, 180hrs, Dual Tech VT
New Holland FR600 forager
2013, 2675 engine/2013 drum hrs
New Holland FX40
2005, grass machine, nice tidy condition
Landini Power Mondial 110
2011, 6700hrs, 3 spools, push out hitch, manual shuttle
email: llansilintractors@hotmail co uk
uk 101133
Please contact your Local Field Sales Manager or William Riddleston
Tel: 01284 777700 Mob: 07717 861815
email: william.riddleston@claas.com
rears, 4 spools, front susp, eco PTO, a/c, Isobus, air brakes, elec hyd, P.U. hitch, power beyond, cab susp, brand new tyres CL-A7601080.A
CASE PUMA 220 £82,500
2019, 50kph, 220hp, AdBlue eng, 1350hrs, 540/65 R30 fronts, 650//65 R42 rears, 4 spools, front susp, front link, GPS steering, a/c, Isobus, air brakes, elec hyd, P.U. hitch, power beyond, cab susp IH-PU220HJE551854
CLAAS CELTIS 456 £17,500 2007, 40kph, 102hp, EGR eng, 5500hrs, 500/60-22.5 fronts, 23.1-26 rears, 2 spools, a/c, P.U. hitch, fully mech trans, floatation turf tyres
CL-A0705372.A
CLAAS LEXION 780TT £250,000 2018, vario 1380
CL-C7601430.B
CLAAS LEXION 770 TT £230,000
2017, vario 1080, 30kph, 2339hrs, 1414 drum hrs, TT fronts, 500/85R30 rears, LH-RH V knife, C-Bar brake, dust ext, yield/Q meter, grainmeter, yield map, CEMOS dialog, cruise control, air comp, power spread, straw chop, chaff spread, AutoCrop flow SR00006640
CLAAS LEXION 770 TT £240,000 2018, vario 1230, 30kph, 2366hrs,
SR00007383
C1071
FARMERS - Advertise your ‘for sale’ and ‘wanted’ on-farm machinery
POTATO EQUIPMENT
(cont)
Walthambury
Walthambury
STANDEN 3 row bed planter c/w steering axle & Team applicators, hydraulic drive, vgc. £4,500. D Snell Tel 07714 273386 (Kent)
REDUCE HARVESTING DAMAGE WITH RUBBER WEB COVERS QUICKSPLICE WEB JOINERS
RUBBER GRADING SCREENS
PERFORATED RUBBER WASHER BELTS
37-101263
Tel: 028 9127 5913
Email: info@agri-web.co.uk
120 potato chitting trays, in very good condition. £60. G Judd Tel 07979 792252 (Cambridgeshire)
R Gott Tel 07768 316551/01366 384880 (Norfolk)
KVERNELAND 3000 2 row potato planter, 2012, excellent condition. £1,250+VAT ono. P Markillie Tel 07904 265360 (Cambridgeshire)
POTATO bedformer/ridger, in good condition, shear bolt protection, centre hydraulic folding markers, weights not included. £700+VAT ono. D Barrs Tel 07528 077891 (Warwickshire)
REEKIE 5154 destoner, 4 webber, segmented share, boulder box, spare webs, many spares, very good condition. P Baumber Tel 07976 550635 (Lincolnshire)
RANSOMES potato planter with applicator & all other potato equipment. £150 ono. A Clements Tel 07873 263687 (Suffolk)
PRECISION FARMING
www.davidharrisons.com 37-101046 01353 740666
TRIMBLE GPS guidance system model CFX750. £1,500+VAT ono. R Linsell-Clark Tel 07968 375224/01371 810253 (Essex)
TRIMBLE/NEW Holland EZ Guide
500, c/w upgraded antenna, remote keypad, new screen ftted by David King Electronics, also extra cables to mount screen in second tractor, good working order when removed. £1,000. E Coles Tel 07773 335534 (Cornwall)
TRIMBLE EZ-Guide 500, AG25 Antenna, steering motor, nav controller, all wiring, ram mount. £1,600+VAT. G Flux Tel 07879 413422 (Suffolk)
JOHN Deere GPS, came with a machine but of no use to me, it turns on & goes through settings but I have no receiver/dome. Offers. I Leverton Tel 07988 286608 (Lincolnshire)
PRESSURE WASHERS
3-PHASE pressure washer, very little used. £850+VAT ono. B Colson Tel 07789 261067 (Suffolk)
TRIMBLE RTK magnetic aerial base & cable (aerial not included), good condition. £60. S Bartle Tel 07884 238552 (Nottinghamshire)
TRIMBLE Nav 2 controller. £1,600. S Bartle Tel 07884 238552 (Nottinghamshire)
DOWTY
2016 Isuzu
£60. B Robison Tel 07740 683113 (Gloucestershire)
LELY Roterra
S Pemberton Tel 07831 318387 (Essex)
SPRAYERS
SPRAYTEC LTD
Sprayer Specialists in the Eastern & Southern Counties
Crop & Amenity Sprayer Specialist
Sprayer Specialist in the Eastern & Southern Counties
New and used sprayers and parts stocked for:
Berthoud • Househam Chafer • Agrifac and most other makes
David King Electronics 46-101163
& Foragers
Sprayers & Fertiliser Spreaders
Diet Feeder Weighing Systems
Hypro • Teejet • Lechler
Altek • RDS • Dual Pumps
Enduramaxx • Stocks Fan Jet
SPRAYER, SLUG PELLET AND GRANULAR APPLICATOR TESTING
Contacts:
Robert Webb: 07860 801322
Anthony Williams: 07711 947189
Phil Ramsey: 07934 799628
Andy Gemmill: 07802 336880
01279 812727
spraytecltd@btinternet.com www.spraytecltd.co.uk
LITETRAC LT350, 320hp Volvo engine, Allison Powershift auto, auto steer & screen, 98hrs, can c/w frame, 6000L stainless tank, 36m trifold Chafer boom, Hypro pumps, or sold separately for other uses. £145,000+VAT ono (depending on requirements). N Smith Tel 07798 907927 (Norfolk)
GM-R SPRAYERS LTD
SPRAYER SALES SERVICING AND REPAIRS VAST STOCK OF SPRAYER SPARE PARTS
01449 737482
07860 618903 graham@gm-rsprayers.co.uk www.gm-rsprayers.co.uk
CASE SP3000 s/p sprayer, 2001, 3000L 24m boom, 6900hrs, 2 sets wheels, narrow wheels nearly new, NSTS to Dec, still in use, owner driven, extra lights, can be seen working, quad nozzle bodies, spare Bertolini pump, available April. £16,000+VAT ono. S Perry Tel 07986 725323 (Hertfordshire)
WILLMOTT Lightspray, breaking for spares, most parts available, inc 24m allow boom, stainless steel tank, engine, gearbox & two sets of wheels. C Banks Tel 07971 627574/01777 870246 (Nottinghamshire)
JOHN Deere M732 trailed sprayer
2014 build, auto shut off 6 section 24m boom, 3200L tank with 400L clean water tank, steering drawbar & two sets of wheels, good all round condition, NSTS tested until mid May 2024. £16,500+VAT ono. M Smith Tel 07825 664748 (Lincolnshire)
KNIGHT EU 24m 3000L sprayer with tracking drawbar, laser recirculation, tank wash, RDS controller, rowcrop & LGP wheels, good condition. £7,250+VAT. P Dennis Tel 07768068005 (Lincolnshire)
UNIMOG Forward Control, 2015, LWB, 4ws, 238hp, tyre inflation system, 7700hrs, 650 or 710 wheels available, 5300L stainless tank, 24m booms for suspension fertiliser, Trimble rate & section control, Krone flow meter, tractor can be sold separately. N Smith Tel 07798 907927 (Norfolk)
KNIGHT 21m mounted sprayer, 21m, 1100L tank, 1996, 4 sections, in cab switch box, c/w pressure adj, hyd fold & boom tilt, s/steel spray lines + induction hopper, new NSTS test, would go straight to work, good cond. £2,250+VAT. A Knight Tel 07473 130769 (Worcestershire)
HARDI 800 Master 12m sprayer with Hardi foam markers, good condition. £4,000. A Hawes Tel 07739 491091 (Buckinghamshire)
KNIGHT 3000L, 24m, 2007, 12 mths NSTS test, triplex nozzles, air shut-off, 5 boom sections, tracking drawbar, Mueller Eco-Terminal & joystick controls, 540/65R34 95% & 270/95R44 60%, used as back up, only selling with move to 36m. £12,750 ono. S Slater Tel 07970 181379 (Suffolk)
FENDT Rogator 655, 2018, 6000L tank, OptiSonic boom height control, 2+2 Dual e-Nozzles, OptiTrack wheel width adj, RTK ready, 50kph, 480/80R50 & 710/60R38, available early May, manu wty until end of 08/24. £102,500+VAT ono. T Keir Tel 07870 610146 (Kent)
SPRAYRANGER 250, 2007, 2500L, 24m, air suspension, air shut off, 4ws, 3230hrs, 2 sets of wheels, good condition. £14,000+VAT ono. T Ottewell Tel 07790 583034 (Derbyshire)
J Grocott Tel 07802 38559/01845 567891 (North Yorkshire)
Agricultural Application Machinery Specialists
Landquip
SPRAYER & SLUG APPLICATOR
NSTS TESTING AT OUR LOCATIONS OR ON SITE
& REPAIR
Main Agents for TEAM HYPRO TEEJET RDS
ENDURAMAXX DUAL PUMPS
LARGE STOCKS OF PPE AVAILABLE
Contact Richard Dix 07770 331587
HARDI AMENITY SPRAYERS AVAILABLE FROM STOCK
various models available
SPREADERS
KRM Ex Trend 18-24m fert spreader, good condition on arable farm, tested 8 March, Callibrator 2003 control, will link to GPS for variable spread, E1, 2 & 6 vanes, tight transmission, f/w extra greasers, straight bodywork, road lights. £1,750+VAT ono. G Steward Tel 07809 174009 (Kent)
SULKY DPX fertiliser spreader, 18–28 spreader vanes, 2003 model, in good condition.
£850+VAT ono. R Taylor Tel 07807 021120 (Nottinghamshire)
KONGSKILDE WingJet 24m trailed boom spreader on flotation wheels/ tyres, will spread all fertiliser & small seeds plus Avadex, hopper extension & hopper cover, good spares package with rowcrop wheels & tyres, good working order. T Pennington Tel 07977 268959 (Herefordshire)
TECHNEAT Placement Pro 2 row fertiliser applicator, land wheel drive.
£2,500+VAT. R Gott Tel 07768 316551/01366 384880 (Norfolk)
KUHN Axis 40.1W fertiliser spreader, 2013, S6 discs, Quantron E-2 control box, weigh cells, ready to go to work, tested by SCS yearly, spread results/settings available.
£5,500+VAT. H Ogle Tel 07800 773496 (Nottinghamshire)
TRAMSPREAD 830 lime spreader, refurbished, 2 speed heavy duty gearbox, hydraulic back door, holds approx 6T. M Fearon Tel 07833 742808 (Cumbria)
2017 Kverneland Exacta CL EW fertiliser spreader, owned since new, used on 350acre farm, weigh cell, headland deflector, Isobus ready, calibrates itself, takes 4 x 600kg bags, c/w owners & parts manual, good working order. £4,000+VAT. M West Tel 07793 956378 (Kent)
KUHN Axis 30.1, 2007, 3t capacity, 18 to 28m spread, runs all OK.
KUHN 40.1 c/w weigh cells, 2011, very good condition for age, nearly new S8 discs & veins for 36m, good discs & veins on S6 too, always washed down & oiled after use, located Stevenage. £5,400+VAT. P Wilkinson Tel 07943 661312 (Hertfordshire)
STRAW & HAY
CATTLE hay in 4' round bales. £25/ bale.
Tel 07801 947436 (East Lothian)
£2,250. L Rich Tel 07774 112211 (Gloucestershire)
FOR HIRE
PLASTIC tank, 1300L, has been used for kerosene, single skin, good condition. £100. J Brocksopp Tel 07974 669997 (South Yorkshire)
TILLAGE TACKLE
Richardson Machinery Sales Ltd
Tank
of Dean Ltd
SUCTION tanker in working order, only ever used with water, 540 PTO. £1,900+VAT ono. P Lole Tel 07767 695800 (Worcestershire)
HE-VA 10.2m Tip Roller XHD
£19,950
2022, 24" Cambridge + Breakers, 7250kg
Full spec at www.writtlefarmmachinery.co.uk
07748 004794 01245 442224
HENRY Isaacs ring rolls, 28' wide working width, 24" rings, good working order. £1,200+VAT. D Tutt Tel 07767 667668 (Bedfordshire)
4-METRE trailed press, end tow kit with leading tines, good working order. £1,000+VAT. M Abraham Tel 07803 266436 (Bedfordshire)
FRANDENT 4m power harrow, 2014, vgc. £5,750+VAT ono. C Eagle Tel 07889 954360 (Norfolk)
2022 Maschio 6M Aquila power harrow c/w 21 spline PTO shaft, side PTO with cam clutch, 1000rpm, quick fit tines, r/levelling board, stone protection, PR500 toothed packer, only done 3 acres & being sold due to change in farming policy. £28,500+VAT. C Todd Tel 07885 981344 (Cambridgeshire)
PACKER from Knight Raven cultivator, 2.8m 700mm, c/w good bearings & a worn scraper if required. £750+VAT ono. T Witter Tel 07772 850505 (Lincolnshire)
£42,750
Bednar Swifterdisc 6000F Disc Cultivator
2020, f/paddles, 2 row discs, packer, Bednar Alfa seeder unit, mint condition
Tel: 07599 552864
www.richardsonmachinerysales.com
WEAVING SubDisc, in good condition, 2011. £4,995+VAT ono. E Freeman Tel 07710 622611 (Essex)
GREGOIRE-BESSON Discordon DXRVHD, 2013, 7 auto reset legs, frame no repairs or cracks, auto grease unit, very good condition. £9,995+VAT ono. E Freeman Tel 07710622611 (Essex)
VICON reciprocating 2 bar harrow c/w crumbler roller & transport wheels, good condition.
£450+VAT. F Webb Tel 01379 676289 (Norfolk)
SUMO front tyre press, good condition. £930+VAT. N Wilson Tel 07547 698793 (Scottish Borders)
BLENCH two leg subsoiler, in good condition. £325. J Abbott Tel 07946 344324 (Lincolnshire)
EDLINGTON 8.2m Cambridge rolls, 24" breaker rings, row of hydraulic paddle tines, shed stored, very good condition, seeder not included, more photos available on request. £9,250. S Bartle Tel 07884 238552 (Nottinghamshire)
FARMALL 3.5m 5 leg subsoiler, c/w Howard legs & tooth packer roller. £4,000. J Sly Tel 07971 951505 (Lincolnshire)
Well proven design Single and twin and three legged machines available Mounted and trailed
MAIDWELL MOLER
51-101262
TELEPHONE: 01604 686216
MOBILE: 07973 265378
HANKINS ENGINEERING
www.maidwellmoler.co.uk
GALUCHO 5.5m hyd folding press, c/w 24" cast rings & loading tines. £4,750. J Sly Tel 07971 951505 (Lincolnshire)
SIMBA 2B disc harrows, 3m working width, good working condition. £3,250+VAT. D Pither Tel 01452 864714 (Gloucestershire)
HE-VA 16.3m King Roller
2017, 24" Cambridge rings, 10350kg, hydraulic brakes, excellent £28,950 more photos and full spec at www.writtlefarmmachinery.co.uk
51-101673
07748 004794
01245 442224
SIMBA Mono 3.75m 5 leg DD packer, vgc. R Smith Tel 07881 621061 (Cambridgeshire)
SIMBA 3m Maxi-Mix, mounted, good working condition. £4,250+VAT. D Pither Tel 01452 864714 (Gloucestershire)
Reynolds Motors
Cromer •
BEET HARVESTERS TIM & THYREGOD 2–3 ROW
Beet buckets – choice of standard & toe tip
BEET CLEANERS – CHOICE OF CTM & TODD with picking tables etc
BEET DRILLS – STANHAY – CHOICE OF 6 & 12 ROW
Muck grapple for telehandler - Merlo brackets
KW LARGE STATIC ROOT CHOPPER PTO DRIVEN
Dalso 6m hyd/fold pigtail cultivator with rear discs
TERRADISC CULTIVATORS 3 & 4M
Dutch & combination harrows – 3 to 6m
BOMFORD 8M VIBROFLEX HYDRAULIC FOLD
Fyson store elevator 3 phase with hyd swivelling head
FLAT LIFTS – SUBSOILERS 2 TO 5 LEG
Reco hydraulic bag crane for fert spreader
STAINLESS STEEL WATER/FERTILISER BOWSERS
Choice of 10,000 - 18,000 - 25,000 litres on air or hyd brakes
8T MARSTON TANDEM AXLE DUMP TRAILER
12 ton Marston tipping / flat trailer with lift off side
12T MARSTON TIPPING/FLAT TRAILER
Flat artic trailer 30` with 5th wheel dolly and hyd brakes
14T FLAT TRAILER 30’ STEEL FLOOR ON S/S
Griffiths 28’ flat trailer with steel floor & front/rear ladders
14T ALLOY LORRY CONVERSION – ROLL SHEET
Pettit grain trailers 5 & 12 ton very old and very good
STAINLESS STEEL X LAGER TRANSPORTER
Probably the cleanest tanker for sale, It’s empty - now
50’ NEAN COMBINE / MACHINERY TRAILER
full MOT wells & outriggers on air with rear lift – choice of 2
WANTED
s/beet drills cleaners & trailing tanker harvesters 2 & 3 row
07836 643155
01263 833281
TRIPLE K Springtine harrow, 3 point mounted, approxi 10' wide, c/w some spares. £50+VAT. R Linsell-Clark Tel 07968 375224/01371 810253 (Essex)
PIGGY back linkage to attach seed drill to Maschio power harrow, 1500kg, c/w original arm ends not shown in photo, good condition. £250+VAT. J Semple Tel 07906 096398 (Lincolnshire)
BROWNS C-tine cultivator, 12'. £300+VAT. M Abraham Tel 07803 266436 (Bedfordshire)
4-METRE trailed press end tow kit with leading tines, gwo. £1,000+VAT. M Abraham Tel 07803 266436 (Bedfordshire)
JOHN Deere 6200, P reg, 9000hrs mainly grass cutting on golf course, no PTO work, tidy tractor for age, runs well, 4WD. POA no VAT. R Wilson Tel 07570 911368 (North Yorkshire)
NEW Holland T6-160 Elec com, 50K, 2020 2530hrs, 6 cyl, exhaust brake, a/c, dynamic front fenders, cab & front susp, 4 spools, hyd push out pick-up hook, Q 5M self level loader, euro combi hyd locking headstock, one owner from new. £67,000. K Perry Tel 07854 416370/01452 790737 (Gloucestershire)
& spares. £350. L Wheeler & Sons Tel 07808 200404/01892 730224 (Kent)
MARSK Stig springtine cultivator, 14' manual fold. £300+VAT. C Banks Tel 07971 627574/01777 870246 (Nottinghamshire)
See our ad on page 23 Suppliers of cultivation equipment airseeders & slug pelleters
51-101529
KNIGHT Raven 3.5m cultivator, excellent condition. £7,500. R Wooddisse Tel 07976418921 (Cambridgeshire)
KVERNELAND 4 furrow reversible plough, gwo. £500+VAT. M Abraham Tel 07803 266436 (Bedfordshire)
McCORMICK X7.440 P6
Drive, 2019, 2000hrs on clock, 520/70/38 rear tyres 75% , 420/70/28 front tyres 75%, c/w front linkage, air trailer brakes. £45,000. A Masters Tel 07771 521796 (Norfolk)
MF front end tractor weights, 3 x 55kg, vgc. £150 ono, no VAT. L Blanchard Tel 07771 611728 (Lincolnshire)
JD 6R 215
2023, 1700hrs, c/w loader, Autopower, front links, wheel weights
01691 791460
53-101734
JOHN Deere wafer weights, 18x 50kg, good condition. £980+VAT for the lot. H Pearce Tel 07947 344310 (Essex) FORD
FORD 7610 2wd, good genuine tractor, tidy for age & original condition. £7,500. M Hornbuckle Tel 07801 101645 (Leicestershire)
JOHN Deere 6155R, 2019 reg, front linkage & PTO, autotrac & section control activated, loader, joystick, Power Beyond, many extras, 3800hrs, immaculate. £73,000. N Doig Tel 07831 607872 (Norfolk)
JOHN DEERE 6155R
2020, 3406hrs, Autoquad 50kph c/w Creep, 380/90R46 – 380/85R30, front & cab suspension
Stk No. 11076453 £74,500
JOHN DEERE 6215R
2018, 4600hrs, Autopower 50kph, 650/70R42 –600/70R28, front & cab suspension, front linkage & PTO
Stk No. 51074918 £89,950
JOHN DEERE 6155R
JOHN DEERE 7R330
2020, 2760hrs, Autopower 50kph Commandpro, 710/70R42 – 600/70R30, front & cab suspension, front linkage
Stk No. 21074274 POA
JOHN DEERE 6215R
2017, 4847hrs, Direct Drive 50kph, 650/75R42 – 600/70R28, front & cab suspension
Stk No. 81070503 £75,000
JOHN DEERE 6175R
2021, 466hrs, Autopower 50kph, 650/65R38 - 540/65R28, front & cab suspension, front linkage & PTO
2019, 4208hrs, Autopower 50kph Premium edition, 650/65R42 – 540/65R30, front & cab suspension, front linkage
Stk No. B1072516 £132,500
Stk No. 21051521 £90,000
JOHN DEERE 6155R
2020, 2931hrs, Autoquad 50kph c/w Creep, 380/90R46 – 380/85R30, front & cab suspension
Stk No. 11076454 £76,500
JOHN DEERE 6215R
2018, 6009hrs, Direct Drive 50kph, 650/85R38 – 600/70R28, front & cab suspension, front linkage
Stk No. C1070944 £82,500
JOHN DEERE 6155R
2019, 4500hrs, Autopower 50kph, 650/65R42600/65R28, front & cab suspension, front linkage
Stk No. 21072608 POA
JOHN DEERE 5100M
2022, 434hrs, 32F/16R Power Reverser 40kph, 480/88R34 –400/80R24 Nokian tyres, 543M loader
Stk No. 81073832 £62,500
2019, 4m mounted low disturbance subsoiler c/w Sumo seeder & two packers
Stk No. A1076300 POA
101136
JOHN DEERE 6135M
2019, 5445hrs, Autoquad 40kph, 520/85R38420/85R28, front & cab suspension
Stk No. 21076294 £44,000
SUMO DD4
2020, rear mounted 4m hydraulic folding direct drill toolbar, c/w 2T front tank
Stk No. B1075572 POA
JOHN DEERE 5100M
2019, 975hrs, 32F/16R Power Reverser 40kph, 600/60-30.5550/45-22.5, loader ready
Stk No. B1011127 POA
2014, Hydraulic folding, front discs, 8 x legs, rear packer
Stk No. B1072382 £18,500
CASE
2016 Case Puma 165, 6328hrs, Powershift 50kph + air, front linkage + SCV, front and cab suspension, 4 electric spools, 3 speed PTO, exhaust brake, deluxe seat, LED work lights, electric mirrors, fronts are 600/65R28, rears are 650/75R38 .......................................... £44,000
2018 Case Puma 165, 3279hrs, Powershift 50kph + air brakes, front and cab suspension, 3 electric spools, 3 speed PTO, LED work lights, big screen, deluxe seat, exhaust brake, front tyres 480/65R28 70%, rear tyres 600/65R38 £53,000
2021 Case Optum 300 CVX, 1956hrs, GPS ready, front linkage + SCV 900 tyres, 5 spool valves £119,000
December 2020
Case Quantum 110N, 2232hrs,40 KPH, front linkage & PTO, electric hyd, 4 rear electric spool valves, 3 mid mount spool valves, front tyres 280/70x16 75%, rear tyres 360/70x28 75%, immaculate .......................................... £34,000
2018 Case Puma 240, 6300hrs, front linkage, power beyond, guidance ready, tyres worn ..... £57,000
JOHN DEERE
2014 John Deere 6210R Direct Drive, 8875hrs, 50kph, front linkage and mid mount valves, front & cab suspension, auto steer ready, climate control, front tyres 0%, rear tyres 710/70x42 70%..................................................... £41,000
MASSEY FERGUSON
2015 Massey Ferguson 7718 Dyna 6, 7007hrs 50kph (New synchro/clutch plates) front linkage + SCV, front + Cab susp, 2 manual + 2 electric spools, front tyres 14.9x28 30%, rear tyres 18.4x38 50% Firestone
£38,000
2019 Massey Ferguson 4709, 1120hrs, full set of front weights, immobiliser, 2 spool valves, hyd trailer brakes, front tyres 340/85x24 Trelleborg, rear tyres 420/85x34 Trelleborg
£31,000
VALTRA
2014 Valtra T183 Direct, 7116hrs, front linkage & PTO, front hyd service, power beyond, air brakes, front tyres 540/65x30 25%, rear tyres 650/65x42 40%, not immaculate, but in good working order ...................................... £32,500
JCB
2012 JCB 3230 Xtra with Sisu engine, 6484hrs, front linkage, 1 hyd service, tyres 540/65x34 95%, This is the tidiest JCB 3230 in a long time POA
DEUTZ
2017 Deutz 5090G, 1610hrs, on grass tyres, 2 speed PTO, 2 manual spools, a/c ................... £25,500
COMING IN:
2022 Case Puma 240 CVX, 3250hrs, full spec
2021 Case Optum 300 CVX 3450hrs
2021 Case Puma 240 CVX, 3495hrs, New Bonnet, full spec
17
20
62 reg MF 7624 4x4 Dyna 6 50K FL 5200hrs
20 reg MF 7718s 4x4 Dyna 6 50K 1600hrs air brakes 2 years left on warranty
13 reg MF 7618 4x4 Dyna 6 7500hrs 50K air brakes
08 reg MF 6499 4x4 Dyna 6 FS CS 50K 7700hrs
11 reg MF 6495 4x4 FS CS FL 6900hrs Dyna 6
06 reg MF 6495 4x4 FS CS Dyna 6 7800hrs
06 reg MF 6480 4x4 CS 5800hrs
Y reg MF 6280 4x4 FL
18 reg MF 5710s 4x4 Essential spec wth MF loader 3870hrs
67 reg JCB 536/60 Agri Super teleporter 3400hrs
19 reg JCB 532/70 Agri Super 4600hrs 125hp new tyres
03 reg JCB 530/70 4x4
06 reg JCB 526s 4x4 5000hrs
07 reg Terrex 6T dumper
19 reg Bobcat E45 midi excavator 2050hrs
Q reg David Brown Superamatic 880
J reg Ford 5610 AP cab
1964 Fordson Super Dexta
J reg MF 135
R reg Ford 6600 with loader
2010 Kilworth topper 6’ wide 12T dump trailer
VALTRA
JOHN Deere 6400, 1997 P reg, 9450hrs, 40kmh Powerquad box, 3 spools (extra hydraulic tank fitted), air con working, air seat, 620/76R34 rear tyres 50, 420-R26 front tyres 10%, been on an arable farm most of its life, good cond. £16,950+VAT. T Chugg Tel 07980 240592 (Worcestershire)
Tel:
FORD
CASE 5130, 12000hrs, 1992, .forestry guarded but can be taken off, well looked after, all works as it should, cab & wheel arches in great condition for these tractors, c/w 2 front tyres, 80% tread, tyres on it are about 70% good. B Jones Tel 07807 945233 (Warwickshire)
FENDT 1800kg Big Pack weight, c/w drawbar bracket, vgc. £2,800. J Murrell Tel 07770 692891/01603 712222 (Norfolk)
MF 5S.145
new
01691 791460
JOHN Deere 5820, 2008, 512hrs, immaculate, 512 genuine hrs, been on an airfield industrial estate from new to do a bit of topping, 2 spools, push out hitch, 3spd PTO, 16spd Powerquad transmission,4wd, regularly serviced. £29,950+VAT. G Holt Tel 07960 888701 (Northamptonshire)
NEW Scharmuller K80 00.42810.0-A20 J Deere 7R K80 drawbar, 00.520.33.0-A02 double sided steering hitch. £1,150+VAT. R Gray Tel 07939 443353 (South Yorkshire)
JOHN Deere 6150M, 2015, 2182hrs, excellent condition, dealer maintained. £32,495+VAT ono. R Clarke Tel 07811 956789 (Essex)
JOHN Deere 6140R, 2013, 3211hrs, excellent condition, dealer maintained. £39,750+VAT ono. R Clarke Tel 07811 956789 (Essex)
JOHN Deere 6155M, 2018, 2515hrs, in excellent condition, 2018 model, dealer maintained. £44,750+VAT ono. R Clarke Tel 07811 956789 (Essex)
BIG Pack-style McCormick wafer weights, 16 x 50kg wafers, never used, 800kg in total, shop soiled condition. £600. J Murrell Tel 07770 692891/01603 712222 (Norfolk)
£43,500
Claas Arion 650
Tractor 2013, 5700hrs, Cebis full spec, vgc
Tel: 07599 552864
www.richardsonmachinerysales.com
JOHN Deere 3050, registered in 1991, in good condition, 8060hrs. £11,500+VAT. T Schembri Tel 07919 624032 (Essex)
2014 Case Puma 185 CVX, genuine 2920hrs, 50k CVX transmission, 4 elec spools, GPS ready but not fitted, front weight included, rear tyres 80%, fronts 10%. £48,000+VAT ono. P Howland Tel 07831 308272 (Suffolk)
07599
FENDT 818, 2007, 10,330hrs, f/ linkage, hydraulic top link, 4 r/ spools, Topcon autosteer (base station RTK enabled), LED r/ work lights (UTV lights), front 540/65R30 40% rear 650/65R42 40%, 1 owner, from arable farm, good condition. £42,995+VAT. L Shaw Tel 07903 601099 (Bedfordshire)
AJP 7'6" fork, Kverneland tines, cone & pin brackets, only used in grass. £2,400. A Palmer Tel 01889 560585 (Staffordshire)
JOHN Deere 6155R, 2019, 1486hrs, in excellent condition, please call for details. £69,750+VAT ono. R Clarke Tel 07811 956789 (Essex)
£48,000+VAT. J Brocksopp Tel 07974 669997 (South Yorkshire)
B Bennett Tel 07804 579665 (Essex)
2018, 1437 hours, 50KPH DC, front linkage, 1 mid mount valve, air brakes, intelliview 4 screen, 4 EHRS, joystick, 600/65R38
New Holland T7.315HD
2023, 1485 hours, Auto Command 50kph Eco, 250a Alt, Rev Fan, VR and AGR, 220L Pump, Power Beyond, 2x MMV, 4 Remotes, Hyd Top Link, FHM, Front links with PTO/couplers/Elec, Intell Braking, VF710/75R42 & VF650/60R34 Trelleborg tyres. L3 RTK,
Super
2013, 5007 hours, 50K Autocommand, Air brakes, front linkage, Power Reyond, 4 remotes, 650/65R42 & 540/65R30
50kph RC, New Holland Loader, 1143 hours, Joystick and 2MMV, 110 L Pump, Hi Vis, 650/65R38 & 540/65R28, 4 Remotes, HTS1, Radar.
TUFFMAC 7x4 CAR TRAILER
Delivery available £7,000
EZIJOCK HYD JOCKEY STAND
Extremely strong & very durable. Being hyd it takes very little e ort to operate & fully complies with the European safety standards £186
MALONE PROCUT 3000MC
Quick
Made with unrivalled strength and quality. comes with mesh sides and ramp separate tail board,chequer oor, jockey wheel, lights 750kg gross £1,850
3228MN mower conditioner
Kverneland 8590 8 row hay tedders in stock
Kverneland FRO 2.8m grass topper front & rear
Kverneland 863 Pro straw bedder
Redrock 20t dump trailer
Redrock 24t tri-axle low-loading trailer
McHale 691BH & R5S round bale handlers
McHale 2 x V6750 round balers
McHale 691HB bale handler, several
McHale R5 soft hands bale handler, several
Teagle 8500 Chief feeder bedder
Moulton FY4 yard scraper
Kawasaki Mule Pro DX
Kawasaki Mule Pro MX
Bomford 2.8m flail mower
Bomford tri-wing topper 4.6m
PlantMec 8’ & 10’ yard brush
PlantMec hydraulic bucket brush
USED MACHINERY IN STOCK
Deutz 5090D c/w loader
Deutz Agroplus 410 DT on turf tyres
Deutz Agritron 430GS 2500hrs only, 2011
Ford New Holland T90 c/w loader
MF 4355 2002 exc cond
MF 5612 Dyna 4 2014 c/w loader, low hrs
MF 6S.165 2022 c/w FL4323 power loader 250hrs
Lely Roterra 4m power harrow
Lely 770 6 row tedder – 2 in stock
Krone Swardo 46 rake 2017 excellent condition
Kverneland NGH 4m heavy duty power harrow c/w packer roller, as new, very little work
Dowdeswell 4 furrow good condition
Dowdeswell DP7 3D 5 furrow reversible plough
Lemken 4 furrow reversible plough
Kuhn FC243 mower conditioner with lift control
Kuhn MDS1141 QL fertiliser spreader
Kuhn GF7702 8 row tedder 2011
Kverneland bale wrapper, square & round bales
Kverneland 4032 trailed mower conditioner
Kverneland 3m CTS stubble finisher c/w DD packer
Kverneland 2.8m FRO grass topper, as new
Kverneland TL Geo fertiliser spreader, excellent condition
Kverneland 4m power harrow, as new, hardly used
Teagle 40/40 tub feeder/bedder
SC feeder/bedder
Teagle 80/80
Teagle 2010 80/80 SC feeder/bedder good condition
Teagle EKR/S flail topper good condition
Kidd Mk3 Professional Post Bumper as new
McHale 660 2018 round baler x 2
McHale 991 LBER wrapper 2020
Welger RP445 2012 e-link
Krone V150 XC baler 18,000 bales c/w ALO trailed wrapper
McConnel 5 leg Shakaerator
Fleming o set 8ft grass topper
Twose 6.3m Cambridge rolls c/w breaker rings
Kawasaki 750 quad bike road legal
Agco DM255/P mower conditioner, very good condition
Twose 2.8m flail topper
Bomford TW 4.6m heavy duty batwing grass topper
Bailey 12t trailer, rollover sheets, complete refurb by Bailey 2 yrs ago, as new – 2 available
Cousins sidewinder rolls
Graham Edwards 12’ x 5’8” cattle trailer unused £5,500
MASSEY Ferguson 3095, 1993 L reg, 14200hrs, starts/drives well, still in regular use, possible broken gear selector as hard to engage 1 & 2, 3 & 4 good in low & high box, Dynashift, hydraulics, spools & PTO all good, for spare or repair. £6,150+VAT. J Pullin Tel 07732 603094 (Wiltshire)
DEUTZ-FAHR Warrior 7250 TTV, 2018, 1390hrs, 50K, 540/65/34 & 650/65/42 Mitas, f/linkage c/w weight box, front & cab suspension, auto air con, sun roof, GPS steering, 5 ESCVs, Power Beyond, air brakes, super condition. £90,000+VAT. N Beesley Tel 07770 471245 (Northamptonshire)
MASSEY Ferguson M4708 one year old, as new, under 200hrs, owner is now retiring. £35,000+VAT. D Nickson Tel 07774 418105 (Lincolnshire)
MASSEY Ferguson 398 4wd tractor with loader, been kept outside, low hours, cab rough condition. £10,000+VAT. A Burgess Tel 07889 640457 (Northamptonshire)
JOHN Deere 6170R, 6819hrs, 2014, GPS activated, good front tyres 85%, rears 35% but sound, Direct Drive, good sound tractor, engine re-mapped. £45,000+VAT ono. J Strathern Tel 07798 683520/01621 815430 (Essex)
FORD 5610 2wd, Super Q cab, 1989, 8533hrs, c/w Tanco loader bucket, muck fork, bale spike, in good condition, call for more details. £9,750 ono no VAT. N Gaunt Tel 07999 855169 (Derbyshire)
JOHN Deere 3050, tyres 95%, 4700hrs, runs & drives perfectly. £11,999+VAT. J Macmorland Tel 07729 196960 (Essex)
TRAILERS
54-101141
Your local East Anglian dealer for Graham Edwards
Complete range available:-
Flatbed Trailers
Tipping Trailer
Livestock/ Cattle Trailers
ATV Trailers
Call for more info 01362 687 260 0777 1972092
BAILEY TB16, 2008, sprung drawbar, hyd rear door, grain chute & sock, arched full f/window, air/hyd brakes with load sensing, storage rack, roll over sheet, Alliance 560/60/22.5 tyres 50%+, exceptional condition for age.
£15,000+VAT. T Hinchley Tel 07802 396931 (Nottinghamshire)
£6,400+VAT. M Doubleday Tel 07808 766070/01945 773326 (Norfolk)
07946 344324 (Lincolnshire)
07971 951505 (Lincolnshire)
£2,450
FERGUSON
730224 (Kent)
Fendt
Fendt
MF 6480
£35,000
MF 8S.205
£110,000
988
MF 7624
£44,500
4150
£25,500
Hyd
MF
861
21055575
Fendt
Fendt 828
£115,000 3330
MF 7720
£64,000
Fendt 939
6251
Manitou
JCB
3774
Fendt
Manitou
Claas
FARMERS - Advertise your ‘for sale’ and ‘wanted’ on-farm machinery
7.50X20
10 stud
12 P.R
hardly used. £50. D Ivens Tel 07969 877834 (Northamptonshire)
BKT Agrimax Sirio 540/65-R34 tyres 152D/149D (4), good walls, no cuts. £30 each no VAT. B Shingfield Tel 07845 031968/01953 883293 (Norfolk)
TYRES & WHEELS
STOCKS
STOCKS dual wheels, 14.9-R28
560/60-R22.5 wheel, 10 stud rim, no offset. £350. S Bartle Tel 07884 238552 (Nottinghamshire)
NEARLY new B F Goodrich All-Terrain tyres, 265/65 R17. £795+VAT. P Skinner Tel 07711 405100 (Northamptonshire)
FOUR tyres from Loadall, 445/70R24 Continentals, 50–60% tread left. £795 ono. D Lavender Tel 07768 090004 (Norfolk)
JOHN Deere 6R rowcrop wheels, 380/90R54 rears 340/85R38 fronts, tyres are better than 95% Mitas, only ever a very small amount of fertiliser spreading, selling because we have sold the tractor, ex 6195R, excellent condition. £5,000+VAT. F Steward Tel 07901 633744 (Suffolk)
VREDESTEIN tyre & tube, 12.4xR36, 80% worn, but good case for play or light work. £60 ono. F Marchington Tel 01663 732750 (Derbyshire) 7.50X20 wheel & tyre + spare tyre, good tread, 8 stud centre, possibly JD front tractor wheel. £75+VAT. J Turner
Tel 07801 419504/01494 862348 (Buckinghamshire)
Wheel Barrow to Combine we have the answer! lodgetyre.com
TRELLEBORG Twin 414 tyres & rims, two 850/55x42 rear, two 750/50x30.5 front, to fit series New Holland tractor, 80% tread, good condition. £8,000+VAT. I Macdonald Tel 07721 565675 (Scottish Borders)
DUAL wheels, 480/70-R30, Pirelli tyres, 70% tread, c/w clamps, good condition. £800+VAT. I Macdonald Tel 07721 565675 (Scottish Borders)
38-R20.8 rims & clamps + one tyre, in good condition. £450+VAT. I Macdonald Tel 07721 565675 (Scottish Borders)
COMPLETE set of tyres & rims for JCB Fastrac. £1,500+VAT. B Colson Tel 07789 261067 (Suffolk)
HEAVY duty rowcrop wheels, adjustable rims, tyres 75% good, 340/85-R46 rear, 320/90-R32 front, 8 stud rear, 10 stud front, will fit MF, JD, Fendt, Claas, etc. G Meikle Tel 07801947436 (East Lothian)
TRELLEBORG Twin 700/50R26.5, 10 stud, good condition. £500+VAT. I Webster Tel 07779 011271 (Aberdeenshire)
TYRES WHEELS
BOSTON
Contact COLIN SIMS
www.agriculturaltyresandwheels.com
07831 805080 01205 460081 sales@agriculturaltyresandwheels.com
BRIDGESTONE VF VT Tractor 650/65R42 & 540/65/R30, 95+% tread, only done 100hrs, tractor was traded in with original tyres so these are now surplus, as new. £6,600 ono. O Pipe Tel 07802 250395 (Suffolk)
WELDED rowcrop wheels to fit Massey Ferguson 6475, 2013, 300/95R52 & 12.4R36 with 14mm centres, rears are approx 30% & fronts 80%, Alliance tyres so give a narrow footprint for their size, ideal for potato rows or sugar beet. £2,150+VAT ono. M Palmer Tel 07702 293727 (Lincolnshire)
& tyres. £350. J Murrell Tel 07766 216100/01603 712222 (Norfolk)
•
•
•
•
•
CONTINENTAL
R Palmer Tel 07904 556093 (Cambridgeshire)
PAIR of Pirelli TM800 440/65-R28 tyres, 90% tread, no cuts. £400 no VAT. P Sherwin Tel 07946 344325/01778 425682 (Lincolnshire)
ROWCROP wheels off MF5713, 9.5R48 rears Kleber, 9.5R32 fronts Vredestein, very good tyres. £1,000+VAT. E Chumbley Tel 07808 166647 (Essex)
STOCKS dual wheels & tyres, 18.4-38 & 14.9-28, including clamps. £750. M Strawson Tel 07831 871026/01472 371561 (Lincolnshire)
SET of rowcrop wheels & tyres, 270/95/R32 & 270/95/R48, rear tread 70% front 90%, came off Fendt 516, excellent condition.
£950+VAT. J Gibson Tel 07931 930369 (Nottinghamshire)
BATEMAN floatations, Michelin Machbib wheels & tyres 710/55R30, very good condition, off a RB35. £3,500+VAT. I Webster Tel 07779 011271 (Aberdeenshire)
TYRES & wheels for sale, cam off JD 6910, 540/65-28 size, 30% tread Continental tyres. £750. R Edwards Tel 07967 828571 (Herefordshire)
FOUR Goodyear floatation tyres, back tyres 66/43/25, fronts 48/25/20, only 30% worn, fit a Massey 6480, but centres can be changed to fit any tractor.
£3,250+VAT ono. J Harrison Tel 01931 714229 (Cumbria)
CONTINENTAL Contract AC75G
650/75 R32 (18.4 R38 equivalent) tyres on Sam Moreton & Sons rims, good condition, currently on Claas/MFf 203mm 8 stud bolt in centres, good condition.
£2,000+VAT. W Tyrrell Tel 07985 476263 (Lincolnshire)
460/85R34 tyres with rims, one GRI as new, one BKT good condition, rims are 10 stud pattern, excellent condition. £1,200+VAT.
K Garrod Tel 07932 150466 (Norfolk)
VEGETABLE EQUIPMENT
ELECTRIC asparagus picking buggy, very good condition. £1,000+VAT.
M Abraham Tel 07803 266436 (Bedfordshire)
THERMOWEED 6m Greenburner c/w three 1560L front mounted Calor gas tanks. £3,750. R Browning Tel 07802 813937 (Essex)
ELECTRIC asparagus picking cart, vgc. £1,000+VAT. M Abraham Tel 07803 266436 (Bedfordshire)
VEHICLES
SHOGUN Warrior, 2017, diesel automatic, very low mileage 42000miles, excellent condition, FSH, full leather interior, air con, heated seats, Shogun mats & boot liner. £22,250 ono no VAT. A Worboys Tel 07785 572330/07801 122014 (Bedfordshire)
Tel: 01945 410099•07850 731409 www.adowningengineers.co.uk
2006 Land Rover 90 TD5,
2003 Land Rover Defender 110, only 64000mls, long MOT. £18,000. W Francis Tel 07850 318297 (Hampshire)
2005 Toyota Hilux Mk6, 2005, silver, on Hankook 205/80 R16 Dynapro ATM tyres, 191563mls. £4,500+VAT
I Harding Tel 07802 385559 / 01845 567891 (North Yorkshire)
TOYOTA
double cab,
full service history, 244000 miles, MOT July, owned from new. £5,000+VAT. C Bowd Tel 07752 470554 (Cambridgeshire)
07770 692891/01603 712222 (Norfolk)
FORD Ranger Wildtrack, 39,000mls, excellent condition.
£25,000. P Mason Tel 07855
536799/07831 306773 (Shropshire)
VINTAGE & CLASSIC
B Robinson Tel 07850 152240 (North Yorkshire)
MOFFREY with horse shafts & drawbar, nice old horse cart.
£600. J Pears Tel 07733 033214 (Lincolnshire)
HANDBOOK dated 1944 for Albion inders, inc illustrated list & parts, also Care & Operation of Albion Binders handbook, Harrison, McGregor & Guest Ltd. £50. M Andrew Tel 07903 442568 (Lincolnshire)
CATERPILLAR D4D c/w Caterpillar toolbar, original paint, vgc. R Smith Tel 07881 621061 (Cambridgeshire)
07813 960638
£12,500+VAT. M Naylor Tel 07970 576362 (Lincolnshire)
LAND Rover Defender, white, registered Sept 2005, 213599mls, winch on front, ply lined in the back, roof rack & back steps, clean, tidy & In good condition, MOT until 29 June 2024. £6,995 ono. E Reece Tel 07836 747300 (Monmouthshire)
NISSAN Navara, 2010,
leather interior, sat nav, 83,000mls, full MOT,
has been strengthened, roller shutter, tow bar, previously a Cat S. £5,500. C Brown Tel 07868 654618 (Norfolk)
JOHN Deere 4020, 1967, one farm from new, vgc, c/w implements & few spares. R Smith Tel 07881 621061 (Cambridgeshire)
FORD TW/30 Series front mudguard brackets, c/w base plate & studs. £850+VAT. R Freeman Tel 07764 151082 (North Yorks)
LARGE antique anvil. £300 no VAT. J Wright Tel 07816 323503 (Lincolnshire)
J Hurd Tel 01985 840260/01985 840039 (Wiltshire)
FERGUSON 5/6 row beet steerage hoe for mounting behind small tractor, average condition. £350+VAT. J Semple Tel 07906096398 (Lincolnshire)
SMYTH drill for sale, stored under cover. £150 ono. E Gillett Tel 07710 137619 (Suffolk)
VINTAGE dreadnoughts, 2 + 1 spare, vertical stone mills, 1920s, 20hp motors engines. R Rayner Tel 07808 066655 (Cambridgeshire)
Massey Ferguson
£3,950
Tel: 01945 410099•07850 731409
www.adowningengineers.co.uk
RARE Land Rover County Station Wagon 110, 1982, reg CWK 37Y, 106,000mls, tax & MOT exempt, owned by Land Rover for 4yrs as a demo vehicle, service history & photos, a few jobs to finish, I have all the genuine parts, good running order. P Drake Tel 07931 387298 (Essex)
HOWARD Gem rotovator, In working condition, would come up great as a project, Chelmsford area. £185. J Walling Tel 07443 223183 (Essex)
We are suppliers of used parts for Antique, Vintage and Classic Tractors
British & American, built 1920's - 1980's 01747 828272
www.pocock-tractorsupplies.co.uk
sack lifter. Open to offers. R Linsell-Clark Tel 07968 375224/01371 810253 (Essex)
MF earth bucket for loader, heavy construction, Offers over scrap value, no VAT. C Search Tel 07990 502144/01268 732133 (Essex)
BELT pulleys for Fordson & Massey, both good. C Search Tel 07990 502144/01268 732133 (Essex)
MASSEY Ferguson 711 potato harvester brand new original unloading elevator belts. £400 no VAT. P Sherwin Tel 07946 344325/01778 425682 (Lincolnshire)
A DOWNING
International B250
Very early model, original tinwork
Tel: 01945 410099•07850 731409
58-101761
www.adowningengineers.co.uk
DAVID Brown 900 diesel, good runner. £2,250 no VAT. K Atkin Tel 01522 752624 eves/07835 086831 text (no voicemail) (Lincolnshire)
SAW bench required, older type rack & pinion, large blade for ripping tree trunks down for boards &
Massey
John
CLAAS
TWO 16.9x34
TRACTOR/IMPLEMENT tyre required, 18.4x34, 14 ply, tread immaterial, but walls need to be sound. D Lyle Tel 07850 156030/01652 628217 (Lincolnshire)
3-BED Baselier with hood required, in good condition. T Noble Tel 07816 477293 (Cambridgeshire)
TYRES & wheels required, 6 stud, 8.25R26. L Wheeler & Sons Tel 07808 200404/01892 730224 (Kent)
RELIABLE 8-9T 360 excavator required, in good working order with 2 hydraulic services for tree shear & timber handling, Norwich, Norfolk, WhatsApp detail or email to info@jamesmurrell.co.uk. J Murrell Tel 07766 216100/01603 712222 (Norfolk)
KIDD 155 feeder wagon, auger type, not cross conveyor. M Summerfield Tel 07884 138719 (Oxfordshire)
PAIR of 11x36 dual wheels with crossply tyres, 60%+ tread, or just the tyres. R Dant Tel 07887 483864 (Cambridgeshire)
SCRAP WANTED
❚ Combines
❚ Sugar Beet Harvesters
❚ Tractors ❚ Trailers
❚ Cars ❚ Vans
❚ Lorries ❚ Trucks
Top Cash Paid+VAT
David Smith
01353 861694 07968 661115
59-101165
LOOKING for a DB 1290, Massey 550 or a Massey 565, any of these, must tidy, with or without loader, running or not (retired farmer). P Jackson Tel 01422 243913 (West Yorkshire)
BROCHURES WANTED
All tractor and machinery brands, all years, complete collections. Cash or cheque on collection.
Please phone Graham 07889 792875
59-101682
STRAW swath gathering wheels required for round baler. W Everitt Tel 01263 860112 (Norfolk)
HORSCH Terrano, 4m, 3pt mounted. A Hawkes Tel 07932 717512 (Lincolnshire)
models
corkcombines@gmail.com
Tel: 0035 3862782479 corkcombines.com
WINGET 10NT/R batch concrete mixer in running order, as in photo. May be interested in non-runner as a spare, if available. J Hurd Tel 01985 840260/01985 840039 (Wiltshire)
SWINGING clevis drawbar to fit 4255, can do swap with pickup hitch if required. D Treharne Tel 07719 697455 (Northants)
RETIRED farmer looking for a DB1290 or a Massey 550, 265 or 565, must have straight tinwork, runner or non runner considered, with or without front loader, any area. P Jackson Tel 01422 243913 (West Yorkshire)
KIDD swath straw chopper required in good condition. W Everitt Tel 01263 860112 (Norfolk)
BIG Bag lifter to fit Sanderson teleporter, 4x600kg bags, must have Sanderson brackets on. R Dobson Tel 07780 664320 (Lincolnshire) 59-98790
CASE Maxxum 5150 required by farmer, needs to be able to go to work, so not necessarily show condition, ideally good mechanically, but would consider a damaged tractor as we have one to use for spares. Willing to travel. Would consider a 5140. B Harris Tel 07990 741527 (Warwickshire)
WEIGHING EQUIPMENT
SALTER Big Bag weigher, Model 299, 1T max weigh capacity. £200+VAT. D Pither Tel 01452 864714 (Gloucestershire)
WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT
100-TON hydraulic jack, new. £120+VAT. B Colson Tel 07789 261067 (Suffolk)
BUTTERS AMT MIG welder, 250amp, single phase with 16amp plug, feed rollers for 0.8 & 1mm wire, c/w torch, regulator & earth clamp, good working order. £150+VAT, shipping to most of UK. £55+VAT. P Lole Tel 07767 695800 (Worcestershire)
WITH SLURRYKAT WITH SLURRYKAT
SlurryKat would like to appoint an experienced & proven Territory Sales & Business Development Manager to cover North-Mid England/Wales.
In this role, we seek an individual with demonstrated outstanding sales & organisational skills to join the sales team of our award winning company. We expect you to have strong customer focus, understand customer needs & a proven record of delivering quality service & sales growth. Ultimately, you will be goal driven & have a proven track record in developing strong relationships, delivering sales & customer satisfaction.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Responsible for all sales activities within the area, from initial contact through the sales process and beyond with customer service and aftersales.
Work closely with the Marketing team to deliver effective territory sales and marketing strategies.
Development of new Dealerships opportunities through market and sector knowledge.
Present products and services to dealers and service their needs for sales stock.
Pro-actively generate and convert own sales leads for end users. Participate in industry or promotional events (e.g. Trade shows) to cultivate customer relationships.
slurrykat.com
David Tripon has joined Avon Tuning HD as a technical sales engineer to support and expand the authorised agent network of agricultural installers.
The newly created role is part of a strengthening of the in-house Avon Tuning HD team to assist the wider agent network, that now has over 150 agents in the UK and Ireland.
David joins Avon Tuning HD after working for Mercedes as a service
technician on commercial vehicles.
In his new role, David will be working closely with Avon Tuning HD director, Gareth Jones, to facilitate technical training days for existing and new agents, visiting agent depots to support installs of professional remaps, advising on technical issues, and recruiting new agents.
David will be based at Avon’s Bristol HQ, but will be regularly travelling to visit agents around the country.
Regular technical visits to our state of the art UK manufacturing plant.
Work collaboratively within a sales team responsible to General Manager.
Candidate requirements:
Current proven agricultural machinery sales experience, or at the very least have a recent strong background in technical sales within the agricultural sector.
A self-starting and proactive approach to driving sales within your region.
Preferably live within the territory.
Excellent communication and relationship buildings skills. I.T. proficiency in Microsoft office and the ability to utilise the company CRM system effectively.
Full driving license, preferable clean.
The successful candidate will receive an attractive remuneration package: Excellent salary plus commission, with a benefits package to include a car, laptop and mobile phone. 28 days’ holiday.
To Apply:
Send your CV, with a cover letter, to careers@slurrykat.com.
Closing date is 26th April 2024
Movers and shakers
Do you know of someone who is on the move in the agricultural industry? Whether they are starting a completely new role, a promotion within a business or perhaps a retirement after many years of dedicated service, let us know and we will do our best to include it on our popular ‘About People’ pages. Send in no more than 150 words and a (head and shoulders) picture of the person in question to (email): rachel.hicks@farmersguide.co.uk
Join our growing teams at Saxham and Norfolk
SERVICE ENGINEERS
Service Engineers are key to our business and we are currently recruiting at MANNS Saxham and MANNS Norfolk. You will play an important role in servicing, maintaining and repairing CLAAS and key franchise equipment to the highest standard.
We offer a competitive salary, incentives and pension plan, extensive holidays, service vehicle and full training programme.
Join our growing team at Norfolk
SERVICE MANAGER
We have a vacancy for a Service Manager at MANNS Norfolk. This role is key to our customer relations and will require you to drive our service team to deliver a consistently high level of customer care. You’ll need to meet performance, pro tability and business targets whilst managing our engineers who work on the full range of CLAAS machinery and franchise products.
Above all you will be an excellent communicator with a desire to develop and expand the service side of the business.
A sound product knowledge is required, although ongoing industry leading training will be provided both in-house and by the CLAAS Academy. In addition, a personal development plan will be put in place for the right candidate.
We offer an excellent remuneration package including a performance related incentive scheme.
For an informal chat about the above roles call Darren Copping on 07836 385668, or email a covering letter and a full CV to cuk.hr@claas.com
All enquiries are treated in the strictest con dence. Deadline for completed applications is 30th April 2024.
Managing partner Keith Girling said Ben has exhibited a proven track record of excellence in agricultural consultancy with the frm over the last decade. His commitment to Wilson Wraight and his clients is frst-class, supported by excellent technical ability and business acumen. With a particular niche
The British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) has announced that its colleague, friend and head of knowledge exchange, Dr Simon Bowen, passed away on Sunday 10th March.
Russell
in managing fresh produce and irrigated rotations, Ben works throughout East Anglia and the south coast.
He will now play a pivotal role in driving service to clients and infuencing the frm’s continued success. “We are fortunate to have some great talent at the present time and we look forward to Ben ‘s continued positive impact on the team and his clients,” Keith said.
passes away
“Simon was an outstanding ambassador for the sugar beet industry, widely respected for his extensive sugar beet knowledge and his enthusiasm for the crop. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends at this difcult time,” BBRO said in a statement.
retires from Pan Anglia
Area sales manager Russell Hooks has hung up his calculator and retired after 40 years in the industry. He started in the early 1980s at Oford & Buckden Mills
Matt Redman has been elected as the new National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) chairman, with Chris Gardner as vice chairman. They will spearhead the NAAC, alongside CEO Jill Hewitt, president Meurig Raymond and the NAAC Board.
Matt, of Matt Redman Agriculture, is a Cambridgeshire contractor offering whole farm contracts and individual operations. Chris relocated his business Gardner Contract Services (formerly Mill Farm Ashorne) to Devon last year, and
Ripon Farm Services has announced the appointment of Richard Simpson as its new CEO, with Geof Brown MBE becoming chairman.
Richard was appointed commercial director three years ago to strengthen the board. He comes from a farming background and has extensive experience in transforming companies large and small. In his new role, Richard will have full responsibility for the strategic development of RFS and the day-to-day running of the business.
Geof Brown will continue to be ever-present in the company and advise on strategic direction to ensure the seamless transfer
of knowledge and expertise. He will also be able to dedicate more time and energy to his upcoming charitable endeavours in his role as president of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. At the same time, ensuring a smooth leadership transition within the company.
of Huntingdon working the North Beds/Northants area.
He moved home to Essex, joining Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd at Braintree for 20 years. Then joined Pan Anglia Ltd at Sudbury for 14 years. He covered South East Essex and part of Sufolk.
Seeing many changes in agriculture, with manufacturers names changing along with farming techniques, he is proud to say that he still deals with some of the farming families that he did back in the ‘80s.
The AHDB has appointed two new members to its export team, underlining its commitment to international trade development.
Richard Gibson has joined as international trade development manager from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) in Northern Ireland and will focus on developing exports of red meat in China and the wider South East Asia region.
Experienced processing plant auditor Tanveer Parkar , who has worked
in the industry for a decade, is AHDB’s new senior market access manager and will work with red meat processors, providing technical support to ensure compliance with export requirements.
Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB international trade development director, said: “Export activity has been highlighted by red meat and dairy levy payers as a part of AHDB’s work that they highly value and want to see more of. [...]
“Richard and Tanveer will provide us with additional resource to help us continue to deliver valued services to our levy payers and help the quality red meat and dairy from the UK flourish on the global stage.”
will continue offering specialist services in the Southwest, including grassland overseeding and vegetation management.
Commenting, Matt said: “I am excited to take my place as chairman of the NAAC Board and look forward to being able to assist the office in supporting professional agricultural, forestry, drainage and amenity contractors.
“Whilst this is a challenging time for the industry, it will be ever more important for professional contractors to take the lead, investing in innovative kit and supporting farmer customers. Realistic costings will be vital for longevity and the NAAC intends to lead the industry forward into a new era of farming.”
Carole Brunton and Ian Hope have been co-opted to the RSABI board of trustees.
Ian Hope, head of rural at Galbraith, is an experienced business leader in the agricultural sector who has covered all aspects of rural consultancy and management during his career. Ian, who is a partner at Galbraith, also farms in Perthshire and is passionate about making a diference to the farming industry in Scotland.
Fife farmer Carole Brunton is passionate about agriculture
and has 37 years of industry experience under her belt. Carole began her career as an agricultural department secretary for Elmwood College before becoming a partner in the family farming business which she continues to run with her husband, while also fulflling her role as a project co-ordinator with RHET Fife.
In 2021, Carole was appointed the role of honorary president of Fife & Kinross District Young Farmers, furthering her work to help fuel the younger generation’s passion for farming.
RSABI is looking forward to further expanding its board in the coming months when the charity will be recruiting two trainee trustees.
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